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NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the arrest of a woman who climbed the base of the Statue of Liberty (all times local):
8:35 p.m.
President Donald Trump says a woman who climbed the base of the Statue of Liberty on the Fourth of July to protest his immigration policy is a "clown."
Therese Okoumou says she climbed the landmark as a spur-of-the-moment demonstration against policies that resulted in the separation of immigrant children from parents accused of crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. The naturalized U.S. citizen from Congo was escorted off the landmark by police Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor trespassing and disorderly conduct Thursday.
Trump said during a Montana campaign rally she should have been left alone until she decided to come down on her own. Trump says, "Let's gets some nets, and let's wait till she comes down."
The National Park Service evacuated Liberty Island as a precaution.
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4:10 p.m.
A woman who climbed the base of the Statue of Liberty on the Fourth of July says she was protesting the separation of children from parents accused of crossing the U.S.-Mexican border illegally.
Therese Okoumou said Thursday after a court appearance on misdemeanor charges that her protest was spontaneous.
The 44-year-old Okoumou pleaded not guilty to trespassing and disorderly conduct and was released without bail after spending the night in custody.
The National Park Service evacuated more than 4,000 visitors off Liberty Island as a precaution.
A group that organized an immigration protest at the statue earlier Wednesday says she had taken part in unfurling a banner at the statue's pedestal.
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3:30 p.m.
A woman who climbed the base of the Statue of Liberty on the Fourth of July has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Therese Okoumou appeared Thursday before a federal judge in New York who granted her release without bail.
Her attorney did not immediately respond to a comment request.
The National Park Service evacuated more than 4,000 visitors off Liberty Island as a precaution.
A group that organized an immigration protest at the statue earlier Wednesday says she had taken part in unfurling a banner at the statue's pedestal.
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1:10 p.m.
A woman has been charged with misdemeanor trespassing and disorderly conduct for climbing the base of the Statue of Liberty on the Fourth of July.
Prosecutors said on Thursday that Therese Okoumou will appear before a judge Thursday afternoon.
The National Park Service said that the protest caused an evacuation of than 4,000 visitors off of Liberty Island as a precaution.
A federal official says the 44-year-old woman told police she was protesting the separation of immigrant children from parents who cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.
The official wasn't authorized to discuss it and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
A message left at a possible phone number for Okoumou hasn't been returned.
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Associated Press Writer Michael Balsamo in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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12:30 p.m.
Authorities say a Fourth of July protester who caused an evacuation of thousands of people by climbing the base of the Statue of Liberty will face a judge in New York.
The National Park Service said on Thursday that more than 4,000 visitors were evacuated as a precaution.
A federal official says the woman told police she was protesting the separation of immigrant children from parents who cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.
The official identifies the woman as Therese Okoumou. The official wasn't authorized to discuss it and spoke on the condition of anonymity. A message left at a possible phone number for the defendant hasn't been returned.
She was expected in court sometime Thursday.
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Associated Press Writer Michael Balsamo in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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9:20 a.m.
Authorities say a Fourth of July protester who held police at bay for hours after she climbed the base of the Statue of Liberty, causing an evacuation, will face a judge in New York.
A federal official says the woman told police she was protesting the separation of immigrant children from parents who cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.
A court appearance is expected sometime Thursday.
The official identifies the woman as Therese Okoumou. The official wasn't authorized to discuss it and spoke on the condition of anonymity. A message left at a possible phone number for the defendant hasn't been returned.
A group that organized a protest at the statue earlier Wednesday says she also took part in unfurling a banner at the statue's pedestal.
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Associated Press Writer Michael Balsamo in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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