Veteran Dana Briggs Considers Lawsuit After Charges Dropped Following ICE Protest

Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran, faced felony assault charges after protesting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at a facility in Broadview, Illinois. The U.S. Department of Justice recently moved to dismiss all charges against him, a decision influenced by video evidence showing ICE agents knocking him over during the incident. The court, led by U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes, reviewed body-worn camera footage from the agents, which had been kept from public disclosure, before agreeing to dismiss the case.

The Guardian

Briggs had been protesting against increased immigration raids in his community when he allegedly made contact with an ICE agent's arm while the agent attempted to establish a safety perimeter. Following his arrest, Briggs was taken to Loyola University Medical Center, where he was handcuffed to a hospital bed and treated for injuries sustained during the encounter.

The Guardian

Briggs's case is part of a larger trend where U.S. military veterans have faced confrontations with federal agents over immigration enforcement policies. The Guardian identified at least eight such incidents, including that of Afghanistan war veteran Sean Charles Dunn, who was acquitted after throwing a sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection agent during a protest in Washington, D.C. Dunn's case drew attention to the treatment of veterans exercising their rights to dissent against federal actions.

The Guardian

In response to the dismissal of charges against Briggs, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Fitzpatrick stated that the office continuously evaluates facts and information related to cases arising from "Operation Midway Blitz," a significant law enforcement initiative in the Northern District of Illinois. He emphasized the importance of ensuring justice is served in all cases.

The Guardian

Jose Vasquez, executive director of the veterans' advocacy group Common Defense, remarked on the significance of the dismissal, asserting that it highlights the right to dissent. He stated, “Dana, like so many veterans who continue to exercise their first amendment rights in the face of injustice, was exercising the same courage and moral conviction he once showed in uniform.”

The Guardian

The treatment of veterans during protests has drawn national attention and condemnation, particularly from military veterans in Congress. Critics argue that the aggressive tactics employed by federal agents against veterans like Briggs and Dunn reflect a troubling trend in the enforcement of immigration policies. In a separate incident, Afghanistan war veteran Daryn Herzberg was reportedly assaulted by an ICE agent, raising further concerns about the treatment of veterans during such confrontations.

The Guardian

• “I stood up for something I believe in and will continue to do so, until my last breath,” — Dana Briggs, Air Force Veteran

The Guardian

Following the dismissal of charges, Dana Briggs is contemplating a civil lawsuit regarding his treatment during the protest. His case, along with others involving veterans, continues to raise questions about the intersection of military service, civil rights, and immigration enforcement in the United States.

The Guardian