Samer Issawi near death

FRIDAY, MARCH 15TH - CALL-IN DAY TO DEMAND THE RELEASE OF ISSAWI, AYMAN SHARAWNA AND ALL PALESTINIAN POLITICAL PRISONERS

Samer Issawi continues on his hunger strike--which is in its 236th day--until he wins an absolute agreement that guarantees his release. Issawi is on the verge of death, according to a statement from his sister Shireen Issawi on Thursday, March 14th, a day after he decided to refuse both liquids and vitamins. 

We need to continue our pressure on the U.S. government to demand his release and that of Ayman Sharawna, who has been on hunger strike since July 1st, 2012, except for a brief reprieve in January 2013 when he believed that his case was moving in a positive direction; as well as the hundreds of other Palestinian prisoners who are striking in solidarity with these men.

AMP calls again  on all activists, especially those in the U.S., to call President Obama and the State Department on Friday, March 15th, from 8 AM to 4 PM CST, to take action.

“My name is _____ from __________ and I demand that:

- the US administration intervene for the immediate release of Samer Issawi, Ayman Sharawna, the other hunger strikers, and all the Palestinian administrative detainees and political prisoners held by Israel."

1) Call President Obama at 1-202-456-1111

2) Call US Secretary of State John Kerry at 1-202-647-4000 (pick option 4 for the operator and ask to leave a message for Kerry) and the Office of Near East Affairs at 1-202-647-7209 (you will get transferred to Marguerite Pickett to leave a message)

There will also be a campaign on Twitter, as there has been for many days, at 1PM CST, to demand the release of Samer Issawi. Check //twitter.com/#!/@samerissawi1">@samerissawi1 for the hashtag to use. 

For updates on the worldwide campaign, follow "The Free Samer Issawi Campaign" page on Facebook 

Issawi had been detained by Israeli authorities without any charge whatsoever. He had been released from prison in October 2011 as a part of the prisoner swap, but was detained again without charge on July 7, 2012, and has been refusing food since August 2012 to protest his detention. 

Palestinian prisoners’ rights group Addameer had reported Wednesday that Issawi was suffering from severe heart problems, the latest in a series of illnesses he has contracted since the start of his 236 day hunger strike. Issawi has lost 45 kilograms (99 pounds) and his condition is reported to have deteriorated significantly since his hearing on February 21, which ruled that he would be released on March 6. Issawi remains in police custody, and his legs are said to be shackled to his hospital bed.

Sponsored by:

American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) - Chicago

Palestine Solidarity Group (PSG) – Chicago

Chicago Movement for Palestinian Rights (CMPR)

U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) – National

USPCN - Chicago

Committee Against Political Repression (CAPR)

Coalition to Protect People’s Rights (CPPR)

Committee to Stop FBI Repression (CSFR)

Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) - Chicago

American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) - Chicago