Rep. Rashida Tlaib greeted with protesters at Rutgers Muslims for Peace event

NEW BRUNSWICK – Rep. Rashida Tlaib was met with protesters at Rutgers University Sunday, where she advocated for unity among marginalized groups and support of migrants.

Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, along with experts on Islam, spoke at an event organized by Muslims for Peace, advocating for interfaith relationships and sympathizing with asylum seekers.

“Every single person should be able to come here, touch our land and say, ‘I need to feel protected, please help me,’” said Tlaib, part of the “squad” of freshmen women of color in Congress. “We should always give a fair chance to do that.”

Though not mentioning President Donald Trump by name, Tlaib, an outspoken critic of the president, touched on his comments and policies.

READ: Rutgers University sued by epileptic glassblower over radioactive material

“I don't care if it’s walls in Mexico or walls in Palestine, we need to tear them down,” she said.

Tlaib spoke locally, too, praising her hometown and congressional district of Detroit. A hotbed of movements, ranging from civil rights to labor rights, Tlaib said her community continuously rallies behind itself regardless of race or faith.

“During a time where islamophobia was at its height, we got elected by fellow Americans, majority African American in my district, that didn't share our faith,” she said, referring to herself and fellow squad member Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn

Tlaib also railed against corporations, which she claimed is responsible for the “broken immigration system” and exploited migrant workers.

“When you open the curtain, it is the same people profiting off of our pain,” she said. “The same people that profit off the pain of the working class, the immigrant community, all of us. The same people that want to hate us, hate many of us that do not look like them.”

Not everyone agreed with Tlaib’s message.

READ: Mom of Rutgers student hit by train after frat party sues school, fraternity for wrongful death

Dov Hikind, a former Democratic member of the New York State Assembly, was removed by police after yelling at Tlaib, just feet away, about her “blood libel” against Jews, referencing tweets by Tlaib that incorrectly stated Israelis killed a Palestinian boy.

“Tlaib represents everything that's divisive,” Hikind later said in a video on Twitter. “She is someone that represents anti-Semitism.”

Others outside the Busch Student Center protested Tlaib’s presence on campus.

"Jewish students are under attack in universities across the United States. This will not only increase the hostility to all students, but the people who feel it the most are Jewish students," said Karen Lichtbraun, a self-described "Zionist protester."

Lichtbraun, from Manhattan, stood with a group of about two dozen protesters standing behind barricades, waving Israeli flags and anti-Tlaib placards. Lichtbraun held a sign herself, that falsely cited Tlaib saying anti-Semitic comments.

"I hope that Rutgers takes more care in who they let speak in their building," she added.

Nearby, a group of counter-protesters stood waving the Palestinian flag and anti-Zionist slogans. Comprised of Jews and Palestinians, the group chanted “Free, free Palestine.”

“It makes me embarrassed for Jews,” Susan Gordon, a Jewish woman from North Plainfield, said about the anti-Tlaib protestors. Holding a neon orange sign saying, “Jews in Solidarity with Palestine,” she added, “The level of ignorance and hate is very disheartening.”

Rutgers spokesman Neal Buccino said the event was not sponsored or endorsed by the University.

“Rutgers is committed to diversity, inclusion and fostering a campus community in which people of all backgrounds are treated with respect,” he said.

Daniel Han is a freelance journalist at Rutgers University. Follow him on Twitter @Danieljhan_