CLAIM: Immigrants in the U.S. illegally stormed New York City Hall on Tuesday, demanding housing in luxury hotels instead of city shelters.
AP Assessment: Incorrect. Hundreds of black immigrants Gathered peacefully During City Hall Park A hearing in regards to Racial inequality In New York’s asylum and immigrant assistance system. They gathered there when it became clear that only about 100 people would be allowed into the hearing. The Associated Press reported.. The New York Police Department told the AP that no arrests were made in connection with the gathering. Attendees said they came for a variety of reasons, such as supporting City Council members at a hearing or seeing if they could get information about jobs and housing.
The facts: Social media users are regurgitating what happened at City Hall with false claims about how the immigrants acted and why they were there.
A number of videos were shared from the gathering showing large groups of people standing quietly, huddled together or waiting in line. Other footage shows people cheering outside the building.
“Illegals have just surrounded and surrounded NYC City Hall,” reads one X post that had nearly 31,000 likes and 20,000 shares as of Wednesday. “They’re trying to take over the building and demand luxury hotel rooms provided to illegals instead of the shelters NYC provides. It’s only going to get worse.”
A caption on a TikTok video of people in line read: “Today in Biden America… Illegals in NYC attack City Hall as they are being moved into shelters and out of their luxury hotels.” It was viewed approximately 58,700 times.
But the gathering of more than 1,500 migrants, mostly from Guinea, was peaceful and there was no indication that they had arrived en masse at City Hall to demand accommodation at the luxury hotel. According to the NYPD, no arrests were made.
The New York City Council’s Committee on Immigration held a hearing on Tuesday at City Hall. Racial inequality In the city’s shelters and immigrant assistance system. There were relatively minor suggestions. Agenda of the day. For example, a set of bills that would require administrators to collect better data on immigrants seeking civil services, as well as a bill for the federal government to eliminate or reimburse immigration application fees. Resolution. Immigrants also testified about their experiences.
A press conference was held on the steps of City Hall before the hearing. It featured speakers including Council Member Alexa Avles, Chair of the Immigration Committee, Public Advocate Jamane Williams, and representatives from advocacy and support groups.
Emmet Teran, a spokesman for Avilés, told the AP that the groups represented at the conference invited immigrants they work with, although other early arrivals were also allowed past the security barriers. Another quick press conference was held for those who could not get in, he added.
“It’s disgusting, but not surprising from the people who are saying these things,” Terran said of the claims spreading online. “I think we were very clear in our messaging about the hearing, about what we wanted to cover, which was the experiences of black immigrants in New York City.”
Terran described the crowd as “incredibly quiet” and said people were understanding, although some were frustrated about waiting in line or not being able to attend the hearing. They gathered in City Hall Park after learning that only 100 people would be allowed into the hearing, the AP reported. Many participants said they learned about the event through word of mouth, often on WhatsApp groups with fellow migrants.
An AP reporter at the gathering found it calm and orderly. When asked, immigrants were more concerned about getting permission to work in the U.S. Some even complained about not having access to halal food in shelters. Others worried about being kicked out of shelters or came to support city council members.
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This is part of AP’s effort to address the widely shared false and misleading information that is circulating online. Learn more about fact-checking at AP..
Credit : apnews.com
