FBI raids pro-Palestinian activists at University of Michigan, indicting 8 and arresting 7
The FBI and federal law enforcement raided homes in Southeast Michigan and arrested seven pro-Palestinian activists linked to the University of Michigan, indicting eight individuals on charges including threats and property destruction. The indictment, tied to protests against the Gaza war, alleges encrypted planning and social media activity but involves non-violent acts of vandalism, with penalties ranging up to 20 years for some defendants.
Federal authorities executed coordinated raids across Southeast Michigan on Wednesday, arresting seven and indicting eight pro-Palestinian activists associated with the University of Michigan (U-Mich) in Ann Arbor. The indictment, unsealed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, names Zainab Hakim, Amatullah Hakim, Paige Feyock, Ahmet Korkaya, Jonathan Zou, Alexander Sepulveda, Miriam Odeh, and Colin Weger. Seven were taken into custody, with six appearing in Detroit federal court, while one remains out of custody in Wisconsin. The charges stem from alleged non-violent acts of vandalism protesting the U.S.-backed Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which has killed 72,971 civilians, including women and children, according to official figures. The indictment claims the group used encrypted messages and overseas collaborators to research and target victims, later publicizing actions on social media. Federal prosecutors accuse them of conspiracy to transmit threats and witness intimidation, with Zainab Hakim and Paige Feyock facing up to 20 years for felony charges. U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. framed the arrests as a defense of American law against intimidation, while FBI Director Kash Patel linked the crackdown to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Protesters gathered outside the Detroit courthouse, with James Johnson of Detroit condemning the repression of anti-war voices. The University of Michigan has been a hub for anti-genocide activism since October 2023, with students demanding divestment from Israel-linked companies. The indictment’s timing coincides with escalating government scrutiny of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including designations of student groups as terrorist organizations. Critics argue the charges reflect a broader crackdown on dissent, particularly against those opposing the Gaza conflict. A federal magistrate ordered the defendants held by U.S. Marshals until a detention hearing on Friday at 1:00 p.m.
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