- Latiera Scott-Johnson
- Dec 29, 2025
- 2 min read
Statement on Behalf of Ashley Vaughan, Assaulted by Federal Agents
On September 12, 2025, Ashley Vaughan went to the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] Processing Center to participate in a lawful, peaceful protest against the abusive conditions suffered by ICE detainees held there. Her life changed, when, without warning and with no justification, unidentified masked federal agents opened fire on her, their pepper ball and other projectiles hitting her forehead, chest and upper body, multiple times. Ashley, who is disabled and uses a cane, was thrown to the ground, overcome with pepper-based chemicals, couldn’t see or breathe. Nearby heroic protestors helped her to her feet and got her out of the range of fire, as they waited for an ambulance, which was unable to approach due to the chemical gas. Ultimately, she was taken to the hospital.
Today, Ashley will be filing a Federal Tort Claims Act Administrative Claim, insisting that the government be held accountable for the unlawful force and violence of its agents. "My grandmother survived a Nazi labor camp after her family was torn apart. That legacy is why I refuse to be silent about the government abuse, racism, and discrimination targeting immigrant communities. I went to Broadview to speak out and to stand for members of the disability community who could not be there. I never expected to be shot and further disabled for peacefully protesting. What happened to me is devastating, but it is nothing compared to the cruelty inflicted on people inside these facilities—torn from their families and held in inhumane conditions. We cannot allow ICE to continue these abuses. We must keep pushing for people to be released."
Ashley is represented by Tayleece Paul and Jan Susler of the People’s Law Office, and Latiera Scott-Johnson of Scott-Johnson & Smith LLP. Attorney Paul said: “Ashley went to Broadview to stand with her immigrant neighbors, and the government answered her courage with brutality. No one should be gassed, shot, and further disabled for peacefully protesting, and we intend to use every tool the law provides to hold these agents, and the agencies that unleashed them, fully accountable.”
“Despite her physical limitations, Ashley consistently uses her voice to speak out against injustice. What happened to Ashley is appalling and unacceptable and I can assure you that we will fight for her with the same boldness and tenacity that she exhibited that day,” said Latiera Scott-Johnson.
**************************************
Tayleece Paul, Jan Susler, People’s Law Office
678.814.2373
Latiera Scott-Johnson, Scott-Johnson & Smith LLP
708.468.1086
Comments