A multitude of immigration rights advocates gathered in a Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday for the bail hearing of a man accused of attacking NYPD officers in Times Square.
Police say Yohenry Brito incited a brawl that resulted in NYPD officers being punched and kicked, but advocates argue that the situation is more complex than it seems.
The perspective changes when looking at the situation from a different angle.
Sergio Uzurin stated that there is a growing sense of anger among people, and they are actively searching for someone to hold accountable for their grievances.
According to Uzurin, a member of an ICE watchdog group, the city is searching for a scapegoat.
Brito, an immigrant who was charged with assault, had initially posted $15,000 in cash bail. However, on Friday, his bail was reinstated and he was taken back into custody. Due to Brito’s limited time in the country and lack of community ties, the court has decided to investigate the source of the funds.
Uzurin stated that he could not provide specific details about the case, but confirmed that it was a bail fund.
A community organization typically establishes a bail fund to assist low-income defendants, but in this particular instance, it has sparked controversy.
Mayor Eric Adams is currently reviewing video footage of the chaotic incident that occurred at the migrant shelter on Randall’s Island last Thursday. The video shows a man who was not authorized to be there being confronted by the police, resulting in a mob of people throwing objects at the officers.
According to him, incidents like this have the potential to occur when you have 3,000 individuals who are unable to work in their environment.
Advocates argue that migrants, as a collective, should not be solely blamed for all the issues plaguing the city.
According to Uzurin, there is a concerning pattern throughout history where incoming migrants are often blamed for societal issues. This tendency to assign blame can quickly escalate into something ugly.
Prosecutors argue that Brito should be held without bail due to the lack of a strong community supporting him.
According to Uzurin, there is no reason to anticipate that Brito will attempt to evade court proceedings.
Uzurin stated that the defendant has a keen desire to appear in court and there are no concerns about any unfairness from their side.
The hearing to examine Brito’s bail may take place in the near future. According to his defense attorney, they expect him to secure bail once again within a day or two.