Several people arrested after ICE detains man outside Brooklyn hospital, police say
Several people were arrested when a large crowd gathered outside a Brooklyn hospital on Saturday night after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained a man, according to the NYPD.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Chidozie Wilson Okeke, who was detained, has been in the United States since 2023 after overstaying his visa. The official said he is from Nigeria and was previously arrested for assault and criminal drug possession.
During his arrest, Okeke allegedly didn't comply with officers and tried to punch and elbow them, DHS said. ICE officers later escorted Okeke to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center when he requested assistance.
The spokesperson said Okeke was screaming and threw himself to the floor during the medical evaluation.
"It was very clear that he was in no fit state to leave the hospital. He needed additional medical care. Neighbors were shouting 'Let him go!' And I stand by that. Let him go," one person said.
NYPD responds to calls about 200 protesters
Meanwhile, a crowd of about 200 people gathered outside the hospital to protest Okeke's arrest, the official said.
Police officers responded to the crowd just before 10:30 p.m. They said they saw multiple people obstructing traffic and blocking emergency entrances and exits.
"It was totally chaos. A lot of whistling, saying 'La migra, la migra,'" one person said.
Officers gave commands to the group to disperse before arresting people who didn't cooperate, an NYPD spokesperson said. The crowd was outside the hospital until around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Police said a total of nine people were arrested, with eight facing charges, including resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and criminal mischief.
"The protesters damaged several ICE vehicles and assaulted ICE officers, resulting in minor injuries to the officers," a statement from DHS read.
"Violation of our sanctuary city laws"
City Council member Sandy Nurse said the NYPD helped clear the street for the ICE vehicle to leave the hospital with Okeke.
"This is a clear violation of our sanctuary city laws. The New York Police Department should not be collaborating with ICE. That is against our laws, so we need to have some answers from our police commissioner," she said.
NYPD officials said they didn't coordinate or know about the ICE operation.
Nurse said what happened Saturday wasn't a protest but a defense against immigration agents in the community.
She said she went with a lawyer into the hospital in an attempt to get Okeke counsel but were unsuccessful.
"This is why we need a New York state bill like New York For All because we need clarification up and down the chain-like hospitals, schools, houses of worship," Nurse said.
