New York police arrested 98 protesters from a demonstration at Trump Tower in solidarity with Palestinian student Mahmoud Khalil. The protest was organized in response to Khalil’s recent detention.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, was a key negotiator representing pro-Palestinian students in discussions with the university administration. He was arrested on March 8 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and transferred to Louisiana.
The Protest at Trump Tower
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), the demonstration began at 11:30 AM on Thursday. Around 150 protesters entered the Trump Tower lobby, removed their outerwear, and revealed red T-shirts with pro-Palestinian messages. They sat on the floor, chanting “Free Mahmoud.”
NYPD Chief John Chell stated that officers responded within ten minutes and began arrests within 40-50 minutes. A total of 98 individuals were detained for trespassing and obstructing official duties.
Notable Participants & Reactions
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), one of the protest organizers, reported that actress Debra Winger participated in the demonstration. JVP’s Tal Frieden accused former President Donald Trump of attacking free speech using false claims of antisemitism.
Actor Morgan Spector emphasized the importance of standing for constitutional rights, while protester Josh Dubnow stated that he would not be intimidated into giving up his First Amendment rights.
Legal Developments on Khalil’s Case
Following Khalil’s arrest, U.S. authorities initially decided to deport him. However, a federal judge issued a temporary stay on the decision. Khalil’s lawyers have filed a petition requesting his transfer back to New York so he can be near his wife, who is eight months pregnant.