Despite being acqitted in a political process he remains imprisoned
The National Council of Arab Americans (“NCA”) strongly urges US authorities to respect the verdict and immediately release Dr. Sami Al-Arian who has been rightfully acquitted of the most serious of terrorism-related charges. The NCA notes the jury declared “Not Guilty” eight times and did not return a single guilty verdict on any of the charges after a lengthy trial that included more than 80 witnesses and 400 transcripts of intercepted phone conversations and faxes.
The jury verdict, despite a government-imposed adversarial atmosphere, makes it clear that Dr. Al-Arian’s speech in support of the legitimate human rights of Palestinians, as reaffirmed by the United Nations and countless international bodies year after year, does not constitute a crime, but is instead a constitutionally protected fundamental right in the US—the right to free speech.
Yet, despite his demonstrated innocence and acquittal, Dr. Al- Arian remains unjustly imprisoned, often under inhumane conditions, as he has been for nearly three years. As a result, Dr. Al-Arian’s wife and children are forced to endure the severe emotional trauma of witnessing a loving father and caring husband remain wrongfully imprisoned.
The NCA urges the government to avoid further fanning the flames of injustice by transforming Dr. Al-Arian’s detention into unjust deportation.
The NCA strongly urges the government to serve the interests of justice by immediately freeing Dr. Sami Al-Arian and dropping all charges.
E-MAIL, CALL and WRITE
Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales
E-MAIL: AskDOJ@usdoj.gov
PHONE: 202-514-2001 and 202-353-1555
MAIL: U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
The other decision maker is Paul Perez, Chief Prosecutor. Please ask him to drop all charges and free Dr. Al-Arian.
Any e-mail can be sent to steve.cole@usdoj.gov
Ask that it be forwarded to Paul Perez
Please CC all letters to Pastor Warren Clark, at FLHIST@aol.com.
Sincerely,
NCA National Office
National Council of Arab Americans (NCA)
email: nationaloffice@arab-american.net
phone: 530.756.5548
web: http://www.arab-american.net
