SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has responded to video that captured a chaotic scene in San Francisco Tuesday, claiming officers were attacked.
The scene was captured in the video above, showing what looks like dozens of protesters attempting to prevent a black ICE van from leaving the building in the city’s Financial District.
As the car drives away from the location, with several people clinging onto all sides of the car, the video shows the van weaving, apparently attempting to shake protestors as it races up the block. In the video, the vehicle stops, allowing a mass of people to catch up before, again forcing its way through a swarm of protesters.
According to ICE, the incident began when officers were attacked by the protesters.
“On July 8 protestors violently attacked and obstructed federal ICE officers who were simply doing their job by enforcing our nation’s laws,” ICE spokesperson Emily Covington told local affiliate KRON. “Of course, these protestors have zero respect for the rule of law, as they so casually violate it.”
ICE also claimed there has been a “700 percent increase in assaults against ICE officers,” and that last week, “a coordinated attack at an ICE facility” led to an officer being shot. Ten people were arrested in a “planned ambush” last week outside a Texas immigration center that left an ICE officer wounded.
However, KRON has not independently confirmed a 700 percent increase in violent incidents targeting ICE officers.
“There is no tolerance for violence, and those responsible will be held accountable,” Covington said.
Tuesday’s incident took place outside the San Francisco Federal Immigration Court located at 100 Montgomery Street.
