New York City, New York – A chaotic scene unfolded outside a Midtown hotel as a group of rowdy migrants engaged in a violent brawl, brandishing sticks, belts, and even traffic cones, according to shocking new video footage. The incident, which took place on Eighth Avenue, captured at least a dozen asylum seekers involved in the broad-daylight melee. One migrant was seen wielding a bat aggressively before being taken down and beaten by four others, as shown in the footage.
The video also revealed two men wearing bicycle helmets as the confrontation escalated in the middle of the street, with passing motorists witnessing the altercation. At one point, a migrant struck another on the head, causing his helmet to fall off before fleeing the scene across Eighth Avenue.
The motive behind the brawl remains unclear, with the NYPD yet to provide a comment on the incident. The Row hotel, where the altercation occurred, is among the many hotels and shelters repurposed to accommodate the influx of asylum seekers arriving in the city from the US-Mexico border.
Since the surge began in the spring of 2022, over 190,000 migrants have arrived in New York City, with more than 64,000 currently housed in various shelters across the city. This recent incident adds to a series of violent outbursts in migrant hotspots, including clashes between illegal vendors in Jackson Heights and a fatal stabbing at a tent city on Randall’s Island earlier this year.
In response to escalating tensions, Mayor Eric Adams has implemented curfews at several migrant housing sites to maintain order and safety. As the city continues to grapple with the challenges posed by the ongoing migrant crisis, authorities are working to address the underlying issues contributing to these incidents and ensure the well-being of both migrants and local residents.