Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier has claimed that the New York Police Department's (NYPD) actions towards protesters, following an incident where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and wounded a man in Marble Hill, violated the city's sanctuary laws. These laws prohibit local police from assisting federal immigration authorities in civil immigration enforcement.
Protests began in Manhattan's Marble Hill after an ICE agent shot Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old Dominican man, while he was in his car with a five-year-old child. The child was unharmed, and Belgal was taken to hospital in stable condition before reportedly being taken into ICE custody again. The Department of Homeland Security has stated Belgal was undocumented.
During a demonstration on Thursday night, the NYPD set up barricades and clashed with protesters. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the NYPD was not involved in the federal immigration operation before the shooting, stating officers arrived to preserve evidence. She also mentioned Belgal's previous criminal record.
Avila Chevalier, who was present at the protest, said she was knocked to the ground by a police officer. She described feeling a hand grab and throw her down, adding that she was "thankfully OK" but in pain the day prior. The NYPD stated that Avila Chevalier was pushed back by officers to prevent the crowd from trampling a captain. Five protesters were arrested, with police stating demonstrators "agitated and pushed over barriers" and "repeatedly refused verbal commands to disperse."
Avila Chevalier also criticised the police commissioner's mention of Belgal's prior arrests, stating it unfairly villainized him. She expressed concern on Friday that Belgal's lawyers had not been able to locate him.