Women’s March Organizers Arrested at Trump Tower International Women’s Day Protest

More than a dozen demonstrators involved in the New York City protest near the president’s Trump International Hotel and Tower were arrested on Wednesday.

The NYPD confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that 13 people were arrested Wednesday afternoon, not long after the International Women’s Day marchers had made their way to the Columbus Circle hotel for the “Day Without a Woman” rally.

The Women’s March, the organization behind the “Day Without a Woman” strike happening nationwide on Wednesday, confirmed to THR that the 13 people taken into custody were organizers and supporters of the event. Tamika Mallory, Linda Sarsour, Carmen Perez, and Bob Bland were among those arrested for civil disobedience.

“Today, the national leaders of the Women’s March gathered with allies and those participating in the day’s actions for a show of solidarity and revolutionary love,” a rep for the organization told THR. “After a peaceful protest in New York City in honor of A Day Without a Woman, 13 organizers and supporters were arrested by the New York City Police Department in an act of civil disobedience outside of Trump International Hotel & Towers.”

The NYPD could not confirm the charges, or the sex or ages of those who were arrested, when speaking to THR.

According to the AP, about 1,000 people, many women dressed in red, gathered on Fifth Avenue outside Trump Tower to demonstrate on International Women’s Day. The protest was part of the nationwide “A Day Without a Woman” event, which was spurred by the success of the Jan. 21 Women’s March on Washington following Trump’s presidential inauguration.

“We are blocking traffic as a form of civil disobedience in Columbus Circle (outside Trump Hotel). #DayWithoutAWoman,” the official account for the Women’s March posted around 1:30 p.m. ET.

The account then shared photos of at least 10 women, saying they were arrested.

“We are not sure what precinct we are being taken to at the moment. But we are together, reSisters,” the account shared.

Protesters had planned to make a “human wall” around the hotel. After the arrests, the account tweeted “many of our national organizers have been arrested in an act of civil disobedience.” Adding, “We will not be silent.”

The organization then put out a social media call for a protest against the arrests at Manhattan’s 7th Precinct “to show solidarity.”

Wednesday saw women nationwide showcasing their socioeconomic impact by taking the day off from work, wearing red, refraining from making purchases and joining marches.

Earlier in the day, Trump himself took to Twitter to express his support for the day.

“I have tremendous respect for women and the many roles they serve that are vital to the fabric of our society and our economy,” he wrote. “On International Women’s Day, join me in honoring the critical role of women here in America & around the world.”

At 9:59 p.m. ET, the Women’s March Twitter account announced that the women had been released and also thanked their followers for support. 

See the Women’s March tweets here.

“Whose streets? Our streets!” pic.twitter.com/B9ecG083SV

— Women’s March (@womensmarch) March 8, 2017

Some of us have been arrested #DayWithoutAWoman pic.twitter.com/WSYVdrQjxA

— Women’s March (@womensmarch) March 8, 2017

We are not sure what precinct we are being taken to at the moment. But we are together, reSisters. #DayWithoutAWoman pic.twitter.com/r10WBikdl8

— Women’s March (@womensmarch) March 8, 2017

Many of our national organizers have been arrested in an act of civil disobedience. We will not be silent. #DayWithoutAWoman

— Women’s March (@womensmarch) March 8, 2017

UPDATE: Meet us at 7th precinct (19 1/2 Pitt St) in Manhattan to show solidarity with our sisters who were arrested today. #DayWithoutAWoman

— Women’s March (@womensmarch) March 8, 2017

 

We’ve all been released. Thank you for all your support. #DayWithoutAWoman

— Women’s March (@womensmarch) March 9, 2017