Federal Agents Pepper Spray 1-Year-Old Amid Chicago Clashes

BREAKING: A shocking incident unfolded in Cicero, Illinois, on September 30, 2023, when federal agents reportedly pepper sprayed a one-year-old girl during clashes following immigration enforcement operations in nearby Little Village. The child’s father, Rafael Veraza, described the harrowing moment when he and his family were caught in the chaos as they attempted to leave a Sam’s Club parking lot.

Veraza recounted that agents deployed pepper spray without warning, saying, “He started spraying from the front of the car towards the back. Basically, I got sprayed all over my face.” He suffers from asthma and struggled to breathe after being sprayed. Tragically, his daughter Arianna Veraza, riding in the backseat, also inhaled the gas and both were briefly hospitalized. “My daughter was trying to open her eyes. She was struggling to breathe,” Veraza added, highlighting the alarming impact of the incident.

The clash occurred just days after a federal judge tightened regulations on the use of force by immigration enforcement agents. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to justify their actions, claiming they were responding to gunfire from a nearby vehicle during the enforcement operation. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “No crowd control or pepper spray was deployed in a Sam’s Club parking lot,” despite video evidence and eyewitness accounts suggesting otherwise.

The situation escalated when Border Patrol agents reported being attacked by a hostile crowd. In a statement, DHS claimed that agents faced direct gunfire and were pelted with bricks and paint cans, resulting in multiple arrests. “Attackers began throwing bricks and even a paint can from a roof, damaging Border Patrol vehicles,” the statement detailed.

Community leaders and local officials have condemned the federal response. Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García labeled it a “campaign of terror” against residents, urging for peaceful documentation of incidents. He emphasized, “If we succumb to violence, we will lose our battle.”

As tensions simmered, local activist groups mobilized in response. The Indivisible Chicago Alliance held an action on Sunday, distributing ICE watch packets to educate community members about their rights. This grassroots response reflects widespread anger over federal tactics, with the National Lawyers Guild Chicago monitoring police activity and providing legal support to those detained.

DHS’s actions have drawn criticism as they continue to label protesters as “rioters,” with nine individuals arrested, eight of whom are U.S. citizens. The legal ramifications remain unclear as the community grapples with the fallout from this aggressive enforcement operation.

As the situation develops, the community is left questioning the use of force and the safety of local residents amid heightened immigration enforcement. The urgent call for accountability grows louder, with local leaders demanding transparency and a reassessment of federal tactics in immigrant communities.

WHAT’S NEXT: The community is expected to hold further demonstrations, and legal observers remain vigilant. Residents are encouraged to document any encounters with law enforcement as tensions continue to rise in Little Village and surrounding areas. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.