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Attorneys acting for a journalist from Chicago's local TV network who was temporarily detained by government officers last week characterize the event as "something that should alarm and frighten every person in this nation".

Particulars of the Arrest

The journalist, a American national and WGN employee, was arrested on Friday by government officers during an ICE action in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. Videos from the location show the producer being forced to the ground by two agents before she is restrained and placed in a vehicle.

At the time, a government spokesperson stated that the individual "hurled items at border patrol's car" and was "placed under arrest for assault on a federal law enforcement officer".

Subsequently that day, WGN confirmed that Brockman had been freed from detention and that no charges had been filed against her.

Legal Team's Reaction

In a statement issued by lawyers acting for the journalist on Tuesday, her representatives disputed the government's account. They stated they "strongly refute any allegation that she attacked anyone" and that "Brockman was the one who was physically attacked by officers on her way to work" on the date in question.

Her lawyers explain that at the time of the detainment, the journalist was "not acting in any official role as an staff member for WGN" but that she was just "walking to the bus stop as part of her morning commute when she was confronted by federal officers.

"The individual, who is a US Citizen born in this country, was violently detained on a city street," the release continues. "As this happened, bystanders on the street began recording the incident and inquired her her name."

The statement indicates that she informed the bystanders her name and that she worked at WGN, in the hopes that "someone would inform her workplace so colleagues would know that she would not be coming at work that day", her lawyers said.

Aftermath and Next Steps

Based on her legal team, Brockman was kept in federal custody for about several hours before being freed.

"The individual has not been accused with any crimes and she intends to explore all legal options open to her to vindicate her rights and ensure government accountability for their actions," the statement adds.

"One attorney, a legal representative, added in the release: "If armed, masked, government officers are taking US citizens off the street as they walk to work and placing them in unmarked vehicles, you can only conceive what these agents must be willing to do to our immigrant neighbors and people who dare to protest against them."

"Ms Brockman was taken to the ground, battered, handcuffed, and her trousers were lowered exposing her uncovered skin," the lawyer stated. "Not anyone should be treated like that in this city, in this country or anywhere else in the world."

Immigration authorities, the Department of Homeland Security, and the US Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond to inquiries from news outlets.