Dozens of Jewish protesters have been arrested after demonstrating in Trump Tower to demand the release of a pro-Palestine student activist Mahmoud Khalil, as ITV News’ US Correspondent Dan Rivers explains.
Kahli – who is a permanent US resident – was arrested on Saturday at his campus residence at Columbia University over his involvement in pro-Palestine protests at the Ivy League school last year.
A Federal Court judge has temporarily blocked the US Government’s attempt to deport the graduate student while his lawyers challenge the move.
The 30-year-old remains in a detention facility, and many of Mr Kahlil’s supporters have called his arrest an attack on free speech.
Jewish Voice for Peace organised the demonstration on Thursday in New York, which saw dozens of people enter the Fifth Avenue building, chanting “Bring Mahmoud home now" and wearing shirts with the slogan “Jews say stop arming Israel".
Police arrested several people after allegedly refusing to leave.
Among the protesters was actor Debra Winger, who said she was standing up for her rights.
“And I’m standing up for Mahmoud Khalil, who has been abducted illegally and taken to an undisclosed location," she said.
"Does that sound like America to you?”
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump said Mr Khalil was "the first arrest of many” and part of his plan to crack down on pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses who, he claimed, were sympathising with Hamas.
The Trump administration alleged Mr Khalil had ties to the designated terrorist organisation Hamas but did not provide evidence to support those accusations.
Mr Khalil has not been charged with any crime.
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