A WOMAN is facing multiple federal charges after she scaled the Statue of Liberty in New York to protest President Trump's immigration policy.
The climber, who was wearing a 'Rise and Resist' t-shirt, climbed the iconic monument's base and forced its evacuation on Independence Day.
When confronted by police, the woman initially claimed she would only come down when every migrant child and parent separated by the United States' zero-tolerance policy on its southern border had been reunited.
She engaged in a four-hour standoff with authorities on Liberty Island before two NYPD officers climbed up to the base and forced her towards a ladder.
The protester was immediately arrested and taken into custody after climbing down about eight metres to the monument’s observation point.
She is now facing multiple federal charges including trespassing and disorderly conduct.
"She resisted at the beginning. She would not come down by voice command," National Park Service spokesman Jerry Willis said.
The incident forced park officials to evacuate the island on July 4 - one of the most popular days of the year for visitors.
Cruise operator Statue Cruises said it had to turn away more than 2,000 visitors waiting to take their tour to the famed statue.
It came hours after several other demonstrators opposed to Mr Trump’s immigration policy were arrested for hanging a banner on the monument.
Rise and Resist is at the Statue of Liberty demanding Trump and the GOP #AbolishICE, reunite families now, halt deportations, and end detention as a deterrent. #EndFamilySeparation #AbolishCBP #FreeOurFuture #HereToStay pic.twitter.com/v3UbnFjI5w
— Rise and Resist (@riseandresistny) July 4, 2018
They too were facing misdemeanour federal charges, Willis said.
Rise and Resist NYC, which organised the protest, said the woman's climb had not been part of the group's plans.
“We don’t know whether she had this planned before she ever got to Liberty Island or whether it was a spur-of-the-moment decision,” protest organiser Jay W. Walker said.
Regardless, he said he believed the publicity gained from the stunt would help the group’s cause.
While President Trump's recent separation policy on the southern border was abandoned last week, it remains unclear when or how some 2,000 migrant children will be reunited with their parents.
'Abolish ICE' has become a rallying cry at protests around the US, but Mr Trump said on Twitter last week that abolishing ICE will “never happen!"
