Leaders, activists condemn federal agent actions in Little Village and Cicero

CHICAGO (WGN) — A Chicago man says a routine grocery trip turned into a nightmare when federal agents pepper sprayed his car on Saturday with his wife, teenage sister and 1-year-old daughter inside.

Rafael Veraza described the frightening moment that happened in a Cicero Sam’s Club parking lot when he tried to drive away with his window down. He joined community advocates and leaders in Little Village on Sunday to speak out about the incident.

“My daughter didn’t even have to go through this because we weren’t protesters. We weren’t really going after them or attacking them,” Veraza said.

Veraza said his family had planned a simple grocery run but quickly decided to leave after spotting federal agents in the lot. As they tried to exit, he said one of the agents began spraying their car and others ahead of them.

“I couldn’t feel my cheek. I couldn’t feel nothing, my face was numb. I can’t even imagine my daughter’s face, fully numb. My 1-year-old with low defenses on her body,” he said.

Pastor Matt DeMateo said he came across the distressed family while checking on residents affected by the federal presence in Little Village and Cicero.

“All four were struggling to breathe, their faces burning from pepper spray,” DeMateo said. “I saw next to my van (Gregory) Bovino pull the pin on another grenade, threatening to throw it.”

The Sam’s Club incident was one of at least four locations where community advocates allege federal agents targeted and terrorized residents, leaving neighborhoods fearful and angry.

“Each and every time, they left destruction in their wake. They left traumatized people in their wake,” said Illinois State Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago).

“Yesterday was a day of terror. It follows an agenda of terror,” added Ald. Mike Rodriguez (22^nd Ward).

The Veraza family said they have scheduled a specialist appointment to ensure their daughter has no lasting effects from the exposure.

Community advocates are urging residents who encounter federal agents to record what happens and to know their rights.

The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement regarding the incident, saying in part:

“As the rioters refused to comply with basic instructions and began throwing objects, Border Patrol deployed crowd control measures, cleared the area, and proceeded to a Sam’s Club parking lot. Individuals stalked and followed the convoy into the parking lot and a vehicle rammed a Border Patrol’s vehicle. Three suspects were immediately arrested for assault.”