Endorsements

Letters and Endorsements

This page shares letters of support and formal endorsements from community members, elected officials, faith leaders and religious congregations, workers, organizers, and allied organizations standing in solidarity with Zahid, a longtime resident who had been detained by ICE. These statements reflect broad concern for his constitutional rights, due process, and lawful claim to U.S. citizenship, and affirm that this advocacy is rooted in collective care, moral responsibility, and community accountability. Together, these voices demonstrate that he is unjustly targeted—and that his fight for freedom, dignity, and justice is supported across communities and institutions.

The following are letters of support for him to remain in the United States, and endorsements for citizenship.

Lawmakers:

Patty Murray (D-WA) and
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
WA State Senators, Joint Support Letter

United States Congressman Denny Heck 10th CD

WA State Representatives, Beth Doglio & Laurie Dolan                             22nd Leg. Dist., Joint Support Letter

Beth Doglio WA State Representative, 22nd Leg. Dist.

Rebecca Saldaña WA State Representative, 37th Leg. Dist.

Tina Podlodowski Chair, WA State Democrats

Dr. EJ Zita Commissioner, Port of Olympia, WA

Clark Gilman Olympia City Council, WA

Jessica Bateman Olympia City Council, WA

U.S. Congressman Doc Hastings (R-WA)

Washington legislators Curtis King (R-WA), Charles Ross (R-WA), and Norm Johnson (R-WA) Joint support letter

State Representative Charles Ross (R-WA) individual letter

Family, Friends, Neighbors and Professionals:

Pastor Amy Hessel, The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd

M Ramzan Chaudhry

Dennis Mills, Ph.D. Veterans for Peace Chpt 109-Olympia, retired teacher, social justice activist

Dennis Mills, Ph.D. July 2017 letter

Mark Fleming Veterans for Peace Chpt 109-Olympia, social justice activist

Aneelah Afzali Ex. Director, American Muslim Empowerment Network

Larry Kerschner Veterans for Peace Chpt 109-Olympia, social justice activist

Daryl Rodrigues JD, MBA, MA, Past President of Washington Defender Association

Dave Cundiff MD, MPH

Bernie Steckler Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Seattle University

Michelle Ryder YWCA Olympia, WA

Dr. Zoltan Grossman Ph.D., The Evergreen State College

James Bamberger Washington State Supreme Court: Director, Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid

David Spring Director, Coalition to Protect Our Public Schools

 

A.D. Choudary, Professor Emeritus, Central Washington University

Peter Bohmer, Professor, The Evergreen State College (TESC)

Regon Unsoeld, 30-year Teacher, High School Social Studies

SURJ Showing Up For Racial Justice core organizers, Olympia, WA

Linda Boyd Former Director, Eastside Fellowship of Reconciliation, WA

Elissa Goss organizer, Media

Schuyler Bagwell Gateways for Incarcerated Youth Alumni, TESC, WA

Brian Morgan

Heather Duke Stone Mountain Counseling Center

Maggie Reardon

Gina Bua First Sergeant, Retired

Stack Family: Susan, Richard, Patrick & Paula

Joshua Simpson M.I.T., G.I.Voice

Gabi & Alec Clayton

Ted Melvin