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Activist's Hate-Crime Trial Sparks Free Speech Debate

9/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Activist Raunaq Alam's jury trial starts in North Texas, facing hate-crime charges for anti-Israel graffiti, with a potential 10-year prison sentence.
Critics contend the charges misapply hate-crime laws, merging Israel with Judaism and threatening free speech.
Alam asserts his activism is rooted in human rights, while his attorney emphasizes political motives in the prosecution.

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Story summary

Activist Raunaq Alam's jury trial starts in North Texas, facing hate-crime charges for anti-Israel graffiti, with a potential 10-year prison sentence.
Critics contend the charges misapply hate-crime laws, merging Israel with Judaism and threatening free speech.
Alam asserts his activism is rooted in human rights, while his attorney emphasizes political motives in the prosecution.