Arrested outside a Manhattan Immigration Court, demonstrators donning costumes of Lady Justice and the Statue of Liberty, expressing anti-ICE sentiments, were taken into custody.
In Lower Manhattan's bustling heart, a group of protesters, including seniors and activists, staged a symbolic demonstration against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on August 11, 2025. The protest took place outside 26 Federal Plaza, with the participants dressed as Lady Justice, the Statue of Liberty, and carrying symbolic items like an upside-down American flag and a plastic skeleton in an ICE outfit.
The protesters denounced the alleged federal kidnappings taking place inside the immigration court, claiming that immigrants were being apprehended by masked ICE agents during their mandated court hearings. The demonstrators blocked traffic on Broadway and Thomas Street, causing a temporary disruption.
The protest, organised by Extinction Rebellion, also highlighted the deplorable conditions within ICE detention centres. A protester named Meg stated that those in ICE detention are being held without showers, medication, change of clothes, and minimal food. They demanded the immediate release of these individuals.
The demonstration, however, was met with a swift response from the police. Mere minutes after standing in the roadway, the protesters were rushed and cuffed by officers. Ten people were arrested, with the arrested protesters likely to be released with a summons.
The sidewalks were inundated with officers, including access to the sidewalk, blocking the press from seeing the majority of what was taking place. One photographer stated that they are legally allowed to capture the event, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
The impact on press freedom is reflected indirectly. Independent journalists and artists have sought to document and expose ICE activities inside the courts, including the presence of masked federal agents and the fear experienced by immigrants.
These developments illustrate ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement practices and civil society’s efforts to maintain transparency and protect immigrant rights in a highly charged environment. The protesters' actions serve as a call for accountability and transparency in the immigration system, echoing the sentiments of many who believe that the separation of families due to ICE actions is beyond immoral.
- Amidst the ongoing debate on immigration, the latest general-news headlines feature a demonstration against ICE, organized by Extinction Rebellion, with protesters demanding accountability and transparency in politics.
- The political landscape continues to be scrutinized as the practice of immigrant detention and the alleged human rights violations within ICE detention centers remain a point of contention in general-news discourse.
