NEW YORK (AP) — In a significant act of protest, dozens of demonstrators occupied the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan on Tuesday, asserting that the hotel is providing accommodation for federal immigration officers.
While the hotel management declined to comment on the allegations, a representative from the Department of Homeland Security indicated that information regarding the presence of officers would not be disclosed. Protests have escalated as the Trump administration continues to enforce strict immigration policies, triggering widespread backlash and tragic incidents, including two recent deaths in Minneapolis.
Activists filled the downtown hotel’s modest lobby wearing shirts proclaiming, “Hilton houses ICE," demanding that the hotel cease its cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The demonstration reflects ongoing public outcry against the handling of immigration issues.
The New York Police Department intervened, with officers urging the crowd to disperse. A police spokesperson noted uncertainty about the number of arrests, but an Associated Press photographer reported that dozens of protesters were detained and placed on buses outside the site.
This protest is just one of many movements aimed at holding institutions accountable for their involvement in immigration practices, showcasing a growing solidarity among the community against perceived injustices connected to federal enforcement actions.
