Arrested outside Manhattan Immigration Court, anti-ICE demonstrators donning costumes of Lady Justice and the Statue of Liberty, cried out the revolutionary phrase, 'Give me liberty or give me death'.
On August 11, 2025, a group of protesters, led by the activist organisation Extinction Rebellion, gathered outside Lower Manhattan's immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza to voice their concerns about the practices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Dressed as Lady Justice and the Statue of Liberty, the protesters carried the U.S. flag upside down and displayed images of immigrants who had perished while in ICE detention. A plastic skeleton donning an ICE outfit was also among their props.
The protesters' main accusation was that ICE agents were "kidnapping" immigrants attending their court hearings by detaining them abruptly inside the building, particularly on the 10th floor. This practice, they claimed, was causing outrage and widespread condemnation.
To express their discontent, the protesters blocked traffic on Broadway and Thomas Street, leading to a strong police presence. In the end, ten people were arrested and are likely to be released with a summons.
The protestors' aim was to raise awareness about the actions taking place in the immigration court, but their efforts were met with resistance. Credentialed journalists were pushed back from the scene under threat of arrest, preventing them from capturing the events in full.
The sidewalks were inundated with officers, blocking the press from seeing the majority of what was taking place. Despite this, the protesters' message was clear: they were protesting against ICE's practices, which they believe are inhumane and a violation of immigrants' rights.
The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have denied these allegations, stating that 26 Federal Plaza is a processing center where immigrants are briefly held before transfer. They emphasised that detainees receive meals, medical treatment, and legal access, and that they strive to avoid overcrowding and only detain individuals with criminal records or posing safety threats.
However, the protesters' concerns have been echoed by federal judges, who have criticised the practice of "detention roulette," where immigrants legally attending court hearings risk arrest and detention by ICE agents waiting inside the same courthouse.
The protests at 26 Federal Plaza highlight a broader struggle concerning immigrant rights and immigration enforcement practices in New York City and across the U.S. The ongoing protests and legal battles serve as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and advocacy in the fight for justice and human rights.
[1] New York Post, "Protesters arrested outside Lower Manhattan immigration court," August 11, 2025. [2] CNN, "ICE denies allegations of detaining immigrants during court hearings," August 12, 2025. [3] The Guardian, "Extinction Rebellion leads protest against ICE practices at Lower Manhattan immigration court," August 11, 2025.
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