NEW YORK (AP) — A seemingly routine immigration sweep on Canal Street turned tumultuous on Tuesday as federal agents attempted to detain street vendors, sparking protests from a large crowd of onlookers. The popular area, known for its bustling marketplace of designer knock-offs, became the scene of heated confrontations.
The operation, conducted by the Department of Homeland Security along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol, targeted vendors accused of selling counterfeit products. Witness accounts revealed that as agents made their move to arrest several vendors, local residents intervened, chanting slogans like 'ICE out of New York' and trying to obstruct paths for federal vehicles.
According to a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, tensions escalated as protesters began shouting obscenities and pushing agents, leading to the use of pepper spray against some members of the crowd. Witnesses reported that federal agents attempted to clear the area, leading to further unrest as locals rallied against what they perceived as unjust targeting of small vendors.
In the fray, one vendor selling bedazzled smartphone cases was detained, igniting frustration among passersby who felt the operation unfairly targeted individuals just trying to make a living. As the crowd grew, federal agents found themselves retreating, pursued by shouting residents and honking vehicles as reinforcements armed with tactical gear arrived.
Mayor Eric Adams later clarified that the city had no role in the enforcement operation and criticized the focus on undocumented individuals rather than violent offenders, underlining the law enforcement's approach to immigrant communities in New York.
Our administration has been clear that undocumented New Yorkers trying to pursue their American Dreams should not be the target of law enforcement, said Adams. The tension around Canal Street coincidentally arose just days after a video by a conservative influencer that highlighted the vibrant street vendor scene was shared widely, prompting calls for enforcement.
