Jewish Group Protests Trump Tower Against Mahmoud Khalil’s Detention/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jewish activists flooded Trump Tower’s lobby in protest against the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student facing deportation. The demonstrators, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, called his arrest an attack on free speech and accused the Trump administration of targeting pro-Palestinian activists. Khalil, a U.S. resident married to an American citizen, remains in a Louisiana detention center as protests continue nationwide.
Trump Tower Protest: Quick Look
- Who: Jewish Voice for Peace activists
- What: Protest inside Trump Tower against the arrest of Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil
- Where: Trump Tower, New York City
- Why: Activists claim Khalil’s arrest is an attack on free speech
- Key Slogans: “Opposing fascism is a Jewish tradition,” “Bring Mahmoud home now”
- Trump’s Stance: Calls Khalil’s arrest the “first of many” against anti-Israel demonstrators
- Legal Status: Khalil is a U.S. resident, married to an American citizen, and has not been charged with a crime
- Current Detainment: Held in a Louisiana immigration facility
Trump Tower Protest: Deep Look
Protests erupted in the heart of New York City on Thursday as Jewish activists gathered inside Trump Tower to challenge the immigration detention of Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil. The demonstration, led by Jewish Voice for Peace, drew attention to what activists claim is a politically motivated crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices.
Khalil, 30, was arrested last weekend outside his Manhattan apartment and now faces deportation, despite having permanent U.S. residency and being married to an American citizen. President Donald Trump, in a series of social media posts, hailed the arrest as the start of his administration’s efforts to remove what he called “pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American” students from U.S. campuses.
A Show of Solidarity in Trump’s Backyard
Dozens of protesters filled Trump Tower’s iconic lobby, wearing red shirts emblazoned with the slogan “Jews say stop arming Israel.” They held banners reading “Opposing fascism is a Jewish tradition” and “Fight Nazis not students” while chanting, “Bring Mahmoud home now!” Police were present in and around the Fifth Avenue building, preparing for any unrest.
The protest is the latest in a series of nationwide demonstrations supporting Khalil and condemning the Trump administration’s crackdown on campus activism. On Wednesday, hundreds gathered outside a Manhattan courthouse during a brief hearing on Khalil’s case, demanding his release.
Free Speech or Political Targeting?
Khalil’s supporters argue that his detention is an attack on First Amendment rights. Although he has not been charged with any crime, his vocal role in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia made him a prominent target. Columbia was at the center of a national student movement opposing Israel’s war in Gaza, resulting in over 2,000 arrests last year.
His case has raised alarm among civil rights groups who fear the Trump administration is using immigration enforcement to suppress dissent. Critics say that by branding campus activists as extremists, the administration is setting a dangerous precedent for political retaliation.
What’s Next for Khalil?
Khalil remains detained in Louisiana after a brief stay at a New Jersey facility. His legal team is fighting to have him released under supervision and allowed to remain in the U.S. with his wife, who is pregnant with their first child. His attorneys argue that his arrest was unconstitutional and a violation of his rights.
With Trump vowing more arrests, activists warn that Khalil’s case could set the stage for further crackdowns on student protesters. Meanwhile, protests are expected to continue, with civil rights groups mobilizing to challenge what they see as an overreach of government power.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.