Sumoud
Sumoud is a collective based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which focuses on issues relating to political prisoner solidarity work. We concentrate on prison issues in Palestine, the United States, and Canada.
URL: http://sumoud.tao.ca
Updated: 1 year 44 weeks ago
STAY OF EXECUTION FOR TROY DAVIS!
Click here for background on the Troy Davis Case
GREAT NEWS - Troy Davis just received a stay of execution!!!!! This stay, issued at the federal level, MAY pave the way for all the new evidence of his innocence to finally be heard in court - that is not a given - his defense team still has a lot of work to do, but this is good for now. Baby Steps!!!!!! The stay calls for his team to have a report to support their claim that would require a re-examination of the evidence to be written within 15 days, then the prosecution has 10 days to respond, so we are looking at a minimum of a 3 week stay. So, for now, we can breath a little easier.
GREAT NEWS - Troy Davis just received a stay of execution!!!!! This stay, issued at the federal level, MAY pave the way for all the new evidence of his innocence to finally be heard in court - that is not a given - his defense team still has a lot of work to do, but this is good for now. Baby Steps!!!!!! The stay calls for his team to have a report to support their claim that would require a re-examination of the evidence to be written within 15 days, then the prosecution has 10 days to respond, so we are looking at a minimum of a 3 week stay. So, for now, we can breath a little easier.
Day of Action to Free Australian Aboriginal Political Prisoner Lex Wotton
7 November 2008 - International Day of Action to Free Lex Wotton!
Lex Wotton: Aboriginal Political Prisoner
On October 24th an all white jury found Lex Wotton, an Aboriginal man from Palm Island, guilty of 'rioting with destruction' for his involvement in the 2004 Palm Island uprising. On November 26th 2004 the people of Palm Island set fire to the local police station, court house and police barracks after a pathologist's report claimed that the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee, a 36 year Aboriginal man in police custody a week earlier was an 'accident'.
Lex Wotton: Aboriginal Political Prisoner
On October 24th an all white jury found Lex Wotton, an Aboriginal man from Palm Island, guilty of 'rioting with destruction' for his involvement in the 2004 Palm Island uprising. On November 26th 2004 the people of Palm Island set fire to the local police station, court house and police barracks after a pathologist's report claimed that the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee, a 36 year Aboriginal man in police custody a week earlier was an 'accident'.
Will you carry the torch? An interview with Ashanti Alston
Interviewed by Victoria Gutierrez and Dina Rodriguez on 19 February 2006
From Revolutionary by the Book - AK Press Blog
Originally Published in the Matrix Magazine
Ashanti Alston is a former political prisoner who was part of the Black Panther Party and the Black
Liberation Army. Referring to his prison cell as his “university,” Ashanti emerged from that cell to become one of the most sought after anarchist lecturers/speakers in the US. I think the reason that so many of us are drawn to Ashanti is the fact that he is able to connect various struggles—from the Zapatista movement, to anarchism, to prison abolition, to queer liberation, to radical feminism, to people of color struggles, to earth liberation—with a critical eye, engaging language, and a great deal of humility. You can see these aspects of his personality shine through even in his business cards, where his qualifications are listed as: Revolutionary Trickster, Anarchist of African Descent, Wannabe Diehard Elder.
Note: please keep in mind that this was a recorded telephone conversation and was transcribed as such—a conversation. This might explain why the flow is a bit choppy at times and a bit hard to understand at others.
From Revolutionary by the Book - AK Press Blog
Originally Published in the Matrix Magazine
Ashanti Alston is a former political prisoner who was part of the Black Panther Party and the Black
Liberation Army. Referring to his prison cell as his “university,” Ashanti emerged from that cell to become one of the most sought after anarchist lecturers/speakers in the US. I think the reason that so many of us are drawn to Ashanti is the fact that he is able to connect various struggles—from the Zapatista movement, to anarchism, to prison abolition, to queer liberation, to radical feminism, to people of color struggles, to earth liberation—with a critical eye, engaging language, and a great deal of humility. You can see these aspects of his personality shine through even in his business cards, where his qualifications are listed as: Revolutionary Trickster, Anarchist of African Descent, Wannabe Diehard Elder.
Note: please keep in mind that this was a recorded telephone conversation and was transcribed as such—a conversation. This might explain why the flow is a bit choppy at times and a bit hard to understand at others.
UPDATE REGARDING LAIBAR SINGHS RETURN TO INDIA
See below for articles, coverage and background information
Dear friends and allies, As you all might have heard by now, Mr. Laibar Singh will be returning to India.
In a statement released by his legal counsel Peter Edelmann to media via No One Is Illegal Mr. Laibar Singh intends to present himself to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for removal to India. On a number of recent occasions agents from CBSA have attended at the Abbortsford Gurudwara- despite the clear indication that it was a sanctuary zone- to tell Mr. Singh that there was no chance for him to remain in Canada. Mr. Singh continues to hope that the Canadian government will allow him to remain on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, but is no longer able to endure this state of limbo. He is thankful to all his supporters for their kindness.
Dear friends and allies, As you all might have heard by now, Mr. Laibar Singh will be returning to India.
In a statement released by his legal counsel Peter Edelmann to media via No One Is Illegal Mr. Laibar Singh intends to present himself to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for removal to India. On a number of recent occasions agents from CBSA have attended at the Abbortsford Gurudwara- despite the clear indication that it was a sanctuary zone- to tell Mr. Singh that there was no chance for him to remain in Canada. Mr. Singh continues to hope that the Canadian government will allow him to remain on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, but is no longer able to endure this state of limbo. He is thankful to all his supporters for their kindness.
CAF and CAIR: INTERVENORS CALL FOR FOLLOW-UP ACTION ON IACOBUCCI'S REPORT
Torture victims deserve apologies and compensation
October 24, 2008
(Ottawa, Canada - October 24, 2008) The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN), the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (ICLMG), the Canadian Arab Federation (CAF) and the Canadian Muslim Civil Liberties Association (CMCLA) today called upon the Canadian government to concretely follow-up on Justice Frank Iacobucci's report, released October 21, 2008. Justice Iacobucci presided over the Internal Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Abdullah Almalki, Ahmed Abou-Elmaati and Muayyed Nureddin. CAIR-CAN, ICLMG, CAF and CMCLA were granted official intervenor status at the inquiry.
October 24, 2008
(Ottawa, Canada - October 24, 2008) The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN), the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (ICLMG), the Canadian Arab Federation (CAF) and the Canadian Muslim Civil Liberties Association (CMCLA) today called upon the Canadian government to concretely follow-up on Justice Frank Iacobucci's report, released October 21, 2008. Justice Iacobucci presided over the Internal Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Abdullah Almalki, Ahmed Abou-Elmaati and Muayyed Nureddin. CAIR-CAN, ICLMG, CAF and CMCLA were granted official intervenor status at the inquiry.
YEMEN: Yemeni Government Holding More Than 1,000 Political Prisoners
By Zainab Mineeia, Inter-Press Serviec News Agency
WASHINGTON, Oct 24 (IPS) - A new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) urges Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to launch an independent commission to investigate arbitrary arrests and disappearances and to hold those responsible to account.
WASHINGTON, Oct 24 (IPS) - A new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) urges Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to launch an independent commission to investigate arbitrary arrests and disappearances and to hold those responsible to account.
Guantanamo guards regularly brutalize and force-feed hunger striker
By BEN FOX, Associated Press
25 October 2008
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Three years ago, the man known as Internment Serial Number 669 stopped eating.
25 October 2008
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Three years ago, the man known as Internment Serial Number 669 stopped eating.
Tortured in West Bank Prisons
By Ola Attallah – Ramallah
From The Palestine Chronicle
Hamza Al-Qaraawi, a nursing student at An-Najah University, was sitting with his family when he heard knocks at their door.
When he opened the door, a dozen of plain-clothed, grimed-faced people stormed their way into the house.
"They beat me before taking me to an unknown destination," Qaraawi told IslamOnline.net.
From The Palestine Chronicle
Hamza Al-Qaraawi, a nursing student at An-Najah University, was sitting with his family when he heard knocks at their door.
When he opened the door, a dozen of plain-clothed, grimed-faced people stormed their way into the house.
"They beat me before taking me to an unknown destination," Qaraawi told IslamOnline.net.
Barak plays hardball with Hamas, wants to limit prisoner visitations
From YNet
22 October 2008
Defense Minister Ehud Barak has put forward a new proposal aimed at pushing Hamas back to the negotiations table on the matter of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
The proposal centers on limiting the visitation rights Israel awards Palestinian inmates belonging to, or associated with, Hamas. Barak has submitted the proposal to Attorney General Menachem Mazuz for review, asking him to cut back on the visiting hours alloted to inmates with their families.
22 October 2008
Defense Minister Ehud Barak has put forward a new proposal aimed at pushing Hamas back to the negotiations table on the matter of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
The proposal centers on limiting the visitation rights Israel awards Palestinian inmates belonging to, or associated with, Hamas. Barak has submitted the proposal to Attorney General Menachem Mazuz for review, asking him to cut back on the visiting hours alloted to inmates with their families.
ICE raids on immigrants meet quick resistance
Union and community fightbacks around the country check government offensive
by Monica Hill
From Freedom Socialist Newspaper
Has La Migra gone berserk! Renamed Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, it is on the warpath, terrorizing as many immigrant workers and their families as possible.
Why? They are not terrorists or human traffickers. They are workers. U.S. Congress and companies want to force immigrants into guest-worker programs where they become “guests” in the U.S. and are entirely dependent upon their employer.
by Monica Hill
From Freedom Socialist Newspaper
Has La Migra gone berserk! Renamed Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, it is on the warpath, terrorizing as many immigrant workers and their families as possible.
Why? They are not terrorists or human traffickers. They are workers. U.S. Congress and companies want to force immigrants into guest-worker programs where they become “guests” in the U.S. and are entirely dependent upon their employer.
San Francisco Eight: court persecution of former Black Panthers is an attack on all dissidents
By Yolanda Alaniz
From Freedom Socialist Newspaper
In January 2007, a few months after the 40th Anniversary Conference of the Black Panther Party, eight former Panther members or supporters were rounded up and charged with the murder of a San Francisco police officer in 1971 and with a blizzard of acts of conspiracy between 1968 and 1973.
One of the current San Francisco 8 and two other men were originally charged with the cop killing. Those charges were thrown out in 1973, however — after it came to light that police obtained confessions from the men by using prolonged torture!
From Freedom Socialist Newspaper
In January 2007, a few months after the 40th Anniversary Conference of the Black Panther Party, eight former Panther members or supporters were rounded up and charged with the murder of a San Francisco police officer in 1971 and with a blizzard of acts of conspiracy between 1968 and 1973.
One of the current San Francisco 8 and two other men were originally charged with the cop killing. Those charges were thrown out in 1973, however — after it came to light that police obtained confessions from the men by using prolonged torture!
Le scandale Salah Hammouri
Alain Gresh
Association France Palestine Solidarité
20 octobre 2008
N’oublions pas que la Palestine occupée compte sans doute le plus grand nombre de prisonniers politiques du monde ..." Ce qui est scandaleux dans cette affaire, c’est le silence assourdissant des autorités françaises".
Salah Hammouri est ce jeune franco-palestinien, emprisonné durant plus de trois ans, condamné par un tribunal miliaire israélien sans preuves à sept ans de prison à l’issue d’un procès où l’utilisation des « aveux » rappelle de sinistres souvenirs. Hammouri reste inconnu pour de nombreux français. Alors que la mairie de Paris et le gouvernement français se mobilisent pour les « otages », et en premier lieu pour le soldat franco-israélien Gilad Shalit, le silence autour du cas de Hammouri a quelque chose d’exemplaire, comme l’explique dans un article d’une page de Libération Christophe Ayad, « Israël : un Français aux oubliettes » (18-19 octobre 2008).
Association France Palestine Solidarité
20 octobre 2008
N’oublions pas que la Palestine occupée compte sans doute le plus grand nombre de prisonniers politiques du monde ..." Ce qui est scandaleux dans cette affaire, c’est le silence assourdissant des autorités françaises".
Salah Hammouri est ce jeune franco-palestinien, emprisonné durant plus de trois ans, condamné par un tribunal miliaire israélien sans preuves à sept ans de prison à l’issue d’un procès où l’utilisation des « aveux » rappelle de sinistres souvenirs. Hammouri reste inconnu pour de nombreux français. Alors que la mairie de Paris et le gouvernement français se mobilisent pour les « otages », et en premier lieu pour le soldat franco-israélien Gilad Shalit, le silence autour du cas de Hammouri a quelque chose d’exemplaire, comme l’explique dans un article d’une page de Libération Christophe Ayad, « Israël : un Français aux oubliettes » (18-19 octobre 2008).
Life of imprisoned Mayor of Jenin endangered by Israeli Prison Authority medical neglect
JENIN, (PIC)-- The Mandela institution which caters for Palestinian captives called on all human rights organisations to intervene to save the life of Dr. Hatem Jarrar, the Mayor of Jenin, who is detained by the Israeli occupation at the Shatta prison.
Buthaina Dakmak, a lawyer working with the institution, said that Jarrar, who serving a six year term, suffers from various ailments including slipped disc, diabetes, and hypertension. The Israeli Prison Authority rejects providing him with the necessary treatment for his condition despite deterioration in his condition and his need for constant medical attention.
Buthaina Dakmak, a lawyer working with the institution, said that Jarrar, who serving a six year term, suffers from various ailments including slipped disc, diabetes, and hypertension. The Israeli Prison Authority rejects providing him with the necessary treatment for his condition despite deterioration in his condition and his need for constant medical attention.
Inmates tell of sexual abuse and beatings in Iraq's overcrowded juvenile prison system
From The Guardian, UK
Jonathan Steele in Baghdad, 8 September 2008
· Children as young as nine held in sweltering cells
· No money to improve conditions, says ministry
Hundreds of children, some as young as nine, are being held in appalling conditions in Baghdad's prisons, sleeping in sweltering temperatures in overcrowded cells without working fans, no daily access to showers, and subject to frequent sexual abuse by guards, current and former prisoners say.
Jonathan Steele in Baghdad, 8 September 2008
· Children as young as nine held in sweltering cells
· No money to improve conditions, says ministry
Hundreds of children, some as young as nine, are being held in appalling conditions in Baghdad's prisons, sleeping in sweltering temperatures in overcrowded cells without working fans, no daily access to showers, and subject to frequent sexual abuse by guards, current and former prisoners say.
Action Needed: Urge Clemency for Troy Davis
Background and resources below
Troy Davis was scheduled to be executed on September 23 for the murder of Police Officer Mark MacPhail in Georgia but the U.S. Supreme Court granted a temporary stay of execution. The Supreme Court has now declined to hear his appeal, but serious doubts of his guilt remain and compelling evidence of his innocence will now never be heard in court. On Friday, September 12, the Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles denied clemency to Davis -- we must urge them to reconsider their decision..
Troy Davis was scheduled to be executed on September 23 for the murder of Police Officer Mark MacPhail in Georgia but the U.S. Supreme Court granted a temporary stay of execution. The Supreme Court has now declined to hear his appeal, but serious doubts of his guilt remain and compelling evidence of his innocence will now never be heard in court. On Friday, September 12, the Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles denied clemency to Davis -- we must urge them to reconsider their decision..
