Arrests Made at Anti-ICE Protests in New York City
Recent anti-ICE demonstrations in lower Manhattan led to the arrest of several individuals, including a graduate assistant from Fordham University, a comedian, and an editor from a Columbia University student magazine.
Two protesters are accused of assaulting an NYPD officer during the events, as reported by the police and prosecutors.
Natalia Arai, 37, a makeup artist and Fordham graduate with a master’s in social work, allegedly kicked a trash can at officers when they instructed a crowd of over 150 to clear the intersection at Canal Street and Broadway. She has been charged with second-degree assault and resisting arrest, according to a criminal complaint.
The officer reported being struck in the leg by the trash can and required treatment for a cut and pain.
Arai also works as a part-time social work fellow in public schools, focusing on conflict resolution through dialogue, per her LinkedIn profile. As of Tuesday, she had not commented on the situation.
Similarly, 26-year-old Asif Ali faces allegations of pushing a wooden pallet into an officer’s leg during the protest, resulting in pain and bruising.
Another individual involved, 40-year-old stand-up comedian Eli Sayers, was arrested for allegedly throwing a garbage bag and hard objects at police at Center and Howard Streets, where officers and civilians gathered. Sayers had previously faced charges during protests in 2021 over the police shooting of Dante Wright.
Amidst the unrest, former NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea expressed a strong desire for accountability, stating that it was time for the individuals involved to face consequences.
Additionally, 20-year-old Sims Cannon was arrested for climbing into a restricted parking lot at Center and Hester streets. Cannon has a history of protest-related arrests, including incidents last year at Columbia University and Barnard College.
All four arrestees entered not guilty pleas and were released without bail. In total, 18 people were detained during the protests, with seven receiving summonses. The remaining 11, including Arai, Ali, Sayers, and Cannon, faced formal charges. The other seven were given desk appearance tickets for future court appearances.
