Tampa, FL – A group of 35 activists, students and community members danced and dined on desserts to raise money for the Rasmea Defense Committee. Rasmea Odeh is a 68-year-old Palestinian woman who has lived in the U.S. for 20 years, ten years as a U.S. citizen. The U.S. government is targeting her for political repression because of her successful organizing with Palestinian, Arab and Muslim women. The targeting of Odeh followed the FBI raids and repression against the Anti-War 23.

Jessica Schwartz gave a presentation about Odeh saying, “One of the common links between all of these cases is Barry Jonas, who is leading the investigation against the Anti-War 23 and was present in the courtroom for Rasmea’s arraignment.”

After the presentation, the Bulls Dabke Club, based out of the University of South Florida, gave a workshop on dancing Dabke, a style of dance popular in Palestine.

“As an organization, we educate individuals on Palestinian culture as a form of resistance against the Israeli occupation and stand with all resistance groups fighting Israeli propaganda,” said Rahma Elmohd, President of Students for Justice in Palestine at USF and member of Bulls Dabke Club

Elmodh continues, “When it comes to political repression, Rasmea's story hits home in Tampa, where the community activist Sami Al-Arian was also targeted by the FBI and forced to leave the States. Coming out to the Dabke and Desserts fundraiser in support of Rasmea means standing against FBI repression and standing with thousands of social justice activist organizations.”

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression-Tampa is planning an action for Rasmea’s appeal in Cincinnati, Ohio on Oct. 14.

“The Committee to Stop FBI Repression (CSFR)-Tampa is a group that organizes against political repression, as well as issues facing oppressed nationalities,” said Danya Zituni from CSFR-Tampa.

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression-Tampa organized the event with Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at USF, and Bulls Dabke Club.

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