Tampa Bay Coalition for Justice and Peace

Feb. 20, 2004

Events Mark One Year Anniversary of Al-Arian & Hammoudeh Imprisonment

Please attend these events to show your support to political prisoners in the United States, punished for nothing more than exercising their First Amendment rights– and for standing up for Palestinian human rights.

In Tampa, Florida:

What: Commemoration of One Year Anniversary of Dr. Sami Al-Arian and Br. Sameeh Hammoudeh’s Unjust Arrest When: Friday, February 20, 2004 at 6:00 pm
Where: University of South Florida, Marshall Center Ballroom

On Friday, February 20th, 2004, there will be an event to commemorate the one year anniversary of the unjust imprisonment of Dr. Sami Al- Arian and Sameeh Hammoudeh in Tampa, Florida. A forum will be held entitled “The Patriot Act and the Attack on Human Rights in America.” Featured speakers will be Linda Moreno, Attorney for Dr. Sami Al- Arian and Dr. Agha Saeed, President of the American Muslim Alliance.

Please attend and learn about the constitutional implications of this case and the atrocious conditions of these brothers’ imprisonment, which have been described by Amnesty International as “gratuitously punitive.” This event is being sponsored by Amnesty International- USF Chapter, Muslim Student Association (MSA @ USF), Sisters’ United Muslim Association (SUMA @ USF), and the Arab American Student Alliance and Leadership (AASAL).

—————————————————————–

In Falls Church, Virginia:

What: “Civil Rights in Post-Sept. 11 America”
When: Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004 7pm
Where: Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center
http://www.hijrah.org/

To commemorate the one-year anniversary of Dr. Sami Al-Arian’s unjust arrest, Dr. Agha Saeed, professor, civil rights activist and president of the American Muslim Alliance and attorney Ashraf Nubani will speak about the Patriot Act and the status of civil rights in post-Sept. 11 America, especially with regards to American Muslims.

——————————————————————

Yesterday in Chicago, Illinois:

What: “Silencing Dissent: Political Repression and the Patriot Act,
When: Thursday, Feb. 19, 2004 7:30PM
Where: DePaul University Lewis Law Center
Sponsored by the Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism
Featured Speaker: Michel Shehadeh, L.A. 8 defendant, National Council of Arab Americans

Statement from Sami Al-Arian, imprisoned Palestinian professor and activist Standish Willis, National Council of Black Lawyers Michelle Morales, Boriqua Human Rights Network Suzanne Adely, Arab American Action Network Emma Lozano, Pueblo Sin Fronteras

The goal of this forum was to highlight the impact of the Patriot Act and mobilize opposition to it in the city of Chicago.