The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) today welcomed the California Democratic Party’s passage of Resolution 25-05.067, which condemns the Trump administration’s unconstitutional attacks on immigrants, students, and activists speaking out against Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Titled “Opposing the Undermining of our Constitution, Due Process and Freedom of Speech,” the resolution highlights abuses committed under the Trump administration, including the unjust targeting, deportation, and revocation of legal statuses of more than 1,000 international students, including Columbia University graduate student and lawful permanent resident Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested for his anti-genocide activism in March of this year and specifically mentioned in the resolution.
The resolution was passed on Sunday, June 1, during the California Democratic Party’s annual convention in Anaheim, California. In part, it states: “… the Trump Administration’s authoritarian crackdowns on academic freedom, science, peaceful protests over domestic and foreign policy and immigrant rights, diversity, equity and inclusion, moves America backwards, undermining the fundamental rights secured by the Constitution – Democrats must exercise unifying leadership to stop this corrupt assault on democracy and reject the embrace of retaliation and extremism that attempts to turn us against each other.”
In a statement, CAIR-LA Senior Policy & Advocacy Manager Aliya Yousufi said:
“Our democracy is strongest when free speech and assembly—values the U.S. was built on—are protected, not criminalized. We commend the California Democratic party for recognizing the immense harm caused to Mahmoud Khalil, Yunseo Chung, Rümeysa Öztürk, and countless other students who have been unjustly punished under the Trump administration for exercising their right to speak out against oppression and genocide. The path to justice requires unwavering defense of our constitutional rights and the courage to confront injustices wherever they occur.
“We call on the Republican Party to follow suit by condemning these unjust prosecutions and affirming its commitment to the First Amendment rights of all Americans, regardless of their stance on U.S. foreign policy.”
In March 2025, CAIR-CA, along with the California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC) and more than 120 organizations representing community organizers, labor unions, social and legal service providers, faith leaders, and immigration and civil rights organizations, sent a joint letter to more than 50 California legislators urging them to take action regarding Mahmoud Khalil’s unjust arrest.
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR-LA Senior Communications Coordinator Madi Morse-Hameed, mmorse-hameed@cair.com