'We Could Hear Them Laughing As They Were Shooting Us From Roof' — Reverend’s Tale Hits New Heights

CNN’s Erin Burnett OutFront gave Rev. David Black, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, a primetime platform to repeat his claim that ICE officers attacked him and peaceful protesters outside their Broadview, Illinois detention facility.

According to Black:

“No. There was no warning for any of these things. After they shot me in my head and my face and multiple times in my torso, arms and legs, I was shielded by the bodies of others who were there who rushed in to support me and took many more hits that were intended for me… I was completely disabled at that point.”

And just when you thought his story couldn’t get more absurd:

“We could hear them laughing as they were shooting us from the roof. It was deeply disturbing. We’ve gotten to witness a few things about these ICE agents operating in Broadview, and really what it has shown us is how disorganized they are and how poorly supervised and trained they are. We’ve also heard ICE agents talking to each other — one of whom said, ‘Man, I don’t even remember why I’m here anymore,’ and the other said, ‘I don’t know either.’ So there’s a deep demoralization that we are seeing as we bring this peaceful and spiritual protest against their tactics and what they’re doing to our city and our communities and our neighbors. I’m grateful to show up with these protesters — people who deeply believe in democracy, and are bringing peaceful and moral witness against what the Trump administration is trying to do in Chicago.”

The idea that he could hear ICE agents “laughing from the roof” amid chants, screaming, music, megaphones, and the chaos defies common sense. The men stationed on the roof were wearing protective shields and face coverings — their mouths weren’t even visible, let alone audible over the noise below.

Yet this is precisely why CNN aired it. The image of “laughing ICE agents on the roof” is vivid, emotional, and perfectly crafted to inflame viewers while casting protesters as saintly victims.

In contrast, DHS reports tell a different story: protesters were repeatedly warned to stop blocking vehicles and disrupting operations at the federal facility—not to target clergy, but to restore order and protect the building from potential trespass and violence, including thrown fireworks, rocks, and attempts to breach gates during protests that continued into October. Rev. Black wasn’t merely “praying peacefully.” He actively participated in a non-peaceful protest at the Broadview ICE facility, hiding under God and his pastor’s collar—an activist wielding the pulpit as a prop. And CNN, predictably, amplified his narrative for the cameras.