Abolish ice and Free Mahmoud Khalil!

We, the members of California Indians for Palestinian Liberation, condemn the arrest and detainment of Mahmoud Khalil, Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student. As an organization made up of California Indian educators, community members, artists, cultural bearers, and activists we are deeply disturbed by the suppression of free speech on the Columbia University campus and college campuses everywhere at the behest of wealthy donors and the so-called United States. 

The use of ICE officers, deportation, and detainment is an intimidation strategy deployed by a fascist state to quell pro-Palestinian activism. Threatening Khalil with deportation while he and his wife are preparing for their first child is particularly incriminating since terrorizing Palestinian parents with removal from their children is a longstanding tactic enacted by Israel. We also recognize that targeting Palestinian student activists in the U.S. is part of the scholasticide in Palestine where students, teachers, and the very structure of the universities have been viciously attacked. We see a parallel between Khalil’s abduction by ICE and the abduction of scores of Palestinian students by Israel in the West Bank. As the legitimate sovereigns of our homelands currently under occupation by California, we reject the state’s authority to abduct and deport immigrants and refugees. 

We are not distracted by the narratives seeking to prove Mahmoud Khalil’s guilt or innocence. We find the United States guilty of enabling Israel’s genocide of Palestinians and of supporting genocide domestically by extending fascist policing into universities. We urge California Indian tribal governments, elected leaders, gubernatorial appointees, community members, and our allies to not continue with business as usual during this moment of heightened fascist repression. 
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Free Mahmoud Khalil!