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<font face="Garamond" size=5 color="#990000"><b>Statement from Dr.
Al-Arian to Supporters<br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3 color="#333333">Expresses
gratitude for support; "Freedom restores dignity and
humanity"<br><br>
</b></font><font face="Garamond" size=3 color="#FFFFFF">
<a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001EGoB16YfowP-iqGtW2UN0Ay-L-XN0Rhlc_NZTkX_Kggc1wpQQrdVMpUl1c29e6CHuUUBV9FXVZpTwsh8ooAhoTYxEXSASoHAsR-lya9ZZQ91mulrAaiVjg==">
www.FreeSamiNow.com<br><br>
<br>
</a></font><font face="Garamond" size=3><b>Northern Virginia - September
9, 2008 -</b> Dr. Sami Al-Arian has given his first public statement
since being released on bond, thanking his supporters for everything they
have done, and calling on them to keep bearing witness to justice all
over the world.<br>
<br>
[Statement from Dr. Al-Arian:]<br>
<br>
<b>"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."</b> These
words, uttered by Thomas Jefferson more than two centuries ago, ring true
today. I am very grateful to those who have been steadfast and vigilant
in their defense of freedom, justice, and truth throughout my struggle
during the past six years. Indeed, freedom restores the most precious
qualities of life, dignity, and humanity.<br>
My thanks go to those in all corners
of the globe who have campaigned for my case and for other prisoners of
conscience. It takes courage and principle to stand up for justice at a
time when fear often trumps rationality and fairness. <br>
I am also grateful that my release came during a month of spirituality
and reflection, one that I am blessed to spend with my family, while
still remembering those who are less fortunate and deprived of the most
important things in life: freedom, family, and peace.<br>
The work of my attorneys, Professor
Jonathan Turley, Will Olson, and P.J. Meitl, has been outstanding. I am
deeply grateful for their efforts in reuniting me with my family after so
many years.<br>
Finally, to my friends, supporters,
and people of conscience, although I have been released, my situation is
not yet over. My family and I appreciate that you keep us in your
thoughts and prayers. May God bestow His blessings, mercy, and grace on
all those who struggle for justice and freedom, and on those who stand up
for and speak out on their behalf. <br>
<br>
</font><font face="Garamond" size=4 color="#990000"><b>Write to Dr.
Al-Arian!<br>
</b></font><font face="Garamond" size=3> <br>
Personal letters are always an important source of inspiration for Dr.
Al-Arian to keep persevering. To send a letter, simply email
<a href="mailto:tampabayjustice@yahoo.com">tampabayjustice@yahoo.com</a>
and your message will be passed along to him. Remember, even a short
message of encouragement means a lot. <br>
<br>
Again, to all of you who have shown your support, you have our heartfelt
gratitude.<br><br>
**********************************************************************************************<br>
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<a href="http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/hotline/2008/09/al-arian-case-is-emblematic-of-post-911.php" eudora="autourl">
http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/hotline/2008/09/al-arian-case-is-emblematic-of-post-911.php<br>
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<img src="http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/images/calendar2.jpg" width=11 height=11 alt="[]">
<font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2 color="#A50000"> <b>Tuesday,
September 09, 2008<br>
</b></font>
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<br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2><b><a href="??">Al-Arian case
is emblematic of post-9/11 political prosecutions under
Bush</a></b></font><font face="Verdana" size=2> <br>
</font><font face="Verdana" size=1>6:02 PM ET<br><br>
<b><a href="http://www.mpac.org/about/staff-board/safiya-ghori.php">
Safiya Ghori-Ahmad</a></b> [Government Relations Director,
<a href="http://www.mpac.org/">Muslim Public Affairs Council</a>]:
"For many American Muslims, the
<a href="http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2008/09/us-releases-ex-professor-al-arian-after.php">
case of Sami Al-Arian</a> has become the most prominent illustration of
the Bush administration's post-9/11 political prosecutions. <br><br>
Sami Al-Arian, a former University of Florida professor, was arrested in
2003 on charges of funding terrorism. In December 2005, the jury
acquitted him of 8 of the 17charges brought against him and was hung on
the remaining charges. In April 2006, Dr. Al-Arian pleaded guilty to a
single non-terrorism related count of conspiracy and agreed to be
deported. <br><br>
A central aspect of the plea agreement was an understanding that Dr.
Al-Arian would not be subject to further prosecution or called to
cooperate with the government on any matter. The plea agreement signed
with Florida prosecutors explicitly protected him from cooperating in any
additional cases.<br><br>
Despite Dr. Al-Arian's immunity, federal prosecutors in Virginia sought
his testimony for a grand jury investigation and Al-Arian refused to
testify. In April 2008, Dr. Al-Arian's sentence ended and while being
held in an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) jail, immigration
authorities were making preparations for his deportation. <br><br>
Unfortunately, the Justice Department has recently brought new charges of
criminal contempt against Dr. Al-Arian in order to bring him before a
grand jury investigating other Muslim organizations. Earlier this week,
Dr. Al-Arian was released on bail and will be restricted to home
detention while he awaits trial for contempt of court.<br><br>
With no maximum penalty for criminal contempt, Dr. Al-Arian now hangs in
legal purgatory and the Justice Department's witch-hunt
continues."<br><br>
<i>Opinions expressed in JURIST's </i>Hotline<i> are the sole
responsibility of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the views
of JURIST's editors, staff, or the University of Pittsburgh.<br><br>
<br><br>
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