MAS Freedom Executive Director, Imam Mahdi Bray addresses media at the September 22, 2008 Hungry for Justice press conference in Dallas, Texas as new HLF trial commences.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Khalil Meek, Hungry 4 Justice, Spokesperson
972-849-9188
Lydia Gonzalez Welch
214-704-8383
Holy Land Foundation Family Members, via Hungry for Justice (H4J), Insist on Fairness in Re-Trial
Today at 12:30 p.m.: Press Conference At Earl Cambell Federal Building in Dallas
DALLAS/EWORLDWIRE/Sep. 22, 2008 — The family members of the Holy Land Foundation defendants don’t understand why there is a second trial when the first one resulted in zero convictions. They are asking the federal courts for due process and a fair re-trial. They will hold a press conference today just outside the federal courthouse along with other civil rights leaders and religious leaders including MAS Freedom Executive Director, Imam Mahdi Bray, the Honorable Cynthia McKinney and the Honorable Lon Bernam.
WHAT:
Press Conference supporting a Fair RE-TRIAL and Due Process for Holy Land Foundation Defendants by Hungry for Justice Coalition.
WHEN:
Monday, September 22, 2008 @ 12:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Earl Cambell Federal Building
Across the street from Commerce Street entrance
1100 Commerce Street
Dallas, Texas 75201
WHO:
Organized by Hungry for Justice Coalition that is composed of national, regional, and local faith-based organizations and civil rights groups.
MLFA.
B.O.R.D.C.
JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE
PARTNERSHIP FOR CIVIL JUSTICE
GREEN PARTY
C.A.I.R.
CRAWFORD PEACE HOUSE
A.N.S.W.E.R.
MAS FREEDOM
LULAC
WHY:
This coalition was formed to defend the basic civil rights of due process as guaranteed by the constitution of the United States. These communities continue to work together on issues and improve the quality of live for those who have no voice.
“Hopefully, the second time around will mark the end of this overblown persecution so my family can finally wake up from this nightmare,” said Noor Elashi. “My paternal grandmother, mom, five siblings and I need my dad to come out of the prosecution’s whirlpool of scrutiny and false accusations.”
The Department of Justice has never before criminalized charitable acts and its theory of providing “humanitarian aid” and “feeding hungry children” is a flawed one. The senior most ranking U.S. Department of State official, in Palestine during the time period of the alleged “illegal humanitarian aid” testified that no U.S. intelligence agency considered any of the now alleged acts or organizations to be in support of or controlled by Hamas.
“My father and his friends don’t need to be on trial - save that for the criminals; rather, they should be honored for their charity work. Anything other than a ‘Not Guilty’ verdict will be a dishonor to America and everything it stands for. I’m positive the jury will vote in favor of America and its honor,” said Sanabel Abu-Baker.
Even though other charities including USAID were performing the exact same humanitarian acts during the exact same time period with the exact same recipients, those other organizations were not included in any criminal prosecution, un-indicted co-conspirators list, or any similar prosecutions. Those close to the defense contend that this is “an Israeli trial being tried on American soil.”
The Holy Land Foundation also provided the same humanitarian aid to other countries including the United States, Turkey, Pakistan and Bosnia. Zakat, similar to tithing for Catholics, is part of the core beliefs of providing charitable aid to those who need it the most.
The Hungry for Justice coalition appeals to the American public, because everyone knows that feeding hungry children is not a crime.
HUNGRY FOR JUSTICE
http://www.hungryforjustice.org
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Company Information:
MLFA-H4J
833 E Araphao RD
Suite 209
Richardson, TX 75081
USA Ph. 972-331-8364
866-653-2872
