The recent events in support of Palestine are deeply concerning. But not for reasons you might suggest if you follow mainstream news. Since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on, demonstrations and protests have erupted in support of the Palestinian people. The recent political advocacy that has occurred in Michigan, both in homes and around the University of Michigan, has sparked outrage among activists. Those being indicted for the recent political activism must be released from custody free of prosecution.
In Michigan on June 10, 2026, eight pro-Palestine activists had their homes raided, resulting in arrests and indictments on federal charges, according to the U.S. Justice Department, “for their alleged roles in conspiracies to threaten University of Michigan leaders, law enforcement, and businesses, including Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, announced U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. Special Agent in charge Jennifer Runyan of the FBI Detroit Field Office joined Gorgon in the announcement.” This marks another wave of activism in support of the freedom, autonomy, and sovereignty of the Palestinian people.
The following members of college-aged adults were indicted:
• Ahmet Kerem Korkaya, 28, of Milwaukee
• Alexander Matthew Sepulveda, 23, of Chicago
• Amatullah Aliasgar Hakim, 21, of Ann Arbor
• Colin Hunter Weger, 24, of Ann Arbor
• Jonathan Hongru Zou, 22, of Ann Arbor
• Mariam Muhammed Odeh, 24, of Dearborn
• Paige Elizabeth Feyock, 26, of Ann Arbor
• Zainab Aliasgar Hakim, 23, of Canton
The roles each played were diverse, however, it is morally compelling to recognize the courage each took in the belief and expression of freedom in the global capitalist order.
Political violence is a growing issue in the United States, something that I myself have had to work through in recent years, but the growing necessity of something to address the genocide occurring in Palestine at the hands of the Israeli government is a moral imperative if you believe in human rights. The United States is fully complicit in the actions of the Israeli government and has, and continues, to support the humanitarian suffering occurring in Gaza. Grotesque, corrupt, and deplorable are the actions taken by the establishment, Democrats highly complicit in the actions of Republican hawks who, as we already understand, will intervene at will to protect U.S. hegemony.
What is really at stake is the freedom of expression and speech that exists domestically in the U.S. With the recent administration’s crackdown dissent, the very principles that the country was established upon are at risk of jeopardization. Rather, they have already been violated in the contemporary era, much to the disregard and ignorance of the American people. Here, it is important, if not already undertaking, to continually and expressively grow your political awareness. The moment demands it. No change will occur with complicity; silence is complicity.
And so, the recent activism by the above U of M students is recognized here as a response to the austere measure the U.S. State has taken to repress dissent. What other measures have they left us to peacefully protest the genocidal occupation by Israel of Gaza and the West Bank? None.
After much thought, political violence is necessary, but not at the expense of human life. Property is a social construct developed from the introduction of agriculture centuries ago, and the combativeness in returning the means of production in a socialistic manner to the working class must be undertaken.
I leave you with this. Just as the Hams attack in 2023 on October 3 was merely a humanitarian response to the violation of autonomy to that was denied Palestinian people, how else would you respond to a government nullifying your very existence. Use every means to spread the word, any means of platform you have to combat the oppressive measure of the State, to address the violations of dignity and rights of the Palestinian people. This is a movement, not a moment; take part.
In solidarity with the Palestinian people,
Jake
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