ICE brokers accused of ‘firing on and gassing crowd’ as van almost strikes group
ICE agents in Vermont are facing a backlash after a raid turned violent, with footage showing officers using gas and flash bangs against protesters
A protester recovers from the apparent use of pepper spray in South Burlington, Vermont(Image: The Boston Globe via Getty)
ICE agents and demonstrators violently clashed during a raid, with campaigners alleging officers were “tear gassing” and “almost running over protesters”.
Disturbing footage reveals a white vehicle, thought to be driven by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, moving towards fallen demonstrators.
The frightening scenes unfolded during a raid targeting Deyvi Daniel Corona-Sanchez, which triggered the confrontation.
The individual in question was subject to an administrative immigration warrant, issued by a judge after protesters assembled to prevent the raid.
The incident occurred in South Burlington, Vermont, in New England, USA, on Wednesday.
Corona-Sanchez had been deported from the USA in 2022 before allegedly illegally re-entering the country, according to an ICE affidavit.
ICE operatives tried to detain a man they suspected to be their target but he escaped in a vehicle before entering a residence on Dorset Street.
Campaign group Migrant Justice received intelligence about the chase, with hundreds flocking to the property, barricading the entrances and shouting at an increasing number of federal agents.
Following the granting of a warrant, police assisted in removing demonstrators from the doorway before it was forced open. Three individuals were taken but none were Corona-Sanchez.
As law enforcement and ICE operatives tried to depart the location, protesters obstructed their departure, which ignited a mass confrontation. A member of activist group The Sidewalk School captured the shocking scenes on video.
The footage shows flashbangs, deterrent spray and what appears to be less-lethal munitions being deployed by ICE.
Eyewitnesses allege that hundreds of individuals were punched, shoved and attacked with mace during the confrontations.
One protester can be seen narrowly avoiding being run over by a white vehicle, with activists yelling “you’re driving on people”.
South Burlington police chief, William Breault, has publicly criticised the tactics used by ICE at a press conference.
Speaking on Wednesday evening, he questioned whether it was “fully necessary” for the search warrant to be executed in such a way or to pursue a suspect down the street during peak traffic hours.
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