Illinois candidate Abughazaleh indicted in Broadview protest

A federal grand jury has indicted Kat Abughazaleh, a Democratic candidate for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, and five other people on charges that they forcibly impeded and intimidated a federal officer during a protest at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview, Illinois, in September, according to an indictment unsealed Wednesday. The charging document alleges the group surrounded a government vehicle, banged on its sides and windows, pushed against it and etched the word "PIG" into the vehicle’s paint while blocking its progress on the morning of the protest.

The 11-page indictment, filed on October 23, accuses the defendants of conspiring to prevent a federal officer from discharging his duties by force, intimidation or threat and of assaulting or impeding the officer while he performed official duties. It alleges the conduct forced the vehicle to move at an extremely slow rate of speed to avoid injuring those who had crowded in front of and alongside it, and that a side mirror and other exterior parts of the vehicle were damaged. According to the indictment, the conspiracy and intimidation counts carry potential federal penalties...