New York City Mayor Eric Adams made a statement on Monday regarding the recent protests in Los Angeles over U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) policies, highlighting that similar violence will not be tolerated in the five boroughs.
His remarks followed President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to California in response to escalating demonstrations.
“Keeping the people of our city safe has always been my North Star. That means keeping people safe from violent protests and it means protecting people who are trying to do the right thing by protesting peacefully for what they believe,” Adams stated.
He emphasized that while he understands the feelings of anger and fear among some New Yorkers, violence is unacceptable. “New York City will always be a place to peacefully protest, but we will not allow violence and lawlessness.”
Adams condemned the protests in Los Angeles as “unacceptable,” warning that similar actions would not be tolerated in New York City. He expressed confidence in the capabilities of the New York Police Department (NYPD), describing it as “the best police department in the world, men and women who are prepared to handle any issues that may arise, especially when we are faced with deep division in our society.”
His comments came on a day when a sit-in protest occurred at Trump Tower, resulting in the arrest of two dozen demonstrators. Participants in the protest chanted “bring them back,” likely referring to ICE deportations to El Salvador.
Footage from social media showed NYPD officers making arrests and using zip ties on demonstrators before escorting them out of the building.
One protester involved recounted, “We were at Trump Tower today to protest the illegal and unconstitutional work that ICE is doing arresting and deporting people without any due process at all.”
Fortunately, no initial reports indicated any violence or injuries during the protest.
CBS News New York also reported that multiple individuals were taken into custody at another protest held in Foley Square.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch underscored the department’s commitment to following the law regarding immigration enforcement, stating, “As a matter of city law, we do not engage in civil immigration enforcement, period. We will continue to follow the law.”
Echoing Mayor Adams, Tisch asserted, “We have no tolerance for violence, none. We have no tolerance for property damage. We have no tolerance for people blocking entrances to buildings or blocking driveways or blocking cars from moving.”
She urged the public to understand that any attacks against law enforcement will be met with a strong and decisive response from the NYPD.
Tisch emphasized their responsibility for maintaining public safety and order in the city, and she reassured the community that the NYPD is well-prepared to manage protests while ensuring safety and legal compliance.
“At the New York City Police Department, we know how to police protests in a manner that maintains public safety and upholds the law. We have done so in thousands of protests over the last few years and we will continue doing so going forward,” Commissioner Tisch commented.
While the specifics of the police response were not detailed, Tisch noted that comprehensive planning is already in place to address potential civil unrest similar to that which has unfolded in California.
As protests persisted, civil rights attorney Norman Siegel highlighted the importance for participants to know their rights when demonstrating, advising that while demonstrators can use public sidewalks without permits, they cannot obstruct roadways or access to buildings.
In another demonstration, activists and union leaders gathered near City Hall Park in Lower Manhattan to demand an end to ICE raids across the nation.
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams remarked, “None of this, brothers and sisters, is making our city safer.”
Similarly, City Councilman Justin Brannan asserted, “These ICE raids are not making us any more safe. They’re doing the opposite.”
Protesters also rallied for the release of David Huerta, a member of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), who had been arrested for allegedly interfering with officers during protests in Los Angeles.
“Are we ready to fight for the immigrants who’ve always powered our country?” asked Manny Pastreich, president of SEIU Local 32BJ, inciting the crowd’s passion.
“We are a city of immigrants! We are a country of immigrants!” Brannan echoed with emphasis.
“We will not be silenced!” added Adrienne Adams, reinforcing the group’s determination.
Huerta was later released from federal custody on a $50,000 bond.
Opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, members from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees expressed concerns about their working environment, noting the unexpected detentions occurring during their work hours.
“This is unprecedented,” said Harper Stanfield, New York VP for the American Federation of Government Employees, Local 3911. “They’ve been detaining people in the middle of our work days.”
Stanfield further noted, “Any allegations that any EPA employees were ‘targeted’ by law enforcement for identification because of their skin color are FALSE.”
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), defended the practices of ICE, stating that enforcement operations are not racially or ethnically discriminatory but are instead intelligence-driven.
“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests aliens who commit crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws. Our law enforcement activities are not conducted based on racial or ethnic profiling and are consistent with Department of Homeland Security and ICE policies, as well as U.S. immigration law,” McLaughlin explained.
Stanfield, however, disagreed with the prevailing federal narrative, suggesting that his members felt they were disproportionately targeted based on their appearance.
Brannan chimed in, stating, “An immigrant rights and human rights and labor rights are all bound up together, and if we don’t stand up and fight back now for our most vulnerable then no one else will!”
On the same day, Democratic Reps. Nydia Velázquez and Mike Thompson introduced a bill aimed at prohibiting immigration officers from wearing clothing that bears the word “police,” seeking to differentiate their roles from that of traditional law enforcement.
The protests reflect ongoing national tensions surrounding immigration policies and law enforcement, with NYC officials openly opposing actions taken by ICE while balancing the need for public safety and order.
image source from：https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/ice-raids-new-york-city-los-angeles-immigration/
