Take Action Now: AMP condemns conviction, incarceration of Rasmea Odeh

(CHICAGO 11/11/2014) –The American Muslims for Palestine, a national education and advocacy organization, condemns the unjust conviction and imprisonment of beloved community activist, Rasmea Odeh. We call upon our supporters and all lovers of justice and Free Speech to take action for Rasmea this week.

Rasmea’s conviction in a Detroit courtroom is another dimension of continued Palestinian dispossession.

Rasmea was convicted of one count of unlawful procurement of naturalization for allegedly not disclosing she had spent 10 years in an Israeli prison on her application for naturalization. In 1969, Rasmea – along with 500 other Palestinians – was rounded up by Israeli Occupation Forces. She confessed to a crime she did not commit, after enduring 45 days of torture, including sexual assault. 

Bringing Israel into the courtroom, prosecutors based their case on this episode from 45 years ago. Then, stripping her of her due process, presiding Judge Gershwin Drain prohibited Rasmea from telling the jury about the torture, the resulting post-traumatic stress disorder and how the occupation authorities forced her into confession to a crime she did not commit. 

The 67-year-old, who has dedicated her life to social justice and the empowerment of immigrant women, was led away in handcuffs. She has been jailed, pending her sentencing hearing in March 2015.

This is a case of selective prosecution, aimed at disrupting the Palestine solidarity community and the successful Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. Rasmea was prosecuted for her political activities, which are protected First Amendment rights. 

AMP declares that those fighting for justice in Palestine will not be intimidated into silence and inactivity. We call upon our supporters to take the following steps this week for Rasmea and for cause for Palestine:

1. Register TODAY for AMP’s 7th annual Conference for Palestine in the US: Gaza Teaches Life! Members of the Rasmea Odeh Defense Committee will be conducting a workshop to outline the next steps in Rasmea’s case and to enlist volunteers to help in these efforts.

2. Join the Emergency Protest at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Federal Plaza, 50 W. Adams St., in Chicago

3. Participate in the week of action Wednesday, November 12-18! 

Write to Judge Drain and urge him to release Rasmea right away. Click here for sample letter.

Organize a protest at your local federal building or on your campus. Send info about your action to [email protected].

The SJP National Ad-Hoc Steering Committee calls on all SJP chapters to participate by organizing actions on your campuses on November 14, 2014.

Write letters of support to Rasmea at Rasmieh Odeh #144979; St. Clair County Jail; 1170 Michigan; Port Huron, MI, 48060.

Organize a fundraiser to help fund Rasmea’s defense.

When publicizing your actions on social media, please be sure to use the hashtags#Justice4Rasmea and #FreeRasmeaNow.