Latest news with #MichaelNigro
New York Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
ICE to rollout bold, new cars emblazoned with agency's name, logo
This will blow ICE's cover. Immigration agents who have long gone undercover to make arrests across the country will soon be rolling in vehicles boldly emblazoned with the agency's logo — leaving agents furious and scared for their lives. The new fleet will be dark blue with 'ICE' plastered in giant, yellow letters across the side, along with the phrase 'defend the homeland' in all-caps, a photo obtained by The Post shows. Advertisement The vehicles are expected to be rolled out in Washington, DC, imminently, sources said. They will then be gradually deployed across the country. 3 New ICE vehicle's are marked with the words 'Defend the Homeland.' Obtained by NY Post 'Obviously, we're going to need additional vehicles as we build out our workforce, so there'll be some marked vehicles from here in DC and around the country,' an ICE insider told The Post. Advertisement But agents — who are dealing with a 1,000% increase in assaults by illegal immigrants and anti-ICE activists — say they're concerned this will further expose them to dangerous threats. 'It's like having a bullseye,' said one ICE source. 'This will only raise officer-involved incidents in the streets because people will target the vehicles,' said another agency source, adding that agitators have already successfully 'impeded operations.' The sources described scary incidents where activists have slashed tires and hurled projectiles at their cars. Advertisement 3 ICE agents detain a man in Chicago. The Washington Post via Getty Images Agents already wear masks to shield their identities and dress in street clothes while making arrests — a practice that has come under scrutiny as the Trump administration ramps up its mass deportation effort. 'They won't let us do our jobs,' a source explained of the anti-ICE agitators. DHS didn't immediately respond to The Post's request for comment. Advertisement 3 ICE agents make arrests outside New York City court rooms. Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/Shutterstock It is not clear how many vehicles ICE will deploy nationwide or how much the new fleet will cost. It is also unclear who greenlit the bold, new cars. The fleet will be used in arrest operations but will not be utilized in undercover surveillance missions that are often conducted before an illegal immigrant target is collared, an ICE insider said. The imminent rollout of the new SUVs in DC comes as President Trump seized control of the city's police department in an effort to crack down on crime in the nation's capital. 'We are here with a large presence in DC following the president's announcement on Monday… we have additional officers and teams here in DC for the foreseeable future. You will be seeing a larger presence around the city as we make DC safe again,' said an ICE insider. On Wednesday night, immigration agents with the agency set up a checkpoint on 14th Street in Northwest DC that quickly drew a crowd of unruly protesters. 'Why are you here? You are trying to arrest innocent people? What's your purpose? What's your goal? What's the motive? Why won't you show your face? Do you look yourself in the mirror and think 'I did a good job today?'' one protester was heard yelling at officers, according to Fox News. Some of the demonstrators were also heard encouraging drivers to 'turn left' to avoid the checkpoint altogether, the outlet reported.
New York Post
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Bizarre NYC rotisserie chicken-eating contest ends with belly-busting twist
It's a real game of chicken. Nearly two dozen people gobbled up entire rotisserie chickens at a bizarre and messy Brooklyn sidewalk competition Sunday – and the winner washed down the poultry with an entire pizza pie. 5 Nearly two dozen participants and scores of on-lookers at the 2nd annual rotisserie chicken-eating event on Seventh Avenue in Park Slope. Michael Nigro The second annual rotisserie chicken-eating contest, organized by viral TikTok account Old Jewish Men of New York, took place outside Roma Pizza and had attracted a crowd of onlookers on Seventh Avenue who gawked at the 22 men and women chowing down on $4.99 bagged Costco birds. 'It's the meat of the people, it's great because you can get it for $5,' Noah Rinsky, the 36-year-old Park Slope resident behind the Old Jewish Men of New York lifestyle brand, told The Post. 5 Contestants gobbling down chicken off the bone in Park Slope. Michael Nigro 'There seems to be kind of a rotisserie chicken fandom in general: we've been making all these videos online, and people love rotisseries,' Rinsky said of the contest's inspiration. 'One thing led to the next, and I feel like this was the logical next place to take it — to the streets of New York.' Rinsky even corralled sponsors like antacid brand Quellix, next-door neighbor Petco and online betting app Kalshi for this year's event — though 'the SEC didn't approve' of chicken eating-related bets in time. 'At Costco, it's five bucks: it's an excellent price. People don't realize a rotisserie chicken can serve your whole family,' said David Roffe, a Brooklyn-based actor featured in Old Jewish Men of New York who was sporting a tee shirt with Costco's barcode for a rotisserie chicken at the event. The 73-year-old micro-celebrity even launched his own Chicken Show interview series on YouTube earlier this year, featuring the likes of New York City comptroller Brad Lander, local social media personality New York Nico and even former US Rep. Anthony Weiner. 5 Robert McGee, 35, of Far Rockaway, told The Post he was originally waitlisted for the contest after finding out about it on Instagram. Michael Nigro After a grueling six minutes and 44 seconds of gullet-cramming, Far Rockaway resident Robert McGee was crowned the contest champ — winning a golden chicken trophy, $500 dollars and a piping hot cheese pie from Roma Pizza. 'I think I'll put it into my savings,' said McGee, 35, of the prize money, claiming that he prepared by eating a steady regimen of chicken wings 'all week.' 5 Phil Castellano (left), owner of Roma Pizza, poses with contest winner Robert McGee. Michael Nigro While McGee couldn't beat last year's winner Danny Moriarty's record of finishing a bird at under five minutes, he did devour the pizza prize immediately. 'It might be the heat: the white meat I've heard was more intense this year,' Rinsky said, 'but they're all supposed to be standard.' 5 Robert McGee was crowned the winner of the 2nd annual rotisserie chicken eating contest. Michael Nigro Phil Castellano, whose family has owned Roma Pizza for 42 years, told The Post that the strange affair was not only fun, but also provides a real boost for local businesses on the block.
New York Post
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
NYC Pride parade fills streets with glitter and glee — as NYPD wannabe marchers protest uniform ban
More than a million people filled Manhattan on Sunday for the largest annual Pride parade in North America — while LGBTQ cops turned out in droves to protest from the sidelines. As revelers dressed in glitter, drag and other festive attire packed the streets surrounding the downtown parade route, the officers were furious that they are still barred from marching in their NYPD uniforms. 'It takes a tremendous amount on courage to be out. It takes an even more tremendous amount of courage to be out in uniform,' said NYPD Detective Brian Downey, president of the Gay Officers Action League. Advertisement 5 More than a million people pack the streets of downtown Manhattan for this year's Pride parade. Michael Nigro But the party remained uninterrupted for the throngs of sanctioned participants as the parade snaked through Madison Square Park, down Fifth Avenue, through Greenwich Village and up Seventh Avenue — with rainbow flags and smiles flying from start to finish. 'I'm out here making sure our voices are loud and proud and heard. It's more important now than ever,' said 30-year-old Audacity Mansfield, who wore a 'Mr. Gay New Jersey' sash won at a pageant earlier this month. Advertisement 5 NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch (third from left) joins queer officers protesting after they were barred from marching in uniform. DANIEL WILLIAM MCKNIGHT 'If we don't have pride, then we don't really have anything,' Mansfield said. 'If we can't be proud of who we are or if we can't be proud of our community, what are we out here for?' This year's parade fell on the 10th anniversary of the legalization of gay marriage in the US and also commemorated the 1969 Stonewall riots — which helped spark the country's gay-rights movement — with the theme 'Rise Up: Pride in Protest.' But one part of the queer community that was left out of the festivities for the fifth year in a row were uniformed LGBTQ NYPD officers who were told by organizers they couldn't march in their blues. Advertisement 'We will not be erased,' read signs carried by cops watching from the sidelines, along with others reading, 'Let gay cops back into march,' and, 'Our uniform is our protest.' 5 Despite the NYPD controversy, the parade is filled with joy and smiles as people turn out in droves to celebrate. Stephen Yang NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch turned out to support the officers, calling the decision to bar them 'unbelievable.' 'It is an absolute disgrace,' Tisch said, saying it was ironic that a parade about inclusivity is keeping people out. 'These officers standing behind me who have been pillars of reform in the community for decades have been excluded and told they are not welcome to walk in the uniforms they wear.' Advertisement The ban was put in place in 2021 over ongoing anti-cop sentiment from the George Floyd protests the summer before. 5 This year's Pride parade was filled with the usual fare of glamour, glitter and colorful costumes. Michael Nigro Parade organizer Heritage Pride claims it doesn't want parade-marching officers carrying weapons, which they have to have on them as part of their uniform requirements. Scores of on-duty armed cops protect the parade-goers. Tisch called organizers' excuse 'nonsense' and characterized it as a 'publicity stunt.' 'Heritage of Pride knows full well that when officers wear their uniforms, those uniforms can be magnets,' she said. 'It is about personal safety for our officers and public safety that officers don their uniforms and carry their service weapons with them.' Downey said it was 'painful' to have to protest the parade — and that queer officers are among the most courageous members of the community. 'It's been painful for four years now,' he said. 'Telling folks that they can show up not as they are is not in the spirit of pride.' Advertisement 5 The parade marched down Fifth Avenue, cut across Greenwich village and then moved up Seventh Avenue. Getty Images 'Everyone standing behind me protests every day by going into the system that has historically was not for them. They go in and force change upon that system. They force that system to deal with that,' Downey added. Downey — echoing others — also said it was outrageous that the parade would ask the NYPD to keep the parade safe but wouldn't let officers march in uniform. Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani stopped by the protest and greeted Tisch and some protesting cops — but was snubbed by at least two officers. Advertisement Mayor Eric Adams — who previously voiced support for GOAL's push to let officers march in uniform — joined the parade but was booed at times and given the middle finger as he walked. 'Eric Adams doesn't care about gay people!' a woman yelled, while others called him a 'Trump lover' and screamed, 'Mamdani for mayor.' Despite the controversy, Sunday's parade was the festive and positive celebration many wait all year and travel from across the world to attend. 'I'm just proud of the energy,' said paradegoer Paul Mcgrorety. 'I love seeing smiles and just the pridefulness of everyone here. It's awesome to be here.'
New York Post
23-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Anti-Israel protester Mahmoud Khalil bashes Columbia ‘hypocrisy' in first NYC rally since being released from ICE detainment
Anti-Israel protester Mahmoud Khalil on Sunday bashed his alma mater Columbia University over its 'hypocrisy' in claiming to support international students while leaving him to rot in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center for three months until his release last week. 'I must call the hypocrisy of Columbia University. A university that just two weeks ago said that they want to protect their international students,' lamented the 30-year-old, who was wearing a blue polo shirt emblazoned with 'Lift the siege on Gaza,' as he spoke on the steps of St. John the Divine in Morningside Heights, just blocks from the Ivy League's campus where he helped spearhead anti-Israel encampments last year. 'While over 100 days later, I haven't received a single call from this university.' Advertisement Khalil was arrested by federal immigration authorities on March 8 and spent 104 days at a rural Louisiana detention center as the Trump administration fought to deport the Syrian-born permanent US resident. He was released from federal custody Friday after a New Jersey judge ordered his release. 'I also must call out their double standards. How did we become targets of Israel-aligned groups?' he continued. 'Because Columbia University failed to protect students. Columbia University, in fact, emboldened these individuals to continue to harass and harm students.' The cathedral steps were packed with members of Khalil's legal team, his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, 28, and his infant son, Deen, who was born while he was in ICE custody. Many supporters brought their own keffiyehs, Palestine flags and a sea of 'Welcome home' signs mixed in with anti-ICE posters. Advertisement 5 Mahmoud Khalil speaks at a homecoming rally in Morningside Heights Sunday, two days after he was released from a Louisiana ICE facility. Michael Nigro 5 Khalil was behind bars for three months. Michael Nigro Khalil said he originally sought to hold the homecoming at Columbia, but school officials refused. The Post reached out to Columbia for a comment. Advertisement 'Columbia administrators never disappoint to disappoint. So, I'm not surprised. This is very shameful, because they are the ones who know me very well. They are the ones who, in private, in fact, tell me that there is anti-Palestinian racism in Columbia, that there is manufactured hysteria about antisemitism at Columbia University because of our protests, but they don't dare to talk about that in public,' he insisted. 5 A judge deemed Khalil's detention to be unconstitutional and unjust. Michael Nigro 5 Khalil called out Columbia University for its 'hypocrisy.' Michael Nigro 5 Khalil was flanked by his wife, who gave birth to their son while he was in detention. Michael Nigro Advertisement While spirits were high at the homecoming, Khalil was quick to note that his release was not the end of their fight. 'My being here today is sweet but it is not a victory,' he said. While Khalil has been released from detention, there is still an order for his deportation from an immigration judge that his team continues to fight. The Trump administration is also trying to appeal the release order. Khalil was held at an ICE detention center in Louisiana after the Trump administration deemed that he posed a significant threat to US foreign policy relations with Israel and the Middle East. After requesting his release, a judge found that his detention was likely unconstitutional and unjust. He was freed on Friday after 104 days locked up. Khalil is a permanent resident with a green card, who is married to a US citizen and, now, a father to a son born in the US.
New York Post
17-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Runner dies during Brooklyn Half Marathon
A runner died during the Brooklyn Half Marathon Saturday, police said. The man, 31, was in the race at 8:11 a.m. when he collapsed. Runners near the finish line of the Brooklyn Half Marathon on May 17. Michael Nigro Advertisement EMS responded and rushed him to Maimonides Medical Center, but he couldn't be saved, cops said. The man has yet to be publicly identified. More than 28,000 were expected to take part in the marathon, which includes a 13.1 mile course, according to New York Road Runners. Advertisement This is a developing story.
