By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/ Producer
MANHATTAN — City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez was among 16 people arrested for disorderly conduct Monday while protesting Arizona’s new immigration law today in lower Manhattan.
Rodriguez, who represents Washington Heights and Inwood, was one of seven men and six women arrested outside of 26 Federal Plaza Monday afternoon.
The group linked arms and blocked traffic in a display of solidarity against Arizona's controversial new law, which compels police officers to find out the citizenship status of people they suspect of being illegal immigrants.
A MyFox video shows Rodriguez and the others being led to a police van after their arrest. City Council members Jumani Williams (D-Brooklyn) was also arrested along with members of the clergy and local community leaders.
The rally was intended to send a message to President Barack Obama and Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform, NY1 reported.
“We believe this struggle is a struggle of everyone,” Rodriguez said on NY1 before his arrest.
“We are here to participate in the civil disobedience. This is only the beginning. From this day on, every Monday there's going to be another elected official and religious leaders participating in civil disobedience.”
