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<font size=3><b>AROC COMMENDS COMMUNITIES' SUPPORT IN DEFENSE OF THOSE
ARRESTED ON MARCH 21st<br><br>
WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT<br><br>
</b>The Arab Resource and Organizing Center is extremely distressed by
the occurrences of police repression that took place during and after the
March 21st protest against the Iraq War and other Occupations. <br><br>
Ten people were arrested. Eight of those were members of the Arab
community. Two of the eight were youth under 18; four others were
between the ages of 18 and 20. Those arrested, as well as several
others, were seen by medical professionals for both serious and minor
injuries. <br><br>
At this time, we are pleased to report that the charges against 6 of
those arrested have been dismissed thanks to constant pressure from the
community on the District Attorney and the San Francisco Police
Department as well as outreach to San Francisco elected officials.
<b>This is an enormous victory and a testament to our collective
strength, however our work continues! <br><br>
Charges have not yet been dismissed for the two juvenile cases (names
undisclosed), or for two other adults (Margaret Belknap and Samuel
Bryson) also arrested that day—<u>please see info below and continue to
make calls!<br><br>
</u></b>AROC OFFERS OUR MOST HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE
PROVIDED FINANCIAL, LEGAL, AND OTHER COMMUNITY SUPPORT.<br><br>
<b>We have a continuing need for financial support to reimburse those who
paid thousands of dollars for bonds that obtained the release of our
youth. Please see below for information about donating to those
funds.<br><br>
</b>While some of the charges have been dismissed, the underlying
problems remain. <b>AROC views these occurrences as a direct attack on
the Arab community, as well as an attack on the civil liberties of others
acting in solidarity. </b> This sort of attack is reminiscent of attempts
by the US government, in the wake of September 11th 2001, to repress the
freedom of speech and activity of Arab communities. We are
concerned for our ongoing safety and will continue to provide support for
those affected by the March 21st arrests and abuses. AROC is also
concerned about the possible impact of these events on other communities
of color and social justice movements. <br><br>
We encourage our communities to remain united in the face of these
attacks on our civil liberties and to remain steadfast in our
organizing. In the same way that we stood up for our rights during
the community repression post September 11th, we have come together in
this moment, and <b>will continue to work together beyond this moment to
make sure that the Arab community is not isolated from other social
justice movements, and we will continue to stand united together as a
community. We will not be deterred from struggling for
justice!<br><br>
AROC will be working to convene a community gathering to support those
affected by this violence and repression, and to support and empower our
communities. Stay tuned or contact our offices for more information
(415) 861-7444 or email
<a href="mailto:info@araborganizing.org">info@araborganizing.org</a>..<br>
<br>
</b>Please note, if you were a victim of abuse, witnessed abuse, or are
in need of medical, legal, or emotional counseling in relation to the
events on March 21st, see the numbers below. We believe it is
essential to connect and work with the defense team of those arrested
from the Arab community.<br><br>
</font><font size=4><b>Updates and Critical Next Steps as of March 25,
2009:<br><br>
</font><font size=3><u>Good News<br><br>
</u></b>1. Pressuring the DA's office is working! <br>
Not only was Mohammed Ibrahim's case discharged on Monday but today Lily
Haskell, Nadeen Elshorafa, Murad Abuh Hamdieh, Majdi Abuh Hamdieh and
Mustafa Albouyha's cases were dismissed. Thanks to everyone who
worked non-stop to make this happen and all the people who made financial
contributions. <br><br>
Critical Next Steps<br><br>
<b><u>1. Pending Cases<br>
</u></b>Now we are waiting to hear the results of the two minors' cases
whose court dates are next week, as well as two other adults. We thank
you for all your phone calls and emails to the DA's office. Please keep
contacting the DA's office and the Juvenile Probation Department asking
for <u>ALL charges brought on the March 21st demonstration to be
dismissed</u>.<br><br>
<b>San Francisco District Attorney's Office:<br>
</b>call 415.553.1752<br>
press 1 for english<br>
follow instructions to use directory<br>
press: harris# (427747#)<br>
asks you for more letters: kamala# (526252#)<br>
puts you through to Kamala Harris' secretary (District Attorney)<br><br>
email:
<a href="mailto:DistrictAttorney@sfgov.org">DistrictAttorney@sfgov.org</a>
<br><br>
<b>Juvenile Probation Department<br>
</b>Phone: (415) 753-7800<br>
Fax: (415) 753-7715<br><br>
<b><u>2. Fundraising<br>
</u></b>Please continue to keep those donations coming!! We need to
urgently raise money for the legal defense, so send all contributions to
Maherah Silmi at 1333 Gough Street, Apt. 1F, San Francisco, Ca 94109.
<br><br>
Please contact Maherah
(<a href="mailto:maherah1218@yahoo.com">maherah1218@yahoo.com</a>) and
Mai-Stella
(<a href="mailto:maistella.k@gmail.com">maistella.k@gmail.com</a>) to
support.<br><br>
<b><u>3. Legal Defense / Witnesses to the Occurrences<br>
</u></b>There have been calls to various individuals in the Arab and
Palestinian community asking questions about the events surrounding the
arrests, these calls have come from the media, people representing
various organizations and political groups. <b>Those working on the
defense would like to encourage everyone who was an eye witness to the
events NOT to speak to anyone at this time. Please contact Marissa at
(510) 835-4354, if you have any questions at all about how to deal with
these calls or to provide information that could help those affected.
<br><br>
</b>It is critical that our communications to all sources reflect the
overall legal and communications strategy in order to best serve the
needs of those who have been arrested. Information that is provided
without the coordination of the legal and communications teams could
SERIOUSLY affect the safety of those who have been arrested.. Call us if
you have any questions at all. <br><br>
<b><u>4. Media & Communications<br>
</u></b>For any media inquiries please contact Chris at (510)
206-6646.<br><br>
</font><tt>Arab Resource and Organizing Center ~ AROC<br>
522 Valencia St<br>
San Francisco, Ca 94110<br><br>
415.861.7444 ~
<a href="http://www.adcsf.org/" eudora="autourl">www.adcsf.org</a> ~
arabamericanlegal@gmail.com<br><br>
<br>
</tt><x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<font size=3 color="#FF0000">Freedom Archives<br>
522 Valencia Street<br>
San Francisco, CA 94110<br><br>
</font><font size=3 color="#008000">415 863-9977<br><br>
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