Woman shot by Border Patrol in Chicago, pastor hit with pepper balls testify in Washington

WASHINGTON (WLS) -- The Chicago woman who was shot several times by a Border Patrol agent called for accountability on Capitol Hill Wednesday.

Marimar Martinez and a local pastor detailed their violent encounters with federal agents in front of the House Committee on Homeland Security in Washington.

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At one point, Martinez stood up in front of the panel and rolled up her sleeves and pant legs to show Congress members her bullet wounds. It was a highly charged ending to a hearing that was held with only one Republican present.

Martinez and Pastor David Black testified to their experiences at the hands of Border Patrol agents in Chicago last fall. Martinez was shot five times after briefly following agents, who were conducting raids in Brighton Park on Oct. 4.

"I just saw blood gushing. That's when I realized, like I've been actually shot right here. This one was gushing, and my whole side was covered in blood," Martinez said.

Last September, Pastor Black was shot in the head with pepper balls during a protest outside Broadview's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center. At the time, DHS said protesters were blocking ICE agents and ignoring their orders to move.

"We could hear the ICE officers laughing as they shot us. And afterwards, the DHS also posted mocking statements about us," Black said.

The testimony, known as a minority hearing, took place with the presence of only one House Republican, the committee's chairman, who called the proceedings a charade.

SEE MORE: Immigration authorities had surveilled Chicago woman shot 5 times during 'Midway Blitz': CBP Report

"Today is a distraction from the fact that DHS has been shut down for over 65 days. The security impacts of that are real. And the workforce is suffering," said Rep. Andrew Gabarino, who represents New York.

Illinois Congresswoman Delia Ramirez called out both White House advisor Stephen Miller and Border Czar Tom Homan for ignoring their invitations to testify. She also rejected calls to fund the Department of Homeland Security as long as the immigration raids continue.

"Taking a quieter approach to terrorize us won't deter us. We know people are still being taken," Ramirez said.

For Martinez, who was indicted and labeled a domestic terrorist before the charges against her were dropped, the appearance provided a national platform to tell her story.

"I want the world to see my pain, my trauma. This is not something to joke about. This is my life. We're talking about my life," Martinez said.

Next week, the Illinois Accountability Commission is set to host two public hearings during which several of those impacted by last year's immigration enforcement operations in the Chicago area are expected to testify.