Drop the Charges against Rasmea Odeh!
Demand an end to the unjust and unfair trial of a torture survivor.
On Tuesday, November 4th, a judge is starting a trial that threatens to charge human rights activist Rasmea Odeh with a 10-year sentence and deportation.
JOIN US TO EXPRESS OUR SOLIDARITY WITH RASMEA.
WHEN: Tuesday, November 4th, 2014 @ 5pm (Election Day)
WHERE: Lake Merritt farmer’s market
(Lake Park Avenue between Grand and Lakeshore)
WHAT: Rally, speak out, and flyering
Today, on November 4th, when American democracy will be practiced at the polls, a federal trial will get underway, whose very premise calls into question American democratic values, including the right to a fair trial. That’s when beloved and longtime women’s rights advocate Rasmea Odeh will face those who accuse her of procuring her citizenship unlawfully by allegedly omitting an answer on her citizenship application10 years ago.
As stated above, on Tuesday, November 4th, Rasmea Odeh’s trial will begin and dozens of people will be heading to Detroit to stand by her side in the courtroom, and to demand that the charges against Rasmea be dropped. Rasmea Odeh is a 67 year old Palestinian American community leader who was jailed by the Israeli occupiers of Palestine, and was tortured and raped.
Judge Drain, the judge presiding over the case, agreed that Rasmea’s assertion that she faced torture and sexual abuse at the hands of her Israeli captors is “credible,” then contradicted himself and ruled it cannot be brought up in the course of her trial—even though this was at the heart of her defense. Her attorneys had planned to call an expert witness to the stand, but now will not be allowed to. Clinical psychologist Dr. Mary Fabri, who has decades of experience working with torture survivors, would have testified that an error Rasmea allegedly made in filling out immigration forms the basis for the charge against her) was the result of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Rasmea has spent the past 20 years in the U.S., making huge contributions to not only the Arab communities across the U.S. but also the immigrant rights, racial justice, women’s rights, and many other movements. She is known for caring approach in organizing and has been recognized for her work by many national and local organizations.
Click here for everything you need to know about Rasmea’s trial in Detroit.
- Click here to sign the petition demanding the US government drop the charges against Rasmea.
- Click here to donate. Your support ensures that Rasmea has the best legal defense, and funds the moblization effort to fill the courtroom with Rasmea ‘s supporters.
Sponsors: Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC), US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN), Middle East Children Alliance (MECA), BAYAN, All of Us or None, Palestinian Youth Movement, Global Women’s Strike, Haiti Action Committee, ANSWER.
