On Saturday, authorities arrested five protesters and charged an alleged “agitator” during a demonstration outside the Atlantic City Police Department, which accused the department of assisting ICE.
Among those detained was Cristian Moreno‑Rodriguez, founder of El Pueblo Unido of Atlantic City, who has spearheaded opposition to ICE.
As the crowd assembled, police instructed the demonstrators to clear access points and refrain from occupying the street.
At that moment, police took Moreno‑Rodriguez, 31, of Atlantic City, and several others into custody.
“The constitutional right to peacefully protest is fundamental and is respected by the Atlantic City Police Department,” Chief James Sarkos said. “That right, however, does not extend to physically obstructing access to a public safety facility, preventing police officers from safely entering or exiting the building, or interfering with the public’s ability to obtain police services.”
Police charged Moreno‑Rodriguez with obstruction of justice, but released him hours later; he emerged from the Clayton G. Graham Public Safety Building amid cheering supporters.
Law enforcement intervened early in the demonstration after an individual attempted to join the protest while voicing pro‑ICE remarks.
Devon Barber, who posted video footage of his questioning of El Pueblo Unido members, confirmed to BreakingAC that a protester pepper‑sprayed him.
“It was a difficult position for the Atlantic City Police Department to be in once they observed the interaction between the agitator and at least on protestor,” attorney Jonathan Diego told BreakingAC. “(The police) were obligated at that point. That’s what led to the four individuals being arrested.”
Jose Salazar, 18, of Princeton, faced charges of illegal possession of a chemical device used for pepper spray and simple assault.
“They believe the focus of everybody who is becoming aware (of the incident) should be on the agitator or agitators that intentionally placed themselves in the middle of this peaceful protest by people expressing their concern about immigration procedures,” Diego said.
Police reported that Barber, 28, of Atlantic City, received medical treatment for his injuries and was also issued a simple assault complaint.
The remaining individuals were charged and subsequently released on summons: Diana Chaparro, 50, of Hammonton, for simple assault; Keli Smith, 41, of Egg Harbor Township, for obstruction of justice and resisting arrest; and Anthony Diaz, 30, of Newark, for obstruction of justice and resisting arrest.
Diego stated that those detained continue to assert their innocence.
All charges constitute disorderly‑person offenses.
Diego observed that police remained inside the Public Safety Building for the majority of the protest, which he interpreted as an effort to avoid intimidating demonstrators.
“The ACPD did carry themselves very professionally,” he said. “All of my observations were that they were cordial and professional, and followed what they were supposed to do under the circumstances.”
“The individuals that are out there protesting are exercising their First Amendment rights to protest peacefully, and they will continue to do so,” Diego said.
Moreno‑Rodriguez was released shortly before 3 p.m., yet he briefly rejoined the protest a few hours earlier through a telephone call.
According to BreakingAC, the holding cells are equipped with phones that detainees may use to place collect calls.
Mayor Marty Small abstained from attending the protest but asserted that the city and police department “are not against the Hispanic community in any way, shape or form.”
“We have absolutely no jurisdiction over a federal agency, and we have said that,” he said. “The Atlantic City Police Department does a fantastic job and will continue to protect and serve our community with dignity.”
Small acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation and expressed his hope to collaborate with all involved parties to improve conditions.
The demonstration followed motor‑vehicle stops of at least two group members, who received citations for multiple traffic violations while pursuing ICE vehicles across the city.
Atlantic City police contend that the traffic stops aim to maintain public safety on the streets.
“As a reminder to the public, ACPD follows the New Jersey Attorney General’s Immigrant Trust Directive,” Sarkos wrote in a Facebook post, citing the directive that does not allow police to participate in ICE activities. “To suggest otherwise is unfair to the officer and misleading to the public.”
Moreno‑Rodriguez, however, interprets the incidents as evidence that police collude with ICE agents to unlawfully target Hispanic residents.
“We’re out here warning our neighbors,” Moreno‑Rodriguez tells a police officer who pulled him over. “Children are going to come home from school today and not see their parents because ICE kidnapped them because you let them get away.”
Dashboard‑camera footage streamed live on Facebook captured the alleged traffic violations as the group leader pursued an ICE vehicle through at least three red lights, simultaneously communicating ICE’s location to other members.
The pursued vehicle displays active emergency lights.
“We called in the blue Ford Explorer running red lights. I called it in 30 minutes ago,” he tells the officer.
“So you think that gives you the right to run multiple red lights?” the officer replies.
“So now you care more about traffic than people getting kidnapped, right?” Moreno‑Rodriguez shoots back.
The stop occurring shortly before noon on Thursday followed a day after another group member received motor‑vehicle citations after being halted in front of the Clayton G. Graham Public Safety Building on Atlantic Avenue.
In that incident, police released traffic‑camera footage depicting the vehicle entering the oncoming lane, apparently to confront another ICE vehicle.
Authorities did not disclose the driver’s identity.
The group now intends to assemble outside the Public Safety Building at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
“Over 500 people will be out there protesting with your name on it because of the disgraceful actions you took,” Moreno‑Rodriguez tells Officer Moustafa Maarouf, who the El Pueblo Unido leader calls a traitor. “We’re gonna protest you to show you how wrong you are.”
Court records indicate that Moreno‑Rodriguez accrued more than a dozen citations, encompassing reckless driving, four violations for failing to observe traffic control devices, and failure to produce a driver’s license or registration.
In the video, Moreno‑Rodriguez informs Maarouf that he lacks the required documentation because a crash a week earlier destroyed the vehicle containing those papers.
He is eventually permitted to depart.
“I’m on my way,” he tells the person he has been in contact with throughout. “They gave me tickets but I don’t give a (expletive).”
Moreno‑Rodriguez also posted a photograph taken outside the Public Safety Building, displaying a lengthy document that appears to enumerate all his citations.
“Thank you for the CVS receipt, Atlantic City Police Department,” he wrote.
The post additionally contains a link soliciting donations for the group’s legal defense fund.
In July, El Pueblo Unido was among 40 Atlantic City nonprofits awarded a grant from the Atlantic City Community Fund.
Moreno‑Rodriguez’s brother joined the Atlantic City Police Department last year.