Protesters in Columbus blasted drums, horns and heavy electronic dance music for hours outside an Embassy Suites where ICE officers were staying, videos show. Local police monitored the scene but did not disperse the crowd, and city leaders said municipal resources would not be used to assist federal immigration enforcement. ICE confirmed two arrests tied to the operation, with local reports detailing prior charges and traffic citations for those detained. The demonstration and official response highlight ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement tactics.
“No Sleep for ICE”: Columbus Protesters Blast Music Outside Embassy Suites as Police Watch
Police in Columbus, Ohio responded to reported noise complaints after protesters braved freezing temperatures to play loud music for hours outside an Embassy Suites hotel where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were staying. Videos shared online show drums, horns and heavy electronic dance beats as demonstrators sought to disrupt the officers’ rest.
Footage posted by political commentator @rooster_ohio and shared by local residents shows people striking metal drums and sounding alarms. Brandon Baker, who posted video to Facebook, said the mostly electronic dance music — “with heavy beats” — began around 9 p.m. and “didn’t cease for hours.” In the video a woman shouts, “This is crazy! This is amazing!” while others cheer and play instruments, including a trombone.
Local officials appeared to monitor rather than disperse the crowd. Mayor Andrew Ginther and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant told reporters the city would not allocate municipal resources to assist federal immigration enforcement operations, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
“It was a good symbol and a good thing to see Columbus kind of fighting back,” Brandon Baker told The Dispatch, calling the protest a response to what some residents see as intimidation by ICE.
A hotel employee told The Dispatch the property refunded “a few guests” who happened to be staying at the hotel at the same time as ICE personnel.
ICE confirmed two arrests in Columbus in connection with its enforcement activity. An ICE spokesperson said the actions were part of ongoing efforts to uphold public safety and enforce federal immigration laws. Local outlet ABC6 reported ICE described the detainees as the “worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.”
According to reports, one person arrested had multiple prior charges, including criminal trespassing and drug-related offenses; court papers also allege he was charged with aggravated robbery for allegedly stealing sandwiches from a local store. The other detainee had a traffic citation for failure to control a vehicle and for not wearing a seat belt, ABC6 reported.
This episode underscores tensions between community protest tactics and federal immigration enforcement, and highlights the city’s position on not deploying municipal resources to assist in federal operations.
