In powerful message to Donald Trump, protesters hang 'Refugees Welcome' banner at Statue of Liberty, IMAGE goes viral

Pic courtesy: Twitter

Washington: In a powerful message to US President Donald Trump, who is facing stiff resistance over his policies on refugees, a group of unidentified activists placed a banner reading "Refugees Welcome" atop the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

The unauthorized sign over the base of the statue was put on Tuesday afternoon, according to a statement released by the National Park Service.

The banner, measuring about three feet by 20 feet, was affixed by nylon rope to the wall of the public observation deck at the base of the statue, the National Park Service said.

Although the banner was quickly removed by the National Park Rangers, it was on display for less than an hour and its image became viral on social media. 

National Park police officers are now investigating how the banner got on.

A social media account 'Alt Statue of Liberty', who claimed responsibility for the stunt, said, "We have no formal group -- just private citizens who felt like we needed to say something about the America we believe in."

The message of the Statue of Liberty is unmistakable.

This banner ought to make it clear 2 @realDonaldTrump #RefugeesWelcome#NoBanNoWall pic.twitter.com/ZSpg4uB9Qg — Alt Lady Liberty (@AltStatLiberty) February 21, 2017

Attaching banners to national monuments in US is strictly prohibited.

The Statue of Liberty, a figure that once welcomed 14 million immigrants into the United States between 1886 and 1924, has come to symbolize different ideals and values over the course of American history.