Protest at NYC’s Trump Tower in assist of Mahmoud Khalil ends with 98 arrests, police say

Almost 100 individuals have been arrested Thursday after staging a sit-in at Trump Tower in New York Metropolis, the NYPD stated. 

It began at round 11:30 a.m. Thursday, police stated.

In accordance with police, roughly 150 individuals wearing civilian garments entered Trump Tower simply earlier than midday. As soon as inside, they eliminated their shirts to disclose crimson t-shirts with pro-Palestinian slogans on it and staged a sit-in. 

Video from contained in the constructing reveals a bunch went to the general public space contained in the constructing after which started chanting “Free Mahmoud,” a reference to pro-Palestinian Columbia College activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement over the weekend. Further video reveals a number of of the protesters sitting within the foyer, clapping and chanting “Free Palestine.” 

“Inside 10 minutes, we began responding right here from the police division. Inside 40 minutes, 50 minutes, we began making arrests. We ended up making 98 arrests of individuals trespassing, obstructing governmental administration on this constructing,” NYPD Chief of Division John Chell stated. “We secured this constructing, we secured this perimeter, and we eliminated individuals who have been beneath arrest. I’m very proud of the professionalism that we confirmed at this time. Fairly frankly, there was no broken property, no accidents, and we cleared this up inside two hours – an enormous process for the NYPD.” 

Chell was happy with the efficiency of the NYPD. 

“The NYPD, town, since October seventh ’23, has dealt with over 5,000 protests. We’re the most effective within the enterprise at what we do, and I believe we demonstrated at this time what an expert group we’re and the way nicely we do it,” Chell stated. 

Protest organizers – Jewish Voice for Peace, an anti-Zionist Jewish group – stated that actor Debra Winger was amongst these protesting. 

“We’re seeing the Trump regime weaponize antisemitism to assault freedom of speech,” Tal Frieden of Jewish Voice for Peace stated.

“If you’re American and also you consider within the Structure, you have to be standing right here at this time,” actor Morgan Spector stated.

“We have now a proper to precise our opinion, however I refuse to permit my concern to cease me from expressing my First Modification rights,” protester Josh Dubnau stated. 

The Anti-Defamation League stated Jewish Voice for Peace doesn’t signify the mainstream Jewish group. 

“The problem shouldn’t be college students saying they assist Palestine, nevertheless it’s college students taking motion – blocking Jewish college students from accessing components of campus,” legal professional Gerard Filitti of the group Finish Jew Hatred. “Whenever you’re saying ‘globalize the intifada,’ the intifada is called violence concentrating on particularly Jews in Israel. So that you discriminating in opposition to and identifiable group of individuals, which on this case is antisemitic.”

CAIR suing Columbia College, Congressional committee

Whereas investigating antisemitism final yr, the Congressional Committee on Schooling and Workforce demanded disciplinary data from universities.

The Council on American Islamic Relations, New York is now suing the committee and Columbia College for handing these over.

The plaintiffs are Khalil and 7 different college students who say that was a violation of the Household Schooling Rights Privateness Act.

“As a result of individuals felt free, if Congress is labeling these individuals as dissidents, as antisemites, as radicals, as all this stuff, it provides individuals permission to then exit and violate their privateness,” stated Khalil’s legal professional, Amy Greer.

“Permitting congress or establishments like Columbia to focus on you due to viewpoint you maintain is an epic hazard to American values,” CAIR New York government director Afaf Nasher stated.

Columbia declined to touch upon the CAIR lawsuit, and a rep for the training committee stated partly, “The lawsuit adjustments nothing… Republicans are steadfast of their dedication to defending American values and college students’ skill to study.”

Who’s Mahmoud Khalil?

Khalil is a pro-Palestinian activist who was concerned in demonstrations at Columbia College, the place he was a grad scholar. His arrest by ICE brokers in New York Metropolis on Saturday – and his subsequent switch to Louisiana to be held pending a listening to on whether or not or not he might be deported – set off a high-profile authorized battle and protests.

Greer stated she spoke with Khalil by telephone Wednesday night time.

“The very first thing he stated was, ‘Don’t be concerned, I am OK,'” she stated. “He is very community-centric … I believe it was actually transferring for him to understand how many individuals confirmed up in return.”