An emergency protest drew a crowd to the Geneva Public Safety Building Saturday afternoon, as demonstrators demanded federal immigration authorities stop operating in the city following a vehicle crash and arrests tied to a federal enforcement action one day earlier.
Members of the Finger Lakes Rapid Response Network organized the rally after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents attempted to stop a vehicle near Pulteney and Milton streets around 7:13 a.m. Friday.
According to the Geneva Police Department, the suspect vehicle rammed a federal vehicle during the attempted stop. Two suspects were taken into custody and a third fled on foot before being apprehended by federal agents. City police responded to the crash, completed an accident report and arranged for towing, but said officers did not participate in arrests, questioning or detention related to immigration enforcement.
Protest organizers disputed law enforcement’s characterization of events in statements distributed before and during the rally.
The group alleged federal agents created unsafe conditions and described the arrests as “kidnapping,” saying the incident caused fear throughout the community. Organizers said they witnessed multiple unmarked SUVs, agents wearing Enforcement and Removal Operations vests, and a traffic blockage that contributed to a collision. They also criticized the presence of two Geneva police vehicles at the scene, though police say their involvement was limited to public safety and reporting.
At the rally, participants called for federal immigration authorities to leave the city and for local government agencies not to cooperate with federal enforcement. The group demanded no city resources be used in immigration operations and urged leaders to prioritize community services over what organizers described as deportation efforts. Organizers also pointed to the city’s police budget, arguing officers should serve residents rather than assist federal agencies.
Police Chief Ronald Eveland previously addressed residents’ concerns in a public letter, stating the department had no advance notice of the federal operation. He said ICE agents later visited the Public Safety Building only to obtain paperwork and use public restrooms, and no detainees were held or interrogated at the facility. Eveland reiterated department policy prohibits assisting civil immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant, though officers will respond to any call to maintain public safety.
The Finger Lakes Rapid Response Network said it would continue providing support to affected families and encouraged community members to report enforcement activity. City officials have not announced any policy changes following the demonstration.
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