Call US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald to demand an end to federal grand jury

ACTION ALERT

Federal agents subpoena three more Chicago pro-Palestinian activists

(CHICAGO 12/08/2010) – A national Call-In day to demand U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald end the grand jury targeting social justice activists workin for the Palestinian cause, among others. Last Friday, federal agents issued subpoenas to testify before the federal grand jury to three more Chicago pro-Palestinian activists. Two of those served are college students active in campus pro-Palestinian events.

ACTION ALERT

Federal agents subpoena three more Chicago pro-Palestinian activists

(CHICAGO 12/08/2010) – A national Call-In day to demand U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald end the grand jury targeting social justice activists workin for the Palestinian cause, among others. Last Friday, federal agents issued subpoenas to testify before the federal grand jury to three more Chicago pro-Palestinian activists. Two of those served are college students active in campus pro-Palestinian events.

The federal government is targeting peaceful anti-war and pro-Palestinian activists and the newest subpoenas signal that probe is expanding.

National Lawyers Guild attorney Jim Fennerty, who is representing some of those affected, said at least two of the three are Chicago-area women who visited the West Bank last summer. One of them has been requested to appear before the grand jury on Jan. 25.

“They’re widening the scope of this investigation,” Fennerty was quoted as saying in a WBEZ report. “They’re trying to squeeze anybody they can. This is an attack about people who do solidarity work around Palestine.”

This action comes on the heels of the Sept. 24 FBI raids on several homes throughout the Midwest, including in Chicago. At that time, 14 people active in anti-war and pro-Palestinian efforts, were issued subpoenas to testify before a grand jury in Chicago. To date, all have refused to testify. Subpoenas were re-issued to three activists from Minnesota in attempts to force them to answer questions about those in the anti-war movement, in contravention of the Fifth Amendment. If the refuse to testify again, they face imprisonment for the life of the grand jury.

TAKE ACTION

The American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) stands in solidarity with the activists being targeted by the FBI. AMP strongly condemns the actions by the FBI and the Department of Justice in targeting people who are practicing their constitutionally guaranteed rights of dissent, assembly and freedom of speech.

On Thursday, Dec. 9, call U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald at 312.353.5300, dial 0 (zero) for operator and ask to leave a message with the Duty Clerk (paralegal).

Suggested script:

“My name is __________, I am calling U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald to demand that he call off the Grand Jury and stop FBI repression against the anti-war and international solidarity movements. I oppose political repression and defend the right to free speech and right to assembly of the 17 activists subpoenaed."

AMP calls on our supporters and all people of conscience to write to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, or sign a petition by the Bill of Rights Defense Committee.

CONTACTS

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald: 312.353.5300

U.S. Attorney General [email protected]">Eric Holder.

To sign the petition, click here.

TALKING POINTS

• I demand justice and an end to the FBI's continued harassment of antiwar and international solidarity activists, activists who are guilty of no crime but opposition to U.S. foreign policy.
• This is a dangerous attack on the constitutional rights of free speech of every social justice, antiwar and human rights activist and organization in the U.S. today.
• The right to speak, meet and write opinions is guaranteed under the constitution.
• Grand Jury subpoenas investigating material support of terrorism are being used to silence highly respected and well known human rights activists. This is a dangerous national effort to shut down growing opposition to U.S. wars. It cannot be allowed.