Faith leaders and elected officials took part in a rally Wednesday to raise awareness about the urgency of immigration reform.

It came less than a week after 18 people were arrested, including City Council members Jumaane Williams and Ydanis Rodriguez, during a contentious clash with police.

They were protesting the arrest of immigration activist Ravi Ragbir.

Advocates say police used excessive force.

Protesters want to know why both federal officers and the NYPD were called in to deal with the protest.

"We're going to be explaining with more details what happened on Thursday when we were arrested, but also, we're going to be highlighting that this movement is beyond some Council members and 20 individuals being arrested. This movement is about redefining America," Rodriguez said.

"I think the relationship between the federal protective services and the New York City Police Department, where the NYPD is functionally assisting in deportations in a sanctuary city, I think that needs to be examined and I think that needs to be stopped," said civil rights attorney Ron Kuby.

Ragbir was taken into custody for deportation proceedings during a routine check-in with ICE. 

He was taken to a facility in Miami, but a federal judge ordered he be returned to New York while his case is pending.