by Protest Government’s Attacks on Muslims, Immigrants, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties –
http://www.InternationalANSWER.org
Thousands are expected to come to the nation’s capital on May 24th to protest the Bush-Ashcroft policy of discrimination and persecution of Muslims and immigrants, and its blatant attack on the civil rights and civil liberties and domestic and international tranquility. The march and rally, called Muslim Solidarity Day for Justice and peace, sponsored by Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation (MAS), America’s largest Muslim grassroots organization, will commence at 12 noon at The Ellipse across from the White House.
The group will be joined by many peace, justice, religious and civil rights organizations and will include speakers such as Brian Becker (International Action Center), Congressman John Conyers, Rev. Al Sharpton, Imam Siraj Wahaj, Dr. Jamal Badawi, Zaid Shaker, Mara Verheyden-Hillard (A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition), and Mahdi Bray, President of MAS Freedom.
According to Bray, “The recent barbaric and illegal invasion of Iraq has emboldened the Bush administration in its actions to target the Muslim and immigrant community and to violate the rights of Muslims, immigrants, and all Americans with impunity. We must continue to forge a coalition of conscience to resist the Bush administration’s belligerent and destructive policy which is the greatest impediment to global peace today.”
MAS Administrator Detained after Refusing to Spy for the FBI
MAS Freedom Foundation
(Arlington County, VA) — Azzam Abu Huwil, an Office Administrator for the Muslim American Society, recently had his INS bond revoked and was placed in detention in the Arlington County (Virginia) Jail. Abu Huwil, a Jordanian Palestinian, believes his arrest is directly related to a refusal to spy on the Muslim community for the FBI.
Abu Huwil had previously been released from detention on bond pending an INS hearing to address his residency status. Abu Huwil reports that he was visited by the INS on May 7th and asked about his recent change of address. He then was informed that, because he would not serve as an FBI informant, his bond had been revoked and he was placed under arrest. He currently awaits a review of his bond revocation.
“This is clearly a case of harassment and intimidation by the government,” says MAS Freedom Executive Director Mahdi Bray, “many of our members have been questioned and harassed by the government, especially those of Palestinian descent.”
MAS Freedom is calling upon members of the American Muslim community to speak out against the government’s harassment and targeting of Muslims and immigrants. MAS has called for a major rally in Washington, DC across from the White House on May 24th to protest the government’s actions and to protect the rights of Muslims, immigrants, and all Americans. For more information, go to www.masnet.org or call (202) 496-1288.
MAS Freedom is the Public Affairs branch of the Muslim American Society. Our mission is to build an integrated empowerment process for the American Muslim community through civic education, participation, community outreach, and coalition building; to forge positive relationships with other institutions outside of our community, that will ensure and facilitate the protection of civil rights and liberties for American Muslims and all Americans and fair treatment of all immigrants.
MAS Freedom Foundation 1050 17th St. NW Washington DC 20036 202-496-1288 – Fax: 202-463-0686 FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.InternationalANSWER.org info@internationalanswer.org New York 212-633-6646 Washington 202-544-3389 Los Angeles 213-487-2368 San Francisco 415-821-6545. Contact: Mahdi Bray (202) 496-1288
