Thank you for your help in securing Tarek's release!

(CHICAGO 07/06/2014) – American high school student Tarek Abu Khdeir is free! The American Muslims for Palestine today welcomes the news that Israeli authorities released Tarek without charge. 

Tarek’s release is proof that mobilization and activism works. 

AMP thanks its supporters and all those who came together to demand Tarek’s release. AMP’s emergency Twitter campaign #StandUpforTariq, which targeted Secretary of State John Kerry and President Barack Obama, reached more than 800,000 accounts with more than 2 million impressions. That means that thousands of Tweets demanding Tarek’s release reached the accounts of Kerry, Obama, the White House and the State Department.

AMP is certain this action was part of the global pressure that was instrumental in getting the State Department to take action and secure Tarek’s freedom. 

The US State Department released a statement yesterday condemning the beating and calling for a “credible” investigation. 

More than 1,000 Chicago area people turned out for a rally organized by the Chicago coalition of Students for Justice in Palestine and supported by AMP-Chicago, demanding an end to Israel’s collective punishment of Palestinians and to free Tarek. In addition, 16 rallies were planned to take place throughout the week from New York to California. Many social media activists used the #StandUpforTariq hashtag to promote rallies around the country. 

Thank you for taking time from your holiday weekend to work for justice! This is a great victory but we are not done! Tarek is being held on nine days house arrest. Israel’s incursion into the West Bank continues, with raids, arrests and brutalities. Israeli strikes on Gaza continue and brutalities against Palestinian citizens of Israel are on the upswing. Please stay tuned for upcoming actions and alerts responding to the current crisis in Palestine.