ISTANBUL

Several people were taken into custody after clashes between protesters and New York City police officers on Saturday.

The demonstrators were protesting outside Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan against the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ramping up arrests of immigrants in the city and across the country.

The scene became tense as officers handcuffed several protesters. Eyewitnesses recounted events where one protester was being pulled by one officer in one direction and the protesters in another direction. At least one person was placed in an ambulance as a result of the clashes.

The protesters chanted "let them go" and booed officers as they took several people into custody.

"My understanding is that ICE has been detaining people in the courts at this building, and they've been keeping them in the building," one protester told CBS news.

"I personally don't like that they're detaining people in the courts ... So we're, I think, want to make it as hard as possible for them."

Some of those who were taken into custody were issued summonses. Police have not said exactly how many people were arrested.