A Return to Protest: Palestinian Activist's Journey from Detainment to Advocacy

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, recently released from a three-month detention, was greeted by supporters at Newark International Airport. Among the welcoming crowd was US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who decried his detention as a violation of the First Amendment and an assault on political speech.

Khalil, a symbol of the protests against President Trump's policies, vowed to persist in his activism against Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, despite facing potential threats. He criticized the US government and Columbia University for their perceived complicity in what he termed a 'genocide.'

Though not charged with any legal violations during his protests, Khalil faced scrutiny from the administration, which had targeted noncitizens participating in protests. US District Judge Michael Farbiarz facilitated his release, stating it atypical to detain a legal resident without violence accusations. The government has since filed an appeal.

(With inputs from agencies.)