USA: Protester arrested after climbing Statue of Liberty on Fourth of July


A woman was arrested following a four-hour stand off with police after climbing the base of the Statue of Liberty and sparking an evacuation of New York City’s Liberty Island on Wednesday, just hours before US Independence Day fireworks were due to begin.

The woman, who has been identified as Therese Patricia Okoumou, climbed to the base of the Statue of Liberty in protest against US President Donald Trump’s immigration policy and the separation of migrant families.

Police officers conversed with Okoumou for hours before officers with ropes and climbing gear reached her and she was arrested. According to one of the officers, she apologised for making the officers “having to go up and get her.”

According to local media, Okoumou is affiliated with anti-Trump group Rise and Resist, which has declared no link to the protest action.

Local authorities confirmed that she will be transferred to a US Marshals office in Manhattan, where police will recommend charging her with trespassing, disorderly conduct and interfering with government functions.