Hundreds of students protest the arrest and visa withdrawal of pro-Hamas student Rumeysa Öztürk

Hundreds of demonstrators protested in Somerville over the detention of Turkish student Rumeysa Öztürk, arrested by ICE on charges of activism on behalf of Hamas terrorists. Tuft University officials expressed support for the doctoral student and confirmed that the Trump Administration notified them that Oztürk's visa had been revoked.

The protesters chanted signs in favor of Ozturk assuring that she "is here legally" and condemned her detention as a "totally unjustified" act. Speaking to NBC Boston, several of the organizers of the protests called the activist's arrest "a state-sanctioned political kidnapping."

Dueling versions on the causes of the arrest

Protesters and friends of Ozturk pointed to her detention as a consequence of an opinion piece, which she co-authored, and was published in March 2024 in the university newspaper, Tufts Daily. In the column, the authors called for the university to adopt the Tufts Community Senate Resolutions, to "recognize Palestinian genocide, apologize for statements by the university's president Sunil Kumar, disclose its investments and divest from companies with direct or indirect ties to Israel."

However, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security assured that "DHS and ICE investigations found Ozturk engaged in activities in support of Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization that relishes the killing of Americans. A visa is a privilege not a right. Glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for visa issuance to be terminated. This is commonsense security."

Tufts University stands in solidarity with Ozturk

University officials also expressed solidarity with the detained activist. In a statement, the heads of the educational institution stood by "our Muslim students" and denounced the "terrifying and distressing situation" experienced by Ozturk herself and "our international students, staff and faculty."

"We recognize how frightening and distressing this situation is for her, her loved ones, and the larger community here at Tufts, especially our international students, staff, and faculty who may be feeling vulnerable or unsettled by these events. As noted by the Massachusetts Attorney General in her statement today, the footage of Rumeysa’s arrest is disturbing. We stand with our Muslim students, especially during their observance of Ramadan, as we recognize that Rumeysa was on her way to an Iftar gathering with friends at the Interfaith Center when she was detained."