From 9th District Democratic Party hopeful Bruce Leon:
Abughazaleh Indictment a Travesty, but Also a Reminder that Immigrants Remain Unsafe in Chicagoland
Leon Renews Call For Chicago to Follow Diplomatic Lead Set by San Francisco Mayor
CHICAGO, IL — Democratic Party Ninth District congressional candidate Bruce Leon today condemned what he called a “blatant abuse of power” by Donald Trump’s Justice Department in the federal indictment of fellow candidate Kat Abughazaleh for her participation in an anti-ICE protest.
“I’m appalled that Ms. Abughazaleh was indicted by Trump’s Justice Department. This looks like another abuse of power meant to silence dissent,” Leon said.
“But while I share her anger at the cruelty of ICE’s actions, I also believe that getting into physical confrontations with federal officers doesn’t make our communities safer — it makes them more divided and vulnerable.
“She gets a campaign moment; meanwhile, ICE is still on the streets of Chicago and Evanston.”
Leon contrasted the escalating cycle of protest and crackdown in Illinois with the approach taken by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Laurie, whose quiet diplomacy has successfully kept ICE enforcement actions off city streets.
“There’s a better way,” Leon continued.
“Look at what Mayor Laurie did — he used dialogue, not confrontation. Immigrants in San Francisco are safer than in Chicago and Evanston because their leaders kept their cool.
“I understand the impulse to fight, but right now our communities need wisdom and diplomacy. That’s how we actually protect people.”
Leon’s campaign has positioned itself as a voice for practical, human-centered leadership — rejecting the partisan extremes and performance politics that dominate both parties.
