Edward W. Said, one of America's leading public intellectuals, a tireless advocate for Palestinian freedom, and a professor at Columbia University, has died in New York City. He was 67.

According to a post on the New York City IMC open newswire, " Edward had been very ill for the past couple of weeks and last night he was re-admitted to the hospital ... For us -- and we know for the entire academic community as well as everyone who had believed in Palestinian sovereignty, not to mention the self-determination of oppressed and exploited people worldwide -- this is a loss that will never be overcome."

In a February 2003 speech at UCLA, Said argued that "Palestine now is the progressive cause in the world today." Referring to Israel, he noted that "no power, no matter how horrific its past, should be exempt from censure if it practices starvation, torture, forced transfer. We live in a secular world -- there simply is no way to legitimize bombing and maiming people because they don't belong to the correct race."

Said was beloved in Chicago, where he had many dear friends. We mourn his passing. Thanks to NYC IMC for the copy crib.

Memorial Concert for Edward Said held at University of Chicago

Selected works: Roadmap to where? | Blind Imperial Arrogance | Rachel Corrie: Of Dignity & Solidarity | Dreams & Delusions | Said on the Role of Public Intellectuals | Orientalism 25 Years Later | On Breaking With Arafat | More Links