Dozens of activists were taken into custody by New York City police on Tuesday following a coordinated sit-in demonstration at a prominent Manhattan hotel. The protestors had occupied the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Manhattan, directly accusing the establishment of providing accommodation to federal immigration enforcement officers.
Hotel Lobby Occupation Leads to Multiple Arrests
Protesters gathered in the compact lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn, wearing distinctive t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Hilton houses ICE". Their central demand was for the hotel chain to cease allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel to stay at their properties. A spokesperson for the New York Police Department confirmed that officers initially issued dispersal orders to the assembled crowd. When a significant number of demonstrators refused to vacate the premises, arrests were made.
Unclear Numbers and Official Responses
The exact number of individuals detained remains uncertain. A police spokesperson stated that an immediate count was not available. However, an Associated Press photographer on the scene reported witnessing dozens of protestors being detained and subsequently loaded onto police buses outside the hotel. When contacted for comment, a hotel employee who answered the phone declined to provide any statement. Furthermore, an email sent to Hilton's corporate press office on Tuesday evening had not been returned at the time of reporting.
Broader Context of Immigration Enforcement
This demonstration occurred against the backdrop of a substantial nationwide immigration operation being conducted by the administration of President Donald Trump. This federal crackdown has generated considerable public opposition and was linked to two fatalities in Minneapolis earlier in the same month. Major hotel chains, including Hilton, have found themselves in a challenging position, attempting to balance business operations with the political and social tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the protests it inspires.
Questions Over Federal Presence
It was not immediately verifiable whether immigration officers were actually lodged at the specific Hilton Garden Inn location targeted by the protest. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin indicated that such operational details regarding officer accommodations are not publicly disclosed, leaving the protestors' claims unconfirmed by official sources.
