Our Neighbor Mahmoud Khalil
- Equity Team
- Oct 22
- 2 min read
Dear Neighbor,
In the race for NY-13, we cannot ignore a troubling truth: many who call themselves Democrats have either silently enabled or actively endorsed a war on free speech in our country.
This isn’t some abstract ideological debate—it’s personal, it’s local, and it’s happening to our neighbors. Take our neighbor Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident in our district and a constituent who was abducted in front of his eight-month-pregnant wife from his university housing.
Just days before that unconstitutional act, the sitting representative for NY-13 gave cover to the federal crackdown on free speech—particularly at universities—by labeling peaceful student protest as “violent” or “antisemitic.”
That brings us to yesterday, October 21, 2025. Mahmoud’s case is before the federal Court of Appeals. The government is pushing hard to reverse his temporary release and to proceed with his deportation—all while his protected political speech is what triggered this retaliation. Meanwhile, our incumbent representative remains silent. Their allegiance is with the political machinery that weaponizes claims of “antisemitism” to shut down peaceful dissent instead of standing with the constituent whose rights are under assault.
Let’s be clear: the Bill of Rights' First Amendment does not come with an asterisk. It doesn’t say that rights are contingent on popularity, consensus, or political convenience. “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech.”
And courts have affirmed that the state may not discriminate based on viewpoint when it comes to speech.
I am James Felton Keith, and I’m running for NY-13 because I will fight for our constitutional rights—period. I will not cede an inch of ground to those who wish to erode our freedoms. The persecution of Mahmoud for his political speech must be condemned by every elected official, and it must end now.
If you believe that the right to peaceful protest and free speech should never be silenced, marginalized, or legislated away, then I need your help. On a day as critical as Mahmoud’s appeal hearing, our fight for the Constitution demands resources, boots on the ground, voices in the community.
Adriano is deliberately absent on the most important part of our democracy.
He:
Issued a generic statement about the ICE arrest at Columbia University without naming Khalil, but holding private meetings to condemned him. Ref
Was not listed among the 14 House members who signed the letter demanding Khalil’s immediate release. Ref ABC News
Was not listed on the broader 103-member follow-up inquiry to DHS/State. Ref Arab American Institute
Appeared with Rep. Nydia Velázquez at 26 Federal Plaza pushing for access/oversight during related immigration detentions (again, not a direct address to Khalil). Hell Gate
Reporters on social asked his office for comment; no direct reply to Khalil surfaced from that either. Ref Intercept Instagram
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