NYC Mayor Mamdani Renews Call to Abolish ICE After Protests at Brooklyn Hospital

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stood firm on his call to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after protesters confronted agents outside a Brooklyn hospital over the weekend.

The demonstration took place as Chidozie Wilson Okeke, a Nigerian national who overstayed his visa, received treatment for injuries from an alleged attempt to attack federal agents. Okeke has prior arrests for assault and drug possession, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Mamdani, a vocal critic of ICE and the Trump administration's deportation efforts, spoke to reporters on Monday after video surfaced online. The footage showed a New York police officer throwing a protester to the ground outside Wyckoff Heights Medical Center on Saturday.

Mamdani said there was no coordination between the New York Police Department and ICE. Officers responded specifically to the protest outside the hospital.

"I've made it very clear that our laws leave no room for interpretation: our NYPD will not participate in civil immigration enforcement," he said. "And I've also been very clear about my views on ICE raids as a whole. I think they are cruel."

Mamdani cited Okeke's arrest by armed federal agents without an active warrant. "And this is incredibly concerning. It's why I've said time and again that I believe ICE should be abolished."

Officials said Okeke refused commands to exit his car during the encounter and tried to strike agents with the vehicle. He was physically combative and attempted to punch and elbow them.

"Our officers followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to make the arrest," the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.

Okeke was taken to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center for evaluation after the arrest. The department reported he remained noncompliant there, throwing himself to the floor and screaming, but medical staff eventually cleared him.

Okeke entered the United States on a tourist visa in 2023 and was required to leave by February 26, 2024.

Video shows ICE agents dragging Okeke from the hospital after his evaluation. Anti-ICE protesters gathered outside during that time. The Department of Homeland Security said the group damaged several ICE vehicles and assaulted agents, causing minor injuries.

Six protesters face charges: Sharon Freystaetter, Presleigh Hayashida, Chloe Sells, Tomas Laster, Jennifer Hansen and Caswell Parker. All are charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree obstructing governmental administration. All but Sells also face resisting arrest charges.

Mamdani said the U.S. immigration response needs humanity as part of it, rather than simply a footnote.

Fox News Digital sought comment from the mayor's office, ICE and the Department of Homeland Security.