On June 19, the Center for Constitutional Rights filed an amicus curiae (‘friend of the court’) brief on behalf of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, Bellevue/NYU Program For Survivors of Torture, Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, REDRESS, and the World Organization Against Torture, arguing that Odeh’s trial judge, Gershwin Drain, erred when he did not allow mention of the torture or expert testimony on its effects.

The government’s case against Odeh asserts that she unlawfully gained U.S. citizenship by allegedly giving false answers on her visa application in 1995 and again on her naturalization application in 2004, and that she should have disclosed her conviction, in front of an illegal Israeli military court, for a 1969 bombing – a conviction that was the result of a forced confession after horrific torture.

The reason Odeh’s torture is so important to the case is that the immigration forms that she is alleged to have filled out incorrectly are less than clear, and her conviction turned on what she “knowingly” did or did not do.

The torture left her with chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which in the words of her appeal, “blocked her from understanding the time frame in the questions that were answered falsely.”

The amicus brief states, “The Defendant-Appellant, Ms. Rasmieh [sic] Yousef Odeh, asserts that she is a victim of torture, including sexual violence and rape. She was diagnosed as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following an evaluation by a qualified clinical psychologist. Defendant-Appellant Odeh was denied the opportunity to present evidence at trial on the symptoms of PTSD, the psychological effects of having endured and survived torture, and the impact of these symptoms on her mental state in relation to the charges against her.”

The brief also asks the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit to order a new trial for Odeh. Michael Deutsch, Odeh’s lead attorney, had this to say about the amicus: “We welcome this support from organizations that are familiar with torture and its effects on people's states of mind. It's an important issue not only for Rasmea, but for many others.”

Federal prosecutor Jonathan Tukel is objecting to the brief, and it is expected that the Sixth Circuit court will soon make a decision on its filing.

The appeals court is expected to hear oral arguments on the case in Cincinnati this September, or possibly earlier, and the Rasmea Defense Committee will mobilize supporters to attend.

“We are going all out to build support for Rasmea,” stated Nesreen Hasan, a leader of the Rasmea Defense Committee. “She is a hero who has devoted the whole of her life to Palestine and the Palestinian people. She has rendered incredible service to the Arab community. We will stand with her and insist that she gets the justice she deserves.”

For more information and background on Odeh’s case, visit www.justice4rasmea.org

#ChicagoIL #RasmeaOdeh #FreeRasmeaNow #Justice4Rasmea #PoliticalRepression

“Since both defense motions challenged how Drain conducted the trial, it came as no surprise when he ruled against Rasmea, and in support of his own decisions,” said Hatem Abudayyeh of the Rasmea Defense Committee. “We know that the conviction was a travesty of justice, and that Judge Drain’s rulings made it impossible for the jury to give Rasmea a fair shake. She survived brutal torture by the Israelis, but the jury never got to hear that.”

Odeh’s attorneys are asking Drain to take her age and poor health into consideration and be lenient in sentencing. They also plan to appeal Odeh’s conviction, so will request the granting of an appeal bond no matter the sentence – which could be up to 10 years in prison, heavy fines and deportation.

Unfazed by this latest ruling, the defense committee is redoubling efforts to win justice. Communities across the country are organizing protests, fundraisers and several events with Rasmea speaking via live stream. A national week of action mobilized hundreds of supporters, with further actions planned for the coming week in at least seven more cities.

“We will not give up in our defense and support of Rasmea as she moves forward to challenge this unjust conviction. She was prosecuted by the U.S. government because she is Palestinian and because, for decades, she has organized for Palestinian liberation and self-determination,” said Jess Sundin of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression. “We are already making transportation and housing plans to ensure that we fill Judge Drain’s court room in Detroit on March 12 and hopefully an overflow room as well. Hundreds stood with Rasmea during her trial, and we’re prepared to stand with her again and again until justice is won.”

For more information and background on Rasmea Odeh’s case, go to http://justice4rasmea.org.

The national Rasmea Defense Committee is led by United States Palestinian Community Network, Committee to Stop FBI Repression, and Coalition to Protect People’s Rights; it also 8th Day Center for Justice, Al-Awda NY: the Palestine Right to Return Coalition, American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee-Chicago, ADC National, American Muslims for Palestine, ANSWER Coalition, Anti-War Committee-Chicago, Anti-War Committee-Minneapolis, Arab Jewish Partnership for Peace and Justice in the Middle East, Arab Resource and Organizing Center, Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Chicago Light Brigade, Committee Against Political Repression, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Chicago, CAIR-Michigan, Friends of Sabeel-North America, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, International League of Peoples’ Struggle-U.S., Jewish Voice for Peace, Korean American Resource and Cultural Center, Latino Organization of the Southwest, Lifta Society, Michigan Emergency Committee Against War and Injustice, Middle East Crisis Committee, Milwaukee Palestine Solidarity Coalition, National Boricua Human Rights Network, National Lawyers Guild, National Students for Justice in Palestine, Palestine Solidarity Group-Chicago, Palestine Solidarity Legal Support, Palestinian Youth Movement-USA Branch, Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, St. Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee, United African Organization, United National Antiwar Coalition, US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, Voces de la Frontera, Women Against Military Madness and the Z Collective.

#DetroitMI #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #politicalRepression #RasmeaOdeh #FreeRasmeaNow

Tampa, FL – On Feb. 13 the Committee to Stop FBI Repression-Tampa held a sign-holding in support of Rasmea Odeh during the National Week of Action to Defend Rasmea Odeh.

Members of CSFR-Tampa, Tampa Bay SDS and Raices en Tampa gathered on the corner of 56th Street and Fowler Avenue during rush hour holding signs that said, “Solidarity is not a crime,” and “Justice for Sami AlArian, Sami Osmakac and Rasmea Odeh.”

Jessica Schwartz, organizer with CSFR-Tampa, spoke of the importance to organize around Odeh’s case: “Rasmea was found guilty for trumped-up immigration charges. This is based on her immigration application, where she supposedly omitted her imprisonment in Palestine over 40 years ago. She was eventually released, but only after enduring torture and rape until confessing to a crime she did not commit. This is strictly a political move to silence Palestinians and activists. We stand in solidarity with Rasmea and all political prisoners.”

While holding signs, members handed out flyers for their upcoming information panel to passing cars. The most notable moment of the evening was when a Dynamic charter bus opened its door and the driver asked for more information on Rasmea, her case, upcoming events and a stack of flyers to hand out to the passengers. As the bus drove away, the driver of the bus put his fist up.

CSFR-Tampa continues to organize around political repression and will be hosting a panel, State Repression and the War on Terror on Feb. 21, featuring Mick Kelly of the Anti-War 23, Cassia Laham from POWIR and organizer of the annual #ShutDownGitmo and Dr. Shibly of the Council on American–Islamic Relations.

#TampaFL #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #PoliticalRepression #RasmeaOdeh #FreeRasmeaNow #CommitteeToStopFBIRepressionTampa

New York, NY – Protesters converged on Federal Plaza here, Nov. 15 to demand justice for Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh. The protest was called by Students for Justice in Palestine groups from across the city. It was backed by Al-Awda NY: the Palestine Right to Return Coalition, American Muslims for Palestine, BAYAN USA, Committee to Stop FBI Repression, International Action Center, U.S. Palestinian Community Network, Revolutionary Student Coordinating Committee and others.

#NewYorkNY #Palestine #politicalRepression #RasmeaOdeh #FreeRasmeaNow

Tucson, AZ – Over a dozen activists rallied in solidarity with Rasmea Odeh outside the Federal Courthouse in front of busy Tucson traffic on Nov. 18. Amid the presence of Border Patrol, sheriffs and federal police, the group stood firm and chanted, “Free Rasmea now!” Odeh is a 67-year-old Palestinian American community organizer from Chicago who is now in Saint Clair County jail in Michigan.

Alisha Vasquez, an immigrant rights activist said, “This government is all about creating fear and using scare tactics to divide the people. Rasmea is being attacked by the U.S. government because she is an Arab woman and an outstanding organizer. After the Israelis raped and tortured her, she found strength to fight for justice for women and Palestine. And now she is being re-terrorized by Israel’s partner-in-crime, the U.S. government. This is what justice looks like in America.”

Tucsonans demonstrated as a part of the National Week of Action in support of the well-respected community organizer from Chicago. “We are here for Rasmea. We are for all of Palestine. We must defend Rasmea just like we must defend Palestine,” said long-time anti-war activist John Mackoviak.

In addition to street protests outside the District Court, anti-war activists plan to build the campaign to free Rasmea Odeh by conducting letter writing workshops and educational events. Odeh’s defense lawyers filed a motion for her release while she awaits sentencing. They cited her many ties to the Chicago community and the scores of Arab women and other supporters who attended her trial in Detroit.

#TucsonAZ #politicalRepression #RasmeaOdeh #Justice4Rasmea #FreeRasmeaNow

After an unjust conviction November 10th, U.S. Marshals placed our beloved leader Rasmea Odeh in handcuffs and under arrest. Our immediate and urgent task is to get her released from jail immediately!

Many of you have already taken part in the National Week of Actions to #FreeRasmeaNow – over a dozen events and protests in cities across the country. From the activists who carried out civil disobedience, locking down the federal court building in Oakland, to the hundreds of friends, family, and community members who rallied in Chicago, we are doing what Rasmea asked: We’ve stopped the tears, and are speaking out in a strong and unified voice.

This past week, Rasmea’s attorneys filed two important motions in her defense. The first calls on Judge Gershwin Drain to reconsider his decision to jail Rasmea pending sentencing, which is not scheduled until March 10, 2015, almost four months from now. She is 67 years old, and neither a flight risk nor a danger to society. She suffers from high blood pressure and does not have her medication with her, and in addition, expert clinical psychologist Dr. Mary Fabri believes strongly that this detention could easily trigger Rasmea’s Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The motion also included almost 300 signatures on a petition, confirming her strong community ties; powerful support letters from the 8th Day Center for Justice and Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, respectively; and testimony that Rasmea has close family in Chicago.

The government is required to respond to this motion by November 19, and after that, the judge could rule quickly. As we await that ruling, we need to keep up the pressure. Two hundred individual and organizational letters have already been submitted by supporters to Judge Drain, urging him to release Rasmea now, but there is still time to collect more. Use the sample letterhere and send yours to justice4rasmea@uspcn.org right away.

The second motion asks the judge to set aside the jury’s November 10 verdict and either acquit her or schedule a new trial. It argues that there was not sufficient evidence presented at trial to prove her guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and describes how Rasmea was denied her “right to present a complete defense.” This motion puts on record the many injustices that led to the guilty verdict.

Some of you have already sent letters to Rasmea. She has called her Chicago colleagues from jail twice and written letters to them, and received a few visitors as well. Her spirits are high and she is looking forward to the next step in the fight for justice in her case. We encourage you to continue to send these letters to her. (Please remember that prison authorities will read all of these letters before Rasmea gets them.)

Rasmieh Odeh #144979 St. Clair County Jail 1170 Michigan Port Huron, MI. 48060

Fundraise and contribute to Rasmea’s defense! Your contributions can support Rasmea’s commissary (expenses for phone calls, letters, blankets, warm clothing, etc.) while she is jailed, as well as the legal defense and ongoing community organizing. We will be filing an appeal of this unjust verdict, and that will take resources.

There have been a few discussions with U.S. Senators and Representatives, because Congress also has the responsibility to help get Rasmea released pending sentencing. If you have close contacts with legislators, let us know by emailing justice4rasmea@uspcn.org.

Spread the word! When publicizing on social media, use the hashtags #Justice4Rasmea and #FreeRasmeaNow.

For more information visit USPCN.org and StopFBI.net.

The national Rasmea Defense Committee includes United States Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), Committee to Stop FBI Repression (CSFR), Coalition to Protect People’s Rights (CPPR), 8th Day Center for Justice, Al-Awda NY: the Palestine Right to Return Coalition, American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)-Chicago, American Muslims for Palestine, Anti-War Committee (AWC)-Chicago, AWC-Minneapolis, Arab Jewish Partnership for Peace and Justice in the Middle East, Arab Resource and Organizing Center, Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Chicago Light Brigade, Committee Against Political Repression, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Chicago, CAIR-Michigan, Friends of Sabeel-North America, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, International League of Peoples’ Struggle-U.S., Jewish Voice for Peace, Korean Resource and Cultural Center (KRCC), Latino Organization of the Southwest (LOS), Lifta Society, Michigan Emergency Committee Against War and Injustice (MECAWI), Middle East Crisis Committee (CT), Milwaukee Palestine Solidarity Coalition, National Boricua Human Rights Network, National Lawyers Guild (NLG), National Students for Justice in Palestine, Palestine Solidarity Group-Chicago, Palestine Solidarity Legal Support, Palestinian Youth Movement-USA Branch, Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, St. Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee, United African Organization, United National Antiwar Coalition, US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, Voces de la Frontera, Women Against Military Madness, and Z Collective.

#UnitedStates #PoliticalPrisoners #PoliticalRepression #RasmeaOdeh #FreeRasmeaNow #Justice4Rasmea