New court docket submitting alleges Border Patrol brokers tossed tear fuel “for fun”

CHICAGO (WGN) — A new court docket submitting within the case of the Chicago Headline Club versus the Department of Homeland Security alleges that Border Patrol brokers tossed tear fuel on a crowd “for fun” and that prime officers have been deceptive regarding their use of drive.

When “Operation Midway Blitz” began in September, it made headlines throughout the nation. 

Two months and three,200 arrests later, the operation has additionally generated a flurry of litigation over the aggressive techniques utilized by Border Patrol brokers. A federal lawsuit introduced by the Chicago Headline Club towards the DHS and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is in search of an finish to such techniques. 

In a movement filed late Monday, legal professionals for numerous media shops requested a federal choose to cease what they are saying is the “widespread, intentional, and ongoing” violation of the United States Constitution. 

Agents working in Chicago and the suburbs have been accused of repeatedly utilizing extreme drive towards the general public. The court docket movement states: “Without an injunction, defendants will continue to act as if they can use weapons of war to commit shocking acts of violence against civilians — protesters, press, clergy, bystanders, pregnant women, children — with impunity.”

Border Patrol Sector Chief Gregory Bovino says brokers have repeatedly confronted violent crowds and have deployed fuel and used bodily drive for their very own security as they perform arrests of undocumented immigrants. 

“Agents surrounded by violence, having rocks thrown at them, taking a rock to the eye, or the head. … I don’t want that to happen to anyone,” Bovino mentioned.

But legal professionals say Border Patrol brokers are offering “accounts that are blatantly contradicted by objective evidence.”

During an incident in Little Village, brokers mentioned they have been blocked in and prevented from leaving, and that Bovino was hit within the head with a rock. The movement, nonetheless, states that “agents were not prevented from leaving. Bovino provoked the violence.” The Border Patrol boss is seen on video tossing tear fuel on the crowd.  

In Albany Park, earlier than gassing a crowd, DHS claimed {that a} protester “threw their bicycle at an agent.” But the movement says proof will present “the truth is an agent picked up a bicycle from a protester and threw it — not the other way around.” 

The movement alleges that in an operation in Lakeview, wherein tear fuel was deployed on a residential road, the “defendants mocked protesters as gas was deployed.”

One agent yelled, “Throw another one.” Another agent yelled, “Throw it (tear gas) for fun.” But in an interview, Bovino mentioned his brokers have acted throughout the regulation.

“We’re going to use, just as we always have, the least amount of force necessary to affect the arrest or the mission,” Bovino mentioned.

U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis has ordered brokers towards using tear fuel and different “riot control” measures towards non-violent folks, and with out clear warnings.