What was meant to be a demonstration of support quickly turned into a chaotic scene.
Protesters rallied on the Roebling Bridge—linking Ohio and Kentucky—demanding the release of former hospital chaplain Ayman Soliman, who is currently being detained by ICE.
But by the end of the day, more than a dozen people were arrested, a police officer was pulled from duty, and serious questions were raised about how things escalated.
Demonstrators Block Traffic in Solidarity With Detained Chaplain
The protest unfolded on Thursday as around 100 people walked onto the bridge from the Ohio side, effectively blocking traffic.
Their message was clear: they wanted justice and freedom for Soliman, a 51-year-old Egyptian immigrant and former chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Soliman, according to his legal team, had previously been granted asylum in 2018 after enduring persecution and torture in Egypt due to his work as a journalist during the Arab Spring.
His arrest came unexpectedly during what was supposed to be a routine check-in with ICE officials in Cincinnati.
Police Respond With Force as Clashes Break Out
Things turned tense when the group encountered nearly 50 officers from Covington, Kentucky.
That’s when clashes erupted. One particularly disturbing moment was caught on camera—an officer repeatedly punched protester Brandon Hill as police tackled him to the ground.
Police say Hill tried to grab a pepper ball gun from one of the officers.
But Hill has a different version of events. “It was all very traumatic,” he told local news station WCPO. “There was a gun pointed at me and I just didn’t want to get shot.”
Officer Removed From Duty as Brutality Allegations Surface
Following the incident, Covington Police put the officer involved on administrative leave with pay, pending an internal investigation.
Bodycam footage showed the officer chasing Hill along the bridge sidewalk, eventually pinning him near the edge.
On other officers’ body cameras, Hill can be heard yelling “ow” and “stop” while being struck in the head.
In the official use-of-force report, the officer claimed Hill was resisting arrest and hiding his hands.
Fearing Hill might have been reaching for a weapon—and concerned about the growing crowd—the officer said he delivered several closed-fist strikes.
Protest Footage Shows Tensions Rising on All Sides
Separate footage from the bridge showed demonstrators in bright vests physically pushing back against a black SUV, highlighting just how tense the situation became.
The chaos led to 15 arrests, including two journalists who were covering the event.
According to Covington police, the journalists and others were arrested after failing to follow orders to disperse.
Officers also claimed that when they first approached the protest organizers, they were met with hostility and threats.
Police Defend Their Actions, Say Protest Became Dangerous
The Covington Police Department later released a statement acknowledging the public’s right to peaceful protest.
But they emphasized that blocking key infrastructure—like a major interstate bridge—and threatening officers posed serious risks to public safety.
Among the charges filed were rioting, failure to disperse, obstruction of emergency services, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct.
For those arrested, a judge set bond at $2,500 each.
Journalists Among Those Detained and Facing Charges
CityBeat editor-in-chief Ashley Moor confirmed that reporter Madeline Fening and photo intern Lucas Griffith were among those arrested.
Both now face felony rioting charges, among others.
Their arrest has raised new concerns about press freedom and the potential criminalization of journalists simply doing their jobs at protest scenes.
Who Is Ayman Soliman and Why Are People Protesting?
At the center of it all is Ayman Soliman.
Before his detention, he had been working as a hospital chaplain, providing support to children and families.
His past as a journalist in Egypt—where he reportedly endured imprisonment and torture for his reporting—was the basis for his successful asylum claim in the U.S.
His unexpected detention has sparked outrage, particularly among those who see it as part of a broader pattern of targeting immigrants who have already been through trauma and have contributed meaningfully to their communities.
A Protest That Left More Questions Than Answers
What began as a show of solidarity ended with injuries, arrests, and ongoing investigations into police conduct.
While the case of Ayman Soliman remains unresolved, the fallout from the bridge protest is now under national scrutiny—with activists, civil rights groups, and media advocates all closely watching what happens next.