(SACRAMENTO, CA – 10/3/2025) – The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) today urged state and federal lawmakers, including members of Congress and California’s U.S. Senators, to demand the immediate release of three California residents kidnapped by Israeli forces while participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla—a civilian-led, peaceful, and unarmed maritime mission carrying critical humanitarian aid to Gaza.
SEE: Last boat in Gaza humanitarian flotilla intercepted by Israel
Two participants from Southern California, David R.K. Adler, a political economist, and Thomas Marcus, an activist better known by his social media handle Quentin Quarantino, and one activist from Northern California, Windfield Beaver, are among the more than 400 international citizens abducted by Israel.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which is comprised of nearly 50 vessels, is part of an international humanitarian campaign to end Israel’s illegal blockade on Gaza and deliver life-saving medical supplies to civilians in desperate need, including children, women, and those critically ill or injured. For nearly two years, the Israeli government has deliberately used starvation as a weapon of war against nearly two million Palestinian civilians in contravention of international law and as part of its ongoing genocidal campaign in Gaza.
In a statement, CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“The kidnapping of American citizens and hundreds of other peaceful human rights activists by Israeli forces is both unlawful and deeply alarming. Israel has a long history of detaining American citizens with impunity, and the U.S. government has consistently failed to hold it accountable. That must end now.
“The Trump administration has a moral and legal responsibility to immediately demand the release of these Americans and all flotilla participants, who were engaged in a purely humanitarian mission to bring desperately needed aid to Gaza. The reality is that such courageous acts of international solidarity would not even be necessary if Israel were not using starvation as a weapon of war against millions of Palestinian civilians.
“We call on Congressmembers Brad Sherman, Laura Friedman, and Jared Huffman, Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, Governor Gavin Newsom, and the Trump administration to take urgent action to secure the release of these activists and to end U.S. complicity in Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.”
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Greater Los Angeles Area Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California Communications Director Zaid Hisham, (916) 441-6269 or zhisham@cair.com; CAIR San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam, (760) 201-7626, tnizam@cair.com; CAIR San Francisco Bay Area Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, (408) 498-5779 or ladam@cair.com