In a chilling display of federal overreach, the Justice Department has indicted Democratic Illinois congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh on federal charges for taking part in a nonviolent protest outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility near Chicago. The government claims that Abughazaleh "impeded and interfered with an officer of the United States," alongside five other protesters, who are also charged together as alleged members of a conspiracy to prevent the officer from discharging his duties.
The particular conspiracy charge - conspiracy to impede a United States officer - has been used against January 6th insurrection defendants, marking serious violence at the Capitol. However, this charge can now be applied to ordinary protesters, casting a shadow of fear over dissenters and opposition candidates.
Abughazaleh's case serves as a symptom of Donald Trump's Justice Department embracing a worldview in which all protesters and opposition candidates are viewed as part of a well-funded criminal network deserving of prosecution. The President has repeatedly sought to weaponize conspiracy charges against his perceived enemies, including designating antifa as a terrorist organization.
The administration has resorted to using the federal justice system to scare protesters into silence. In Abughazaleh's words, "This administration has resorted to weaponizing the federal justice system to scare us into silence." Despite facing a possible six-year prison sentence, she is undeterred, stating that there are "plenty of reasons to be afraid right now, but we have to overcome that fear."
The prosecution against Abughazaleh and other protesters raises alarming questions about the erosion of civil liberties in the United States. As The Intercept noted earlier, court orders are being ignored, MAGA loyalists have been put in charge of the military and federal law enforcement agencies, Congress has lost its power of the purse, and news outlets that challenge Trump have been banished or put under investigation.
The use of conspiracy charges against protesters is a brazen attempt to criminalize dissent. The Intercept has long covered authoritarian governments, billionaire oligarchs, and backsliding democracies around the world. As such, we recognize the vital importance of press freedom in defending democracy.
The particular conspiracy charge - conspiracy to impede a United States officer - has been used against January 6th insurrection defendants, marking serious violence at the Capitol. However, this charge can now be applied to ordinary protesters, casting a shadow of fear over dissenters and opposition candidates.
Abughazaleh's case serves as a symptom of Donald Trump's Justice Department embracing a worldview in which all protesters and opposition candidates are viewed as part of a well-funded criminal network deserving of prosecution. The President has repeatedly sought to weaponize conspiracy charges against his perceived enemies, including designating antifa as a terrorist organization.
The administration has resorted to using the federal justice system to scare protesters into silence. In Abughazaleh's words, "This administration has resorted to weaponizing the federal justice system to scare us into silence." Despite facing a possible six-year prison sentence, she is undeterred, stating that there are "plenty of reasons to be afraid right now, but we have to overcome that fear."
The prosecution against Abughazaleh and other protesters raises alarming questions about the erosion of civil liberties in the United States. As The Intercept noted earlier, court orders are being ignored, MAGA loyalists have been put in charge of the military and federal law enforcement agencies, Congress has lost its power of the purse, and news outlets that challenge Trump have been banished or put under investigation.
The use of conspiracy charges against protesters is a brazen attempt to criminalize dissent. The Intercept has long covered authoritarian governments, billionaire oligarchs, and backsliding democracies around the world. As such, we recognize the vital importance of press freedom in defending democracy.
This is soooo not right! 
If you're protesting for a good cause or just speaking out against injustice 
, you shouldn't be afraid of being locked up 
. It's like they're saying "Hey, we don't want to listen to your opinion" 
. The government should be protecting people's rights, not trying to silence them 
.
. They're trying to make everyone think that protesting is a crime 
. But we can't let them win! We need to stand up for what's right 
. It's time to protect free speech and dissenting voices 
.
. The Intercept is doing great work 
, and we should all be supporting them 
. Let's make some noise and stand up for what we believe in! 
... but at the same time, I think Kat Abughazaleh is a total inspiration for standing up for what she believes in despite all this 
! I mean, it takes guts to fight against injustice, and she's not backing down. This could be a wake-up call for people to get involved and make their voices heard 
. We need more people like Kat Abughazaleh who aren't afraid to speak truth to power 
. I mean, what's next? Charging people for exercising their right to free speech? It's like they're trying to silence dissenters and opposition candidates, which goes against everything we hold dear as Americans 
. They're using every trick in the book to discredit and intimidate their opponents, including exploiting conspiracy charges that are usually reserved for serious crimes like terrorism or organized crime. It's a chilling development, especially when you consider the impact it could have on future elections 
.
. The Intercept has always been vocal about the importance of defending democracy against authoritarianism and oligarchic tendencies around the world 
. We need to stay vigilant and make sure that our rights are protected, even when it's hard 
I'm really worried about where this is headed, you know? They're using these conspiracy charges on protesters to silence dissent. It's like they think that if you speak out against them, you're part of some big network trying to undermine the country 
.
but this is getting super concerning. I mean, a six-year prison sentence just for participating in a peaceful protest? That's not cool at all 
what's next? are we gonna send our police officers to sit-in at Starbucks too? 
seriously though, it's like they're trying to create a cult-like atmosphere where one wrong move and you're a domestic terrorist. meanwhile, i'm over here thinking "can't we just have a peaceful protest without getting indicted?" 
. We need to stand up against this and make sure our voices are heard, even if it means risking a little bit of trouble 
. This whole situation is super worrying, and I'm keeping an eye on it... will be interesting to see how it all plays out 
they're tryin to silence anyone who speaks out against their policies with a fancy conspiracy charge... newsflash: protests are supposed to be protected by our 1st amendment rights, not criminalized 
what's goin on here? I mean, I'm all for peaceful protests and expressin' yourself, but this is just plain scary 
. It's like, what's next? Are they gonna start prosecute-in' people for tweetin' somethin' that don't make 'em happy 
? I mean, come on, can't we just have a difference of opinion without it turnin' into a federal case 
?!
can't let them silence dissent with fear 
. We need to stand up for our rights, you know?
. Abughazaleh is a hero for speaking out and refusing to back down. We should all take note from her bravery 
.
the fact that they're using conspiracy charges against ordinary protesters is just ridiculous - it's like they're playing with people's lives. Abughazaleh's courage to speak out despite the fear & intimidation is super inspiring 
But Kat Abughazaleh is a total rockstar 
Six years in prison? That's crazy 
No one should be treated like that 
We need more people like Kat who are willing to stand up for what they believe in 
This is just another example of how Trump's DOJ is trying to silence dissent and intimidate people who are speaking out against them. I mean, I get that some protests can be peaceful and respectful, but the government shouldn't be using federal charges to shut people down. It's like they're saying, "You have the right to free speech... unless you don't." 
.