On Thursday, members of the Jewish Voice for Peace filled the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City to protest the recent arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist known for leading student demonstrations against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The protesters, clad in red shirts emblazoned with “Jews say stop arming Israel,” chanted slogans demanding Khalil’s release. Despite warnings from law enforcement, the demonstrators refused to vacate the premises, leading to multiple arrests.
BREAKING: Left-wing protestors just took over Trump Tower, NYC by force.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 13, 2025
They've overtaken the first floor. They won't leave.
They are chanting "free Mahmoud, free them all" – reference to the pro-Palestine man from Columbia University.pic.twitter.com/CABBUPSl0p
🚨 UPDATE: Police finally make arrests after pro-Palestine left-wingers take over Trump Tower NYC.pic.twitter.com/VnCThZLTFv
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 13, 2025
Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident married to an American citizen, who is eight months pregnant, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside his New York City apartment on Saturday. He now faces deportation, a move President Donald Trump has endorsed, pledging to expel students involved in activities deemed “pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American.” (RELATED: Why Trump Can – And Should – Deport Mahmoud Khalil)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleges that Khalil led activities aligned with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Speaking to the press, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that Khalil’s arrest was “in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism,” asserting that he “led activities aligned to Hamas.”
However, Khalil’s legal team vigorously disputes these allegations, asserting that his activism focused on advocating for Palestinian human rights and that he did not provide support to any terrorist organizations. His lawyer, Baher Azmy, described the claims of alignment with Hamas as “false and preposterous,” emphasizing that Khalil’s speech is protected by the Constitution.
Following his arrest, Khalil’s legal team filed a habeas corpus petition challenging the detention. On March 10, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman issued a temporary order blocking Khalil’s deportation while the court reviews the case. (RELATED: Examining Judge Unger’s Record: Why Are Repeat Offenders And Cop Killers Granted Bail?)
Khalil’s attorneys argue that his detention is an attempt to suppress his free speech rights, as he has been an outspoken advocate for Palestinian human rights. They emphasize that he has not been charged with any crime and that his activism is protected under the First Amendment.
As of March 13, Khalil remains in ICE custody at a detention facility in Louisiana.
SHALOM, MAHMOUD.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 10, 2025
"ICE proudly apprehended and detained Mahmoud Khalil, a Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student on the campus of @Columbia University. This is the first arrest of many to come." –President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/gfuPd0tskf
In the meantime, the case continues to spark significant debate over free speech and the rights of activists in the United States.
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Deport him and anyone else who messes with the Jewish students. Let him go back to wherever he came from and protest there.
Can there possibly be a mind so out of touch with reality that someone actually thinks such actions would cause the release of that scumbag?
Release the hounds.🤣