NEW YORK (AP) — Tuesday saw turmoil unfold along New York City's Canal Street as federal agents from ICE attempted to enforce laws against vendors allegedly selling counterfeit goods. The operation attracted a crowd of bystanders and protesters who sought to block the agents' efforts, leading to heated confrontations.
The scene turned chaotic as federal officers began making arrests, with one particularly vocal contingent of protesters chanting phrases like 'ICE out of New York' while trying to obstruct law enforcement vehicles. Reports suggest that ICE, Border Patrol, and other federal agencies were present in force, aiming to carry out their arrests.
As law enforcement pushed against protesters, some were reportedly threatened with pepper spray, escalating tensions further. An Associated Press reporter witnessed the arrest of a vendor selling smartphone cases, marking just the beginning of several detentions.
In light of the events, New York Mayor Eric Adams stated that the city's administration did not plan nor execute the operation, reiterating that resources should be directed toward addressing violent crime rather than targeting undocumented residents. This incident comes shortly after a right-wing influencer's video on social media highlighted the Canal Street vendor scene, hinting at the brewing conflict that followed.
