The families of the Holy Land Five, five Palestinian charity leaders and activists who are held as political prisoners in US jails for their charitable efforts for Palestine, are calling for a day of action on 24 November 2015 in support of their case and calling for their freedom.
The five Palestinian Americans – Ghassan Elashi, Shukri Abu-Baker, Mohammad El-Mezain, Mufid Abdulqader and Abdulrahman Odeh – are serving sentences of 15 to 65 years in US prisons. 24 November 2015 marks the seventh anniversary of the guilty verdict against them – a verdict obtained following a mistrial, which included testimony provided by an anonymous Israeli intelligence officer testifying under a pseudonym, the first time a US court has so clearly allowed the violation of the constitutional right to confront one’s accuser.
Four of the HLF5 have been held in so-called “Communications Management Units,” blocking or severely restricting all of their communication with fellow prisoners, their families and the outside world.
The families and the supporters of the Holy Land Five are leading a campaign for their freedom. Learn more about the case at freedomtogive.com. Shukri Abu Baker’s article written on the sixth anniversary of the verdict can be read here: http://mondoweiss.net/2014/11/sarcastically-reflections-anniversary
This year, the families of the HLF5 are calling for another day of action. Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network urges all to join in. The action’s facebook page is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/735584833243384/ and the call to action follows:
May the Peace and Blessings Be Upon You,
As we all know, November 24th will mark the 7th year that 5 Palestinian Americans were falsely accused and unjustly sentenced to prison.
Because this was a success last year, the families wanted to make this an annual awareness day. Therefore, we are encouraging and calling upon the international community to do the following to show solidarity and support to these heroic men:
1) Wear orange and/or wear a kuffiyeh/hatta
2) Take a picture of you wearing it or any relevant picture and hashtag at least #CharityBehindBars #ServingLife4SavingLives #FreeTheHLF5 on all forms of social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, ect.)
3) Follow and Tag our Instagram and Twitter – @FreeTheHLF5 so we can repost your photo. (Facebook: Free The HLF5 https://www.facebook.com/
We will also be posting memes/word pics for those that chose not to post a personal pic but would still like to post something in support. We hope this trends well enough to create more than just awareness!
We always appreciate your continuing support and pray that justice and freedom is given to all those who are innocent!
Sincerely,
The HLF5 Families
