Protesters in New York call for release of Palestinain activist Mahmoud Khalil

Hundreds of activists in America demonstrated on Wednesday against the detention of the Palestinian Columbia University graduate and activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested for organising a protest supporting Palestine on campus.

The protests to support Khalil were organised in front of a court in New York City, with slogans chanted against suppression of student movements and freedom of expression.

The demonstrators called for the immediate release of Khalil and home.

Earlier, a US judge ruled that the Palestinian activist should be allowed to make private phone calls with his legal team during detention.

Meanwhile, Khalil’s lawyers updated the protestors on the efforts exerted to secure his release.