Ecological Wisdom * Social Justice
Grassroots Democracy * Non-Violence
Green Party of Michigan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
www.migreens.org
** News Release **
** ------------ **
November 2, 2009
For More Information, Contact:
-----------------------------
Fred Vitale, state chairperson
chair@migreens.org
313-580-4905
Aimee Smith, Media Cmte/GPMI
alsmith@hvgreens.org
734-761-9901
Greens Condemn FBI Raid and Murder of Imam Abdullah
The Green Party of Michigan (GPMI) offers its condolences to the
family of respected community and religious leader, Imam Luqman A.
Abdullah.
The Green Party of Michigan is joining the call from Imam Abdullah's
family and others for an independent investigation into an FBI raid in
Dearborn, MI on Oct. 28 that resulted in Imam Abdullah being shot 18
times and left to die.
We condemn this FBI raid and murder of an innocent man," Green Party
of Michigan Chair Fred Vitale said. "The FBI fails even today to bring
charges of terrorism against the other people arrested. Rather it and
the corporate media make wild accusations; their only witnesses
unreliable former criminal informants, dependent on the FBI for food
and freedom. It appears that the only charges are those associated
with petty crime, and even these were instigated by government agents
and grinding poverty.
"We are having a hard time believing the FBI claims that this was
simply an arrest gone wrong. We are deeply concerned by reports that
Imam Abdulluh was left to die from his wounds while an injured police
dog was airlifted for medical treatment. Such behavior demonstrates
an intent to kill rather than enforce the law," said Derek Grigsby,
Detroit Green Party Co-chair. "Given the historical and current
antipathy of the FBI towards people of African descent and Muslims, we
are left to wonder if the death of Imam Abdullah was not exactly what
was intended for that day."
"It is the FBI agents and police officers that were engaging in
terrorism last Wednesday." said Linda Najar of the Huron Valley
Greens. "Why the focus in the FBI complaint on Imam Adbullah's
religion when it was not in any way connected to the alleged crimes? I
believe this is driven by a need to demonize muslims at home in order
to build support for the unpopular wars against muslim countries
abroad, the so-called war on terror." Najar adds, "If Imam Abdulluh
was angry, I wonder can't we ask why? Or is it the answer to that
question that the authorities are really afraid of."
# # #
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Green Party of Michigan
548 South Main Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
http://www.migreens.org
734-663-3555
GPMI was formed in 1987 to address environmental
issues in Michigan politics. Greens are organized
in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each
state Green Party sets its own goals and creates its
own structure, but US Greens agree on Ten Key Values:
Ecological Wisdom
Grassroots Democracy
Social Justice
Non-Violence
Community Economics
Decentralization
Feminism
Respect for Diversity
Personal/Global Responsibility
Future Focus/Sustainability
Other Contacts:
Green Party of Michigan
548 S Main St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-663-3555
info@migreens.org
posted to web 2 November 2009