Nearly 100 Arrested in Trump Tower Protest Demanding Release of Palestinian Activist
Nearly 100 people were arrested on Thursday after demonstrators gathered at Trump Tower in Manhattan to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.
Key Details of the Protest
- Organized by: Jewish Voice for Peace
- Location: Trump Tower’s golden atrium
- Main demands: Release of Mahmoud Khalil and an end to repression of Palestinian activists
- Slogans and banners:
- Protesters wore red shirts reading “Not in Our Name” and “Jews Say Stop Arming Israel”
- Chants of “Free Mahmoud Khalil”
- Banners with “Never Again for Anyone” and “Jews Say Do Not Comply”
- Arrests: NYPD detained 98 protesters, including 50 in zip ties; no injuries or property damage were reported.
A Jewish activist livestreamed from Trump Tower’s balcony, drawing a parallel between the protest and the Jewish holiday of Purim, citing the biblical Esther as an example of speaking out against oppression.
Khalil’s Detention and Political Repercussions
- Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by federal agents after his green card was revoked by the Trump administration.
- His detention is viewed as part of a broader effort to silence Palestinian activists using immigration laws.
- Trump, on Truth Social, reinforced this crackdown, stating:
“If you support terrorism… your presence is contrary to our national and foreign policy interests, and you are not welcome here.”
Legal Challenges and Resistance
- Khalil’s lawyers filed a habeas corpus petition arguing his detention is political retaliation.
- CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) has filed a federal lawsuit against Columbia University and Barnard College, accusing them of illegally sharing student records with the House Education and Workforce Committee under federal funding threats.
- Activists warn that this crackdown could expose students and protesters to harassment and violence.
Palestinian Solidarity Movement Gains Strength
- Khalil remains in ICE custody in Louisiana, but support for his release is growing.
- The protest at Trump Tower signals an increasing resistance to the Trump administration’s policies on Palestinian activism.
- Juliette Kayyem, CNN’s national security analyst, noted the event highlights opposition to Trump’s pro-Israel stance.
- Sonya Meyerson-Knox, Jewish Voice for Peace, stressed the historical importance of opposing authoritarian tactics:
“I have been taught what happens when authoritarian regimes start scapegoating people. If we don’t speak up today, we will not be able to speak up.”
The Trump Tower protest reflects growing resistance against the silencing of Palestinian voices in the U.S. While Khalil’s detention is a flashpoint, the movement for Palestinian rights and free speech continues to expand, challenging government policies and advocating for justice.
