by Manhattan, NY – More than 60 anti-ICE protesters were arrested Tuesday evening after entering the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn in Tribeca, mistakenly believing federal immigration agents were staying there. The protest came amid heightened tensions over recent federal immigration enforcement actions and high-profile shootings involving federal agents.
Protest Erupts at Tribeca Hotel
Around 6 p.m. Tuesday, demonstrators swarmed the hotel lobby, chanting, blowing whistles, and waving signs demanding the chain stop allegedly housing ICE agents. Authorities repeatedly instructed the crowd to disperse, but when they refused, police arrested more than 60 protesters for trespassing.
Authorities later confirmed that no federal agents were staying at the hotel that night.
Larger Demonstrations and Outrage
The protest is part of a wider national wave of demonstrations against ICE, following several fatal incidents involving federal agents:
- Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse in Minneapolis, was shot and killed by federal immigration agents during a confrontation earlier this month.
- Renee Good, a mother of three, was killed by an ICE agent in a separate Minneapolis incident earlier in January.
These incidents have prompted sustained protests and criticism of federal immigration enforcement policies.
Police Response
Officers attempted to clear the lobby for approximately 45 minutes before making arrests. Social media and surveillance footage showed hundreds of protesters inside and outside the hotel, chanting and creating a disruptive scene. Some demonstrators had marched from other protest sites in the city to join the Hilton demonstration.
Community and Political Reactions
Protest organizers condemned federal immigration enforcement as excessively aggressive and demanded stronger public opposition from institutions and government leaders. Meanwhile, city officials emphasized the importance of peaceful, lawful demonstrations while acknowledging citizens’ right to protest.
National Context
The New York protest reflects broader national tensions around immigration enforcement and law enforcement accountability. Several high-profile deaths have intensified public debate over federal policies and the actions of immigration agents during enforcement operations.
Conclusion
The arrests at the Tribeca hotel underscore both the scale of public frustration with immigration enforcement and the risks of confrontational protests. Authorities continue to balance protesters’ rights with public safety, while communities nationwide grapple with the implications of federal enforcement actions.
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