Editor's note: All opinions, columns and letters reflect the views of the individual writer and not necessarily those of the IDS or its staffers.
In the spring of 2024, I participated in the “illegal” pro-Palestinian protests, confident in the recently uncertain protection of the First Amendment. Given the horrifying reality of mass civilian casualties and the weaponization of humanitarian aid in Gaza alongside my university’s role in supporting the defense industry — namely through a $111 partnership with Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, which is involved in military technology development — and my own complicity in funding this university, I felt compelled to demonstrate.
My protests were not, and are not, in the name of Hamas, but rather in defense of humanity. Protecting humanity means advocating for Palestinians who are being denied the most basic human rights. It means speaking out against the oppression they face, demanding justice and ensuring the world does not look away from their suffering. It means responding with urgency to protect and preserve our shared humanity.
This very right that has protected my ability to speak out without fear of retribution is the same one that has now led to the detention of Mahmoud Khalil. This unprecedented and illegal act undermines the integrity of our fundamental democratic freedoms, threatening the very principles of justice our so-called “democracy” is supposed to uphold. This reprehensible, deplorable, not to mention illegal abduction of Khalil signals the beginning of an extremely dangerous new political climate, under which political dissent becomes a target.
Indiana University pro-Palestinian demonstrations are now under investigation for the university’s alleged failure to “fulfill their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students.” In light of these accusations of antisemitism, it is more important than ever to exercise our First Amendment rights, emphasizing that condemning the actions of the Israeli government does not equate to antisemitism.
Palestinians are being deliberately deprived of food, water and electricity, while civilians, health workers, and journalists are under direct attack. We are currently watching a genocide play out in front of us, supported by our own university and funded by our own government. As students we should be outraged that our university partners with an organization procuring military technology used in genocide. As Americans, we should be infuriated by our government’s blatant support of war crimes. And as students at an American university, we should be emboldened to use our First Amendment rights to defend Palestinian rights.
In a Truth Social post Trump said, “This is the first arrest of many to come. We know there are more students at Columbia and other Universities across the Country who have engaged in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity, and the Trump Administration will not tolerate it. Many are not students, they are paid agitators. We will find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country — never to return again.”
It is not antisemitic nor anti-American to advocate for a world in which everyone's rights are protected. It is not antisemitic nor anti-American to protest when these rights are being infringed upon. Therefore, it is not antisemitic nor anti-American to protest our universities funding of genocide. Around the world, the very principles that define and govern our notions of "humanity” are under siege. Meanwhile, the very principles that define and govern our “rights” in America are being attacked. In the face of injustice, we cannot remain silent, for in doing so, we become complicit. As students, we have the power and responsibility to demand change. We must call for Indiana University to do better.
Savannah Ahmad (she/her) is a senior studying Human Biology with a minor in Political Science.
