Palestinian American hero Rasmea Odeh speaking shortly before her deportation. (Fight Back! News / Staff)

Chicago, IL — About 150 people gathered outside the international terminal, Sept. 19, at Chicago's O'Hare airport in support of Rasmea Odeh. The send-off rally was the last chance for supporters to say goodbye, as Rasmea was forced to depart the U.S. after an almost four-year legal and political struggle. Speakers applauded Rasmea and a defense campaign that put Israel on trial for its crimes, and lifted up the cause of Palestinian liberation.

Rasmea said, “They want to destroy me, but I am strong. They can't destroy me.”

When it was time to go board her flight to Jordan, the crowd followed Odeh into the airport. After countless hugs, she crossed the security line with her fist raised, to chants of, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”