[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition: Free Mahmoud Khalil!

Dear MoveOn member, 

The Trump administration's assault on our fundamental rights to free
speech and protest is escalating, with the president ordering to have a
protester arrested without cause over the weekend.^1 Columbia University
graduate student Mahmoud Khalil was taken from his home unlawfully by
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), without a warrant and despite
his status as a permanent resident. And, if President Trump gets his way,
Khalil's arrest and possible deportation would be the first of many.^2

[ [link removed] ]Our government going on a crusade to arrest a permanent resident—with
no evidence and no due cause—is terrifying. If it could happen to Khalil,
it could happen to anyone. Will you sign the petition?

Amid cries of outrage and protest, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman
blocked Khalil's deportation—for now. But his security is in limbo and he
remains detained as the courts determine what will happen next. Meanwhile,
his eight-month-pregnant wife and his friends worry about Khalil's safety
and future—anxious for him to return home to New York City from Louisiana
where he was transferred.^3

Khalil's case exposes the brutal reality of Trump's attacks on our
fundamental rights—a deliberate crackdown on people exercising their First
Amendment rights. This isn't about just one person; it's about defending
our right to dissent and protest. And if we don't fight back, it will only
escalate.

By revoking Khalil's permanent status solely for political reasons, Trump
is setting a dangerous and disturbing precedent, leaving activists across
social movements vulnerable. Right now, Trump is targeting pro-Palestinian
rights activists. But tomorrow it could be those fighting for LGBTQ+
rights, climate justice, or abortion access. No one who speaks out is safe
from his overreach. 

Trump is testing the extent of his executive powers and his ability to
intimidate and instill fear in everyday people who dare to speak out and
protest. That's why we need to speak out and stop him here and now. 

[ [link removed] ]Add your name to the petition to urge members of Congress to protect
our right to protest and STOP the persecution of Khalil!

The ability to peacefully protest and organize without fear of retribution
or violence is enshrined in our Constitution. Add your name to protect it!

[4]Sign the petition

Trump is weaponizing federal funding to attack universities, using last
year's student protests as a pretext for yet another round of brutal
public service cuts. He recently threatened funding for more than 60
colleges and universities, with Columbia Univeristy—where Khalil
studied—among the top targets. The administration has already canceled
$400 million in federal funding, punishing universities for allowing
students to speak out.^4

Let's be clear: This isn't about safety or creating welcoming campuses. If
Trump cared about that, he wouldn't be gutting the very resources that
protect students. This is yet another power grab—a way to divide everyday
people, silence dissenters, gut our public programs, and strip away our
rights. We won't allow it.

[ [link removed] ]Trump doesn't get to decide who gets to protest and exercise their
right to free speech. Will you sign the petition?

Republicans have frequently abused the First Amendment to evade
accountability for their own hate speech, while simultaneously pushing for
restrictions like book bans.^5 It's clear that they are willing to say and
do anything, including sell out the civil and constitutional rights of
everyday people, in order to align themselves with Trump.^6

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warned, "Anyone—left, right, or
center—who has highlighted the importance of constitutional rights and
free speech should be sounding the alarm now."^7 And that is exactly what
we intend to do. 

[ [link removed] ]We need every single person to speak out and defend against Trump's
attacks on free speech and political dissent. Click here to sign the
petition and then share with three friends to help spread the word.

Thanks for all you do. 

–Aliya, Mia, Kenia, Amanda D., and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Judge temporarily blocks effort to deport Palestinian activist who
helped lead Columbia student protests," CNN, March 11, 2025
[ [link removed] ][link removed]

2. "Trump calls arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil 'first of
many to come,'" The Guardian, March 10, 2025
[link removed]

3. "Judge says Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil can't be deported from
U.S. as protesters call for his release," NBC News, March 10, 2025
[ [link removed] ][link removed]

4. "Trump Officials Warn 60 Colleges of Possible Antisemitism
Penalties," The New York Times, March 10, 2025
[ [link removed] ][link removed]

5. "The conservative assault on civil liberties," The Week, April 22, 2021
[ [link removed] ][link removed]

6. "'Free Mahmoud Khalil': Progressives Demand Release of 'Disappeared'
Columbia Grad," Common Dreams, March 10, 2025
[ [link removed] ][link removed]

7. Ibid.

You're receiving this petition because we thought it might interest you.
It was created on MoveOn.org, where anyone can start their own online
petitions. You can [ [link removed] ]start your own petition here.

Want to support MoveOn's work? Donald Trump and his MAGA allies expect us
to give up. But we will not give them what they want. We will never stop
working to defend our fundamental freedoms and protect our democracy.
MoveOn has been leading the movement against right-wing extremism for 26
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forward.

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