Free speech is among the most important of all values in our culture. The free exchange of ideas is paramount to the rule of law which is foundational to our nation.
While one may not agree with Mahmoud Khalil’s opinions about Hamas or the genocide that Israel is engaged in, his right to state them, even as a green card holder, should never be challenged like it has.
For the government to do so is reprehensible. Mahmoud Khalil must be released immediately. Every American should be willing to take to the streets in support of his freedom as he has done nothing illegal.
He is not the only one targeted as there have been a number recently. Rumeysa Ozturk, a graduate student from Turkey, has also been summarily detained and is being held in the same facility in Louisiana as Khalil.
And there are others there under exactly the same circumstances, all without due process. And even worse, there were entire planes of detainees who were sent to El Salvador in an ‘incarcerate for dollars’ scheme, again all without due process even though some were in the U.S. legally.
Government cannot be allowed to police our speech. And if they can disappear Kahlil, they can disappear you.
We must stand for due process and free speech.
David Black
Bayfield
