Ex-Mayor Bill de Blasio’s son Dante among more than 60 anti-ICE protesters busted at NYC Hilton

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s son, Dante de Blasio, found himself in a bit of trouble recently as he was among the group of rowdy anti-ICE protesters who were taken into custody after a chaotic demonstration at a Manhattan Hilton hotel. The incident occurred on Tuesday, and Dante, who is 29 years old, was cited for trespassing and disorderly conduct by the police.

The protesters had mistakenly believed that federal immigration agents were present at the Hilton Garden Inn in Tribeca, leading to the commotion that ensued. A total of 66 protesters were taken into custody, with only two individuals receiving desk appearance tickets while the rest were issued summonses by the authorities. Dante de Blasio, a Yale graduate who had previously assisted with his father’s unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2019, was also issued a summons and subsequently released.

In response to questions about his involvement in the protest, Dante de Blasio expressed his strong opposition to ICE’s tactics, labeling them as “violent and authoritarian” and stating that they are un-American. He emphasized the importance of upholding the founding principles of the country and criticized ICE for its actions.

The protest at the Hilton hotel was fueled by recent fatal shootings by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis, which sparked renewed demonstrations in various cities across the nation. The protesters specifically targeted Hilton due to the hotel chain’s decision to sever ties with a Minnesota franchise that had banned immigration agents following the shootings.

This is not the first time that Dante de Blasio has made headlines for his activism. In 2019, he wrote an op-ed piece for USA Today criticizing law enforcement and expressing his discomfort with a police cruiser that passed him in San Francisco. His actions and statements have drawn attention and raised eyebrows in the past.

Despite the controversy surrounding his son’s involvement in the protest, former Mayor Bill de Blasio did not provide any comments on the matter. It is worth noting that Dante had previously received free rides from the NYPD to and from Yale University, with his father clarifying that the security measures were implemented due to threats against the family.

The protest and Dante de Blasio’s citation for trespassing and disorderly conduct serve as a reminder of the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policies and law enforcement practices in the United States. The incident at the Hilton hotel highlights the passionate activism and advocacy for change that continues to shape public discourse and actions in the country.