Chicago-Area Police Assisted HSI Surveillance of Anti-ICE Activists at Bridgeport Gallery
Recently unveiled documents indicate that law enforcement in the Chicago area was involved in an ICE undercover investigation targeting mutual aid networks in Minneapolis last spring. This effort is part of a federal conspiracy case against 15 activists from the Twin Cities who are opposing Operation Metro Surge. An April report named "Antifa Roadshow" outlines the monitoring of a talk held on April 2 at Co-Prosperity in Chicago, featuring anarchists from Minnesota. A task force comprising 14 officers utilized undercover operatives, electronic surveillance, and CCTV to track participants associated with anti-ICE demonstrations. Although Illinois law prohibits local police from enforcing immigration laws, HSI investigations might not face the same limitations. The CPD maintains its partnership with HSI was focused on criminal activities. Ed Yohnka from the ACLU described the surveillance as "very troubling."
Key facts
- Chicago-area law enforcement assisted HSI in surveilling an April 2 anti-ICE event at Co-Prosperity gallery in Bridgeport, Chicago.
- The joint task force included 14 officers: six local cops and eight HSI Chicago agents from Chicago, Aurora, Downer's Grove, Cook County, and Kane County.
- Surveillance methods included undercover agents, electronic surveillance, audio recordings, license-plate-reader data, and Chicago's CCTV network.
- The HSI report, titled "Antifa Roadshow," was released by the defense team for 15 Minnesota activists facing federal felony charges.
- CPD claims no First Amendment notifications were made for the investigation and that its work with HSI was permitted under Illinois law as criminal enforcement.
- The event was part of a national Crimethinc tour; similar gatherings in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Seattle, Washington, were also monitored by HSI.
- The surveillance team logged 219 vehicles near Co-Prosperity and identified several subjects already under investigation.
- The ACLU of Illinois called the surveillance "very troubling" and urged local law enforcement to reexamine participation in federal task forces.
Entities
Artists
- Callum Robinet
- Eric McDavid
- Matthew DePalma
- Ilhan Omar
- Mike Xu
- Kenneth Popovits
- Ryan Wasson
- Christopher Veatch
- Joel Sullivan
- Michael Finerty
- Nick Nunez
- Ed Yohnka
Institutions
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Chicago Police Department
- Aurora Police Department
- Downer's Grove Police Department
- Kane County Sheriff's Office
- Cook County
- Crimethinc
- Co-Prosperity
- American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois
- WIRED
Locations
- Chicago
- United States
- Minneapolis
- Minnesota
- Aurora
- Downer's Grove
- Cook County
- Kane County
- Bridgeport
- Illinois
- Broadview
- Ann Arbor
- Michigan
- Seattle
- Washington