(The Hill) — Hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested in cities across the country in recent days as they protest the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and the deployment of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles amid unrest.
While public officials say many of the protests have remained peaceful, some have grown tense and led to clashes between law enforcement and civilians.
As protests in California continue, police said Wednesday night that nearly 400 people had been arrested or detained since Saturday’s raids in Los Angeles.
In New York City, police estimated that approximately 2,500 people participated in protests Tuesday evening and early Wednesday near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility and federal courthouses in Foley Square, as reported by The Associated Press.
Some protesters jumped over barricades and clashed with officers who wrestled them to the ground. Others shouted while waving signs, including “ICE out of NYC.”
Police said they detained 86 people, including 52 who were released with criminal court summonses for minor crimes and 34 who were charged with assault, resisting arrest and other crimes, according to the news wire.
In Philadelphia, about 150 protesters marched from the federal detention center to the ICE headquarters and back to the detention facility. Police arrested 15 people after they allegedly ignored officers’ orders to disperse from a major road, the AP reported.
Officials added that several officers used force during the arrests and that their conduct would be reviewed.
In San Francisco, more than 150 people were arrested after thousands protested throughout the city on Sunday and Monday. Some vandalized buildings while others damaged cars, buses and police vehicles.
In Chicago, 17 people were arrested Tuesday at a protest downtown. Some were accused of vandalism and four were charged with felonies, including aggravated battery against an officer of the peace.
In Denver, 17 people were arrested after officers ordered protesters gathered at the Colorado State Capital and blocking traffic to disperse. Some officers used smoke and pepper balls to control the crowd, according to police.
In Spokane, Wash., more than 30 protesters were arrested after a protest outside an ICE office.
In Seattle, hundreds of protesters marched to a federal building where immigration cases are heard on Wednesday night.
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) said protesters threw fireworks, rocks and pieces of cement at the officers who were “attempting to get crowd to disperse.” The city’s Fire Department had to extinguish a fire set in a dumpster, law enforcement officials said.
“We will continue to move protestors until the individuals stop assaulting officers,” SPD said in a statement on social platform X.
Seattle’s police announced eight arrests following Wednesday’s protest.
The arrests come as organizers with the “No Kings” movement are planning some 1,500 demonstrations across the country to protest President Donald Trump’s upcoming military parade Saturday.
The Associated Press contributed.
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