Protests erupt at Phoenix City Council meeting on city response to ICE activity
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Evelynne Castillo protests outside of the Phoenix City Council chambers on Feb. 10, 2026. (Photo by Allison Kotzbauer/Cronkite News)
PHOENIX – Protesters descended on Phoenix City Hall on Tuesday as the City Council, led by Mayor Kate Gallego, met to discuss a community initiative in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Inside the council chambers, protesters sealed their mouths with black duct tape. Outside, other demonstrators chanted in protest of ICE over the sounds of tubas.
All council members were in attendance for the session to discuss Phoenix’s response to the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Originally planned as a council work session, organized protests quickly broke out and stopped the session.
The initiative details a plan to track ICE’s activity in Phoenix and ensure residents know ICE and Phoenix Police Department are two separate agencies. Executive Assistant Chief Dennis Orender from Phoenix police said the department’s goal is to protect the rights of Phoenicians and serve the community. He reiterated the points in a statement released by the department at the end of January that police officers cannot wear face coverings and must display their involvement with the department clearly.
The session was intended to present the Community Transparency Initiative, which passed 7-2. Jim Waring, who represents District 2, and District 4 City Council Member Laura Pastor voted against the initiative. Protesters did not think the initiative went far enough.
City council member for District 6 and former law enforcement executive Kevin Robinson said the work study was intended to create a plan for city conduct, and said that this session was not intended for any public comment. Robinson said the meeting was a success because of the vote. He made it clear that the city council understands the protesters want their voices to be heard.
The tumultuous work session comes in the wake of a recent raid by Homeland Security Investigations at Zipps locations across the Valley in late January. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ratcheted up protesters’ fears when she paid a visit to the Arizona-Mexico border last week.
Jose Hernandez shouts at Phoenix City Council members during the work session on Feb. 10, 2026. (Photo by Allison Kotzbauer/Cronkite News)
In Washington, D.C., a similar initiative on a national scale was spearheaded by Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz. Although likely symbolic because it has no chance in the Republican Congress, the legislation would introduce major changes to the detainment system in the U.S.
Arizona Democratic senators, Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, sent a letter on Feb. 10 to Noem about a recent plan to build an ICE detention facility in Surprise. Protesters at the session expressed concern about the facility.
Before the session began, protesters gathered outside city hall. During the discussion, Victoria Tyler described Arizona as a “police state.”
“We don’t want your propaganda,” she said.
Brooklyn P., a protester in their 20s, is an Arizona native. They said that they feel Phoenix is less safe now then when they were born. Cronkite News has agreed not to share Brooklyn’s last name because of fears for their safety.
The protesters shouted coordinated chants and banged against the chamber’s chairs just after the council began their opening remarks. One woman began shrieking just minutes into opening remarks by Betty Guardado, councilwoman for District 5.
Guardado initially laughed at the protester’s yells. But her laughter abruptly ended when she realized the protester wasn’t going to relent.
The protester screamed “Kick me out,” drowning out Guardado’s attempts to silence her.
After the first protester’s voice became hoarse, another picked up where she left off. One by one, each protester in one line of seats yelled their grievances with the council. The council members sat stoic. One older man called Mayor Kate Gallego “weak” and a “total disgrace.” The mayor stared back without responding.
Yamileth Montoya walks into the Phoenix City Council work study session with black tape covering her mouth on Feb. 10, 2026. (Photo by Allison Kotzbauer/Cronkite News)
The protesters said that they want the council to protect voters and stop silencing them.
“This is a f——g shame,” one protester said.
One woman began to tear up while she spoke. The chants of her fellow protesters drowned her words out. However, the entire audience erupted in cheers of support, and the council began to trickle out, shaking their heads in disbelief.
The council ordered a 10 minute recess. Every attendee stood abruptly and cheered. The chanting continued in the officials’ absence.
“No fear, no hate, no ICE in our state,” they chanted.
After about 17 minutes, the council returned and attempted to continue the session. At that point, the room became so loud that audience members could not hear Guardado’s attempt to continue her opening remarks. The noise level reached 120 decibels —a few decibels shy of the Super Bowl game.
Finally, the council shut the meeting down. They turned off their screens and retreated into their chambers.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that the vote Feb. 10 on the Community Transparency Initiative was 7-2, not 8-1 as originally reported. District 4 City Council Member Laura Pastor also voted against the initiative.