Protestors Rally at Trump Tower for Mahmoud Khalil’s Release
Protestors Swarm Trump Tower Over Mahmoud Khalil’s Arrest
On March 13, 2025, nearly 100 protestors stormed Trump Tower’s lobby in Manhattan, demanding the release of Mahmoud Khalil. The Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student was detained by ICE on Saturday for his role in pro-Palestinian campus protests. Organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, the demonstration saw 98 arrests as NYPD cleared the scene. Khalil’s case ignites a firestorm over free speech and immigration policy.
Demonstrators Take Over Trump Tower Lobby
Activists in red “Not in Our Name” shirts crammed the golden atrium around noon PDT, chanting “Free Mahmoud Khalil.” Banners reading “Jews Say Stop Arming Israel” waved as police zip-tied 50 protestors. Posts on X captured the sit-in’s intensity, with no injuries reported. The group decried Khalil’s arrest as an attack on dissent, escalating tensions in New York.
Who Is Mahmoud Khalil?
Khalil, a green card holder, led Columbia’s pro-Palestinian protests last spring, pushing for divestment from Israel. ICE nabbed him at his university apartment, alleging ties to Hamas—a claim his lawyers call baseless. Now held in Louisiana, his deportation looms despite a judge’s temporary block. His pregnant U.S.-citizen wife pleads for his return.
Trump’s Crackdown Sparks Outrage
President Trump hailed Khalil’s arrest as the “first of many” on Truth Social, targeting “pro-terrorist” students. The administration yanked $400 million from Columbia, citing antisemitism failures. Civil rights groups slam the move as a First Amendment violation. Posts on X reflect fury, with some calling it authoritarian overreach.
What’s Next for Khalil and Protestors
A federal judge halted Khalil’s deportation pending a Wednesday hearing, but his fate hangs in balance. Jewish Voice for Peace vows more action, while NYPD braces for further unrest. The clash at Trump Tower, a frequent protest magnet, underscores a deepening divide. Khalil’s supporters rally nationwide, amplifying his cause.
