Five Arrested During Atlantic City Protest Against ICE Collaboration

Five individuals were taken into custody following a protest in Atlantic City that criticized local police cooperation with ICE, amid tensions over immigration enforcement and public safety.

Police in Atlantic City recorded the arrest of five individuals during a demonstration opposing immigration enforcement operations on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The protest unfolded along the 2700 block of Atlantic Avenue, beginning around 11 a.m. Near the Public Safety Building, organizers voiced grievances over perceived kidnappings within the community and alleged collaboration between local police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Initial reports described the gathering as peaceful before a disturbance emerged within an onlookers cluster. At the time of the confrontation, Atlantic City police responded promptly. Officers emerged from the Public Safety Building to attend the incident and encountered protesters who had entered the roadway and a single individual occupying a designated access area intended to facilitate safe ingress and egress to the facility.

When law enforcement officials asked the participants to vacate the access point and the street, the protesters refused to comply. Consequently, authorities detained five alleged participants of the protest. During the proceedings, a member sustained minor injuries in the initial altercation, and he received a summons. No additional injuries were reported in the account released by the police department.

The arrested individuals and their respective charges are as follows: Diana Chaparro, 50, of Hammonton, New Jersey, faces simple assault; Jose Salazar, 18, of Princeton, New Jersey, is charged with simple assault and illegal possession of a chemical device, specifically pepper spray; Cristian Moreno‑Rodriguez, 31, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, is charged with obstruction of justice; Keli Smith, 41, of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, carries charges of obstruction of justice and resisting arrest; Anthony Diaz, 30, of Newark, New Jersey, is also charged with obstruction of justice; and Devon Barber, 28, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, faces a simple assault charge.

Chief James Sarkos issued a statement reaffirming the city’s commitment to constitutional protest rights while emphasizing officers’ responsibility to safeguard public safety. He clarified that peaceful demonstration does not permit obstruction of access to public safety facilities or interference with law enforcement operations. The incident raised questions about the balance between civic freedoms and public order.

Supporters of the demonstration argue that the response was excessive, while law enforcement maintains that mandatory dispersal was necessary to maintain safety at the public safety building. The city’s legal team is preparing the charges and will coordinate with the county prosecutor’s office to determine next steps for each defendant. Residents and stakeholders are urged to await further notifications from the Department of Justice regarding potential federal involvement or additional investigations.

In the broader context, the clash highlights continued concerns over ICE activities in urban centers and the role of local police forces in enforcing or facilitating federal immigration policies. The event underscores the tension between community activism and law enforcement responses in towns affected by immigration enforcement strategies. Observers anticipate that the forthcoming legal procedures could set precedents for future protests, particularly those centered on immigrant rights and police collaboration with federal agencies

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