Chicago Television Reporter's Arrest in Immigration Raid Described as 'Disturbing and Terrifying', Attorneys State
Attorneys representing a journalist from the city of Chicago's WGN television station who was temporarily detained by government officers last week characterize the incident as "something that should concern and horrify every person in this country".
Details of the Arrest
Debbie Brockman, a US citizen and station staff member, was arrested on the weekend by government officers during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement action in a North Side Chicago area. Videos from the scene depict Brockman being forced to the ground by officers before she is restrained and put in a van.
At the moment, a government spokesperson stated that the individual "hurled items at an official vehicle" and was "detained for assault on a federal law enforcement officer".
Later on Friday, WGN confirmed that their employee had been released from federal custody and that no accusations had been pressed against her.
Legal Team's Reaction
In a news release released by lawyers representing the journalist on earlier this week, her representatives disputed the official version. They declared they "strongly refute any allegation that she attacked anyone" and that "She 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 moment of the detainment, Brockman was "not acting in any official role as an employee for the station" but that she was just "heading to the bus stop as part of her morning commute when she was attacked by Border Patrol agents.
"The individual, who is a American citizen born in this country, was violently detained on a city street," the release continues. "As this occurred, individuals on the street began recording the incident and asked Ms Brockman her name."
The release indicates that she told the onlookers her name and that she worked at the station, in the hopes that "someone would notify her workplace so coworkers would know that she would not be arriving at work that day", her lawyers said.
Aftermath and Legal Action
Based on her legal team, the journalist was kept in government detention for about several hours before being freed.
"She has not been charged with any offenses and she plans to pursue all legal avenues available to her to uphold her rights and ensure government accountability for their actions," the release adds.
"Brad Thomson, a legal representative, commented in the statement: "When armed, covered, government officers are taking American nationals off the street as they travel to work and throwing them in unmarked vehicles, you can only conceive what these agents must be willing to do to our foreign-born residents and individuals who choose to speak out against them."
"The journalist was forced down, struck, restrained, and her trousers were lowered exposing her bare buttocks," Thomson said. "Not anyone should be handled like that in this metropolis, in this nation or any other place in the world."
ICE, the federal agency, and the US Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond to inquiries from news outlets.
