Five people were arrested during an anti-ICE protest in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Saturday. The arrests occurred during a protest along the 2700 block of Atlantic Avenue around 11 a.m. on Sept. 12. The organizers of the protest, El Pueblo Unido of Atlantic City, describe themselves as a nonpr ofit community-based organization that aims to empower the Latino immigrant community. In a Facebook post, organizers said they were protesting against “the kidnappings of our community” and the collaboration between Atlantic City Police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Atlantic City Police said the demonstration began peacefully until an altercation occurred within the crowd. Police said officers exited the Public Safety Building to respond to the incident when they were met by several protesters who had moved into the street as well as another protester who they said was occupying a designated access area that had been left open to allow for safe access to and from the building. Police said the protesters refused to comply when they told them to clear the access point and street. They then arrested five people in connection to the incidents while a person who suffered minor injuries during the initial fight in the crowd was issued a summons, according to investigators. Diana Chaparro, 50, of Hammonton, New Jersey, was charged with simple assault, Jose Salazar, 18, of Princeton, New Jersey, was charged with simple assault and illegal possession of a chemical device (pepper spray), Cristian Moreno-Rodriguez, 31, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, was charged with obstruction of justice, Keli Smith, 41, of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, was charged with obstruction of justice and resisting arrest, Anthony Diaz, 30, of Newark, New Jersey, was charged with obstruction of justice and Devon Barber, 28, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, was charged with simple assault. “The constitutional right to peacefully protest is fundamental and is respected by the Atlantic City Police Department,” Atlantic City Police Chief James Sarkos said. “That right, however, does not extend to physically obstructing access to a public safety facility, preventing police officers from safely entering or exiting the building, or interfering with the public’s ability to obtain police services.” The protesters posted videos of the arrests on social media. NBC10 reached out to El Pueblo Unido of Atlantic City for comment. We will include their response once we receive a statement. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less