CAIR-Ohio Condemns Arrest of a University of Cincinnati Student
(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 4/3/2025) – The Columbus- and Cincinnati-based Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the arrest of a University of Cincinnati student by law enforcement allegedly for waiving a Palestinian flag.
On April 1, videos showed five police officers arresting a student activist on University of Cincinnati’s campus. CAIR-Ohio is concerned that the incident is part of the increased hostility on college campuses toward student activists over pro-Palestinian, anti-genocide views and the use of Palestinian symbols.
“We unequivocally condemn the arrest of student activists and the alleged attack on free speech and academic freedom. We are appalled by these reported acts of aggression targeting those opposed to the genocide in Gaza and call on all Americans to defend the right to free speech,’’ said Khalid Turaani, Executive Director of CAIR-Ohio, Columbus, Cinnicnnnati and Dayton.
This arrest on the University of Cincinnati’s campus follows a series of arrests nationwide including Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil, Georgetown Scholar Badar Khan Suri and Tufts PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk, among at least a dozen others who remain in government custody.
The increased arrests by local police and FBI agents have led to the forced disappearings of students to detention facilities in Louisiana and the immediate revoking of their visas. In Khalil’s case, he was told his green card had been revoked, a statement that was later blocked by a federal judge and requires evidence not yet provided by the Trump Administration.
CAIR-Ohio expresses solidarity with student activists nationwide and is committed to pursuing any incidents of harassment, discrimination, or intimidation to protect the civil rights, dignity, and safety of all individuals, regardless of their background, beliefs, or identity. To report an incident, file this form.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, with three offices in Ohio – Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. The organization is dedicated to enhancing understanding of Islam, protecting civil rights, promoting justice, and empowering American Muslims.
