Thousands of protesters gathered in New York City on Friday, calling for the abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the resignation of NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. This demonstration occurred a day after Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old migrant, was shot in the Bronx during an ICE operation. The protest, which saw as many as 5,000 participants, featured chants such as "Abolish ICE" and "Stop the deportations." Activists including Chelsea Manning and city advocate Jumaane Williams were present.
Belgal, originally from the Dominican Republic, was shot while in his vehicle in Marble Hill. According to police, ICE agents were attempting to apprehend him due to alleged connections to a gang. Commissioner Tisch confirmed that at least seven rounds were fired by an ICE agent, clarifying that the NYPD was not involved in the operation prior to the shooting. A child, believed to be Belgal's son, was in the vehicle at the time but was unharmed.
Protesters expressed their outrage, with some calling for Tisch's firing. Murad Awawdeh, CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, highlighted the incident's impact on families, stating, "Yesterday, a New Yorker was shot in the head in front of his five-year-old child." Kyle Ishmael, chair of the Manhattan Democratic Party, emphasized the immigrant identity of New York, stating, "No one deserves to be shot, especially when they’re in their car with their five-year-old child."
In response to the characterization of Belgal as a "New Yorker," Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin disagreed, citing Belgal's alleged gang affiliations. Federal officials noted that Belgal had a detainer and was out on probation at the time of the shooting, with prior arrests for robbery and drug-related offenses.