Tensions escalated in Manhattan’s Marble Hill neighborhood after a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and wounded a 28-year-old man identified as Oscar Belgal during an operation. The shooting prompted protests, during which Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier and hundreds of others gathered to demonstrate against ICE’s presence in the area. Video footage showed Avila Chevalier being pushed to the ground by police during the demonstration, an incident she described as forceful and unexpected.
Avila Chevalier challenged the New York Police Department’s handling of the incident, arguing that officers violated the intent of the city’s sanctuary laws, which restrict local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. She characterized New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch’s discussion of Belgal’s prior criminal record during a press conference as an effort to villainize him rather than address the core issues. Additionally, Avila Chevalier criticized what she described as the NYPD’s failure to adequately protect protesters from aggression. The NYPD responded that it routinely provides criminal history information when requested and stated that officers were present to preserve evidence following the shooting.
Avila Chevalier escalated her demands beyond sanctuary law compliance, calling for the complete abolition of ICE rather than incremental policy changes. She also joined other activists and progressive officials in calling for Police Commissioner Tisch’s removal and the disbanding of the NYPD’s strategic response group, a specialized unit that has faced criticism for its handling of protests. Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the shooting as unconscionable and has previously committed to disbanding the strategic response group, though that action has not yet occurred.
The mayor announced that Tisch would retain her position while also criticizing officers’ conduct during the demonstration. Avila Chevalier expressed concern that legal representatives for Belgal had been unable to locate him following his custody by ICE. The incident highlighted broader disagreements between elected officials and progressive activists over policing and immigration enforcement in the city.
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