Columbia University Student Accuses School of Undermining Democracy Amid Controversial Arrest
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student who made headlines after his arrest coincided with his efforts to finalize U.S. citizenship, has accused Columbia University of eroding democratic principles amid escalating tensions surrounding protests against the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Mahdawi, 34, spent 16 days in Vermont prison before being released by a judge on April 30. An appeals court recently upheld this ruling, asserting that the government’s claims for his deportation lacked sufficient grounds and posed no irreparable harm to the administration. Mahdawi argues that his arrest was an attempt to silence dissenting voices and stifle free speech, particularly regarding U.S. foreign policy.
Following his release, Mahdawi spoke about the violence and disruption he believes the university fosters. “Columbia University is participating in the destruction of the democratic system,” he stated, criticizing the school for aligning with governmental pressure that threatens academic freedom. This comes in light of recent protests on campus, where clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and security occurred, resulting in multiple arrests.
Columbia’s acting president, Claire Shipman, described the protests as disruptive, asserting that security measures were taken to ensure the safety of the campus community. The university has implemented policy changes to mitigate potential losses of federal funding amid the conflicts.
Born in a refugee camp in the West Bank, Mahdawi immigrated to the U.S. in 2014 and has been actively involved in protests at Columbia, where he co-founded the Palestinian Student Union. He plans to attend his graduation later this month, viewing education as a beacon of hope amidst injustice. “Education is light, and there is no power in the world that should take that away from us,” he declared.
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