1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I write to urge the restoration of rights for human rights activist Mahmoud Khalil and to call for the protection of the fundamental right to peaceful protest. Khalil's unjust detention for participating in protests against discriminatory policies is an egregious violation of free expression. His continued imprisonment sends a chilling message about the repression of dissent. A democratic society cannot function without respecting the rights of citizens to voice opposition and demand reform through nonviolent means. I spent my teenage years writing letters to Augustin Pinochet calling for the release of political prisoners, and I am horrified to see President Trump openly creating the same environment here in the United States. I implore you to secure Khalil's immediate release, drop all charges against him, and uphold constitutional protections for protesters advocating positive change. Failure to do so undermines civil liberties and erodes public trust in governing institutions.