CHICAGO (AP) — U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis has issued a scathing 223-page opinion detailing the excessive force used by federal agents during a massive immigration crackdown in the Chicago area known as Operation Midway Blitz. The ruling draws from body camera footage, highlighting a stark contrast between the agents' actions and the federal government’s narrative regarding the events.
Judge Ellis’s opinion recounts numerous high-profile clashes where agents utilized tear gas, rubber bullets, and other aggressive tactics against peaceful demonstrators and journalists, often without warning. She voiced her surprise at the federal officials directing her to specific videos, only to find that they contradicted the authorities' previous claims and her own orders on the use of force.
In her findings, Ellis described alarming scenes where agents shot flash-bang grenades at retreating protesters, kicked individuals on the ground, and even threatened onlookers with firearms while laughing about the violence. These findings were part of a preliminary injunction responding to a lawsuit filed by news organizations and protesters claiming excessive force was employed during the crackdown.
Among the judge's criticisms was that agents failed to adhere to her previous directives by indiscriminately using force, thereby violating journalists' and civilians' constitutional rights. Her ruling imposed restrictions on the use of physical force and chemical agents unless faced with an immediate threat, citing the ongoing practices as unconstitutional.
In response to Judge Ellis's ruling, a federal appeals court described her order as 'overbroad' and 'too prescriptive,' albeit indicating a swift appeal could yield a more tailored directive. Nevertheless, Ellis’s opinion underscores a lack of credibility in the government's narrative, repeatedly demonstrating how body camera evidence undermines claims made by the agents and their leaders.
The judge further condemned the behavior of Greg Bovino, the senior U.S. Border Patrol official in charge, for being evasive and dishonest during his testimony about the crackdown. Ellis pointed out cringe-worthy moments where agents openly displayed a lack of respect for human dignity as they engaged in tireless efforts to provoke protesters.
Describing the community's responses with pride, Judge Ellis distinguished the portrayal of Chicago from that of federal attorneys, who described the city as under siege by rioters. Instead, she depicted a scene of neighbors supporting one another, documenting illegal law enforcement activities and providing comfort to worried families facing detention.
