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Tampa Bay Coalition for Justice and Peace<br>
April 23, 2008<br><br>
Update on Dr. Al-Arian's Health Status<br><br>
VIRIGINA-- Earlier today, Dr. Sami Al-Arian, who is on the 52nd day of a
hunger strike to protest government harassment, began to take a liquid
nutritional supplement. Dr. Al Arian's health has deteriorated rapidly
since he began the fast on March 3. He drank no water for the first 18
days and has lost more than 40 pounds. He has not received proper
treatment or medical care at Hampton Roads Regional Jail, where he is
being held.<br><br>
At 11 a.m. on Monday morning, Dr. Al-Arian collapsed and lost
consciousness for a few minutes. A doctor who examined him ordered the
jail to give him more fluids, and tried to convince Dr. Al-Arian to take
supplemental nutrients. Later, an official with the Immigration and
Customs Enforcement met with Dr. Al-Arian. The official promised Dr.
Al-Arian that he would be moved to a different facility later this
week.<br><br>
After thousands of supporters and people of conscience called Hampton
Roads Regional Jail last week, Dr. Al-Arian's conditions improved
slightly. His clothes and blankets were returned to him and he was able
to receive ONE visit from family members. However, during that visit,
which took place behind a glass partition, Dr. Al-Arian's hands were
shackled. He remains on suicide watch in the segregation unit at the
prison, on 24-hour lockdown in a windowless prison cell. The bright
lights in the cell are constantly on, including throughout the night. He
is allowed to shower only twice a week and is handcuffed every time he
leaves his cell. He is not able to estimate the Muslim prayer times
because he has no access to a watch or clock.<br><br>
Dr. Al-Arian, who has experienced dizzy spells, blurred eyesight and
fatigue, also began taking the liquid supplement at the urging of his
family, who would like him to regain his strength to be able to travel in
the event that he is deported expeditiously and allowed to finally rejoin
them, as the government has promised.<br><br>
Though Dr. Al-Arian was transferred into ICE custody on April 11,
following the completion of his sentence, there is no indication that the
government will release him. TBCJP urges the U.S. government not to bring
new charges against Dr. Al-Arian, a decision that would appear vindictive
and underhanded.<br><br>
The next week is an especially critical time for people of conscience to
speak out against the continued attempts to increase Dr. Al-Arian's
imprisonment.<br><br>
TAKE ACTION:<br><br>
1- Contact Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and ask:<br><br>
(1) that Dr. Al-Arian immediately be moved to another facility where he
will be treated <br>
with dignity and respect, and<br><br>
(2) that the U.S. government honor its promise to Dr. Al-Arian to release
and deport him <br>
immediately.<br><br>
Vincent Archibeque, Acting Field Office Director of ICE<br>
2675 Prosperity Avenue<br>
Fairfax, VA 22031<br>
Phone: 703-285-6200<br>
Area of Responsibility: District of Columbia and Virginia<br><br>
2-Contact the Department of Justice and ask prosecutors to honor their
2006 plea <br>
agreement with Dr. Al-Arian that promised his release and
deportation:<br><br>
Attorney General Michael Mukasey<br>
Department of Justice<br>
U.S. Department of Justice<br>
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW<br>
Washington, DC 20530-0001<br>
Fax Number: (202) 307-6777<br><br>
BY E-MAIL:<br>
E-mails to the Department of Justice, including the Attorney
General,<br>
may be sent to AskDOJ@usdoj.gov<br><br>
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