January 17, 2026 CITY HALL, NY — The gloves are off in the Five Boroughs.

In a searing display of defiance on the steps of City Hall this Friday, Council Member Alexa Avilés issued a chilling warning to every New Yorker: The raids are here, and they are coming for your neighbors. As federal enforcement operations reach a fever pitch across the nation, NYC’s top officials aren't just asking for calm—they are demanding a revolution of protection against what they describe as a "rogue agency" threatening to tear the fabric of the city apart.

"This is Only the Beginning"

Standing before a sea of "Fight Fascism" signs, Avilés, Chair of the Committee on Immigration, didn't mince words. She painted a grim picture of a city under siege by federal forces, calling the current wave of ICE activity a direct assault on American democracy.

"We need everyone to fight back against this fascism," Avilés charged, her voice echoing across the plaza. "This militarization is violent—not only against US citizens, but anyone that comes in its path."

With immigrants making up nearly 40% of the city’s population, the Council Member warned that the economic and social stability of New York hangs in the balance.

Heartbreak in the District

The rhetoric was backed by harrowing stories of families being ripped apart in real-time. Council Member Julie Won joined the front lines, sharing the desperate pleas she hears daily from constituents.

"We have cases day after day... 'Please, my child has been going to school here for three years... I’m a US citizen, but my mother is not,'" Won recounted.

In a direct shot at the Oval Office, Won threw down the gauntlet: "Donald Trump is not my president. We will protect ourselves against any fascist government."

A Call to Resistance

The rally, organized by heavy-hitters like Hands Off NYC and Vocal-NY, served as a grim reminder of the escalating stakes. Speakers pointed to the recent killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis as proof that the "authoritarian playbook" is being followed to the letter.

Hannah Stauss of Hands Off NYC issued a haunting reminder of the famous poem regarding the rise of the Nazis, adapted for the modern crisis:

"They’re going after the mothers. They’re going after the neighbors. They’re going after the people driving down the street."

What Can You Do?

The message from City Hall was clear: Organize. Advocates are calling on New Yorkers to:

• Form neighborhood watch groups to alert residents of ICE presence.

• Know your rights and the rights of your neighbors.

• Support sanctuary policies that keep local law enforcement separate from federal immigration agents.

As the "militarization" of the streets continues, the leaders of New York City have made their stance official: This is a sanctuary city, and the fight has only just begun.