On the sixth night of Passover, hundreds, of all ages, gathered in Union Square not just to celebrate, but to demand change.

What You Need To Know

Their demand is to pass the “New York for All Act,” which would limit how much state and local agencies cooperate with federal immigration enforcement

Since January, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests in the city have surged, with the federal government ramping up enforcement in immigrant communities across all five boroughs

As where things stand, the proposal is not likely to pass, but the Legislature and governor are working on adding elements of it into state law

“We can’t really celebrate a holiday of liberation when so many of our neighbors are in captivity,” Sophie Ellman-Golan of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice said.

Their demand is to pass the” New York for All Act,” which would limit how much state and local agencies cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

Since January, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests in the city have surged, with the federal government ramping up enforcement in immigrant communities across all five boroughs.

“To be silent in this moment about these injustices and the suffering is so against the spirit of Passover,” Brooklyn resident Ilan Korman said.

And the common goal attracting many, no matter their religion.

“Although I’m not a Jewish person, I’m Catholic, but I think that the themes of freedom and liberation, both spiritual and moral, of so important,” Queens resident Robert McCarthy said.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined the gathering, just one of several elected officials there.

“Celebrating Passover together is also an opportunity for New Yorkers at large to celebrate the lesson that Passover leaves all of us across these five boroughs,” Mamdani said.

Protesters took to the streets after the rally. Some staged a sit-in at the nearby offices of Planatir, a data analytics firm that has contracts with immigration enforcement. Several were arrested.

While the “New York for All Act” has stalled in Albany for years, advocates say, this was about making clear the political cost of inaction.

As where things stand, the proposal is not likely to pass, but the Legislature and governor are working on adding elements of it into state law.