CHINATOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- Immigration advocates, elected officials and community members will rally and speak out on Sunday after multiple people were arrested during an anti-ICE demonstration in Lower Manhattan.
A rally and press conference will be held at Howard Street and Centre Street at 1 p.m. in Chinatown following Saturday's demonstration and arrests.
It all started around noon on Saturday when protesters gathered outside of 209 Centre Street and blocked streets, building and exits.
The area has been a hotbed for Federal law enforcement activity over the last month or so, with ICE cracking down on Canal Street. On Saturday afternoon, protesters converged on a garage apparently used by authorities - and things got heated.
A total of 15 people were arrested. The NYPD says the anti-ICE demonstration quickly started after a social media post.
The demonstration is the latest in an array of protests that have taken place across the nation between federal agents and demonstrators who are fighting against the Trump's administration crackdown on immigration.
The goal was to stop federal immigration vehicles from leaving the parking garage, but instead, protesters ended up in a standoff with the NYPD. Police say when the demonstrators did not disperse, and some started throwing debris, officers began making the arrests.
The arrests are being condemned by the New York Immigration Coalition.
"There's a report right now that we're following up on of an older gentleman and his daughter who were arrested who had nothing to do with anything and were just walking. So, this is a moment for all of us to ask the question of 'does the NYPD protect New York City residents or is it going to continue to harm them through collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement?'" said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that protesters gathered after the social media post. The DHS released a statement following Saturday's protest, saying in part, "When individuals broadcast the location of ICE, they are putting a target on the backs of officers... We are grateful for the NYPD officers that responded to these violent agitators."
Sources tell Eyewitness News the special agent in charge of the New York Homeland Security Field Office Ricky Patel called NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch later in the afternoon to apologize for what happened.
Tisch told Patel it was 'unacceptable' and put Federal agents and police officers in harm's way -- and if this activity continues someone will get hurt.
Protesters at Saturday's demonstration said they were trying to prevent another large-scale ICE raid, at least two of which were conducted on Canal Street over the past month.