Thanks to those who joined us for an update on our litigation on behalf of protestors, clergy, and journalists in Chicago.
Here’s how The New York Times covered the district judge’s ruling this week:
For more than an hour, the judge, Sara L. Ellis of Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, read Mr. Bovino restrictions she had previously set as part of a lawsuit over tactics that agents are using and cited examples of times his agents appeared to violate those restrictions.
They used tear gas in a neighborhood where children were about to march in a Halloween parade, Judge Ellis said. They failed to warn residents before tossing tear gas canisters at them, she said, noting an incident in which an agent threw a canister out of a car as it drove away.
The judge then ordered Mr. Bovino, who took the stand in his usual green fatigues and Border Patrol insignia, to appear at the federal courthouse at the end of every weekday to personally provide her with a report on the day’s arrests and incidents.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at 6,” she said, before telling Mr. Bovino that he could get back to work.
Read the whole thing: Judge admonishes Border Patrol leader for tactics in Chicago.
This case is evolving quickly. Minutes ago, the appeals court administratively stayed Judge Ellis’s order for Bovino to appear daily. He’ll still appear for a deposition tomorrow where he’ll be questioned under oath about his tactics.
As JoAnna mentioned, the administration’s seeming non-compliance with court orders in this case is part of a larger pattern. Our friends at Just Security created this extremely helpful tracker to keep up with all of the ongoing litigation against the administration’s overreaches.
Read more: The Trump administration’s conflict with the courts, explained.
We’ll keep you updated on our efforts to stop unconstitutional federal use of force in Chicago, so keep an eye on your inboxes.
In the meantime, as Shalini said, “If we do not use our constitutional rights, we will lose them. And we should all go and use them. If you disagree with what’s happening and the way in which it’s happening, please make your voices heard.”
