In a dramatic display of solidarity, Jewish protesters occupied the Trump Tower in New York, demanding the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestine activist and green card holder facing deportation. The protest, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, saw demonstrators wearing T-shirts that read &ldquo;Not in Our Name&rdquo; and &ldquo;Jews Say Stop Arming Israel,&rdquo; as they held banners calling for Khalil&rsquo;s freedom and an end to US support for Israel.
Despite heavy security, protesters managed to enter the iconic building, dispersing across its public areas before staging their demonstration. New York Police Chief John Chell confirmed that 98 protesters were arrested after refusing to vacate the premises, while several hundred others departed voluntarily.
The protest comes amid growing tensions over Khalil&rsquo;s detention. A graduate student and activist, Khalil was arrested and is currently being held in a Louisiana detention centre. The Department of Homeland Security has accused him of leading &ldquo;activities aligned to Hamas,&rdquo; a designated terrorist organization, citing President Donald Trump&rsquo;s executive orders against anti-Semitism as justification for his arrest. His lawyers, however, argue that he is being targeted for his political views and protest activities, violating his constitutional right to free speech.
Khalil, who led pro-Palestine demonstrations at Columbia University last year and Barnard College more recently, is not facing direct accusations of supporting Hamas. However, the Trump administration has cracked down on campus protests, particularly those deemed anti-Israel. Under federal pressure, Columbia University recently expelled students who had participated in last year&rsquo;s protests and saw its $400 million federal funding cut after being accused of failing to combat anti-Semitism.
The case against Khalil has ignited legal and political debates. While a federal judge has temporarily blocked his deportation, he remains in detention as proceedings continue. Commenting on the matter, Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed claims of political retaliation, stating, &ldquo;This is not about free speech. This is about people that don&rsquo;t have a right to be in the United States to begin with.&rdquo;
Trump Tower, one of the few remaining New York buildings still bearing Trump&rsquo;s name, became the epicenter of the latest wave of protests against his policies. While the former president maintains a residence there, the city&mdash;overwhelmingly Democrat&mdash;has distanced itself from him, with many buildings removing his name from their fa&ccedil;ades.
The occupation highlighted the diverse perspectives within the Jewish community. While many Jews support Israel, others advocate for Palestinian rights and a two-state solution. Some ultra-Orthodox Jewish sects even oppose the existence of Israel on religious grounds, aligning themselves with pro-Palestine demonstrations.
As legal battles over Khalil&rsquo;s fate continue, the Trump Tower occupation marks another flashpoint in the ongoing debate over free speech, protest rights, and the US government&rsquo;s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Demand release of activist who faces confinement, deportation for alleged support to Hamas

Jewish Protesters Occupy Trump Tower in NY

Demand release of activist who faces confinement, deportation for alleged support to Hamas

March 14, 2025 | 09:56 IST