'Broadview Six' plead not guilty at federal arraignment in Chicago

'Broadview Six' plead not guilty at federal arraignment in Chicago

Six people accused of disrupting immigration enforcement outside the Broadview ICE facility — including a local congressional candidate — pleaded not guilty in federal court Wednesday afternoon.

CHICAGO - Six people accused of disrupting immigration enforcement outside the Broadview ICE processing facility — including a local congressional candidate — pleaded not guilty in federal court Wednesday afternoon.

The group, calling themselves the "Broadview Six," includes Kat Abughazaleh, a Democratic congressional candidate from Chicago; Catherine Sharp, the chief of staff for 40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez; Brian Straw, a Village of Oak Park trustee; Michael Rabbitt, the 45th Ward Democratic Committeeperson; Joselyn Walsh, a local musician; and Andre Martin of Providence, Rhode Island.

All six pleaded not guilty to charges of felony conspiracy to impede federal immigration officers and misdemeanor assault. 

'Broadview Six' speak after pleading not guilty at federal arraignment in Chicago

The 'Broadview Six' spoke Wednesday afternoon after pleading not guilty at federal arraignment in Chicago.

What we know:

The defendants were charged with interfering in federal immigration activity after allegedly "banging aggressively" on government vehicles, attempting to block traffic in and out of the Broadview facility, and impeding agents’ work, according to the grand jury indictment. 

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Specifically, the charges stem from a protest in Broadview on Sept. 26, 2025, when a crowd allegedly "broke one of the vehicle’s side mirrors and the rear windshield wiper and etched a derogatory message into the body of the vehicle," according to court documents. 

Before Wednesday's hearing, supporters of the 'Broadview Six' held a rally across the street from the Dirksen Federal Courthouse at Federal Plaza. Afterward, the courtroom and an overflow room were packed with attendees watching the proceedings.

Attorneys for the defendants said they are more than willing to take this case to trial. 

Dig deeper:

The indictment alleges the group tried to block federal vehicles, "banged aggressively" on them, and attempted to injure at least one agent.

Attorneys for the defendants called the charges "politically motivated," "ludicrous," and "unjust."

Separately, a legal dispute is unfolding over restrictions on protests outside the Broadview facility. Robert Held, an attorney and community activist, said he filed a motion Tuesday for a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of the village’s "protest curfew."

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A Broadview lawyer and community activist is taking legal action against the village, challenging rules that limit when people can protest outside the west suburban ICE facility.

The rule limits demonstrations near the ICE site to between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., which Held argues violates the First Amendment by effectively banning early morning and evening protests.

What they're saying:

Some of the defendants addressed the charges against them following Wednesday's hearing. 

"Expressing your First Amendment rights is not a conspiracy and dissent is not a crime. This case is not just about me or the others charged with me. This is about everyone who has been resilient in our neighborhoods as they've been invaded by ICE and CBP," said Abughazaleh.

"These criminal charges will not silence us from speaking out against this injustice. Our neighbors, our city, and our country cannot afford our silence," Sharp said. 

Abughazaleh's attorney said he believes it is no coincidence that the majority of the individuals charged in this case have political ties. 

"Kat and the others charged with her in this fake conspiracy are bearing the brunt of this administration's cruel tactics of retaliation against those who dare to speak up and about, right now in this city, about the most important issue and the most important topics," Joshua Herman, attorney for Abughazaleh, said. "If we have to take that to trial, we will gladly take that to trial and we will win."

Meanwhile, Walsh's attorney said his client faced violence for speaking out when she was allegedly shot by federal agents who deployed projectiles in Broadview. 

"We will fight these charges because this case is not just about Joselyn, it is about The Constitution. This case is about the right to protest, the right to dissent," said Brad Thomson, Walsh's attorney. 

Chris Parente, the attorney for Straw, said he has full confidence that his client will be fully exonerated at trial. 

"Mr. Straw went to Broadview to stand up in peaceful protest, and to protect the marginalized in our community," Parente said. "His actions were entirely lawful."

Terry Campbell, Andre Martin’s lawyer, issued the following written statement: "Andre Martin has been charged with a felony offense for doing nothing more than exercising his 1st Amendment right to protest against violent and oppressive conduct by certain government agents who have terrorized some of the most vulnerable and voiceless of our friends and neighbors here in Chicago. The charges against Mr. Martin are baseless and the evidence in the case will make that fact unmistakably clear.

"Our Nation was founded by people who exemplified their patriotism by standing up against oppressive and illegal government actions. Andre Martin and his co-defendants are living up to those fundamental ideals of our democracy, and we look forward to exposing the truth in this case."

What's next:

The judge declined a request from government attorneys to require the defendants to surrender their passports, but they are prohibited from traveling outside the continental U.S. while this case proceeds.

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of six years in prison, while the misdemeanor assault charge is punishable by up to one year.

Another court hearing for the 'Broadview Six' is scheduled for Dec. 4.