Holiday Appeal for Rasmea Odeh
from Tom Burke of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression
Happy Holidays To Our Friends and Supporters,
A few years ago, on September 24, 2010 at 8:00am, my friends started calling from Chicago and Minneapolis saying the FBI was turning their homes upside down searching for evidence of “material support for terrorism.” In Michigan, we quickly sent our 6-year old off to school and I left our home planning to write a press release: “Oppose FBI raids on anti-war and international solidarity activists.”
However, I soon realized someone in a sedan was following me. They sped off when I turned into my wife’s work and a large black SUV roared up behind me. Within minutes my wife and I were both subpoenaed to a grand jury by armed FBI agents. It was a scary moment, but we were not afraid for long because of the powerful response by peace and justice activists from around the country. You gave us courage and hope. We thank you for standing with the Anti-war 23, both then, and now as we face ongoing political repression.
As we enter 2016, we need your financial help to defend Rasmea Odeh. She is in the midst of a tough appeals process. Rasmea Odeh is a 68-year old woman who spent the last 20 years serving women and children in her community. She is being targeted for repression because she is an icon of the Palestinian liberation movement. This past year Angela Davis joined Rasmea Odeh in Chicago to denounce the U.S. government and to give the campaign a big boost, solidifying unity between African Americans and Palestinians.
The Committee to Stop FBI Repression continues to coordinate outreach and organizing against state repression. Our activists speak out against surveillance and political repression on the national and local level at conferences and protests. We are on the forefront nationally and locally in defending our rights to protest and to show solidarity.
In the coming year, your financial donation is key for Rasmea Odeh as she receives a ruling on her appeal. Please consider donating generously. As Rasmea says “It may not happen in a court room, but we will find justice in this world!”
The Committee to Stop FBI Repression is a grassroots all volunteer national organization. Your contribution will be spent funding our legal and political support for Rasmea Odeh.
Solidarity! Tom Burke
Donate here (
http://www.stopfbi.net/donate)
Holiday Call-In Day to the White House: Free Simon Trinidad!
Big step forward for the Colombian Peace Process!
Now is the time to free Simon Trinidad!
Breaking news:
The FARC-EP and the Colombian government just signed an agreement pertaining to the victims of the 51-year civil war. FARC-EP representative Marco Leon called the agreement 'nearly irreversible.' This places high importance on the immediate release of Simon Trinidad so that he may fulfill his role in the coming months of negotiations.
No Turning Back! Free Simon Now!
Holiday Call-In Day to the White House:
Peace for Colombia! Free Simon Trinidad!
Tuesday, December 22, 2015, 8AM to 5PM Eastern
Call President Obama at 202-456-1111
Say:
“I want Peace for Colombia and to ask President Obama to free Simon Trinidad for the holidays! Trinidad belongs at the peace talks, not in solitary confinement at the Florence Colorado Supermax prison. Peace on Earth and goodwill to all!”
Peace for Colombia!
The peace process between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Colombian government is moving forward in Havana, Cuba. Freeing Simon Trinidad to take part in peace talks would be a concrete action the Obama White House could take to show it supports the Colombian peace process. The holidays are a perfect time to make it happen.
We support peace with justice in Colombia as six points are being negotiated—land reform, drug crop eradication, transitional justice, political participation, end of armed conflict, and implementation. The outcome of these peace negotiations will determine the future of Colombia. It is important at this crucial time of peace talks to support the people’s movements in Colombia and demand the right-wing death squads stop killing leaders and activists.
Plan Colombia, the U.S. war of the past 15 years, brought poverty, misery and death to the Colombian people. It cost over $9 billion. With its fumigation of poor peasants crops and death squads targeting trade unionists, teachers, and activists, it is a massive failure.
Today the White House is supporting the peace talks, realizing Plan Colombia is a failure and that it cannot defeat the FARC. The Pentagon says the war will go past 2050 at current levels of fighting. Wall Street wants a peace process in Colombia because oil, mining, and mineral corporations want access to large no-go areas under the leadership of FARC or ELN.
Free Simon Trinidad for the holidays!
Simon Trinidad, also known as Ricardo Palmera, is a FARC negotiator and political prisoner of the U.S. government. Trinidad is being tortured in solitary confinement in the Florence, Colorado Supermax prison. A few months ago, on Sept. 21, thirty-five protesters marched and rallied in the mountains of Colorado chanting “Peace for Colombia, Free Simon Trinidad!” Now it is time to spread that message across the country and deliver it to the White House.
As the Colombian peace negotiations continue, the FARC says Simon Trinidad is needed in Havana. Trinidad played an important role in past negotiations and he represents the people’s movement history. For a lasting peace with justice in Colombia, ask President Obama to free Simon Trinidad now!
For more info:
Support the Colombian Peace Process, Free Simon Trinidad and the National Committee to Free Ricardo Palmera at
www.Freericardopalmera.org
