In Montpelier, Vermont, a Palestinian student has aired his grievances against Columbia University, alleging that the institution is undermining democratic principles amid its response to campus demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas conflict. Mohsen Mahdawi, who is 34 years old and was on the verge of completing his U.S. citizenship process, claims the university has fueled discord rather than supporting its students’ rights to peaceful protest.
Having led anti-war protests at the prestigious Ivy League institution in New York during 2023 and 2024, Mahdawi was detained for over two weeks in a Vermont prison. The court eventually ordered his release on April 30. However, the Trump administration sought to overturn this decision, claiming Mahdawi’s activism posed a threat to its foreign policy aims. Nevertheless, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected this argument, emphasizing that the value of personal freedom outweighs the government’s insubstantial claims.
The administration’s efforts to deport Mahdawi, led by argumentation that his activism endangered its interests, faced scrutiny by the judiciary. A judge previously noted that Mahdawi presented a significant argument that his arrest was an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
In light of recent events, Mahdawi criticized Columbia University, asserting that it fosters aggression against students instead of promoting hope. Mahdawi’s comments came after pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed with security personnel inside one of the university’s libraries, leading to numerous arrests. Labeling the university’s actions as a compromise of democratic norms, Mahdawi expressed his dissatisfaction with what he perceives as an alignment with the Trump administration’s policies.
Columbia University’s response to the student demonstrations included recent policy changes after the Trump administration threatened to withdraw federal funding. While the university’s spokesperson remained reserved about providing comments regarding the protests, the acting president, Claire Shipman, defended the university’s course of action. She contended that protesters refused to comply with requests to show identification and exit the premises, and their presence disrupted the campus environment during final exams.
Mahdawi, originally from a refugee camp in the West Bank, entered the United States in 2014 and became an active participant at Columbia University. He played a vital role in organizing protests and founded the Palestinian Student Union along with another Palestinian student. Mahdawi recounted his arrest, which occurred shortly after completing his naturalization process at a Vermont immigration office, as a shocking and disillusioning event.
His detention is part of a broader pattern under the Trump administration, involving the arrest of various college students across the U.S. This crackdown primarily affected those protesting the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Notably, Mahdawi’s case became a beacon of hope when he achieved release from custody after contesting his arrest.
Parallel to Mahdawi’s situation, a separate court ruling favored Rumeysa Ozturk, a student from Tufts University. Her case prompted a re-evaluation of her detention conditions, symbolizing the justice system’s adherence to constitutional rights in turbulent times.
Despite the hardships faced, Mahdawi shared a message with fellow students like Ozturk, encouraging them to maintain hope and faith in the justice system. He remains optimistic about attending his graduation ceremony, viewing it as a gesture of resilience and the inherent value of education.
The ongoing government challenge to Mahdawi’s release has not deterred him from planning to participate in his graduation ceremony in New York, signifying a defiance against attempts to undermine his academic efforts and the initiatives he contributed to alongside a diverse group of students.