(USA, 30th) Protests erupted in downtown Manhattan, New York City, as demonstrators blocked the ramp leading to a Department of Homeland Security parking lot, aiming to prevent federal agents from carrying out immigration enforcement actions.
According to Bloomberg, the New York City Police Department stated that authorities received a report at 11:46 a.m. on Saturday (November 29) and arrived on the scene to find over a hundred people on the street, blocking the exit and throwing garbage.
A police spokesperson said that the protesters ignored repeated orders to disperse, resulting in several being detained by police.
The demonstration began after protesters noticed unmarked federal vehicles entering the parking lot at the intersection of Centre Street and Howard Street. When agents attempted to leave, protesters locked arms to block the ramp and refused to move. Police subsequently set up barricades between the two sides, but as the federal agents drove their vehicles, protesters surged toward the exit, further escalating the standoff.
The demonstration began after protesters noticed unmarked federal vehicles entering the parking lot at the intersection of Centre Street and Howard Street. When agents attempted to leave, protesters locked arms to block the ramp and refused to move. Police subsequently set up barricades between the two sides, but as the federal agents drove their vehicles, protesters surged toward the exit, further escalating the standoff.
According to video footage obtained by ABC News, protesters blocked vehicles near Centre Street in Chinatown and chanted, "ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), get out of New York."
This confrontation forced authorities to halt their enforcement operation. A source familiar with the matter said federal agents ultimately returned to New Jersey, believing it was unsafe to proceed. Local traffic resumed later that afternoon.
Just a week earlier, a suspected undocumented immigrant accused of selling counterfeit goods on Canal Street in Chinatown was arrested by ICE agents. Authorities reportedly plan more similar arrests on the same street.
This confrontation forced authorities to halt their enforcement operation. A source familiar with the matter said federal agents ultimately returned to New Jersey, believing it was unsafe to proceed. Local traffic resumed later that afternoon.
Just a week earlier, a suspected undocumented immigrant accused of selling counterfeit goods on Canal Street in Chinatown was arrested by ICE agents. Authorities reportedly plan more similar arrests on the same street.