March 13, 2025 (EIRNS)—A surprise demonstration of hundreds of predominantly young activists was held in the lobby of Trump Tower, New York City today, to protest the Trump administration’s policy of deportation and other suppression of the right to free speech of those opposed to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Organized by Jewish Voice For Peace, the loud, chanting group held bold signs, faced upward to be seen by all riding the escalators down to the hotel lobby, packed with protesters proclaiming “Come for One, Face Us All,” “You Can’t Deport a Movement,” “Opposing Fascism Is Jewish Tradition,” and the like. The police arrested 98 of the protesters, who were cheered by supporters who gathered outside the hotel.
The rally was called specifically in response to the arrest and planned deportation of Palestinian Columbia University grad student Mahmoud Khalil, who faced an immigration court hearing on March 11. The federal “Notice to Appear” document against Khalil contains no evidence, charges, or specific accusations. At the immigration court hearing on March 11 the government again failed to make any accusations. The entire case has ignored First Amendment rights and is based solely on Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s interpretation of a section of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act. As reported by the Washington Post, “The government has so far provided just one reason for [deporting Khalil]: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has determined Khalil’s presence in the United States could have ‘potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences.’”
Brad Parker, an attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights said, “This is clearly an attempt to deport Mahmoud by exploiting a vague and overly broad provision of U.S. immigration law. This provision, if not reined in, will be exploited to pursue the deportation of anyone who disagrees with the administration’s foreign policy agenda. This is not about security, this is about absolute executive power and repression.” The legal team complained that they have been unable to arrange confidential phone calls with their client being held in the privatized detention center, so U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman has given the government two days to provide a two- hour confidential conversation between the lawyers and their client.
