Illinois Democrat posts video of alleged ICE protest crime, faces charges

An Illinois Democratic congressional candidate posted a video on social media depicting the events described in the federal indictment accusing him of obstructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

Kat Abuhazaleh, 26, a self-described “Gen Z influencer,” called the charges a “political prosecution” and said she was exercising her First Amendment rights rather than breaking the law.

“I have been charged in a federal indictment sought by the Department of Justice,” he wrote to X. “This political investigation is an attack on our First Amendment rights. I am not backing down, and we will win.”

DHS CREATES ‘HONEST, DESPERATE’ Gen Z CANDIDATE WHO FURIES AGAINST KRISTI NOEM’S ‘CRIMES’ AT ANTI-ICE PROTEST

During a protest outside ICE’s Broadview Service Staging Area in suburban Chicago on Sept. 26, federal prosecutors allege he joined a crowd swarming a law enforcement vehicle, blocking it with their bodies before someone carved the word “PIG” into the vehicle and others removed the mirror and windshield wiper.

WATCH: Illinois Democrat releases video of ICE protest that led to federal indictment

According to the indictment, Abuhazaleh is accused of participating in the blockade at around 7.45 in the morning of the same day.

“ABUGHAZALEH joined the crowd in front of the Government Vehicle and, with his hands on the hood, supported his body and hands against the vehicle by remaining directly in the path of the vehicle, obstructing and impeding Agent A and the vehicle from advancing towards the vehicle. [staging area]The indictment includes the following statements:

The video appears to show just that, with Abuhazaleh leading the crowd leaning in front of the unmarked vehicle, a black SUV with flashing lights.

Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abugazaleh protests at an ICE processing center near Chicago on September 26, 2025. (Reuters/Jim Vondruska)

Abughazaleh presents himself as a radical progressive Democrat, and his platform includes a wealth tax on wealthy Americans, a $25 minimum wage, and “an immediate path to citizenship for DREAMers and other undocumented immigrants.” According to her website, her hobbies include knitting and playing video games.

DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS CANDIDATE Thrown to Ground During Chaotic Anti-Icing Protest

Read indictment:

He also strongly opposed the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigrants. He told former White House press secretary Jen Psaki in a televised interview earlier this month that he thought Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem “should be tried in the Hague,” referring to the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court.

Abugazaleh faces two charges in the federal indictment unsealed Wednesday: conspiracy to obstruct a law enforcement officer from performing his duties and obstructing, intimidating and interfering with a federal officer by force. Five other people who participated in the protest were also charged.

A protester, his face covered with an American flag, stands before Cook County sheriffs outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Two of them are also involved in local politics: Michael Rabbitt, a Democratic committeeman in Chicago’s 45th Ward, and Catherine Sharp, a candidate for the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

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The Gen Z candidate is running for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District seat to replace 81-year-old Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who is retiring after serving in office since 1999.

Fox News’ Patrick McGovern contributed to this report.