Why it matters:
As U.S. campuses become flashpoints for protest against the Israeli genocide in Gaza, the detention of students like Mahdawi is being seen by rights groups as an attempt to silence dissent and criminalize solidarity with Palestine.
What they’re saying:
“An attack on one is an attack on all. #FreeThemAll,” read a sign held up by protesters.
“Trump’s scare tactics won’t work on us,” said one organizer, referencing the continued use of aggressive immigration enforcement against student activists.
“We will never stop protesting the genocide of the Palestinian people funded by U.S. tax dollars.”
The big picture:
Protesters linked Mahdawi’s case to others—including Mahmoud, Rumeysa, and Badar—who they say are also being targeted for their outspoken support of Palestine.
Activists argue that these detentions reflect a pattern of repression, especially against immigrant and Muslim students who speak out.
Go deeper:
Organizers pledged to maintain pressure through rallies, petitions, and direct outreach to lawmakers. With the Israeli genocide in Gaza continuing to galvanize youth movements across the U.S., detentions like Mahdawi’s are likely to remain flashpoints in the growing debate over free speech, surveillance, and protest rights in post-2020 America.
Israel Getting Unfavorable for Americans: Pew, Gallup Figures Report
U.S. Detention of Student Activists: National Security Fears or Political Repression?
Mojtaba Darabi
