CAIR-NY Condemns ICE Assault on Journalist for Turkish News Agency
Injury comes as Israel murders freelance journalist in Gaza for another Turkish media outlet
(NEW YORK, NY, 10/1/25) — The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a reported attack by federal agents on journalists outside a New York City immigration court on Tuesday, sending one to the hospital.
L. Vural Elibol, a journalist with the Turkish Anadolu news agency, reportedly hit his head on the floor after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents pushed one journalist off a public elevator and shoved another journalist to the floor.
CAIR-NY’s condemnation came as Israel murdered freelance journalist Yahya Barzaq of Türkiye’s TRT World in an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza. Israel has assassinated hundreds of journalists in Gaza in an attempt to hide its genocidal action from the world.
In a statement, Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director said:
“We unequivocally condemn the violent actions of ICE agents who allegedly assaulted and injured a member of the press simply for doing his job. Journalists must be protected, not brutalized — especially by government officials sworn to uphold the law.
“We call for a full, transparent investigation into the actions of the ICE agents involved and demand accountability for the escalating threats against journalists — whether on the streets of New York or under bombardment in Gaza. Silence and impunity only invite more violence and censorship.”
She encouraged the public to report incidents of bias, profiling, or harassment using CAIR-NY’s incident report form at www.cair-ny.org/report-incident.
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT:
Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, CAIR-NY, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com;
CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com