Milwaukee, WI – About 20 people rallied in frigid wind and cold downtown here, Nov. 13, to participate in the national day of action in solidarity with Rasmea Odeh. Protesters held signs reading “Drop the charges,” and “Stop FBI targeting.” Odeh was arrested in retaliation for her years of activism and leadership in the Palestinian community of Chicago. The rally was organized by the Milwaukee Palestine Solidarity Coalition, U.S. Palestinian Community Network, Milwaukee Anti-war Committee, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Friends of Palestine, and others.
Tampa, FL – A dozen activists from Tampa Bay SDS and the community protested near the University of South Florida (USF) in solidarity with Palestinian community leader Rasmea Odeh. Protesters held signs at a major intersection saying, “Drop the charges,” and “Stop arresting Muslim activists.” The protest was part of a national action coinciding with Odeh’s Nov. 13 court date.
Detroit, MI – More than 100 people joined a rally in solidarity with Palestinian women’s leader Rasmea Odeh as she went to court here Nov.13. Agents of the Department of Homeland Security arrested Odeh on Oct. 22 at her home in Evergreen Park, a suburb of Chicago. Odeh is charged with immigration fraud. Allegedly, in her application for citizenship, she did not mention that she was arrested in Palestine 45 years ago, by an Israeli military court that detains Palestinians without charge – a court that has over 200 children in prison today and does not recognize the rights of Palestinians to due process.
Minneapolis, MN – Chanting “Justice for Rasmea, drop the charges now,” about 35 protesters gathered in front of the Federal Building here, Nov. 13, to stand in solidarity with the widely respected Chicago Palestinian community leader Rasmea Odeh. The protest, which coincided with Odeh’s arraignment in Detroit’s federal court, was one of the solidarity actions held around the U.S. Odeh is facing a possible ten year sentence and deportation on a trumped up immigration charge.
Chicago, IL – Michael Deutsch of the National Lawyers Guild and the People’s Law Office spoke Nov. 12 about the case of Rasmea Yousef Odeh, a 65-year-old, Palestinian American, women's rights activist who was recently indicted and tomorrow faces arraignment Nov. 13 in U.S. District Court in Detroit. The immigration charge against Odeh could result in ten years in prison and deportation for violations in her application for citizenship.
Minneapolis, MN – The struggle against the unjust indictment against veteran Palestinian American activist Rasmea Odeh is rapidly growing. Odeh, a respected leader in Chicago’s Arab and Muslim community, will have an arraignment hearing on a trumped-up immigration charge in Detroit on Nov. 13. She faces up to ten years in prison and deportation. A rally in support of Odeh will take place in front of the Detroit U.S. District Court building (231 W Lafayette Boulevard) at noon on Nov. 13. Mobilizations to attend the rally and hearing are underway in Chicago and Michigan.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following call from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression. We urge all our readers to support this effort.U.S. Attorney sets arraignment date for Rasmea Odeh, Nov. 13Demand: Drop the charges on Rasmea Odeh now!Local protests across the country at Federal Buildings. Join us in Detroit
Chicago, IL – A massive online petition effort demanding that the government drop the charges against Rasmea Odeh was launched Nov. 2. Odeh, a longtime Palestinian community leader war arrested by Homeland Security on Oct. 22.
