Rümeysa ÖztürkTufts doctoral student released an immigration detention center on Louisiana on Friday night, returned to Boston on Saturday night.
“In the last 45 days, I lost my freedom and also my education for a crucial time for my doctoral studies,” he said during a press conference at Boston Logan International Airport. “But I am very grateful for all the support, kindness and care.”
He looks forward to returning to the Tufts community, his teachers and his students.
Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass.; American representative Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District; Representatives of ACLU and Öztürk lawyers used the moment to celebrate their launch.
“It’s a victory for Rümeysa. It’s a victory for us. It’s a victory for our democracy,” said Senator Edward Markey, D-Mass.
The dignitaries also used the moment as a call for action, urging the public to defend the freedom of expression, the process due and other guaranteed rights under the constitution of the United States.
Öztürk was released on bail waiting for an immigration audience. Will continue his case in court. “I have faith in the North -American Justice System,” he said.
The decision of Judge William K. Sessions III to free Öztürk took place after a bail hearing in the Federal Court of Vermont. He said that the Government did not offer evidence why Ozturk was arrested apart from a pro-palestine option that co-wrote in the student newspaper at the University of Tufts.
A statement from the State Department said that Oztürk Student Visa was revoked after an evaluation that their actions “can harm the U.S. foreign policy, creating a hostile environment for Jewish students and indicating support for a designated terrorist organization” that includes the co-authority of an OP-ED that found a common cause with an organization that was later prohibited from the campus. “
A spokesman for the National Security Department said in March, without providing tests, that investigations found that Öztürk was engaged in activities on support of Hamas, a US -designated terrorist group.
“She should never have been detained for a day, much less 45,” Jessie Rossman, legal director of the ACLU in Massachusetts, said on Saturday. “It is a violence to start someone from home, their community … for nothing more than their beliefs.”
As he detained, Öztürk suffered regular and increased asthma attacks, said Rossman on Friday. “We … We will not stop fighting until it is free for good.”
Öztürk, detailing his growing asthma attacks on arrest and his desire to finish the doctoral degree focused on children and social networks, appeared on Friday in a free -bail freedom in the center of Louisiana.
The 30 -year -old Öztürk lawyers said that their arrest violated their constitutional rights, including free expression and due process.
He said he was released for his own unrestricted reconnaissance, said sessions. She is not a danger to the community or a risk of flight, she added that she could change her release order to consider the specific conditions of the ice.
She said that she did not think that electronic follow -up would be in order and that she would also be registered with a staff from the Center of Justice of the Burlington community for supervision checks.
Rumeysa Ozturk, center, with Nora Ahmed by Acluisiana and Mahsa Khanbabai of the Khanbabai Act on Friday in Basile, la., Shortly after its release from an immigration arrest center.(Ozturk Legal Team Via AP)
During his arrest, Öztürk said he was able to continue his studies despite the difficult circumstances.
“My advisor sent me my proposal for dissertation in prison. My laboratory colleagues have read me on the phone,” he said. “My department, teachers, students have sent me so many letters of support. So much love.”
Markey congratulated Öztürk on his courage.
“Today is a tremendous day, as we welcome you, Rumeysa,” said Markey. “You have made millions and millions of people in our country so proud of the way you have struggled.”
Immigration officials surrounded Öztürk in Massachusetts on March 25 and led him to New Hampshire and Vermont before putting a plane at a Basile arrest center, Louisiana.
His lawyers have been revoked his student visa, but he was not informed, according to his lawyers.
Öztürk’s lawyers filed a petition on their behalf in Massachusetts, but they did not know where he was and could not talk to her until more than 24 hours after their detainee. A judge from Massachusetts moved the case to Vermont.
Öztürk was one of the four students who wrote an OP-Ed in the Campus newspaper, the Tufts Daily, last year criticized the University’s response to student activists who demanded that Tufts “recognize the Palestinian genocide”, reveals his investments and deviates from companies with links with Israel.
Öztürk said on Friday that if he was released, Tufts would offer his home and his lawyers and friends would lead him to future court hearings.
“I will follow all the rules,” he said.
On Saturday, Pressley pointed out the public cry over the arrest of Öztürk and the departure of the support for his launch.
“We welcome you home with open arms. We have never forgotten about you,” said Pressley. “We will not rest until the visa is reset so you can resume your studies.”