Windy City Television Journalist's Detainment in Immigration Operation Described as 'Alarming and Horrifying', Lawyers Assert
Legal representatives representing a journalist from the city of Chicago's local TV network who was temporarily detained by federal agents last week characterize the incident as "something that should concern and frighten each individual in this nation".
Details of the Arrest
The journalist, a US citizen and station staff member, was taken into custody on Friday by federal agents during an ICE action in a North Side Chicago area. Footage from the location depict Brockman being pushed down by officers before she is handcuffed and placed in a van.
At the time, a homeland security official claimed that Brockman "hurled items at an official vehicle" and was "placed under arrest for attacking an officer".
Later on Friday, WGN announced that their employee had been released from federal custody and that no charges had been pressed against her.
Legal Team's Reaction
In a statement released by lawyers acting for Brockman on earlier this week, her legal team challenged the government's account. They stated they "adamantly deny any claim that she attacked anyone" and that "She was the one who was violently assaulted by officers on her way to work" on 10 October.
Her attorneys say that at the time of the arrest, Brockman was "not performing in any official role as an employee for WGN" but that she was just "heading to the bus stop as part of her morning commute when she was attacked by federal officers.
"Brockman, who is a US Citizen born in this country, was forcibly held on Foster Avenue," the release continues. "As this occurred, bystanders on the street began filming the incident and asked Ms Brockman her name."
The statement indicates that she informed the onlookers her name and that she worked at the station, in the hopes that "a person would notify her workplace so colleagues would know that she would not be arriving at work that day", her attorneys said.
Aftermath and Legal Action
Based on her lawyers, the journalist was held in government detention for about seven hours before being released.
"She has not been accused with any offenses and she plans to pursue all legal options open to her to uphold her entitlements and ensure government accountability for their actions," the statement notes.
"One attorney, one of her attorneys, commented in the release: "If armed, covered, federal agents are snatching 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 forced down, battered, restrained, and her trousers were lowered exposing her uncovered skin," Thomson said. "No one should be treated like that in this city, in this nation or anywhere else in the world."
ICE, the federal agency, and the border agency did not provide a prompt reply to requests for comment from the media.