Politics

‘Free Mahmoud!’: Anti-Israel Protesters Occupy Trump Tower Lobby

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A crowd of anti-Israel protesters forced their way into Trump Tower in New York City Thursday to demand that President Donald Trump’s administration release Mahmoud Khalil, a noncitizen who participated in the encampments at Columbia University.

The protesters, who are a part of the organization “Jewish Voice for Peace, repeatedly chanted “Free Mahmoud, free them all” while wearing red shirts that read, “Jesus Says Stop Arming Israel” on the back. They baselessly equated Trump to Nazis and fascists by holding up large signs that stated, “Fight Nazis Not Students” and “Opposing Fascism is Jewish Tradition,” alleging that the president does not have the authority to deport a noncitizen.

Jewish Voice for Peace alleged in a statement that the arrest of Khalil is proof that the U.S. “is on the brink of a full takeover by a repressive, authoritarian regime.”

“Jewish Voice for Peace demands the Trump administration release Palestinian student Mahmoud Khalil from ICE detention. The detention of Mahmoud is further proof that we are on the brink of a full takeover by a repressive, authoritarian regime,” the organization said.

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The New York Police Department has reportedly made multiple arrests, according to The Independent.

The protesters retaliated against the Trump administration’s efforts to deport Khalil, who participated in the illegal encampments and occupation of Columbia University with his student-led group, the Columbia University Apartheid Group. The occupation of the campus led to the arrests of over 100 protesters by the NYPD.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a March 6 statement that the U.S. has “zero tolerance” for foreign visitors supporting terrorist groups such as Hamas.

“Those who support designated terrorist organizations, including Hamas, threaten our national security. The United States has zero tolerance for foreign visitors who support terrorists. Violators of U.S. law — including international students — face visa denial or revocation, and deportation,” Rubio said.

The Trump administration canceled about $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University due to its “continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.” The Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education and the U.S. General Services Administration said more cancellations could follow if the university did not take proper action.

After losing funding, Columbia said on Sunday it will prioritize fighting antisemitism and work alongside the Trump administration to address the problem.