Manhattan Protesters – A surprise protest erupted in Manhattan, New York, on the 29th, local time, as demonstrators opposed a raid by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to the arrest of several protesters. The incident occurred a week after U.S. President Donald Trump and New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani held a cordial meeting in Washington, D.C. The federal government has emphasized a strict immigration policy, stating that New York is no exception, drawing attention to how Mamdani—set to take office next January—will respond.
The NYPD stated it did not cooperate with the federal immigration raid and was only dispatched to manage the protest. An anonymous police official told the NYT, “National Police Agency Commissioner Jessica Tisch strongly protested the federal agents’ raid during a call with Ricky Patel, head of New York Homeland Security Investigations.
The incident is notable as it followed Trump and Mamdani’s first meeting on the 21st. Contrary to public concerns, the two shared a smooth encounter. Later, when asked by the media if immigration agents would enter New York, Trump responded, “If necessary, but other places like Chicago seem more urgent.” Mamdani had vowed during his campaign to resist federal immigration raids in New York. After the incident, a spokesperson for Mamdani’s transition committee stated, “The mayor-elect has consistently made clear that such raids are cruel, inhumane, and do not enhance genuine public safety.”
