Students gathered at Parks Library in Ames, Iowa on March 13, 2025, to protest the recent arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a former graduate student at Columbia University. Khalil, a Palestinian activist who played a significant role in protests against Israel, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Saturday evening. While he is a permanent legal resident of the U.S. and holds a valid green card and student visa, Khalil has been transferred from a detention center in New Jersey to an ICE facility in Louisiana.
Binx Hilton, a freshman at the College of Design and the organizer of the protest, highlighted the importance of supporting Khalil’s release and advocating for increased free speech protections for international students. Hilton expressed concern that students should not fear expressing their opinions or attending protests due to the threat of deportation.
Liliana Cochiaro, a first-year student in elementary education, emphasized the broader implications of Khalil’s arrest as part of a pattern of First Amendment violations in recent months. She described the arrest as one event in a series of infringements on free speech rights, calling for increased awareness and action to address these issues.
Engagement with the Community
During the protest, several passersby engaged with the demonstrators, with some joining in the protest by holding signs and participating in chants. The supportive response from the community highlighted the significance of solidarity and activism in addressing social justice issues. Cochiaro noted that protesting is a crucial avenue for progress and driving meaningful change in society.
In addition to raising awareness about Khalil’s situation, two demonstrators distributed fliers promoting a newly established student organization called Students Resisting Fascism. Riley Lester, a senior studying kinesiology and health and one of the founders of the club, emphasized the importance of speaking out against oppressive government practices. Lester underscored the club’s mission to combat the influence of elite corporatist interests and promote class consciousness among students, framing the struggle as a battle between the rich and the working class.
The protest at Parks Library served as a platform for students to voice their support for Khalil’s release and advocate for the protection of free speech rights on college campuses. The event underscored the importance of solidarity, activism, and community engagement in addressing social justice issues and standing up against infringements on fundamental rights.
By coming together to support a fellow student and raise awareness about broader issues of free speech and activism, the protesters exemplified the power of collective action in effecting change and fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. As the protest drew to a close, the spirit of unity and commitment to upholding democratic principles resonated among the participants, reinforcing the importance of standing up for justice and advocating for the rights of all individuals.
