Monday, May 3 - next Radio Free Fahad vigil

Photo thanx to Andy Worthington. See his site today for a fuller update on Fahad:
here

From THAW (Theaters Against the War) here is an international network of theater artists responding to the United States' ongoing "War on Terror," aggressive and unilateral foreign policies, and escalating attacks on civil liberties in the US and throughout the world:

Please join us on Monday, May 3 for our next Radio Free Fahad vigil The last week has seen much news on the Fahad Hashmi case and while his case is reaching its conclusion, the government’s abuse of civil liberties and human rights continues, and so does our work!

On Tuesday April 27, 2010, Fahad Hashmi took a government plea bargain one day after the judge in his case had agreed to the US government's request for an anonymous jury. He pleaded guilty to 1 count of conspiracy for allowing an acquaintance to store waterproof socks, ponchos and raincoats in his apartment. The government dropped the other 3 charges. Fahad made this decision after having served 3 long years in severe solitary confinement and one day after Judge Loretta Preska approved the government’s recent request for an anonymous jury with extra security measures. In addition to the use of secret evidence and indefinite solitary confinement in Fahad’s case, the move to have an anonymous jury raised already heightened concerns as to whether a fair trial was even possible. With sentencing to happen on June 7, Fahad faces a maximum of 15 years, as opposed to the 70 years he might have faced if he had been convicted on all 4 counts. With time already served (4 years total) and considerations for good behavior, Fahad could be out in less than 10 years. It is of note that on the eve of the trial the government was willing to shave 55 years off the potential sentence.

The April 27th decision does not in any way detract from the importance of the work we’ve been doing and the civil rights and human rights issues that Fahad’s case has raised. The government’s use of Special Administrative Measures and the attacks on due process in “terrorism” cases like Fahad’s continue and cast a pall on the US justice system. For that reason, we plan to hold our usual vigil on Monday night from 6-7PM outside the Metropolitan Correctional Center. We hope you will spread the word and join us. Vigil information is below. We will be posting further thoughts and analysis on Fahad’s case and the attendant issues in the coming week.

- Theaters Against War


COME TO THEATERS AGAINST WAR'S VIGIL ON MONDAY, MAY 3, 2010, FROM 6-7 PM, TO HELP CONTINUE TO BEAR WITNESS

WHERE: The vigils take place directly outside the Metropolitan Correctional Center, 150 Park Row (at the corner Pearl Street), in lower Manhattan.



DIRECTIONS: Take the 4/5/6 train to Brooklyn Bridge walk north on Centre Street to Pearl Street which is located between the two major federal courthouses on Foley Square. Walk down Pearl Street until it dead-ends on Park Row. We'll be there.

Map it (use zip code 10007): here