Federal Judge Sara Ellis said the use of force by federal agents over the past several weeks in Chicago ”shocks the conscience” and has infringed on the constitutional rights of protesters, clergy, journalists and members of the community who have tried to document immigration operations.<\/p>\n
Ellis issued a preliminary injunction Thursday that placed additional restrictions on federal immigration agents’ use of crowd control devices – including tear gas and pepper spray – noting that they can’t be used on protesters, clergy or journalists unless there is an imminent threat.<\/p>\n
Her ruling came after a marathon hearing Wednesday<\/a> in which members of the Chicago area – including protesters, clergy and journalists currently suing the Trump administration<\/a> – testified that the agents’ use of force in neighborhoods and city streets gave them pause\u00a0or left them fearful about continuing to protest or document that actions of agents conducting immigration arrests.<\/p>\n Judge Ellis found that the ‘chilling effect’ imposed by agents’ actions violated their constitutional rights of the group — who argue the use of tear gas and pepper balls has been excessive and unwarranted.<\/p>\n Attorneys representing the federal government have argued that immigration agents have had their tires slashed, been threatened or have been impeded from carrying out their duties by protesters in Chicago.<\/p>\n But the plaintiffs’ attorneys have countered that their clients have subjected to ‘brutal violence’ simply because the agents don’t like what they have to say or don’t like that citizens in Chicago oppose the Trump administration’s immigration policies.<\/p>\n At the start of the hearing Thursday, Ellis said the federal government’s argument lacked credibility and she pointed out there is a disconnect between how Chicagoans view their city versus the Trump administration.<\/p>\n And she began her hearing by reading the poem “Chicago” by author Carl Sandburg, which includes the lines:<\/p>\n … I turn once more to those who sneer at this my city, and I give them back the sneer and say to them:<\/p>\n Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive…<\/p>\n