New York [US]: Police arrested nearly 100 people after a protest erupted at Trump Tower in Manhattan on Thursday, demanding the release of Palestinian activist and Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), CNN reported.
The demonstration, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, began shortly after noon. Protesters, wearing red shirts with slogans such as “Not in our Name” and “Jews Say Stop Arming Israel,” gathered in the Tower’s iconic golden lobby.
Chanting “Free Mahmoud Khalil,” the protesters displayed banners reading “Never Again for Anyone” and “Jews Say Do Not Comply,” CNN reported.
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), 98 people were arrested, including 50 who were led from the lobby in zip ties and placed into waiting police vehicles. Authorities confirmed there were no injuries or property damage.
A protest organizer live-streamed the event from a balcony overlooking the atrium. In the video, a woman referenced the upcoming Jewish holiday of Purim, comparing their actions to the courage of Esther, who spoke out against genocide.
“As Jews, we’re here today, mere hours before the holiday of Purim begins — a holiday where we honour Esther who used her voice to speak out and demand that the king not commit genocide,” the woman said. “Today, we are using her same courage to speak out.”
As police moved in to make arrests, protesters sat together, chanting slogans like “Free Palestine” and “the whole world is watching,” CNN reported.
The protest follows federal agents’ recent detention of Khalil, whose green card was revoked by the Trump administration.
Former US President Donald Trump welcomed Khalil’s arrest, declaring it the “first arrest of many to come.”
“Following my previously signed Executive Orders, ICE proudly apprehended and detained Mahmoud Khalil, a Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student on the campus of Columbia University. This is the first arrest of many to come,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He further stated that the Trump administration would track down and deport “terrorist sympathizers” from the US, warning that their presence was “contrary to our national and foreign policy interests.”
Khalil’s attorney has accused the US government of retaliating against her client for his pro-Palestinian stance, emphasizing that Khalil had been exercising his right to free speech.