Protesters marched and chanted in New York City on Saturday, demanding Khalil’s release.
Protesters packed Times Square in the heart of New York City on Saturday, demanding the release of Palestinian activist and former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil who was arrested last weekend on campus by plainclothes officers.Why It Matters
Khalil’s arrest sparked serious concerns among advocates and students, raising questions about the right to protest, freedom of speech, political advocacy, and immigration status. His detention and sudden transport to Louisiana has also intensified debates over civil liberties and legal due process.
President Donald Trump, who has pledged to crack down on pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses, has called the arrest «the first arrest of many to come.»
The war between Israel and Hamas became a focal point of campus activism at Columbia last year, leading to clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel students as well as significant police intervention and presence on campus. In response, some protest organizers faced disciplinary actions, including degree revocations and suspensions
Several protests have been scheduled across the Empire State and the country in support of Khalil and against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) actions against him, amid the Trump’s administration strengthening ties with Israel. Trump has repeatedly suggested displacing Palestinians from Gaza and having the United States take ownership of the enclave and rebuild it.What To Know
On Saturday, around 3 p.m., dozens of protesters came together for a demonstration co-organized by several groups, including, The People’s Forum, ANSWER Coalition, and New York Party of Socialism and Liberation, among others.
Protesters carried signs reading «Release Mahmoud Khalil», and waved Palestinian flags while marching through the streets, often chanting «Free, Free, Free Palestine», and «ICE Is Not Welcome Here.
