In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

“Whoever commits evil or wrongs themselves then seeks God’s forgiveness will certainly find God All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” The Holy Quran, 4:110

American Muslim News Briefs

CAIR-MI Alarmed Over Aggressive Raids on Pro-Palestinian Activists’ Homes by Law Enforcement | CAIR Calls for Restoration of Funding for 18MR Dropped Over Pro-Palestine Post | CAIR to Join USCMO National Muslim Advocacy Day in DC

CAIR-MI Alarmed Over ‘Aggressive’ Raids on Pro-Palestinian Activists’ Homes by Federal, Local Law Enforcement

This morning, multiple residencies in Washtenaw and Wayne counties of students and former students at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor who were involved in pro-Palestinian activism were raided in coordinated raids carried out by the FBI and local law enforcement agencies. 

Property damage at residences took place, and individuals were handcuffed without charges during the aggressive raids.

SEE: FBI raids follow string of pro-Palestinian incidents around Ann Arbor

FBI, police raid homes of pro-Palestinian activists tied to U-M protests

CAIR-MI staff was on location at one of the raided residences in Washtenaw County to provide immediate legal support and observe the conduct of law enforcement. Staff witnessed armed agents executing search warrants in a residential neighborhood, causing significant fear and distress for the targeted students and their families.

CAIR-MI continues to offer legal assistance to those impacted and is actively monitoring the situation for potential civil rights violations.  

This recent escalation comes on the heels of prior arrests and charges brought by the Michigan Attorney General’s office against University of Michigan student protesters for minor, non-violent infractions—including misdemeanor trespassing—during peaceful demonstrations advocating for Palestinian human rights, an end to the genocide in Gaza, and for the University of Michigan to divest from companies complicit in the occupation and violence.  

SEE: Nessel charges 11 pro-Palestine protesters for University of Michigan encampment (Mlive.com)

“We call into question the aggressive nature of this morning’s raids of activists’ homes, which follows the recent misuse of prosecutorial power in Michigan and throughout our country against pro-Palestinian activists,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “In any other context, such minor infractions would be handled by local law enforcement or referred to local, elected prosecutors—not escalated to federal intervention. This disproportionate response further fuels the perception that Muslim and Arab students, and those who stand in solidarity with them, are being treated overly hostile by law enforcement compared to those who commit harm toward American Muslims.”