45th Ward Dem committeeperson, local candidates indicted for allegedly impeding ICE vehicle

by BRIAN NADIG

45th Ward Democratic Committeeperson and Edgebrook resident Michael Rabbitt along with several political candidates were among six defendants federally indicted for allegedly conspiring to impede a federal agent who was driving his vehicle into a Broadview ICE facility on Sept. 26.

Cook County Democratic Party chairwoman Toni Preckwinkle characterized the indictments as politically motivated, charging that the Trump administration is attempting to punish dissenters for exercising their First Amendment rights.

“What we are witnessing is a coordinated attack on blue cities and states, a deliberate campaign to instill fear and silence dissent. These indictments are part of a broader effort to scare people away from participating in protest and exercising their constitutional rights,” Preckwinkle said.

The defendants are accused of being part of a larger group which surrounded a government vehicle. In addition to Rabbitt, the other defendants were identified by the U.S. Attorney’s Office as Cook County commissioner candidate Catherine Sharp, age 29, congressional candidate Katherine Marie Abughazaleh, age 26, and Joselyn Walsh, age 31, all of Chicago, and Andre Martin, age 27, of Providence, R.I., and Oak Park trustee Brian Straw, age 38.

“The defendants and others allegedly crowded together in the front and side of the government vehicle, stood in its path, banged on the car and windows, and pushed against it to hinder and impede its movement. The conspirators broke one of the vehicle’s side mirrors and the rear windshield wiper and etched a derogatory message into the body of the vehicle,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois, said in a news release.

During the Sept. 26 protest, many members of the crowd pounded on the agent’s vehicle, and chants of “f—- this pig,” “shame, shame” and “I believe that we will win” could be heard, according to a video linked to by the government. Protesters carried various signs and threw plush toys at the vehicle. Several protesters stood in front of the vehicle as it moved forward, forcing the protesters to back up. Federal immigration enforcement agents fired pepper balls into the crowd as the vehicle was about to enter the facility.

In addition the conspiracy charge, each of the six defendants faces a separate charge of forcibly impeding, intimidating and interfering with an officer of the United States while engaged in official duties.

Rabbitt’s attorney, Nancy DePodesta, issued the following statement, “We are extremely disappointed to learn of the charges. Mr. Rabbitt intends to plead not guilty and will have more to say about this matter at a later time.” The 62-year-old Rabbitt was elected committeeperson in 2024.

Sharp, who is running for the 12th District county board seat, serves as the chief of staff for Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th), who has attended protests at the Broadview facility. Sharp also has worked as the community outreach director for 12th District county commissioner Bridget Degnen, who is not seeking re-election.

“As long as ICE is terrorizing members of our community and disregarding due process, I believe we must continue to speak out,” Sharp said in a statement. “I’m proud of my work organizing in our neighborhoods to keep our immigrant neighbors safe from harm.”

“This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win,” said Abughazaleh, who is running to fill the Ninth District congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky, who is retiring. At one protest, Abughazaleh can be seen on video being thrown to the ground by a federal agent.

The political future of some of the defendants could be impacted if they were to be convicted. While felons cannot hold state or local offices, that restriction does not apply to congressional members, according to the county Democratic Party. The governor can pardon for state felony charges, but federal charges would require the governor to issue an order restoring the rights of a convicted citizen.

“All federal officials must be able to discharge the duties of their office without confronting force, intimidation or threats,” U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros said in a statement. “As we have warned repeatedly, we will seek to hold accountable those who cross the line from peaceful protests to unlawful actions or conspiracies that interrupt, hinder or impede the due administration of justice. The rule of law must always be upheld.”

More than 100 officials in Illinois have signed a letter condemning the indictments. The signers of the letter include Governor JB Pritzker and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-5). “The politicization of our justice system crosses a fundamental line that should alarm anyone who cares about democracy and the rule of law. This is not what democracy looks like, and we cannot accept it as normal.”

However, Alderman James Gardiner (45th) said that while he supports the right to protest, he was “appalled” by some of the protesters’ actions. Gardiner was elected the 45th Ward Democratic committeeperson in 2020 but decided not to run for re-election in 2024, and Rabbitt won the post.

Gardiner issued the following statement: “While I acknowledge the importance of exercising one’s First Amendment right to protest, it is imperative that such actions do not hinder, impede or interfere with law enforcement’s duties. Upon reviewing the video, I was appalled by the vulgar and vitriolic language directed toward the officers and strongly condemned such behavior. In this country we are fortunate to possess certain freedoms, and those individuals will have to justify their actions in a court of law.”

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