A viral video capturing anti-ICE protesters chasing and harassing two young women in Phoenix has become the latest flashpoint in the growing conflict over immigration enforcement in Arizona. The most aggressive individual seen in the footage has been identified as Mark Holodnak, a member of the Legislative District 12 Democrats executive board and a local real estate agent who has hosted fundraising events for Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. Because apparently activism now includes yelling at teenage girls for taking selfies.
The incident happened after federal agents completed enforcement actions tied to a broader criminal investigation involving several Zipps locations across the Phoenix metro area. As agents wrapped up their work, a group of demonstrators targeted individuals they believed were supportive of ICE, escalating from loud political posturing to direct harassment of private citizens who had nothing to do with the operation.
Video of the confrontation shows protesters shouting profanities and accusations at the two girls, who appeared visibly shaken as the situation continued. Eventually, the women managed to escape by slipping into a restaurant through a back alley. Brave activists versus two girls with a phone camera—quite the show of moral courage.
One of the protesters told RedState that her goal was to coordinate with Puente AZ, an immigrant rights organization with a presence in Phoenix and across the country. Phoenix has seen a rise in protest activity tied to ICE operations over the past two weeks, reflecting a broader national trend. While Arizona demonstrations have mostly stayed contained, tensions have grown as activists increasingly try to track, disrupt, and confront federal agents during and after enforcement actions. The Zipps operation marked one of the most visible ICE-related activities in the Valley this year and quickly drew organized protest responses.
Critics say rhetoric from elected officials has fueled the volatility. Attorney General Kris Mayes has drawn backlash for public comments suggesting that residents might invoke self-defense laws in encounters involving federal immigration agents under certain circumstances. Opponents argue that such statements undermine federal authority and risk encouraging dangerous misunderstandings during enforcement operations. When leaders blur the lines, chaos tends to step right in.
Elsewhere, protests against ICE in Minnesota have intensified after fatal encounters involving federal agents, leading to mass demonstrations and clashes with law enforcement. Federal officials have warned that activist efforts to identify and follow agents increase the chances of violent outcomes. Turns out, stalking law enforcement officers doesn’t usually end in peace and harmony.
Mayes’ office, already under fire after a senior staffer resigned over remarks seen as anti-police, is now facing renewed scrutiny as questions grow about its connections to activist networks accused of tracking ICE and harassing civilians. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office has declined to comment so far.
What’s clear is this: shouting down private citizens and chasing young women through city streets isn’t “resistance,” it’s intimidation. Federal agents were doing their jobs, and civilians were minding their own business. The bright spot is that the truth is now on video for everyone to see, and accountability has a funny way of showing up when the cameras are rolling. Law, order, and common sense still matter—and that’s a good thing for Arizona and the country.
