Anonymous activist Jon Cowden remains in prison for his role in #OpPalestine

25 January 2016

Samidoun is circulating the following appeal from the FreeAnons Anonymous Solidarity Network and encourages wide support for Jon Cowden, targeted by the United States government because of his online actions in support of Palestinians.

Jon Cowden remains in prison #OpPalestine

As many of you may recall, Jonathan (Jon) Cowden was arrested and jailed for one year for his part in #OpPalestine. Freeanons had written an article following his release which explained his incarceration and the issues he suffered as a result of his incarceration.

As you are all aware, when our Anons are released from prison for computer related crimes, computer monitoring is typically a condition of release but this condition prevents most employers from considering hiring these released prisoners as no corporation wants the FBI monitoring their computers. Jon explained to us at one point that even McDonalds wouldn’t hire him because they use computers and they would have to be monitored. His self confidence was squashed in prison and he suffered PTSD also as a result of his incarceration.

Jon was beginning to feel better about himself. With the help of his beloved dog Chazz, an incredibly supportive girlfriend and a job in the works, life was finally looking up for our Anon that the world had forgotten. All of that came to an abrupt halt on 10/25/2015 when Jon was arrested for violation of probation for being in possession of a pocket knife and a tablet computer. He was taken back into custody, transferred from his home in San Diego and sent back to the state of origin, St, Louis, MO in August. He was transferred to a halfway house and ultimately to Victorville where he remains in prison at this time. He was kept from friends and loved ones and to say his life felt like it was falling apart must be an understatement. With some luck, he was eventually transferred back to CA where his girlfriend, although it is 125 miles away and the travel is costly to say the least, was finally able to visit him. He will remain in prison until his parole period has been completed which will be 7/5/2016. Following his release, he will be a free man with a felony record attempting to locate work in computer technology. Of course, we feel that this is a ridiculous issue and certainly nothing that should have resulted in revocation of probation and incarceration for nearly 9 months but today, our only concern is for Jon.

While Jon’s girlfriend is taking care of Chazz the wonderdog and also caring for Jon’s car, it was told to me that someone recently smashed the window in Jon’s care and stole property from it. This is hardly something someone in prison needs to be told. Chazz has been of tremendous assistance in reducing Jon’s PTSD. We thank Jon’s girlfriend for caring for Chazz as they both await his release.

Jon served a one year sentence for his part in #OpPalestine and it’s incredibly sad to say that he served is alone. No letters from supporters, no cards on his birthday and no funds to help him get through this devastating time. We can’t correct the past but we are determined to current the present.

Jon’s girlfriend has set up a wish list of books for Jon and she has even set up a wish list for Chazz as well to assist with his needs while Jon is unable to do so. We are also asking every member of Anonymous, all over the world, and each individual who understands how crippling prison can be, to pick up a pen and paper and write to Jon. Let’s not let the loneliness of his previous incarceration be repeated while he serves this time for a pocket knife and tablet computer.

While Freeanons had recently suspended our fundraising campaign, we are temporarily restarting it for donations to Jon until a personal one can be started. We will transfer any funds to him and provide you with a receipt of that transfer. Please add a note to your donation that says “For Jon” so we know exactly where these funds are to be sent. When an Anon is arrested, it is up to each of us to stand up and show support and love and minimize the trauma of incarceration in any way possible. Freeanons is asking you to stand with us today and make this happen for Jon. As always, we thank you, our Anons thank you and their families thank you.

JONATHAN COWDEN 37215-298
FCI Victorville Medium I
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 3725
ADELANTO, CA 92301

Jon’s Wishlist: Books for Jon

Chazz’s Wishlist: Dogs have wishlists too

Fundraiser: https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/5114q6/ab/f4yhf6

Take Action: Call on the EU to end its contracts with G4S! #EUdropG4S

25 January 2016

Please support and share this action alert from the European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine.

G4S is a private security company that provides services and equipment to Israeli occupation prisons at which Palestinian political prisoners, including children, are held without trial and tortured. G4S also provides equipment and services to checkpoints in the separation wall, ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice in 2004.

Since October 1st 2015, there have been more than 2498 arrests of Palestinians by Israeli forces, including at least 444 children. Many of these political prisoners are being held in prisons G4S is helping Israel to run.

G4S has also been criticised for its role in human rights abuses in prisons and detention centres it runs in South Africa, the US and the UK, and in numerous cases of deaths in custody.

Despite G4S’ role in human rights abuses in Palestine and across the world the European Commission/European External Action Service (EC/EEAS) has a number of major contracts with the international security company G4S signed in the several European countries: Luxembourg, Finland, Latvia, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Malta, Estonia, Cyprus, Austria, Lithuania, Romania, Sweden, Ireland, United Kingdom, Hungary, Greece. In doing so, the EU is turning a blind eye to the role that G4S plays in Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and in human rights abuses all over the world.

The inspiring international campaign against G4S over its complicity with Israeli violations of human rights and international law has seen it loose contracts with businesses and universities across the world; the Gates Foundation, Columbia University, Kings Collage London, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist Church have divested from the company. G4S now says it might consider ending its role in Israel’s prison system, which is all the more reason we need to keep the pressure up.

In December 2015 thirty-eight MEP’s sent a letter to the EC/EEAS urging them not to renew its contract with G4S. Their call has sparked the European action that aims to pressure the European Commission/EEAS to terminate its contract with G4S.

The action demands that the European Commission terminates its contracts with G4S and make appropriate changes to their financial regulations so as to provide for the exclusion of firms that are guilty of, or render themselves complicit, in grave violations of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law.

Join ECCP and organisations across the world in calling on the EU to drop its contracts with G4S.

Use the form HERE to send a message to the European Commission.

Please use the hashtag #EUdropG4S. Send a message to EEAS’ (European External Action Service) Mrs Mogherini’s and President Juncker’s twitter accounts urging them to stop EU contract with G4S:

@FedericaMog

@JunckerEU

@eu_eeas

Thank you for helping us build the #EUdropG4S campaign!

29 January, NYC: Protest to free Mohammed al-Qeeq and end administrative detention

23 January 2016

Friday, 29 January
4:00 pm
G4S Offices, NYC – 17 W 44th St, NYC
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1674707266103010/
Organized by Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network

On Saturday, Mohammed al-Qeeq, a 33-year-old journalist from Dura, reached the 60th day of an open hunger strike against his indefinite imprisonment without charge or trial by Israel.

Held in administrative detention, al-Qeeq launched his strike on 25 November 2015. He is being held in Afula hospital and demanding his release. His lawyer reported that he is refusing medicines and at times water.

His struggle for freedom has sparked protests in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as New York, and global demands that Israel free him immediately and end all attempts to force medical treatment against his will.

G4S, the world’s largest firm company and second-biggest private employer, equips Israeli prisons and detention centers where 6,800 Palestinian political prisoners, including 660 administrative detainees, are held and tortured, as well as the occupation forces and infrastructure that routinely massacre Palestinians while holding millions under military rule.

Join us to answer a united appeal by Palestinian prisoners for escalated boycotts of G4S.

Demand G4S immediately end its contracts with Israeli prisons and detention centers, occupation and security forces and checkpoints, and that Israel release al-Qeeq, other administrative detainees and all Palestinian prisoners.

Support the Palestinian people, the Palestinian prisoners, the Palestinian Resistance, and the liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea.

Freedom for Mohammed al-Qeeq and all Palestinian prisoners, urge NYC protesters

23 January 2016

New Yorkers came out on Friday, 22 January – despite low temperatures and a threatened heavy snowstorm – to protest G4S‘s complicity in Israeli imprisonment, torture and oppression of Palestinians, and to call for freedom for imprisoned Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq, on his 59th day of hunger strike against his detention without charge or trial.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network – NY protests weekly outside the New York headquarters of G4S, the British-Danish security multinational that provides security systems and control rooms to Israeli prisons, checkpoints and police training centers, placing G4S and its equipment at the heart of the “matrix of control” that governs Palestinian lives under occupation and apartheid. Hundreds of organizations around the world, following calls from Palestinian prisoners and Palestinian organizations, have urged a boycott of G4S, and especially urged the United Nations to stop doing business with the corporation.

Indeed, just last week, the Hollands Kroon municipality in the Netherlands rejected a contract with G4S following a campaign by BDS activists, including the GreenLeft party, urging that G4S be excluded on human rights grounds.

The protest came as al-Qeeq, 33 and a correspondent for Al-Majd TV, neared two full months on hunger strike. Held shackled to a hospital bed in Afula Hospital, al-Qeeq was ordered by military order to imprisonment under administrative detention for six months, renewable – without charge, without trial, under secret evidence. Al-Qeeq is the latest of a number of Palestinians – including fellow Palestinian journalist Nidal Abu Aker – to undertake a long term hunger strike against the use of administrative detention without charge or trial.

Photos by Joe Catron.

Rome protest demands justice, no extradition for Omar Nayef Zayed

23 January 2016

The Arab Palestinian Democratic Union (UDAP) in Rome, Italy organized a demonstration outside the Bulgarian Embassy to Italy on Thursday, 21 January, demanding an end to all attempts to extradite former Palestinian prisoner Omar Nayef Zayed to the Israeli occupation.

Demonstrators gathered outside the embassy to demand Bulgaria protect, rather than extradite Zayed, a former Palestinian prisoner who escaped Israeli custody in 1990 after a 40-day hunger strike. Zayed has been living in Bulgaria for 22 years; his wife and children are Bulgarian citizens.

Omar’s brother Ahmad Zayed, living in Palestine, studied in Italy for years and sent a message to the demonstration in Italian, where it was read by activist Said Nassrawi.

In December 2015, the Israeli embassy in Sofia demanded Zayed be arrested by the Bulgarian police and sent to Tel Aviv for re-imprisonment. Though Bulgarian police raided his home, Zayed was not present; he is now taking refuge in the Palestinian embassy in Sofia.

The European Convention on Extradition addresses “criminal offenses” and specifically excludes political cases from its ambit; as noted by Sinn Fein parliamentarians, the National Lawyers Guild and others, Palestinian prisoners’ cases are inherently political. Protests in support of Zayed have taken place in Brussels, New York, London, Berlin, Ramallah, Gaza and more are planned in the future.

Ahmad Zayed’s message to the demonstration below, in English and Italian:

Dear comrades,

On behalf of my mother and all our family, I write to you from Palestine to tell you how happy and proud we are of you and of what you are doing to support the Palestinian cause, in general, and Omar’s case particularly.

I assure you that, Omar, from his refuge, knows what you are doing for him; he follows you proudly and he’s sure that with comrades like you by his side he shall be come out of this battle victorious and with his head held high.

Omar is not a criminal; he is a freedom fighter, he always has been, and he will continue to be forever.
Heartfelt thanks, with you at our side we will win.

Long live Palestine, long live solidarity.
Hasta la victoria siempre.

In the name of us all,
Ahmad

Cari compagni,

Nel nome di mia mamma e di tutta la nostra famiglia vi scrivo dalla Palestina per dirvi quanto siamo felici e orgogliosi di voi e di quello che state facendo sia per supportare la causa palestinese in genarle che quella di Omar in modo particolare.
Vi assicuro che, dal suo Refugio Omar è al corrente di quello che state facendo per lui e che vi sta seguendo con molto orgoglio ed è sempre più sicuro che con compagni come voi al suo fianco uscirà sicuramente vittorioso e a testa alta da questa battaglia.

Omar non è un criminale è un combattente per la libertà lo è sempre stato e lo sarà per sempre.

Grazie di cuore con vuoi al nostro fianco ce la faremo
Viva la Palestina
Viva la solidarietà
E hasta la victoria siempre
Nel nome di tutti noi
Ahmad

19 February, Paris: Film Screening and discussion, “L’affaire Salah Hamouri”

23 January 2016

Friday, 19 February
7:30 pm
Espace Paul Eluard – Stains
Place Marcel Pointet, 93380 Stains, Seine-Saint-Denis, Paris, France
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/218179591849789/

Free Admission

Film screening of the film, “L’affaire Salah Hamouri,” (“The Salah Hamouri affair”) and discussion with the director, Nadir Dendoune.

Nadir Dendoune is an independent journalist, who met Salah Hamouri beginning in 2012 shortly after he was released from prison. The French-Palestinian spent over seven years in Israeli prison. A French citizen and a resident of Jerusalem, Salah Hamouri faced an Israeli military trial, illegal in regard to international law.

The Israeli army accused him of intending to assassinate an ultra-orthodox rabbi and political leader and being a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). His story, unlike that of Gilad Shalit, the French-Israeli soldier, captured by Hamas in 2006, has received very little media attention in France.

Nadir Dendoune investigates with camera and microphone to try to understand why the case of Salah Hamouri has been little covered in the political sphere and media in France.

27 January, International: #Justice4Rasmea Social Media Campaign and Emergency Response Plan

23 January 2016

Wednesday, Jan. 27 Social Media Campaign

#Justice4Rasmea

Join the Rasmea Defense Committee for a social media campaign Wednesday, January 27th, in support of Palestinian American icon Rasmea Odeh—and prepare for an Emergency Response to the appellate court decision!

In October 2015, Rasmea’s legal team delivered oral arguments in an appeal of her unjust conviction for Unlawful Procurement of Naturalization. The decision is expected any day now, and we have to be prepared!

Participate on Twitter and Facebook on Wednesday, January 27th, using sample tweets, hashtags, articles, memes, and other resources that we will be sending to everyone on Monday. Rasmea has dedicated her life to the cause of a #FreePalestine and to Arab communities across the world, including the past 12 years in Chicago, so we must continue to organize to win #Justice4Rasmea.

In addition, although we are confident that we will win the appeal and have the conviction overturned, there is a chance—as we reported right before the end of 2015—that the appellate court will uphold the conviction, ruling in favor of the government. If that happens, it is very likely that Rasmea will be ordered to turn herself in to federal prison authorities, as we petition to keep her out on bail.

Emergency Response Plan

We have developed an Emergency Response Plan for this contingency!

If this worst-case scenario decision comes down BEFORE 12 NOON, and Rasmea is ordered to prison, we are calling for protests the VERY SAME DAY at 5 PM at federal buildings across the country.

If the decision comes down AFTER 12 NOON, we are calling for protests the NEXT DAY at 5 PM. Allies and supporters across the world will also be participating in the emergency response by protesting at U.S. consulates and embassies everywhere.

Please forward widely and look out for our follow up announcement early next week. Tell all your family, friends, and colleagues to be ready to join us on social mediaWednesday, January 27th, to demand #Justice4Rasmea!

Rasmea Defense Committee
January 22nd, 2016

22 January, Gellerup: Commemorate birthday of Palestinian child prisoner Ahmad Manasrah

21 January 2016

Friday, 22 January
7:00 pm
Foreningernes Hus
Gellerup, Denmark
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1080759091975989/

Danish and Palestinian activists in Denmark will commemorate the 14th birthday of Palestinian child prisoner Ahmad Manasrah on Friday, 22 January, gathering to discuss the situation of the hundreds of Palestinian children imprisoned in Israeli jails.

The event will include food and music and will fundraise to support the cause of freedom and justice for imprisoned Palestinian children.

This action follows a Monday demonstration in solidarity with Manasrah and fellow Palestinian prisoners, in which participants lit candles and called for UNICEF to act to seek freedom for Palestinian children.

Palestinian child Manasrah’s trial postponed until 16 February; actions in Denmark, Norway and Jordan urge his freedom

21 January 2016

13-year-old Palestinian child prisoner, Ahmad Manasrah, faced an Israeli military court on 19 January – where he was told that his trial was postponed to 16th February. The Free Ahmad Manasrah campaign noted that this postponenment almost certainly came to ensure that the trial would ensue after Ahmad reaches his 14th birthday on 22 January.

Manasrah, run over by an Israeli car and was severely injured as he was kicked and cursed at by Israeli occupation settlers and police – all captured on video – is now facing an Israeli military court. There are nearly 500 Palestinian children held in Israeli prisons, and over 2,200 children were arrested in 2015; some detained for a few days and some pushed into the military court and prison system. Even brief detentions have a real impact on Palestinian children who are interrogated, often taken from their home in night-time raids, threatened and abused.

International attention to Manasrah’s case is growing. The international Free Ahmad Manasrah campaign protested outside the UNICEF office in Amman, Jordan, calling on UNICEF to take a stand on Manasrah and other imprisoned Palestinian children.

In Aarhus, Denmark, Palaestina Aktion held a vigil and candle-lighting for Manasrah on 18 January, addressing UNICEF and calling for international action on his case and that of other imprisoned Palestinian children. In addition, Danish activists will gather on Friday, 22 January at 7:00 pm at Foreningernes House in Gellerup, to mark Manasrah’s birthday and highlight the struggle of Palestinian children.

In Bergen, Norway, activists gathered on 18 January in Torgalmennigen, urging freedom for Manasrah and all imprisoned Palestinian children. Activists also called for building the movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel, highlighting the injustice of Israeli occupation and imprisonment against the Palestinian people. Actions have also been organized in Bristol, London, New York City and elsewhere highlighting Manasrah’s case.

For more information, please visit the Free Ahmad Manasrah campaign.

Hunger striking journalist Al-Qeeq’s hearing delayed till February 25; lawyers warn of threat to his life

21 January 2016

The Israeli Supreme Court said on Tuesday that it would consider the appeal of Mohammed al-Qeeq, the imprisoned Palestinian journalist who has been on hunger strike for 58 days in protest of his administrative detention without charge or trial, on February 25 – earning outrage from lawyers and advocates, noting he could die of his hunger strike before that date.

Al-Qeeq, 33, is a correspondent for Al-Majd Channel; he is held with 660 other Palestinians under administrative detention, without charge or trial. He is married and a father of two.

On 10 January, he was forcibly treated in Afula hospital, when an intravenous glucose/vitamin solution was inserted into his vein while his hands and legs were restrained. The IV remained in place until 14 January. This forced treatment was condemned as a violation of medical ethics by Addameer, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, and other groups, who have noted that his condition is life-threatening.

Palestinian journalists went on a one-day hunger strike on Wednesday, and public employees conducted a one-day strike, in solidarity with Al-Qeeq, as the Arab League called for the release of the imprisoned journalist. Protests have continued inside and outside Palestine, demanding Al-Qeeq’s release. Reporters Without Borders has issued a statement about Al-Qeeq, “call[ing] on the Israeli authorities to free him and to ensure that their investigation is transparent and impartial.”

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network will protest to free Al-Qeeq and for the boycott of G4S, the multinational security corporation that provides security systems to Israeli prisons and checkpoints, on Friday, 22 January, at 4:00 pm in New York City.

Wednesday, Jan. 27 Social Media Campaign

#Justice4Rasmea

Emergency Response Plan

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