Protests in Manhattan Over Immigration Enforcement
Two protesters blocking traffic in New York City this week are seasoned activists, with one being involved in protests since the 1980s.
The activists were seen halting traffic on Houston Street in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday morning. A mother stuck in traffic pleaded with them to move, hoping to reach her job on time. But, the activist responded, stating there was nothing she could do to help.
“We were preventing cars from getting to the marchers. There were at least 10,000 people behind us,” the activist said.
These individuals, taking a stand against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities, have been recognized by the Daily Mail for their long history in leftist activism.
One activist, 60-year-old Karen Rampacher, has been active since at least 1989. In a 1989 issue of Outweek Magazine, she spoke about her arrest at an abortion rights protest.
In 2002, while part of ACT UP, Rampacher was involved in high-profile protests against Coca-Cola, emphasizing the organization’s reputation for civil disobedience.
A 2020 interview highlighted Rampacher’s thoughts on activism: “What activism does is focus your attention and turn your fear into something good,” she told The Cut.
Furthermore, Rampacher was photographed at notable events like the 2017 NYC Dyke March and the 2022 Women’s March in Washington, D.C.
During the interview this week, she described the traffic disruption as a “temporary, instantaneous interruption” aimed at drawing attention to serious concerns.
She reiterated that her actions were intended to protect the marchers, noting, “we were preventing cars from driving toward them. At least 10,000 people were behind us.”
Rampacher mentioned she wasn’t aware of the other male protesters, including Trevor Britvec, who also has a history of activism in the city.
Britvec had previously sued New York City following allegations of civil rights violations during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. He has been part of cases resulting in settlements with the city.
Interestingly, during the protest, Britvec could be heard chuckling in response to another mother pleading with him about getting to work, remarking sarcastically, “Ah, it’s not going well,” effectively dismissing her concerns.
