In Conversation with Mahmoud Khalil and Prem Thakker
Date and Time
Feb 12, 2026 6:30 pm
Location
450K
450 K St NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001
Feb 12, 2026 6:30 pm
450K
Join Busboys and Poets for an urgent conversation with Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a leading voice in the pro-Palestinian movement and former organizer at Columbia University. Khalil will be joined by Prem Thakker, political correspondent at Zeteo.
Khalil spent more than three months in ICE detention following his arrest in March 2025. Although a lower court decision had temporarily secured his release, that ruling was recently overturned by a federal appeals court, reopening the possibility of renewed detention and deportation as his legal fight continues. Â
FREE AND OPEN TO ALL
Mahmoud Khalil is a Palestinian activist, writer, and recent Columbia University graduate, known for his outspoken advocacy on human rights, free speech, and Palestinian justice. In 2025, Khalil was detained for over 100 days in a Louisiana immigration jail after being arrested without a warrant, sparking national attention to the treatment of activists and the abuse of governmental power. During his incarceration, he endured harsh conditions, separation from his newborn son and wife, and public vilification, all while continuing to support fellow detainees. Since his release, Khalil has pursued legal action against the U.S. government and remains a vocal advocate for accountability, justice, and the protection of political dissent.
Prem Thakker is a political correspondent at Zeteo whose column goes beneath the headlines—asking provocative questions and revealing what’s missing from the national conversation.
