A dramatic protest unfolded inside Trump Tower on March 13, 2025, as over 100 pro-Palestinian activists flooded the luxury building’s dining area, demanding the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist currently facing deportation.
BREAKING: Jewish American activists have taken over the lobby of Trump Tower in New York to demand the release of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who faces deportation for protesting Israel’s war on Gaza. pic.twitter.com/2tHexHSSwp
The protest, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, saw demonstrators wearing red shirts emblazoned with ‘Jews Say Stop Arming Israel’ as they occupied the Trump Grill restaurant area inside the iconic skyscraper. Protesters held up signs with slogans such as “Fight Nazis, Not Students,” “No Muslim Ban Ever,” and “Jews for Palestinian Freedom,” while chanting against U.S. policies that they claim fuel oppression in the Middle East. Their primary demand was the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil, an outspoken student leader with Columbia United Apartheid Divest (CUAD) who was recently arrested by federal immigration agents.
As Jews, we are taking over the Trump Tower to register our mass refusal. We will not stand by as this fascist regime attempts to criminalize Palestinians and all those calling for an end to the Israeli government’s US-funded genocide of the Palestinian people. And we will never… pic.twitter.com/t2Ql8qRBgw
Mahmoud Khalil, a 24-year-old Columbia University activist, has been at the forefront of the anti-Israel divestment movement on campus. He was taken into federal immigration custody last week, sparking widespread outrage among activist circles. Supporters claim his potential deportation is a deliberate attempt to silence student activism and intimidate other voices advocating for Palestinian rights. Khalil’s legal team has stated that they are preparing to challenge his detention in court, arguing that his arrest is politically motivated.
Law enforcement responded swiftly to the protest, with NYPD officers arriving by 12:30 p.m. and quickly moving to disperse the crowd. Multiple protesters were detained and removed in zip ties, while Trump Tower security immediately locked down parts of the building to prevent further disruptions. By 1 p.m., the area was mostly cleared, though smaller demonstrations continued outside the tower. Protest organizers have vowed to continue their fight, warning that this demonstration is just the beginning of a larger movement aimed at challenging U.S. foreign policy and immigration laws.
🚨 #BREAKING: NYPD is now ARRESTING protestors who took over Trump Tower
FAFO!
DEPORT ANY ILLEGALS WITHIN THE GROUP! pic.twitter.com/r7DYp5HG7t
This demonstration is part of a larger wave of protests in response to Khalil’s arrest and the ongoing U.S. support for Israel’s military policies. Activists claim that Trump-era immigration policies are being used to target Muslim and pro-Palestinian voices, further inflaming tensions between law enforcement and student-led advocacy groups. Jewish Voice for Peace has made it clear that disruptions and demonstrations will continue until Khalil is freed, and they have called on academic institutions and human rights organizations to join their cause.
Trump Tower has long been a symbolic target for activists protesting former President Trump’s policies on immigration, foreign relations, and civil rights. This latest demonstration underscores the deepening divide over U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern affairs and the broader struggle over freedom of speech, student activism, and human rights. As tensions continue to rise, many are bracing for more direct action and further escalations in the coming weeks.
With legal battles looming, security heightened around Trump Tower, and protest organizers promising further actions, this incident is expected to fuel even more nationwide demonstrations. The question remains: Will this protest spark a larger movement, or will authorities succeed in shutting it down?