Photos: East End Woman Protests at JFK Over Refugees, Immigrants Held

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — When Southampton's Lisa Votino-Tarrant heard that immigrants and refugees were being held at JFK Saturday night, she rushed to the Long Island Rail Road and headed out to show her support.

Hundreds of protesters united across the street from Terminal 4 arrival hall Saturday after news broke that more than a dozen immigrants and refugees had been detained at JFK International Airport, under Donald Trump's new executive order to block immigration from certain Muslim countries.

"I'm going because this is just un-American," she said. "There is no other way to describe it. One of the people they were refusing to let through customs was an Iraqi man who acted as a translator for our military in Iraq. This man put his life and his family's lives in danger to help our troops. And now we want to deny him what we promised him? How is this good for our country?"

She added, "Refugees are the most vulnerable people on the planet. I am protesting because I refuse to turn my back on them."

Before she boarded the train, Votino-Tarrant wrote on Facebook: "JFK Terminal 4 bound. I will not be silent. We will not be silent. We believe in freedom and justice and truth. We believe in inclusion. You can try to take the principles of our country. But you won't win. #RESIST #NoBanNoWall."

Protestors, she said, received support, with some even bringing them donuts and coffee.

After the protest, Votino-Tarrant said, "It was amazing. It brought me to tears when I first got there. People came from all over to stand together. People on arrival flights were encouraging us and some even joined."

She added, "The world is watching. And, more importantly, our children are watching. If my daughter Lily ever asks me how I felt when Trump did this, I want her to have no doubt of where I stood."

Video and photos courtesy of Lisa Votino-Tarrant.