DR. AL-ARIAN TRANSFERRED TO EVEN WORSE PRISON.
Note: This update was posted on April 17. For the most up to date current information on Dr. Al-Arian including the week of action from April 28 to May 2, please go to www.FreeSamiAlArian.com
PLEASE CALL THE PRISON TO ASK THAT HE BE TREATED
HUMANELY: 757-488-7500 (ext. 8)
I. UPDATE
Dear friends,
Yesterday, on the morning of April 15th, Dr. Al-Arian was
removed from the abusive prison of Howard County Detention Center in Maryland.
Although immigration officials promised to prevent any further abuse, he was
simply thrown from the pot into the frying pan.
HIS NEW PRISON IS EVEN MORE ABUSIVE.
At Hampton Roads Regional Jail:
- Dr. Al-Arian is not allowed to wear anything but a thin
hospital gown in a freezing cell, without any blankets or sheets.
- Despite having weak eyesight, his prescription glasses
have been confiscated.
- Guards took away his drinking cup, which is crucial
given that he is on a hunger strike.
- He is only allowed one phone call every two weeks, and
THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN A CYNICAL ATTEMPT TO BREAK HIS
WILL.
II. TAKE ACTION:
1. Please call Hampton Roads Regional Jail (757-488-7500,
ext. 8) and ask them to treat Dr. Al-Arian humanely. THESE CALLS ARE TAKEN
SERIOUSLY. Be polite but firm; be prepared for the prison staff to lie to you.
If they say that Dr. Al-Arian has been given back his clothes, etc., tell them
that you will have to check back with the organizers and call back later. Be
persistent. Call every day. YOUR CALLS DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
2. Please call Vincent Archibeque, the Acting Field Office
Director of the US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Virginia at
703-285-6200 (press 1, then 1 again, and then 2724). Ask Mr. Archibeque to
ensure that Dr. Al-Arian is treated humanely and deported as soon as
possible.
3. Contact your elected representatives: simply visit
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ and put your zip-code
into the upper left-hand corner, and you can email all your representatives at
once. It's that easy! For talking points, please refer to our Facebook
group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2236806164.
If only 25 concerned citizens in every district call or
visit their member of Congress, we can make a difference.
In solidarity,
John Halliwell
