On June 11th, New York City Council member Zhuang Wenyi and others held a rally in front of City Hall to protest the federal government’s immigration policies and defend New York’s status as a “sanctuary city.” This action took place right before a nationwide protest weekend, with some council members emphasizing the importance of peaceful and safe demonstrations, discouraging large-scale violence similar to what occurred in Los Angeles.
In an interview, Zhuang Wenyi stated that she supports hardworking, law-abiding immigrants in the community, not criminals. She highlighted the economic pressure faced by local businesses due to a decrease in immigrant customers and emphasized the need to address these issues openly to show that the community stands in solidarity with immigrants and against discrimination.
Zhuang Wenyi particularly mentioned long-term immigrants who have contributed through labor and taxes, expressing concern that reporting to government authorities due to their immigration status could lead to encounters with ICE enforcement, which she deemed unfair given New York’s status as a sanctuary city.
Another Chinese-American council member, Huang Minyi, representing the Flushing community, also attended the rally. She explained the significance of New York’s “sanctuary city” laws, emphasizing that they aim to provide protections for hardworking individuals and not criminals within the immigrant community. Huang Minyi addressed the fears within the community and the negative impact on businesses, especially for Chinese immigrants.
Meanwhile, on the West Coast, Los Angeles saw intense anti-federal government protests escalating into violence, prompting the deployment of military troops to maintain public order. President Trump characterized protesters in Los Angeles as professional agitators backed by sponsors, distinguishing them from ordinary individuals expressing their opinions.
Several protest groups, such as “No Kings” and “50501,” organized through Zoom conferences to mobilize people across the country to protest against the Trump administration’s actions targeting illegal immigrants. Council member Lewis from the 45th district, another organizer of the City Hall rally, stressed the importance of peaceful and lawful protests.
Business owners in Los Angeles echoed similar sentiments, advocating for peaceful expression of opinions and condemning the violence perpetrated by some protesters. Mr. Wang, a business owner in Chinatown, lamented the impact of the unrest on their livelihoods, emphasizing the need for a peaceful approach to demonstrations.
Regarding the deployment of Marine Corps troops in Los Angeles to defend public order, Mr. Wang expressed support for such measures given the circumstances.
On the same day as the rally at City Hall, City Council Speaker Andrinne Adams called for an investigation into whether the New York City Police Department has been collaborating with ICE in immigration enforcement, potentially violating the sanctuary city laws. Mayor Adams responded by stating that the city does not cooperate with ICE in civil enforcement matters, in accordance with the law, but will assist in criminal enforcement.