Anti-ICE Agitator Gets Pummeled by Police During Bridge-Blocking ‘Protest’ [WATCH]

A group of anti-ICE protesters who crossed from Ohio into Covington, Kentucky, were arrested Thursday evening after blocking traffic on the Roebling Suspension Bridge and refusing police orders to move.

The Covington Police Department confirmed that 13 individuals were taken into custody and now face a range of charges, including felony rioting.

According to a statement from Covington police, the protest initially began in Ohio and made its way across the Ohio River into Kentucky via the Roebling Bridge. Police said the demonstration “obstructed traffic and created safety concerns for both demonstrators and the public.”

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation by instructing protesters to leave the roadway and move to the sidewalk.

However, authorities say the crowd responded with “open hostility and threatening behavior.”

As tensions escalated, officers physically detained several demonstrators.

Video circulating online shows a man and a woman being taken to the ground by police, with the male subject being struck multiple times during the arrest.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

The footage also appears to show a vehicle being blocked by protesters on the bridge prior to the arrests.

Officers clashed with and arrested anti-ICE protesters on a bridge located on the state line between Ohio and Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/UFaPhYOuwZ

— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) July 19, 2025

Covington Police Chief Brian Valenti addressed the incident during a media briefing. He defended the officers’ use of force, stating that the man involved had struck an officer’s pepper ball gun and was actively resisting arrest by holding onto the bridge railing.

“They were told, several times, to get off the road,” Valenti said.

“The situation on the bridge was dangerous, and our response prioritized the safety of everyone involved.”

Chief Valenti added that the department would be reviewing additional video of the incident to determine if further action or clarification is needed.

The 13 protesters arrested were charged with various offenses, including rioting, unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct, and other misdemeanors.

While most charges were minor, rioting is classified as a felony in Kentucky and carries potential penalties of up to five years in prison if convicted.

The response by Covington police stood in contrast to how similar demonstrations have been handled in other cities, particularly in more liberal jurisdictions.

“So, it’s a very dangerous, precarious situation.”

Covington police are defending their use of force against protesters on the Roebling Bridge, releasing footage of the incident at a press conference on Friday: https://t.co/2IoyWTIKtI pic.twitter.com/epEUlPwQnB

— Local 12/WKRC-TV (@Local12) July 19, 2025

In past years, anti-ICE protests in cities like Portland, Oregon, often saw minimal enforcement or prosecution.

In one instance, a Portland resident even filed a lawsuit against the city in an effort to enforce local noise ordinances that were being routinely violated during ongoing demonstrations.

Kentucky’s approach may signal a more aggressive stance toward protest-related disruptions, especially those involving public infrastructure and potential safety hazards.

The Roebling Bridge, which connects downtown Cincinnati to Covington, is a key transit route over the Ohio River and was fully shut down during the incident.

Authorities have not yet released the names of those arrested, and it remains unclear if any of the individuals will face federal charges.

The Covington Police Department stated that the case remains under active review.

The department is expected to release further details after completing the review of body camera and other surveillance footage from the bridge.