Nearly 100 Arrested in Trump Tower Protests over Khalil Detention

Nearly 100 protesters were arrested at Trump Tower in New York City on March 13 during a sit-in organized by the progressive group Jewish Voice for Peace, demanding the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian Columbia University student detained by U.S. immigration authorities. The demonstration involved about 250 participants, many wearing red shirts stating, 'Jews say stop arming Israel,' and chanting slogans such as 'Bring Mahmoud home now.' Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident, was taken into custody by ICE agents and is currently held in Louisiana pending deportation proceedings. Prominent figures, including actress Debra Winger, attended the protest, criticizing the Trump administration for its stance on immigration and its handling of Jewish safety. Police cited charges of trespassing and obstruction during the arrests, highlighting the tensions surrounding Khalil's detention and the broader implications for pro-Palestinian activism in the U.S. President Trump labeled Khalil as a 'Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student,' claiming his arrest marks the beginning of further actions against similar activists.