June 2010 – Page 4 – Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

Canadian “Honor Killing”: Killers of Muslim Girl Aqsa Parvez Sentenced to Life Without Parole for 18 Years

Canadian media have reported on the conviction of Muhammad Parvez and Waqas Parvez, the 60 year old father and brother of 16 year old Muslim girl Aqsa Parvez, in the “honor killing” murder of Aqsa Parvez on December 10, 2007 in Mississauga, Canada.

This week, Muhammad and Waqas Parvez pleaded guilty to second degree murder of Aqsa Parvez. On June 16, 2010, they were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 18 years. It will be the decision of the Canadian National Parole board if either will be released. The Globe and Mail published an editorial questioning the necessity of accepting a plea agreement for second degree murder, which allows the possibility for parole.

Aqsa Parvez - 16 year old victim of December 10, 2007 "honor killing"

Canadian Justice Bruce Durno told a Brampton court that the actions of Muhammad Parvez and Waqas Parvez were “that twisted, chilling and repugnant mindset could imply that the family pride could at least be kept intact — or perhaps even enhanced — by having two grown men overpower and kill a vulnerable teenager.” Justice Durno stated that “It is profoundly disturbing that a 16-year-old woman, no doubt facing significant challenges adjusting to living in a very different society than her parents’, could be murdered by her father and brother for the purpose of saving the family pride.” Justice Durno concluded that the “twisted, repugnant mindset requires a sentence that sends a message to others who would be like-minded. Because of the abhorrent motivation behind this crime and the gender inequality issues, 18 years is a fit sentence.”

Muslim teenager Aqsa Parvez killed in "honor killing" in December 2007 (Photo: Courtesy Ebonie Mitchell)

The Parvez family moved from Pakistan to Mississauga, Canada in 2001. Media reports that 16 year old Aqsa Parvez spoke to school officials about abusive home conditions. She preferred to wear Western fashions, rejected the hijab, sought to spend time with friends her age, sought to have a room with a door for privacy, and was seeking to hold a part-time job. She had gone to her first movie shortly before her death in December 2007. She had run away from home twice.

Canadian prosecuting attorney Sandra Caponecchia was quoted as stating “She confided in her closest friends that her father had sworn to her on the Koran that if she ran away again, he would kill her.”

The Toronto Star reported: “Based on their admissions and Aqsa’s mother’s words that were recorded in a police interview room, Durno seemed to agree with Crown prosecutors Sandra Caponecchia and Mara Basso that they killed her to uphold the family honor in their community.”

Mississauga News reported that Tarek Fatah, founder of the Canadian Muslim Congress stated Aqsa Parvez’ murder was “a blight on Islam” and that “Canadians are justified in raising concerns as to whether this is a sign of the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in their own backyard… A young life has been snuffed out — likely in the name of honor and Islam.” On June 17, 2010, the National Post reported that “Canada should expect rise in honor killings,” quoting “Amin Muhammad, a professor of psychiatry at Memorial University of Newfoundland who specializes in transcultural psychiatry.”

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports women’s rights and children’s rights to live without oppression, without fear, without intimidation, and without the threat and reality of violence against them. We urge all to support such universal human rights and dignity for all people, in accordance with our universal human rights. Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.

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R.E.A.L Reports “Save Women Now”

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Other Media Reports:

— Mississauga News: Aqsa ‘just wanted to be herself’

— Toronto Sun: Murdered teen just wanted to fit in

— Globe and Mail: “For the killers of Aqsa Parvez, “culture” is no defence”

— Globe and Mail: Father, brother of slain teen sentenced to life without parole for 18 years

— Globe and Mail: Father, brother plead guilty to so-called ‘honour killing’ — Aqsa Parvez

— National Post: Canada should expect rise in honour killings, expert says

— National Post: Father, son must serve at least 18 years

— National Post: We are complicit in our silence”
— Ujjal Dosanjh: “In 2000, the United Nations estimated that 5,000 women and girls are murdered every year in honour killings, a term that masks the brutality of the crime it describes.”
— Ujjal Dosanjh: Admit honour killings for what they are

— National Post: “Putting an end to honour killings in Canada”

— National Post: Father, brother sentenced to life in prison for ‘honour’ killing

— National Post: Friends recall tumultuous family life

— National Post: Father, Son Strangled Teenager

— UPI: Father, brother guilty in honor killing

— Sify: Honour killing over hijab gets life term in Canada

— Victoria Times Colonist: The law and honour killings

— The Ottawa Citizen: Misplaced ‘honour’
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Damanga Response to Opinion Piece on Sudan by George Clooney and John Prendergast

Damanga Response to Opinion Piece on Sudan by George Clooney and John Prendergast

By Mohamed Yahya, Executive Director, Damanga

Mohamed Yahya, Executive Director of Damanga

As Darfur genocide survivors and American human rights activists, we are very disturbed by what Actor George Clooney and “Enough Project” activist John Prendergast has to say about war and peace in Darfur and Sudan. They jointly co-authored an article on June 9, 2010 titled “U.S. must help stop Sudan’s slow-motion war.” While human rights activists certainly seek an end to war and violence, we also recognize that compassionate nations and compassionate people seek justice, equality, dignity, and human rights as the building blocks of any lasting peace.

We are deeply troubled to read that the authors of the opinion piece seek “[p]arallel carrots and sticks are the key to this approach.” According to the authors, on the “carrots” side, the U.S. should present a quid pro quo with an expiration date by the end of the year. In exchange for peace in Darfur and the South, the U.S. would move to normalize relations with Sudan and work in the Security Council to suspend the war crimes indictment of President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir under article 16 of the International Criminal Court Charter. On the “sticks” side, the authors call for “a U.S.–led Initiative should build international support for severe consequences for anyone promoting war, whether they are ruling party officials, militias, rebels, or Southern Sudan’s leaders.”

For years, we have heard the same philosophical slogans: “Peace Incentives,” “Door 1 vs. Door 2 scenario,” “carrots and sticks,” and so forth, as if we are dealing with a government of angels or peace-making leaders. What “carrots” or incentives should people of conscience offer to the architects of genocide? If we accept an international code of Universal Human Rights for all people, is there no responsibility for human rights activists to call for action on such human rights, even in the face of genocide? How can people of conscience and commitment in human rights seriously argue for the need to offer incentives to the terrible government in Sudan, despite the massive crimes being committed against its innocent civilians from Darfur to the South all these years?

Why do we only see offers of incentives instead of serious consequences to a government that has been continuously violating human rights and systematically eliminating an entire ethnic community from their land? Why must the people of Darfur have to wait until the end of the year again over and over to implement such empty promises of action against human rights violators?

When will it be “Enough” of the denial of human rights, justice, freedom, and lasting peace for the victims of Darfur for the Enough Project’s John Prendergast and George Clooney? How much longer must the world continue to appease the genocidal regime of Khartoum and give them time and promotions to continue to strengthen their ability to stay in power to humiliate our people forever? It is unbelievable to hear such recommendations from influential activists and actors, who have visited Darfur refugees a couple of times in Chad or Darfur and who have gained all the respect from all of us for their dedication to fight against those obsessed persistent criminals of our time.

They suggest unbearable ideas to push the U.S. government to move towards normalizing relations with the indicted criminals in Sudan in exchange for peace in Darfur and South Sudan. They further call for the suspension of “the war crimes indictment of President Al-Bashir under Article 16 of the ICC-the International Criminal Court charter.” Do such activists believe that after all the destruction and obstruction by such architects of genocide that the world should simply ignore Mr. Al-Bashir’s crimes? Should such an indictment be dismissed against Al-Bashir because he is a “peace-maker?”

Mr. Clooney and Prendergast, this will never happen on our watch. We can’t let criminals who killed millions in Darfur and South and all Sudan to walk away free of charges. That would be a terrible, intolerable mistake that ever the history could forgive. It is our responsibility as civilized people and democratic nations of conscience, transparency, and moral integrity to be honest and do the right thing to bring those killers to justice. We cannot have any lasting peace without such justice.

We must not succumb to the fear of the catastrophic war that Al-Bashir would carry out against South if it is separated because of oil. It is better for you to work to separate Al-Bashir and his terrorist government instead of flattering him as the only one who can bring peace, referendum, and freedom. Al-Bashir and his National Congress Party (NCP) are the ultimate disaster for the Sudanese people and are the real threats to Sudan’s survival and the whole region’s well being.

The U.S. and the whole world will never end this growing problem by only supporting “peace” and ignoring justice. No good outcome will ever come without supporting the ICC first and foremost to do its work by arresting Omar Al-Bashir and his counterparts Ahmad Haroun, Salih Kusheeb and the other suspects to send them to the “Hague” headquarters of the ICC to be charged.

We say to activists that the rhetoric of appeasement for “peace” will only continue to hurt Darfuri refugees and prolong their endless sufferings. Don’t do this to those trusted you and welcomed you with cheers and smiles during your visit to their makeshift camps in that remote area of the world.

We understand all the challenges that this country is going through. But still America is the greatest nation in the world and is capable of leading the rest of the nations of conscience to fulfill the promises of change for a better and peaceful world that everyone can enjoy without fear.

We recognize the continued need for compassionate nations and people to seek mercy in the sake of peace. But compassionate nations don’t look the other way at genocide. Compassionate nations don’t abandon helpless victims and embrace cruel dictators. Compassionate nations must not abandon criminal law, justice, and human rights necessary for the consistent application of law for peace. They must show the world that crimes against humanity have consequences.

For too many years, the nations of the world have shown tolerance and silence to the war criminal Al-Bashir. It is past time for the nations of the world to begin to show mercy towards Al-Bashir’s many victims and demonstrate enough compassion to care for justice for Al-Bashir’s victims and to tell Al-Bashir and other war criminals “Never Again.”

If the compassionate people and nations of the world fail to seek justice, dignity, and human rights in Darfur, what message will this send to those who seek to oppress others and rob them of their human rights around the world? If we suspend the ICC indictment against Al-Bashir, why bother to have international law and a standard of human rights that rejects genocide and war crimes?

Mr. Prendergast and Mr. Clooney are concerned about a “slow-motion war.” Who will be concerned about the “slow-motion” denial of human rights, dignity, and justice for the people of Darfur and Sudan?

Canada: Afghan mother charged in “crime of honor” attack on daughter

Media reports on the case of Afghan woman Johra Kaleki’s knife attack on 19 year old daughter in Dorval on Montreal’s West Island.

— CBC Report: Montreal mother charged in ‘crime of honour’
— CBC video report

— Montreal Gazette: Stabbing probed as ‘honour’ crime – Teen knifed. Mother under psychiatric evaluation

— UPI: Mom arraigned in ‘honor crime’ stabbing

Montreal: Afghan Mother Johra Kaleki, charged in attack on daughter (Photo: CBC)

Pakistan columnist make “humorous” appeal for rights of Ahmadi Muslim minorities

Sudan: Representatives Advise UN Security Council, Violence and Genocide Continues

CNN – “Sudan: Special reps brief U.N. Security Council on Sudan”
— CNN reports: “U.N.-AU Representative Gambari explained that parts of Darfur remained ‘tense and volatile,’ with 447 deaths reported in May alone. He told Council members that this recent upsurge in violence has created ‘very serious hindrances to the effective implementation’ of his protection mandate, as well as to humanitarian assistance efforts for ‘those in dire need of such support.'”
— “The Oxfam International aid organization released a statement coinciding with the Security Council meeting, saying that international attention has shifted away from Sudan and the Darfur conflict ‘at a time when it is desperately needed.'”
— U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice states: “With respect to elections, let me reiterate that the April elections were characterized by serious irregularities.” “She explained how ‘the international community stands ready to provide diplomatic and technical support,’ but only if there are sincere efforts to address the serious and difficult issues facing the country.”
— “Monday’s meeting followed a Security Council update Friday from International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, which Rice called ‘disturbing’ during her statements on Monday.”
— “Moreno-Ocampo told Council members that attacks against civilians persist, and ‘the crime of extermination against millions of displaced into camps continues.’ He called on the U.N. to produce an updated comprehensive report on the situation in camps and villages ‘to allow the international community to consider the current extent of the suffering of civilians.'”
— “The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Sudan’s sitting President, Omar al-Bashir in March 2009 for various war crimes, including ‘extermination.'”
— “‘The crime of extermination does not require killing by bullets,’ Moreno-Ocampo told the Security Council. He said ‘the deprivation of access to food and medicine, calculated to bring about the destruction of part of a population’ also applies.”
— “Although the US is not a member of the Court, Rice said Monday that ‘the United States strongly supports international efforts to bring those responsible for genocide and war crimes in Darfur to justice.'”

DC Public Remembers Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

On a hot and rainy day in Washington DC, on Sunday, June 13, 2010, volunteers of diverse religions, races, ethnic backgrounds, genders, and age groups came together to remember the June 2009 attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and to remember the tragic death of museum guard Stephen Tyrone Johns a year ago on June 10, 2009.

We Remember June 10, 2009 Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (Photos: Left - AP, Right - USHMM) — We Remember June 10, 2009 Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (Photos: Left – AP, Right – USHMM)

The public remembrance at Washington DC’s Freedom Plaza was organized by Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.), a human rights volunteer group that pulls together coalitions of volunteers from among the public for activism and public awareness on human rights issues. Among R.E.A.L.’s core issues are religious freedom/pluralism and racial equality, which R.E.A.L. saw the June 10, 2009 attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum as defying such freedoms, urging “Never Again” to hate.

Speakers from among the public included R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm, Elisa Tetreault, Mrs. N. Washington, and Damanga Executive Director Mohamed Yahya. Other volunteers came to help organize, record, and promote the event among the public. Attendees included an employee of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum who attended as a private individual, and who expressed his appreciation for the volunteers’ public remembrance. Media attendees included FOX 5 News and a contributor to the Washington Jewish Week.

The event began with a brief rain shower, but the location of the event on the east side of Freedom Plaza provided some natural protection by nearby trees, and the shower quickly passed. With a breeze that periodically gusted, volunteers held signs reading “We Remember June 10 Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum,” “We Remember Stephen Johns,” “Together for Love and Tolerance,” and “Choose Love, Not Hate, Love Wins.”

FOX 5 News Video

R.E.A.L. YouTube Video of Excerpts of Public Remembrance

Jeffrey Imm spoke of the need to have a public remembrance on the June 10 attack and the murder of Stephen Tyrone Johns, in addition to the museum’s private remembrance on the morning of June 10. He stated that the volunteers had gathered to share the grief of Mr. Johns’ family and also to stand united to defy hate and to urge “our fellow human beings to Choose Love, Not Hate.” He also stated that he recognized that some had told him that they were afraid to come to a public remembrance, but we should not let fear terrorize us from standing up for equality, liberty, dignity, and love for our fellow human beings.

He stated that “Some believe that this attack was someone else’s problem. They believe that the attacker James Von Brunn’s white supremacist hate is only a problem for non-whites, and has nothing to do with the Jewish public. Some believe that his Holocaust Denial is only a problem for those remember the Holocaust, and this is only a problem for the Jewish world. But the fact is that terrorist attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was attack based on hate. No one could possibly doubt that an attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was a attack on all Jews – not just one type of Jew, American Jews, or Jews in Washington DC – but an attack on all Jewish people everywhere around the world. Moreover, the attacker’s Holocaust Denial is an attack against the terrible truth of the Holocaust itself. No one could possibly doubt that this attack by a white supremacist also was hatred against black Americans.”

“But the attack was not just against Jews and black, not just in Washington DC, and not just Americans. The attack was one motivated by hate itself. The terrorist Von Brunn himself documented his philosophy in writing to a Nazi sympathizer in Germany, stating that hate was ‘natural, normal and necessary,’ and that ‘compassionate nations’ would ‘die.’ Such an attack of hate was one that speaks to the violence against all people that have compassion, all people that defy genocide, all people that seek justice, and yes all people that seek to love their fellow human beings. The cancer of hate leads to that much destruction. We stand here today united, not just to remember that attack on June 10, 2009, but also to reject that hate that motivated it. We stand here today to remember the awful consequences of allowing hate to go unchallenged. We stand here today to say ‘Never Again’ to such hate, not just in others, but also in ourselves. But in our challenge to hate, in our unwillingness to be afraid, we don’t offer an upraised fist, but we offer an outstretched hand. We urge those who hate to drop the burden of hate from their hearts. We urge them to Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.”

Jeffrey Imm Speaks on Remembering Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Elisa Tetreault that all “men and women are equal before the law, without discrimination because of sex, blood, language, social origin, or religion. Equality is not something that you should practice because it is the law, but something you should practice because it is right.” She urged others “to take a look at who we are, take a look at who we are standing next to. It can be men, women, gay, straight, black, white, Latino, Asian, Christian, Jewish, Muslim. Each of us are fighting for justice in different ways.”

She stated that: “On June 10, 2009, Stephen Tyrone Johns was shot to death by a white supremacist and Holocaust Denier. It is tragic when anyone loses their life, especially at the hands of hate. It is hard to believe that the actions of one person can cause so much hurt. The truth is that all it takes is one person. What I have learned is that we all make a difference. A wise man once said ‘I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.’ This is what we are here for. This is what we are fighting for. It does not matter your skin color or the religion you practice or your sexual orientation, we are all equal, we all bleed the same color. I stand here before you to say that one person can make change. Act as if what you do makes a difference, because it does. Remember to Choose Love, Not Hate.”

Elisa Tetreault Speaks on Remembering Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Damanga Executive Director Mohamed Yahya has great experience in fighting against hate in the ongoing genocide in Sudan’s Darfur. Mr. Yahya spoke of his sympathy and grief for Stephen Tyrone Johns in his efforts to protect the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum as a real hero and a great, great man. He spoke of how America is viewed around the world as a nation that prizes freedom, equality, liberty, and compassion toward others – freedoms and dignity that is lost in many other parts of the world, including his war-torn home of Darfur and Sudan. Mohamed Yahya has been recognized as a leading fighter against genocide by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Mohamed Yahya Speaks on Remembering Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Mrs. Washington spoke of the importance of remembering the attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was not a random act of violence, but was a targeted attempt to attack and terrorize Jewish Americans and to deny the reality of the Holocaust itself. Mrs. Washington also pointed to the importance of where this public remembrance was being held – Freedom Plaza, and the important symbolic nature of this location. The Freedom Plaza in Washington DC is named in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., who worked on his “I Have a Dream” speech in the nearby Willard Hotel. In 1988, a time capsule containing a Bible, a robe, and other relics of King’s was planted at the site.

Mrs. Washington urged the public to stop and take a moment to reflect on such critical issues for our freedom as the need to stand defiant against hate and the need to understand that an attack on the human rights of one of us represented an attack on such rights for all of us. Mrs. Washington pointed to the need to continue to realize this dream of equality and liberty, dignity, respect, and love for all of our fellow Americans and fellow human beings.

Mrs. Washington Speaks on Remembering Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

The volunteers stood together at the Freedom Plaza area to urge others to Choose Love, Not Hate.

Volunteers Urge All to Choose Love, Not Hate

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) applauds the efforts by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to continue to record and share the concerns and sympathies of the public regarding this terrorist attack, and urges the public to also publicly pledge their support against hate. R.E.A.L. also urges all to make a gift to the USHMM Stephen Tyrone Johns Summer Youth Leadership Program Endowment Fund.

Freedom Plaza - Washington DC - 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW - Site of April 11 Rally for Chinese Freedom — Freedom Plaza – Washington DC – Open Air Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue – Between 13 and 14th Streets NW – Site of June 13, 2010 Public Remembrance of Attack on US Holocaust Memorial Museum

Love Wins: Volunteers Offer Love, Tolerance to White Nationalist Heckler at Holocaust Memorial Museum Remembrance

On June 13, 2010, volunteers from the Washington DC area joined together to have a public remembrance of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum attack on June 2009 and to remember the tragic murder of museum guard Stephen Tyrone Johns by white supremacist, Holocaust Denier James Von Brunn. We also remember that there were those whose hearts were burdened by hate, who praised Von Brunn’s terrorism, and that the struggle against white supremacism and anti-Semitism continues.

Near the end of the public remembrance of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Musaum attack, two members of a Charlottesville, Virginia-based “white nationalist,” anti-Semitic group, Occidental Dissent, sought to heckle speakers at the public remembrance. The Occidental Dissent group claims to seek “the creation of a Jew-free, racially exclusive White ethnostate in North America.” The group also has a history of seeking to deny women’s rights, and has publicly stated its goals are to infiltrate political organizations to promote “white nationalism.” The visitors included the group’s leader who calls himself the pseudonym “Hunter Wallace” or “Prozium” (based on the movie “Equilibrium”) and Mike Capatano (who left after a moment). The group’s leader “Hunter Wallace” remained behind, wearing a yellow Gadsden Flag shirt.

White Nationalist from Anti-Semitic Occidental Dissent Group Visits Public Remembrance of U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Attack

The group leader briefly heckled Mohamed Yahya, who is a well-known leader in fighting against genocide who has been recognized by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The group has previously criticized the efforts of Mr. Yahya and others in struggling against genocide, as well as those defying racial hatred.

As shown in a video of our encounter with the visitor, Mohamed Yahya’s response was “I love you… if you hate me, I give you love.”

Mohamed Yahya Responds to White Nationalist Heckler: "If you hate me, I love you"

Volunteers Stand United in Love and Tolerance - Urging All to Choose Love, Not Hate

R.E.A.L. founder Jeffrey Imm quickly reached out to the Occidental Group group leader, as one of our brothers and sisters in humanity who we must work to reach, and indicated this demonstrated an important reason why we held such a public remembrance. The R.E.A.L. founder pointed out that we do not offer an upraised fist against white supremacism and anti-Semitism, but we offer an outstretched hand to all to choose love, not hate. R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm then in fact extended such an outstretched hand to the group’s leader and urged him to choose love, not hate.

Volunteers Offer an Outstretched Hand, Not an Upraised Fist - to White Nationalism and Anti-Semitic Group Leader - Choose Love, Not Hate — Jeffrey Imm, Mohamed Yahya, and Mrs. Washington Offer an Outstretched Hand, Not an Upraised Fist - to White Nationalism and Anti-Semitic Group Leader - We Urge Choose Love, Not Hate

R.E.A.L. Video to White Nationalists at Holocaust Memorial Museum Attack Remembrance – Choose Love, Not Hate

A prayer was later said to call upon us all to remove the burden of hate from all of our hearts.

Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.

June 13: If it Rains, We Will Meet in Front of National Theater – Across the Street

On June 13, at 2 PM, for our public remembrance of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Attack and the tragic death of Stephen Tyrone Johns, if it rains we will meet under the marquee of the National Theater across the street from Freedom Plaza. There are no shows at the National Theater on June 13, and we submitted an Assembly Notification to the Washington DC Police for that location as alternative. The National Theater is at 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004

— Map Showing Location of Freedom Plaza in Washington DC

— Street Level Photographic View of Freedom Plaza Area

The photo below shows Freedom Plaza on the RIGHT and the National Theater marquee on the LEFT. We just walk across the street.

What if it Rains? If we have a brief thunderstorm, will stand under the shelter in front of the National Theater (Left), which is right next to Freedom Plaza (Right)

— Freedom Plaza is an open air plaza which is in front of The National Theater, whose address is 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004. Directions to Freedom Plaza are essentially not much different than going to the front of the National Theater (National Theater driving directions, street map of area, parking directions, Metro directions).

National Theater Marquee: Rain Plan Location Alternative - Across the Street from Freedom Plaza - National Theater Address: 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 — National Theater Marquee: Rain Plan Location Alternative if Rain - Across the Street from Freedom Plaza - National Theater Address: 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004

Wisconsin: Wilson Mosque Vandalism

The Sheboygan, Wisconsin Crime Stoppers report on vandalism against the Wilson, Wisconsin mosque that was the source of protests.

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SHEBOYGAN COUNTYWIDE CRIME STOPPERS

1-877-283-8436 (TOLL FREE)

CRIME OF THE WEEK

DATE OF CRIME: FRI, JUNE 4TH OR SAT, JUNE 5TH

LOCATION OF CRIME: 9110 SAUK TRAIL RD, ISLAMIC SOCIETY MOSQUE TOWN OF WILSON

TYPE OF CRIME: VANDALISM

On Saturday, June 5th the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Dept. took a report of vandalism to the Islamic Society Mosque located at W9110 Sauk Trail Rd in the Town of Wilson. Sometime overnight on Friday, June 4th into Saturday, June 5th large asphalt chunks were thrown at the East side windows of the building causing damage to the screens and windows.

If you have information about this crime or any other crimes please call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-283-8436, 1-877-CUF-THEM. You will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward up to $1000.

Detective Ethan J Weber Phone: (920) 459-3857

Detective Mark Mancl Phone: (920)459-3112

Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department

FAX (920)459-4305

Wilson Mosque Protest: A member of the audience expresses her views Monday night while a speaker addresses the Town of Wilson Town Board on whether to grant a conditional use permit for a mosque in the town. Photo by Gary C. Klein/The Sheboygan Press (The Sheboygan Press)

Egypt: Alexandria Man Khaled Said Beaten to Death – Reportedly by Police

al-Masry al-Youm is reporting on the death of a young Alexandrian man who was reportedly beaten to death by Egyptian police. Supporters of his concerned about human rights have created a Facebook page on this topic.

al-Masry al-Youm reports: “Policemen beat young Alexandrian man to death”

— “Khaled Said, a 28-year-old Alexandrian man was beaten up to death by two policemen as he refused to give them money, a human rights group said on 10 June.”

— “Witnesses called el-Nadeem Center for the Rehabilitation of the Victims of Torture and recounted to its lawyers the incident.”

— “‘On Sunday, Khaled was at cyber cafe at around 11:30 in the evening. Two policemen asked him for money and when he said he didn’t have, they beat him,’ Muhammad Abdel Aziz, lawyer with el-Nadeem, told al-Masry al-Youm. ‘As he was beaten up, his head hit a marble table and he started bleeding.'”

— “According to Abdel Aziz, the policemen took Said out of the cyber cafe and continued to beat him. ‘He screamed at them saying ‘I am dying, leave me’, and he fell on the floor.'”

— …”The police has ordered an autopsy of Said’s body.”

— Associated Facebook Web Site