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Left-wing activists stormed a Jewish temple on Long Island this week, disrupting an event where Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi was speaking to protest his vote supporting increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The demonstrators, affiliated with the climate activist group Climate Defiance, interrupted Suozzi on Wednesday night with theatrical protests that included crude props and profane language, according to reports from the New York Post.
“We confronted Congressman Tom Suozzi,” Climate Defiance declared in a social media post. “He is one of seven Democrats casting the decisive votes to increase ICE funding by $10,000,000,000. Hideous, grotesque, fascist-loving coward, this man has blood on his hands. We will not forgive and we will not forget.”
Video footage of the disruption, which has since garnered millions of views online, shows protesters heckling the congressman with props including adult diapers and knee pads. One demonstrator taunted Suozzi while holding up an adult diaper, saying: “I know you voted to increase ICE funding, so I wanted to get something for you. This is an adult diaper for when you pee yourself in front of Donald Trump. You’re the type of leader we need right now. Someone who soils themselves when the fascists are at our door.”
Another protester displayed knee pads with similarly crude comments referencing Trump, while a third individual who identified himself as Jewish made provocative comparisons between ICE agents and the Nazi Gestapo.
The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement policies in the United States. Suozzi was one of seven Democrats who crossed party lines to help Republicans narrowly pass the Department of Homeland Security funding measure in a 220-207 vote, according to Politico.
Comedian and activist Walter Masterson was reportedly ejected from the temple during the disruption as he attempted to read aloud names of people he claimed had died in ICE-related incidents. “Nine people were killed by ICE this month, and you’re throwing me out while I’m reading their names? How f—ing dare you!” Masterson shouted as he was removed.
The controversy highlights growing divisions within the Democratic Party over immigration enforcement. Following intense backlash from fellow Democrats, Suozzi publicly apologized for supporting the DHS spending package, which included approximately $10 billion in additional funding for ICE.
His apology came after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minnesota, an incident that further inflamed tensions over immigration enforcement tactics.
“I failed to view the DHS funding vote as a referendum on the illegal and immoral conduct of ICE in Minneapolis,” Suozzi acknowledged in a statement. “I hear the anger from my constituents, and I take responsibility for that. I have long been critical of ICE’s unlawful behavior and I must do a better job demonstrating that.”
The temple incident reflects the increasingly contentious nature of immigration politics in the United States. Immigration enforcement has become a lightning rod issue, with progressives calling for significant reforms or abolition of ICE, while conservatives generally support expanded enforcement operations.
The disruption also raises questions about appropriate venues for political protests, as the activists chose to stage their demonstration inside a Jewish house of worship. Neither Suozzi nor Climate Defiance immediately responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital regarding the incident.
As the 2026 election cycle approaches, immigration policy will likely remain a divisive issue, with Democratic lawmakers in moderate districts like Suozzi’s caught between progressive demands for immigration reform and conservative pressure for stricter enforcement measures.
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6 Comments
I appreciate the protesters’ desire to hold their elected representative accountable. However, the aggressive tactics seem counterproductive and may end up alienating more people than they convince. Thoughtful policy debates and grassroots organizing are likely more effective paths to change.
This protest seems rather extreme and counterproductive. While I understand the desire to hold politicians accountable, disrupting an event and using crude tactics is unlikely to win over hearts and minds. Perhaps a more constructive approach focused on policy debates and civic engagement would be more effective.
This situation highlights the polarization and tensions around immigration policy in the US. While I don’t condone the protesters’ methods, I can understand their passion on this issue. Thoughtful dialogue and compromise will be needed to address these challenges constructively.
This situation illustrates the deep divides and raw emotions around immigration in the US. While I don’t endorse the protesters’ methods, I recognize the importance of this issue. I hope all sides can find ways to engage constructively and work towards solutions, rather than resorting to confrontation.
The protesters seem to be taking an absolutist stance, with no room for nuance or compromise. Real progress on complex issues like immigration often requires incremental steps and finding common ground, not just confrontation. I hope both sides can engage more productively going forward.
I’m curious to learn more about the specifics of the congressman’s vote on ICE funding. Was it a complex issue with nuance, or a clear-cut decision? Understanding the context would help evaluate the protesters’ claims of ‘blood on his hands’.