Federal agents attacked peaceful clergy with chemical weapons during prayer services, leaving one pastor with a permanent dent in his head and sparking a constitutional crisis that exposes government overreach against religious freedom.
Story Highlights
- Reverend David Black shot in head with pepper balls by ICE agents while leading prayers in clerical attire
- Second pastor attacked within six weeks, establishing pattern of federal assault on clergy
- ACLU lawsuit alleges systematic violation of First Amendment and religious liberty rights
- Video evidence shows agents fired without warning on peaceful, non-threatening protesters
Federal Agents Target Clergy During Prayer Service
On September 19, 2025, Reverend David Black, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, was conducting peaceful prayers outside the Broadview ICE facility when federal agents stationed on the facility’s roof opened fire without warning. Black, clearly identifiable in his white clerical collar with arms extended in traditional Christian prayer posture, was struck seven times with exploding pepper ball rounds across his arms, face, and torso. The unprovoked assault left the pastor with a permanent dent in his head and ongoing respiratory issues.
🚨NEW: Chicago Pastor David Black, who was assaulted earlier this week by ICE agents while peacefully protesting, is suing the agency alongside the ACLU for violating his First Amendment rights.
— Protect Kamala Harris ✊ (@DisavowTrump20) October 11, 2025
RETWEET if you stand with Reverend Black against the Trump Administration! pic.twitter.com/kgFl35uipK
Pattern of Government Assault on Faith Leaders Emerges
The attack on Reverend Black represents part of a coordinated federal campaign against religious freedom. Within six weeks, Reverend Jorge Bautista was struck in the face with pepper rounds by federal agents during a protest at Coast Guard Island near Oakland, California. United Church of Christ General Minister Reverend Karen Georgia Thompson confirmed this marked the third identified instance of clergy being pepper-sprayed in the face, revealing systematic targeting of faith leaders exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful protest and religious expression.
Constitutional Crisis Exposes Government Overreach
The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration alleging violations of First Amendment rights and religious freedoms, calling the incidents a “brutal crackdown” on constitutional protections. Video documentation shows federal agents using chemical weapons against peaceful protesters who posed no physical threat to officers or government property. This represents precisely the type of government overreach that threatens the constitutional foundation of religious liberty and peaceful assembly rights that define American freedom.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/08/us/video/amanda-tovar-witness-chicago-reverend-david-black-ice-pepper-balls
Both pastors remain committed to their constitutional advocacy despite the physical attacks. Reverend Bautista, who continues experiencing headaches and pain from his injuries, explained that faith leaders serve as “moral mirrors” to challenge government actions they view as unjust. This courage in the face of federal persecution demonstrates the vital role religious communities play in defending constitutional principles against authoritarian overreach that seeks to silence dissent through violence and intimidation.
Sources:
Pastor Shot in Head With Pepper Ball by ICE Agent – The Bradenton Times
ICE Chicago Lawsuit Minister Shot First Amendment – The Independent
Video Federal Agent Shoot Chicago Pastor Head Pepper Ball Broadview ICE Protest – Fox 32 Chicago