Notices by Unicorn Riot (unicornriot@mastodon.social)

In October 2020, following protests against the killings of #GeorgeFloyd and Walter Wallace Jr., #Philadelphia City Council passed a ban tear gas and rubber bullets. A $9 million lawsuit settled in 2023 for activists, organizers and West Philly residents harmed by tear gas.

Unlike other cities, where police shot tear gas and rubber bullets into crowds, Philadelphia PD dispersed marches battering protesters w. batons, corralling the crowd with bicycles and nearly running activists and journalists over w. motorized dirt bikes.
https://unicornriot.ninja/2025/philadelphia-police-crack-down-on-anti-ice-marches-twice-in-one-week/

NEW: #Philadelphia Police Crack Down on Anti-ICE Marches Twice in One Week
On Tuesday, June 10, and Saturday, June 14, autonomous protests were called outside of the Federal Detention Center (FDC), where up to 125 immigrant detainees can be held by ICE.
https://unicornriot.ninja/2025/philadelphia-police-crack-down-on-anti-ice-marches-twice-in-one-week/

Marchers trekked past the ICE field office and then down Market Street. At the end of the second lap, police began pressuring the protest and at 6:44 p.m., issued a order to disperse. PPD flanked the crowd in an attempted kettle, struck several people w. batons and arrested 15.
STORY: https://unicornriot.ninja/2025/philadelphia-police-crack-down-on-anti-ice-marches-twice-in-one-week/

On the morning of June 10, ICE arrested at least one individual in South Philadelphia. Local activists also witnessed three detained in Kensington earlier that week.
An autonomous protest was called to mobilize. At 4 p.m., approximately 80-100 people congregated near the FDC at 7th and Arch Streets.

VIDEO: Autonomous Anti-ICE March at Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia-A call for solidarity with the uprising at the Delaney Hall ICE Detention Center in Newark brought several hundred demonstrators to Center City Philadelphia on June 14
https://vimeo.com/1093425161 - link

At 12th and Walnut there was a scuffle, after protesters repurposed plastic jersey barriers to obstruct bike police following the march. Officers began to grab march participants with masks and umbrellas.

After the June 14 No Kings rally, an autonomous demo against ICE gathered near FDC ~6pm w. a message in solidarity with the revolt by ICE detainees in Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, NJ, operated by the GEO Group. video: https://bsky.app/profile/unicornriot.bsky.social/post/3lrlzog737c2t

Protester:“They held the line when we got to Market St. & they scared people. What do scared people do? They run. But then [cops] started beating people. There was no way out, so you had to run through or cower & hope they didn’t hurt you. If you ran, they tried to beat you.”

Police attacked the crowd @ 13th & Walnut; kettled it at the intersection. Some protesters then ran through the Holiday Inn Express garage. Police with bicycles lined up to cut off garage access, splitting the crowd. - video https://vimeo.com/1093425161

Once again there were arrests and injuries — legal observers tell us there were approximately seven arrests. One person was released immediately, two the following evening. As of 6/15 6 pm, everyone was released. Full story: https://unicornriot.ninja/2025/philadelphia-police-crack-down-on-anti-ice-marches-twice-in-one-week/

Activists have been showing up to meetings since the start of the 2025 Minnesota legislative session in an attempt to create legal protections for wild rice.

https://unicornriot.ninja/2025/pressure-builds-to-protect-manoomin-wild-rice/

One Philly PD bike team officer's taunts to anti-ICE protesters, made shortly before using force, highlights the larger issue of how police culture impacts the handling of demonstrations:

"I'd love for you to get close enough. I pray for it."

VIDEO: Our reporter got knocked around by police striking people with bikes & was almost struck repeatedly by motorcycles while walking on the sidewalk wearing a PRESS vest. PPD ordered people to leave while they had everyone surrounded, eventually let some march away; they nearly ran over people’s feet repeatedly. Reportedly at least 3 people arrested, one of whom said to be hospitalized.

Protesters are gathering outside the Federal Detention Center in Center City Philly after an autonomous demonstration was called for this evening in solidarity with the recent uprising by ICE detainees at the Delaney Hall Detention Center in Newark, NJ.

PHILADELPHIA: The Federal Detention Center at 7th & Arch has been boarded up for several days amidst ongoing popular confrontations against ICE deportation efforts across the USA.

LATEST - PHILLY - CENTER CITY: Officers tried to grab some people with masks and umbrellas. UR saw what appeared to be several successful de-arrests. (2/2)

LATEST - PHILLY: Anti-ICE march has been snaking around Center City - at 12th and Walnut. Last few minutes: a scuffle, protesters successfully obstructed some bike police following the march by repurposing some plastic jersey barriers already in street. Officers had to push out of way. (1/2)

LATEST: Over 100 Philly Police quickly corralled the protest to stop it from marching on 7th towards the highway - the group is now heading into Center City as bike cops follow (video)

NOW: Approximately 300 anti-ICE protesters heading into Fashion District

PHILLY: The march was partially obstructing bike police. At 13th and Walnut a conflict over barricades, the police attacked the crowd and kettled at the intersection so protesters ran through the Holiday Inn Express garage. Some police cut off access splitting the crowd.