[Ppnews] USPCN Stands Against Political Repression

[Political Prisoner News]

<http://palestineconference.org/wp/2010/12/16/uspcn-stands-against-political-repression/>USPCN 
Stands Against Political Repression

The United States Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) strongly 
condemns and denounces the Federal Bureau of Investigation's 
political repression of 19 anti-war, Palestine solidarity and 
Palestinian activists.

The USPCN calls for the immediate suspension of the federal 
government's grand jury prosecution of these activists, and an end to 
the FBI's harassment of our communities.

Since September 24, the FBI has raided seven Chicago and Minneapolis 
homes of activists and has served a total of 19 federal subpoenas 
across the Midwest. The targeted citizens are outspoken community 
organizers and students critical of U.S. policy in Colombia, 
Palestine, and the Middle East.

The grand jury and FBI are seeking evidence that connects the 19 
activists and their "potential co-conspirators" to U.S.-designated 
"terrorist organizations." Five of the nineteen activists being 
targeted are Palestinian-Americans whose only crime is working 
tirelessly to inform fellow citizens of the realities of Israeli 
occupation. None of the 19 has been charged with a crime, and all 
deny providing material support, including money, to any foreign 
organization. These activists are shining examples of courage and 
fortitude, ordinary citizens doing the extraordinary work of building 
knowledge and support for justice and a common humanity

Federal harassment of our communities and associational life has 
grown precipitously during the last decade, as Arabs, Muslims, and 
their allies, continue to be persecuted for their lawful and 
necessary civic engagement. This suppression of civil rights and free 
speech seeks to criminalize and quell civic activism undertaken in 
support of Palestinian and other oppressed peoples' struggles against 
U.S.-funded occupation and war. This harassment must stop.

The United States Palestinian Community Network stands in full 
support of our brothers and sisters unjustly targeted by the federal 
government.

We assert our determination and commitment to challenge our 
government's policies, both here and abroad, and will continue to 
defend the rights of Palestinians, our allies, and all those 
struggling against oppression. The USPCN upholds the constitutional 
right of Americans to dissent without fear of persecution, and the 
rights of peace and justice organizations to organize, educate, and 
assemble, free and unbridled.

We call upon all USPCN local chapters, members and fellow citizens, 
to join existing local and national efforts organized by the 
Committee to Stop FBI Repression. Please visit: 
<http://www.stopfbi.net/>http://www.stopfbi.net

Do not be intimidated, we struggle together. Continue to speak your 
conscience, continue to educate, and continue to organize. Justice 
will prevail.



December 16, 2010
US Palestinian Community Network
Web: <http://www.palestineconference.org/>http://www.palestineconference.org
Email: <mailto:uspcn at palestineconference.org>uspcn at palestineconference.org
Twitter: <http://twitter.com/uspcn>http://twitter.com/uspcn



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