Arrest of Palestinian student Mahmoud Khalil triggered intense unrest across United States. Protesters led by Jewish activists occupied New York’s Trump Tower demanding his release. Situation escalated as clashes erupted between demonstrators and security forces resulting in around 100 arrests.

Mahmoud Khalil, a key organizer of last year’s US-wide student movement against Israel, grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp and studied at Columbia University.

Protests reignited on Saturday, ten months after the initial wave of demonstrations. On Thursday morning, hundreds gathered near Trump Tower in Manhattan following a call by Jewish group Jewish Voice for Peace.

Tensions heightened by midday as protesters attempted to enter Trump Tower. Scuffles with security personnel ensued leaving several injured and leading to multiple detentions. Despite resistance some protesters managed to breach the building’s ground floor.

Over 300 Jewish activists rallied at Trump Tower in opposition to Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest.

“What’s happening in the name of protecting democracy contradicts freedom of speech. What happened to Mahmoud should never have occurred, and we won’t allow it to happen to anyone else,” said one protester. Demonstrators occupied Trump Tower’s ground floor for over an hour before security forces dispersed the crowd.

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Mahmoud Khalil’s lawyer condemned his arrest as unjust and unlawful. “The government’s claims behind Mahmoud’s Green Card cancellation and deportation order are baseless and unclear. He a lawful US resident, an American. This is purely an act of retaliation,” lawyer stated.

US authorities had revoked Khalil’s Green Card and threatened deportation fueling further outrage.