[Ppnews] Arrests at March 21st SF Demonstration: Action Items, Update, and Statement

[Political Prisoner News]

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 <mailto:info at araborganizing.org>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: <mailto:DistrictAttorney at sfgov.org>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 
(<mailto:maherah1218 at yahoo.com>maherah1218 at yahoo.com) 
and Mai-Stella 
(<mailto:maistella.k at gmail.com>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 ~ www.adcsf.org ~ arabamericanlegal at gmail.com



Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  
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