Woman climbs Statue of Liberty, invites evacuation after six arrests

NEW YORK-Several people who hung a banner of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty calling for the abolition of the main body Federal law enforcement agencies were arrested on July 4, shortly before a person climbed the base of the statue, forcing his evacuation.

At about 100 feet (30 meters), the climber was sitting alternatively on the lower edge of the statue's robes for more than two hours on Wednesday. new helicopter video showed. The police, standing on a ladder and a cornice nearby, tried to get the climber down.

The climber made an ascent of 25 feet (8 meters) from the monument's observation point, said the National spokesman Park Service Jerry Willis. Visitors were forced to leave Liberty Island a few hours before 6:15 pm.

Earlier and further, at least six people were taken into custody after unfurling a banner bearing the inscription "Abolish I.C.E.", according to Willis. The message referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE officers arrest and expel immigrants who are in the United States illegally, among other duties.

Willis said that federal regulations prohibit hanging banners from the monument.

The New York-based group opposes the administration of family expulsions and separations at the border between the United States and Mexico.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the president's immigration policy was a step forward for public safety.

Under Trump's zero tolerance policy, the government has begun to demand that border agents illegally arrest and prosecute anyone who enters the country illegally. This has resulted in the separation of more than 2,000 children from their parents in the space of six weeks this spring.

Under public pressure, Trump subsequently terminated his policy of kidnapping the children of their detained parents. A federal judge in California ordered the Trump administration last month to reunite children with their parents in 30 days, or 14 days in the case of under-5s.

"Abolish ICE" has become a rallying cry for some protests "

Trump said on Twitter last week that the abolition of ICE" will never happen! "

Demonstrations and evacuations at the Statue of Liberty are rare but not new

Last February, someone hung a banner reading" Refugees Welcome "from the terrace of the" Statue of Liberty ". ;observation. The sign was disbadembled about an hour after being discovered.

A year earlier, a man from West Virginia with psychological problems was sentenced to prison after using a bomb. His call forced the evacuation of Liberty Island, sending 3,200 people back to Manhattan and New Jersey.

The statue, a gift from France, was inaugurated in 1886. It has become a symbol of welcome for immigrants and refugees. US