San Salvador, El Salvador – On July 30 students marched here to commemorate the 40th anniversary of a massacre of Salvadoran students on July 30, 1975. The march started at the University of El Salvador (UES) and marched to the bridge where in 1975 the security forces and military violently repressed a peaceful protest where students were marching to demand their rights and to defend the UES. At that time the UES suffered from constant repression from the military and police.
Minneapolis, MN – Twin Cites supporters of Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh scored a major success here, July 29, collecting well over $1000 to help her defense effort. About 50 people came together for a “Happy Hour for Rasmea” organized by the Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression. The funds will be used to help get people to Cincinnati, Ohio, where it is expected that the oral arguments on Odeh’s appeal will be heard in federal court this fall.
Chicago, IL – On July 20, Rasmea Odeh’s legal defense team filed a new brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, demolishing the July 8 arguments of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Tukel, who is opposing her bid for a new trial.
Washington, DC – The International Peoples’ Tribunal on Crimes Against the Filipino People (IPT) opened here July 16. 250 legal experts, witnesses of human rights violations, and social activists from the U.S., the Philippines and elsewhere came together. The mood in the hall was defiant, yet somber, as one after another survivor appeared before jurors to present the murders and torture committed against loved ones.
Chicago, IL – Federal prosecutor Jonathan Tukel filed a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, July 8, opposing Rasmea Odeh’s move to overturn her conviction and sentencing on immigration charges. Tukel argues that the lower court was right to deny Odeh her full defense, including its decisions to bar the testimony of a torture expert, to restrict Rasmea’s own testimony, and to allow documents obtained via torture by the Israeli military.
San Jose , CA – The U.S. Social Forum begins today, June 24, here in San Jose with a concurrent site in Philadelphia. The event is bringing together many different sections of the people’s movement under the slogan “Another World is Possible, Another System is Necessary.”
Chicago, IL – Internationally recognized experts on the effects of torture are weighing in on the appeal of prominent Palestinian American activist Rasmea Odeh, who is challenging her unjust November 2014 conviction on an immigration charge. Odeh, who was tortured and raped in an Israeli prison, was denied the right to present a meaningful defense in her Detroit trial last year.
Chicago, IL – Activists gathered at events around the country to hear Rasmea Odeh and defense attorney Michael Deutsch speak by videoconference, June 11. Deutsch explained the legal basis for Rasmea Odeh’s appeal, explaining that the trial and sentencing were both unfair. He also said while Rasmea Odeh is free now, that may come to a quick end in Cincinnati if the appeal is lost.
Tampa, FL – Palestinian activist Rasmea Odeh and her defense attorney Michael Deutsch spoke to activists here by live stream video, June 11. Deutsch explained Odeh’s case and upcoming legal appeal, with audience members asking questions. Florida activists plan to mobilize and attend the appeal hearing in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the fall.
Chicago, IL – Lead defense attorney Michael Deutsch filed a brief, June 9, with the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, to appeal the conviction and sentencing of Palestinian community leader Rasmea Odeh.
Milwaukee, WI – A coalition of Palestine Solidarity groups in the Milwaukee area will host an event in solidarity with Palestinian hero Rasmea Odeh. The live stream with Odeh's lawyer, Michael Deutsch, will take place at 6:00 p.m., June 11 at the People's Books Co-op, located at 804 E. Center Street in Milwaukee.
Minneapolis, MN – Twin Cities activists will host a live stream event with long time Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh and her defense attorney Michael Deutsch, Thursday, June 11
Tampa, FL – The Committee to Stop FBI Repression-Tampa will hold a live stream legal update event on the case of Palestinian activist, Rasmea Odeh, June 11. Activists from around Tampa Bay will gather at 7:30 pm for the national live stream to hear Odeh and her lawyer, Michael Deutsch, speak on the appeal of her November 2014 conviction.
Fort Lauderdale, FL- On June 11, activists in the South Florida area will gather to watch Palestinian activist Rasmea Odeh speak about the status of her case and what to expect as her legal team files for an appeal. Odeh will be joined in this national live stream event by her lawyer, Michael Deutsch, who has made his mark in the legal community representing victims of government repression and state violence. The South Florida community has shown incredible support for Odeh throughout her trial, and this event will provide those supporters the opportunity to hear an import update on her legal case.
Minneapolis, MN – Over 50 protesters picketed in front of Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office, May 15, and then marched across 35W to the Minneapolis West Bank neighborhood to commemorate Al-Nakba, which means the catastrophe in Arabic.
Fort Lauderdale, FL – 20 anti-war activists gathered here, April 19, to watch and discuss Citizenfour, the critically acclaimed documentary. The movie tells the story of courageous National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden. In 2013, Snowden went into hiding and then revealed the shocking extent to which the U.S. government spies on people. Snowden also revealed the U.S. government is using illegal spying methods for the purpose of political repression.
