Windy City Television Reporter's Arrest in Immigration Operation Described as 'Alarming and Horrifying', Attorneys Assert
Attorneys acting for a journalist from the city of Chicago's WGN television station who was temporarily detained by government officers last week describe the incident as "an occurrence that ought to alarm and frighten each individual in this nation".
Particulars of the Arrest
The journalist, a American national and WGN employee, was taken into custody on the weekend by federal agents during an ICE operation in a North Side Chicago area. Footage from the scene show Brockman being pushed down by two agents before she is restrained and put in a van.
At the moment, a homeland security official stated that Brockman "threw objects at border patrol's car" and was "placed under arrest for assault on a federal law enforcement officer".
Later on Friday, the television station confirmed that Brockman had been freed from detention and that no accusations had been filed against her.
Legal Team's Reaction
In a news release issued by attorneys representing the journalist on earlier this week, her legal team disputed the government's account. They stated they "adamantly deny any claim that she assaulted anyone" and that "Brockman was the one who was violently assaulted by officers on her way to work" on the date in question.
Her attorneys say that at the time of the arrest, Brockman was "not acting in any official role as an staff member for WGN" but that she was just "walking to the transit point as part of her daily travel when she was confronted by Border Patrol agents.
"Brockman, who is a US Citizen born in this country, was forcibly held on a city street," the release continues. "As this happened, individuals on the street began recording the event and inquired Ms Brockman her name."
The release says that she informed the onlookers her name and that she was employed at the station, in the hopes that "a person would notify her workplace so coworkers would know that she would not be arriving at work that day", her attorneys said.
Aftermath and Next Steps
Based on her lawyers, Brockman was kept in government detention for about several hours before being freed.
"She has not been charged with any crimes and she intends to explore all legal avenues open to her to vindicate her rights and hold the federal authorities accountable for their actions," the statement notes.
"One attorney, a legal representative, added in the release: "When armed, covered, government officers are taking US citizens off the street as they walk to work and placing them in unmarked vehicles, you can only imagine what these officers must be willing to do to our foreign-born residents and individuals who dare to speak out against them."
"Ms Brockman was taken to the ground, struck, handcuffed, and her trousers were lowered revealing her uncovered skin," the lawyer stated. "No one should be handled like that in this city, in this nation or any other place in the globe."
ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and the US Customs and Border Protection did not provide a prompt reply to inquiries from the media.
