Anti-ICE protesters in New York City clashed with NYPD officers, leading to the arsons of eight police vehicles in a parking lot, with no injuries reported. The incidents occurred hours after a protest in Lower Manhattan where about 100 demonstrators were arrested for scuffles and vandalism. The NYPD reported that several vehicles were torched in Bushwick, Brooklyn, with a strong smell of gasoline detected, though the exact cause remains under investigation. A resident expressed concern over the unrest, stating, “It’s very unsettling, no one wants to be living on a street that has arson happening on it, but yeah, it’s unnerving for sure.” The NYPD confirmed that the FDNY extinguished the flames and there were no injuries. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, and no arrests have been made yet.
The incident coincided with a larger anti-ICE demonstration on Tuesday involving about 2,500 people who were protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the country in Lower Manhattan. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch spoke to Fox 5 NY, stating that the smaller group of violent protesters was a minority, and the vast majority were there to protest peacefully. She noted that some of the violent protesters were looking for trouble, leading to arrests. The protests were marked by chants such as “How do you spell racism: I-C-E” and “Deportation no more, ICE get out of our state.” The situation highlighted the tension between peaceful activism and confrontational behavior, with the NYPD facing significant challenges in managing both groups. The city’s police department is now focusing on reviewing the surveillance footage to determine the full extent of the unrest and to identify those responsible for the arson and vandalism.