Jewish Voice for Peace Protests at Trump Tower Over Mahmoud Khalil’s Immigration Arrest
On Thursday, March 13, 2025, the opulent lobby of Trump Tower in New York City became a battleground for free speech and human rights. Demonstrators from the Jewish Voice for Peace organization gathered to protest the immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a 30-year-old pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student. Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident married to an American citizen, was detained outside his apartment on Saturday and now faces deportation. He is currently being held at an immigration detention center in Louisiana. The protesters, clad in red shirts with the slogan "Jews say stop arming Israel," chanted "Bring Mahmoud home now!" and held banners denouncing the arrest. After refusing to leave the premises, 98 demonstrators were arrested on charges including trespassing, obstruction, and resisting arrest.
The protest underscored the growing tensions over Khalil’s detention, which his supporters describe as an attack on free speech. Khalil has been a prominent figure in pro-Palestinian activism, leading protests at Columbia University against Israel’s policies. His arrest has sparked outrage among civil rights advocates and critics of President Donald Trump, who has been vocal about his support for Israel and his opposition to pro-Palestinian activism. Trump has stated that Khalil’s arrest is "the first of many to come," vowing to deport students he accuses of engaging in "pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity." The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the Trump Tower demonstration.
Celebrities and Activists Join the Cause
Among those who participated in the protest was actor Debra Winger, who accused the Trump administration of "co-opting antisemitism" and having "no interest in Jewish safety." In an interview with The Associated Press, Winger expressed her outrage over Khalil’s detention, calling it an illegal abduction and questioning whether such actions align with American values. "I’m just standing up for my 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?"
Another protester, Sophie Edelhart, a Yiddish student from Canada, joined the demonstration to challenge what she described as Trump’s fascism. She highlighted the symbolic significance of Trump Tower, with its golden escalator, as a focal point for resistance. For many, the protest was not just about Khalil’s case but also about pushing back against what they perceive as a broader assault on free speech and activism under the Trump administration.
Khalil’s Legal Battle and Its Implications
Khalil’s arrest has sparked a legal firestorm, with supporters arguing that it is a clear violation of his First Amendment rights. On Thursday, Khalil and seven other students filed a lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan to block a Congressional committee from obtaining disciplinary records of students involved in campus protests at Columbia and Barnard College. The lawsuit, which names the schools, the Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and its chairman, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), seeks a permanent injunction to prevent the release of these records. The plaintiffs argue that the committee’s demand for the records is an abuse of power aimed at silencing pro-Palestinian activism and chilling free speech.
Khalil, who completed his master’s degree requirements at Columbia in December, is also fighting his deportation. Born in Syria to a family of Palestinian refugees, Khalil’s case has drawn attention to the plight of Palestinian families displaced by conflict and the ongoing debate over Israel’s policies in the region. His wife, who is pregnant with their first child, has been left to navigate the legal and emotional challenges of his detention.
Trump Tower as a Symbol of Resistance
Trump Tower, the headquarters of the Trump Organization and the president’s New York residence, has long been a magnet for protests. While demonstrations outside the building are common, protests inside the tower are rare. The building’s grand atrium, which connects to public spaces like the Trump Grill, provides a symbolic backdrop for activists seeking to challenge the president’s policies. Thursday’s protest was peaceful, with no injuries reported, but it drew a strong response from law enforcement. Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry stated that the city would review its procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For many of the protesters, the choice of Trump Tower was deliberate. It represented a direct confrontation with the policies and rhetoric of the Trump administration, which they believe are eroding civil liberties and emboldening authoritarianism. The protest also highlighted the ongoing debate over free speech on college campuses, particularly in the context of pro-Palestinian activism. Columbia University, a hotspot for such activism, has seen over 2,000 arrests in recent years as part of a wave of protests sweeping U.S. campuses.
The Broader Implications of Khalil’s Case
Khalil’s case has become a flashpoint in the national debate over free speech, immigration, and the government’s role in regulating political dissent. His supporters argue that his arrest is part of a broader effort to silence critics of Israel and suppress Palestinian advocacy in the United States. The lawsuit filed by Khalil and other students challenges what they see as an overreach by Congress to intimidate universities and studentswho engage in activism. The plaintiffs contend that the demand for disciplinary records is a thinly veiled attempt to chill free speech and penalize students for their political views.
As the legal battle unfolds, Khalil’s case has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities faced by immigrants and activists under the Trump administration. His detention has also raised questions about the intersection of immigration enforcement and political activism, with critics arguing that his arrest is a politically motivated act aimed at intimidating pro-Palestinian voices. With hundreds of supporters protesting outside a Manhattan courthouse on Wednesday and demonstrations planned across the country, Khalil’s case has become a rallying cry for advocates of civil rights and immigrant justice.
Conclusion: A Fight for Rights and Freedoms
The protest at Trump Tower and the legal challenges filed by Khalil and his fellow students represent a broader struggle for rights and freedoms in America. At its core, the case raises fundamental questions about the limits of political dissent, the role of government in suppressing activism, and the rights of immigrants to advocate for their causes without fear of retribution. As the legal and political battles continue, Khalil’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight to protect civil liberties in an increasingly polarized society. For many, the protest at Trump Tower was not just about one man’s detention but about the very principles of justice and equality that America was founded upon.
