Police officials confirmed that 98 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested on Thursday after more than 150 protesters stormed Trump Tower in Midtown, Manhattan.
According to Fox News, Thursday’s protest came as pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli activists have held multiple protests throughout Manhattan this week in a show of support for Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested on Saturday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. The outlet noted that Khalil was one of the leaders responsible for the massive pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University last year.
Fox News reported that Khalil is currently being held in Louisiana following a federal judge’s decision to prevent the Trump administration from deporting the pro-Palestinian activist before his case is heard in court.
According to Fox News, many of the pro-Palestinian protesters in Trump Tower were dressed in red and had signs that read, “Fight Nazis Not Students” and “Free Mahmoud, Free Palestine.” Protesters were also heard repeatedly chanting, “Free, free Palestine.”
Fox 5 reported that New York Police Department Chief of Department John Chell told reporters that the protesters stormed into the lobby of Trump Tower at roughly 12 p.m. on Thursday with protesting gear hidden underneath regular clothing. The outlet noted that police arrived at Trump Tower at roughly 12:20 p.m. and gave the protesters three verbal warnings to leave the area.
READ MORE: Videos/Pics: Left-wing protesters riot, take over college building in NYC
When the protesters refused to respond to the New York Police Department’s instructions, law enforcement officials arrested 98 of the protesters, loaded them onto police busses, and transported them to the New York Police Department’s Central Booking. Fox 5 reported that most of the protesters will face charges for obstructing governmental administration and trespassing, while some will be charged with resisting arrest.
Chell told reporters that Thursday’s protest did not result in any injuries or property damage.
“I’m very proud to say there were no incidents whatsoever,” Chell stated. “We did it safely, calmly, and we accomplished what we had to do with our Secret Service partners and Trump security.”
In a post on Instagram, the pro-Palestinian group “Jewish Voice for Peace” took credit for Thursday’s protest and noted that the storming of Trump Tower was in response to Khalil’s arrest.
“The Trump administration thinks it can crush dissent and strip away constitutional rights. We know this playbook. We refuse to allow our neighbors to be abducted in our name,” the group wrote. “As Jews, we are taking over the Trump Tower to register our mass refusal.”
Sharing a video of Thursday’s protest at Trump Tower, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) tweeted, “Protesters have OCCUPIED Trump TOWER in NYC chanting ‘Free Mahmoud, Free them All!’ I know the owner of that building and he will definitely be pressing charges.”
Another video shared on social media shows multiple pro-Palestinian protesters being arrested during Thursday’s protest at Trump Tower.
Source: American Military News