Overview
- A federal grand jury charged Abughazaleh with conspiracy and forcibly impeding a federal officer in the Northern District of Illinois over protests at ICE’s Broadview facility.
- Prosecutors allege she and others surrounded a federal vehicle, struck its hood and windows, etched “pig” on the side, and blocked its movement; co-defendants are Michael Rabbitt, Andre Martin, Catherine Sharp, Brian Straw, and Joselyn Walsh.
- Abughazaleh has called the case a political prosecution, says she will plead not guilty, and told NBC News she plans to self-surrender on Wednesday.
- She ended a live interview with journalist Tara Palmeri in under four minutes after declining to discuss specifics and reacting to protest footage Palmeri played.
- Reaction to the interview and charges was sharply polarized, with conservative commentators asserting criminal obstruction and some Illinois Democrats decrying the case as politically driven, as outlets noted potential maximum penalties totaling up to 14 years.