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* Fundraising text…
NAME, it’s Kat Abughazaleh. I have learned that Donald Trump’s Department of Justice has charged six people, including myself, with federal crimes for exercising our First Amendment rights near ICE’s Broadview processing center.
This is a political prosecution and a gross attempt at silencing dissent, a right protected under the First Amendment.
Here’s the truth: As I and others exercised our First Amendment rights, ICE has hit, dragged, thrown, shot with pepper balls, and teargassed hundreds of protesters, myself included.
This case is yet another attempt by the Trump administration to criminalize protest and punish those who dare to speak up. Because Chicago doesn’t back down from bullies in masks who teargas our neighborhoods, this administration is resorting to weaponizing the federal legal system to scare us into silence.
THEY know they are wrong, they know that they are inhumane, and they know that history will not be on their side. We cannot diminish ourselves in the face of these tactics; it’s time to unite and show up for humanity, for our rights, for everyone terrorized by Trump’s lawless secret police.
This legal fight will be extraordinarily expensive, and I need you on my team. Just $1 from each of our supporters would go a long way to ensuring we have the resources we need to defend the First Amendment. xxxx.us/xxxx?t=xxxxx
Thank you, and stay safe,
Kat Abughazaleh
Text STOP to quit
* From the indictment, which was unsealed today…
On or about September 26, 2025, at approximately 7:45 a.m., Agent A was wearing civilian clothes driving a government-owned vehicle (the “Government Vehicle”) to the BSSA [Broadview Service Staging Area] to report for his official duties. Agent A’s official duties at the BSSA included supervising logistics such as intake, processing, bedspace and transportation coordination for those temporarily detained in Broadview, communicating with upper management and federal partners to manage operations and ensure necessary supplies and proper staffing levels, and responding to requests for information, both internally and from the public. […]
On or about September 26, 2025, at Broadview, in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division,
MICHAEL RABBITT,
KATHERINE MARIE ABUGHAZALEH,
ANDRE MARTIN,
CATHERINE SHARP,
BRIAN STRAW, and
JOSELYN WALSH,defendants herein, conspired with one another and others, known and unknown, to prevent by force, intimidation, and threat, Agent A, a United States law enforcement officer, from discharging the duties of his office, and to injure him in his person or property on account of his lawful discharge of the duties of his office, and while engaged in the lawful discharge thereof, and to injure his property so as to interrupt, hinder, and impede him in the discharge of his official duties.
It was part of the conspiracy that, as Agent A drove the Government Vehicle and reached the vicinity of the BSSA on or about September 26, 2025, and turned west onto Harvard Street in Broadview, a group of individuals, including RABBITT, ABUGHAZALEH, MARTIN, SHARP, STRAW and WALSH, surrounded the Government Vehicle, with the intent to hinder and impede Agent A from proceeding to the BSSA and discharging the duties of his office.
It was further part of the conspiracy that, while surrounding the Government Vehicle, RABBITT, ABUGHAZALEH, MARTIN, SHARP, STRAW, WALSH, and others, among other things, banged aggressively on the Government Vehicle’s side and back windows, hood, and other vehicle body parts; crowded together in the front and side of the Government Vehicle and pushed against the vehicle to hinder and impede its movement; scratched the body of the Government Vehicle, including etching a message into the body of the vehicle, specifically the word “PIG;” broke one of the Government Vehicle’s side mirrors; and broke a rear windshield wiper off the Government Vehicle.
More here.
Rabbitt is the 45th Ward Democratic Committeeperson. Sharp is running for Cook County board.
…Adding… From Sen. Laura Fine, another CD9 Democratic candidate…
I am disgusted by the partisan and unethical indictments of Kat Abugazelah and five others at the direction of Donald Trump’s weaponized Justice Department.
This unjust prosecution is an attempt to intimidate and silence those who stand up for their rights and beliefs. It’s an attack on anyone sickened by masked men roaming our streets and shoving our neighbors into unmarked cars. It’s a threat to everyone willing to call this what it is: creeping tyranny.
Today it’s Kat. Tomorrow it could be any one of us. This administration wants to rob us of our empathy - to make us afraid to fight for one another. But we cannot abandon the values that make us who we are. We’re a community that shows up, links arms, and refuses to look away. No indictment, no threat, no act of intimidation will change that.
* Daniel Biss…
“The only people engaged in violent and dangerous behavior at Broadview have been ICE. As someone who has protested at Broadview multiple times, I know these protests are nonviolent demonstrations against the kidnapping of our neighbors. Now, the Trump Administration is targeting protestors, including political candidates, in an effort to silence dissent and scare residents into submission. It won’t work.
“I hope these frivolous charges are dropped immediately and Trump begins to listen to the vast majority of Americans who oppose his terror campaign.”
* Granato is running against Sharp for county board…
The following statement can be attributed to Democrat Elizabeth Granato, candidate for Cook County Board of Commissioners District 12:
“Donald Trump’s decision to indict protestors for exercising their constitutional right to speak out against federal agents targeting our communities is beyond the pale. I’ve demonstrated at Broadview myself, and we’ve all seen violence being incited by federal agents, not protestors.
“After pardoning January 6th rioters who assaulted police officers, Trump is once again weaponizing the Department of Justice, this time against ordinary Americans who believe in the rule of law.
“We will not be distracted from unconscionable violations of civil liberties ICE and CBP commit and the terror they unleash against our communities.
“I will continue to bear witness and fight alongside my neighbors as we work to protect our communities and keep families together,” said Elizabeth Granato.
Oak Park Village Trustee Brian Straw was one of six indicted on conspiracy to impede the work of a federal law enforcement officer according to U.S. Northern District of Illinois court documents filed last week. […]
Straw provided Wednesday Journal the following comment Wednesday:
“I joined the protests at the Broadview ICE detention facility because of what is happening to our immigrant neighbors: children zip-tied and shoved into vans, mothers pulled from cars on the way to school, neighbors afraid to go to church or work. The Trump Justice Department’s decision to seemingly hand-pick public officials like me for standing up against these inhumane policies will not deter me from fulfilling my oath of office. I will fight these baseless charges, and I will continue to stand with and protect our immigrant neighbors.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 12:57 pm
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Kat’s fundraising is gonna skyrocket.
Comment by Elizabeth Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:00 pm
You can find videos of this “conspiracy” in action on the candidate’s social pages. Judge for yourself, and think about why these individuals in particular were singled out for their “role” in the”conspiracy”
Comment by Emanuel Collective Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:02 pm
@Elizabeth: so will her legal bills, but yes.
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:02 pm
The current administration has pardoned folks convicted of actions that are far worse.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:04 pm
We’re really on a hamster wheel of nonsense as a society.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:05 pm
Thank u ICE for your great work, we support you.
Comment by Dpiman Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:08 pm
Very curious to see which AUSA’s agreed to take this “conspiracy” case as a “felony.”
They may have trouble convincing law firms that they have good judgment if they decide someday to leave the “Justice Department.”
Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:10 pm
People will handle the legal bills. It’s also going to get tossed out in about 45 seconds. What did they call this? “Lawfare”? Temperamental babies are mad people are hindering their fash.
Comment by P. Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:12 pm
==so will her legal bills, but yes.==
It will be a circus. I’m worried that the more statewide and national exposure Kat gets (think Mamdani) the more the other side may seems like a better choice to moderate voters.
We will see how Mamdani’s mayoral campaign impacts other Dems in NY. Mayor Johnson doesn’t seem to have hurt statewide candidates in Illinois.
Comment by Elizabeth Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:14 pm
=KATHERINE MARIE ABUGHAZALEH=
With her social media influencer background, she will take this and run with it. The ICE indictment just handed Kat the keys to a primary victory.
Comment by Thank again Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:16 pm
-It’s also going to get tossed out in about 45 seconds-
Kat’s got a sympathetic judge but more charges could be coming.
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:18 pm
This kills Bushra’s campaign. Kat can not be beaten from the left. Also will hurt Biss too.
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:24 pm
“It’s also going to get tossed out in about 45 seconds.”
What makes you think that? Please everybody. As inconvenient or unpleasant as it might be, please consider the possibility that everything is getting much more serious than we could have ever possibly imagined.
Comment by Whatever You Say, Say Nothing. Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:26 pm
–
including etching a message into the body of the vehicle, specifically the word “PIG;”
–
It would be interesting to see an image of this from evidence.
My spidey-sense is saying that it would be in perfectly straight block-lettering, while the vehicle was at the same time being pushed and rocked back and forth.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:27 pm
Arrests and Kidnapping are not the same thing Mayor Biss.
Comment by Egad Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:28 pm
I thought Kat Abughazaleh was a joke candidate carpetbagger Now I would not be surprises if she wins. I guess there is a whole new way to start, fund and run a campaign. Wait for the future
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:34 pm
Wonder if this is connected to the feds also making an example of LibsofTikTok star and ISU grad student Derek Lopez who was picked up by the FBI for vague allegations of a threat to Trump after he’d already been charged locally for turning over TPUSA tables in foorage that went viral in conservative circles
https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-10-29/isu-teaching-assistant-on-leave-faces-federal-charges-over-alleged-threats-to-president-trump
Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:34 pm
DuPage - there is the whole anti Israel issue for her and a lot of the electorate that she really hasn’t dealt with…
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:44 pm
Would love to hear the other side of the story. Guess that is what courts will eventually get to.
Comment by Mason County Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:46 pm
==I thought Kat Abughazaleh was a joke candidate carpetbagger Now I would not be surprises if she wins.==
I’m not sure a Democratic Socialist type candidate that doesn’t publicly reject the DSA’s extreme views on Israel (like Biss does) can win a general election in that Congressional District.
Comment by Elizabeth Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:48 pm
=== can win a general election in that Congressional District.===
Kamala Harris won that district by 36 points. Pritzker won it by 45. The worst any statewide Democratic candidate did in those precincts was Susana Mendoza in 2016, winning by 19 points.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:54 pm
If your response to things like this is to think about how some imaginary ‘median voter’ is going to respond, nothing personal but you have allowed the superficial and idiotic political media in the US to lobotomize you.
Comment by Larry Bowa Jr. Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 1:58 pm
I think this moves the needle and turbocharges Abughazaleh’s fundraising (what isn’t eaten up in legal fees, that is), but the median Democrat voter in IL-9 is a lakefront liberal living in either Evanston or the other suburbs who has known Daniel and Laura for years. Hard to overcome decades of interpersonal relationships and accumulated goodwill.
Comment by TKMH Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 2:05 pm
@Elizabeth - she will win if she is the nominee. The more divided the primary is - the better this is for her.
Team moderate needs to consolidate to stop her or Biss from winning.
I am Team Fine but Kat wins hands down against ANY Republican - even as an anti Israel candidate.
Kat’s weakness is - SHE DOESN’T KNOW ANY LOCAL ISSUES.
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 2:06 pm
-that doesn’t publicly reject the DSA’s extreme views on Israel-
Kat could beat any registered Republican even after being indicted. Lots of pro- socialists in that district. High property taxes aren’t causing a tax revolt in that district. Few Congressional districts have higher property taxes .
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 2:08 pm
Really trying to resist responding to the blatant all caps violation but she sure knows the immigration issue which is now a big a local issue.
Comment by P. Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 2:12 pm
The government prosecutors bear the burden of proving up the allegations in the complaint.
Having read the charges, if true, it looks as if Kat and her friends did more than simply engaging in peaceful protesting.
Comment by Whoa Nelly Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 2:15 pm
This is obviously a very stupid indictment and waste of time, but I’m 100% sure it was a publicity stunt by the defendants too. Surrounding a government vehicle and banging on it is not really peaceful protest either.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 2:18 pm
=Wonder if this is connected to the feds also making an example of LibsofTikTok star and ISU grad student Derek Lopez=
Lopez was arrested after he clearly/voluntarily destroyed the property of students associated with a registered student organization. Plus, he was arrested by the ISU police, who are a far cry from ICE surrogates.
Comment by Think again Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 2:20 pm
==if true==
Load bearing phrase.
Comment by VK Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 2:21 pm
Do you still think we are over-reacting now? I wish everybody would stop trying to rearrange the chairs on the Titanic. On the bright side, as a silver lining, soon we won’t have any elections for you people to quibble about on internet message boards anymore.
Comment by Paul Revere Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 2:23 pm
Kat’s gonna raise so much money off of this. And Biss’ sounds weak with his, I was there too - pay attention to me message. With so many undecideds in that race that already know Fine and Biss, Kat has a huge opportunity here.
Comment by Ricky Ledee Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 2:32 pm
Senator Fine is so disgusted she couldn’t even spell her opponent’s name right
Comment by Oops Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 2:43 pm
Hmmm… I know a Brian Straw…. https://www.oakpark.com/2025/10/29/oak-park-trustee-brian-straw-indicted-on-federal-charge-over-ice-protest/?mc_cid=ee62854e3a
Comment by Ducky Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 2:47 pm
Kat just won the primary.
Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 2:52 pm
@NIU Grad - from a fellow Huskie - No - won’t go there. BUT it is a net huge day for her.
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 3:16 pm
Don’t mess with the G. They did. Now they must face the consequences. Pretty simple. Stop crying about it.
Comment by here we go again Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 3:23 pm
Kat A. moved to Illinois less than nine months before declaring her Congressional candidacy. She voted in the District of Columbia in 2024.
Carpetbaggers bother me.
Comment by Kat Bugz Me Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 3:52 pm
If the G is messing with our democracy people should stand against it.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Wednesday, Oct 29, 25 @ 3:55 pm