The Bronx Council on the Arts and Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos proudly present:

OTHER, OTHER…
Curated by Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz
On view at Longwood Art Gallery from June 4 thru August 7, 2008 Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture
450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street
2, 4 5 trains and Bx1, Bx19 buses to 149th Street/Grand Concourse

Wednesday, June 4 from 5-9pm
Opening Reception and Bronx Culture Trolley

Friday, June 6
6:00pm – 8:00pm
The Importance of Intermediaries and Panelists in the Urban Artist Initiative process UAI Artists, Panelist and Representatives from the UAI coordinating committee will discuss the grantsmanship process, challenges and recommendations. Panel: Konrad Aderer, Alván Colón, Duron Jackson, Linda Walton. Moderator: Ted Berger

Saturday, June 7th, 2008
12:00 – 1:30pm - The Big Picture: The Changing Demographics of NYC – Impact on Culture -This panel will discuss recent and present demographic studies that provide a new perspective on the way the city will look in the future. It will discuss how these changes are reflected in the work of artists and the implications such changes present for the creative community and the broader community. Panel: Dr. Yasmin Ramirez, Tomie Arai, Dr.Anna Magonson, Omar Freilla. Moderator: Kinshsha Conwill.

1:45-3:15pm – Diversity and Class Within Diversity–Increasing demographic changes within diverse communities add to the complexities of understanding and recognizing the range of ethnicities and cultures. What are the implications for the arts community? Panel: Wallace Edgecombe, Juan Sanchez and Dread Scott. Moderator: Ron Kavanaugh.

3:30 – 5:00pm – Implications for Cultural and Public Policy – This panel will highlight ways cultural and public policy presently responds to changing demographics and suggest ways of responding in the future. It will also discuss our collective responsibility to work towards chance in public policy. Panel: Rocio Alvarez-Aranda, Kinshasha Conwill, Heather Hilzharno. Moderator: William Aguado.

5:30-7:00pm – Reception at the Longwood Art Gallery.

7:00pm- Performance at Hostos Performing Arts Center – Celebrando LaTorva Boricua – A salute to the 51st National Puerto Rican Day Parade and to the city of Lajas, Puerto Rico with Victoria Sanabria “La diosa de la trova” and Prodigio Clausdio, Maestro del cuatro. Admission $15. Box office and information: 718-518-4455

OTHER, OTHER…features works by 18 artists of African, Asian, and Latino ancestry working in drawing, installation, mixed media, painting, performance art, photography, sculpture and video, and represent a sampling of 2007 and 2008 Urban Artist Initiative Grant (UAI/NYC) recipients visual arts and media.

Participating artists Konrad Aderer, Karina Aguilera-Skvirsky, Keith Anderson, Tomie Arai, Cat Chow, Nicolás Dumit Estévez, Edwin Gonzalez-Ojeda, Skowmon Hastanan, Wennie Huang, Janelle Iglesias, Duron Jackson, Teru Kuwayama, Jessica Lagunas, Alfonso Muńoz, Juan Sanchez, Dread Scott, Shen Wei, and Injoo Whang

OTHER, OTHER… refers to the varying degrees of “Otherness” that artists of color reflect within the issues of multilayered representations (or misrepresentations), classification of identity and visibility.

Sponsored for Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture and The Bronx Council on the Arts

This exhibition is made possible with funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts-Visual Arts Program, AG Foundation and Carnegie Corporation

Free Admission

www.bronxarts.org
www.longwoodarts.org

Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture
450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street
2, 4 5 trains and Bx1, Bx19 buses to 149th Street/Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
Information: 718.518.4455

Early in the morning of Friday April 11th IDF troops invaded the home of the AbuMaria family and arrested Mousa AbuMaria. Mousa is a well known nonviolent activist and a co-founder of the Palestinian Solidarity Project. He has been a lead organizer in peaceful protest involving hundreds of Israelis and internationals and has been committed to nonviolence for several years.

When Mousa was arrested his family was not told of the reason of his arrest or his whereabouts.
When his lawyer managed to locate him it turned out he was being held in military jail but still no reason for his arrest was given. Only days later was his lawyer finally told that he was suspected of membership in a terrorist organization but when his interrogation did not turn up any evidence the prosecution has admitted that there 'may' not be enough evidence to put him on trial.

With no evidence against him and a long history of nonviolent activism Mousa's family should be celebrating his impending release. However, the Israeli military court system that presides over Palestinians in the Occupied Territories does not work that way and the prosecution has said they are considering putting Mousa in Administrative Detention, in which he has no right to trial. For Palestinians, when there is no evidence for a trial, they are simply jailed without one. The decision on whether Mousa will be placed in Administrative Detention will most likely be made TOMORROW.

ACT NOW to support Mousa.

Register your outrage to imprisonment without trial. Please write to the Chief Military Attorney,

Brigadier General Avihai Mandelblit , and demand that Mousa AbuMaria be released immediately.

Below is a suggested draft of a letter addressed to the Chief Military Attorney. Your own version should be emailed from gmail, yahoo hotmail or riseup to:

+97236080366@fax.tc

This will then be faxed to the Chief Military Attorney's office. Please cc PSP so we can keep track of the letters of support: palestineproject@gmail.com

Those who have a fax machine or do not have an email account at either gmail, yahoo, hotmail or riseup can fax the Chief Military Attorney's office directly at

972 3 608 0366

Sample letter:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief Military Attorney

6 David Elazar Street

Tel Aviv

Military postal code 9605,IDF

Fax: +972 3 608 0366

Monday 14th April, 2008

F.A.O: Brigadier General Avihai Mandelblit,

I am writing with regards to the arrest of Mousa AbuMaria on Friday 11th April, 2008 in the village of Beit Ommar, West Bank, Occupied Territories. His lawyers have informed the international community of the conditions surrounding his arrest and said that although there is currently not enough evidence to put him on trial, he may soon be placed in administrative detention.

I would like to highlight my concerns and call on you, the Chief Military Attorney of Israel, to ensure that Mousa is not administratively detained without charge or trial.

Mousa has for many years been a lead organizer in peaceful, non violent protest and worked alongside hundredss of international and Israelis activists in resisting the illegal occupation of Palestinian land. He is well known as a passionate advocate of non violent resistance and has many Israeli friends who can vouch for his peaceful political commitments and his character.

I, the undersigned, would like to see this issue addressed through the appropriate channels and ensure that he is released immediately.

Thank you for your time.

Yours sincerely,

(Insert name)

PSP http://Palestinesolidarityproject.org

Rising Up: The Alams
11 min | Konrad Aderer | 2005
In this short documentary we meet the Alams, a Bangladeshi family living in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Mohammed Alam, father to two young U.S.-born daughters, is one of 13,000 immigrants facing deportation as a consequence of Special Registration, a post-9/11 policy which targeted nationals of Muslim countries. But the Alams are not just victims. Learn how they fight back as members of South Asian community organization D.R.U.M. (Desis Rising Up and Moving).

My short documentary RISING UP: THE ALAMS is showing at the Grassroots Media Conference this Sunday at 12:15pm, Hunter College.

It's not just a screening but a whole conference, with tons of events & screenings going on. NYC folks interested in media & activism should check this out! I'll be speaking with a panel following the screening.

5th Annual Grassroots Media Conference
http://www.nycgrassrootsmedia.org
Speaking Truth To Power- Media Justice in Our Communities
Co-Sponsored by the Film and Media Studies Department, Hunter College/CUNY

Sunday March 2, 9am-6pm
at HUNTER COLLEGE:
68th Street and Lexington Ave
Enter at West Building (Southwest Corner, enter from street or directly from 6 train)

For Directions and Handicap access please visit:
http://nycgrassrootsmedia.org/08directions

Session 2: 12:15pm - 1:45pm

CALL FOR CHANGE SERIES: PRESENTED BY THIRD WORLD NEWSREEL
Call for Change is a vibrant series of short documentaries about various communities of color in New York City. Each documentary opens a window into a different aspect of life in the city: a Palestinian-American voting for the first time; Sikhs defending their civil rights to wear turbans and practice their religion; a Bangladeshi family fighting against deportation; domestic workers demanding better working conditions, and more.

*Q&A With The Following Filmmakers to Follow:

Kevin Lee, Filmmaker
Konrad Aderer, Filmmaker
Miriam Perez, Filmmaker
Neha Singh, Advocacy Director / Staff Attorney, The Sikh Coalition
Wanda Imueson, FUREE

here’s a list of the other Call for Change films:

JUST RALPH
11min | Clifton Watson | 2005

WORK & RESPECT
10 min | Domestic Workers United | 2005

SHE RHYMES LIKE A GIRL
7 min | JT Takagi | 2005

WALKING WITH FUREE
10 min | Miriam Perez | 2005

DASTAAR: DEFENDING SIKH IDENTITY
12 min | Kevin Lee| 2005

there’s more screening programs too; here's the full schedule:
http://nycgrassrootsmedia.org/sites/nycgrassrootsmedia.org/files/FilmSched08_4.pdf

REGISTER TODAY to save $10 off conference registration!
Your last chance to register at the pre-conference rate will be Friday at 5pm. Visit or stop by our ticketing locations:

Downtown:
Bluestockings Bookstore
172 Allen Street between Stanton and Rivington :: 212.777.6028

Brooklyn:
VOX POP CAFE
1022 Cortelyou Road 718.940.2084

Registration Rates:

$20 adults advance/$30 day of
$15/$25 student registration with valid ID
$10 Hunter Students with valid ID
$5 youth (18 and under)

GROUP RATES AVAILABLE! Please email mo@nycgrassrootsmedia.org or call 917.523.1045

Thursday, Sept. 27, 7 pm
at Vox Pop Cafe
1022 Cortelyou Road
Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, NY
(take the Q train to Cortelyou Road or the F to Ditmas Avenue)

For more information: call 718-940-2084 or visit http://www.voxpopnet.net/

Have you heard an anti-immigrant argument that you feel is wrong, but need the facts to contest? (For example: "Immigrants are a drain on social services. ") Do you have your own fear or concern about the issue? (For example: "Are the lowest-paid US-born workers really hurt by immigration? ") Bring these arguments and concerns to a dialogue, and we'll work together to develop responses using facts, rational reasoning and personal experiences. To set up a dialogue in your community, write us at thepoliticsofimmigration@gmail.com

For information:
Website: http://thepoliticsofimmigration.org
Blog: http://thepoliticsofimmigration.blogspot.com
Email: thepoliticsofimmigration@gmail.com

They also shed light on the unfortunate controversy which led to Almontaser's resignation -- a widely reported incident in which she explained what the word "intifada" means instead of kowtowing to widespread pro-Israel bias by immediately condemning the Palestinian people's struggle for self-determination. When Randi Weingarten, President of the United Federation of Teachers, added her own voice to the right-wing media's attempts to portray Almontaser as an extremist, the principal decided to resign for the sake of the school.

Below is the video I shot of the event and hastily cut together into nine minutes of highlights from the speeches.

Rabbi Michael Feinberg
Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition

Mona Eldahry
Arab Women Active in the Arts and Media (AWAAM)

Deborah Howard
Khalil Gibran International Academy Planning Team

Sarah Said
Family member of a student at Khalil Gibran International Academy

Priscilla Gonzalez
Center for Immigrant Families

Reverend Clinton Miller
Brown Memorial Church, Brooklyn

Note that these supporters are all from relevant communities in Brooklyn and NYC. The opponents of the school are all pundits funded by right-wing extremists and their puppet websites. As Rabbi Feinberg points out, the one anti-KGIA group that claims to be a "community" organization, stopthemadrassa.org, is a coalition between race-baiting anti-immigration group NY-ICE, anti-Muslim organization United American Committee, and pro-Iraq war organization Gathering of Eagles; the donations go to self-described "American security" policy organization Center for Security Policy.

Why these well-funded right-wing groups with such lofty agendas are so hysterical about a little school in Brooklyn teaching Arabic is an interesting question. Human rights activist David Wilson wrote:

Of course, it's horrible, what they've done to this poor school and the principal--now ex-principal--but it also shows how desperate the right wing is to find a popular issue at this point. Before, they were happily overthrowing governments and wiping out populations; now they expend all this energy to bully a little school in Brooklyn. I don't quote the Bible that much, but: Deposuit potentes de sede--he hath put the mighty down from their seats.

WATCH VIDEO!

Monday, August 20, 6pm
Tweed Courthouse
52 Chambers Street
Subways: 4, 5, 6, N, R, W, M, J, 2, 3, A, C

As New Yorkers and others in support of quality public education for all of our communities, we stand in solidarity with the Khalil Gibran International Academy, which has sustained hateful and false attacks by anti-Arab media and extremists. In the post-9/11 world, a school educating our children about Arab history, culture, and language is not only crucial for the next generation to become informed leaders for positive change in our communities; it is also an extraordinary place of hope for peace, understanding, and justice for our embattled world. We regret that Debbie Almontaser was pressured to resign and applaud her work to establish this school and promote intercultural exchange in this diverse global city.

Those who seek to equate the study of Arabic language, culture, and history with religious fanaticism and violence are irresponsibly aggravating a present moment of hysteria against Arab and Muslim communities, and are using this moment to promote hatred in a time of war. We urge our public officials to reject these racist and inaccurate attacks, and continue to work towards building a lasting educational institution that promises to bring our communities together, rather than divide and pit them against each other. We call on all communities who want to see peace on our streets and in our world to stand with us in support of the Khalil Gibran International Academy.

Sponsors Sign on!
Arab Resource and Organizing Center, San Francisco, CA
AWAAM: Arab Women Active in the Arts and Media
Brown Memorial Baptist Church
Center for Immigrant Families
Council on American Islamic Relations - NY
Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition
Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ)
Muslim Consultive Network
WFD Program Steering Committee at First Unitarian Congregational Society of Brooklyn

Organizational Endorsers Sign on!
Adalah-NY: Coalition for Justice in the Middle East
The African American Islamic Institute (AAII)
Brecht Forum
Brooklyn For Peace (formerly Brooklyn Parents for Peace)
Ethical Action Commitee of the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture
Independent Commission on Public Education
Kolot Chayeinu/Voices of Our Lives, Brooklyn
Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Oakland Chapter
Peoples MEDIA Center
Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors
WESPAC Foundation

Individual Endorsers Sign on!
Katherine Acey, Concerned Brooklyn Resident
Rev. Elizabeth Alexander, Church of the Gethsemane
Reshma Baig & Yahiya Emerick, Islamic Foundation of North America (IFNA)
Aleise Barnett, NYC Public School Teacher
Rev. Dr. Robert L. Brashear, Pastor, West-Park Presbyterian Church; Pres, Interfaith Assembly on Housing & Homelessness
Lisel Burns, Clergy Leader, Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture
Ashaki H. Taha-Cisse, Executive Director, African American Islamic Institute (AAII)
Carolyn Rusti Eisenberg, Brooklyn for Peace
Rabbi Michael Feinberg, Executive Director, Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition
Alice Fisher, Abrahamic Network of NY & Member of Congregation B'nai Jeshuran, NYC
Martha Gallahue, Concerned Parent in Brooklyn
Carol Horwitz, Concerned Brooklyn Resident
Valerie Kameya, Concerned Brooklyn Resident
Youme Landowne, Artist and Educator
Gail Lerner, NYC
Laura Liben, Teaching Artist, NY Public Schools
Dr. Lucinda Mosher, Interreligious Relations Consultant
Saul Nieves, Activist and Union Organizer
Robert Patterson, Theatre Professional and Community Organizer
Steve Quester, UFT Member
Malika Rushdan; Consultant & Artist: Modern Age Art
Rev. Charles H. Straut, Jr., DMin, Member, KGIA Advisory Committee
Eileen B. Weiss, Managing Director, Same Difference Interfaith Alliance

www.awaam.org

Rising Up: the Alams & Walking with FUREE

August 16, 8pm
Roosevelt Park
E. Houston Street to Canal Street
NYC
Free

Since 2003 Sanjna and I have worked on "Out of Status" -- a film documenting the lives of 4 families changed forever when immigration policies were enforced selectively after 9/11.

The film's finally being released in NY in a theater for at least one week. Run begins August 1, 2007.

Come take a look. For tix visit the Pioneer theater website at: http://twoboots.com/pioneer/#OutOfStatus

For more on the film -- visit http://www.outofstatus.com. And don't forget to buy your tickets in advance!]]> http://sumery.web.cedant.com/testblog/screenings_and_events/out_of_status_premiere_at_pion.html http://sumery.web.cedant.com/testblog/screenings_and_events/out_of_status_premiere_at_pion.html Screenings and Events Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:00:00 +0000 Two Dialogues on Immigration
Friday July 27 in New York City
Saturday July 28 in Montclair, NJ
(see below for details)

Join us for a participatory dialogue on immigration, with the authors of the newly released book from Monthly Review Press, "The Politics of Immigration: Questions and Answers," Jane Guskin and David Wilson.

The dialogues aim to encourage a deeper and broader look at the realities and causes of immigration, and to discuss possible courses of action.

Have you heard an anti-immigrant argument that you feel is wrong, but need the facts to contest? (For example: "Immigrants are a drain on social services.") Do you have your own fear or concern about the issue? (For example: "Are the lowest-paid US-born workers really hurt by immigration? ") Bring these arguments and concerns to the dialogue, and we'll work together to develop responses using facts, rational reasoning and personal experiences.

"The Politics of Immigration: Questions and Answers" will be available for purchase at both events, signed by the authors, at a discounted price of $10. David Wilson and Jane Guskin have been co-editors since 1990 of Weekly News Update on the Americas, a weekly bulletin covering news from Latin America. Guskin also edits Immigration News Briefs. Both have been active for over a decade in support of the immigrant rights and workers' justice movements.

"Responding to Immigration Concerns: A Participatory Dialogue"

Free. Sponsored by Weekly News Update and Immigration News Briefs.
For more information, call 212-674-9499 or write
thepoliticsofimmigration*at*gmail.com

Saturday, July 28, 2007, 2:30 pm

At Montclair Public Library Auditorium
50 South Fullerton Ave
Montclair, NJ

Sponsored by Residents Against Racism-New Jersey For more information and directions, call Greg Pason at 201-803-7574, write RAR at info*at*residentsagainstracism.net or visit http://residentsagainstracism.net/july28immigrationdialog.html

THE POLITICS OF IMMIGRATION
Questions and Answers
by Jane Guskin and David Wilson

- Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States

- Aarti Shahani, co-director, Families for Freedom

- David Bacon, author of Communities Without Borders: Images and Voices from the World of Migration

To order the book, call 800-670-9499 or visit:
http://monthlyreview.org/politicsof immigration.htm

But in March and April of 2007 my FOIA leaped ahead. Peggy handed me off to a Loren Shaver, and a two-week session of phone tag ensued. One of Shaver's voice mails mentioned "issues" with my request. I googled his name and found it on the website for the support of Leonard Peltier. It was satisfying to know that Farouk and I were in good company. But it was sobering to read that the government had been withholding "100 thousand" documents on Peltier from his defense team since 2001. In the ongoing battle for the Peltier files, Shaver has essentially played the role of the FBI's FOIA guardsman, a supplier of pretexts to deny the release of documents.

In the case of Leonard Peltier, Shaver had told the defense team that there were too many documents to produce and that he would provide summaries instead, which turned out to be useless. Great, so if the FBI decides to watch you like a bug under a microscope, it can claim it has too much information on you to tell you about.

I figured if I was about to face the dreaded Loren Shaver, I'd better get the best advice I could. I emailed the lawyer in charge of the FOIA issues for Peltier's team, Michael Kuzma. He responded right away, and after he'd generously shared his insights, I felt ready to deal with whatever mishegoss awaited me.

When I finally reached Shaver on April 26th (the fifth anniversary of Farouk's arrest), it was actually a cordial, low-key conversation. Shaver told me that they'd identified over 3,000 documents pertaining to my request, putting it in the "large" category. As Michael had explained to me, FOIA requests are fullfilled in three categories - Small (under 500 pages), Medium (500-2500 pages) and Large (over 2500 pages). (Though in the case of Leonard Peltier, there's apparently a fourth category, Too Large.) The larger the request, the more protracted the wait. "Large" entails a wait of months to a year (Too Large=Forever).

The first sign of trouble is that Shaver told me no records had turned up on Farouk dating after 1995. That would be interesting, since:

• on April 9, 2002 the FBI came to Farouk's home saying they were looking for him and, not finding him, ransacked the apartment and tried to intimidate his son and his roomate
• Farouk was questioned by an FBI agent about his Palestinian connections right after his arrest on April 26, 2002
• according to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE), on July 15, 2002 Middlesex County Jail sent an informer's report on Farouk claiming that he had "knowledge of briefcase nuclear suitcases in the U.S." to the FBI for evaluation.
• on May 2, 2003 Farouk was questioned at York County Jail by an FBI agent named Sean Dowd, based in Philadelphia
• a BICE document I have reports that the FBI had Farouk under investigation in connection with the assassination of a Mossad agent, and closed that investigation administratively as of November 14, 2002

And the FBI is telling me now they have no records on any of this?

Stay tuned...

THE POLITICS OF IMMIGRATION
Questions and Answers
by Jane Guskin and David Wilson

"We desperately need to put aside false information about immigrants, to see them as we see ourselves with honesty and compassion. This book gives powerful meaning to the slogan 'No Human Being is Illegal.' I hope it will be widely read."

- Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States

"As the immigrant rights movement grows in size and energy, we need quick facts and deep history. This book gives us both."

- Aarti Shahani, co-director, Families for Freedom

"Guskin and Wilson have identified the hot-button points in the national immigration debate, and have set out to undo the stereotypes, misinformation and prejudice that paralyze rational thought on the subject. This book is a great reality check, a good teaching tool, and a powerful weapon against racism."

- David Bacon, author of Communities Without Borders: Images and Voices from the World of Migration

As Congress debates immigration "reform," polls show the public increasingly divided, with the immigration debate framed as a choice between "deport them all" and "give everyone amnesty." But dialogue is possible when we dig deeper. Why are people leaving their homes? Why are they coming here? What is the impact of our current enforcement policies? What kinds of alternatives exist?

Backed with a wide range of cited sources, The Politics of Immigration tackles questions and concerns about immigration with compelling arguments and hard facts, laid out in straightforward language and an accessible question-and- answer format.

For immigrants and supporters, the book is an effective tool to confront common myths and disinformation. For teachers, it provides a useful framework on the current debate, and ample opportunities for students to reach out and explore the intersecting issues.

Those who believe immigrants steal jobs from citizens, drive down wages, strain public services, and threaten our culture will find such assumptions challenged here, while people who are undecided about immigration will find the solid data and clear reasoning they need to develop an informed opinion.

To order call: 1.800.670.9499 or visit:
http://www.monthlyreview.org/politicsofimmigration.htm
or print out the form below and send it via mail with your payment to:

MONTHLY REVIEW PRESS
146 WEST 29TH STREET, SUITE 6W, NEW YORK, NY 10001
(TEL: 212-691-2555; FAX: (212) 727-3676)

The Politics of Immigration
176pp/ISBN: 978-1-58367- 155-9 (pbk)/$11.95 SALE PRICE: $11.00

Please send ______ copies at $11 each - add $4.00 for shipping

address__________________________________________________

city/state/zip______________________________________________

card number______________________________________________

exp. date ______________ amount paid: ______________

signature_________________________________________________

Salaam,

it is with great joy, and much praises to the Most High and to all those who supported, that I share this news....

The Siraj Family, members of DRUM-Desis Rising Up and Moving celebrate….

VICTORY FOR A MUSLIM FAMILY TARGETED BY HOMELAND SECURITY as father is RELEASED from Detention!! THE FIGHT FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CONTINUES…

Another chapter in a nightmare that has torn up a loving Muslim family caught up in the U.S. "War on Terror" brings a VICTORY. With their entire family detained by the US government in various facilities, the father of the Siraj family was released last week. The entire Siraj family was arrested in January---just hours after their 24 year old son, Matin, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for false terrorism charges (based on an NYPD-paid informant), Matin's mother, father and sister were violently arrested in their homes by more than a dozen ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officers of the Dept. of Homeland Security. The arrest and detention of the entire family was a clear intimidation tactic to silence a family speaking out against the US War on Terror's criminalization of South Asian, Muslim and Arab communities.

2 weeks after the family's detention, buoyed by community organizing by DRUM and countless supporters in solidarity with the family (including hundreds of letters of support to ICE!), the mother and sister were released, albeit on $35,000 bond. The community has continued to support and organize in support of the family and last week, the father was finally released, after languishing in jail for 6 months.

Mr. Siraj, an elderly man with several medical conditions including a hearing impairment, was released under an intensive governmental supervision unofficially known as the ankle bracelet program (involving electronic surveillance); curfew/nighttime house arrest; and parole-style regular check-ins . While Mr. Siraj will continue to live under close watch though he poses no threat, the family continues to face an uphill legal battle, both for their own immigration cases as well as in their son's appeal.

We know that Siraj's release, while a victory for the family and a testament to the power of organizing, also opens up a detention bed for one more and leaves behind over 20,000 of our immigrant brothers or sisters to languish in private detention centers and county jails around the country. Our work must continue…as Congress continues to propose bills that will most likely deepen the crisis for communities, particularly through increasing detention and deportation—we must keep up the fight for legalization without compromising away raids, surveillance, due process, detention and deportation.

SUPPORT THE FAMILY: The family is facing over $50,000 in legal fees; bond debt as well as trying to send their daughter to community college—financial support is desperately needed. Make checks out to: "Shaheena Parveen Siraj". Mail donations to DRUM at: P.O. Box 720187, Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Again, thank you for your incredible support as we continue fighting for this family's freedom and the larger political attack on our communities.

In Solidarity, DRUM]]> http://sumery.web.cedant.com/testblog/immigrants_rights/father_of_family_targeted_by_h.html http://sumery.web.cedant.com/testblog/immigrants_rights/father_of_family_targeted_by_h.html Immigrants' Rights Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:39:04 +0000

Friday, June 15
8pm
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Baltimore
3516 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore
Maryland 21224
United States
Tel: 410-327-1885

On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, the International Rescue Committee celebrates World Refugee Day, established by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as an annual salute to the courage, resilience and strength of refugees.

Jun 15 - "Voices of Refuge" Film Screening and Panel Discussion: The IRC and Por la Avenida will screen the documentaries "Rising Up: The Alams" and "On One Field: Patterson Park." IRC vice president of resettlement Bob Carey and Dr. Courtland Robinson of Johns Hopkins, which produced the controversial Iraqi death toll study, will co-host a panel discussion on refugees and displacement. There will also be traditional Iranian music and Burundian a capella performances, plus light fare and a cash bar.

Rising Up: The Alams

Documentary, 11 minutes, MiniDV

director/DP: Konrad Aderer

In this short documentary we meet the Alams, a Bangladeshi family living in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Mohammed Alam, father to two young U.S.-born daughters, is one of 13,000 immigrants facing deportation as a consequence of Special Registration, a post-9/11 policy which targeted nationals of Muslim countries. But the Alams are not just victims. Learn how they fight back as members of South Asian community organization D.R.U.M. (Desis Rising Up and Moving).

Rising Up: The Alams was produced as part of the non-profit media project Life or Liberty, as part of Third World Newsreel's Call For Change series.