Democratic Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh addresses supporters in downtown Chicago outside the federal courthouse where she pleaded not guilty to charges filed in connection with a protest against the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign.

CHICAGO – A Democratic congressional candidate indicted in connection with a protest against President Donald Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz immigration enforcement crackdown pleaded not guilty on Nov. 12 after calling charges against her an attempt to "silence dissent."

Kat Abughazaleh, a leading voice among anti-immigration enforcement protesters in Chicago and a candidate for Illinois’ Ninth Congressional District, was indicted along with five others on charges of assaulting, resisting and impeding federal officers. At a protest on Sept. 26, Abughazaleh and others stood in front of an immigration enforcement SUV entering a Homeland Security facility in the suburbs.

The 26-year-old’s court appearance on charges connected to fighting Trump’s promised mass deportation campaign comes at a moment where Chicagoans opposed to the blitz have taken the administration to court and the president’s Justice Department has also taken locals to court amid resistance to enforcement efforts.

"For speaking up against those inhumane policies, I have been indicted," Abughazaleh said to supporters outside the courthouse. The congressional candidate spoke in front of a podium that read "Defend the Broadview Six," a reference to the suburban village that houses an immigration processing center at the heart of the blitz. The Trump administration has tried to scare us into silence but look around, is it working?"

Dozens of supporters carrying signs opposed to immigration enforcement cheered in response.

"Do you want to live in a country where atorcities can happen because we can’t speak out? I don’t and I hope you don’t either," she said.

Others indicted Brian Straw, Catherine Sharp, Michael Rabbitt, Joselyn Walsh and Andre Martin also pleaded not guilty in court on Nov. 12 in the Northern District of Illinois.

The progressive’s court appearance over efforts to resist the Trump administration comes at a moment of reckoning in the Democratic Party, where many are divided over the move of moderate Democratic senators to end the government shutdown without securing the healthcare insurance benefits they promised voters.

Andrew S. Boutros, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, previously issued a statement on the charges.

"All federal officials must be able to discharge the duties of their office without confronting force, intimidation, or threats," Boutros said. "As we have warned repeatedly, we will seek to hold accountable those who cross the line from peaceful protests to unlawful actions or conspiracies that interrupt, hinder, or impede the due administration of Justice. The rule of law must always be upheld."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump 'tried to scare us': Chicago congressional candidate pleads not guilty in Blitz arrest

Reporting by Michael Loria, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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