Activists hang ‘Refugees Welcome’ banner across Statue of Liberty

On Tuesday, a large red and white banner was found hanging across the Statue of Liberty that read: "Refugees welcome"

While the sign was removed by National Park Service, images of it had already made their way around social media. An activist group called Alt Lady Liberty claimed responsibility, according to CNN and shared the image on Twitter with the caption: "We must heed the words of Lady Liberty: #RefugeesWelcome"

We must heed the words of Lady Liberty:#RefugeesWelcome pic.twitter.com/me5TgDWgQc

— Alt Lady Liberty (@AltStatLiberty) February 21, 2017

"Almost all Americans have descendants from somewhere else. Immigrants and refugees make this country great. And turning away refugees, like we did to Anne Frank, does not make us great. Refugees are welcome here, Muslims are welcome here and immigrants are welcome here," the group is quoted as saying by CNN. The group said the banner was to remind people "about America when we're at our best".

This show of activism comes as US President Donald Trump revealed he is working on a new travel ban.

On Twitter, people acted positively to the banner:

The Statue of Liberty never did look so fine.#RefugeesWelcome #NoWallNoBan @AltStatLiberty pic.twitter.com/nzhRCIqdtG

— Maria Langholz (@MariaLangholz) February 21, 2017

What a beautiful sight! @AltStatLiberty #RefugeesWelcome pic.twitter.com/Jo3qbbnn0x

— Occupy Wall Street (@OccupyWallStNYC) February 21, 2017

Refugees welcome sign at #statueofliberty today! Our NY holiday has been full of events!! #NewYork #news #Trump pic.twitter.com/sZK2rYNOAZ

— carole thomas (@carolethomas3) February 21, 2017

Resist! Activists in New York put a giant #RefugeesWelcome banner across the Statue of Liberty today. https://t.co/ToQQzdSbhH pic.twitter.com/nonpFYhD5w

— Women's March (@womensmarch) February 21, 2017