A large group of pro-Palestinian protesters flooded Trump Tower in New York City on Thursday, demanding the release of detained activist Mahmoud Khalil. The demonstration, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, saw at least 100 protesters occupy the building’s dining area, chanting and holding signs in support of Khalil, a former Columbia University student who was arrested last weekend during another protest.
NYPD officers moved in swiftly, arresting multiple demonstrators after they refused to leave the premises. Authorities report that most of those detained are facing misdemeanor trespassing charges. Protesters claim that Khalil was unfairly targeted for his political views and insist that he should be released immediately.
President Donald Trump addressed the protest during a rally in Pennsylvania, calling Khalil a “terrorist sympathizer” and insisting that he should be deported for his alleged pro-Hamas activities. Trump further stated that his administration would take a zero-tolerance approach to “anti-American protests” and reiterated his commitment to cracking down on what he described as “radical student activism” on university campuses.
The protest at Trump Tower is the latest in a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the country, as tensions over the Israel-Gaza conflict continue to rise. Activists argue that freedom of speech is under attack, while Trump and his supporters maintain that expressions of support for Hamas cross the line into endorsing terrorism.
Jewish Voice for Peace, the group behind the demonstration, has denounced Trump’s comments, saying that their protest was peaceful and focused on human rights. The group has called on Columbia University and other academic institutions to defend students’ right to protest without fear of retaliation.
Security has been heightened at Trump Tower following the protest, with law enforcement closely monitoring potential further demonstrations. Meanwhile, Khalil’s legal team is preparing to challenge his detention, arguing that his arrest was politically motivated.
Sources:
- [NYPD arrests multiple protesters at Trump Tower demonstration]
- [Trump calls arrested activist “terrorist sympathizer” at Pennsylvania rally]
- [Jewish Voice for Peace responds to Trump’s statements]
- [Columbia University students react to Khalil’s detention]
