Rasmea’s sentencing March 12 - Need letters for leniency

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Rasmea’s sentencing March 12 - Need letters for leniency


Calling for letters requesting leniency for Rasmea Odeh. Sentencing is March 12.
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JUSTICE FOR RASMEA: ALL OUT FOR MARCH 12!

Letters for leniency requested by February 4th

On March 12, Rasmea is set to appear once again in the Detroit courtroom of Judge Gershwin Drain, this time for a sentencing hearing. We are seeking letters to the judge requesting leniency.

For this round of letters, we are NOT looking for a mountain of individual statements, but rather letters from prominent individuals who represent broader constituencies. We need you to work with leaders of faith-based, labor, women's rights, and community organizations, as well as student governments, student organizations (national), prominent professors, and legislators in your area to draft and submit letters.

Below you will find an outline you can use to draft these letters, but it is important for the authors to write them in their own voices. Letters should be submitted by February 4 to [email protected].

Stay tuned! Keep sharing Rasmea’s story and organizing fundraisers. Watch for calls for your support as we prepare for sentencing and appeal. Our organizing is key to winning #Justice4Rasmea.

* * * SAMPLE LETTER TEMPLATE * * *

<Your address>

<Date>

Honorable Judge Gershwin Drain,

I am writing to request leniency from you in the March 12 sentencing of Rasmea Odeh, who I know as <friend/aunt/community leader… your relationship to Rasmea>. <Brief description of the author – include organizational affiliation and title.>

<More about how you know or know of Rasmea, how long you have known her, and how you feel about her (i.e. Iove, friendship, respect).>

<AND/OR>

<Personal statement describing Rasmea’s positive character traits and valuable contributions to her community. Include specific and personal examples.>

<Other things you can include about Rasmea and her case – USE THE BELOW AS EXAMPLES.>

• In November 2014, Rasmea was convicted of Unlawful Procurement of Naturalization. Compassion in her sentencing will serve justice in this case. She was detained for a month immediately following the verdict, including almost 3 weeks in solitary confinement, which was extremely difficult for her.

• As a survivor of torture, engagement for the betterment of her community in Chicago is critical to her emotional health; the isolation she endured while incarcerated was a great hardship and may have retriggered her Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

• As a 67-year old woman, her health suffered under the cold, damp, and uncomfortable conditions in the St. Clair County Jail, as they surely would in any facility lacking medical services and accommodations to provide for senior citizens.

• If Rasmea loses her appeal, she will likely lose her citizenship and face deportation. This will end life as she knows it, cutting all her ties with family and community in Chicago. This punishment alone is so devastating, it should not be compounded by adding a prison term.

• Since there is a possibility of her conviction being overturned on appeal, keeping her out of prison would allow her to continue as a contributing and productive person, doing the work that is so critical to hundreds of immigrant and refugee women in Chicago’s Arab and Muslim community.

• Rasmea is an award-winning leader of Chicago’s immigrant community who has dedicated 50 years of her life to serving refugees wherever she has lived. In Chicago, she built the Arab Women’s Committee, with some 600 members. Because of Rasmea’s work, immigrant and refugee women who came to the US from countries facing war and political crises – like Iraq, Palestine, Yemen, Syria, and beyond – now have a place to seek support, gain empowerment and community, and call their home.

Respectfully yours,

<Your Name>

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All out for Detroit on March 12 to defend Rasmea Odeh

By staff

Chicago, IL – Organizers of the nationwide effort to get justice for longtime Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh are urging an all-out mobilization for Odeh’s sentencing in Detroit Federal Court on the morning of March 12. Odeh is facing deportation and up to ten years in jail on a trumped-up immigration charge.

“All of us who want justice for Rasmea need to be at the sentencing hearing. Rasmea has made great contributions to the community and the cause of Palestinian freedom. We need to stand with her,” states Hatem Abudayyeh, of the Rasmea Defense Committee.

Supporters of Rasmea Odeh are also planning a week of action in her defense, Feb. 9 – 15.

On Nov. 10, 2014 Odeh was convicted of “unlawful procurement of citizenship.” This followed a trial where Odeh’s lawyers were prevented from presenting their defense.

After the Nov. 10 conviction, Federal Prosecutor Jonathan Tukel moved to have Odeh’s bail revoked and she was jailed through mid-December. Tukel used underhanded legal maneuvers to prolong her time in jail.

Keep updated on this case at uspcn.org and stopfbi.net.

Read more News and Views from the Peoples Struggle at http://www.fightbacknews.org. You can write to us at [email protected]

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National Week of Action to defend Rasmea, Feb. 9 – 15

Feb. 9 to Feb. 15: Please participate in the National Week of Actions for Rasmea Odeh.


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National Week of Action to defend Rasmea, February 9-15

The campaign to defend long-time Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh has reached a critical stage. We urge everyone to join us in organizing an event or protest on your campus or in the community during the week of Feb. 9 – 15.

All of us need to shine a light on the real injustice that is taking place in Detroit. Rasmea, a Palestinian American woman who has done so much for so many, is facing deportation and up to ten years in jail on a trumped-up immigration charge.

We need to go all out in focusing attention on her case before her March 12 sentencing. After the sentencing, it is anticipated that the appeals process will start. This fight will not be over until we have justice.

Rasmea has made great contributions to the community and the cause of Palestinian freedom. We need to stand with her.

Please share your actions plans with us by emailing [email protected].

All out of the national week of actions to demand Justice for Rasmea, Feb. 9 – 15!
Come to Detroit for the sentencing hearing on March 12!


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Copyright © 2015 Committee to Stop FBI Repression, All rights reserved.
Thanks for your ongoing interest in the fight against FBI repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists!
Our mailing address is:
Committee to Stop FBI Repression
PO Box 14183
Minneapolis, MN 55414

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Rasmea Odeh Live Stream Available for Feb. 9-15 Week of Action


Event idea for the National Week of Action Feb. 9-15: Live stream Rasmea Odeh!

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Committee to Stop FBI Repression (stopfbi.net)
Rasmea Odeh Live Stream Events Available for the Week of Action

National Week of Action
to Defend Rasmea February 9-15

We are organizing two live stream appearances by Rasmea Odeh to take place around the week of action. These live streams are an opportunity to have Rasmea’s presence at events around the country.

FORMAT :
Rasmea will give a prepared talk and take questions that are submitted via chat or email. The proposal is that her talk would be part of a program that includes at least one local speaker on the next steps in defense work, but it will also work within a program on political repression, Palestine, etc.

WHEN:
One live stream is scheduled for 6:30 pm CST (7:30 pm EST) Friday, February 13

The second live stream is not yet scheduled. We are looking for a live stream time and day that can work well for West Coast events, though it will be available to all. Email event proposals to
[email protected], RE: Rasmea live stream

HOW:
Your event location will need an active internet connection and a computer with speakers for viewing the stream. If you expect a lot of people and have access to a digital projector and screen that can be a nice addition.

If you wish to ask questions from your location it may be more convenient to have a second device with chat or email capability, like a smartphone, laptop, tablet etc.

The live stream will be broadcast on the StopFBInet You Tube Channel. Confirm the broadcast link and other day-of-event information by emailing the organizers at
[email protected], RE: Rasmea live stream

follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend
Copyright © 2015 Committee to Stop FBI Repression, All rights reserved.
Thanks for your ongoing interest in the fight against FBI repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists!
Our mailing address is:
Committee to Stop FBI Repression
PO Box 14183
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Add us to your address book
unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

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Rasmea live stream - 2 dates added. Plan your event now!


Rasmea Odeh live stream events Feb. 13, 15 and 19, all around the National Week of Actions for Rasmea.


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Committee to Stop FBI Repression (stopfbi.net)

Three live stream dates for National Week of Action

National Week of Action to defend Rasmea, February 9-15

Three live stream dates for National Week of Action
and beyond

Friday, Feb. 13. 6:30 pm CST
Sunday, Feb. 15. 2:00 pm CST
Thursday, Feb. 19. 8:00 pm CST
(see all time zones at the bottom of this section)

We are organizing three live stream appearances by Rasmea Odeh to take place around the week of action. These live streams are an opportunity to have Rasmea’s presence at events around the country.

FORMAT :
Rasmea will give a prepared talk and take questions that are submitted via chat or email. The proposal is that her talk would be part of a program that includes at least one local speaker on the next steps in defense work, but it will also work within a program on political repression, Palestine, etc.

HOW:
Your event location will need an active internet connection and a computer with speakers for viewing the stream. If you expect a lot of people and have access to a digital projector and screen that can be a nice addition.

If you wish to ask questions from your location it may be more convenient to have a second device with chat or email capability, like a smartphone, laptop, tablet etc.

The live stream will be broadcast on the StopFBI.net You Tube Channel. Confirm the broadcast link and other day-of-event information by emailing the organizers at
[email protected], RE: Rasmea live stream

For the time zone challenged:
Eastern Time
Friday, Feb. 13th. 7:30 pm EST
Sunday, Feb. 15th. 3:00 pm EST
Thursday, Feb. 19th. 9:00 pm EST

Mountain Time
Friday, Feb. 13th. 5:30 pm MST
Sunday, Feb. 15th. 1:00 pm MST
Thursday, Feb. 19th. 7:00 pm MST

Pacific Time
Friday, Feb. 13th. 4:30 pm PST
Sunday, Feb. 15th. 12:00 pm PST
Thursday, Feb. 19th. 6:00 pm PST

National Week of Action to defend Rasmea, February 9-15

The campaign to defend long-time Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh has reached a critical stage. We urge everyone to join us in organizing an event or protest on your campus or in the community during the week of Feb. 9 – 15. There will also be a live stream taking place on Feb. 19.

All of us need to shine a light on the real injustice that is taking place in Detroit. Rasmea, a Palestinian American woman who has done so much for so many, is facing deportation and up to ten years in jail on a trumped-up immigration charge.

We need to go all out in focusing attention on her case before her March 12 sentencing. After the sentencing, it is anticipated that the appeals process will start. This fight will not be over until we have justice.

Rasmea has made great contributions to the community and the cause of Palestinian freedom. We need to stand with her.

Please share your actions plans with us by emailing [email protected].

All out of the national week of actions to demand Justice for Rasmea, Feb. 9 – 15!
Come to Detroit for the sentencing hearing on March 12!


follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend
Copyright © 2015 Committee to Stop FBI Repression, All rights reserved.
Thanks for your ongoing interest in the fight against FBI repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists!
Our mailing address is:
Committee to Stop FBI Repression
PO Box 14183
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Add us to your address book
unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

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Large turnout for Rasmea fundraiser at DePaul University, Zionist protest flops



By staff

Chicago, IL - Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at DePaul University held a fundraiser for Rasmea Odeh here, Feb. 3, with over 200 in attendance. Speaker after speaker rose to declare their support for Chicago’s legendary Palestinian woman activist. Odeh, who survived brutal torture and rape at the hands of Israeli prison guards, was put on trial by the U.S. Attorney in Detroit. She faces 10 years of prison and deportation at her March 12 sentencing hearing, for failing to reveal her 1969 conviction in an illegal, Israeli military court, when she applied for citizenship in the U.S.

The SJP event became the center of a media storm and a controversy with DePaul’s administration when the Zionist Organization of America vilified Odeh and her student supporters. Performing at the dinner, Amir Zahr, a well-known Palestinian comic, drew laughs and applause when he scoffed at the small group of racist Zionists outside with signs against Odeh, stating “Remember when we were the counter-protesters and nobody would listen to us. How things have changed!”

Read more News and Views from the Peoples Struggle at http://www.fightbacknews.org. You can write to us at [email protected]