In what can only be described as a modern-day mob tantrum, far-left protestors in New York City clashed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Tuesday—complete with shoving, screaming, and even racial slurs hurled at federal officers—all caught live on NewsNation by reporter Jessica Kartalija.
As federal agents attempted to carry out a lawful operation on Canal Street in Lower Manhattan, a swelling crowd of hundreds descended on the scene. According to Kartalija, the protestors aggressively blocked ICE vehicles, pounded on their windows, and refused to let agents leave the area. “The ICE agents are trying to get out… they’re not letting them leave!” she reported during the mayhem.
“People are pounding on the windows of the car,” she said, capturing the scene in real time. “People have been throwing things at the ICE agents,” she added. Some protestors were seen physically shoving agents—conduct that might be labeled as assault if the political roles were reversed.
“It’s inhumane”: Protesters clashed with federal agents near a Manhattan courthouse Tuesday afternoon after an ICE operation targeted street vendors.
MORE: https://t.co/7oGSzqRrSC @JessKartalija pic.twitter.com/HQsTKaO79J
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) October 21, 2025
The protestors—many young, loud, and openly hostile—were heard chanting the predictable activist slogan “ICE OUT NOW!” as they paraded through city streets. The mood was anything but peaceful. At one point, Kartalija was accosted by a female protestor who shouted, “We don’t want them in our f*cking city!” She then launched into an anti-authority tirade, accusing ICE of being “fakers” and declaring, “They should not be able to kidnap people in the streets!”
🚨 BREAKING: DHS agents are doing TAKEDOWNS of illegals and rioters in NYC—many of which were seen pushing ICE agents
They’re now being hauled off in handcuffs
Show these people NO MERCY! THIS BS MUST END! pic.twitter.com/6vq2o0BJcS
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 21, 2025
Ironically, when Kartalija asked about the disruption to local traffic—a consequence of the protest—the same woman snapped, “It’s New York City! Traffic being blocked is okay if we’re going to stop them from kidnapping people.” Because apparently, law enforcement doing its job is now considered “kidnapping” in some activist circles.
According to Kartalija, media outlets and protestors had been tipped off in advance about the ICE operation. One man reportedly ran through the streets warning, “ICE is coming! ICE is coming!” Agents questioned him but released him when it was discovered he was a U.S. citizen. Translation: no, ICE is not just grabbing anyone off the street—contrary to leftist talking points.
The entire situation left even the seasoned journalist stunned. “Unprecedented,” Kartalija remarked. “I’ve never seen anything like this.” She likened the streets to a “war zone.”
What was supposed to be a targeted enforcement operation turned into yet another example of progressive hysteria run amok—where violent tactics, vulgarity, and mob rule were on full display, all in the name of “justice.”
