Detroit — A former student who was detained 104 days for his role in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University told a conference Saturday that he learned at an early age that our lives need to be about something bigger than ourselves.

Mahmoud Khalil said he received the lesson while growing up in a Syrian refugee camp and saw the struggles of his family and friends.

He said his advocacy on behalf of Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war continues to threaten his freedom but he had no choice but to speak up.

“It’s safer to remain silent,” he said. “But silence is not an option. I will not remain silent in the face of genocide. I will not be silent when people are being starved and massacred.”

Khalil spoke during the second annual People’s Conference for Palestine, which is being held

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