An 18-year-old student was arrested Friday in Kannapolis, North Carolina, after allegedly throwing a drink at a police officer during a walkout demonstration involving students from A.L. Brown High School.

The incident occurred around noon as approximately 75 students protested recent ICE activity in nearby Charlotte.

Police identified the student as Emily Cervantes Ramos. Video of the event showed Ramos approaching a Kannapolis Police Department officer from behind and striking him on the head with a large fountain drink.

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Moments later, the officer chased her, brought her to the ground, and placed her in handcuffs.

Kannapolis Communications Director Annette Keller told the Salisbury Post that students had gathered downtown, about 30 minutes from Charlotte, and that officers were sent to “ensure everyone’s safety.”

Keller said most of the students protested peacefully until the altercation occurred.

Footage posted online showed a male officer standing on the sidewalk as several people yelled at him.

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Individuals in the crowd shouted obscenities at the officer before Ramos threw the drink.

The officer immediately ran after her as other students screamed and followed across the street. Video then showed the officer handcuffing Ramos as additional officers arrived.

Some people in the crowd continued yelling at the officers during the arrest.

One person recorded shouting comments at the officer as he attempted to restrain Ramos, who appeared to be struggling on the pavement.

Others in the group said she “didn’t even do nothing.”

A man nearby yelled for the officer to “fix her arms” as she was led away.

Emily Cervantes Ramos (18) decided it was a good idea to throw a drink at a Kannapolis, NC police officer during an “anti ICE” (i.e. pro illegal invader) protest.

The last time I was in Kannapolis was probably in the early 2000s and it was a very nice town; sad to see what it… pic.twitter.com/041lbj0pA0

— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) November 22, 2025

Ramos was charged with assault on a government official and two counts of resisting public officers.

She was later released.

A GoFundMe page was created afterward to assist her family, but the fundraiser was later removed.

A description shared online claimed the confrontation began “when an officer intervened aggressively, snatching a bullhorn from a young girl and dragging her to the ground.”

The post stated the event was “distressing” and described Ramos as “peacefully exercising” her rights.

No other arrests were made during the protest, though Keller said three driving citations were issued.

Authorities reported no injuries, weapons, or property damage connected to the demonstration.

Kannapolis Police Chief Kerry Spry said the department supports free expression but will respond when laws are broken.

“We believe in every individual’s first amendment rights but if any person’s actions become illegal in situations such as these, we have no choice but to take appropriate action in order to protect the people and property of our city,” Spry told the Salisbury Post.

The incident occurred during a period of heightened immigration enforcement in the region.

More than 250 illegal aliens have been arrested in Charlotte as part of a federal operation, and local school officials reported 30,000 student absences in response to the increased law enforcement presence.

DHS said migrants entered North Carolina because “sanctuary politicians would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets.”

ICE agents later appeared at a Home Depot parking lot in Charlotte, where protesters confronted officers and held signs with messages including “ICE out of Home Depot protect our communities.”

Former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts was among those holding signs that read “We stand with migrants.”

Current Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles posted a statement on X addressing the influx of federal agents.

“First and foremost, the rights and constitutional protections of every person in Charlotte—regardless of immigration status—must be upheld,” Lyles wrote.

She said she was “deeply concerned” by several videos and urged agencies to conduct their work “with respect for those values.”

Internal DHS documents obtained by CBS News stated that President Trump’s administration plans to deploy additional Border Patrol agents and armored vehicles to Louisiana following their current operations in Charlotte.

After completing work in North Carolina, agents will shift to New Orleans to participate in a second task force named Catahoula Crunch. Both task force names reference the children’s novel and Louisiana’s official state dog, according to the documents.

As border patrol wraps up immigration enforcement efforts in Charlotte- New Orleans is next up on their target list. We spoke to the police chief of Kenner, a suburb in New Orleans, and he is taking a much different approach and welcoming federal partners. pic.twitter.com/OxPC1nGOoi

— Brooke Taylor (@Brooketaylortv) November 20, 2025

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