Jazmin Li
In 2017, thousands of protesters amassed at airports across the United States to demonstrate against President Donald Trump's Executive Order 13769, commonly referred to as the Muslim ban. The order suspended the admission of all refugees entering the United States for 120 days and banned travel from seven Muslim-majority countries. The protests were organised by groups such as Make the Road New York, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ), and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), and they successfully pressured the courts to issue a temporary restraining order against parts of the travel ban. Similar protests have also taken place at airports in Hong Kong and Portland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
| Location | United States, Hong Kong |
| Airports | John F. Kennedy International Airport, Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Seattle's SeaTac Airport, Indianapolis, Boston Logan International Airport, Denver, Albuquerque, Hartford, Newark, Albany, New York, San Diego, Atlanta, Houston, Las Vegas, Orlando, Greenville, Philadelphia, Portland (PDX), Hong Kong International Airport |
| Protestors | Chelsea Clinton, Make the Road New York, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ), Black Latino Asian Caucus members, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA), Civil rights activist John Lewis, Georgia State Representative Stacey Abrams, Comcast employees, Lawyers from the International Refugee Assistance Project, NYIC and Make the Road New York staff and partners, FIRM partners, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), Demonstrators protesting the deportation of Assistant Professor of Medicine Dr. Rasha Alawieh |
| Affected Travellers | Hameed Khalid Darweesh, Haider Sameer Abdulkhaleq Alshawi, Two elderly and disabled Iranian citizens with green cards, 10-year-old girl, elderly woman |
| People in Power | President Donald Trump, Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed |
| Reasons | Protesting Executive Order 13769, commonly referred to as the "Muslim ban", protesting the detention of 11 airplane passengers, protesting the deportation of Assistant Professor of Medicine Dr. Rasha Alawieh, protesting against the war in the Middle East, protesting against the Israel-Hamas war |
| Outcomes | A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against parts of the travel ban, the release of the 11 detainees at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, stalling of Trump's Muslim ban, stopping of brutal detentions and deportations, disruption of business at San Francisco International Airport |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The 2017 Muslim Ban
In 2017, thousands of protesters amassed at airports across the United States to demonstrate against President Donald Trump's Executive Order 13769, commonly referred to as the "Muslim ban". The ban, signed on January 27, 2017, prohibited the entry of refugees and visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries, causing widespread outrage and a swift mobilization of protesters.
The first protest began at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York City, with over two thousand people in attendance. Protests quickly spread to other major airports, including Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport, and airports in Indianapolis, Boston, Denver, and many other cities. The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) was also involved in the protests, expressing anger that the executive order, which would negatively impact Muslim refugees, was signed on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Social media played a significant role in mobilizing protesters, with Murad Awawdeh, Director of Political Engagement at NYIC, sending out a tweet that was retweeted over 1,000 times within an hour. Lawyers from various organizations, including NYIC, Make the Road New York, and FIRM, arrived at the airports to support the detainees and coordinate legal services.
The airport protests of 2017 brought together longtime organizers and newly politicized individuals, united in their opposition to Trump's racist and Islamophobic policy. These protests successfully halted airport detentions and served as a model for future demonstrations against similar policies. They demonstrated the power of popular pressure in challenging the decisions and actions of the Trump administration, particularly regarding immigration and refugee policies.
The History of McCarran Airport's Name
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Trump's deportation agenda
In 2017, thousands of protesters gathered at airports across the United States to demonstrate against President Donald Trump's executive order banning refugees and visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries. This order, commonly referred to as the "Muslim ban", was seen as an attempt by the Trump administration to prevent the entry of people from countries deemed unsafe. The protests, organised by groups such as Make the Road New York, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ), and the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), were a response to the detention and potential deportation of individuals affected by the ban.
The airport protests were a significant show of opposition to Trump's deportation agenda, which has been characterised by its cruelty and lack of due process. In 2025, the Trump administration's actions have caused further outrage, with the detention and deportation of visa holders and Venezuelan nationals without proper legal procedures being followed. This has led to calls for a new wave of airport protests to reject Trump's agenda and stand up for the rights of those targeted by his policies.
One of the key organisers of the 2017 airport protests was Murad Awawdeh, the Director of Political Engagement for NYIC. On the day the executive order was signed, Awawdeh and his team began reaching out to immigrant and Muslim communities to gather information about individuals who might be affected by the ban. They also sent lawyers to the airport to provide legal support to detainees. Awawdeh's tweet calling for New Yorkers to take action and protest at JFK Airport was widely shared, helping to mobilise a large number of people in a short period.
The 2017 airport protests were successful in bringing attention to the harmful effects of Trump's deportation agenda and putting pressure on the administration. They also served as a model for future protests against similar policies. By disrupting business as usual at airports and preventing flights from departing, protesters were able to ensure that detained individuals were released and connected with their families. This demonstrated the power of popular pressure in challenging the policies of the Trump administration and the actions of border control agents.
In conclusion, the 2017 airport protests were a significant act of resistance against President Trump's deportation agenda. Through the efforts of organisers like Murad Awawdeh and the participation of thousands of protesters, the demonstrations brought attention to the harmful effects of the "Muslim ban" and helped to temporarily halt airport detentions. As Trump's administration continues to target vulnerable individuals, there are calls for a new wave of airport protests to stand up for the rights of those at risk of detention and deportation.
Munich Airport: Inner Zone Access and Benefits
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The NoBanNoWall movement
The #NoBanNoWall movement was a series of protests that took place in January and February 2017 at airports across the United States in response to President Trump's executive order banning refugees and visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries. The order, commonly referred to as the "Muslim ban", caused outrage and was perceived as a racist, Islamophobic policy.
The protests were largely organized by immigrant rights groups such as Make the Road New York (MRNY) and the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC). Murad Awawdeh, NYIC's Director of Political Engagement, was a key figure in mobilizing protesters and coordinating with lawyers and other partners to provide support to those affected by the ban.
On Saturday morning, Murad tweeted, "TAKE ACTION: #NYC head to #JFK #T4 arrivals for a rapid response protest NOW! #NoBanNoWall #MuslimBan #Resist", which was retweeted over 1,000 times within the hour. This call to action was amplified by MRNY staff and other partners through social media and national networks. As a result, thousands of people gathered at JFK Airport and other major airports across the country, including Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Boston's Logan Airport.
The protests were successful in bringing attention to the issue and putting pressure on the Trump administration. On January 29, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against parts of the travel ban, and by February 6, protests were being held internationally. The #NoBanNoWall movement demonstrated the power of popular pressure in standing up against policies that are perceived as discriminatory and inhumane.
Cairo Airport Security: Is it Safe for Tourists?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$12.64 $19.99
$10.79 $17.95
Pro-Palestinian protests
In 2017, thousands of protesters amassed at airports across the United States to demonstrate against President Donald Trump's executive order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries. This order resulted in the detention of several travellers, including permanent residents and green card holders. The protests aimed to reject Trump's racist and Islamophobic policy and demand the entry and release of those who were stranded or detained due to the ban.
One of the largest protests occurred at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, with an estimated two thousand protesters in attendance. Other significant protests took place at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Boston's Logan Airport, and airports in Indianapolis, Baltimore, Seattle, Los Angeles, and many other cities. These protests were largely organised through social media and involved various groups, including Make the Road New York, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ), and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS).
In December 2023, pro-Palestinian protesters held demonstrations at two of the nation's busiest airports: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. These protests blocked morning traffic and resulted in dozens of arrests. Protesters carried banners with messages such as "Free Palestine" and "Divest from Genocide," expressing their opposition to Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrations caused disruptions, with protesters throwing a police officer to the ground and using debris to obstruct roads.
Pro-Palestinian activism has also been observed at Columbia University, with protesters occupying part of the main library and expressing their support for Palestine. These protests led to arrests and were described by authorities as "trespassing" and "vandalism." The university president, Claire Shipman, criticised the protesters' actions, and the university agreed to the Trump administration's demands, including a ban on face masks at protests and changes in academic programme oversight.
Trenton, New Jersey: A Hub of Airports and Aviation
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hong Kong's fight for democracy
The protests were sparked by a controversial extradition bill, which many feared would allow the Chinese government to extradite Hong Kong residents to the mainland, potentially subjecting them to unfair trials and further eroding Hong Kong's autonomy. The bill sparked widespread anger and concerns that it signaled further infringement on the city's freedoms by Beijing.
As the protests gained momentum, they evolved into a broader movement demanding greater democracy and resistance to China's increasing influence. Protesters called for a general strike, and their actions included blocking roads and public transport links to the airport, causing significant disruption. The airport protests were particularly notable as they impacted tourism and international trade, drawing further attention to the political crisis.
The Hong Kong protests faced strong opposition from the Chinese government, which accused foreign powers of fomenting unrest and interfering in China's internal affairs. The demonstrations also had economic repercussions, with tourist numbers declining and international trade fairs being canceled. Despite these challenges, the protesters remained resolute in their demands for democratic reforms.
The fight for democracy in Hong Kong reflects the city's long-standing aspirations for self-governance and protection of civil liberties. The airport protests of 2019 were a pivotal moment in this ongoing struggle, bringing international attention to the tensions between Hong Kong and China, and underscoring the determination of Hong Kong's residents in their pursuit of democratic ideals.
Fresno Yosemite Airport: Size, Scale, and Significance
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The airport protests were sparked by President Trump's executive order, commonly referred to as the "Muslim ban", which prohibited the entry of migrants from seven Muslim-majority countries and refugees from around the world.
The airport protests were organised by immigrant rights groups such as Make the Road New York, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ), and Black Latino Asian Caucus members. Murad Awawdeh, NYIC's Director of Political Engagement, was also instrumental in mobilising protesters.
The airport protests took place at various airports in the United States, including John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The airport protests began in late January and early February 2017, shortly after President Trump signed the executive order on January 27, 2017.
The airport protests successfully halted airport detentions and deportations as a result of the "Muslim ban". They brought attention to the issue and pressured the administration to release detained individuals.
