Protesters from Jewish Voice for Peace occupied Trump Tower in Manhattan to protest the immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student at Columbia University. Khalil, a permanent resident, was detained by federal immigration agents, sparking calls for his release as he remains in a Louisiana detention facility. The protest, led by Jewish organizers wearing “Not in My Name” shirts, involved around 300 people chanting and displaying banners in support of Khalil.

Jewish Voice for Peace, critical of Israel and U.S. policies towards Palestine, has a history of civil disobedience protests. The arrest of Khalil, a key figure in student protests against ties with Israel at Columbia, has drawn attention to free speech issues. President Trump has targeted pro-Palestinian activists for deportation, accusing them of antisemitism and supporting terrorism.

Khalil’s arrest has triggered widespread protests, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio citing foreign policy concerns to justify his removal. The demonstration inside Trump Tower aimed to defend constitutional rights to free speech and protest. Meyerson-Knox, a spokesperson for the group, emphasized the importance of speaking out against injustice to safeguard future freedoms.

The ongoing legal battle surrounding Khalil’s arrest highlights the intersection of activism, immigration policy, and free speech rights. As the case unfolds, it underscores the complexities of advocating for Palestinian rights in the current political climate.