US: #NewJersey school slammed for 'anti-#Palestinian' assignment on activist #MahmoudKhalil

Educational advocates and parents said the student project was an attempt to manipulate students with false information

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By Azad Essa
Published date: 27 March 2025 20:05 GMT

"...in the prompts provided by the teacher, Khalil is described as a supporter of terrorism; is accused of having celebrated the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023 on southern Israel; and students who took part in the protests at Columbia University are described as "Hamas students". "

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-new-jersey-school-slammed-anti-palestinian-assignment-paper

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

US: #TuftsUniversity student detained for pro-#Palestine views transferred to Louisiana

The #Turkish national's lawyer said she had been moved to the southern state but a judge ordered her to remain in Massachusetts

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE

By Syma Mohammed
Published date: 26 March 2025 21:18 GMT

"Masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (#ICE) agents approached and physically restrained the #Tufts University doctoral student while on the street in Somerville, Massachusetts, on Wednesday before taking her into custody for “pro-Palestine” views. She is being held at the South Louisiana Processing Center."

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/tufts-university-student-detained-pro-palestine-views-transferred

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine

Exclusive: As Trump Threatens to Deport Him, Momodou Taal Says It’s “Time to Escalate for Palestine”

A #Cornell student suing the #Trump administration over free speech — and now facing deportation threats — shares his story on The Intercept Briefing.

from #TheIntercept
March 24 2025, 6:00 a.m.

"“Anything that shows solidarity of #Palestine is being mischaracterized quite erroneously as #antisemitism. That’s the way in which they are trying to get us to stop speaking about Palestine,” he says."

https://theintercept.com/2025/03/24/briefing-podcast-momodou-taal/

#DefendMomodouTaal
#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#MomodouTaal
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine

He Sued #Trump Over Free Speech. Then #ICE Demanded He Turn Himself In.

#Cornell student #MomodouTaal’s lawyers said the demand was “retribution” for his lawsuit against the crackdown on pro-#Palestine speech.

from #TheIntercept [may have paywall]
Jonah Valdez, Jessica Washington
March 21 2025, 5:34 p.m.

https://theintercept.com/2025/03/21/trump-free-speech-lawsuit-ice-momodou-taal/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=The%20Intercept%20Newsletter

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine

Victims of UCLA Mob Attack Sue to “Hold the Aggressors Accountable”

Pro-#Palestine protesters at #UCLA who were attacked by a mob allege that the school did little to stop nearly five hours of violence.

from #TheIntercept [may have paywall]
Jonah Valdez, Akela Lacy
March 20 2025, 1:46 p.m.

https://theintercept.com/2025/03/20/ucla-palestine-israel-campus-protest-lawsuit/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=The%20Intercept%20Newsletter

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics #Zionist
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine @israel

“First, They Came for #MahmoudKhalil”

Those close to him tell the story of a man whose journey took him from being a "double refugee" to scholar to political prisoner.

from #DropSiteNews
Meghnad Bose
Mar 23, 2025

https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/mahmoud-khalil-journey-refugee-syria-columbia-university?r=2y9nd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#media #news #press @palestine

Jewish Academics Slam Trump Attack On #Columbia

“The knock-on effects of this will be catastrophic,” one co-author told #huffpost

By Matt Shuham
Mar 19, 2025, 05:28 PM EDT

"Hundreds of #Jewish professors, scholars and students have signed a letter condemning the #Trump administration for canceling $400 million in federal funding to #ColumbiaUniversity and threatening other universities."

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jewish-academics-trump-columbia-antisemitism_n_67db29a5e4b0abb74b13dbb7

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#media #news #press @palestine @israel

#Georgetown Postdoc the Latest to Be Detained by #ICE as Crackdown on Campus Speech Widens

#BadarKhanSuri was detained by #DHS agents after a public campaign against him and his wife by pro-#Israel groups.

from #DropSiteNews
Archit and Murtaza Hussain
Mar 19

#Suri's arrest comes after an exceptionally public media campaign targeting his wife, #MaphezeSaleh, by pro-Israel groups. Saleh, a U.S. citizen of Palestinian background, is the daughter of #AhmedYousef, a former political advisor to the #Hamas-led government in the #Gaza Strip, after the group gained control there in 2006. #Yousef has been a writer and commentator on Hamas in recent years for major Western media publications, including the New York Times and The Guardian.

https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/georgetown-postdoc-the-latest-to?publication_id=2510348&post_id=159450359&isFreemail=true&r=fzerp&triedRedirect=true

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#FreePalestine #LetGazaLive
#Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

Exclusive: #MahmoudKhalil's Attorney on Breaking Developments in Detained #Columbia Graduate's Case

from #DropSiteNews
Jeremy Scahill
Mar 19, 2025

On Wednesday, Judge Jesse M. Furman in the Southern District of New York denied the #Trump administration’s attempt to move #Khalil’s case—and therefore the jurisdiction—from New Jersey to Louisiana. The New Jersey court will now decide if Khalil himself will be moved out of the notorious Louisiana facility. “What I think is important is that he did not transfer the case to Louisiana, which would be away from his entire legal team and would just put the case in a very different situation,” said Amy Greer, one of Khalil’s attorneys...

https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/mahmoud-khalil-attorney-interview-lawsuit-trump-pam-bondi-linda-mcmahon?publication_id=2510348&post_id=159423940&isFreemail=true&r=fzerp&triedRedirect=true

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine @israel

This Is the Greatest Threat to Free Speech Since the Red Scare

Opinion [re arrest of #MahmoudKhalil]
Michelle Goldberg
March 10, 2025

from #NewYorkTimes #NYT
[gift article - link can be shared. Expires in 30 days.]
[Bias alert - #NYT usually favors Israel]

"“This seems like one of the biggest threats, if not the biggest threats to First Amendment freedoms in 50 years,” said Brian Hauss, a senior staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union. “It’s a direct attempt to punish speech because of the viewpoint it espouses.”"

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/opinion/mahmoud-khalil-free-speech.html?unlocked_article_code=1.404.Y_fK.OGBIayggrMEg&smid=url-share

#ACLU #DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#media #news #press @palestine

The US assault on free speech is not going to end with #MahmoudKhalil

from #TheGuardian #Guardian
Arwa Mahdawi - Opinion
Sat 15 Mar 2025 09.00 EDT

"It should be clear by now that America is not exceptional; the constitution is not a magical document that will protect our freedoms simply by existing. We are sliding towards an authoritarian future at alarming speed and #Khalil’s detention is an important reminder that we can’t fight for our rights in isolation. All of our freedoms are intertwined."

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/15/mahmoud-khalil-free-speech-civil-liberties?CMP=share_btn_url

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#EndTheOccupation #SettlersOut
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#media #news #press @palestine

How a #Columbia Student Activist Landed in Federal Detention

#MahmoudKhalil never shielded his face with a mask the way some protesters did. That made him a target when President #Trump decided to move aggressively against campus activists.

[Fairly sympathetic article from the #NYT.]

from #NewYorkTimes
[gift article - link can be shared. Expires in 30 days.]

By Michael Wilson, Michael Rothfeld and Ana Ley
Published March 16, 2025
Updated March 17, 2025, 9:32 a.m. ET

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/16/nyregion/mahmoud-khalil-columbia-university.html?unlocked_article_code=1.4k4.vTkh.2HsONdYfblV0&smid=em-share

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#PalestinianLivesMatter
#FreePalestine #LetGazaLive
Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#media #news #press @palestine

#ColumbiaUniversity expels, suspends and revokes degrees of 22 students

The move comes after #Trump demanded several changes to be instituted at the university in return for federal funding

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By Syma Mohammed
Published date: 14 March 2025 19:58 GMT

"Columbia University leadership made a series of concessions to the Trump administration on Thursday following an extraordinary letter that listed nine demands it expected the university to make if it did not want its federal funding to be pulled.

On Thursday, the university announced it was expelling, suspending and revoking the degrees of 22 students following last year’s Hamilton Hall protest, fulfilling one of the nine demands issued in a letter from the Trump administration to Columbia."

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/feds-appear-columbia-second-time-week-while-university-capitualates-government-ultimatum-0

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
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#FreePalestine #LetGazaLive
#USA #US #USPolitics
#media #news #press @palestine @israel

BREAKING: #MahmoudKhalil Speaks With Attorneys for First Time Since Detention

#Khalil will likely stay at notorious #ICE facility in Louisiana until at least March 17.

from #DropSiteNews
[you may get a request to sign up for free subscription]

Jason Paladino
Mar 13, 2025

https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/mahmoud-khalil-speaks-with-attorneys-ice-detention?r=fzerp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#PalestinianLivesMatter
#FreePalestine #LetGazaLive
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump #Rubio
#media #news #press @palestine @israel

UK: Pro-Palestine students face expulsion for sharing Middle East Eye posts

The University of Essex is investigating six students affiliated to the Palestine Society after Prevent flagged their social media posts

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By Areeb Ullah
Published date: 12 March 2025 16:53 GMT

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-pro-palestine-students-face-expulsion-sharing-middle-east-eye-posts

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#media #news #press #UK #UKPolitics @palestine @israel

#Yale Suspends Scholar After A.I.-Powered News Site Accuses Her of Terrorist Link

The deputy director of a liberal project at #YaleLawSchool was put on leave over allegations that she is linked to #Samidoun, a group the U.S. government has said funds terrorists.

from #NewYorkTimes #NYT
[gift article - link can be shared. Expires in 30 days.]
[Bias alert - #NYT usually favors Israel]

By Stephanie Saul
March 12, 2025 Updated 1:07 p.m. ET

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/12/us/yale-suspends-scholar-terrorism.html?unlocked_article_code=1.3U4.VFme.ZrVrJQTmp5w2&smid=url-share

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#media #news #press @palestine

Wife of #Columbia graduate student detained by #ICE speaks out about his arrest

#MahmoudKhalil was detained by Ice agents on Saturday, part of #Trump’s crackdown on pro- #Palestinian campus protesters

from #TheGuardian #Guardian
Michael Sainato
Wed 12 Mar 2025 09.26 EDT

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/12/columbia-mahmoud-khalil-wife-statement

#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#PermanentCeasfireNow
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics #repression
#USA #US #USPolitics
#media #news #press @palestine @israel

White House says immigration officials are seeking more pro-Palestinian protesters

from #NPR #NationalPublicRadio [US]
March 11, 2025 5:31 PM ET
Elena Moore

The #WhiteHouse is defending the arrest of pro- #Palestinian protest leader and #ColumbiaUniversity graduate student #MahmoudKhalil, and says the #DepartmentOfHomelandSecurity plans to arrest more protesters moving forward.

On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision to arrest Khalil, a green card holder who is of Palestinian descent, fell in line with President #Trump's recent executive order aimed at cracking down on antisemitism on U.S. campuses. The order allows the administration to revoke visas and deport international students if they're determined to be "pro-jihadist" or "#Hamas sympathizers."

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/11/nx-s1-5324749/mahmoud-khalil-palestinian-protests-arrests

#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine

#MahmoudKhalil Was Detained by ICE Agent Honored by #Trump at State of the Union

A federal judge has since blocked his potential deportation—for now

from #DropSiteNews
[you may get a request to sign up for free subscription]

Jason Paladino
Mar 10, 2025

https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/mahmoud-khalil-detained-ice-agent-honored-trump?r=2y9nd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#DefendFreeSpeech
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#media #news #press @palestine @israel

#ICE arrests #Palestinian protest leader at #Columbia, in sharp escalation of campus actions

Jewish groups and leaders immediately spoke out both in favor and against the arrest

from #TheForward #Forward
[#Jewish publication from #USA]

"#BendTheArc, a progressive #Jewish group..., tweeted that President #DonaldTrump was playing on fears of antisemitism in order to pursue an anti-democratic agenda.

“The #WhiteHouse’s authoritarian actions are being falsely done in our name as #Jews, by a President and politicians who actively use antisemitism and do not speak for Jews,” the group tweeted. “We’ve been afraid this day would come since campus protests began. Free speech and education are pillars of our democracy, and a healthy democracy is what keeps Jews safest.”

The Anti-Defamation League ... praised the arrest while calling for immigration law to be followed. "

https://forward.com/fast-forward/702727/ice-arrests-palestinian-protest-leader-at-columbia-in-sharp-escalation-of-campus-actions/

#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#news #press @palestine
#politics #Trump