In a troubling incident during New York’s primaries, a poll worker reported that two federal officers visited her at a voting location to confront her regarding a social media post. The post criticized an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who was involved in the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
Paigelynne Gonyea, the poll worker in question, stated that the confrontation occurred while she was working at a polling place in Syracuse. The officers presented Gonyea with a written notice indicating that she could be in violation of federal laws prohibiting the public posting of personal information about federal officers.
The warning was linked to a January post in which Gonyea shared a photo of Jonathan Ross, the ICE officer who shot Good, and expressed her belief that it was a suitable time for him to face indictment. Despite the federal concern, Gonyea has chosen to keep the post online, asserting her intention to defend her First Amendment rights.
“I plan on using this experience to defend and support our First Amendment right,” Gonyea remarked. “Our first amendment rights definitely need to be protected now more than ever.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has labeled Gonyea’s actions as “doxxing,” suggesting that posting personal details about federal law enforcement officers online poses a serious threat to their safety and that of their families. Lauren Bis, a spokesperson for DHS, stated, “If you doxx our officers, we will investigate you, and you will be brought to justice.”
A fellow poll worker recorded the encounter, capturing the moment the officers approached Gonyea. In the video, Gonyea declines to sign the warning letter presented to her. The unsigned letter, attributed to ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility, is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct by ICE personnel.
Sheilia Milledge, the poll worker who filmed the interaction, expressed concern over the nature of the encounter, describing it as a potential intimidation tactic. “I felt like it was a scare tactic that they were using,” Milledge commented.
The New York Attorney General’s Office is currently reviewing the situation, while the New York State Board of Elections confirmed that the incident did not disrupt voting. Onondaga County Democratic Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny responded promptly to the polling place, ensuring that the voting process remained unaffected and connecting Gonyea with necessary resources.
Gonyea received a voicemail from a DHS agent who expressed an interest in discussing the post in question, assuring her that she was not in any trouble. Despite this, Gonyea felt it was safer to meet with the officers in the polling location.
The incident raises significant concerns about the implications of federal officers approaching citizens regarding their speech, particularly in the context of a polling place. Experts such as Sean Morales-Doyle from the Brennan Center for Justice have noted that this could potentially intimidate both voters and poll workers. Attorney Adam Steinbaugh warned that if federal officers are formally addressing residents about their protected speech, it signals a troubling trend for free expression.
In response to the incident, Rep. John Mannion has urged the DHS to review the circumstances and cease any activities targeting protected speech. Mannion emphasized that ICE should not monitor or target online speech without just cause and judicial oversight.
This incident is a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding free speech and law enforcement in the digital age, raising essential questions about the balance between safety and constitutional rights.
Whittle reported from Portland, Maine. Associated Press writers Anthony Izaguirre in New York City and Rebecca Santana in Washington contributed to this report.
