VMCL Condemns Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil

The Virginia Muslim Civic League Calls on Elected Officials to Condemn Illegal Arrest of Palestinian Human Rights Advocate

On March 8, recent Columbia graduate student and human rights activist Mahmoud Khalil was arrested from his university apartment.

Statements by the Trump Administration make it clear that this arrest was not based on his violation of immigration law but because of their disagreement with his protected free speech.

Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest exemplifies the concerns Muslims have expressed for nearly a year and half regarding the suppression of First Amendment freedoms under the pretext of “antisemitism”  as a means to target Arab, Palestinian, and Muslim individuals for their advocacy of Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Advocating for self-determination and opposing illegal occupation is not antisemitic. The Trump administration is weaponizing claims of antisemitism to vigorously prosecute opposition to his geopolitical viewpoints. This demonization of viewpoint expression is an existential threat to our democracy.

Speaking out against human rights violations, demanding justice, and engaging in lawful acts of civil disobedience are not legal grounds for arrest and deportation. These acts are at the heart of our First Amendment protections. The Virginia Muslim Civic League is calling on our federal, state and local representatives to protect all our rights to free speech which includes assembly, and protest. All our elected officials must protect our democracy, speak out against this injustice, and stand with the people to protect all of us from this blatant act of authoritarianism.