Defending March 21 anti-war arrestees

AROC COMMENDS COMMUNITIES' SUPPORT IN DEFENSE OF THOSE ARRESTED ON MARCH 21st

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

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.

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.

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. This is an enormous victory and a testament to our collective strength, however our work continues!

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—please see info below and continue to make calls!

AROC OFFERS OUR MOST HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE PROVIDED FINANCIAL, LEGAL, AND OTHER COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

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.

While some of the charges have been dismissed, the underlying problems remain. 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. 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.

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 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!

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 info [at] araborganizing.org..

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.

Updates and Critical Next Steps as of March 25, 2009:

Good News

1. Pressuring the DA's office is working!
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.

Critical Next Steps

1. Pending Cases
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 ALL charges brought on the March 21st demonstration to be dismissed.

San Francisco District Attorney's Office:
call 415.553.1752
press 1 for english
follow instructions to use directory
press: harris# (427747#)
asks you for more letters: kamala# (526252#)
puts you through to Kamala Harris' secretary (District Attorney)

email: DistrictAttorney [at] sfgov.org

Juvenile Probation Department
Phone: (415) 753-7800
Fax: (415) 753-7715

2. Fundraising
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.

Please contact Maherah (maherah1218 [at] yahoo.com) and Mai-Stella (maistella.k [at] gmail.com) to support.

3. Legal Defense / Witnesses to the Occurrences
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. 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.

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.

4. Media & Communications
For any media inquiries please contact Chris at (510) 206-6646.

Arab Resource and Organizing Center ~ AROC
522 Valencia St
San Francisco, Ca 94110

415.861.7444 ~ http://www.adcsf.org ~ arabamericanlegal [at] gmail.com