Several hundred protesters gathered outside the U.S. District Court in Burlington demanding the release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a graduate student from Turkey detained after co-authoring an op-ed on the Israel-Hamas war. Vermont has been at the center of President Trump’s immigration crackdown, with Palestinian rights activist Mohsen Mahdawi detained during his naturalization interview. Despite not being charged with a crime, Mahdawi was taken into custody by plainclothes officers, sparking concerns of free speech violations and lack of due process.
Attorneys for Ozturk also argued that her arrest violated the law, as she was grabbed off the street and flown to Vermont before being sent to Louisiana. Both Mahdawi and Ozturk were targeted by right-wing pro-Israel groups, leading to their detainment. Vermont political leaders denounced Mahdawi’s arrest as immoral and illegal, demanding his release. Legal experts emphasized that denying rights to green card holders could extend to U.S. citizens, threatening the First Amendment.
As President Trump defies court orders, concerns arise over the legal system’s ability to uphold justice. Attorneys stress the importance of protests and standing up against the administration’s disregard for the rule of law. The cases of Mahdawi and Ozturk highlight the need for protecting free speech and ensuring due process for all individuals, regardless of their immigration status or political views.
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