The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will host a press conference on Thursday, March 27th, 2025 alongside local Palestinians and healthcare workers, condemning Israel’s latest wave of attacks, including the bombing of Nasser Hospital and the forced displacement of 140,000 Palestinians within the last week.
These attacks come after the collapse of a fragile ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan. The press conference will also address the alarming escalation of targeted deportations and abductions of international students and scholars in the U.S., including those engaged in pro-Palestine advocacy.
WHAT: CAIR-Chicago Press Conference Condemning Israel’s Renewed Attacks on Gaza & U.S. Abductions of Pro-Palestine Activists
WHEN: Thursday, March 27, 2025, 12:00 PM (CST)
WHERE: CAIR-Chicago’s Azima Center
17 North State Street, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60602
LIVESTREAM: https://www.facebook.com/cairchicago
WHO:
Dr. Thaer Ahmed – Chicago-based emergency physician, speaking on the Nasser Hospital bombing and conditions in Gaza
Rajaa Alrayyes – Chicago resident with displaced family members in Gaza, sharing testimony on starvation and economic devastation
William Asfour – Chicago resident who lost nine family members in Gaza in the past ten days, in addition to dozens more relatives killed since October
Speakers will shed light on the ongoing starvation, destruction of healthcare infrastructure, and systematic targeting of journalists, healthcare workers, civilians, and pro-Palestine students facing abductions and deportations in the U.S.
CAIR-Chicago calls on Illinois representatives to:
- Condemn Israel’s attacks as continued violations of international law.
- Ensure the safety of Dr. Tammy Abughnaim as an Illinois constituent who is providing emergency care in Nasser hospital, along with other U.S. and Palestinian medical workers. Hear her harrowing audio testimony live from Nasser hospital: https://www.instagram.com/p/DHj-jG2x2Kx/
- Push for an arms embargo against Israel.
- Demand an immediate, permanent ceasefire and the end of the blockade on humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
- Investigate and halt the Trump administration’s politically motivated deportations of international students and scholars for their protected Free Speech.
- Demand the release of detained students who are being targeted by ICE for their activism.
- Reject the use of AI surveillance and visa revocations to silence dissent on Palestine.
- Take action to end the genocide once and for all.
CAIR-Chicago’s mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance.
END
CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago | 202-870-0166 | arehab@cair.com; Hafsa Haider, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago | 561-317-7509 | hhaider@cair.com