Sunset Park Councilman Arrested At Trump Tower

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — Sunset Park Councilman Carlos Menchaca was arrested outside Trump Tower on Friday after refusing to move from the middle of Fifth Avenue, NY1 reported, an act of civil disobedience Menchaca said in a statement was, "the start of my daily resistance to the Trump administration's abhorrent intentions."

"We must stay unified, speak the truth, and take every opportunity to uphold American values including peaceful protest," Menchaca said. "In the coming days there will be many marches and rallies. If you can participate, I applaud you. If you can't, then find your own ways to get informed and to take positive actions for yourself, your community, and your nation."

Menchaca was one of two council members arrested at the event, according to NY1, the other being Flatbush Councilman Jumaane Williams.

"Today we showed the best of America," Williams said in a statement. "For the past two years we've been bombarded by divisive messages that were unfortunately embraced by so many, and the resulting election showed us the worst of America."

"I am a believer in nonviolent resistance, but we have to disrupt a structure that is unjust," he continued. "We must resist from day one. We're fighting for everyone, even those who don't understand what they've done by voting for Trump. We are going to continue moving forward because we know we are on the right side of history."

The council members also highlighted a list of specific objection's to Trump's actions and priorities, including his cabinet nominees, his pledged to void the Affordable Care Act, his approach to immigration, his calls for a ban on Muslim immigration into the United States, his support for a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, and his support for the tactic known as "stop and frisk."

Top image: Carlos Menchaca and Jumaane Williams, center. Photo by Keith Dawson, NYC Council.