80 agitators arrested by NYPD during mass anti-ICE action

A massive anti-ICE protest in Lower Manhattan erupted into chaos Tuesday evening as thousands of protesters flooded the streets near City Hall and Foley Square, clashing with police and forcing the NYPD to enact a citywide level three mobilization. Agitators also clashed with police outside a federal courthouse at 26 Federal Plaza.

The protest began as a large-scale rally against ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across New York and other major cities but quickly devolved into chaos. Over 80 people were arrested for disorderly conduct and related offenses, with law enforcement expecting the number to climb as more reports are processed, per The New York Post.

Anti-ICE protestors chanted "How do you spell racist? ICE!"

Video footage showed rioters in keffiyehs shouting slogans, hurling objects at officers, and attempting to block federal vans believed to be transporting detainees. Water bottles, barricades, and more were hurled at officers, according to police reports. Pepper spray was deployed multiple times, and physical altercations occurred as officers attempted to restore order.

Far-left agitators chanted "f*ck you" and "kill yourselves" as NYPD told them they would be arrested for shaking the barricades.

The unrest was sparked by a planned protest in Foley Square, where activists and left-wing city officials rallied against ICE deportations. Picketers held signs demanding the abolition of ICE and chanted slogans such as "Brick by brick, wall by wall, this racist system has got to fall!"

Brooklyn Councilwoman Shahana Hanif and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams were among the speakers who addressed the crowd, delivering fiery criticisms of both the federal government and Mayor Eric Adams. Hanif accused the mayor of “collaborating with Trump” and enabling ICE actions in the city. Williams echoed the sentiment, claiming that the NYPD was allowing ICE to "kidnap" residents while accusing Adams of being absent in a time of crisis.

Tensions escalated rapidly as night fell, with masked agitators making multiple attempts to breach police lines and halt federal operations. An NYPD source told the outlet the chaos was “coordinated and volatile,” with many protesters seemingly prepared for confrontation.

NYPD made arrests as a large crowd stormed barricades, and protestors threw cones and barricades at officers. 

More arrests of anti-ICE agitators were made outside City Hall and the federal building.

As the standoff continued, more arrests were made.

More arrests and clashes were seen between NYPD and anti-ICE rioters outside a federal building in lower Manhattan. 

The protest in New York is just one piece of a broader national wave of riots as activists rally against ICE and immigration enforcement across the US in Democrat-controlled cities, including Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle. In Los Angeles County, anti-ICE riots have now entered their fifth consecutive night, prompting citywide curfews and National Guard deployment.