(GLEN COVE, NEW YORK) Hundreds of residents filled the streets in June 2025 for a Glen Cove protest against recent ICE raids, rallying under the “No Kings” banner that has spread across Long Island and to cities nationwide. The demonstration followed the detention of four people near the Long Island Railroad station on June 11, an operation that community leaders said shook families across the city and sparked fear far beyond those directly affected.
Organizers said the crowd included immigrants, longtime Glen Cove homeowners, students, and faith leaders, all demanding an end to what they called heavy-handed tactics.
The rally atmosphere and community response
Speakers took turns addressing the crowd in English and Spanish, alternating between chants, drums, and quiet moments for personal stories.
Local groups, including Make the Road New York and the Central American Refugee Center (CARECEN), led a “Know Your Rights” workshop. People formed a tight circle, taking notes on what to do if officers knock on a door without a warrant. Volunteers handed out flyers with basic steps and phone numbers.
Parents pushed strollers while others carried homemade signs that read “No Kings” and “Families Belong Together,” underscoring a theme of community solidarity despite fear. Organizers described the day as part protest, part community event — informative but also celebratory.
Political responses and criticisms
Elected officials sharply criticized the raids and county cooperation with federal officers:
- Assembly Member Charles Lavine called the operation “an unjustified show of brute force,” drawing cheers.
- Nassau County Legislator Debra Mule said the actions lacked proper judicial warrants and amounted to “racial profiling.”
- U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a former Glen Cove mayor, said the fear sweeping neighborhoods was real: “innocent families should not be swept up in poorly coordinated raids.”
Advocates said those statements echoed immigrant complaints of feeling singled out based on appearance and language.
Local impact and personal stories
The arrests near the station on June 11 became a focal point, with residents describing a ripple effect:
- Some workers stayed home the following day.
- Students reported quieter classrooms and empty seats.
- A pastor said parishioners asked for help drafting guardianship plans for children.
One mother recounted that after her husband was questioned during an earlier stop on Long Island, she now avoids the park after school: “I don’t want my kids to see more officers and get scared. They think their dad will be taken again.”
Broader movement and messaging
Organizers said the Glen Cove protest was part of a larger pushback against President Trump’s stance on immigration enforcement, with “No Kings” rallies held across the region and beyond. The slogan, repeated throughout the afternoon, was intended to express that no leader should be above the law or treat communities as targets.
Despite heavy emotion, the event also had a block-party feel — music and food stands lined the route. Advocates said that mix was deliberate: a way to inform and protect people while showing that fear would not silence them.
Demographics and community concerns
Local context fed the urgency. Glen Cove’s population is diverse, with about 34% of residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino. Residents said that makes trust between police and immigrant families especially vital when people need help.
Advocates noted secondary harms, for example:
- Victims of domestic violence and wage theft avoiding contact with authorities.
- A youth mentor saying a teenager skipped a meeting out of fear the building would be watched: “He’s a kid who needs help, and he stayed home. That’s the cost.”
Calls for limits on local cooperation
Officials at the rally urged limits on local cooperation with federal immigration operations, pressing for:
- Clear rules on when county officers can share information or assist with arrests.
- Transparency about officers appearing at homes without judicial warrants.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, debates over local-federal cooperation have flared on Long Island during periods of heightened enforcement and tend to surge after visible actions like the June 11 detentions.
Enforcement rationale and community pushback
Federal officials say removal operations focus on people with criminal records and recent border crossers. Community members countered that families and long-settled neighbors get swept up, too.
This tension between enforcement goals and outcomes often plays out in commuter towns like Glen Cove, where train stations and busy avenues bring a daily mix of workers. For many near the station, the June 11 operation made immigration feel immediate and personal.
Practical advice given at the rally
Organizers and attorneys encouraged practical steps:
- Document enforcement activity safely (times, locations, descriptions).
- Call hotlines and share information with trusted groups.
- If officers arrive at a home, ask them to slip paperwork through the door.
- Check whether a warrant is signed by a judge, not just an agency.
- Exercise the right to remain silent and ask to speak with a lawyer.
Immigrant rights attorneys emphasized that local arrests can begin with simple stops that escalate. They urged families to plan in advance — children should know who to call and where to go if a parent is detained. Several clinics offered short consultations, and the “Know Your Rights” circle ran longer as attendees pressed for exact phrasing to use in encounters with officers.
“Remain silent. Ask for a lawyer. Check for a judge-signed warrant.”
These were repeated slowly so people could practice the words.
Demands for transparency and accountability
Advocates pushed for greater transparency about:
- Where enforcement operations occur.
- Whether local departments are involved.
- Publishing any agreements between county and federal agencies.
- Reporting the number of requests for assistance in real time.
They argued that timely data could reduce rumors and help families plan. Supporters of the No Kings movement vowed to continue gatherings until clarity improves and raids end.
National context and local consequences
The Glen Cove protest tied into a national debate over executive power and immigration policy. Critics said President Trump’s approach blurred lines between federal authority and community safety; supporters argued the law must be applied consistently.
On this summer day, the focus remained on lived experience: people skipping shifts, children sleeping in clothes “just in case,” and neighbors staying vigilant into the early morning.
Closing scene and resources
As dusk fell, volunteers packed signs and families moved toward the station, where the June 11 arrests still felt fresh. Organizers vowed to return, pointing to similar events from the Rockaways to Riverhead.
For official information about immigration enforcement, they pointed to the federal overview maintained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, available through ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.
They left with a street-level message: stay informed, stay calm, and stay together — because the next call or knock could come without warning.
Ongoing changes to daily life
Practical changes are visible across Glen Cove:
- Parents share pickup chores and keep backup contact lists on the fridge.
- Shop owners report closing earlier.
- “No Kings” signs have moved from poster boards into apartment windows, visible every time a train pulls in.
Whether ICE raids continue at the same pace remains to be seen. For those who marched, one thing felt certain: the echo of voices chanting “Glen Cove protest” and “No Kings” would carry beyond the week — a reminder that fear travels quickly, but so does resolve.
This Article in a Nutshell
In June 2025 hundreds protested in Glen Cove after four detentions near the LIRR station on June 11. The bilingual event, under the “No Kings” slogan, mixed chants, personal stories, and “Know Your Rights” workshops run by Make the Road NY and CARECEN. Local leaders and elected officials criticized the raids and called for limits on county cooperation with federal enforcement. Residents described immediate impacts—missed work, quieter schools and heightened fear—and organizers demanded transparency, legal safeguards, and continued community action.
