Tech Firm Removes Nine Federal Vehicles From Manhattan Garage After Protest

A Manhattan parking garage operator removed nine federal government vehicles from its facility at 18-20 Morton Street after demonstrators blocked traffic outside the site on May 14. Metropolis spokesperson Elizabeth Levitan said the company acted after learning the vehicles had been parked for a short duration.

She stated the removal occurred following a demonstration organized by Chelsea Neighbors United.

Dozens of activists gathered outside the garage, chanting, ringing cowbells, and displaying a banner that read “ICE parks here,” according to a Gothamist report. The group posted on Instagram that demonstrators were protesting the garage for renting spaces to the Department of Homeland Security for ICE vehicles.

The demonstration followed earlier reports that one federal vehicle had previously been parked at Pier 40, which has a deal with ICE to use that facility. It remains unclear whether the removed vehicles belonged to ICE or other federal agencies.

Protesters have targeted city parking locations in the past to block vehicles used for immigration enforcement. A similar demonstration occurred at another Lower Manhattan garage in November, when 150 activists clashed with NYPD officers. Reps for Metropolis and ICE did not respond to requests for comment.