Comments for JUSTICE 4 FAHAD

Comment on As Sentence is Pronounced, Fahad Speaks by What does a world without civil liberties look like? « Restore Fairness

What does a world without civil liberties look like? « Restore Fairness — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:16:37 +0000

[...] of his “anti-American jihadist ideology,” according to Judge Preska. Hashmi made his first public statement in four years, thanking everyone, both Muslims and non-Muslims, for their support. Hashmi was later transferred [...]

Comment on Fahad’s Story by Must read piece on “Communications Management Units” in US federal prisons | Current Events Inquiry

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:43:45 +0000

[...] the pretrial detention of Syed Fahad Hashmi. He spent almost three years in solitary confinement, deprived of all contact with other prisoners and most outside visitors. Only his attorneys and, on limited occasions, his [...]

Comment on As Sentence is Pronounced, Fahad Speaks by Jim McCabe

Jim McCabe — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 23:27:07 +0000

Thanks, Brian. Watching it from one of the two packed overflow courtrooms on video, it seemed that Fahad was very nervous reviewing his statement before speaking at length for what must’ve been the first time in a long time and wanting to make the most of it. One couldn’t help but be deeply moved when his voice got higher and cracked as he apologized to his family. But he recovered and, for one who has undergone the torture that he has, he was remarkably articulate and in command of his words. To hear him tell of “this bad man” Babar who had come into his life, who claimed he had a sick daughter and that’s what the phone calls and money were loaned for . . . and then to hear the government portray him as one who harbored a violent ideology, attended meetings, knew what he was doing, and was part of a network of supporters and facilitators that al Qaeda relies upon, with Fahad shaking his head “no” to this . . . well, obviously, it was two very different portrayals. And one must of course still come back to the “material support” at issue which the government admitted was “non-lethal,” which they described as “military gear,” that being ponchos and socks. And a loan of $300 and cell phone usage. There was at least one reference from the government’s lawyer that seemed to suggest some “evidence” that the judge was privy to but Fahad and his lawyers may not have been. It was hard to tell but it almost appeared that the judge was reading a prepared statement when she delivered the sentence, and was neither moved nor took note of anything that Fahad said in his defense. Wanting to appear tough, equity and leniency be damned, the judge slapped the maximum penalty on him which she described as 180 months (as if that were easier to swallow than 15 years), including 3 years of supervised release thereafter which will subject him to further humiliation in the form of random searches. And then asking each side if there was any reason such a sentence should not be imposed, before concluding with a curt “good afternoon,” when there was nothing good about it save the hundreds who came out to support Fahad. As we staggered out of the courtroom all trying to make sense of what had happened, I couldn’t help but think of Fahad being returned to his lonely, silent cell. His strong faith has carried him this far and he will surely continue to rely on it. And outside the prison walls our work continues to help provide him faith of a different kind.

Comment on As Sentence is Pronounced, Fahad Speaks by Bewildered Young Muslimah

Bewildered Young Muslimah — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 15:47:41 +0000

Heartfelt thanks to you Brian, and everyone else who’s supported Fahad and the oppressed political prisoners. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

It’s just so saddening to see cases like this… none of this would’ve been even plausible in the past decade. Absolutely ridiculous. What kind of world have we come to live in?

Comment on As Sentence is Pronounced, Fahad Speaks by Virginia Hammer

Virginia Hammer — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 02:49:08 +0000

Brian, Christine and Jean,
and Suzanne Hayes, Michael Kelly,
Wallace Shawn, Bill Irwin, etc. etc. etc.
AND FAHAD and your family,

Shameful. Unbelievable.
THANK YOU, all who continue to be involved.

Honor, power and love to you, Fahad.

May the vigils continue.

For heaven’s sake, may these brutal-acting, inhumane, USA-shaming, bizarre people wise up.

Thanks,

Virginia Hammer