MILWAUKEE, WI – Salah Sarsour is a husband, father, grandfather, beloved neighbor, community leader, business owner, Muslim, Palestinian-American, and outspoken advocate for a free Palestine. Despite what this deeply corrupt Trump Administration may claim, it is because of his advocacy for his fellow Palestinians that he was targeted by immigration agents, detained, and moved across two states while a public smear campaign went into effect to justify it. The fact is that Salah was not found guilty of any crimes by any court recognized by the United Nations and followed the legal immigration process.

This massive disruption to our community and egregious attack on the political speech of a lawful permanent resident of the United States for over three decades must not stand.

We, as members of the Milwaukee Delegation of the Wisconsin State Legislature, condemn in no uncertain terms the unlawful detention of Salah Sarsour, and demand his immediate release while the baseless charges against him are litigated in federal court.

Sarsour’s detention is sadly just one example that illustrates a troubling pattern for Trump’s Department of Homeland Security. Mahmoud Khalil, Leqaa Kordia, Mohsen Mahdawi, and other voices who have been critical of the Natanyahu regime’s genocidal campaign of terror against the people of Gaza have all been targeted for prosecution and deportation by the lawless Trump Administration.

Unfortunately, Milwaukee’s communities of color are no stranger to being targeted with state-sponsored repression. Attacks on Palestinian-Americans like Salah Sarsour make all immigrants, people of color, and those who practice a religion other than Christianity less safe.

The Trump MAGA regime is abducting our neighbors from their homes and  families — assaulting the core freedoms we value as Wisconsinites— and our freedom to speak about our beliefs, pursue a better life, and have our loved ones come home safely. This regime believes they can rule over us for their billionaire backers and bully, bankrupt, or disappear anyone who does not look, think, or pray like them. Every person who values our freedoms must demand an immediate end to these abductions and that all of our community members be returned home. Only by joining together will we confront this regime of the bullies for the billionaires and protect our freedoms, our families, and our future as an eclectic collection of diverse people that make up Milwaukee and all of America.

As legislators elected to represent vibrant and diverse communities, we will not let this aggression by the federal government stand. We will continue to speak out together until justice prevails and every person – regardless of their identity, is protected equally under the law. It is a promise so deeply held by our country that it is embedded in our Constitution. This President and his surrogates must stop their illegal repression of our basic rights, starting with the immediate release of Salah Sarsour.

Signed,

Chris Larson
State Senator

Ryan Clancy
State Representative

Supreme Moore Omokunde
State Representative

Margaret Arney
State Representative

Darrin Madison
State Representative

Chris Sinicki
State Representative 

Tim Carpenter 
State Senator

Angelito Tenorio 
State Representative 

Karen Kirsch
State Representative