New York, July 5 (RHC)-- In New York City, police arrested seven activists Wednesday as they protested against family separations at the Statue of Liberty. 

The demonstration began with activists dropping a banner reading ”ABOLISH ICE” from the base of the statue.  Police later arrested Therese Patricia Okoumou, an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who broke away from the main group and tried to climb the statue.  Her action prompted police to order an evacuation of Liberty Island for several hours on the Fourth of July holiday. 

In a statement, the group Rise and Resist called for an immediate end to family separations, adding: ”ICE has proven to be a threat to our liberty and way of life, and should be abolished.  They go after the most vulnerable among us, acting without due process to detain people. For-profit companies are making money off family separation.  This has to stop now.”