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Momodou Taal, a Ph.D. student at Cornell University, attended the first hearing for a lawsuit he filed against the Trump administration and other actors alleging violations of his First and Fifth Amendment rights on Tuesday afternoon in Syracuse.

Over a hundred people gathered in support of Taal outside the James M. Hanley Federal Building before the hearing to advocate for students’ right to free speech.

Taal, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and The Gambia, is one of many international students facing prosecution and deportation due to their involvement in pro-Palestine protests. Betar US, a pro-Israel organization, reported Taal to federal agents as “jihadi,” in an X post on March 21. Shortly after Betar’s report, Taal was ordered to surrender to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In response, he filed his lawsuit, The Cornell Sun reported.

Many protesters were allowed into the building’s courtrooms, where a city security official said all public seats were filled. Those unable to enter the courtrooms gathered outside, huddling in groups to shield themselves from the gusting, subfreezing winds.

One protester said, “Free speech is more important than wind.” Another said they were frustrated over the inaction of state and county policymakers about ongoing ICE investigations on New York college campuses.

Students from several regional colleges and universities joined the protest, including student groups from Syracuse University, Cornell University, Ithaca College and Le Moyne College.

“They’re very angry at what Trump has done since he’s been elected,” said Peter McCarthy, a coordinating committee member of CNY Solidarity Coalition. “They’re also very disappointed that people in power aren’t showing up.”

One protester, who asked to remain anonymous to protect their identity, specifically called out Onondaga County’s executive office. They praised state officials like central New York Rep. John Mannion who called the White House’s moves against the Department of Education “illegal and shortsighted” in a March 20 statement.

Trump, who began dismantling the department with an executive order last Thursday, has also pledged to crack down on “pro Hamas” students — particularly those from other countries — according to the Associated Press.

Hours before Taal’s hearing, The Washington Post reported that the president is demanding the names and nationalities of protesters from universities under ongoing investigation for antisemitic protests.

“Trump and Musk are doing what they said they were going to do. They’re cracking down on immigrants, including legal immigrants, not only for what they say are violations of the law, but just for criticizing the Trump administration,” McCarthy said.

Duncan Green | News Editor

A rally in Syracuse saw over 100 people showing support for Momodou Taal, a Cornell Ph.D. student suing the Trump administration over his First and Fifth Amendment rights. Protesters opposed actions from the government that threaten immigrant students’ right to protest safely.

The administration claims the arrests are part of a broader effort to combat rising antisemitism on college campuses since Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7. But, when many of these cases reach court, they reveal no evidence of any threat from the protestors.

Just hours after Taal’s hearing, federal judge Naomi Buchwald ordered the Trump administration to halt the arrest and deportation of Yunseo Chung, a Columbia University student, the New York Times reported.

Buchwald said Chung posed no risk to foreign policy after the administration alleged her presence in the U.S. limited the government’s ability to combat antisemitism. The Times reported Chung wasn’t a prominent member of Columbia’s protest.

Taal’s attorneys told CNN his case will test people’s rights to criticize the government, but expressed confidence in their prospects.

“The gentlemen that are here for the hearing need to know there’s people that have their backs and support them,” the anonymous protester said. “Today, it’s them. Tomorrow, maybe you or me.”

Bill Caldwell, a fellow protester, emphasized the importance of supporting these students — not only for their personal freedom but also to continue their calls for social justice. He argued that the sheer number of orders from the president has created many “red herrings,” and it’s the people’s responsibility to hold Trump accountable for the “real power grabs.”

Caldwell and his wife drove from their farm just south of Ithaca to attend the protest and support community-led movements against unjust federal action, he said. McCarthy agreed, noting that the protest unified various groups who have been “suppressed” by the White House.

“So many things are happening on so many fronts, and we have to make choices based on understanding, rather than just accepting,” Caldwell said. “(Trump’s) actions and words … will hit emotional responses, but are masking a lot of the bigger stuff that’s going on.”

The CNY Solidarity Coallition’s programming has seen a significant increase in community participation since Trump’s inauguration, McCarthy said, with over 400 people attending the organization’s most recent monthly meetings.

While condemning “the obstruction of government services,” he stressed the importance of recognizing the many groups protesting for a common goal.

“Demonstrations like this bring people together, gives them the sense that there are other people that care about these issues,” McCarthy said. “It’s important to get the message, but it’s also important for people to know people are standing up.”

Published on March 26, 2025 at 1:13 am
Contact Duncan: digreen@syr.edu