A tense confrontation unfolded at a public event on Long Island after immigration activist Joshua Chan was forcibly removed during an appearance by Monica Martinez and Sam Gonzalez.
Video circulating online shows Chan, a member of the activist group Islip Forward, being physically escorted out of the event by a man identified as the chief of staff for Gonzalez. The incident reportedly occurred during a ticketed International Women’s Day event held in Huntington, New York.
Footage of the moment shows Chan being placed in a headlock and carried out while shouting toward Martinez during the confrontation. According to reports, Chan was attempting to confront local officials about immigration enforcement issues affecting the community.
The dispute centers around a controversial contract in the Islip area that allows agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to use a town-owned rifle range for firearms training. The agreement is part of a federal contract connected to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and has sparked protests and political debate among residents and activists.
Members of Islip Forward have strongly opposed the arrangement, arguing that allowing ICE agents to train at a publicly funded facility contributes to fear within immigrant communities. Activists have organized rallies and public campaigns demanding that the town terminate the agreement.
Local officials, however, have defended the training arrangement. In previous statements, town authorities said the rifle range has long been used by various law enforcement agencies and plays an important role in ensuring proper firearms training and safety standards.
Following the incident, Martinez released a statement accusing Chan of gaining entry to the event under false pretenses and behaving in a threatening manner toward attendees. She described the confrontation as an act of harassment and said the disruption raised concerns about the safety of public officials.
Supporters of Islip Forward offered a different version of events, claiming Chan was removed violently while attempting to raise concerns about immigration enforcement policies affecting local residents.
The confrontation highlights the growing tension surrounding immigration policy debates on Long Island, particularly in communities with large immigrant populations.
The video of Chan’s removal has since spread widely online, with viewers divided over whether the activist’s actions were justified protest or an inappropriate disruption of a public event.
Officials have not announced whether any charges or further actions will result from the incident.