Several protesters were arrested in New York City after they blocked streets and exits in an apparent attempt to prevent federal agents from carrying out an immigration raid, according to police and video footage from the scene.
The incident unfolded just before noon on Saturday in the area of Centre Street and Howard Street in lower Manhattan, the New York City Police Department said. Officers responded to a call for a disorderly group and found multiple people “blocking the street and exits at different locations.”
Some were seen throwing debris, police said.
The protesters were ordered multiple times to disperse, but police said several individuals were taken into custody after they refused to comply.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement Saturday that the ordeal started with social media posts “calling agitators to ICE’s location in New York City.” Once there, the spokesperson said, they “began to obstruct federal law enforcement officers including by blocking the parking garage.”
Video from the scene showed dozens of people surrounding a parking garage with Homeland Security vehicles inside. A group of officers was seen blocking the entrance and setting up metal fences to keep the perimeter. Some officers were uniformed NYPD officers and some had face coverings and vests that said “Police Federal Officer.” Several protesters and officers were seen pushing against each other and the metal fences.
Some protesters at the parking garage carried signs that said “Stop the Deportations” and “ICE out of New York.”
A speaker in the background said: “This is the New York City Police Department. You are unlawfully in the roadway and obstructing vehicular traffic. You are ordered to leave the roadway and utilize the available sidewalk. If you do so voluntarily, no charges will be placed against you.”
Other footage showed police officers on foot ahead of a long line of law enforcement vehicles, trying to clear the street of dozens of people. Sirens blared in the background as protesters tried to stand in front of the vehicles to slow them down. Some people were seen kicking over trash cans and recycling bins into the path of officers and police vans. Officers were seen detaining several individuals who refused to get off the road.
NYPD officers arrested multiple "agitators," the DHS spokesperson said.
"When individuals broadcast the location of ICE, they are putting a target on the backs of officers. Our law enforcement is facing a 1,150% increase in assaults against them and an 8,000% increase in death threats as they make lawful arrests of criminal illegal aliens," the spokesperson said.
"We will never apologize for enforcing the law and removing criminal Illegal aliens including murderers, pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and terrorists from our communities," the spokesperson added.
Last month, federal immigration officers conducted a raid in the same area, targeting street vendors known for selling jewelry, watches and knockoff bags on Canal Street.
