On Saturday, a violent protest occurred outside a Brooklyn hospital, aimed at supporting an undocumented immigrant who had previously been arrested for assault and drug offenses, officials informed The Post on Sunday.
The individual in question, Chidozie Wilson Okeke from Nigeria, entered the U.S. on a tourist visa on August 27, 2023, planning to return home by February 26, 2024. However, he was found to be residing in the country illegally, according to a Department of Homeland Security official.
Okeke was briefly detained on charges related to assault and drug possession, which drew the attention of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who tracked him down on Saturday.
During the arrest, Okeke allegedly resisted lawful orders and attempted to use the vehicle as a weapon against the ICE officer. He reportedly became aggressive, trying to punch and elbow the personnel involved in the operation, a DHS representative stated. They noted that officers employed only the necessary force based on their training.
Claiming a need for medical attention, Okeke was taken to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Bushwick for evaluation, according to DHS.
At the hospital, he apparently refused to cooperate, throwing himself on the floor and yelling. He was later cleared medically for discharge.
Simultaneously, around 200 anti-ICE protesters gathered at the hospital, mistakenly believing Okeke was in ICE custody, to prevent any transfer of him. The NYPD arrived around 10:30 p.m. to manage the situation but found a chaotic scene with demonstrators blocking hospital exits and clashing with officers, as seen in various videos.
Police made nine arrests while ICE attempted to transport Okeke in an SUV amidst the disruption.
Reportedly, the protesters caused damage to several ICE vehicles and assaulted some officers, who sustained minor injuries. A DHS representative commented that assaulting law enforcement is a serious crime.
Some of those arrested were from states as distant as Wisconsin and New Hampshire.
The protest finally came to an end around 2:45 a.m. Sunday, after Okeke was taken away.
One law enforcement official remarked, “God knows what would have happened if the NYPD hadn’t been there to maintain order.”
