Statue Of Liberty's Guerrilla 'Refugees Welcome' Banner Torn Down By Park Officials

ELLIS ISLAND, NY — A group of four activists has claimed responsibility for draping a bold, red banner emblazoned with the words "REFUGEES WELCOME" across the base of the Statue of Liberty around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday.

"First we held it up, then started affixing it to the wall of the pedestal," one of the activists, who wished to remain anonymous, said in an email. "As we were doing it, people asked what the banner said and we got lots of positive reception from foreigners and Americans alike."

"We had no trouble with security," the activist said.

Still, the banner was quickly torn down by park officials. "It was unauthorized and it has been removed by rangers," a National Park Service spokesman said around 3:50 p.m. Park police are now searching for the perpetrators, he said. (Scroll down for the park's full statement.)

While it was still up, though, Twitter account @AltStatLiberty — created by the activists in conjunction with their guerrilla banner-draping — tweeted photos from the scene, as did various other Ellis Island visitors.

"We have no formal group, but are just private citizens who feel that the principles that make America great are under attack," said the banner-hanger who spoke with Patch. "Some of us have never done anything like this before but felt the need to act now."

Lady Liberty's new welcome sign coincides with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's announcement Tuesday that federal immigration officers will begin to step up deportations nationwide, under recent orders from President Donald Trump. More on that here.

"The travel ban flies against who we are as Americans," one of the Statue of Liberty activists said. "Refugees are welcome here, Muslims are welcome here and immigrants are welcome here."

The activist added: "We wanted to send a reminder about America when we're at our best — the country that's a beacon of freedom to the world, built by immigrants. Walling of countries or entire religions is against our values."

UPDATE, 5:15 p.m.: The National Parks Service has issued the following statement in response to Tuesday's banner debacle.

At approximately 12:50 PM this afternoon, a banner reading “Refugees Welcome” was unfurled atop the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. The banner, approximately 3 feet by 20 feet, was affixed by nylon rope to the wall of the public observation deck at the base of the Statue. Rangers, alerted to the presence of the banner, immediately made their way to the location and conducted an assessment of the banner and how it was attached to the monument. It was determined that the banner could be removed without damaging the pedestal and Rangers began the process of removing it. Affixing a banner to the national monument is strictly prohibited, and an investigation is underway by the United States Park Police to identify suspects.

Lead photo by Tim O'Shei/Twitter