04-13-2008, 08:52 AM
MAS Freedom Protests Transfer of Dr. Sami Al-Arian to Solitary Confinement Facility
Executive Director to Join Coalition in New York for April 15 Press Conference
It's More Important Now Than Ever
to Join MAS Freedom's Judiciary Letter Writing Campaign!
WASHINGTON, D.C. (MASNET) April 12, 2008 - MAS Freedom (MASF), as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS), has learned that, without any apparent explanation, Dr. Sami Al-Arian, in the 41st day of a hunger strike he began on April 3, 2008 in protest of the U.S. government's continued abuse of power in refusing to fulfill its obligation under a plea agreement outlining terms for his release, was transferred today from a regular holding cell at the Howard County Detention Center in Jessup, Maryland, to the 'Special Housing Unit' (SHU).
The SHU is known as being the most restrictive section of the prison, designated for inmates who are, for example, placed in solitary confinement 23-hours a day, and oftentimes subjected to continuous, deafening alarm sounds. Clearly, under the extenuating circumstance of Dr. Al-Arian's weakening health, this is a move that is nothing short of a continuation of the government's attempts to physically and psychologically break the resolve of a man who has been subjected to tactics such as this, despite being acquitted at trial, for the past 5 years.
"We must stand in solidarity in the call for accountability on the part of the federal government in demanding the release of Dr. Al-Arian," stated MAS Freedom Executive Director, Mahdi Bray.
Bray will travel to New York on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 to participate in a press conference to demand the release of Dr. Al-Arian. Also scheduled to speak are Former U.S. Congressman, Ramsey Clark; Sara Flounder, Co-Director, The International Action Center; Imam Siraj Wahaj, Talib Abdur-Rashid, CAIR-NY Civil Rights Director, Heidi Boghosian, Executive Director of the National Lawyers' Guild, Aliya Latif, Civil Rights Director Council on American-Islamic Relations, Laila Al-Arian, daughter of Dr. Sami Al-Arian, and Malaak Shabazz, daughter of El Hajj Malik El Shabazz - Malcolm X.
Tuesday's press conference is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM and will be held at The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center, 3940 Broadway, New York City, N.Y. 10032.
Take Action!
It is more important now than ever for all people of conscience to join MAS Freedom's Judiciary Letter Writing Campaign in protest of the continued miscarriage of justice in the case of Dr. Al-Arian, decried by human and civil rights organizations world-wide as being grossly inconsistent with international standards for humane treatment.
Learn More About MAS Freedom's Judiciary Committee Letter Writing Campaign here.
Screenings of USA vs. Al-Arian
Friends of Human Rights (a group that began in Tampa when Dr. al-Arian was first arrested) have organized a national tour to present the award-winning film "USA vs. Al-Arian". This award-winning documentary, filmed in Tampa, Florida, by Norwegian film-makers Line Halvorsen chronicles the effects of a terrorism trial on the family of the accused. Please contact Melva Underbakke to schedule a screening in your city. Call (813) 215-3403, or E-mail her at: melvau@earthlink.net.