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Good morning, Chicago,

Over the past month, our journalists have worked overtime to bring you the news as federal agents have patrolled the city for Operation Midway Blitz. But we haven’t told you much about what these reporters have faced behind the scenes.

Four of our journalists have been shot with pepper-spray bullets and tear-gassed while covering protests outside the Broadview ICE facility. An independent reporter was arrested. A TV reporter’s truck was hit by a pepper ball, leaving her with chemicals all over her face. Never in Block Club’s seven years of on-the-ground reporting have our journalists been so indiscriminately attacked, including during 2020's unrest.

That’s why our newsroom — and organizations representing reporters across the city and state — are suing the federal government over agents’ actions against journalists at Broadview. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to bar federal agents from, among other things, indiscriminately using chemical weapons against journalists. 

Taking this step isn't political. We’ve previously sued our local government to pry free records.

We're not doing this to make money; we're being represented pro-bono, and we're not seeking monetary damages.

And this lawsuit shouldn't be viewed as controversial. We believe our journalists have a right to report what is going on in our city without fear of violence or arrest — a right that is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. We're doing this to protect the safety of our journalists and so we can keep bringing you the news that matters during these unprecedented times.

This is an issue that should matter to us all. As the Chicago Headline Club Board of Directors, among our partners in the lawsuit, put it, “When journalists are silenced, the public loses access to the truth about government actions."

At an emergency hearing of the suit Monday, Judge Sara Ellis indicated she is likely to issue a temporary ruling Wednesday that could bar federal agents from using riot control weapons like pepper-spray bullets and tear gas against peaceful journalists and protesters. If that happens, it will protect the safety of all journalists working in the city, not only our own. 

We’ll keep you updated on what happens next. 

Thanks for all you do to support us, 

Stephanie Lulay

Executive Editor + Co-founder 

When Will ICE Leave Chicago? ‘No End Date’ For Operation Midway Blitz, Field Director Says

Russell Hott, ICE’s field director in Chicago, said officers have committed no wrongdoing since Operation Midway Blitz began. But protesters, local officials and residents have cited many instances of violence and unlawful detainment.

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