A British journalist who was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has vowed that “extremism will never win” as he returned to British soil.
Muslim Londoner and political commentator Sami Hamdi, 35, was held at San Francisco International Airport in California on October 26.
Mr Hamdi’s lawyers, from the state’s chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) challenged his detention.
His team claimed that he was detained over his support for Palestinians and was further “punished for criticising Israel, not for any alleged wrongdoing”.
Speaking to journalists at Heathrow Airport, the journalist said: “It’s wonderful to be back. After being exonerated by two federal judges, both of whom found that there were serious breaches of freedom of speech.
“I want to say that this wasn’t just an attack on me. It was an attack on the freedoms of ordinary Americans and citizens worldwide.
“It was an attack on their freedom to speak the truth in the face of hatred.
“And I think that my message to the Americans, as somebody who grew to love America, who loves its people, who saw the wonderful kindness and generosity and hospitality in every single state except New Hampshire, I didn’t get the chance to go to New Hampshire.
The commentator spoke to press as he touched down on British soil
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“And I think that the reason that my visa was targeted was not because of anything that I was saying, but because Americans were listening, because now public opinion is shifting, because people are seeing the truth.
“There is a concern amongst bigots, amongst extremists, that if the truth gets out, it will truly change the world. And that is why I am pleased that I was able to return home.
“I am pleased that the judge has found that my freedom of speech rights were infringed upon, and I am pleased that my voice is back and that the extremists will never win.
“They will never prevent our voices from being loud, from resonating with the world. And I want to thank everybody who showed solidarity.
“Everybody who stood up. Everybody who stood alongside justice. And I want to finish on this point. I am not the story.”
The pro-Palestinian advocate insisted that the story was on “apartheid and occupation”, adding: “They failed to silence me.”
“I am glad that I am here in London, where our freedoms are also protected.
“And they will be protected in America as well. Thanks to the cooler heads in the federal court system.”
Sami Hamdi was arrested by immigration officers in San Francisco
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GETTYDuring the fight for his return to the UK, Mr Hamdi’s legal representatives claimed that “anti-Muslim and pro-Israel extremists” coerced the Government into his arrest.
Before he landed, his family reported that the journalist had been “living in terrible conditions” since his detention.
They shared: “All this because Sami, a journalist, political commentator, and human rights defender, spoke out against Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Sami should never have spent a single night in a cell.”
Their statement said: “As we await our husband, son, and father’s return to Britain, we keep all political prisoners held by ICE in our hearts. He will never be intimidated into silence.
“The US Government revoked his visa without informing him and proceeded to use this as grounds to detain him. In truth, they had nothing on Sami – he was targeted for his legally protected free speech. Otherwise, they would not have offered voluntary return.”