Caged Citizen Will Test President Obama

Theoharis, in whose political science class Hashmi had been an active participant, provided further and deeper context to this case when she told the Chronicle of Higher Education this past August 8: "[What is happening to Fahad Hashmi] is particularly significant in a moment when we are seeing the criminalization of Muslim students. I think Fahad is a devout and practicing Muslim who is very political. If he can be treated like this, it sends a message to other young people, particularly other Muslim young people, that, you know, are not protected. . . . [This case] is crucial in terms of students thinking they can be who they want to be and espouse the politics they want to espouse. That's why we organized around this case. I fear very much that this is about [the government] sending a message."

This is a characteristic message of fearsome retribution aimed at dissenters that the government has been sending—and putting into action—for the past eight years. We need more than soaring language of hope from President Obama. What, specifically—and immediately—is he going to do to resurrect the Constitution? And, in the process, will he get Sayed Fahad Hashmi back on the streets so Hashmi can protest if he doesn't provide a renewed rule of law we can believe in?