Article Summary

A group of six Democratic candidates, officeholders and activists pleaded not guilty Wednesday on federal charges they “impeded” a federal agent during a September protest outside of a Chicago-area U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility.

Though video of the Sept. 26 incident shows nearly two dozen people surrounding a government vehicle, attorneys for those indicted say their clients have been targeted for their involvement in progressive politics.

The six include 9th congressional district candidate Katherine “Kat” Abughazaleh, Cook County Board candidate Catherine “Cat” Sharp, a Chicago Democratic Ward committeeman, and an Oak Park trustee.

The group is charged with conspiracy to prevent the agent from performing his duties by banging on the wind

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