CAIR <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
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April 14, 2008 Forward to a Friend Support
CAIR Contact Us Update Your Profile CAIR Action Alert #538
Dr. Sami Al-Arian Put in Solitary Confinement
(WASHINGTON D.C., 4/14/08) - CAIR is calling on American Muslims and other
people of conscience to write letters in support of Dr. Sami Al-Arian, a former
Florida professor currently on his second hunger strike in federal detention to
protest alleged unjust treatment by U.S. authorities.
Al-Arian, who has already lost almost more than 30 pounds, began refusing
food and water on March 3rd to protest a third attempt by prosecutors to compel
his testimony in court. According to the Tampa Bay Coalition for Justice and
Peace, he was recently placed in solitary confinement, allegedly with no
medical monitoring, in a Maryland detention facility.
SEE: Dr. Al-Arian Placed in Punitive Detention
SEE ALSO: USA vs. Al-Arian (WUNC)
Al-Arian began his first hunger strike last year after being given a sentence
of up to 18 months for refusing to testify before a grand jury in Virginia. His
attorneys say an earlier plea agreement freed him from further cooperation with
the government. Supporters also say the government's actions amount to a form
of harassment.
In December of last year, CAIR welcomed a judge's decision to lift civil
contempt charges against Al-Arian. The charges were dropped when the grand jury
he was subpoenaed to testify before expired.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Lifting of Al-Arian Contempt Charges
In 2005, a Florida jury rejected federal charges that Al-Arian operated a
cell for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Al-Arian later pleaded guilty to a
lesser charge and was scheduled for release and deportation in April.
SEE: No Guilty Verdicts in Al-Arian Trial (Tampa Tribune)
At the time of his first hunger strike, a national coalition of major
American Muslim organizations said the prison sentence given to Al-Arian
amounted to unconstitutional "double jeopardy."
SEE: U.S. Muslims Call Al-Arian Imprisonment 'Double Jeopardy'
A recent documentary film, "USA vs. Al-Arian," offers a family portrait that
documents the Al-Arian family's desperate attempt to fight terrorism charges
leveled by the U.S. government.
ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, be POLITE and RESPECTFUL.)
CAIR is asking that letters urging Al-Arian's release be sent to Judge Gerald
Lee of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, to
Attorney General Michael Mukasey and to congressional leaders.
SEE: Free Sami Al-Arian - How to Help
Supporters are also being asked to write letters directly to Al-Arian.
SEE: Free Sami Al-Arian - Contact Info
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