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Today, I want to ask you to make JUST 1 PHONE CALL & write JUST 1 EMAIL. If each of us do these FOUR SIMPLE THINGS (2 phone calls + 1 phone call + 1 email), we can have a HUGE IMPACT at this very critical time.
PLEASE CALL:
I. OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES (DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY): (866)-644-8360 (press 1 for English and then press 5 to leave a message)
You will not talk to a live person; you will simply leave a message on an answering
machine.
State that you are calling with regards to Sami Al-Arian who was recently placed in the custody of the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
1. Dr. Al-Arian is NOT being treated humanely at his current prison, the Hampton Roads Regional Jail:
a. He is not allowed to regularly call his family;
b. Bright lights flood his cell all day;
c. He is only allowed to shower twice a week;
d. He is handcuffed every time he leaves his cell;
e. He is not allowed to know the time of day to perform his prayers properly;
f. He is in a segregated unit, even though there is absolutely NO reason he should be there.
– > ask that he be transferred to a prison where he will be treated humanely
[Note: it is not necessary to bring up every one of these points. What IS necessary is that you stress that Dr. Al-Arian is being highly mistreated]
2. Dr. Al-Arian’s prison term ended on April 11th; every day that the government has kept him imprisoned since then has been COMPLETELY ILLEGAL. The government is legally and ethically bound to release and deport Dr. Al-Arian as soon as possible.
Leave your name and number.
PLEASE EMAIL:
II. ATTORNEY GENERAL MICHAEL MUKASEY: ASKDOJ@usdoj.gov
Ask Mr. Mukasey to ensure that Dr. Al-Arian is deported as soon as possible in accordance with the plea agreement. (For a letter template, please refer to the postings section of our event page, or go to http://www.freesamialarian.com/letters/sample1.doc)
- Before sending the email, make sure to BCC samialarianactioncommittee@gmail.com
- If you have time, fax your letter in addition to sending it by email: (202) 307-6777
Again, these four actions are VERY IMPORTANT.
To learn how to help more, please refer to the description box on the event page for the Action Alert.
To all of you who keep showing your support at this crucial time, you have our heartfelt thanks.
In solidarity,
John Halliwell
Moderator
Free Dr. Sami Al-Arian Now!
Tampa Bay Coalition for Justice and Peace
VIRGINIA– Today, April 11, 2008, was the scheduled release date of Dr. Sami Al-Arian, according to the U.S. government, but he remains in prison. Earlier today, Dr. Al-Arian was transferred out of the custody of the Bureau of Prisons into the custody of immigration authorities.
One of the terms of the plea agreement Dr. Al-Arian signed in April 2006 required the government to facilitate his immediate deportation. The government must finally honor its agreement.
Today also marks the 40th day of Dr. Al-Arian’s hunger strike, which he began on Mar. 3 to protest the government’s continued attempts to prolong his incarceration indefinitely. He has lost 34 pounds and has experienced dizzy spells and extreme exhaustion in recent days. For the first 18 days, Dr. Al-Arian drank no water. He is determined to continue his hunger strike until he is allowed to leave the country
and rejoin his wife and children.
On the day of Dr. Al-Arian’s scheduled release, the Tampa Bay
Coalition for Justice and Peace asks that the U.S. government not take any further action against him. Dr. Al-Arian and his family have suffered years of vicious media attacks, government oppression and political prosecution. It is time to stop wasting taxpayer dollars on prosecuting a man who was vindicated by a jury two and a half years ago.
TAKE ACTION:
Given that Dr. Al-Arian has been on a hunger strike since March 3, 2008 we urgently ask all conscientious and justice-seeking individuals to call, email or write officials to ask for an immediate end to Dr.
Al-Arian’s suffering.
TALKING POINTS:
1-The Department of Justice signed an agreement with Dr. Al-Arian in
April 2006, in which he was promised release and expedited deportation.
2-The U.S. government must end the Department of Justice’s abuse of
power by not pursuing any additional action against Dr. Al-Arian in
the form of grand jury subpoenas or new criminal charges.
3-Given Dr. Al-Arian’s hunger strike, which is on its 40th day, there
are serious concerns about his health. He should be allowed to be
released and rejoin his family for humanitarian reasons.
4- This case is closely watched all over the world. America’s public
image would be greatly enhanced, particularly in the Middle East and
Muslim world, if the government honored its promise to release Dr.
Al-Arian.
1. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Immigration Field Office
Vincent Archibeque
Acting Field Office Director
2675 Prosperity Avenue
Fairfax, VA. 22031
Phone: 703-285-6200
2- Honorable Judge Gerald Lee
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
401 Courthouse Square, Alexandria, VA 22314
Fax: (703) 299-3339
3- Attorney General Michael Mukasey
Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Fax Number: (202) 307-6777
BY E-MAIL:
E-mails to the Department of Justice, including the Attorney General,
may be sent to AskDOJ@usdoj.gov