A member of the Chicago Journalists Association’s Board of Directors was targeted unprovoked with a fire pepper ball by a masked ICE agent this weekend. Her vehicle was shot with no protestors present.

She and other members of our Chicago journalism community have been recently targeted by federal immigration authorities while working. Some have been arrested, others attacked with chemical agents or flash grenades while simply doing their jobs to report the news. 

Our board denounces violence against journalists everywhere who are working to keep their communities informed. They should be free to exercise their First Amendment Constitutional right to freedom of the press without intimidation. 

For 86 years, the Chicago Journalists Association has supported Chicago area journalists through comradeship, and we stand with them during this time. 

Journalists are not enemies of the people. We keep citizens informed, expose the truth and hold the powerful accountable. But, when we become part of the story, we will not stay silent.