Like many others, a few months ago, I was deceived into believing that a ceasefire had been reached and that the bombing would cease. Like many others, I celebrated that hopeful day, envisioning that Palestinians would begin rebuilding in the months to come. Like many others, I was angered when violations of the agreement began just days after it was supposed to take effect. Since a favorable outcome has not yet been achieved, the fight for a free Palestine continues.
My Experience: Chicago Protest
3/29/25
For the past 18 months, protesters around the world have taken to the streets in solidarity with the Palestinian movement. Over spring break, I had the opportunity to participate in the demonstrations, where hundreds of brave individuals boldly challenged the influence of the Zionist entity that holds sway over American politics.
In addition to the grassroots Palestinian groups, speakers from Health Workers 4 Palestine also participated, particularly in response to the recent strikes on Nasser Hospital, one of the few remaining operational medical facilities in the Gaza Strip. During the protest, it was highlighted that several American-born doctors, who are U.S. citizens, were targeted in the past week while operating in Palestine. This serves as a stark reminder that the violence in the region is not only affecting Palestinians but also those from other backgrounds. As one of the protesting doctors put it: “Your American citizenship does not shield you from an airstrike launched by your own country, against you.”
“[These doctors] are people trying to preserve life, and you have Israel and America trying to take it.”
Another main speaker in the protest was a leader from Neturei Karta. He bravely addressed the crowd and condemned the use of the Torah to justify the actions of Israel in Palestine. The participation of the Jewish community in these protests alone undermines the Trump administration and Canary Mission’s claims of wanting to protect the Jewish community from acts of anti-Semitism.
Other than the discussion regarding the ongoing human rights violations, the protest also centered around the Trump Administration’s fascist new policies regarding the deportation of Americans. With ICE reaching a new level of power, students across America are being subjected to their wrath, with visas revoked and detainments becoming the norm. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that the State Department has revoked the visas of over 300 students in the last few weeks alone.
In line with The Hill, listed below are some of the students who have been detained by ICE for their involvement in “Pro-Hamas activities and Antisemitism.”
- Mahmoud Khalil
Khalil was detained by ICE while returning to his apartment in Manhattan during the week of March 11th. According to AP News, his student visa was revoked due to his involvement in Palestinian activism on campus. When his wife presented proof of his green card, the agents took it as well and apprehended him.
Currently, he is being held in a Louisiana detention center, a tactic often used to make it more difficult for detainees to access their lawyers and family. Investigations have been launched to find evidence of Khalil’s public support for Hamas; however, no evidence has been found to support the claims made by the Trump Administration. As of April 1st, his team is fighting tirelessly to move his trial from Louisiana to New Jersey.
*Update: Khalil’s case has been ruled to remain in New Jersey.
* Support for Palestine has nothing to do with Hamas.
- Rumeysa Ozturk
Ozturk is a Tufts graduate student who was arrested by ICE while attending an Iftar dinner with her friends. The Department of Homeland Security stated that she engaged in pro-Hamas activities, which is grounds for her visa to be terminated.
Last year, Ozturk was one of four students who wrote an article in Tufts’ newspaper about the need for the university to divest from Israeli funding; however, it is unclear whether this is the reason she has been targeted by ICE. As of April 1st, Ozturk has been transferred to a detention center in Louisiana, and her lawyers are challenging the legality of her detention.
- Yunseo Chung
Chung is a Columbia junior and permanent resident who has been in the US since she was seven years old. She has participated in several Palestine protests and sit-ins at Barnard College, which led to her arrest by ICE last week. While currently facing deportation, Chung has sued the US government for its unconstitutional actions against her.
She has temporarily succeeded in obtaining a judge’s order to halt her deportation efforts; however, her future in the country remains uncertain due to the ongoing immigration lawsuits she and other students are facing.
Final Thoughts
I’ve said this before, and I will say it again—the most important thing you can do to help the movement is to educate yourself and those around you. Do not become numb to the images of war circulating on social media, nor let yourself be fooled into thinking the Trump Administration has any justification for deporting students who are exercising their First Amendment rights. The only antidote to fascism is intelligence, so arm yourself with knowledge to truly understand what is happening. Remember, Palestine is not just a Palestinian issue; it is a struggle for the working class, minority communities, and all those who refuse to be silenced by the military force of Israel and America.
At the protest I attended, one of the speakers said something that resonated deeply with me: “The movement is like water. They expect us to be an earthquake—sudden—but we are water—gradual and consistent.”
While change has not yet occurred, nobody is giving up. The fight continues, and I hope to keep participating in it in any way I can.
