Nearly 100 people were arrested on Thursday after protesters gathered at Trump Tower in Manhattan to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for his involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University.
The rally, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, saw demonstrators occupying the iconic golden atrium of Trump Tower, calling for an end to the unjust treatment of Khalil and other activists who stand in solidarity with Palestine.
The protest began around noon, with participants donning red shirts emblazoned with slogans like “Not in our Name” and “Jews Say Stop Arming Israel.” They chanted “Free Mahmoud Khalil” and unfurled banners reading “Never Again for Anyone” and “Jews Say Do Not Comply,” expressing their opposition to US policies that target Palestinian voices and activists. As the New York Police Department (NYPD) moved in, 98 individuals were arrested, with 50 of them led away in zip ties, though no injuries or property damage were reported.
One organizer livestreamed the protest from Trump Tower’s balcony, stating, “As Jews, we’re here today, mere hours before the holiday of Purim begins – a holiday where we honor Esther who used her voice to speak out and demand that the king not commit genocide. Today, we are using her same courage to speak out.”
Khalil’s Detention Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
The protest came just days after Mahmoud Khalil was detained by federal agents at his home in New York following the revocation of his green card by the Trump administration. Khalil’s detention is part of a broader effort to silence Palestinian activists and supporters, with many fearing that the US government is using immigration laws to punish those who speak out against Israel’s actions and US foreign policy. The arrest follows a wave of repression targeting Palestinian solidarity groups, including actions at Columbia University, where students staged a barricade in Hamilton Hall to demand divestment from Israel and a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Trump administration’s rhetoric against Palestinians and pro-Palestinian protesters has been consistent. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared, “If you support terrorism… your presence is contrary to our national and foreign policy interests, and you are not welcome here.” This inflammatory statement has further emboldened the US government’s crackdown on Palestinian activists and their allies.
Legal Challenges and Resistance to US Crackdown on Palestinian Voices
Khalil’s legal team filed an amended habeas corpus petition on Thursday, arguing that the US government’s actions against Khalil are retaliation for his advocacy of Palestinian rights. The petition names President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as respondents, highlighting the political nature of the charges against him.
On the legal front, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Khalil and seven other students, accusing Columbia University and Barnard College of agreeing to hand over private student records to the House Education and Workforce Committee under threat of losing federal funding. CAIR argues that disclosing these records could expose students to harassment, threats, and even violence.
Palestinian Solidarity and Growing Resistance
As Khalil remains in ICE custody in Louisiana, activists and human rights groups continue to rally for his release and the release of others who have been targeted for supporting Palestinian liberation. Khalil’s story is one among many as the US government escalates its repression of activists, particularly those who dare to speak out against Israel’s occupation of Palestine.
Juliette Kayyem, CNN’s senior national security analyst, emphasized that the protest at Trump Tower reflects the growing resistance to the policies of the Trump administration, particularly regarding its support for Israel and the silencing of Palestinian voices.
Sonya Meyerson-Knox, communications director for Jewish Voice for Peace, underscored the importance of standing up for Palestine, saying, “I am here in adherence to what my ancestors taught me because I have been taught what happens when authoritarian regimes start scapegoating people. And I know that if we don’t speak up today, we will not be able to speak up.”
The protest at Trump Tower is a reminder that Palestinian voices cannot be silenced, no matter how much the US government tries to suppress them. As the movement grows, solidarity with Palestine will only strengthen, and the fight for justice will continue.
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