New York: Thousands of activists participated in a mass demonstration in New York to protest the arrest of Palestinian student Mahmoud Khalil at Columbia University. Khalil was detained by immigration officers as part of efforts to deport him on charges of participating in activities described as “anti-Semitic” during the conflict involving Israel and the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, the demonstration is part of a broader movement where activists continue to sign electronic petitions demanding Khalil’s immediate release. Over two million people have signed petitions opposing his arrest and the local authorities’ efforts to deport him from the United States, despite his status as a legal permanent resident.
The protest took place in front of the Federal Court in New York, which has temporarily halted Khalil’s deportation pending a hearing scheduled for next Wednesday. The case has drawn significant attention due to its implications for freedom of expression and the rights of international students in the United States.
In response to the situation, US President Donald Trump remarked on the arrest, stating, “This is the first arrest, and there will be more,” indicating the administration’s intent to target other students involved in protests against the Israeli actions over the past two years.