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. 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.
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.
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 about 2:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Police said a total of nine people were arrested, with eight facing charges such as 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.
Nurse said what happened Saturday wasn't a protest but a defense against immigration agents in the community.
NYPD officials said they didn't coordinate or know about the ICE operation.
