Protesters Disrupt Traffic Outside ICE Building In Center City

By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS)– Protestors blocked the driveway of the federal immigration office in Center City, Wednesday afternoon, expecting to be arrested.

But the protest ended without incident after federal and Philadelphia authorities found a way around it.

The protest outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office at 16^th and Callowhill swung from religious overtones to fiesta ambiance, as activists protested the deportation of illegal immigrants by attempting to block the path of the van that takes deportees to holding.

Homeland Security Commander Stephen Bekesy explained they were also blocking employees who simply wanted to go home at the end of the day, but two of the protestors said they were willing to get arrested rather than move.

Bekesy did avoid problems. With the help of Philadelphia Police, he cleared a path around the protestors for cars. Organizers say they made their point.