From Reclaim Philadelphia:
Trump’s administration has crossed another dangerous line. Mahmoud Khalil, a nonviolent student protest leader, has been kidnapped by ICE under the false pretense that he was on a student visa. This is misinformation—Mahmoud has a green card and is married to a U.S. citizen who is eight months pregnant with their child. His detention is not about immigration status; it is about criminalizing dissent.
Whether or not you agree with Mahmoud’s pro-Palestine stance, his arrest is a direct attack on our First Amendment rights. He helped lead peaceful demonstrations, yet Trump and his goons are using the cover of antisemitism to justify repression. This isn’t just about him—it’s about the broader assault on our right to speak, protest, and organize.
This is a line in the sand in the march toward fascism. Trump is testing how far he can go in suppressing dissent. If we don’t fight back now, there will be no ground left to stand on later. Today it’s Palestine, but tomorrow they will target free speech that supports trans rights, racial justice and climate activists.
Congress Must Act—Call Now
So far, only 14 Democratic members of Congress have signed a letter demanding Mahmoud’s release. Not a single one is from Philadelphia. That must change immediately.
Call your Congressional Representative right now and demand they take action to:
- Publicly call for Mahmoud’s immediate release
- Condemn Trump’s weaponization of ICE against political activists
- Defend the First Amendment before it’s too late
Here are the office numbers for Philadelphia’s representatives—make the call, then forward this email:
Rep. Dwight Evans – (215) 276-0340
Rep. Brendan Boyle – (267) 335-5643
Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon – (610) 626-2020
Rep. Madeleine Dean – (215) 884-3640
Every minute Mahmoud remains in custody, the government gets bolder in its attack on our rights. Flood their offices with calls.
Then…
Join us Monday March 17th!
Free Our Speech! Free Mahmoud!
North Side of City Hall at 5:30pm
Sign-up here: bit.ly/FreeMahmoudKhalil
Free Mahmoud Khalil/Protect Civil Liberties for All
Monday, March 17
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Philadelphia City Hall (NE Side)
Join hundreds of Philadelphians speaking out for freedom
Organized by Council on American-Islamic Relations Philadelphia (CAIR-Philadelphia), Fridays @ Fetterman’s, IfNotNow Philly, Mennonite Action Philly, Jewish Voice for Peace Philadelphia, Prayers for Peace Alliance, Reclaim Philadelphia, and more groups that are joining by the hour.
Stand up to Fascism. Make your voice heard. Let them know they can’t silence us!
In solidarity,
Seth Anderson-Oberman
Reclaim Philadelphia
