The April 26, 2025, rally and court hearing in New York City focused on a lawsuit aimed at preventing the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Rikers Island. The event featured passionate speeches from community organizers, legal advocates, and city council members, all expressing strong opposition to the proposed collaboration between ICE and local law enforcement.

Melanie Dominguez, the organizing director at the Cattell Center for Equity, Health, and Justice, opened the rally by highlighting the deteriorating conditions at Rikers since Mayor Eric Adams took office. She reported that at least 38 individuals have died in city jails under his administration, emphasizing the urgent need to shut down Rikers Island. Dominguez criticized the mayor for abandoning plans to close the facility by 2027 and accused him of prioritizing a "jail first" approach to public safety, which has led to a significant increase in the jail population.

Conrad Blackburn, a policy counsel at The Bronx Defenders, followed Dominguez, warning that allowing ICE onto Rikers poses a threat to the rights of all New Yorkers, particularly those from marginalized communities. He presented alarming statistics about racial disparities in policing and incarceration, arguing that ICE's presence would exacerbate existing injustices. Blackburn described the potential for ICE to disrupt legal proceedings and instill fear among detainees and their families, further complicating their access to justice.

Council Member Tiffany Caban, representing the district where Rikers is located, condemned the mayor's decision to allow ICE back into the facility. Caban characterized this move as a violation of sanctuary city policies and a threat to democracy, asserting that it would endanger vulnerable populations already facing systemic injustices. She called for accountability from the mayor, labeling him as complicit in a harmful agenda that undermines due process.

The rally underscored a collective demand for the city to protect its immigrant communities and uphold the rights of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status. Participants expressed a unified message: the presence of ICE at Rikers is unacceptable, and efforts must continue to ensure the facility is closed for good. The discussions highlighted the broader implications of ICE's involvement in local law enforcement and the urgent need for systemic reform to address the injustices faced by marginalized communities in New York City.