New York (USA), 19 September (LaPresse/AP) – Several elected officials were arrested during a protest against conditions at an immigration detention centre in New York, where a federal judge this week extended an order requiring the government to improve the treatment of detainees. According to a coalition of politicians, activists and religious leaders involved in the protest, eleven officials were arrested while attempting to inspect detention rooms on the tenth floor of the government building at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan. The officials, including City Comptroller Brad Lander and several members of the state legislature, wanted to verify compliance with a preliminary injunction issued on Wednesday that requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to eliminate degrading conditions and overcrowding. Lander had previously been arrested in the same building after joining a person whom authorities were attempting to detain; he was released a few hours later. Other officials, a spokesperson for the protesters said, were arrested outside the building, including City Ombudsman Jumaane Williams. In total, more than 75 people were detained.