Federal Judge Delivers Scathing Rebuke Over Use of Force
A US federal judge has issued a blistering 223-page opinion that meticulously details federal agents' use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and other aggressive tactics against protesters and journalists during an immigration crackdown in the Chicago area. The document, released by US District Judge Sara Ellis on Thursday, 21st November 2024, draws extensively from body camera footage to challenge the official government narrative.
Operation Midway Blitz: A Pattern of Unjustified Force
Judge Ellis's findings stem from a lawsuit filed by news outlets and protesters concerning Operation Midway Blitz, a federal immigration enforcement action that has resulted in over 3,000 arrests across Chicago and its suburbs since September. The opinion describes a systematic pattern where agents used tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper balls, and flashbangs without warning or justification.
Specific incidents highlighted include agents shooting flash-bang grenades at the backs of fleeing protesters, kicking individuals who were already on the ground, and causing a car accident during a Halloween event. The report also states that agents threatened to shoot residents while pointing guns at them and fired pepper balls at the heads of journalists and praying clergy members.
Body Camera Footage Contradicts Official Accounts
The judicial opinion is remarkable for its reliance on body-worn camera footage, which Judge Ellis says "undermin[es] all of Defendants’ claims." The footage reportedly shows agents laughing as blood oozed from a demonstrator's ear and making dismissive remarks while deploying munitions. In one exchange described, an agent declared, "We're definitely gassing them when we leave. Just start throwing," while another said, "We can mess 'em up."
Judge Ellis expressed particular surprise that federal officials had directed her to specific videos, which she later found actually showed agents violating her direct orders restricting the use of force. The opinion further accuses agents of failing to give explicit warnings before deploying munitions and not wearing clear identification.
Leadership Criticised and AI-Generated Reports
The judge also took aim at the senior US Border Patrol official leading the operation, Greg Bovino, accusing him of being "evasive" and "outright lying" during his testimony. This included allegedly lying about being hit with a rock during a protest in the Little Village neighbourhood.
In a striking revelation, the opinion notes that one agent used the AI tool ChatGPT to write the narrative for an official report based on just a brief sentence and several images, further calling into question the credibility of the official documentation.
Legal Repercussions and a Defence of Chicago
Earlier this month, Judge Ellis issued a preliminary injunction restricting agents from using physical force and chemical agents unless necessary to prevent an immediate threat, stating the current practices violated constitutional rights. However, a federal appeals court temporarily halted this order on Wednesday, calling it "overbroad," though it encouraged a swift appeal for a "more tailored" solution.
Contrasting the federal government's portrayal of a city "ransacked by rioters," Judge Ellis painted a different picture of Chicago, praising the "rapid response network members, neighbourhood moms and dads" who came out to document enforcement activities and protest against what they believe are unjust immigration practices.
