Federal Judge Orders Uncontrollable ICE-Hole Cops to Wear Body Cameras in Chicago

From [HERE] US District Judge Sara Ellis ordered federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to wear body cameras during enforcement activity, and all interactions with the public.  This new order follows a Temporary Restraining Order(TRO) by Judge Ellis last week, and will now be in effect until November 6.

Judge Ellis reasoned that this modified restraining order was required because she doubted ICE’s compliance with the original TRO.  She said that said she was a “little startled” after seeing news coverage of ICE actions that seemed to violate the order, adding: “I live in Chicago if folks haven’t noticed. And I’m not blind.”

The TRO enjoins ICE from using riot control weapons, including less-lethal shotguns, 40 mm Munitions Launchers, pepper balls, and tear gas, against protestors and journalists unless necessary to prevent harm.  In those circumstances, the order required ICE to give at least two warnings and a reasonable opportunity to comply.  The order specifically enjoined ICE from using force against journalists unless ICE had probable cause to believe that the journalists has committed a crime.

Additionally, Ellis has ordered witnesses from ICE to appear to provide testimony to the Court on apparent violations of the original TRO. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Incident Commander Kyle C. Harvick and ICE Deputy Field Office Director Shawn Byers are scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

The TRO was in response to a class action suit against the Department of Homeland Security, filed by journalist groups and protestors, on October 6.  They alleged that the federal government was interfering with their First Amendment rights. Specifically, the plaintiff journalists alleged that agents have engaged in a “pattern of extreme brutality” as part of a “concerted and ongoing effort to silence the press and civilians.” The suit states that federal agents used flash grenades, tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, and paintballs against the protestors, causing injuries. The suit also says that protestors and journalists have been detained for hours.