Tampa Bay Coalition for Juctice and Peace

Nov. 15, 2004

Dr. Al-Arian to be Moved this Week

Dr. Sami Al-Arian is scheduled to be sent back to the horrible conditions at Coleman Federal Penitentiary sometime this week. His return, previously scheduled for Nov. 2, was delayed slightly. It is possible that our letters helped before, and maybe they will again. The one I sent is below. Please send letters to: sonya_cohn@flmd.uscourts.gov or mail them to:

The Honorable Thomas B. McCoun III
Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse
801 N. Florida Avenue #223
Tampa, FL 33602

Below is a sample letter written by a conscientious supporter. Please write similar letters and send a copy (BCC) to: tampabayjustice@yahoo.com

Dear Judge McCoun:

Thank you for allowing Dr. Al-Arian to remain at the Orient Road Jail for a little additional time. But now I understand that he is to be sent back to Coleman on Thursday, November 18.

This does not make any sense to me. Why would a pre-trial detainee be treated in this inhumane manner? When he is in Coleman, he is not allowed visitors other than family, he is only allowed one phone call a month, his access to lawyers is very restricted, it is much more difficult for him to see the evidence against him, and in general conditions are very punitive.

Given the current climate in Tampa, including the recent slanderous senate campaign ads, it will be very difficult for Dr. Al-Arian to get a fair trial anyway. To send him back to Coleman will make it even harder for justice to be served. The only reason I can think of for doing this is to him is to break him psychologically. Is this the way we now do things in America?

I ask you once again to please intervene and allow him to remain in Tampa to prepare for his trial.

Respectfully,

Melva Underbakke
Temple Terrace, FL