After protesters block ICE in Chinatown, NYC immigrant advocates pledge more resistance

Protesters in NYC's Chinatown Block ICE Raids, Vow to Continue Resistance

A group of protesters blocked the street and multiple exits in Chinatown on Saturday, obstructing vehicles and throwing debris, prompting a police response that resulted in arrests. The demonstration was part of an ongoing effort by immigrant advocates to resist federal immigration enforcement actions in New York City.

According to Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who addressed the crowd on Sunday, the protesters' goal is not to engage in violence but to stand up for their rights and those of their community members. "We encourage folks not to engage in a way that is violent and in a way that will give them an excuse to come down even harder," Williams said.

The NYPD has frequently responded to disruptions surrounding immigration actions, despite the city's sanctuary laws, which prohibit direct cooperation with federal agencies for immigration enforcement. However, the Department of Homeland Security accused protesters of putting its officers in danger and claimed that "hundreds of violent rioters" were involved.

Murad Awawdeh, head of the New York Immigration Coalition, disputed this characterization, stating that many of those who participated in Saturday's protest were not violent but rather peaceful. "For what? New York City has been a sanctuary city for decades," Awawdeh said. "Every single thing that people love about New York City is because of who makes it."

The city's sanctuary laws have been a key factor in resisting federal immigration enforcement actions, and immigrant advocates are pledging to continue the resistance. "New Yorkers stepped up" on Saturday, Awawdeh said. "And New Yorkers defended one another making sure that no one was taken and disappeared from their communities and their families."

The Department of Homeland Security did not comment on whether further operations in Chinatown were expected. However, the protesters' message is clear: they will continue to resist federal immigration enforcement actions and defend their community's rights.

In a surprising twist, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani had met with President Trump at the White House just last week, sparking concerns that the city may be softening its stance on immigration enforcement. However, immigrant advocates say that this meeting does not indicate any change in policy but rather an attempt by the mayor to build bridges with the federal government.

The protests in Chinatown are part of a larger trend of resistance against federal immigration enforcement actions in New York City. Immigrant advocacy groups have reported a significant increase in interest from the public, with many people attending trainings and participating in demonstrations.

As one organizer noted, "You find that, even though these are big, strong men with guns, they get a lot less bold, because there are a lot more of us than there are them." The protesters' determination to stand up for their rights and those of their community members is clear, and it will be interesting to see how this resistance movement continues to evolve.

I gotta say, I'm not sure what's going on here . One day the city is all about being a sanctuary city, and the next, protesters in Chinatown are throwing debris and getting arrested? It seems like the messaging is always "resistance" but what's the real goal?

And I'm calling BS on that department of homeland security saying there were "hundreds of violent rioters". Sounds like a bunch of drama to me . And why do they keep accusing protesters of being violent when we all know there are some peaceful folk out there too?

Meanwhile, the mayor's meeting with Trump just seems to add more fuel to the fire . I'm not saying it's necessarily gonna make a difference, but can't we just have an open and honest conversation about immigration policy instead of resorting to protests and resistance?

OMG what's going on in NYC right now!!! I'm low-key hyped about the protesters in Chinatown taking a stand against ICE raids lol they're like "no cap" . I feel for them, immigration is such a huge issue and people are just trying to protect their communities .

I saw that Mayor-elect Zohran met with Trump last week and people are all worried but like, what's the worst that could happen? The protesters aren't gonna get hurt and they're still fighting for what's right . And let's be real, if the city was super pro-trump, we wouldn't see this kind of resistance .

I'm so proud of these organizers and all the people showing up to support them it's amazing to see so many people coming together for a cause . We gotta keep supporting our immigrant communities and making sure they know they're not alone . This resistance movement is like, totally on

Wow this whole thing is crazy... people are willing to block streets and get arrested just to stand up for their rights! Interesting the mayor's meeting with Trump could change everything, but the protesters don't think it will make a difference. It's all about building bridges and making their voices heard.

ICE raids are super scary and these people aren't going to back down without a fight . The NYPD has been responding toughly, but I wonder if that's really helping anything. Anyway, this is one thing where you can't help but feel for the people who are fighting for what they believe in

I'm worried about the escalating situation in NYC's Chinatown . It seems like a peaceful protest turned into a confrontation with law enforcement, which is never a good idea. I understand where the protesters are coming from - they want to stand up for their rights and those of their community members, but using violent means only puts everyone at risk.

The fact that the NYPD responded with force, resulting in arrests, makes me concerned about the city's ability to maintain its sanctuary laws . The Department of Homeland Security's accusations of "violent rioters" seem exaggerated, especially when Murad Awawdeh disputes this characterization, saying many participants were peaceful .

I also find it interesting that Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met with President Trump just last week, which has sparked concerns about a possible softening of the city's stance on immigration enforcement . However, immigrant advocates say this meeting is just an attempt to build bridges, and I hope they're right.

What I want to see moving forward is more community engagement and education, rather than confrontations with law enforcement . The protesters' determination to stand up for their rights is admirable, but we need to find ways to channel that energy into positive, non-violent action .

Can you believe ICE can't even handle a little protest in Chinatown without getting all dramatic about it? Like, calm down DHS! It's just people standing up for their rights . And what's with the "hundreds of violent rioters" nonsense? Murad Awawdeh is totally right, most of those who showed up were peaceful . The real heroes here are the ones making a difference in their communities . It's refreshing to see people refusing to back down when it comes to fighting for what's fair .

This protest in Chinatown seems kinda extreme with people blocking streets and throwing debris but at the same time I can understand why they're trying to stand up for their rights and their community. The cops did show up pretty fast, though . It's interesting that the NYPD has been responding to these disruptions despite NYC's sanctuary laws . Murad Awawdeh's point about what makes NYC great is a good one - it's all about who makes it!

lol what's going on in NYC the protesters in Chinatown were literally blocking the street and throwing debris... i don't get why they didn't just talk to the cops instead of taking matters into their own hands, but at the same time i can see why they'd want to stand up for themselves. it's like when you're being bullied at school and you're all "peace out"

i think it's cool that the protesters were trying to say they didn't want violence, but if you're gonna block a street, you might as well be prepared for some pushback . i also feel bad for the NYPD officers who had to deal with all that chaos, but at the same time, can't they just talk it out instead of arresting people?

anyway, i'm glad to see the city is still standing up for its sanctuary laws and immigrants' rights. we should all be supporting each other, not tearing each other down . let's keep being peaceful (mostly) and working towards a better future

OMG I'm so proud of the people in NYC who stood up against ICE raids in Chinatown! It's like they're showing the world that we can't just sit back and let our rights be taken away The way they blocked the street and threw debris might seem intense, but it's all about standing up for what's right And I love how Murad Awawdeh said that New Yorkers have been sanctuary cities for decades, like that's a big deal

I'm also loving the fact that Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met with President Trump last week, but everyone thinks it means nothing The people in Chinatown are not going to back down! They're saying "hey, we've been here for years and we're not going anywhere" And honestly, I think that's the most powerful thing about this movement - it's not just about protesting, it's about community

The NYPD might say the protesters were violent, but Murad Awawdeh said otherwise It's all about how we choose to react in a situation. Do we let them take away our rights or do we stand up and fight for what's right?

I just love NYC Chinatown ️ so much! I've been there like a million times but never really understood what was going on with the protests. Apparently, people are fighting against ICE raids? Like, why would you want that in your city? I mean, I know some of my friends have family from all over the world and it's always cool to see them trying to make a life here.

I saw something about Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani meeting with Trump though... what does that even mean for the city? Is he going to be friendlier with ICE or something? I don't get it. Can someone explain it to me?

think its kinda crazy that the city's sanctuary laws are still being tested like this NYPD gotta find a better way to handle these situations or just let people express themselves peacefully Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani meeting with Trump does raise some concerns tho, but maybe it's not as big of a deal as ppl think would love to see more info on the interest from the public in trainings and demos - seems like its about time we got more involved in making our voices heard