Attacks on the Arab Community: March 21, 2009
Update Posted April 23, 2009
A Victory for Arab Community Members Arrested at the March 21, 2009
March Against War
March Against War
To all our supporters, donors, fundraisers, lawyers, community activists, friends, and family- you are amazing, thank you!
Today, we are excited to announce that the charges have been discharged on all Arab community leaders and organizers arrested on March 21st, 2009. This is because of your calls to the District Attorney.
We are heartened by knowing our communities came together to raise all the money needed to pay back the bonds! Thank you for your support, you know who you are!
Today and tomorrow, we will remain steadfast in our work towards justice for Arabs and friends here and in our home countries and we will not stand for attacks on our youth, who are our leaders now and for the future. Instead we will uplift our youth, empower them, and support them to continue to lead our movement. We are encouraged by broad support for this work.
What happened:
On March 21st, Arab community members joined with allies in the public squares of San Francisco in a national effort demanding an end to the war in Iraq and an end to occupation everywhere. We marched together to express sadness in our hearts and our hope for an end to unjust wars and violence. When we arrived at Civic Center we were met by pro-Israeli protesters outright in their support of the war in Iraq and screaming racial slurs to those participating in the march, causing us more sadness. We were also met by police officers harassing a young Arab child in the streets, causing us more outrage.
Protesters in the crowd and on the stage used what they believed to be their freedom of speech to call for justice from the SF police department in their treatment of the child. To the surprise of many, SFPD at this point turned on the peaceful crowd through unusually aggressive and excessive use of force. Various witnesses saw the SFPD pushing and striking protesters with metal barricades, batons, and fists. The protestors were reportedly pushed into a confined area, surrounded by SFPD officers, and not allowed to leave. At this point 5 people were arrested, 3 of them leaders in the Arab community whose charges have since been discharged. Many were severely injured in the process, including 2 Arab women ages 14 and 16, who were sent to the hospital in ambulances. These were not routine injuries that happen during protests. These were injuries related to extreme, unnecessary and excessive use of force.
Because of how the arrests were made, the excessive use of force and the related injuries, we believe this to have been a deliberate attack on the young Arab community members who were present in large numbers and with great enthusiasm at this protest.
After these incidents, many Arab youth, who were distraught from the incident, decided it was time to return home. Five of these youth weren't able to pass through police barriers. They were stopped at BART, surrounded by dozens of police officers, detained and arrested. Reports from witnesses describe these young men, ages 15 through 20, being treated with physical force and threatened with racial slurs.
These 5 youth trying to make their way home, were charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors, and shockingly accused of terrorist conspiracies. Thankfully and rightfully, these outrageous charges have all been discharged by the District Attorney before even making it to court.
This was an ordinary protest, yet this was NOT an ordinary display from the SFPD.
What happened afterward was similarly extraordinary...
This was a victory for our communities and our struggles in how we came together to support those from the Arab community targeted by the police. Immediately after the arrests a group of 20 organizers, lawyers, friends, and family gathered at 850 Bryant. They started to strategize a plan.
Within the first 36 hours, 4 people were released from jail. The next day the remaining 2 were released. This was because of your support and contributions to make bond and bail for those that needed to be released, as well as your calls to the District Attorney and public officials resulting in the cases being dismissed. Thank you!
Within 5 days, charges were dropped on the 6 adults from the Arab community. Within 4 weeks, charges have been dropped on the 2 remaining Arab youth.
Within 3 weeks, we were able to raise ALL the bond and bail money!
o 2 people donated over 2000, thank you.
o 5 people donated over 1000, thank you.
o 10 people donated over 100, thank you.
o Over 100 people donated a total of 5000 in small donations (estimate), thank you.
o 6 local organizations raised funds from their members, thank you.
o 1 person put forward the full bail of $53,000 for one of the young adults, thank you.
Many thanks to each and every donor, those who could give $1, and those who could give $1000.
This is a victory for our community and we couldn't have done it without your commitment to justice. Again, thank you!
Next Steps:
The weekend of the protest, various community members began working with local elected officials to advocate for those arrested while expressing their freedom of speech. The Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC) will be taking up this advocacy work to ensure that this type of repression of civil liberties does not occur again. AROC encourages all those who have been injured or arrested at protests and rallies in San Francisco, as well as all others who want to work together to protect free speech activities, to call the organization at 415-861-7444 and find out how to get involved.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT
The Arab Resource and Organizing Center is extremely
distressed by the occurrences of police repression that took place
during and after the March 21st protest against the Iraq War and other
Occupations.
Ten people were arrested. Eight of those were members of the Arab community. Two of the eight were youth under 18; four others were between the ages of 18 and 20. Those arrested, as well as several others, were seen by medical professionals for both serious and minor injuries.
At this time, we are pleased to report that the charges against 6 of those arrested have been dismissed thanks to constant pressure from the community on the District Attorney and the San Francisco Police Department as well as outreach to San Francisco elected officials. This is an enormous victory and a testament to our collective strength, however our work continues!
Charges have not yet been dismissed for the two juvenile cases (names undisclosed), or for two other adults (Margaret Belknap and Samuel Bryson) also arrested that day—please see info below and continue to make calls!
AROC OFFERS OUR MOST HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE PROVIDED FINANCIAL, LEGAL, AND OTHER COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
We have a continuing need for financial support to reimburse those who paid thousands of dollars for bonds that obtained the release of our youth. Please see below for information about donating to those funds.
While some of the charges have been dismissed, the underlying problems remain. AROC views these occurrences as a direct attack on the Arab community, as well as an attack on the civil liberties of others acting in solidarity. This sort of attack is reminiscent of attempts by the US government, in the wake of September 11th 2001, to repress the freedom of speech and activity of Arab communities. We are concerned for our ongoing safety and will continue to provide support for those affected by the March 21st arrests and abuses. AROC is also concerned about the possible impact of these events on other communities of color and social justice movements.
We encourage our communities to remain united in the face of these attacks on our civil liberties and to remain steadfast in our organizing. In the same way that we stood up for our rights during the community repression post September 11th, we have come together in this moment, and will continue to work together beyond this moment to make sure that the Arab community is not isolated from other social justice movements, and we will continue to stand united together as a community. We will not be deterred from struggling for justice!
AROC will be working to convene a community gathering to support those affected by this violence and repression, and to support and empower our communities. Stay tuned or contact our offices for more information (415) 861-7444 or email info (at) araborganizing.org.
Please note, if you were a victim of abuse, witnessed abuse, or are in need of medical, legal, or emotional counseling in relation to the events on March 21st, see the numbers below. We believe it is essential to connect and work with the defense team of those arrested from the Arab community.
Ten people were arrested. Eight of those were members of the Arab community. Two of the eight were youth under 18; four others were between the ages of 18 and 20. Those arrested, as well as several others, were seen by medical professionals for both serious and minor injuries.
At this time, we are pleased to report that the charges against 6 of those arrested have been dismissed thanks to constant pressure from the community on the District Attorney and the San Francisco Police Department as well as outreach to San Francisco elected officials. This is an enormous victory and a testament to our collective strength, however our work continues!
Charges have not yet been dismissed for the two juvenile cases (names undisclosed), or for two other adults (Margaret Belknap and Samuel Bryson) also arrested that day—please see info below and continue to make calls!
AROC OFFERS OUR MOST HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE PROVIDED FINANCIAL, LEGAL, AND OTHER COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
We have a continuing need for financial support to reimburse those who paid thousands of dollars for bonds that obtained the release of our youth. Please see below for information about donating to those funds.
While some of the charges have been dismissed, the underlying problems remain. AROC views these occurrences as a direct attack on the Arab community, as well as an attack on the civil liberties of others acting in solidarity. This sort of attack is reminiscent of attempts by the US government, in the wake of September 11th 2001, to repress the freedom of speech and activity of Arab communities. We are concerned for our ongoing safety and will continue to provide support for those affected by the March 21st arrests and abuses. AROC is also concerned about the possible impact of these events on other communities of color and social justice movements.
We encourage our communities to remain united in the face of these attacks on our civil liberties and to remain steadfast in our organizing. In the same way that we stood up for our rights during the community repression post September 11th, we have come together in this moment, and will continue to work together beyond this moment to make sure that the Arab community is not isolated from other social justice movements, and we will continue to stand united together as a community. We will not be deterred from struggling for justice!
AROC will be working to convene a community gathering to support those affected by this violence and repression, and to support and empower our communities. Stay tuned or contact our offices for more information (415) 861-7444 or email info (at) araborganizing.org.
Please note, if you were a victim of abuse, witnessed abuse, or are in need of medical, legal, or emotional counseling in relation to the events on March 21st, see the numbers below. We believe it is essential to connect and work with the defense team of those arrested from the Arab community.