Weekly Vigils Mondays 12PM - 116th and Broadway, NYC + Tuesday, September 30 Court Support
Columbia Faculty and Students Issue Urgent Call for Solidarity with Student and Peace Activist Mohsen Mahdawi
New York, NY — Concerned faculty and students at Columbia University are calling for urgent public support for Mohsen Mahdawi, a graduate student and peace activist whose release from prison is under federal appeal.
On Tuesday, September 30, the U.S. government will argue before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to overturn Mahdawi’s release. If successful, the appeal could result in his immediate re-imprisonment.
“Mohsen’s case is not only about one student,” said a Columbia faculty spokesperson. “It is about protecting the fundamental rights of free expression and peaceful protest, and ensuring that members of the Columbia community are not politically targeted.”
Upcoming Actions
Vigil at Columbia University – Monday, September 29, 12:00 PM, at 116th Street & Broadway. Dedicated to standing for Mahdawi’s freedom and for the protection of the Columbia community.
Court Support – Tuesday, September 30, approx. 2:00–3:00 PM, at the Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse (40 Foley Square, New York, NY). Supporters are urged to attend and visibly stand in solidarity.
The appeals panel consists of three conservative judges, two appointed by President Trump and one by President George W. Bush. One judge has already indicated sympathy with the government’s position, raising the stakes for community mobilization.
How to Support
Sign & Circulate Petitions: Mobilize signatures demanding Columbia University leadership—including the President and Dean of SIPA—issue formal letters of support.
Attend Vigils & Court Hearings: Presence matters; visible solidarity is crucial.
Spread the Word: Share within professional, academic, and activist networks to raise awareness of Mohsen’s case.
“This is a pivotal moment,” said a student organizer. “We need to show that Mohsen is not alone, and that attempts to criminalize peaceful activism will not be tolerated.”
This case has become a test of the principles of academic freedom, dissent, and peaceful protest in the United States.
(2) Instagram / @columbia.psc