Press Statement
By: Sami A. Al-Arian,
February 25, 2003

To Freedom-loving People in the U.S. and across the Globe:

I address you today as a prisoner of conscience. My freedom has been taken not because-God forbid- I am a criminal, or have ill will towards this great nation. But I am crucified today because of who I am: a stateless Palestinian, an Arab, a Muslim, and outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights, but more significantly a persistent defender of civil and constitutional rights on the home front.

I am a prisoner because of the hysteria engulfing the country in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy. And because there are very powerful political groups which are thirsty for my blood. I am not the enemy, but the forces of exclusion and intolerance are.

I have declared a hunger strike to protest this unjust persecution of me, because of my beliefs and opinions. As always, I will rely on none but the Almighty, for His mercy and protection. Someone maybe in control of my body, but I am still in control of my will.

Jesus always questioned power and spoke out against injustice. For that he was condemned by his contemporaries. Only those who knew him and walked with him, would shower him with love and offer their support and prayers and tears.

For all the freedom-loving and justice-seeking supporters, I thank you for your courage in speaking up against wrong and injustice.

My guide during these trying times is the eternal cry of a true and genuine American patriot at the dawn of America’s birth, the call of Patrick Henry:

Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death.

Why I am on a Hunger Strike
February 25, 2003

I am on a hunger strike to protest my unjust persecution.
The government has stacked the deck against me and then says: Let’s play.

They turned half of my family into unindicted co-conspirators.
They threaten to take away my children’s only means to survive.

They want to confiscate a school that educates over 300 children.
In order to mount a meaningful defense, I am told I need $2 million, which I don’t have.

They incarcerated my brother in-law for over 4 years and told us to find him a passport and a visa. So we struggled to find him a travel document and it becomes counts 30 and 32. We struggle to find him a visa and it becomes count 39.

It’s like having the Superbowl champions wanting to play King High [the local Tampa high school]. Not only that but demanding that the other quarterback play with one hand tied behind his back and then say: Let’s play ball.
Well, I aint playing.