Anti-ICE Protesters Vowโ Continued Resistance Followingโข Violent Clash with NYPD in Lower โManhattan
NEW YORK, NY – Demonstrators in Lower Manhattan clashed with police Saturday โduring protests against federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, resulting in atโข least 18 arrests, according to sources. โขAdvocates condemned the ongoing raids Sunday, vowing toโข continueโข “non-violent community resistance” each time federal officers enterโ New York communities.
The protests erupted as ICE conducted raids throughout the city.New york’s status asโ a โsanctuary city, with โคa policyโค of limited cooperation withโ ICE on โคcivil arrests and deportations, creates โfriction with federal immigrationโค enforcement efforts, particularly those initiated under the Trump administration.
Saturday’s demonstration saw protestersโ mobilizing โฃtoโฃ defend neighbors and prevent family separations, โขaccording to Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO ofโข a coalition โof advocacy groups. “Our neighbors, New Yorkers ofโฃ every stripe, mobilized, took time out of โtheirโข day to come โฃhereโข and defend their neighborsโฆand stood here for hours,” Awawdeh โฃtold reporters Sunday.
Outgoingโ City Comptroller Brad Lander criticized the โฃNYPD’s response,โข alleging โthe department “facilitated ICE deportations.” He urged officers to remember who they are sworn to protect,stating,”Yesterday,theโค people โฃwho were protecting โขand serving New Yorkers were theโฃ protesters who showed up.”
However, law enforcement officials expressed frustration with โthe situation. NYPD Commissionerโค Jessica Tisch reportedly “gave โthe feds a tongue-lashing” for failing to provide advance notice of the ICE โraids. Sources say officersโ were pelted with โฃdebris when attempting to protect ICE agents duringโ the ensuing melee.
Despite the tensions, Tisch has agreed to remain NYPD Commissioner under incoming mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a frequent criticโฃ ofโ federal immigration policies.
Hannah Stouts, an โorganizer for Hands Off NYC, emphasized the group’s commitment to ongoing resistance. “Everyโ time federal officers come โคinto our communities with the intention of โconducting lawless raids, of terrorizing our communities, they will be metโ with โขnon-violent community โฃresistance,” she stated during a Sunday press conference.
Public Advocate โฃJumaane Williams has also been a vocal critic of the โfederal ICEโ raids. Demonstrations occurredโค at multiple locations throughout the city on Saturday.
