By Steve Neavling
A federal immigration commander in Chicago is accused of defying a judge’s order restricting the use of force against protesters and journalists.
CBP Commander Gregory Bovino was seen on video throwing at least one tear gas canister into a crowd during a confrontation between federal agents and demonstrators in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, according to court filings by journalists and First Amendment advocates, CBS News reports. The group told U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis that the incident violated her Oct. 9 temporary restraining order barring agents from using riot-control weapons or force against journalists unless there is probable cause to arrest.
The Facebook Live video, recorded near the Discount Mall at 26th and Whipple, shows Bovino in uniform without headgear tossing the canister “over the heads of armed federal agents in front of him and in the direction of a crowd,” the plaintiffs wrote. CBS News confirmed the video’s authenticity.
The filing also accuses agents of using excessive force on a woman who was recording the scene.
“Suddenly, four or five officers, including Bovino, confronted a woman who was standing and recording,” the filing states. After she denied making a threat, “Bovino instructed the officers to take her phone.” The woman was then grabbed, pulled to the ground, and pinned with a knee to her back, the plaintiffs allege.
Bovino defended his agents’ actions in an interview with CBS News, saying they have used “exemplary” restraint amid “absolute chaos in the streets.” He said agents have made nearly 2,700 arrests since Sept. 6, including “Latin Kings members, bona fide terrorists, and things like that.”
Judge Ellis has ordered Bovino and other CBP officials to sit for extended depositions about agents’ use of force in Little Village. A hearing is set for Nov. 5.
