A violent anti-ICE protest erupted outside a Brooklyn hospital on Saturday night, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents attempted to take Chidozie Wilson Okeke, an illegal immigrant from Nigeria, into custody. The protest, which turned chaotic, involved a mob of around 200 people, according to law enforcement sources.
Background on Okeke’s Arrest
Okeke, 30, arrived in the United States on a tourist visa in August 2023 and was supposed to leave by February 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. However, Okeke overstayed his visa and remained in the country illegally.
His previous criminal history, which includes assault and drug possession, eventually caught the attention of ICE officers, leading to an attempted arrest on Saturday, April 29. During the arrest, Okeke allegedly refused to comply with officers’ orders, tried to hit officers with his vehicle, and became physically combative, according to a DHS representative.
Okeke’s Medical Incident and Hospital Visit
After claiming he needed medical attention, Okeke was taken to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Once there, he continued to refuse to cooperate, reportedly throwing himself to the floor and screaming. He was medically cleared for release and continued to be in ICE custody.
Protest and Clashes with Law Enforcement
News of Okeke’s presence at the hospital quickly spread, drawing a large crowd of anti-ICE protesters. About 200 protesters gathered outside the hospital to try to prevent ICE agents from removing Okeke. The protesters blocked hospital exits and clashed with police, resulting in chaotic scenes and confrontations with law enforcement.
The NYPD was called to the scene shortly before 10:30 p.m. to restore order, and officers had to deal with the unruly crowd as ICE struggled to transport Okeke. Police eventually arrested nine protesters, some of whom were identified as being from out of state, including Wisconsin and New Hampshire.
Violence and Damage
The protest escalated as protesters damaged several ICE vehicles and assaulted ICE officers, leading to minor injuries among the law enforcement personnel. A DHS representative emphasized that assaulting law enforcement is a felony and condemned the violence.
Resolution of the Incident
The protest finally dispersed around 2:45 a.m. on Sunday, after Okeke was successfully removed from the hospital and taken into custody by ICE. According to a law enforcement source, without the intervention of the NYPD, the situation could have escalated further.
The incident has once again highlighted tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in New York City, with anti-ICE demonstrators clashing with law enforcement over the deportation of individuals living in the U.S. illegally.
