A growing number of U.S. military veterans are finding themselves at the center of escalating conflicts with federal authorities, particularly during protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. Over the past few months, critically injured veterans have taken a lead role in occupying and demonstrating. They are fighting back against national deportation campaigns and the militarization of law enforcement. As a result, hundreds of veterans have been arrested or injured during this time. They are compelled to protect civil rights and take a stand against government actions that they see as wrong.
On August 13, Daryn Herzberg II, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was tackled by ICE agents while protesting outside a federal facility in Portland, Oregon. The controversial incident landed him in the hospital. Currently, Herzberg is suing for $150,000 in damages as a result of the agents’ predatory behavior. He wasn’t charged with any actual crime during this harrowing encounter.
In yet another major federal litigation, Dana Briggs— a 70-year-old Air Force veteran — was charged with felony assault. The shooting of the federal officer on September 29. Briggs, who claimed a not guilty plea, was subsequently released on an appearance bond. These charges are an expression of the serious atmosphere that surrounds veterans who dare speak out against injustice, or the military industrial complex.
Army veteran John Cerrone got arrested for speaking truth to power, protesting outside of the Broadview ICE detention center. He had to endure a nine-hour nightmare in a filthy holding cell with walls coated in bodily fluids, including blood, hair and mucus. Cerrone was especially harsh on decorative ICE agents for their protest behavior. In fact, he argued, their treatment of personnel was “absolutely unprofessional,” compared to the behavior that he saw while serving in combat.
“Their conduct was completely unprofessional in my experience in combat infantry,” – John Cerrone
These protests have left many other veterans in similar legal predicaments. Jay Carey is a 20 year Army combat veteran, educator and activist. He is currently fighting two federal misdemeanor charges after burning a flag in front of the White House on August 25. Sadly, his act was not an isolated incident. It was one piece of a much larger expression of dissatisfaction with federal government policies and actions.
On July 10, George Retes, a 25-year-old Iraq War veteran, was apprehended in an ICE raid. The incident occurred during a police raid at an illegal cannabis cultivation site in Ventura County, California. He is now pursuing damages under the Federal Tort Claims Act for what he calls a wrongful arrest. Retes emphasized the potential threat such actions pose to veterans, stating:
“If it can happen to me, it can happen to any one of us.” – George Retes
That irony hit home when the man being prosecuted, Sean Charles Dunn, a veteran of the Afghanistan War, was charged with felony assault. He had reportedly assaulted a Customs and Border Patrol agent by shoving a sandwich at him. Dunn’s case shows the uncertainty that still exists for all protests and the need for awareness around law enforcement’s often violent response.
In the wake of such confrontations, critics look to the larger issues that will be affected by such showdowns. As activist Vasquez reminded the panel, many veterans do not need to be told twice. Their work is driven not only by the injustices that immigrants experience but by the sense that government brutality and militarization endanger democracy itself. He stated:
“The disturbing escalation in arrests and violence signals that the basic freedoms we once swore to protect are under attack.” – Vasquez
In Chicago, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis moved quickly to grant a temporary restraining order. This order prohibits federal agents from deploying riot control weapons to journalists, peaceful protesters, and religious worshippers. This legislative action reflects the increasing acknowledgement that excessive force is being used against people peacefully exercising their right to protest.
No wonder the Department of Justice vigorously defends the wrongdoing of federal agents. They get tough, warning that anyone who attacks police will be punished to the full extent of the law. Spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated:
“Anyone who assaults or otherwise harms law enforcement officers will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” – Abigail Jackson
Demi Palecek, who has military experience, voiced concerns regarding the reckless conduct of ICE agents:
“As a military member, I can tell you – the way they handle weapons is reckless and dangerous.” – Demi Palecek
In light of these incidents, many veterans are questioning the alignment between their service to the country and the current actions taken by federal authorities. They argue that their values are fundamentally at odds with such a militarized response and that such repression ultimately endangers civil liberties.
Veterans are finding themselves in the forefront of these protests like never before. This history foregrounds a rich and complicated tradition of service, patriotism, and dissent to US government policy. Like so many veterans, I too feel betrayed by the administration that we all once supported. Instead, now they are armed and pushing back against what they view as authoritarian practices.
Tensions are rising between activists and federal law enforcement agencies including ICE and Customs and Border Patrol. Veterans are beginning to find their voices and speak out in support of civil rights and against government overreach.