TUCSON, Ariz. — A protest outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Tucson escalated into confrontation on Wednesday evening, leading to the arrest of three demonstrators, authorities said.
According to the Tucson Police Department, the event began as a peaceful protest but became unruly when demonstrators blocked traffic and threw paint-filled balloons at masked private security officers stationed at the building.
Clashes with Security
As tensions rose, masked individuals holding homemade shields reportedly approached the guards, prompting one of the security officers to deploy a chemical irritant to push back the crowd. In retaliation, a protestor sprayed an even larger amount of chemical irritant toward the guards, and another threw a barricade.
Following the escalation, the security personnel withdrew from the scene. It remains unclear whether they were private contractors or federal agents.
Law Enforcement Response
The Arizona Department of Public Safety released a statement reaffirming the right to peaceful protest while condemning unlawful acts of violence or vandalism.
U.S. Attorney for Arizona Timothy Courchaine also weighed in, saying, “Peaceful protest is protected by the Constitution, but we’re seeing that right exploited as a cover for violent actions—and that cannot be tolerated.”
The protest included anti-ICE graffiti, and no injuries were reported as of Thursday afternoon.
Tucson police confirmed that three individuals were taken into custody, though their identities and charges have not been released.
