ICE claims California professor used tear gas against them, neglecting to mention they gassed him first

A California professor has been arrested and charged with attacking federal officers after he supposedly threw a tear gas canister at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a raid on a cannabis farm. However, witnesses and the California Faculty Association (CFA) union, which represents the professors, say that ICE agents used tear gas first.

According to SFGate, those supporting the professor claim he was trying to help a disabled person who had been affected by the gas when he was arrested. Jonathan Anthony Caravello, a math professor at California State University Channel Islands, was taken into custody last Thursday during a large ICE operation at Glass House Farms in Ventura County.

As reported by Fox, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli posted on X that Caravello was “arrested for throwing a tear gas canister at law enforcement” and charged with violating federal law (specifically, assaulting, resisting, or interfering with a federal officer). Caravello was released after appearing in court on Monday after posting a $15,000 bond.

Professor who threw tear gas at ICE was helping a disabled viewer

The CFA and witnesses say federal agents fired tear gas into a crowd of protesters, and one canister landed under a legal observer in a wheelchair who was having trouble breathing. Caravello reportedly ran to help this person but was then tackled by agents. Body camera footage mentioned in a federal court document claims Caravello was seen trying to kick a tear gas canister, then picking it up and throwing it back at agents.

On one hand, it could be that he threw that canister with malice, but that doesn’t seem to be the case, according to those who were there. He tried to help someone by removing the canister. He tried to kick it, which is pretty hard to do as these cannisters aren’t light. Then he threw it away to protect the person, and the officers took offence because it supposedly happened to land near them.

It’s the part where he kicks it that makes me think he didn’t intend to harm anyone. If he really wanted to harm ICE agents, he would have thrown it first, but instead, he just wanted to protect someone whom those officers should have been protecting. It wouldn’t be the first time ICE assaulted someone who didn’t have the means of fighting back.

The document also says he resisted arrest and tried to disrupt officers using a megaphone. The raid resulted in the arrest of more than 350 people suspected of being undocumented immigrants, as well as allegations that 14 children were being exploited in possible forced labor situations. The operation led to violent clashes between ICE agents and around 500 protesters.

California State University Channel Islands, where Caravello works, has released a statement supporting him, saying they understand he was “peacefully participating in a protest—an act protected under the First Amendment.” The CFA initially accused agents of “kidnapping” Caravello because his location was unknown for more than 24 hours after his arrest, but hiding the locations of people they take is par for the course with ICE.