Mohsen Mahdawi Fought ICE and Won His Freedom. For Now.

Summary

Reveal Podcast Episode Summary
Title: Mohsen Madawi Fought ICE and Won His Freedom. For Now.
Release Date: June 25, 2025
Host: Al Letson
Guest: Mohsen Madawi, Palestinian Activist and Columbia University Student

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Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Mohsen Madawi Fought ICE and Won His Freedom. For Now," Reveal delves deep into the harrowing experience of Mohsen Madawi, a Palestinian activist whose pursuit of U.S. citizenship turned into a nightmarish encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Hosted by Al Letson, this episode sheds light on the intersection of activism, immigration policies, and personal resilience.

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Background: Mohsen Madawi’s Activism and Citizenship Journey

Mohsen Madawi, a dedicated student at Columbia University and a passionate Palestinian activist, had been a lawful resident in the United States for over a decade. In April, after anticipating the culmination of his long-awaited U.S. citizenship process, Mohsen walked into an immigration office with hopes of solidifying his place in the country he considered home.

Quote:
Mohsen Madawi [00:15]: “This is why I'm here, because I believe in the principles of this country. Of course I will.”

However, what was supposed to be a standard citizenship interview swiftly took a dark turn. As Mohsen recounted, after signing a document affirming his allegiance, DHS agents abruptly stormed the office, leading to his unexpected arrest ([00:15]).

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The ICE Arrest and Detention

Mohsen’s arrest was not an isolated incident but part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration targeting pro-Palestinian activists on college campuses. The timing raised suspicions about the true intent behind Mohsen’s citizenship interview.

Quote:
Al Letson [02:32]: “Mohsen Madawi is one of the many students who the Trump administration targeted because of their pro Palestinian activism on college campuses.”

Following his arrest, the Department of Justice levied accusations dating back a decade, alleging Mohsen’s involvement in attempts to acquire weapons and making anti-Jewish remarks. These serious allegations were later dismissed by a federal judge as unfounded, leading to Mohsen's release on bail. Currently, Mohsen is actively suing the Trump administration over his wrongful detention ([03:30] - [15:46]).

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Navigating Fear and Intimidation

Weeks before his arrest, tensions were palpable among student activists. Mohsen sensed impending danger, especially after his friend Mahmoud Khalil was detained in March. The atmosphere was one of fear and uncertainty.

Quote:
Mohsen Madawi [04:00]: “The moment I received the interview, I had conflicted feelings. Is this an actual interview for my citizenship that I've been waiting for for over a year? Or is it a trap?”

Determined to protect himself, Mohsen adopted strategies learned from his upbringing in a refugee camp—limiting public exposure, sheltering in place, and maintaining minimal contact with others to avoid detection ([07:57]).

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Accusations of Antisemitism and Mohsen’s Defense

A contentious point of discussion revolves around accusations labeling the protests Mohsen was part of as antisemitic, causing distress among Jewish students.

Quote:
Mohsen Madawi [10:21]: “It's a false accusation. It's part of this whole agenda of gaslighting American people and capitalizing on the trauma that the Jewish people have from the antisemitism in Europe.”

Mohsen vehemently denies these claims, emphasizing his collaborations with Israeli friends who share his vision for peace and justice. He further highlights his extensive academic work aimed at envisioning peaceful resolutions in the Middle East, underscoring his commitment to non-violence and empathy ([10:21] - [12:34]).

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The Arrest: A Detailed Account

On the day of his citizenship interview, Mohsen entered the USCIS office accompanied by his lawyer and a friend. Within minutes, the atmosphere shifted ominously. After successfully answering the citizenship test, Mohsen was asked to sign an additional document—a moment that quickly escalated into his arrest by DHS agents.

Quote:
Mohsen Madawi [16:05]: “I signed the document and he said, just give me a few seconds. He opened the back door, and all of a sudden, DHS agents storm the office and they say, you're under arrest.”

Despite the sudden upheaval, Mohsen maintained his composure, even offering a V sign and a smile to a recording agent as he was led away, symbolizing his unwavering spirit ([16:05] - [18:43]).

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From Refugee Camp to American Dream: Personal Histories of Trauma

Mohsen’s narrative is deeply intertwined with his childhood experiences in a West Bank refugee camp. He recounts witnessing relentless violence, including the tragic loss of close friends and family members to conflict-induced atrocities.

Quote:
Mohsen Madawi [23:47]: “I saw my best friend, who was actually a black Palestinian, 12 years old, was shot by an Israeli soldier and killed in front of my eyes. We were playing basketball before... He shouldn't have been killed. He's an innocent kid.”

These traumatic memories have profoundly shaped Mohsen's worldview, instilling in him a relentless pursuit of peace and justice. Despite the pain, Mohsen acknowledges that his suffering has cultivated a deep sense of empathy and resilience, enabling him to advocate effectively for alleviating the suffering of innocent children caught in conflicts ([23:37] - [27:10]).

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Reflections on U.S. Citizenship and Future Aspirations

Despite the ordeal, Mohsen’s relationship with the United States remains complex. He expresses a nuanced view of his desire to obtain U.S. citizenship, recognizing the country's critical juncture amidst challenges to equality and democracy.

Quote:
Mohsen Madawi [27:20]: “I think the United States is in a very critical stage of its life. The country is in danger. I see that. And I'm not alone. It's every other American who is concerned about equality, who's concerned about democracy.”

While he grapples with his experiences, Mohsen remains optimistic about America's potential for change, drawing inspiration from historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. He underscores the importance of diversity and the continuous struggle for humanity and equality ([27:10] - [29:59]).

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Conclusion

The episode concludes with Mohsen affirming his commitment to the United States, despite the adversities he has faced. His story is a testament to the resilience of immigrants fighting for their rights and the principles they believe in. As Mohsen continues his legal battle against the Trump administration, he remains a symbol of courage and the enduring quest for justice.

Quote:
Mohsen Madawi [30:02]: “What makes America great, really, is this diversity and this continuous momentum for struggle. And it's a struggle, some people think, for racial equality. No, it's a struggle for humanity.”

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Further Listening

For those interested in understanding the broader context of student protests and campus activism, Reveal recommends the episode "A War of Weapons and Words." This installment explores the heated tensions at Columbia University following Hamas's October 7th attack on Israel, featuring more insights from Mohsen about his pivotal role in these protests.

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Behind the Scenes

This episode was produced by Josh Sandberg and Carl McGurk, with theme music and engineering by Fernando "My Man," Yo Aruda, Jay Breezy, and Jim Briggs. For more in-depth investigative journalism and storytelling, visit revealnews.org.

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This summary encapsulates the essence of the Reveal podcast episode, highlighting Mohsen Madawi's brave stand against ICE, his profound personal history, and his unwavering commitment to justice and empathy.

Transcript

[Al Letson]

In April, after living in the US for more than a decade, Columbia University student and Palestinian activist Mohsen Madawi walked into an immigration office. He was there to become a U.S. citizen.

[Mohsen Madawi]

The agent was interviewing me. He said, would you be willing to take the Pledge of Allegiance to protect and defend the Constitution of this country? And they said, this is why I'm here, because I believe in the principles of this country. Of course I will. And he asked me to sign a document. So I signed the document and he said, just give me a few seconds. He opened the back door and all of a sudden DHS agents storm the office and they say, you're under arrest.

[Al Letson]

It wasn't that long ago that college students were being detained by ICE because of their protests over the war in Gaza. And today, despite objections from the federal government, some of those students have been release. One of them is Mohsen Madawi. He's our guest this week on More to the Story. Stay with us.

[Christian Farias]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with the name your price tool from Progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try [e-mail], progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states. Support for this show comes from the Exploratorium Leap into the wild new world of artificial intelligence this summer at the all new all ages Exhibition Adventures in AI now through September 14th at Pier 15. Tickets at Exploratorium. Edu AI.

[David Remnick]

Right now, we are living through some of the most tumultuous political times our country has ever known. I'm David Remnick, and each week on the New Yorker Radio Hour, I'll try to make sense of what's happening alongside politicians and thinkers like Cory Booker, Nancy Pelosi, Liz Cheney, Tim Waltz, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Newt Gingrich, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Charlemagne, tha God and so many more. That's all on the New Yorker Radio Hour. Wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Al Letson]

This is more to the story. I'm Al Letson. Mohsen Madawi is one of the many students who the Trump administration targeted because of their pro Palestinian activism on college campuses. In fact, Mohsen's friend Mahmoud Khalil made headlines just last week after he was released from federal detention in Louisiana. Back in April, Mohsen was also arrested. The Trump administration accused him of jeopardizing U.S. foreign policy, and later the Department of Justice brought up accusations from a decade ago that Mohsen had tried to acquire weapons and talked about target targeting Jewish people. Mohsen denies those accusations, and a federal judge determined that the claims were unfounded. Mohsen has since been released on bail and is suing the Trump administration over his detention. He joins me today. And just a note, Mohsen's lawyer from the ACLU also sat in on our conversation. Mohsen, how you doing?

[Mohsen Madawi]

I am. It's a great pleasure to be with you. All things considered, I'm doing all right.

[Al Letson]

Yeah, you went through a really traumatic experience. I want to kind of unpack all of it. So let's just start from the beginning. Weeks before your arrest by ICE in April, you had a feeling that something might happen when you showed up for your citizenship interview. What tipped you off?

[Mohsen Madawi]

So Mahmoud Khalil, who is my fellow student and friend from Colombia, he was detained on March 8. The night Mahmoud was detained, my phone was ringing over and over and over after 3am it was a Saturday. So usually I take Saturdays to meditate. And generally speaking, I ignore phone calls or when people are reaching out to me. But when I saw that my phone was basically exploding with messages and phone calls, I decided to answer. And that's when I picked up the news that Mahmoud was detained. And there was fear and intimidation and serious concern in the student body, and everybody was encouraging me to leave the city. But at that time, I said the best course of action would be sheltering in place because most likely if I get outside of the building where I was staying, I would be also caught, kidnapped, and taken to Louisiana. And that what sets the feeling for the interview? So the moment I received the interview, I had conflicted feelings. Is this an actual interview for my citizenship that I've been waiting for for over than a year? Or is it a trap?

[Al Letson]

I imagine when you got the notice that you had this interview and all of this is going on, that it feels like this can't be a coinc.

[Mohsen Madawi]

That's exactly right. And I saw also what ICE agents have done with other students. For example, two students from Columbia, one PhD and one undergrad, was in Barnard. They went to their own apartments and dorms, and ICE agents were activated there. The first thing I've done when I received this, I emailed the legal team who I was working with, and they said, we need to wait on this. And they too were kind of confused. Yeah, it might be a trap. It might be a legitimate interview. But we knew that by that time because President Trump in January, he declared that pro Palestine Citizens would be deported. And there was a vicious attack by the extreme pro war, pro Israel groups that were calling for our deportation. And they actually launched a campaign against me starting in late January, about two months before Mahmoud was arrested.

[Al Letson]

What was the mood like on campus prior to Trump's election? Did you ever think something like this would happen, that is them coming to take student protesters and basically deport them all because they were just exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech?

[Mohsen Madawi]

The general sense was not there, to be honest with you. I did not imagine that this is coming up. And I hear the threats and the promises that is being delivered by Trump. And actually, some of my friends said, you should speed up your citizenship interview, because what if he comes into presidency and then he starts deporting people? And I thought, well, I can see it happening for students with visas, but I am a green card holder. I've been in this country for 10 years. I've seen it through ups and downs. I've seen the first Trump's administration policies and way of action. I have not seen anything like this. So it was a very low possibility on my end, but I did not see it coming this way.

[Al Letson]

What did you do to try and prevent your detainment when you had a feeling that, you know, this might be coming down the road?

[Mohsen Madawi]

A number of things. What I did, actually, this is something I learned from Palestine, because I was born and raised in a refugee camp, living under the apartheid system of Israel and under occupation. So I knew the best thing to do is to limit my contact, to not create routines, to not be in public spaces and to shelter in place, a place where nobody else almost know except very, very tight, trusted circle. And in fact, I was sheltering in place for a long time. For over more than 20 days, I was in the same spot. I did not leave the apartment. I also tried to reach out to Colombia to engage the senior administration, telling them that you have encouraged us to free speech and academic freedom, all what we do here. I tried to engage Columbia University as well in the conversation, to provide protection to me and to move me from off campus, which is I was living basically nearby campus, but on a street. If I walk outside of the building, ICE agents could detain me.

[Al Letson]

Do you feel like there was a change in the administration of Colombia, or do you feel like this is kind of always who they were since you started there?

[Mohsen Madawi]

I would say that there is a betrayal to the principles and values of the university, because when it came to Ukraine, for example, I was at Colombia and I saw the statements that came out from the senior administration. They even let law library, which is most significant building if you've been on campus, they lit it with the Ukrainian flag and they made very strong statements. They encouraged the students to speak up and they provided resources to Ukrainian students. And keep in mind, I lost many family members after October 7, and other Palestinian students also lost family members.

[Al Letson]

When people say the protests you were a part of at Columbia were anti Semitic and made Jewish students feel unsafe, how do you respond to that?

[Mohsen Madawi]

I would say this is a false accusation. It's part of this whole agenda of gaslighting American people and capitalizing on the trauma that the Jewish people have from the antisemitism in Europe. And they're pointing in the wrong directions. There are many reasons why this can be easily refuted. First of all, I have many partners who are Israelis who see the injustice, who stand against it, and who want to see peace and justice in the region. So they cannot be antisemitic. They call them self hating Jews sometimes, but they cannot be called antisemitic Israelis and Jews. The second part, I have actually wrote a paper, a long paper, over 60 pages about envisioning a peaceful resolution in the Middle east, especially between Palestinians and Israelis. Add to all of this that I am a person who is empathetic. I understand and I empathize with the pain and the trauma of all people. And my empathy, as I mentioned in many different interviews, extends beyond the Palestinians, my people. It extends to the Israelis and to the Jewish people. And my whole project, my whole vision is centered on basically alleviating and relieving the suffering and the pain of the children who are innocent of any guilt. The children who deserve to live free of trauma, free of pain, free of suffering. And I am also a Buddhist practitioner. I believe in non violence. I believe in empathy. I believe in alleviating suffering. So the accusations of antisemitism is just to. It's a textbook tactic to basically create more intimidation and fear and to blind people from seeing the truth. The truth is very clear that there is a genocide in Palestine and there is an apartheid in Palestine and America is funding it.

[Al Letson]

So going back to the process that you were going through, what's going through your head on the morning of the citizenship interview?

[Mohsen Madawi]

I would say on the night before the citizenship interview, I actually was meditating the night before. And by that time, keep in mind, I have prepared well before the interview not only for the questions that I would be asked for the citizenship about the constitution of this country, but also I prepared that this might be a very strong possibility. So I reached out to my representatives, to the senators and the congresswoman, to House representatives, to my community, tight circle. And they said, just keep it, you know, confidential, but this is a possibility. I did interviews with some media telling them I am a peacemaker. I'm a person who's advocating for ending the conflict and for justice. And this is my story. Because if I get detained, I may not have a voice anymore. And I also prepared with an intelligent team of lawyers who were so prepared that the moment I get captured or detained or with the accurate names, kidnapped, because that's what happened, they would be able to file on the spot to prevent my transfer from here to another place. So this is all before the day of. I was thinking, how can I be comfortable during detainment? So what I did is I chose the suit and the shirt that are most flexible and breathable. Instead of using, you know, a formal shoes that would be difficult on my feet, I chose a sneaker, a white, you know, slip in sneaker. And I ensured that, you know, I would be comfortable. So I was hydrating and trying to just be ready for that moment.

[Al Letson]

I think it's really important to say just really clearly for the listeners that before this interview, you didn't come to this country without documents. You have a green card, you were documented, you were here legally. All of this stuff that happened to you should not have happened under the rule of law.

[Mohsen Madawi]

That's exactly right. And also, I am like, if one might say, a perfect immigrant. I worked in this country, I paid taxes, I learned about the laws and respected the laws, never committed a crime. And I went to the top institutions to learn basically Western education. And that is what has opened my world. So to make this exception and to want to basically silence me, that's what they wanted. And to intimidate other students, make an example of me, is really a great violation, I would say, to what we have seen in this country, even to the rule of law.

[Al Letson]

Can you tell me about the arrest itself in the back of your mind, and maybe not even the back of your mind, in the forefront of your mind, you knew that this was a possibility. So you walk into, or you're heading to the interview that's been set up with Immigration. Talk me through the arrest. How did it all happen?

[Mohsen Madawi]

We entered the USCIS office, which is, you know, the immigration, where my interview should take place. It was myself, the lawyer and a friend of mine. After we arrived, within less than 10 minutes, the lobby had nobody. Everybody was processed and Left the office except us. Just three people sitting in the lobby. And it gets so quiet to the point I looked at my lawyer and my friend. They said, the storm and the calm before the storm. Well, the interview took place. I answered everything as I should, and I answered the questions. And there was this moment, actually, after I was quizzed on the test. You know, before you become a citizen, you have to study 100 questions about this country and the institution. So I answered them correctly. And the agent who was interviewing me, he said, would you be willing to take the Pledge of Allegiance to protect and defend the Constitution of this country? And I said, this is why I'm here, because I believe in the principles of this country. Of course I will. And he asked me to sign a document. So I signed the document, and he said, just give me a few seconds. He opened the back door, and all of a sudden, DHS agents storm the office and they say, you're under arrest. They isolate me from my lawyer. They don't show me any paperwork, and they give them my hands. I didn't want to be handcuffed to the back, to my back. So I give them my hands and they say, I am a peaceful man. I'm not going to resist. And I have to give them credit because they did not make the cuffs too tight on my hands. And I noticed that they were gentle. And this is something special to Vermont that, generally speaking, even if you deal with ICE agents or with police in Vermont, the culture is a little bit different. And that is when basically I was taken out directly into an unmarked suv. And that's the moment when I was very calm. I was able to be so aware of my surrounding. And I saw somebody with a phone recording, and that's when I saw him. I wanted to send a message, and I gave the V sign and I smiled.

[Al Letson]

When we come back, Mohsen discusses growing up in a refugee camp in the west bank and the harrowing things he saw as a child that still linger with him today.

[Mohsen Madawi]

I felt that burn inside of me that is unjust. He shouldn't have been killed. He's an innocent kid.

[Al Letson]

But before we continue our conversation, I want to remind you that there is an easy way to keep up with all the important work we're doing here at Reveal. You can sign up for our free newsletter. Just go to revealnews.org newsletter to receive your weekly email reminding you of all about our reporting and storytelling. We have to stay connected now more than ever. Okay, we'll be back soon with more from Mohsin. Madawi. Don't go anywhere.

[Christian Farias]

Free speech is under attack in a new podcast, the Bullies Trump versus The First Amendment. Journalist Christian Farias and the Knight First Amendment Institute investigate how today's legal and political battles are reshaping the First Amendment as we know it. From student protests to newsroom crackdowns, it's a deep dive into power, policy and resistance. Listen to the bully's pulpit wherever you get your podcasts.

[David Remnick]

Hi, this is Michael Montgomery. I'm a senior producer and reporter at Reveal. Subscriptions Paywalls not here. We believe that groundbreaking journalism should be free and accessible to everyone. If you can pitch in, please donate today. Just text the word give to 88857 Reveal. That's 888-577-3832 or visit revealnews.org donate. Your donation of any amount helps make our work.

[Al Letson]

This is more to the story. I'm Al Ledsen and I'm talking with Palestinian activist and Columbia student Mohsen Madawi. And a quick warning that some of our conversation contains graphic descriptions of the kind of violence Mohsen was exposed to as a child. One of the things that really struck me was something that you had talked about before, which is the revelation while being detained about following the footsteps of your family members and your elders. Can you kind of talk me through that?

[Mohsen Madawi]

I thought that I was off the hook the moment I left Palestine. And off the hook means that I am no longer subjected to systems of injustice and being detained unjustly and being put in prison and being persecuted just for speaking up for justice and for truth. So over the years after my family was exiled into the west bank into a refugee camp, my grandfather was arrested unjustly and put in prison, my father and my uncles, and recently also over the past two decades, my, my cousins. So when I was detained and put in a cell in a prison that was seven by 12, this is the dimension of it. I really started thinking of how did they feel, my family? And I felt connected to them. And it was, it was ironic that this is happening in the United States in a place where I first knew the experience of freedom. I never knew what freedom is before coming to the United States. Now I am being detained for speaking about my firsthand experience, the pain, the loss, the trauma that I felt in the refugee camp. And there was this very strong image, actually, because, you know, there is routines in the prison. So the guard will come with with a flashlight at night and they would check regularly. And how would they check? They would shine the Light through the squared window in the door. And one night while I'm laying in the bunk bed, the light was so strong in my eyes, it flashed in my eyes, and with it I had a memory flashing of my uncle Abed, who had permanent red eyes from the torture in Israeli prisons. And that's when I started connecting this whole image with my uncle, with my cousins, and with my father and my grandfather.

[Al Letson]

When you were younger, you experienced some violent incidents growing up in the West Bank. Can you tell me about those and how they shaped your worldview?

[Mohsen Madawi]

So as a child, you know, just living in a refugee camp is a level of suffering, very tight place, 60, almost 61 acres with about 10,000 people. You have no space to play, no space to study, except in refugee schools. And it's a very difficult experience. Add to this the very traumatic experience during the second intifado. And as a child, I saw my best friend, who was actually a black Palestinian, 12 years old, his name is Hameda, was shot by an Israeli soldier and killed in front of my eyes. We were playing basketball before, and basketball without having actually a basket in the street, we just like shooting over kind of an edge. And if it lands 90 degrees, we consider it, you know, that we scored. Very innocent kid. Oh, his life was taken in a second. And I felt that burn inside of me that is unjust. He shouldn't have been killed. He's an innocent kid. Also, I lost my uncle September 12, 2001, after September 11, and that's actually my. Was my 11th birthday. Instead of my uncle celebrating my birthday, I walked in his funeral and I saw him with blood on his beard and blood on his body. He was shot twice in the head and once in the shoulder. And for a child, this is a traumatic experience to lose somebody who you look up to. And after that, Al is. I mean, this series continues. I lost two cousins. I was shot in my leg when I was 15 years old. And the trauma of, like, the explosions, the shooting, seeing people, body parts just torn apart all over the place and skin sticking on walls where I had to peel it with my little hands when I was 12 years old to put their bodies in plastic bags, that's all a very strong images trauma that can live with us forever. And I feel very blessed that I was able to process this trauma and to heal from it here in America. America provided me and Vermont provided me with the space to reprocess and to feel a little bit safe and to be able to heal from this. So those experiences you feel at west in Your stomach, you feel a rage at the beginning and anger when you see them. This is something weird to say. I'm grateful for this path of suffering because without pain and suffering, I would not understand what healing and joy is. Without this path of loss and trauma, I may not have that strong sense of empathy to alleviate stress and trauma. And seeing what's happening now in the west bank and in Gaza and even what's happening in Iran and in Israel, it makes me just empathize with children who are going through this. Wars are not an answer to making peace.

[Al Letson]

After this long journey and everything that you've gone through here in the United States, do you still want to be a U.S. citizen?

[Mohsen Madawi]

I think the United States is in a very critical stage of its life. The country is in danger. I see that. And I'm not alone. It's every other American who is concerned about equality, who's concerned about democracy. It's a struggle for humanity. And what's going to happen in America is going to affect the rest of humanity. So do I want to be a citizen? I am in solidarity with people here. We'll see what's going to happen.

[Al Letson]

I hear you. That's not a clear answer, though. So are you saying that, listen, I wouldn't blame you for feeling differently after everything that you've gone through. This is not a trick question. I'm just curious that after everything you've gone through, would go into Canada be better? And so I just imagine that there's gotta be this feeling of where do I call home?

[Mohsen Madawi]

What's the alternative? The alternative is putting my life under risk, to go under apartheid system that might assassinate me, that might imprison me, that might shoot me. To live in a West bank under the Israeli terrorist settlers who are living there and attacking Palestinian communities every day. So this is the only home, actually, that I've known when it comes to being safe and loved. And yes, I want to be a citizen in this country. When I look at the history of this country and I think of Martin Luther King Jr. He was imprisoned. No. He was treated badly. No. He was spied on. No. He was attacked. No. John Lewis, his head was wide, you know, he was hit with a path. And he continued to be persecuted and he was imprisoned. But they did not give up on the principles because the principles are good principles, to be honest with you. The issue is the application of those principles. What makes America great, really, is this diversity and this continuous momentum for struggle. And it's a struggle, some people think, for racial equality. No, it's a struggle for humanity. We all now are yearning for this equality for humanity, to be seen, to be respected and to have our freedom and our rights. And we are in this together.

[Al Letson]

Mohsen Madawi, thank you so much for coming in and talking to me today.

[Mohsen Madawi]

Thank you Al. It's a great honor and pleasure and hopefully the next time we will be taking a hike in Vermont or I would love to.

[Al Letson]

I would love to. Let's do it. That was Palestinian activist Mohsen Madawi. We reached out to Columbia University for a response to Mohsen's claims that they did not provide him with a safe space or offer a public statement or legal counsel. As of this episode posting, we have not heard back. If you like this conversation, you should check out the Reveal episode, a War of weapons and words. It's about the heated protests that erupted on Columbia's campus in the wake of Hamas's October 7th attack on Israel. And it includes an interview with Mohsen about his role in the protests on campus more than a year before he was detained by ice. Lastly, just a reminder, we are listener supported. That means listeners like you, you can help us thrive by making a gift today. Just go to reveal news.org gift again, that's reveal news.org gift. Thank you. This episode was produced by Josh sandberg and Carl McGurk. Allison theme music and engineering helped by Fernando my man, Yo Aruda and Jay Breezy. Mr. Jim Briggs. I'm Alads and you know, come on, let's do this again next week. This is more to the story.

[Mohsen Madawi]

From PRX.