A night manager at the Laugh Factory in Chicago was taken into custody by federal agents this morning, sparking a viral clip that shows the confrontation outside the club.
The Chicago police say they answered a call about a fight at around 9:20 a.m. Friday. When they reached the Laugh Factory, they found federal officers in a scuffle with two people – one of whom was the club’s night manager, Nathan Griffin.
The clip, which has racked up millions of views on social media, shows the agents pulling Griffin to the ground and putting him in handcuffs. Bystanders can be heard yelling, “Why are you doing this? Where are you taking him?” and “Let us see your face.” The video also shows Griffin’s mother, Elaine Plybon, standing nearby while the officers wrestle the manager off the floor.
The arrest was announced by a Border Patrol spokesperson, who said that Griffin “attempted to impede and obstruct federal officers.” Agents say he tried to shut a door on an officer’s leg and then was detained and turned over to the FBI for further investigation.
Plybon posted a video on Instagram saying her son was “kidnapped by Border Patrol in front of my eyes.” In her post, she shared how frightened she felt watching the agents pull her son into a car and that she does not want to see the SUVs, screams, or shaking again.
Friends and family of Griffin have responded by launching a GoFundMe page to cover legal costs. Tom Pinney, Griffin’s brother‑in‑law, wrote that his brother is a natural‑born American citizen who was held by border patrol and later released into FBI custody after about four hours. He faces a possible federal assault charge that could carry up to eight years in prison.
Since the page went live Saturday, more than $20,000 has already been raised. Plybon, in an update, thanked supporters for reminding her, “We cannot thank you enough!”
The event at the Laugh Factory in Chicago has drawn attention to how federal agents are handling immigration operations in major cities. It also highlights the power of social media to bring local incidents to national and global audiences.
Source: New York Post
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
