United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Visitors evacuated from Statue of Liberty after anti-ICE protests
Independence Day visitors were evacuated from Liberty Island after a woman scaled the base of the Statue of Liberty.
National Park Service police and the New York City Police Department were called to coax the woman down which turned into an hours-long standoff.
She was named as immigration activist Therese Patricia Okoumou, 44.
The Statue of Liberty was closed after she climbed up the base of the monument to protest over the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
It followed an unconnected protest earlier in the day by group Rise and Resist, which unfurled a banner calling for ICE to be abolished.
Rise and Resist said her actions were not part of its demonstration.
National Park Service spokesman Jerry Willis said about 4,500 visitors were evacuated from the island.
"We had two unusual events occur back-to-back so for the safety and security of our visitors, we decided to evacuate for the day," Willis said.
Okoumou managed to get to get to the top of Lady Liberty’s base after accessing the statue’s observation point open to the general public.
She was eventually escorted down safely by police officers in harnesses.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel