There’s a new Chicago story I wanted to remark on. Tre Ward reports at ABC 7 Chicago:
CHICAGO (WLS) — WGN-TV released a statement Friday after a video showed one of their employees being detained by federal agents in Chicago.
She was later released without charges.
The woman was taken into custody Friday morning near Lincoln and Foster avenues in Lincoln Square, video showed.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said U.S. Border Patrol agents were working in the area when the WGN staffer allegedly threw objects at their vehicle.
What actually happened? I don’t know. In this day of picking sides, slanted reporting, phony audio, and AI-generated videos I don’t think we’ll ever know, especially since no charges were filed.
Just about three-quarters of a century ago my parents taught me some very valuable lessons. Speak calmly and politely to law enforcement officers when they are in the course of their duty and, most importantly, don’t resist arrest. These lessons have not apparently been handed down to younger generations.
My opinion about it is pretty simple.
Chanting slogans and carrying placard—protected speech.
Throwing things (regardless of what the things are), spitting on law enforcement officers, pushing LEOs, hitting them or their vehicles with vehicles—not protected speech.
As to the conduct of the federal agents, it looked to me as though they were pretty rough. I believe that’s what’s referred to as “situational control” and it’s what they’ve been taught to do. I don’t think much of it but I avoid those situations.
Your pp1 is true. Today? Believe nothing at first, second or third blush.
Your pp2 is so true. We were stopped recently on hour 11 of a 13 hour drive from Miami to No GA. We were unfamiliar with a road and swerved to make a left turn. Lights on behind us. But a rational discussion and 5 minutes and we were on our way. This stuff isn’t rocket science. And no, no excuses, those who cant control themselves are prima facia evidence of trouble makers. I can’t help my self:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8
There have been quite a number of these incidents where they dont file charges. Some more where they have tried to indict people and it failed. (Indictment rates are very high, in the 99% range so not succeeding is rare.) We have other videos where agents have pepper sprayed people who were just standing and talking to someone, ones where people have asked agents questions, including elected officials, and then been thrown to the ground and cuffed.
So while I think there have been illegal acts among the populace I also think that we are seeing unprecedented levels of abuse of authority and false claims by these federal agents. That is completely to be expected when they are masked and not wearing ID. We are seeing the same rough behavior applied when they detain both illegals and US citizens. They are anonymous and have carte blanche.
Steve
At the very least, someone now has street credit and proven her usefulness to the Cause.
BTW, with Covid season upon us, should all public contact folks wear masks?
I would add that the Chicago Alderwoman making a scene in the emergency room about wanting to see a judicial warrant. The “judicial warrant” requirement seems to be a form of folk law more often seen on the right. ICE (like the police) can make arrests without a warrant under certain circumstances, but unlike the police is authorized to make arrests pursuant to an administrative warrant issued by the Attorney General or her designee. We don’t know the circumstances here, but the man in the ER apparently injured his leg trying to escape. Flight risk is a factor justifying warrantless arrests. But the ICE agents may not have been attempting an arrest, but attempting to stop him about his immigration status.
The alderwoman isn’t a lawyer, she implies that she is giving legal aid and making sure the man gets medical treatment when it appears obvious that ICE agents must have taken him to the ER. Foreign nationals in the country illegally have a difficult decision to make in interacting with immigration authorities, if they tell the truth about their status and comply with the immigration rules, then they probably can’t be detained pending removal. If they run or answer questions evasively, those actions weigh in favor of detention pending removal. I don’t think telling foreign nationals they don’t have to answer any questions without a judicial warrant is helpful. It’s probably mildly harmful.
In the 60’s our Protected Speech ended when we blocked the roads. Now I would add it also should end when you approach someone, block them and shout into their face. That is uncivilized.