ICE raid protests: Over 80 arrested in Lower Manhattan as backlash over Trump crackdown continues

Large-scale protests over escalating ICE arrests in the Big Apple continued into their second day on Tuesday, lasting well into the night and resulting in mass arrests as demonstrators clashed with police.

Thousands began pouring into Foley Square at around 5 p.m. on June 10 in what marked the second straight gathering of New Yorkers pushing back against Trump’s immigration policy. The throng of protesters — some of whom wore masks and facial coverings — arrived with signs in their hands and furious anger on their lips, demanding that ICE leave Gotham for good.

Staging just across the street from 26 Federal Plaza, where amNewYork has observed federal agents swiftly seize immigrants at court hearings earlier in the day, the demonstrators and elected officials said Tuesday evening that they have seen enough.

“We are going to stand up and fight back with everything we have. Because if you think that this issue is not about you, you are mistaken. This issue is about you, it is about your neighbors,” Brooklyn City Council Member Alexa Avilés told the masses. “We need all of you to stand up and fight back. We need all of you to organize your neighbors, because they may be able to get rid of a few of us, but they cannot get rid of all of us.”

While thousands took to the streets marching in protest of what many are calling kidnappings, hundreds of others stood behind at 26 Federal Plaza where they demanded the release of those still being detained inside.

A massive mobilization of police officers, some in riot gear, met the massive crowd. Before long, isolated clashes between cops and demonstrators broke out as the tension of the moment boiled over.

Cops were seen wrestling with masked demonstrators on the ground and carrying others away in cuffs. When some demonstrators began hurling objects, police increased the mobilization and deployed pepper spray to subdue some of the more unruly protesters.

Police sources said no fewer than 86 people were ultimately cuffed for their role in the unrest. Fifty-two of them were issued criminal court summonses, while 34 others were slapped with charges such as assault and obstructing government administration.

More protests are expected this week.