Student activism is under increasing pressure, facing repression for speaking out on critical issues. In a compelling conversation, Momodou Taal, a Cornell University student, discusses his lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging executive orders targeting international students protesting the genocide in Gaza. This article delves into the necessity of mass movements as a form of student protection, exploring Taal’s experiences, the role of universities, and strategies for consolidating gains in the face of political repression.
Taal’s story highlights the importance of collective action and the need for students to stand firm in their beliefs, even when facing significant opposition. This article examines how students can unify, support each other, and amplify their voices to combat injustice and advocate for meaningful change. It also considers the broader implications of Taal’s legal battle and the potential for creating a more equitable and just society.
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This article explores the critical role of mass movements in safeguarding students’ rights and voices. It includes Taal’s first-hand experiences with being targeted for peacefully protesting, the true function of universities today, and offers wisdom on why the increasing repression against students is a sign of empire’s weakness, not its strength.
The Context of Student Repression
In March 2025, Momodou Taal, a pro-Palestinian activist, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over executive orders targeting international students. Taal shared his experiences with Nidaa Lafi of the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), just a day before being told to surrender to ICE custody, leading to his self-deportation on March 31. This conversation sheds light on the increasing repression against student movements and the importance of collective resistance.
Taal highlights the coordinated efforts among Ivy League schools to suppress student activism, particularly those involved in the Palestinian cause. He notes that universities are more invested in their bottom line, how they manage their money and their investments, and will go to great lengths to silence dissent.
“What is so frustrating about this is every single time these schools go, why don’t you just go through the proper channels? We tried that. We had a referendum in which 70% of the students voted for divestment, and we did it in such a way that the president has this many days to reply. It was the most democratic participation we’ve had since the since the anti-apartheid struggle. We did that. And the president effectively says, “I hear these people, and no, we’re not going to divest.””
Challenging Discriminatory Executive Orders
Taal’s lawsuit targets specific executive orders that aim to deport students seen at “pro-Hamas” protests. These orders compel universities to collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security and grant the president the power to declare individuals hostile to the government. Taal emphasizes the vagueness and overreach of these orders, which stifle critique of both the American and Israeli governments.
He argues that such repression is a sign of weakness, indicating that the establishment is losing its ideological battle. Despite the risks, Taal believes it is crucial to challenge these abuses of power and defend the First Amendment rights of students.
“On the campaign trail, Trump said, if you were seen at these “pro-Hamas” protests, we will find you and we will deport you. So Trump is making good on his promise, and in this specific language, it’s vague, it’s overarching, it’s broad, it’s an overreach.”
The University as a Corporation
Taal critiques the modern university as a corporation more concerned with its financial interests than fostering critical thought. He cites Stuart Hall’s assertion that a university is either a critical institution or nothing at all, arguing that universities should be places that facilitate speaking truth to power.
He laments how universities collaborate with big business, siding with money at the expense of students’ safety and education. This collaboration stifles academic freedom and prevents students from engaging in meaningful critique of societal issues.
“We can call them universities, or we can call them corporations, because it seems like they are more invested in their bottom line, how they manage their money and their investments, right? And I think of the late great Stuart Hall, who said, “The university is either a critical institution or it is nothing at all.””
Consolidating Gains in the Movement
Taal stresses the importance of learning from the Palestinian struggle and recognizing that the American political establishment is bipartisan in its repression, genocide, oppression and violence. He encourages activists to continue the ideological battle, have a sober material analysis, and avoid infighting.
He advocates for distinguishing between enemies and those with whom there are tactical disagreements, fostering unity and collective action. Despite the challenges, Taal remains optimistic about the potential for change and the importance of striving towards liberation.
“If we do sincerely believe, which I do, that Palestine is going to be liberated, and we’re going to play a part in that in some capacity, that should be the goal. Keep moving toward that.”
Supporting the Lawsuit and Each Other
Taal emphasizes that the legal battle is as much political as it is legal, requiring coordinated messaging and amplification of other cases. He urges supporters to follow his lawyer, Eric Lee, on Twitter, check in on international students, and engage in mass demonstrations when individuals are targeted.
He also highlights the importance of preserving safety, being dynamic and agile, and training others to carry on the movement. By doubling down and being even louder, activists can defy the administration’s attempts to instill fear and silence.
“The best response would be to double down and be even louder, right? It would be an act of defiance. These will be the best things to do. So I hope the lawsuit does inject some more momentum into the movement.”
Engaging in Mass Defense and Unified Action
Drawing from other liberation struggles, Taal advocates for tactics that preserve activists while escalating action. He calls for reflection on past strategies, training new leaders, and always taking cues from the Palestinian Youth Movement.
He reiterates that the administration is trying to incite fear and silence dissent, but the best response is to be even louder and more unified. The lawsuit, he hopes, will inject momentum into the movement and encourage others to take action.
“We’ve seen what’s happening on the ground in Gaza, right? We’ve had so many martyrs from so many different traditions. Taking our cue from other liberation struggles — Algeria, anti-apartheid, so many others — it was a long battle. But they were victorious. So given that it’s a long battle, we have to engage in tactics that preserve us as much as we can, knowing that we’re escalating at the same time.”
Conclusion: The Path Forward for Student Activism
Momodou Taal’s conversation underscores the critical role of mass movements in protecting students’ rights and voices. His lawsuit against the Trump administration highlights the urgent need to challenge repressive executive orders and defend the First Amendment. By standing together, supporting each other, and amplifying their voices, students can combat injustice and advocate for meaningful change.
The insights shared by Taal offer valuable lessons for student activists and provide a roadmap for consolidating gains in the face of political repression. It is a call to action for students to remain undeterred in their commitment to justice and liberation, drawing inspiration from past struggles and always striving towards a better future.
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