Republicans and Democrats have never been known for peaceful coexistence. They’re more like cats and dogs locked in a lifelong rivalry, always assuming the other side is up to something shady. So it’s no shock when politicians throw accusations or sharp jabs. But even in the chaos of American politics, especially in Illinois, where campaigns can get extra spicy, it’s not every day that one candidate hands another a prison-themed gift bag and a bottle of holy water.
Yet that’s exactly what happened during what was supposed to be a calm, friendly Sunday meet-and-greet in suburban Northbrook.
Kat Abughazaleh, a Democratic congressional hopeful from Chicago who is currently facing federal charges tied to an immigration protest, likely expected the usual small talk and handshakes. Instead, she ended up in one of the most bizarre encounters Illinois politics has seen in years, courtesy of her Republican opponent, Rocio Cleveland, who showed up armed with props like she was debuting a piece of political performance art no one asked for.
Cleveland, an Island Lake Republican, approached with a small red gift bag that looked harmless enough until she started pulling items out of it one by one, narrating the process like she was filming an off-brand unboxing video. The first reveal was a toothbrush, which she dramatically explained would come in handy “once you are in prison.” Then came food items. And finally, the pièce de résistance: a bottle of what she described as holy water.
That was the moment Cleveland decided to go fully theatrical. She told Abughazaleh, who is Palestinian American and does not identify with any specific faith, that she needed to be baptized. Then she delivered the line that instantly went viral online: “You are possessed.”
Abughazaleh declined the gift, naturally. Cleveland packed the items back into the little red bag, offered an “I’ll be praying for you,” and walked off, leaving onlookers stunned. By the time the evening ended, video of the confrontation had already hit social media, and the reactions poured in at full speed.
Internet users were flabbergasted after seeing this incident unfold in Illinois. Many called the stunt childish, petty, and embarrassing. Some pointed out the impracticality, joking that even if Kat Abughazaleh did somehow end up in prison, she wouldn’t be allowed to bring a toothbrush from home anyway. Others suggested it was clearly a PR ploy, a desperate attempt to snatch attention, even negative attention, in a crowded race. “I bet she spent a lot of time thinking about how to be as snarky and mean as possible, so as to get votes from her base,” one user wrote.
Some commenters went even sharper. “This is the first time I’ve seen a Republican Christian give food out to someone,” one person joked. “Maybe if we say these starving babies are demonic they’d give out holy formula?”
It wasn’t just the internet that recoiled. Abughazaleh’s campaign was openly frustrated. Her campaign manager, Sam Weinberg, condemned the stunt as a twisted use of religion aimed at a non-Christian candidate. Event organizers weren’t thrilled either, saying the spectacle clashed completely with what was meant to be a respectful, civil evening of discussion.
