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Council Member Alexa Avilés speaks on student detentions and calls for peace in Gaza
1:08:21
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96 sec
Council Member Alexa Avilés addresses the unjust detention of university students by ICE and DHS, criticizes the ongoing violence in Gaza, and calls for a ceasefire and an end to the conflict. She emphasizes the importance of defending free speech and due process while advocating for peace and an end to violence.
- Highlights the targeting of permanent residents, including Mahmoud Khalil and other university students, by immigration authorities
- Expresses concern over the loss of life in Gaza, particularly children
- Calls for a permanent ceasefire, arms embargo, and an end to what she terms as genocide in Gaza
Alexa Avilés
1:08:21
Thank you.
1:08:22
Thank you council member Ressler.
1:08:25
At our last stated, I recognize the unjust detention of permanent resident Mahmoud Khalil who was targeted by ICE without due process in retaliation to his participation in a pro Palestinian protest on Columbia's campus last year.
1:08:40
Since then, several other university students, a South Korean student and today a student from Tufts, permanent residents who have been targeted by DHS and threatened with deportation.
1:08:51
This should alarm you.
1:08:54
Will your friend be next?
1:08:56
Your cousin?
1:08:56
Your uncle?
1:08:59
All the while, our tax dollars continue to aid in the destruction and violence in Gaza.
1:09:05
It's crucial that this council continues to defend the rights to free speech and due process for everyone.
1:09:12
We must also speak out against all forms of violence and promote peace for New Yorkers who fear for their family's safety across the globe.
1:09:20
As I have said since the beginning, all life is precious.
1:09:24
The hostages of course must be returned and we must stop this bloodshed in Gaza.
1:09:29
In the last few days alone, more than 700 people including children have been killed.
1:09:35
Thousands of Palestinian children have been killed and maimed.
1:09:40
If you have an ounce of humanity, how can you agree or how can you stand it?
1:09:46
We need a permanent ceasefire.
1:09:49
We need an arms embargo and an end to this genocide.
1:09:52
We must demand peace and an end to all violence.
1:09:56
Thank you.