Vermont Launches Fundraising Campaign Following Palestinian Student’s Arrest
BURLINGTON, VT — In a powerful response to the recent detention of Palestinian student Mohsen Mahdawi, a fundraising campaign aiming to raise $1 million for immigrant legal protections was launched on Thursday, just a week after Mahdawi was released from a state prison.
Mahdawi, 34, was arrested during a citizenship interview on allegations that his protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza posed a threat to U.S. foreign policy. After spending 16 days in custody, a federal judge ruled he had a substantial claim that the arrest was an infringement on his free speech rights.
At a Statehouse news conference announcing the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund, Mahdawi expressed hope and solidarity: “Our humanity is much larger than unjust laws,” he stated. Joined by Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, Senate Majority Leader Kesha Ram Hinsdale, and community advocates, the initiative seeks to bolster support for immigrants facing deportation and legal challenges by expanding the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project and training pro bono attorneys.
Vermont’s legislative bodies have shown unwavering support for Mahdawi, passing resolutions condemning the circumstances of his detention. Governor Phil Scott criticized the federal government’s approach: “Law enforcement should not operate in the shadows,” he asserted.
Born in a refugee camp in the West Bank and having moved to the U.S. in 2014, Mahdawi’s activism and subsequent arrest have sparked broader conversations about immigrant rights, safety, and advocacy in Vermont. His release allows him to continue his studies at Columbia University, where he co-founded the Palestinian Student Union.
Reflecting on his time in detention, Mahdawi emphasized the theme of shared humanity, invoking the teachings of compassion and justice. “This is what I call love and care,” he said, as he situated the initiative within a context of solidarity and community support.
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