Probe under way into banner hung on base of Statue of Liberty

Police were investigating the illegal placement of a giant banner that reads "Refugees welcome" on the base of the Statue of Liberty on Tuesday afternoon.

Fixed to the edge of public observation platform, the six-meter-long banner appeared Tuesday on the pedestal of the most recognizable landmark of the United States.

Although removed soon by park rangers, photos of the banner went viral on social media and triggered conversations on Twitter with the hashtag #RefugeesWelcome.

An activist group named "Alt Lady Liberty" claimed it hung the banner and tweeted pictures of the scene, as well as comments and articles written on the issue.

"We must heed the words of Lady Liberty: #RefugeesWelcome," said its first tweet published Tuesday morning.

The group also urged to "keep the spirit alive" although the banner was taken down.

"We wanted to send a reminder about America when we're at our best -- the country that's a beacon of freedom to the world, built by immigrants. Walling off countries or entire religions is against our values. That's what the Statue of Liberty stands for," the group said in an email sent to the press.

"We have no formal group, just private citizens who felt like we needed to say something about the America we believe in," the email read.

The banner triggered similar feelings among social media users.

"#RefugeesWelcome is trending right now because we are a nation of immigrants. And we will not accept Trump's hate," said one netizen named Whit Jones on Twitter.

The stunt took place as U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to issue a new executive action later this week replacing the controversial order temporarily banning entry of refugees and immigrants. Endi