Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed of thousands of protesters today at a rally in Lower Manhattan to support refugees.
HIAS, the global Jewish nonprofit that protects refugees, held the event at Castle Clinton in Battery Park at 11 a.m.
Organizers said they were calling on elected officials to keep America's doors open to refugees fleeing violence and persecution.
"This is what a fight for conscience looks like," de Blasio said to the crowd as sleet rained down. "Nothing holds us back. The weather doesn't hold us back, executive orders don't hold us back."
"We're gathered at a moment that really makes us think deeply about who we are and what we value and this right to protest is something we have to protect in our nation right now," he added.
The mayor did not specifically address federal raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement this week that saw 40 people arrested in the New York City area, according to immigration advocates.
This comes after an appeals court shot down the President Trump's travel ban against seven Muslim-majority countries from being reinstated on Thursday.
The controversial executive order has sparked weeks of protests across the country including here in the city.
Organizers say this is one of several events being held today nationwide.