Sixteen people, including members of the City Council and clergy, were arrested yesterday during a protest of Arizona’s immigration law outside Lower Manhattan’s 26 Federal Plaza.
In an act of civil disobedience, protesters linked arms and blocked traffic at Broadway and Thomas Street. Among those arrested after refusing to move were City Council Members Jumaane Williams and Ydanis Rodriguez, who said elected officials and religious leaders would continue the protests would continue every Monday.
Officials are eyeing punitive action against Arizona in the wake of the Los Angeles City Council’s ban on doing business with the border state. Rodriguez introduced a resolution calling for similar action here that seven officials have signed.
City Comptroller John Liu and State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli sent a letter to companies that employ the most Arizonans — such as Wal-Mart and Wells Fargo — warning that if their work forces are subjected to increased harassment, it could impact the $3 billion worth of New York retirement funds invested in their corporations.
