New York City police arrested 14 people after an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement demonstration blocked entrances to the Brooklyn Bridge on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The protest created roughly an hour of gridlock and drew complaints from motorists trying to reach work. Separately, authorities arrested Johnathan Tijerina, 31, over alleged spray-paint vandalism at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. No injuries were reported in connection with the bridge demonstration.
| 1) | Brooklyn Bridge protest disrupts afternoon traffic |
| 2) | Police arrest demonstrators after hourlong blockade |
| 3) | 9/11 Memorial targeted with spray paint |
| 4) | Vandalism suspect links protest to gun-policy demands |
| 5) | Authorities restore memorial area |
Brooklyn Bridge protest disrupts afternoon traffic
An anti-ICE group gathered at the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City at about 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Demonstrators blocked bridge entrances during a protest over recent immigration enforcement activity, including a shooting during an ICE arrest attempt in Manhattan earlier this month.
The blockade halted traffic and left commuters facing bumper-to-bumper conditions. Video from the scene showed drivers asking demonstrators to allow vehicles through. One driver was heard saying, “I just want to get to work!” Demonstrators used a megaphone to chant criticism of the New York Police Department and ICE.
Police arrest demonstrators after hourlong blockade
Police eventually moved in to remove the demonstrators from the roadway. The group was cleared by about 1:30 p.m., according to local reporting cited in the original account, ending an interruption that lasted approximately one hour.
The NYPD confirmed that 14 people were arrested and said there were no reported injuries. The arrests followed the group’s decision to block access to one of the city’s major crossings, creating significant disruption for motorists. The mayor’s office was contacted for comment, but no response was included in the report.
9/11 Memorial targeted with spray paint
A separate incident occurred earlier in the week at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in Lower Manhattan. Port Authority Police said Johnathan Tijerina, 31, was arrested after allegedly spray-painting over several engraved names at the memorial.
The message “just stop killing kids” was reportedly painted across the names on Monday. A self-recorded video appeared to show the suspect applying red paint, and the organization Just Stop Killing Kids shared the video online. The incident occurred at a memorial honoring victims of the September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993, terrorist attacks.
Vandalism suspect links protest to gun-policy demands
Posts associated with Just Stop Killing Kids said the demonstration and the memorial vandalism were intended to draw attention to gun-control proposals. One post said the group wanted President Donald Trump and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to support universal background checks and a national gun registry.
The available account does not state whether those political demands were formally presented to officials or whether additional charges were filed beyond the arrest reported by Port Authority Police. The allegations remain separate from the Brooklyn Bridge arrests, which involved a different group of demonstrators and a different police agency.
Authorities restore memorial area
Security personnel and law enforcement responded quickly after the memorial was defaced. A spokesperson for the memorial said the affected area was immediately cleaned and returned to its commemorative condition.
“The 9/11 Memorial is a sacred place of reflection at the heart of a rebuilt World Trade Center that honors the 2,983 victims killed in the September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993 terrorist attacks.”
The statement described the incident as brief and said security staff and law enforcement addressed it promptly. The memorial’s response underscored the site’s role as a place of remembrance while authorities continued handling the criminal investigation.
| No. | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fourteen people were arrested after an anti-ICE protest blocked the Brooklyn Bridge. |
| 2 | The traffic disruption lasted about one hour, and no injuries were reported. |
| 3 | Johnathan Tijerina was arrested over alleged spray-paint vandalism at the 9/11 Memorial. |
Summary
Two separate incidents involving political demonstrations disrupted public spaces in New York City this week. The Brooklyn Bridge blockade led to 14 arrests and major traffic delays, while the alleged vandalism at the 9/11 Memorial prompted a separate arrest and rapid restoration of the affected area. Authorities have not reported injuries connected to the bridge protest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were arrested at the Brooklyn Bridge?
The NYPD said 14 people were arrested after demonstrators blocked bridge entrances.
How long did the traffic disruption last?
The blockade created delays for approximately one hour, from about 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Who was arrested in connection with the memorial vandalism?
Port Authority Police said Johnathan Tijerina, 31, was arrested after allegedly spray-painting over engraved names at the 9/11 Memorial.
