On March 14, 2025, over 200 demonstrators gathered in front of the Federal Building in Milwaukee, rallying for the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and pro-Palestinian activist, detained by the U.S. government and facing deportation. Khalil's detention, labeled as illegal by advocates, stems from his involvement in protests against Israel's ongoing war in Gaza.
The arms of the U.S. government tightened around Khalil when Homeland Security took him from his home the night of March 8 after he returned from an iftar dinner with his wife, a U.S. citizen. He was subsequently relocated to a detention facility in Louisiana. This action raised alarms among civil rights groups, who argue that it is part of a broader pattern of targeting activists opposing U.S. foreign policy.
The Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine (WCJP), which formed in October 2023, organized this emergency rally. This coalition has been vocal against the U.S. government’s support for Israel, especially following severe escalation in the region, which claimed over 186,000 lives, according to a study published in The Lancet in July 2024.
Demonstrators at the Milwaukee protest waved Palestinian flags and brandished signs with messages like, “Free Mahmoud! Free Palestine!” and “Protect Free Speech.” Many participants adorned the traditional Palestinian keffiyehs while chanting for justice. Attendees expressed solidarity, hoisting their fists as passing cars honked in support.
Among the speakers was Rachel Ida Buff, Ph.D., who rallied the crowd by proclaiming, “Hey do we have one person out here? No! Do we have a hundred people out here? No! Do we have millions and millions of us across the country? Yes! … We are millions!” This sentiment echoed across major cities in the U.S., where similar protests occurred, including New York City, where 150 demonstrators were arrested just a day prior at Trump Tower.
The call for Khalil’s release is part of a much larger conversation concerning civil rights and immigration in the U.S. Speaking at the rally, Buff highlighted her identity as a proud Jewish leftist and criticized the current administration. She stated, “The clear and present danger to Jews... is the return of the party of suppression... this regime has absolutely nothing—no solutions, no programs, just hate and destruction.” Buff argued that Khalil is a “political prisoner of this white nationalist imperialist regime,” a view echoed by other speakers at the rally.
Much of the rally was centered on the need for community solidarity across various movements advocating for Palestinian rights, immigrant rights, and free speech. Alan Chavoya, the treasurer for the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, asserted, “The case around Khalil is an attack on Palestine... It is an attack on workers. It is an attack on immigrants. It is an attack on Muslims.” Also present was Deisy Espana, a member of Voces de la Frontera, who articulated the broader implications of Khalil's detainment, urging activists to unite in their fight against the oppressive policies targeting marginalized communities.
The atmosphere at the protest was charged with urgency, as attendees recognized Khalil’s case as a chilling effect on free speech and activism in general. Espana pointed out, “What we are seeing right now is Mahmoud, a green card holder who exercises First Amendment rights, being detained. If they can do that to someone of his status, what does it mean for someone who is undocumented?”
In a significant turn of events, June Rose, the Chief of Staff for the Providence City Council, was arrested on March 13 during a separate protest in New York City, embodying the risks faced by activists. Over 90 individuals were arrested that day, including Rose, sparking a harsh backlash from some political circles. Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers criticized Rose's actions, arguing that elected officials should focus on serving their constituents instead of engaging in protests. Others, including Council President Rachel Miller, defended Rose, stating, “This is a perilous moment for our democracy and taking action is not something to be scorned.”
As the support for Khalil continues, the overarching theme is clear: the connection between free speech, activism, and broader struggles against oppression. Proponents argue that Khalil’s case is emblematic of a fight not just for Palestinian rights, but for the fundamental freedoms that Americans hold dear. Activists across the country see their voices resonating and uniting them in a common cause.
Activists like Khalil are considered crucial not only for their contributions to discourse but also as representations of marginalized voices that challenge dominant narratives. “They want us to feel alone, to feel small,” said one student activist. “But look around. Mahmoud is not alone. We are not alone.” Full of determination, the protests serve as a reminder that advocacy and resistance against injustices continue unabated, drawing attention to the plight of oppressed peoples worldwide.
