Protest held on Polk Place in solidarity with Mahmoud Khalil and Leqaa Kordia

Approximately 150 students, faculty and community members gathered at Polk Place on Wednesday in solidarity with Mahmoud Khalil and Leqaa Kordia, two pro-Palestinian activists from Columbia University who were recently arrested by federal immigration authorities.

UNC Students for Justice in Palestine, Duke Jewish Solidarity Movement, UNC Mixed Asian/Pacific Islander Students' Heritage Club, Young Democratic Socialists of America at N.C. State University, Triangle N.C. Jewish Voice for Peace and TransparUNCy made a joint Instagram post sharing a flyer for the protest, which began around 1 p.m. Multiple people gave speeches about Khalil’s arrest and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Some demonstrators carried signs with slogans like, “Free Mahmoud and Leqaa Kordia Now,” “Free Palestine” and “ICE off our campus.”

Khalil was involved in pro-Palestinian student demonstrations at Columbia University last year and was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 8. As a green-card holder, Khalil is a legal resident of the United States.

Kordia also participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia. She was arrested by U.S. immigration agents shortly after Khalil, and had overstayed a student visa. Their arrests stem from a broader effort by the Trump administration to combat what it calls “antisemitic activity” on college campuses.

According to a March 17 Instagram post captioned "Statement on Mahmoud Khalil, Leqaa Kordia, and Protecting Students Rights on NC Campuses," SJP’s demands for UNC System universities include publicly declaring sanctuary, refusing to cooperate with ICE, denying ICE access to records and protecting students’ freedoms of speech and protest.

In January, Chancellor Lee Roberts released an announcement stating that the University will comply with ICE officials seeking undocumented individuals on campus.

In a Feb. 3 letter, Roberts responded to concerns from the American Civil Liberties Union about the University’s commitment to protecting the rights of its undocumented students. In a statement, UNC Media Relations said the University supports students’ rights in making their voices heard in a way that is respectful and in accordance with laws and campus policies.

“I know that students within our community are experiencing heightened uncertainty and anxiety as a result of the changing landscape around immigration enforcement,” Roberts wrote in his letter to the ACLU. “We are continuing to serve these students and to provide resources and support so that we may address their academic, mental health, and other needs.” 

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