Last April we told you about student protests against the Israeli genocide in Gaza, one of the leaders of the Columbia University protest was Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian American permanent resident and Columbia University graduate student. We told you at the time that fossil fueled fascists were calling for violent mobs and military crackdowns on peaceful protests, and tens of thousands of you signed petitions calling on then-President Biden to resist attempts to use federal law enforcement or the national guard on college campuses.

Now, the worst has happened. President Trump and his fossil fueled fascists enablers have taken control of our government, and on Saturday, March 8, 2025 Kahlil was arrested without a warrant.

Sign our urgent petition demanding the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil.

A photoshopped image shows Mahmoud Khalil over an image a protest calling for his release

If you haven't already heard the story: Khalil and his wife, an American citizen who is eight months pregnant, were returning from an iftar meal during Ramadan when plainclothes agents forced their way into his residential building and took him into custody. Despite being a lawful permanent resident, DHS claimed they are revoking his "visa" as part of the administration's broader initiative targeting protestors and political speech they disagree with.

Khalil was sent to a holding facility in Louisiana, a clear attempt to separate him from his family, lawyers and community support. And his legal team, which now includes more than a dozen attorneys from several prominent civil and immigrant rights groups was only able to speak to him last night for the first time. ICE policy states that detainees "shall always be granted access within 24 hours" of their request to call a legal representative, and that they "shall not restrict" the number or duration of such calls. But Khalil's legal team said their next phone call with him will not be until March 20—12 days after his arrest.

Trump has now taken to social media to promise "many" more arrests of students and others "across the country." Not to spread fear or panic, but that could include any of us who signed the petition last year, or many millions of our friends and neighbors who attended protests, marches, and spoke out against the war.

Khalil's detention and Trump's deranged threats represent a direct assault on First Amendment and our right to protest. Federal agents have effectively criminalized free speech, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokespeople have repeatedly claimed Khalil was arrested "for activities" supporting terrorism without providing evidence, and citing activities as peaceful as passing out fliers or marching. In a radio interview with NPR this morning Troy Edgar, the deputy secretary of DHS, refused repeatedly to say if protest against Israel or the United States Government was a crime, or how deportation of permanent residents could be justified.

This is all part of an escalating pattern of authoritarianism that threatens the rule of law and our core democratic principles. Sign our petition now to demand:

The immediate and unconditional release of Mahmoud Khalil from DHS custody;
Confirmation of Khalil’s location and his immediate access to legal representation;
And a halt to the unconstitutional targeting of pro-Palestine activists and Palestinian voices.

If Trump and his fossil fuel fascist party can detain lawful residents for their political advocacy then our constitutional right to protest no longer exists or matters. This selective enforcement creates a dangerous environment where Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian voices face disproportionate scrutiny and punishment for engaging in the same political discourse afforded to others.

Sign now to stand together against the criminalization of protest and in solidarity with Palestinians and all marginalized groups and people. First they came for Mahmoud Khalil. They could come for you next. now is the time to speak out.

Thanks,

Drew and the 198 methods crew

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