...
By Marni Rose McFall
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a boy who was part of a group of high school students engaging in a walkout in protest of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Michael Brown, 54, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was arrested for child abuse. A boy has also been cited for assault in connection with the incident.
Why It Matters
Clashes between anti-ICE protesters and the public have increased in recent weeks, as students have held walkouts in states across the country to protest immigration enforcement. Earlier this month, a Texas man wearing a MAGA hat attacked a female student during a walkout.
Read More on News
...
These protests come amid growing tensions over the White House’s immigration crackdown. There have been concerns about this since President Donald Trump began his second term in office—hard-line immigration policies were a key part of his 2024 bid for reelection. As officers carry out the administration's policies, concerns have been raised about ICE, and its conduct.
In 2025, ICE saw its deadliest year in two decades, with 32 people dying in custody. Broader concerns have been raised over conduct, including arrests without due process, arrests of children and racial profiling.
Protests and tensions further intensified following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January. Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot by ICE, and Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot by Border Patrol.
What To Know
Around 150 students were part of a walkout from school on Monday, February 16. As the students walked down a street, Brown, who was driving a vehicle, began to yell pro-ICE comments at the group.
One of the teens then threw a water bottle at Brown, which, according to local news reports, hit him in the face while he was still driving.
A police statement on the incident read in part, “During the investigation, it was found that Michael physically assaulted one of the juveniles to the point of causing injury.”
A report from local ABC affiliate NTV, which cited Grand Island Police Division Chief Dean Elliott, said that Brown got out of his vehicle, chased the person he believed threw the water bottle and hit him.
Elliott told NTV that witnesses had said Brown got out of his vehicle and went after a girl who he believed had thrown the water bottle.
Students then began attacking Brown, with video footage showing him on the floor. He then gets up and blood is visible on his mouth, before continuing to point and yell at the students.
A teacher from a nearby school, West Lawn Elementary, got involved and broke up the fight. The march then continued.
What People Are Saying
Grand Island Police, in a statement, said: “During the investigation it was found that Michael Brown exited his personal vehicle and approached a group of kids protesting on the sidewalk. During the investigation it was found that Michael physically assaulted one of the juveniles to the point of causing injury. Michael was arrested for felony child abuse.”
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines