Several thousand concerned New Yorkers marched through the streets of Lower Manhattan on Monday evening to protest ICE’s detainment of Mahmoud Khalil — a leader of Columbia University pro-Palestine demonstrations over the past year.
ICE took Khalil into custody at his university apartment on Saturday night despite the fact that he is a legal U.S. permanent resident with a valid green card. Following his apprehension, the White House said it would be working to deport Khalil — a move opponents say is an unlawful violation of civil and First Amendment rights.
The March 10 demonstration saw a sea of humanity gather at Foley Square in the shadow of 26 Federal Plaza and several court buildings. The protest ended with clashes with police and numerous arrests.
“Mahmoud is part of the historic movement for Palestine that has erupted in every city in the United States and the world. This is a movement for life,“ one protester said. “Unleashing ICE and the DHS on Mahmoud Khalil, Trump thinks he can strip us of our rights, attack our movement, and weaken our commitment to fight for our people.
According to a report by AP, Khalil was inside his university-owned apartment on Saturday night when several ICE agents barged in and took him into custody. Despite over one million people signing a petition urging his release, the White House posted on X pledging that he would be the first of many deportations to come.
Participants in the demonstration said it was a grave sign that the Trump administration would be working to stifle dissent and free speech in America.
“They are coming for all of us, and it is us who will protect each other,” Council Member Alexa Avilés said. “When they come into our neighborhoods, you make sure to let them know that they are not welcome here, and you photograph them, and you videotape them, and you let them know they are not welcome in New York City.”
After several speeches, the protesters marched, heading west down Canal Street. At one point, they came upon a motorist driving a cyber truck. Police pushed off demonstrators who became enraged at the sight of the Elon Musk creation.
Several minutes later on Houston Street, a protester allegedly pushed a police sergeant, resulting in a cop chasing him back into the large crowd, creating a melee in which other protesters jumped on cops in an attempt to stop them making an arrest. In another incident, a protester was charged with assault for attacking a motorist following an argument.
During the protest, news emerged that a judge has ordered Khalil — who had been transferred by ICE to a Louisiana facility — not to be deported pending a March 12 court hearing.
