Violence Erupts in Manhattan as Anti-ICE Protesters Clash With Agents

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Downtown Manhattan erupted into chaos on Saturday as more than 150 anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protesters attempted to block federal agents during a raid.

At least two arrests were made, according to NYPD sources.

Protesters lined the streets with trash cans, plant pots, and barricades to stop ICE agents from conducting a planned operation in Chinatown.

Videos from the scene show demonstrators throwing garbage and cardboard boxes into the road and standing directly in front of moving vehicles, effectively halting the raid.

The situation escalated quickly. NYPD officers were forced to use mace to disperse the crowd. Some protesters poured water into their eyes to counter the effects, while others resisted being moved out of the way of federal vehicles. One man yelled, “You people are scum! F*cking scum!”

Another shouted at officers, calling them “Gestapo pieces of s*it” and “traitors to New York City.” The confrontation quickly became violent, with officers physically shoving protesters off the streets.

The NYPD confirmed multiple arrests, as the Daily Mail reported.

A spokesperson said, “They were instructed multiple times to disperse, and they did not comply. As a result, multiple individuals were taken into custody.”

Saturday’s violence comes months after a similar clash in October, when ICE agents attempted an operation in the same neighborhood targeting illegal street vendors.

Back then, protesters blocked Canal Street, chanting and filming agents as they made arrests. Saturday’s incident mirrors that chaos, showing ongoing tension between activist groups and federal authorities in New York City.

The protest disrupted traffic, created hazardous conditions for pedestrians, and slowed the flow of emergency and commercial vehicles. Residents and business owners in the area reported feeling unsafe and frustrated as the confrontation unfolded.

Emma G. Fitzsimmons, a New York Times reporter, shared on X that Homeland Security Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel apologized to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch for the incident. Tisch reportedly described the events as “unacceptable” and insisted that such confrontations must stop.

Despite the unrest, federal authorities emphasized that their operation would continue. ICE agents worked to maintain order and safety while performing their duties, navigating through large crowds and aggressive protesters.

Activists have criticized ICE for what they claim are illegal raids targeting immigrant communities, while authorities maintain they are enforcing federal law. This clash highlights the widening divide between law enforcement and activist groups in New York City, especially in immigrant-heavy neighborhoods like Chinatown.

Community members expressed concern over the violence and questioned the role of protests that escalate into confrontations with law enforcement. Meanwhile, activists framed their actions as defending vulnerable residents from federal overreach.

Saturday’s events mark yet another chapter in New York City’s growing tensions between immigration authorities and protesters. As federal agents and activist groups continue to clash, residents remain caught in the middle, facing traffic disruptions, violence, and uncertainty about public safety.