A protest in Center City on Tuesday turned into a tense exchange with Philadelphia police officers after demonstrators blocked roadways as they voiced their opposition to the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions.
Once the dust had settled, officials said 15 people were arrested while two officers and two protesters suffered minor injuries.
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WATCH HERENBC10 was on scene when police began making arrests on Market Street between 10th and 11th streets in Center City at around 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Video caught police and protesters getting into a scuffle before several people were detained.
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SIGN UP Note: All times are approximate:
- 4:00 p.m. – Initial assembly at the FDC.
- 5:00 p.m. – March to ICE headquarters at 8th & Cherry Streets for speeches.
- 5:30 p.m. – Return march to the FDC for additional remarks.
- 6:15 p.m. – Group set off again, entering major roadways and using bicycles to obstruct officers, disrupting traffic and endangering public safety.
- 6:45 p.m. – Civil Affairs Unit issued three lawful orders to disperse via megaphone. Demonstrators ignored these orders and continued blocking traffic while confronting officers.
- Shortly before 7:00 p.m. – Officers attempted to effect arrests near 11th & Market Streets. The crowd’s behavior escalated, becoming violent and extremely disorderly.
- 7:45 p.m. – Order was restored.
Arrests and Injuries - Total arrests: 15
- 1 adult male – Aggravated Assault on Police
- 8 adult males – Disorderly Conduct
- 6 adult females – Disorderly Conduct
- Officer injuries: Two bicycle officers sustained minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital.
- Civilian injuries: Two female arrestees reported minor injuries and are receiving medical attention.
- Property damage: One Philadelphia Police traffic vehicle was vandalized (spray-painted).
- Ongoing activity (as of 6/10/25 8PM): Approximately 20 individuals remain peacefully gathered outside the FDC without significant issues at this time.
Use of Force
The crowd of a few dozen people dispersed eventually dispersed.
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During this exchange, officials said, two bike officers suffered minor injuries and two women who were taking part in the protest also suffered minor injuries.
All four have since been treated and released from nearby hospitals, officials said.
Overall, in a rundown of the evening, police said that one man was arrested on allegations of assaulting officers, while eight men and six women were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct.
Also, one police cruiser was vandalized with spray-paint, officials said.
How the evening unfolded
Earlier Tuesday, SkyForce10 saw dozens of protesters blocking the roadway on Arch Street after marching from the federal detention center in Center City.
The group said that they were voicing their opposition to the ongoing ICE raids across the country and the fear it is causing for the immigrant community.
"I think this is a very tense situation," Avery Dryer, a protester, said. "I think there's a lot of anger, and a lot of frustration in society and I think that, sooner or later, people are going to fight back. There's going to movement and there's a lot big things coming."
According to Philadelphia police, around 150 protesters arrived at the Federal Detention Center at 7th and Arch streets at 4 p.m. to protest ICE. The group then marched to ICE headquarters on 8th and Cherry streets and gave speeches before heading back to the FDC.
At around 6:15 p.m. the group began taking over roadways, and police began issuing orders to disperse at 6:45 p.m., police said.
Shortly after that is when the scuffle took place.
Gov. Josh Shapiro addressed protests stemming from immigration at an event in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
"I want to encourage anyone who chooses to protest to do it peacefully," Shapiro said. "Violence is not an answer and violence is not going to be permitted here in this city or throughout the commonwealth.
ICE agents arrest man in South Philly ahead of protests
Also on Tuesday, federal agents arrested a man in South Philadelphia on Tuesday morning, leaving the immigrant community there on edge.
Video shared with NBC10 and on social media showed agents for the Drug Enforcement Agency arresting a man around the area of 7th and Snyder streets at around 7 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
The DEA told NBC10 that the arrest was carried out with the assistance of Enforcement Removal Operations, a subsection of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
NBC10 has spoken with a DEA representative and is working to confirm the identity of the man and arrested and whether there was a warrant for his arrest.
A neighbor says the arrest has left the community on edge.
"I feel so bad because this is the first time that this happened," a man who identified himself as Melo said.
Asked if he was scared, Melo said yes, adding, "but what ever is going to happen is going to happen."
Another neighbor, Melissa Espinao, shared similar sentiments.
"Everyone is scared. No one wants to go outside," she said.
Protesters vow to speak out as long as ICE raids continue
The events in Philadelphia come as protests in Los Angeles and across the country are springing up due to the Trump administration's immigration raids.
Trump's border czar spoke with NBC News' Tom Llamas about the ICE raids on Tuesday.
"We can conduct ICE raids, but it's about it's about the threats and the violence right now. I mean, this job is already dangerous -- I've done this for a long time," Homan said. "These men and women have to wear a gun you know, in the capital of Kevlar vest its dangerous. But I mean, our ICE officers have been attacked. It’s like we’re a third world nation where people think it’s ok to threaten law enforcement and their families."
Protesters in Philadelphia said they plan to continue their demonstrations, and say they will only get bigger if ICE raids continue.
"I think we just want ice out of our communities and we want to show the city of Philadelphia and the country that together we’re going to rise up," a protester said.
