The Chicago Headline Club filed a legal brief in support of news organizations seeking the release of all sealed videos and documents in our case over physical and free speech abuses by federal agents in Operation Midway Blitz.
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis on Thursday ordered the release of all previously sealed material she received before her sweeping Nov. 21 ruling in favor of the Chicago Headline Club.
“Given how federal authorities shot to death a Minnesota woman on Wednesday, the time for full disclosure of all sealed documents in our Chicago case is now,” the CHC board said. “It is imperative that the public’s right to know is fulfilled.”
The Headline Club, the nation’s largest chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, brought the case last fall following numerous federal government attempts to interfere with reporters, including through the use of pepper balls, tear gas, and other actions aimed at blocking journalists from simply doing their jobs.
Our case exposed the federal government’s lies and buttressed the facts reported by journalists working in the Chicago area during the first phase of “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Once again, we respectfully note that Judge Ellis found the government’s version of what happened during “Operation Midway Blitz” was “not credible.” She said the federal government’s aggressive activity “shocks the conscience.”
In November, Ellis issued a preliminary injunction blocking federal agents from abusing and assaulting reporters, religious leaders, and protesters. We expected an appeal from the federal government, and we got one. But we’ve moved to dismiss the case given Ellis’s extensive decision that protected reporters and their right to report the news without interference. We are prepared to go to court again.
Ellis delayed ruling on the dismissal motion, citing the events in Minnesota. The next hearing is set for Jan. 22.
“If I dismiss this case, the preliminary injunction ceases to exist,” Ellis said, as reported by Capitol News Illinois. “Certainly, given my ruling, I believe that the evidence in this case justified the need for a prelim injunction to govern the actions of the government when interacting with legal observers, journalists and protesters.”
Today’s support of the various news organizations’ request for full disclosure of all files in the case follows the CHC’s long support for transparency. The Chicago Headline Club will fight for reporters as they pursue fair, impartial, honest, and truthful journalism without fear or favor.
We urge everyone to read the ruling by Judge Ellis.
Here is the video deposition of Gregory Bovino, commander of Operation Midway Blitz.