Exclusive | Suspected Antifa professor — who compared feds to Nazis –

A college professor with suspected ties to Antifa and a strong belief that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are Nazis was recently arrested in Chicago for bringing a loaded gun to an anti-ICE protest. Elias Cepeda, a faculty member in the English department at Northeastern Illinois University, was apprehended on September 26 with a loaded firearm and multiple rounds of ammunition during President Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz crackdown in the city.

The Department of Homeland Security accused Cepeda of bringing the loaded gun to a demonstration outside an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, which has been the site of several violent protests. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that Cepeda has suspected ties to Antifa and has a history of glorifying violence against law enforcement officers. Just two days after a sniper attack at an ICE facility in Dallas, Cepeda was arrested in Chicago with a loaded gun and magazines.

Prior to his arrest, Cepeda made several social media posts advocating for violence against ICE, referring to federal agents as Nazis, and using the Antifa hashtag. He expressed support for teachers protecting children from ICE with firearms and made derogatory remarks towards DHS officials on social media.

Cepeda’s bio on the Northeastern Illinois University website describes him as an experienced journalist with a background in sports coverage, restaurant reviews, and politically engaged essays. He also created and taught an online course on critical journalism at NEIU in 2020. Cepeda was reportedly a volunteer for Pilsen Defense and Access, a nonprofit that provides self-defense and violence prevention training for marginalized families and children.

After his arrest, Cepeda’s mother confirmed that he was armed at the ICE protest but maintained that he did not intend to use the weapon. It remains unclear if Cepeda will face charges, as a Chicago grand jury recently declined to indict a couple who were arrested for assaulting federal agents outside the ICE facility.

Elias Cepeda, Pilsen Defense and Access, and Northeastern Illinois University have not responded to requests for comment on the incident. The case highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the use of firearms in protests against government agencies. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented changes to our daily lives, with most countries implementing strict lockdown measures to curb the spread of the virus. As a result, businesses have been forced to adapt to remote work arrangements, travel restrictions have been put in place, and social gatherings have been limited.

One of the most significant changes brought about by the pandemic is the shift towards remote work. With many companies implementing work-from-home policies to ensure the safety of their employees, workers have had to adjust to a new way of working. This has presented both challenges and opportunities for employees, as they navigate the complexities of working from home while balancing their personal and professional lives.

Moreover, the pandemic has had a profound impact on the travel industry, with airlines grounding flights and countries closing their borders to non-essential travel. This has resulted in a significant decrease in tourism, impacting businesses that rely on travel for revenue. Many countries have also implemented quarantine measures for travelers, further dampening the desire to travel.

Social gatherings have also been significantly impacted by the pandemic, with restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather in one place. This has forced people to find alternative ways to connect with others, such as virtual gatherings and online events. While these virtual platforms have allowed people to stay connected, they cannot fully replicate the experience of in-person interactions.

Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented changes to our daily lives, from the way we work and travel to how we socialize. While these changes have presented challenges, they have also provided opportunities for innovation and adaptation. As we navigate the uncertainties of the pandemic, it is important to remain resilient and adaptable in order to thrive in this new normal.