Political leaders in Maryland are pushing for investigations into the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers after a tense confrontation with protesters in Frederick, a city about 50 miles northwest of Baltimore. The incidents took place during a federal operation over Labor Day weekend, when ICE officers arrived in multiple vehicles and were seen on video footage using batons on members of the public and driving their cars onto the sidewalk toward people. Protesters had formed a human chain across the road to block ICE agents from entering a residential home, but the officers entered the building and left without making any arrests. The protests began when federal officers arrived on Thursday, prompting local activists who monitor neighborhoods and alert residents when ICE vehicles are spotted. The situation quickly grew as more people joined the demonstration. Cesar Diaz, president of the Frederick city council, rushed to the scene after hearing about the confrontation and had to move out of the way to avoid being hit by an ICE vehicle. He said his colleague, Katie Nash, vice-president of the council, had to do the same. Diaz estimated that around 200 protesters gathered, carrying signs and singing. Initially, four or five ICE vehicles were in the area, but the number grew to eight or nine by Thursday evening. Some residents reported feeling unsafe and worried about their children walking home from school. Protesters can be heard on video footage chanting “Go home,” “Leave Frederick,” and “Leave Maryland” at the gathered federal personnel. According to local media, ICE stated they were in the area to arrest a man during a vehicle stop on Thursday morning, but the man fled the scene. More ICE officers arrived, and tensions escalated. In the evening, ICE officers confronted protesters by driving their vehicles toward them, as seen in bystander footage. Videos shared by the Hagerstown Rapid Response activist group also showed officers approaching a home. Protesters tried to stop them by creating a human chain, and violence erupted. Officers in tactical vests can be seen raising batons and hitting at least one protester, while others were dragged and shoved. Cesar Diaz said the level of violence went beyond what the situation called for, adding that at least two people had to go to the hospital due to injuries. He called for an investigation, as did Congresswoman April McClain Delaney, whose district includes Frederick. Delaney called the incidents deeply concerning, stating that no family should be afraid to leave their home or feel unsafe in their neighborhood. She expressed concern over reports of ICE agents using force against Frederick residents and called for immediate answers and a full, transparent investigation. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the parent agency of ICE, did not respond to a request for comment from the Guardian. In an earlier statement to local network WBAL-TV, the agency declined to comment “for operation security” and “the safety” of their personnel, stating that “criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the US.” Frederick authorities said they were not aware of any ICE or local arrests. Frederick police said personnel were dispatched to try to de-escalate the situation. Police chief Kevin Meyer said his officers asked ICE whether they had an arrest warrant but that federal officers refused to discuss it. Soolah Kemp, a member of Hagerstown Rapid Response, said she was recording video when an ICE car drove in her direction. She said she heard the siren, turned, and the vehicle sped up, forcing her to jump out of the way. She said the vehicle had enough room on the street to avoid the incident and has filed a report with the state attorney general’s office. US senator Chris Van Hollen has demanded an immediate investigation into the events and said that “Trump’s ICE operations are not about making our country safer, they are about creating chaos and instilling fear in our communities.” Tatiana Santos, of the activist network Indivisible Frederick Forward, said that the ICE conduct she witnessed was “unconscionable.” She said the protesters were peaceful in their defense of immigrant neighbors, simply standing and chanting things like “We shall not be moved.” She has asked Maryland governor Wes Moore to speak out and called for him to conduct an investigation. Moore’s office said in a statement that the governor was working with local leaders to “address what happened and make sure that there is real accountability.”