A local news producer who was arrested during an ICE raid in Chicago has been released. Debbie Brockman, who works for Chicago’s WGN television station, was captured in a viral video on Friday as she was wrestled to the ground, handcuffed and forced into a van by masked federal agents, The Guardian reported. A witness who captured the video asked Brockman to say her name as she was being violently detained.
“Debbie Brockman,” the journalist said in response. “I work for WGN. Please let them know.”
Other videos also showed bystanders voicing their anger at the agents, calling them “fascists” and telling them to “get out of our neighborhood.”
Why was Debbie Brockman arrested during the ICE raid in Chicago?
Per the Guardian, Homeland Security officials accused Brockman of assaulting a federal law enforcement officer, saying she threw objects at one of their vehicles. Witnesses, however, are standing up for the WGN employee.
“That was the most frightening thing I have seen in Chicago, living here 20-odd years,” Chicago resident Nancy Molden told the Guardian, adding that “it was absolutely horrifying” to see Brockman get arrested.
Witnesses said agents were going after a group of landscapers when Brockman was arrested in the midst of the raid. One video shows a man being handcuffed in the back of a car alongside Brockman.
What did Homeland Security say about Friday’s ICE raid in Chicago?
Homeland Security officials said Brockman was arrested while several people were trying to block the vehicles of federal agents.
“In fear of public safety and of law enforcement, officers used their service vehicle to strike a suspect’s vehicle and create an opening. As agents were driving, Deborah Brockman, a U.S. citizen, threw objects at a Border Patrol vehicle, and she was placed under arrest for assault on a federal law enforcement officer,” officials said, per the Guardian.
According to WGN, Brockman was released from federal custody on Friday afternoon. She is not facing any charges at the moment.