Protesters storm Trump Tower denouncing Palestinian activist's arrest; 100 held
What's the story
As many as 100 people have been arrested after they stormed the Trump Tower in Manhattan on Thursday to protest the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist.
The demonstration was organized by rights organization, Jewish Voice for Peace.
Khalil was detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) following his involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University and due to the revocation of his green card by the Trump administration.
Protest details
Protesters demand Khalil's release
The protest started around noon as dozens of protesters, wearing red shirts with slogans like "Not in our Name" and "Jews Say Stop Arming Israel," assembled at the Tower's famous golden atrium.
They chanted "Free Mahmoud Khalil" and carried banners reading "Never Again for Anyone," "Jews Say Do Not Comply," and "Come For One, Face Us All."
Arrests made
Police response and arrests
New York Police Department (NYPD) said 98 people were arrested in the protest.
Fifty were escorted out of the lobby in zip ties and put into waiting police vehicles.
NYPD said there were no injuries or damage to property in the incident, which one of its organizers live-streamed from a balcony overlooking Trump Tower's atrium.
Controversy arises
Khalil's detention sparks controversy
Khalil was arrested from his New York home after the Trump administration revoked his green card.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that those supporting terrorism aren't welcome in the US as their presence goes against the interests of national and foreign policy.
It also comes after Columbia University expelled, suspended or temporarily revoked the degrees of students who had barricaded themselves in Hamilton Hall in April 2024.
Lawsuit filed
Legal actions and implications
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Khalil and seven other students against Columbia University and Barnard College.
It alleged that they had agreed to release thousands of private student records to the House Education and Workforce Committee under threat of losing federal funding.
Khalil's attorney alleged the US government retaliated against him for defending Palestinians's rights.