Dozens of people were arrested as demonstrators took over Foley Square and marched through Lower Manhattan Tuesday evening, all in protest of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
After seeing what has happened in Los Angeles, activists in New York City want their voices heard in the face of the Trump administration’s plan to deport more undocumented immigrants.
NewsCopter 7 reported seeing thousands of demonstrators in Foley Square, across from where ICE operations are based in New York City.
The activists then marched west through TriBeCa and Lower Manhattan to one of several federal immigration courts where ICE has been detaining migrants in recent weeks.
“I think it’s my obligation as a citizen to speak for those who are in the shadows, everything that’s going on is just heartbreaking and it hits pretty close to home,” said demonstrator Denisse Mejia.
Dozens of people were arrested on Tuesday.
On Monday, during anti-ICE protests, the city arrested around 30 people.
It follows Mayor Eric Adams’ warning earlier this week that “violence and lawlessness” will not be allowed in New York City.
The Trump administration’s policies have spurred heightened tensions and days of demonstrations in Los Angeles, where hundreds of protestors were blasted with tear gas and flash grenades after blocking downtown streets, setting fires, and refusing to leave.
On Monday, 700 Marines in California were asked to assist, and they are likely to arrive within the next 24 hours, according to a US official.
Meanwhile, the impact on the West Coast has rattled New York City, where nearly 40% of the population is foreign-born.
While seven individuals were detained at Foley Square on Monday, protesters gathered outside Trump Tower to speak out against deportation and the new travel ban, which went into effect on Monday. They arrested twenty-four individuals for their refusal to leave the lobby.
In the event that protests escalate, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the NYPD will be fine without federal participation, even the deployment of the National Guard.
She claims they have preparations and resources in place to deal with any civil disturbance.
Adams has stated that he will not accept the types of protests that are taking place in Los Angeles and New York City.
“The escalation of protests in L.A. over the last few days is unacceptable and will not be tolerated if attempted in our city,” Adams said. “And I want to assure all New Yorkers that we have the best police department in the world… men and women that are prepared to handle any issues that may arise, especially when we are faced with deep division in our society.”