Wednesday, February 18 - Investigate Border Patrol Shooting / Witness Slip Roundup / Housing Affordability Panel 3/4
ICA Partner Action: Tell Superintendent Snelling to Investigate CPB Shooting 2/18
On October 4, 2025, Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum shot Marimar Martinez five times as she tried to drive away. DHS put out a statement saying the shooting was justified because the federal agents were “rammed by 10 cars” and “boxed in.” These were all lies. All charges against Ms. Martinez and Anthony Ruiz, her co-defendant, were dismissed in November.
The Chicago Police Department chose not to conduct its own investigation. Worse, CPD Superintendent Snelling parroted DHS’s false justification and implied Ms. Martinez deserved to be shot. During an October 6, 2025 press conference Snelling said “[i]f you box them in with vehicles…it’s reasonable for them to use force based on those conditions.”
Now, four months later, Snelling has not apologized. CPD still has not opened an investigation into Exum’s shooting of Marimar Martinez. State’s Attorney Burke claims she can’t prosecute until CPD investigates Exum and refers the case for prosecution. Snelling and Burke are protecting Exum, and each other, when they should be protecting us.
👉 Attend Thursday’s Police Board Meeting and tell Superintendent Snelling and the CPD to IMMEDIATELY open a criminal investigation into Exum’s shooting of Ms. Martinez.
Thursday's meeting is at the City of Chicago Public Safety Headquarters @ 3510 South Michigan Ave. Arrive by 7 p.m. and sign up to speak by 7:15. Each speaker is limited to two minutes. You can use the script below or put these facts into your own words.
Script: I live in Chicago. I am very disappointed that the Chicago Police Department adopted Homeland Security’s version of events without conducting its own investigation.
It has now been more than four months since Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum shot Marimar Martinez. CPD must immediately open an investigation into Exum’s criminal act. The CPD can interview Ms. Martinez. They can interview Anthony Ruiz. They can review video. They can review the evidence from the failed federal prosecution of Ms. Martinez that was released by the FBI this week. It is CPD’s job to investigate violations of Illinois law – even when the perpetrator is a federal agent and even when he does not cooperate. If the CPD continues to give special treatment to federal agents, and permit them to violate Illinois law, it will embolden federal agents to injure more Chicago residents, and potentially kill them. Please do your job and immediately open an investigation into Charles Exum.
Partner Action: Witness Slip Roundup
The Illinois General Assembly is back in Session, and now’s the time to make your voice heard! A Witness Slip is a person or group's position on a particular bill. Filling out a witness slip is a great way to let legislators know whether you support or oppose a bill.
Witness slips are read during a committee hearing and help inform legislators as to where people stand, allowing informed decisions when voting. Witness slips are a quick way to make your voice heard in state government.
👉 Fill out these witness slips as PROPONENT to support legislation that addresses gender-based violence, promotes health equity, and upholds human rights.
Not sure how to fill out a witness slip? Check the link above for instructions!
Action via She Votes Illinois
ICA Partner Action: Housing Affordability Panel 3/4
Chicago and Illinois are quickly becoming unaffordable for current residents. Nearly half of Chicago renters spend too much for their rent and utilities. The median price of a Chicago home rose 5% last year alone.
Abundant Housing Illinois is a volunteer-led organization advocating for abundant housing and sustainable, inclusive cities throughout Illinois.
While some of these Daily Actions come from our own work as Indivisible Chicago Alliance, others are from our many partners working to advance the progressive agenda. We invite you to join us in supporting their work. Postings from partners do not imply Indivisible Chicago Alliance endorsement of specific policies and positions.
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