Anti-ICE Protest on Roebling Bridge Results in Dozens of Arrests, Officer on Leave
A demonstration protesting the immigration detention of a former hospital chaplain led to violent clashes, multiple arrests, and an internal investigation after an officer used force against a protester on the Roebling Bridge. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, underscores the escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the right to protest.
On Thursday, approximately 100 demonstrators blocked the Roebling Bridge, a vital transportation artery connecting Ohio and Kentucky, to protest the detention of Ayman Soliman, a 51-year-old Egyptian immigrant and former chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. The protest escalated when the group was met by nearly 50 officers from Covington, Kentucky, according to reports from Cincinnati.com.
Clashes Erupt, Footage Sparks Outrage
The situation quickly deteriorated, resulting in physical altercations between protesters and law enforcement. Shocking footage emerged showing a Covington police officer repeatedly punching a protester while attempting to subdue him. The officer has since been placed on administrative duty with pay pending the outcome of an investigation.
Brandon Hill, the protester involved in the altercation, sustained visible injuries, including scratches, bruises, and a dislocated arm. He maintains his innocence, claiming he was simply trying to avoid being shot. “It’s all very traumatic, and I’m still trying to recover from this, honestly,” Hill told WCPO. “If anything like that happened, it’s because a random gun was pointed in my face.”
Covington Police Chief Brian Valenti stated that Hill attempted to disarm an officer carrying a pepper ball gun, justifying the officer’s use of force. However, Hill’s account directly contradicts this claim.
Body camera footage released by the Covington Police Department corroborates aspects of Hill’s account. The footage shows the officer chasing Hill along the sidewalk before grabbing him near the bridge’s edge. Audio from other officers’ body cameras captured Hill yelling “ow” and “stop” as he was struck in the head. In a use-of-force report, the officer stated he delivered “additional closed fist strikes” because Hill was “physically resist[ing]” and concealing his hands, leading the officer to fear he was reaching for a weapon.
Journalists Among Those Arrested
In total, 15 people were arrested during the protest, including two journalists: Madeline Fening, a reporter, and Lucas Griffith, a photo intern, both from CityBeat. According to Ashley Moor, CityBeat’s editor in chief, both were charged with felony rioting and several other offenses. A judge set a $2,500 bond for each of those arrested on Friday.
Police stated that those arrested had refused to comply with dispersal orders and that officers were initially met with threats and hostility when attempting to engage with the protest organizer. “While the department supports the public’s right to peaceful assembly and expression, threatening officers and blocking critical infrastructure, such as a major bridge, presents a danger to all involved,” the Covington Police Department said in a statement.
Charges filed against those arrested include rioting, failing to disperse, obstructing emergency responders, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct.
Protest Rooted in Immigration Case
The protest was organized in support of Ayman Soliman, who was detained last week during a routine check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials near Cincinnati. Soliman was granted asylum in 2018 after fleeing Egypt, where he faced persecution for his work as a journalist during the Arab Spring uprising. His lawyers claim he was jailed and tortured for reporting on political conflict in Egypt.
The case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding asylum seekers and the potential risks they face upon returning to their home countries. The incident on the Roebling Bridge serves as a stark reminder of the complex and often volatile intersection of immigration policy, protest, and law enforcement.
