Over a Thousand Protesters in NYC Denounce ICE After Latest Killing
✍️ Editor: Sudhir Choudhary
📅 January 25, 2026
Large Demonstrations in New York City Follow Fatal Shooting by Federal Agents
More than a thousand protesters gathered in New York City this weekend to denounce U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the latest fatal shooting of a civilian by federal agents in Minneapolis, highlighting mounting public outrage over immigration enforcement practices. Organized rallies took place in multiple locations in Manhattan, with demonstrators calling for an end to ICE operations and greater accountability for the agency’s conduct.
The protests were timed in part to coincide with heightened national attention on immigration enforcement after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, by federal agents performing an operation in the city. While federal officials have stated that agents believed they faced an armed threat, eyewitness accounts and protest leaders dispute that characterization and have demanded transparency and accountability.
Marches and Speeches Highlight Demands for Policy Change
Thousands of demonstrators, including union members, frontline healthcare workers, faith leaders, and immigrant rights advocates, gathered at Union Square Park South before marching through midtown Manhattan. Protesters held signs condemning ICE, chanted slogans against federal enforcement actions, and voiced support for communities affected by aggressive immigration operations.
Speakers at the rally urged federal lawmakers to rein in ICE’s authority, end raids and arrests within urban communities, and transfer immigration enforcement responsibilities toward due-process–centered alternatives. Organizer statements emphasized solidarity with residents of Minneapolis and other cities where protests have erupted following fatal encounters involving federal agents.
Context: Minneapolis Shooting Sparks National Outrage
The New York City protests were spurred, in large part, by widespread dissatisfaction and grief following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. Multiple news outlets report that protests erupted nationwide—including in New York City—after the incident, with demonstrators criticizing ICE’s tactics as excessive and unjustified.
Mr. Pretti, a lawful gun owner and registered nurse, was shot by federal agents during an encounter in Minneapolis. Federal authorities have stated that officers believed he was armed and posed a threat, but this account has been challenged by eyewitnesses and civil liberties advocates who say video footage shows him holding a phone at the time of the incident.
Calls for Accountability and Policy Overhaul
At the rallies in New York City, protesters also demanded that federal and state leaders investigate ICE’s actions and adopt reforms to prevent future deaths. Some participants called for the agency to be dismantled or restructured, articulating broader frustrations with federal immigration policy under the current administration.
Local and national advocacy groups played prominent roles in organizing the demonstrations, emphasizing peaceful protest and community solidarity. Some speakers drew connections between the Minneapolis killing and other recent incidents involving ICE and federal immigration enforcement, framing the events as part of a pattern of aggressive tactics.
Law Enforcement Presence and Public Safety Measures
New York City officials maintained a visible law enforcement presence during the protests to manage crowds and ensure safety. While the demonstrations remained mostly peaceful, authorities monitored key intersections and transit routes to minimize disruption. No major clashes between protesters and police were reported during Saturday’s events.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear
It is confirmed that significant demonstrations took place in New York City involving over a thousand people denouncing ICE following the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis resident by federal agents. It is also confirmed that protest organizers called for structural reforms to immigration enforcement and greater oversight of federal agencies. What remains unclear is how elected officials will respond to these calls or whether the demonstrations will influence legislative or administrative changes in immigration policy.
Sources:
amNewYork; The Guardian; Wikipedia analysis; community organizing reports.
Tags: New York City, protest, ICE, immigration enforcement, Alex Pretti, federal agents
News by The Vagabond News.
