A coalition of Muslim civil rights organisations in the US have called for the urgent release of a Palestinian Muslim community leader and US resident for over 32 years, Salah Sarsour, who is currently being held in ICE detention.
Sarsour, a Palestinian-American community leader from Milwaukee, was detained by over 10 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 30.
According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights advocacy organisation in the US, he was abducted whilst driving with no probable cause.
Sarsour has resided in the United States legally for over 32 years and serves as the current president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee.
Sarsour was initially held in a detention centre in Chicago, but has now been transferred to a detention centre in Indiana, with his family were “left scrambling to determine his whereabouts and condition.”
The coalition of Muslim organisations gathered outside the US Supreme Court yesterday to demand his immediate release.
Organisations like CAIR, the US Council of Muslim Organizations and others held a joint press conference on Monday demanding his immediate release, stating that he was targeted due to his advocacy for Palestine.
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Joint letter in support of Sarsour
A joint letter was released by CAIR and other partner organisations which called on local community members to help contribute to the fund which would advocate for Salah Sarsour, as well as share stories and memories of Sarsour online under the hashtag #FreeSalahSarsour.
“Salah Sarsour was abducted by ICE on March 30th in a targeted attack on him as a Palestinian and Muslim community leader. We know ICE’s baseless allegations are more lies from an administration at war with immigrants, and acting on behalf of a foreign government — Israel.”
“We’re standing with Salah and want to uplift the community’s support for him. Join us by sharing a quote, and be sure to share on social media also — using the hashtag #FreeSalahSarsour,” the website said as it called for “words of support” for Sarsour.
Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestine voices
A statement released by CAIR’s National Executive Director, Nihad Awad, said:
“The abduction of Mr. Sarsour, a beloved leader of Milwaukee’s Muslim community, is utterly unjust and cruel. Once again, the administration is targeting a Palestinian-American for having the courage to be a leader and to stand against injustice. We call for his immediate release and return to his family.”
The abduction of Sarsour has come amid a harsh crackdown on foreign-born pro-Palestine activists residing in the US.
( Christopher Juhn – Anadolu Agency )
Since taking office last year, the second Trump administration has targeted several pro-Palestine figures by denying them visas to enter the US, or seeking to deport them for their political campaigns advocating for a free Palestine and against the Israeli occupation.
