NYC mayor praises protesters after 66 arrested at anti-ICE hotel occupation

Police arrested 66 people on Jan. 27, 2026 after anti-ICE protesters occupied the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn on Sixth Avenue in Tribeca, Manhattan. The occupation began around 6 p.m. and lasted about 45 minutes before police moved in.

Of the 66 arrested, 64 received summonses for trespassing and disorderly conduct. Two others received desk appearance tickets for resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration.

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised the protesters in an official statement, saying ICE is a rogue agency that has repeatedly carried out cruel, inhumane, and lawless raids and arrests of American citizens. The mayor also praised the NYPD's response.

Protesters targeted Hilton after the company dropped a Minneapolis franchise that had banned ICE agents from staying at the property. Organizers said they were following the lead of Minneapolis activists who had been pressuring Hilton to stop housing ICE agents.

The protest followed the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti on Jan. 24, 2026 and Renee Good on Jan. 7, 2026 by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. Both were U.S. citizens.

Protesters held signs reading Hilton stop housing ICE and Hilton don't let ICE stay. Video shows protesters chanting No ICE, No KKK, No Fascist USA inside the hotel lobby.

A Hilton executive at the scene told reporters the hotel was innocent but would not confirm whether ICE agents were actually staying there. DHS spokesperson TMTricia McLaughlin said the department would not disclose that information.