More than 20 people were taken into custody today after a crowd of close to 150 demonstrators gathered in Lower Manhattan and attempted to disrupt federal immigration enforcement activities, according to law enforcement sources, government officials, and video footage from the scene.
The protesters, many of whom had their faces covered, shouted obscenities at police, sat down in the street, and physically obstructed an unmarked white van with darkened windows as it tried to depart from 26 Federal Plaza, the location of the US Immigration Court.
“Back up, back up!” shouted six Department of Homeland Security officers in uniform, as they pushed protestors away from the vehicle, according to video captured at the scene.
The demonstrators dragged metal barricades and traffic cones into the street and even retrieved a dresser missing its drawers from a dumpster in an effort to keep the van from moving forward. However, police swiftly cleared the obstacles.
After a roughly two-minute delay, the van was able to leave the area, but the situation soon spiraled into further disorder. Video footage shows nearly 40 officers from the NYPD and federal agencies continuing to confront the protesters.
The NYPD confirmed that those arrested were given summonses. The department stated that officers responded to a 911 call regarding a group behaving disruptively and found individuals intentionally sitting in the roadway to obstruct traffic.
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, commended law enforcement for quickly stepping in to arrest those who interfered with immigration agents, saying, “Secretary (Kristi) Noem’s message to rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down.”
“ICE will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” McLaughlin said in a statement to The Post.
In Los Angeles, a similar protest erupted, marking the second consecutive day of violent demonstrations opposing federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Tom Homan, Acting Director of ICE, announced that the National Guard would be deployed this evening in response to the growing unrest.
{Matzav.com}