NEW YORK (AP) — More than a dozen elected officials were arrested Thursday while protesting conditions at a New York City immigration holding facility where a federal judge this week extended a court order requiring the government to improve its treatment of detainees.
Eleven officials were arrested while attempting to inspect holding rooms on the 10th floor of the government’s 26 Federal Plaza building in Manhattan, according to a coalition of politicians, advocates, and faith leaders involved in the protest. Among those arrested were city Comptroller Brad Lander and several members of the state legislature, all advocating for compliance with a preliminary injunction issued Wednesday that demands the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to address squalid conditions and overcrowding.
Lander, who previously faced arrest at the same location after linking arms with a person authorities sought to detain, was released hours later. Additional officials, including city Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, were arrested outside the government building, with a total of more than 75 individuals detained during the protest.}
Eleven officials were arrested while attempting to inspect holding rooms on the 10th floor of the government’s 26 Federal Plaza building in Manhattan, according to a coalition of politicians, advocates, and faith leaders involved in the protest. Among those arrested were city Comptroller Brad Lander and several members of the state legislature, all advocating for compliance with a preliminary injunction issued Wednesday that demands the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to address squalid conditions and overcrowding.
Lander, who previously faced arrest at the same location after linking arms with a person authorities sought to detain, was released hours later. Additional officials, including city Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, were arrested outside the government building, with a total of more than 75 individuals detained during the protest.}
