University of Chicago Professor Arrested During Protest

A professor at the University of Chicago was taken into custody on Friday after being linked to a violent unrest at an ICE facility in the suburbs. Eman Abdelhadi, an associate professor in the university’s Comparative Human Development department, faces multiple charges, including two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of resisting arrest.

She was arrested on October 3 and released shortly after her initial court appearance on Saturday. Court records indicate that her next hearing is set for Tuesday. A spokesperson for the university confirmed her position there.

Recent protests against ICE have been occurring in Broadview, Illinois, where demonstrators reportedly clashed with law enforcement. Over a dozen individuals have been arrested amid these confrontations. Earlier that day, Abdelhadi posted a photo online showing a line of Illinois State Police officers, describing their actions as part of “terrorizing our community.”

She hasn’t updated her social media since then. A day prior to her arrest, Abdelhadi appeared on the podcast “Movement Memos,” discussing her experiences with the protests. During the interview, she voiced concerns about ICE’s impact on the community, expressing discontent with centrist liberals and stating, “You’re either resisting or conspiring.”

In a prior meeting of the Socialism 2025 conference, she had criticized the university, which she deemed as evil, yet acknowledged that her role there offered a platform for influence.

Earlier this year, Abdelhadi gained attention for her strong remarks about her employer, declaring the university to be a “colony landlord.” She also made known her advocacy for Palestinian justice, calling ongoing conflicts a form of genocide.

Abdelhadi’s digital posts often criticize Israeli policies, highlighting her involvement in broader social justice movements. She has not responded to inquiries for further comment.