Category: Activism and Events

These are posts on activism and events

Hizb ut-Tahrir Event Canceled – R.E.A.L Challenges HT at Lincoln Memorial

On the night of July 10, 2010, the anti-democracy organization Hizb ut-Tahrir America canceled its event scheduled for the month of July in suburban Chicago.  The next day, on July 11, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, Muslim and non-Muslim supporters of the volunteer human rights group Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stood together on a hot July afternoon to publicly challenge Hizb ut-Tahrir America on its views, with R.E.A.L. promoting democracy and human rights and rejecting Hizb ut-Tahrir’s intolerance to religious freedom, rejecting Hizb ut-Tahrir’s anti-democracy views, and rejecting Hizb ut-Tahrir’s promotion of the barbaric act of stoning.  Human rights volunteers against stoning challenged Hizb ut-Tahrir’s previous demonstrations where the anti-democracy Hizb ut-Tahrir group promoted stoning on June 22 and on World AIDS Day.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)'s Jeffrey Imm Leads Challenge to Hizb ut-Tahrir -- Hizb ut-Tahrir America Cancel Chicago Conference
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)'s Jeffrey Imm Leads Challenge to Hizb ut-Tahrir -- Hizb ut-Tahrir America Cancel Chicago Conference
R.E.A.L.'s Jeffrey Imm Speaks Out on Muslims that Promote Democracy and Freedom and Reject Hizb ut-Tahrir's Intolerance
R.E.A.L.'s Jeffrey Imm on Muslims that Promote Democracy and Freedom , Rejecting Hizb ut-Tahrir's Views

To counter Hizb ut-Tahrir’s statements that its anti-democracy view represented an “Islamic” position, Muslim supporters of R.E.A.L. rejected Hizb ut-Tahrir’s positions.  At the Washington DC Lincoln Memorial where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke out in support of racial equality, R.E.A.L. founder Jeffrey Imm read statements from pro-democracy, pro-human rights Islamic groups in the United States, which he called “Muslims in support of democracy and freedom,” including the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD), the American Islamic Congress, the Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), and others.

Jeffrey Imm also read to those at the Lincoln Memorial the comments by Muslims who were former members of Hizb ut-Tahrir and who have since rejected Hizb ut-Tahrir’s extremist and intolerant views, such as Hadiya Masieh and Ed Husain.  On July 4, Muslim woman Hidiya Masieh told the Guardian newspaper that “The 7/7 bombers and the people I knew at HT were two sides of the same coin… HT says it does not believe in violence, but the violence was never condemned….”  Ed Husain has written that “Hizb ut-Tahrir calls for an expansionist, violent, totalitarian Islamist state,” and that the “rhetoric of jihad introduced by Hizb ut-Tahrir in my days was the preamble to 7/7 and several other attempted attacks.”

Muslims Ed Husain and Hadiya Masieh: Former Hizb ut-Tahrir Members Who Reject HT's Extremist Views (Ed Husain - Left - Photo: the Independent, Hadiya Masieh - Right - Photo: the Guardian)
Muslims Ed Husain and Hadiya Masieh: Former Hizb ut-Tahrir Members Who Reject HT's Extremist Views (Ed Husain - Left - Photo: the Independent, Hadiya Masieh - Right - Photo: the Guardian)

The UK branch of Hizb ut-Tahrir was built up by Omar Bakri Muhammad, who then formed the Al-Muhajiroun that held demonstrations in support of the 9/11 attackers as the “Magnificent 19.” The New Stateman has reported that intelligence sources state that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed spent time with Hizb ut-Tahrir, and that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was “former member of the Jordanian branch of Hizb.”  BBC Newsnight has previously reported that Hizb ut-Tahrir’s “website promotes racism and anti-Semitic hatred, calls suicide bombers martyrs, and urges Muslims to kill Jewish people.” The Daily Telegraph has reported that “Omar Shariff, the first UK suicide bomber, who blew himself up in a Tel Aviv bar in 2003, is alleged to have been radicalised by Hizb ut Tahrir.” In 2007, the Daily Telegraph also reported that “Ata Abu-Rishta, the global leader of Hizb ut Tahrir… called for the ‘destruction’ of Hindus living in Kashmir, Russians in Chechnya and Jews in Israel.”

R.E.A.L. has also previously reported on the British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD) which seeks to promote democracy and human rights as an alternative to political groups such as Hizb ut-Tahrir that reject such freedoms.

Tehmina Kazi, BMSD Director
Muslim Tehmina Kazi, BMSD Director, Promotes Secular Democracy and Human Rights

On June 28, 2010, the volunteer human rights group R.E.A.L. first reported that the Oak Brook Marriott had decided not to host the Hizb ut-Tahrir America event this year, and on July 1, 2010 Hizb ut-Tahrir America confirmed this.  R.E.A.L. had reached out to the Oak Brook Marriott and others in the Chicago area to inform them of the activities and positions of Hizb ut-Tahrir.  At the beginning of July, Hizb ut-Tahrir was still planning to relocate to another facility on July 18 or July 25.  However, on July 10, Hizb ut-Tahrir America announced the cancellation of its national conference.  In June 2009, Hizb ut-Tahrir America attempted to hold their event at a Chicago-area Islamic school, before the school understood the nature of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s event and the Islamic school refused to host the event.

R.E.A.L. did not seek the Hizb ut-Tahrir America conference to be canceled, but believes that it is our responsibility to speak out and to challenge groups that seek to attack our universal human rights and seek to attack freedom of religion. R.E.A.L believes it is our responsibility to challenge groups that call for the “death penalty” for those who seek religious freedom or call for stoning or violence against other identity groups.  R.E.A.L. supports all individuals’ freedom of assembly, and we have offered Hizb ut-Tahrir the opportunity to join our July 11 public event at the Lincoln Memorial, and have extended an offer to Hizb ut-Tahrir America to publicly debate R.E.A.L. on democracy and religious freedom.  Hizb ut-Tahrir America did not appear at our July 11 event, and has not replied to our offer of a public debate.

A year ago on July 19, 2009, R.E.A.L. led a pro-democracy, pro freedom demonstration outside the Hizb ut-Tahrir July 2009 convention at the Oak Lawn Hilton in suburban Chicago.

R.E.A.L. reported last July 2009, how Hizb ut-Tahrir America distributed brochures calling for the “death penalty” for those who sought religious freedom. At Hizb ut-Tahrir America’s July 19, 2009 event in Chicago, they distributed a pamphlet (page 62) that supports killing those individuals who leave Islam as guilty of “treason and a political attack on the Khilafah.” The Hizb ut-Tahrir America website promoting this year’s conference in Chicago promotes links to the main Hizb ut-Tahrir website, Khilafah.com, where this pamphlet is still distributed online by Hizb ut-Tahrir, even after the cancellation of its latest U.S. conference.

R.E.A.L. has reported on Hizb ut-Tahrir’s other attacks on religious freedom, pluralism, democracy, and women’s rights.  R.E.A.L. has also reported on the effort by Hizb ut-Tahrir to protest and demand the closure of the Gereja Kristen Indonesia (GKI) Taman Yasmin Church church in Indonesia, with hundreds of Hizb ut-Tahrir protesters seeking to deny freedom of worship to Christians there.

According to the Bangladesh press, Hizb ut-Tahrir’s intolerance has included death threats against university officials.  BD News 24 reported “Hizb ut-Tahrir threatens Dhaka University’s vice chancellor with death,” stating in November 2009 that “The Dhaka University’s vice chancellor received death threats on Sunday from banned Islamist outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir.”

In its manifesto, Hizb ut-Tahrir rejects democracy as because it “is the rule of people, for the people, by the people” (page 24 – alternate link). Hizb ut-Tahrir has called for Muslims to boycott voting.

On July 4, 2010, in Australia, Hizb ut-Tahrir members have called for Australian Muslims to reject democracy as “forbidden” and as “uni-Islamic,” and have called upon Muslim women to reject women’s equality movements.  British Hizb ut-Tahrir leader Buhan Hanif, who spoke at the July 2009 Hizb ut-Tahrir event in Chicago at the Oak Lawn Hilton, told Australian Muslims that he rejected Muslim political involvement that is based on “secular and erroneous concepts such as democracy and freedom” (see HT video).

UK Hizb ut-Tahrir Leader Burhan Hanif Urges Australian Muslims to Reject Democracy (Photo: YouTube)
UK Hizb ut-Tahrir Leader Burhan Hanif Urges Australian Muslims to Reject Democracy -- Spoke at 2009 Chicago Hizb ut-Tahrir America Conference (Photo: YouTube)

On International Women’s Day 2010, Hizb ut-Tahrir used the day to once again to women’s gender equality movements and to instead demand that women seek to become part of an Islamic caliphate instead, arguing that “Women faced the protection of their honour under the khilafah.”   At the July 4, 2010 Australia conference, Australian Hizb ut-Tahrir speaker Reem Allouche stated that women’s rights and equality should not be based on “secular liberalism.”  Consistently, at Hizb ut-Tahrir America events in the Chicago area in July 2009 and December 2009, women are given their “place,” in the back of the room.

Anti-Democracy Hizb ut-Tahrir America December 20, 2009 Meeting at Govt-Managed Facility in Lombard, Illinois -- Women Segregated and Only Permitted to Sit in the Back of the Room
Anti-Democracy Hizb ut-Tahrir America December 20, 2009 Meeting at Govt-Managed Facility in Lombard, Illinois -- Women Segregated and Only Permitted to Sit in the Back of the Room

On World AIDS Awareness Day, The Jakarta Globe reported that “Ahead of World AIDS Day on Tuesday, members of the group Hizbut Tahrir took to the streets in several major cities, including Jakarta, Solo, Yogyakarta and Makassar in South Sulawesi. ‘We urge everybody to support the application of Shariah in an Islamic caliphate so that, God willing, all of us will be free from the threat of HIV/AIDS,’ Hizbut Tahrir spokeswoman Febrianti Abassuni said in a statement.”  Calling “homosexuals the agents of immorality,” Hizb ut-Tahrir called for an end to programs providing condoms in Indonesia.

World AIDS Day: Hizb ut-Tahrir Demonstrates Against Homosexuals, Calls for Global Extremist Caliphate (AFP/File/Bay Ismoyo)
World AIDS Day: Hizb ut-Tahrir Demonstrates Against Homosexuals, Calls for Global Islamic Caliphate (AFP/File/Bay Ismoyo)

On the Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia web site, Hizb ut-Tahrir contributors condemned World AIDS awareness day on “every December 1st as the International AIDS Day was not to eliminate AIDS, but to preserve and nourish AIDS promiscuity.”  The Hizb ut-Tahrir web site also stated that “So in addition to the state must pay the state AIDS drug research mencarian shall take firm action against any perpetrator punished adultery with stoning to death for those who are married and whip a hundred times for the adulterer who had never married. Also ta’zir law for drug users. In the guarantee people will think a thousand times to do similar things so that transmission of HIV / AIDS can be prevented.”

Hizb ut-Tahrir Web Site on World AIDS Day - Calls for Stoning and Whipping
Hizb ut-Tahrir Web Site on World AIDS Day - Calls for Stoning and Whipping (Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia Web Site)

On June 22, 2010, Hizb ut-Tahrir held another major demonstration calling for stoning, during its protests against “liberalism” on the Internet.  AFP reported that: “About 1,000 protesters led by radical group Hizbut Tahrir shouted ‘Allahu akbar’ (God is greater) and brandished black flags and banners with slogans such as ‘Arrest those who commit promiscuous sex’….”Hizbut Tahrir spokesman Mohammed Ismail Yusanto said the Internet was a threat to Islamic values in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country. He said Islamic or sharia law should be applied across the archipelago of some 240 million people, including the stoning to death of adulterers.  ”

“Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia coordinator Fadilah Karimah, 32, said she would like to see adulterers buried up to their necks in public places and pelted with stones until dead. ‘Those people who have sex before marriage should be caned with a stick 100 times in public. Adulterers should be half-buried and stoned to death,’ she told AFP at the rally.”

Anti-Democracy Group Hizb ut-Tahrir Protest in Indonesia
Anti-Democracy Group Hizb ut-Tahrir Protest in Indonesia (Photo: AFP)

At the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC on July 11, 2010, human rights protesters opposed to stoning also condemned these repeated calls by Hizb ut-Tahrir in support of the barbaric practice of stoning.  Some of the human rights protesters had been working together in calling for an end to the stoning of Iranian woman Sakineh Mohammedi Ashtiani, who was condemned to stoning by the Islamic Republic of Iran, before international human rights pressure has impact Iran to consider changing its verdict.   R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm told of one of a case of stoning of a 13 year old girl in Somalia who had been raped, that was also convicted for “adultery.”  The human rights activists view the barbaric practice of stoning to be inhumane and a violation of human rights anywhere in the world, and unequivocally reject stoning and those groups that promote stoning.

Human rights volunteers condemned the demonstrations by Hizb ut-Tahrir supporting calls for barbaric stoning of individuals.

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool: R.E.A.L. and Human Rights Supporters Challenge Hizb ut-Tahrir and Stoning
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool: R.E.A.L. and Human Rights Supporters Challenge Hizb ut-Tahrir and Stoning

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For additional reports and human rights activism challenging Hizb ut-Tahrir, see http://bit.ly/htwatch

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports the unqualified, universal human rights for all people everywhere, including the rights and dignity for women and people of every identity group.  R.E.A.L. support for our universal human rights includes our commitment to freedom of religion, freedom of worship, freedom of conscience, and freedom of expression.  We support democracy and democratic values not as “Western values,” but as values that are the right for every human being of every identity group and every religion around the world.

We believe that such support for our universal human rights begins with love for our fellow human beings.

We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

What We Believe - Responsible for Equality And Liberty's Jeffrey Imm Demonstrating Outside Hizb ut-Tahrir America's July 19, 2009 Chicago Event
What We Believe - Responsible for Equality And Liberty's Jeffrey Imm Demonstrating Outside Hizb ut-Tahrir America's July 19, 2009 Chicago Event

Washington DC: July 11 Lincoln Memorial Public Awareness Event – 2 PM – in Support of Freedom and to End Stoning

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) invites the public to join us at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Sunday, July 11 at 2 PM to promote our shared support for democracy, freedom, human rights.  We also will call for an end to stoning, and we stand in solidarity with Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.

Join us on July 11, 2010 at 2 PM in Washington DC at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Steps – in a joint demonstration – not of what we are against, but what we support as all Americans: our democracy, our freedom, our universal human rights.   We choose that spot where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood – with his courage of compassion years ago – on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Steps, and called out to the American conscience “I have a dream.” We know that realizing such a dream entails the responsibility of standing together – not just for what we oppose – but also for what we believe.

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Steps Location for Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) Rally
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Steps Location for Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) Rally

It is easy to take our freedoms for granted, but the truth remains that there are those in America and around the world who seek to deny such inalienable universal human rights, who seek deny democracy, who seek to deny freedom of religion, and who seek to deny basic human rights and dignity for our fellow human beings with different ethnic backgrounds, genders, and races.

In Chicago, the Hizb ut-Tahrir America group opposes democracy and opposes freedom of religion.  It has also planned to hold an event on July 11, 2010.  We urge all Americans, especially Muslim Americans, to join us in our nation’s capital on July 11, 2010 (the planned date of the Hizb ut-Tahrir conference) to send a message to those who seek to attack democracy and freedom, that we will stand united for such freedoms together – as one nation, one people, – responsible for equality and liberty – for all.

We will also take the opportunity to oppose the barbaric punishment of stoning, and to stand in solidarity with those victims of stoning and those that have been condemned to stoning around the world, including Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.

We also object to those groups that promote the barbaric punishment of stoning which Hizb ut-Tahrir supports in its public demonstrations.   The barbaric practice of stoning is one that all human beings must reject in showing our love and dignity to our fellow human beings.

We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate — Love Wins.

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July 11 Lincoln Memorial Event Logistics:
Our event will be held from 2 to 3 or 3:30 PM ET on Sunday July 11, at the reflecting pool steps in front of the Lincoln Memorial (not the Lincoln Memorial steps).  We are recommending that attendees take public transportation via the Washington subway to either the Foggy Bottom metro stop and walk south to the Lincoln Memorial, or the Smithsonian metro stop and walk west along the National Mall and 17th street to Lincoln Memorial (see details below).   We have a National Park Service permit for our event.

Important note – the reflecting pool steps where our event will be located is on the east side of the 23rd street that goes between the Lincoln Memorial itself and the reflecting pool in front of it.

The Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC is on the far end of the National Mall and bisects 23rd Street (see PDF of map).  It can be reached from Constitution Avenue from Henry Bacon Drive and from Independence Avenue from Henry French Drive.  Limited parking may be available on Independence Avenue or Madison Avenue near the National Mall, or at the Jefferson Memorial.  However, parking in Washington DC is scarce, and using public transportation is strongly recommended.

DC Subway and Walking Directions

Walking from Foggy Bottom subway stop to Lincoln Memorial
– Map in walking from Foggy Bottom to Lincoln Memorial
* Exit station using main exit
* Walk approx. 7 blocks S on 23rd St NW. (stay on 23rd Street essentially until you get within visual range of Lincoln Memorial)
* Turn right on Lincoln Memorial Circle SW.
* Walk a short distance W on Lincoln Memorial Circle SW.

Walking from Smithsonian subway stop to Lincoln Memorial
* Exit station using 12TH & JEFFERSON (THE MALL) exit
* Walk approx. 2 blocks W on Jefferson Dr SW.
* Turn right on 14th St NW.
* Walk approx. 1 block N on 14th St NW.
– Map in walking from Smithsonian subway to Washington Monument (en route)
* Keep walking past Washington Monument west in the direction of the Lincoln Memorial
* Cross 17th Street going west
* Walk past National World War II Monument west in the direction of the Lincoln Memorial
* Continue to walk down Washington Mall in the direction of the Lincoln Memorial
* NOTE: that our rally will be on the side of the reflecting pool nearest the Lincoln Memorial

Click here for map excerpt for area around Lincoln Memorial – click here for large PDF file of downtown DC map

Lincoln Memorial Street Map
Lincoln Memorial Street Map

Lincoln Memorial Information Center
23rd Street, NW
202-426-6841

National Park Web Site Directions to the Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial is part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. The memorial stands in West Potomac Park, near the convergence of numerous roads from throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. In terms of placement, the memorial occupies a highly symbolic and important position as the western “bookend” of the National Mall, while the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial provides the eastern component at the foot of Capitol Hill, two miles to the east.

Car
Interstate 395 provides access to the Mall from the South. Interstate 495, New York Avenue, Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, George Washington Memorial Parkway, and the Cabin John Parkway provide access from the North. Interstate 66, U.S. Routes 50 and 29 provide access from the West. U.S. Routes 50, 1, and 4 provide access from the East.

Public Transportation
There are several Metro train and bus routes from the suburban areas surrounding the city. In addition to Washington, D.C. public transportation, adjacent state and commonwealth transportation authorities offer train service from area cites to the Nation’s Capital. Consult the Public Transportation link for additional details.

Parking
General visitor parking is available along Ohio Drive, SW between the Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson Memorials. Bus parking is available primarily along Ohio Drive, SW near the Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson Memorials and along Ohio Drive, SW in East Potomac Park. See the Maps section for a detailed understanding of these areas.

There is limited handicapped parking at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt and World War II Memorials and near the Washington Monument and the Thomas Jefferson, Lincoln, Korean War Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans Memorials; otherwise, parking is extremely scarce in Washington, D.C.

Contact:

For more information on how you can help, email us at info@realcourage.org

lincoln

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Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Steps – “I Have A Dream” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
(transcription from audio)

August 28, 1963

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - August 28, 1963 - "I Have A Dream" - Washington DC Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Steps
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – August 28, 1963 – “I Have A Dream” – Washington DC Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Steps

Martin Luther King “I have a dream” (video and audio)

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we have come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked “insufficient funds.” But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.


Martin Luther King, Jr., delivering his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech from the steps of Lincoln Memorial. (photo: National Park Service)

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.

As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, “When will you be satisfied?” We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro’s basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating “For Whites Only”. We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

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.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with a new meaning, “My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.”

And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!

Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!

But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

July 11 – 12 Noon – Iranian Interests Protest on Stoning

Mission Free Iran has scheduled a follow-up protest against stoning on Sunday, July 11 at 12 noon at the Islamic Republic of Iran Interest area of the Pakistan Embassy at 2209 Wisconsin Ave N.W., which is in the vicinity of the Dupont Circle or Woodley Park/Adams Morgan subway stops (Red Line); however, note this may be a significant walk. Walking should take about 45 minutes.  See detailed walking directions below.

The Mission Free Iran group, along with Human Rights & Secular Democracy For Iran and Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.), held a protest on July 2 at this 2209 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest address to call for an end to the stoning sentence of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.
R.E.A.L. also has an event at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, July 11 at 2  PM.
Google Street Map Area of 2209 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington DC

Washington DC: Street Map Showing Area Around 2209 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington DC: Street Map Showing Area Around 2209 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.

Google Walking Directions from:
— Dupont Circle Metro Stop (1525 20th Street Northwest, Washington, DC) to 2209 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC

1.    Head north on 20th St NW toward Q St NW    33 ft
2.    Turn left at Q St NW        1.1 mi
3.    Turn right at Wisconsin Ave NW  0.7 mi
Destination will be on the right

Walking Directions Map from Dupont Circle
Walking Directions Map from Dupont Circle

Google Walking Directions from:
— Woodley Park/Adams Morgan Metro Stop (2700 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC) to 2209 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC

1.    Head southeast on Connecticut Ave NW toward Woodley Rd NW 207 ft
2.    Turn right at Woodley Rd NW  0.3 mi
3.    Continue onto Garfield St NW 0.5 mi
4.    Turn left at 34th St NW     0.2 mi
5.    Turn right at Massachusetts Ave NW 246 ft
6.    Turn left at Observatory Cir NW     0.3 mi
7.    Continue onto Calvert St NW    0.1 mi
8.    Turn left at Wisconsin Ave NW  0.3 mi
Destination will be on the left

Walking Map from Woodley Park Metro
Walking Map from Woodley Park Metro
Washington DC - Street View of Intersection of Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. and W Place, N.W.
Washington DC – Street View of Intersection of Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. and W Place, N.W.

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International Protests Against Stoning July 10 and 11

LONDON, England: Saturday July 10, 2pm Trafalgar Square: Caravan through London against stoning in Iran. We will be meeting at 2pm on Trafalgar Square to do a stone-in act and then move towards other points in London staging more stone-in acts to raise awareness of Sakine’s sentence. Contact: iransolidarityuk@gmail.com or call 07507978745.

BEVERLY HILLS CALIFORNIA, United States: Sunday July 11, 12pm-3pm on the north side of Santa Monica Blvd and Beverly Drive on the side with the grass and park. Contact: maria.rohaly@gmail.com.

SYDNEY, Australia: Sunday July 11, 11am-1pm outside City Hall. Organized by Iran Solidarity Australia.

WASHINGTON DC, United States: Sunday July 11, 12pm-1:30pm outside Islamic Republic’s Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy (2209 Wisconsin Ave NW) to protest against stoning and execution and in remembrance of 18 Tir. Organized by WPI, REAL Courage and Mission Free Iran

Where Our Universal Human Rights Apply...
Where Our Universal Human Rights Apply...

DC: Protests Outside Iranian Interests Building: Stop the Stoning of Sakineh Ashtiani

On July 2, 2010, in Washington DC, outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy, Washington DC area demonstrators called for the Iranian government to stop the stoning of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year old woman, who has been convicted of adultery in the Islamic Republic of Iran and condemned to death by stoning.  R.E.A.L. urges the public to express their voice in an online petition demanding that Iran stops the stoning of Sakineh Ashtiani and ends stoning in Iran.

Iran: Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani to be Stoned for Adultery
Iran: Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani to be Stoned for Adultery

The DC protest demonstration, promoted by Mission Free Iran, was led by Washington DC human rights activist Maria Rohaly.  Demonstrators included Iranians who have moved to America, supporters of the group Human Rights & Secular Democracy For Iran, and supporters of the volunteer human rights group Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.).

Iran Human Rights Activist Maria Rohaly Calls for Freedom for Sakineh Ashtiani and An End to Stoning
Iran Human Rights Activist Maria Rohaly Calls for Freedom for Sakineh Ashtiani and An End to Stoning
July 2, 2010: Washington DC - Activists Protest outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy
July 2, 2010: Washington DC - Activists Protest outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy

Outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy, human rights activist Maria Rohaly read a protest statement calling for ending of stoning in Iran: “We are gathered here today in response to the plight of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and her children.”  Maria Rohaly stated that her children “have called upon the world for help to save their mother’s life.  We in Washington DC tell them that we feel their pain and we know their grief.  We want them to know that they are not alone in their sorrow and their anguish.  Dear children, your letter has raised a wave of sympathy and compassion, demonstrating that humanity is alive.  Today, we loudly declare:  1. First the stoning verdict against Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani should be discarded.  Execution is murder by the state. 2. Stoning is the most savage and most merciless form of execution and should be abolished, must be abolished in Iran and worldwide.   3. Third, sexual relationships between adults are private matters and no individuals, no institutions, and especially, no government, has the right to interfere in these matters.   4. Fourth, we strongly condemn the Islamic Republic [of Iran] for its barbaric implementation of stoning, execution, and torture… we call upon all international institutions as well as the United Nations and the European Union to strongly condemn the Islamic Republic and demand that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s stoning verdict be overturned, as well as verdicts of all others that [Iran] plans stoning and executions. 5. We use this opportunity to demand immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Zeinab Jalalian. 6. The Islamic Republic of Iran’s leaders must be prosecuted and punished in an international court on charges of stoning and executions of tens of thousands of people.  No to execution, no to stoning, and no to murderous laws.”

YouTube Video of Maria Rohaly’s Statement in Washington DC

Demonstrators protested alongside Wisconsin Avenue and alerted motorists and pedestrians to the stoning threat to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtianii.  Some of the protesters also marched from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy at 2209 Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest to Dupont Circle to distribute fliers to the public on this issue and urge them to contact their governments on the barbaric acts of stoning that have taken place, and are planned to take place in Iran.

July 2, 2010: Washington DC - Activists Protest outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy
July 2, 2010: Washington DC - Activists Protest outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy
July 2, 2010: Washington DC - Activists Protest outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy
July 2, 2010: Washington DC - Activists Protest outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy
July 2, 2010: Washington DC - Activists Protest outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy
July 2, 2010: Washington DC - Activists Protest outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy
July 2, 2010: Washington DC - Activists Protest outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy
July 2, 2010: Washington DC - Activists Protest outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy

Additional photographs of the Washington DC July 2 Protest are online at these Picasa web site.

An international campaign led by Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s children has sought to alert the world to this and call upon the Iranian government to quash her conviction, which was obtained after she was lashed 99 times.  Demonstrators also condemned the barbaric practice of stoning and the inequality of women in Iran.  According to the Guardian, “Under Iranian sharia law, the sentenced individual is buried up to the neck (or to the waist in the case of men), and those attending the public execution are called upon to throw stones.” CNN, Radio Free Europe/Radio Free Liberty, the Daily Mail, and other media have reported on this story.  Mission Free Iran, the Human Rights & Secular Democracy For Iran group, International Committee Against Stoning, and R.E.A.L. have sought to publicize the campaign to stop the stoning of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.

Mission Free Iran promoted the event with a blog article “STOP the STONING of Sakine Mohammadi,” and has also been promoting additional global protests in London (July 2), Toronto (July 4), and Cologne, Germany (July 4).  The Human Rights & Secular Democracy For Iran group has held a number of Washington DC human rights events for Iran, including a March 7 event recognizing the need for women’s equality in Iran on International Women’s Day, and a February 11 event in solidarity with women and students in support of Iranian democracy.  R.E.A.L. has tried to publicize the continuing plight of stoning in Iran and other parts of the world, and has held multiple awareness events on stoning corresponding to the film released last summer, “The Stoning of Soraya M.,” including a public awareness campaign in Washington DC’s Georgetown. R.E.A.L. supporters have also tried to have home gatherings to watch the DVD release of that film in March 2010.

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Mission Free Iran Published Statement for Washington DC Event

Friday July 2 at 6pm in front of the Islamic Republic’s Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy (2209 Wisconsin Ave NW, Wash DC).

The children of Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani have reached out to the world with a heart-rending appeal: Protest against our mother’s stoning!

Mission Free Iran is organizing Washington DC’s participation in the global protest to respond to the appeal of Sakine’s children and demand a stop to the barbaric execution of Sakine by stoning.

We will meet in front of the Islamic Republic’s Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy at 6pm on Friday, July 2, 2010 to tell the Islamic Republic that we will not stay silent while one more woman is stoned to death in Iran.  We will later walk to DuPont Circle and raise awareness of Sakine’s situation in the community.

Please feel free to bring your own signs with messages protesting the barbaric and criminal stoning act that the Islamic Republic has planned for our sister, Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani.

* We will demand freedom for Sakine.
* We will demand an end to stoning, and to all executions in Iran.
* We will demand removal of the Islamic Republic from the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
* We will demand that the Islamic Republic be put on trial in international court for its crimes against humanity.

There will be an open mike so that anyone who wishes to speak may express themselves.

“He said his mother was an outspoken critic of the regime and especially Khomeini from day one. She was a teacher and had spoken against the regime and authorities at work. “One day when we were all having lunch, they stormed in and took my mother with them … it all happened so quickly. It didn’t even take two weeks when, one day, they announced in the town ‘come and witness a women being stoned.’ That woman was my mother.”

He said that with fear and in a state of shock, he went and from a distance witnessed his mother being stoned to death… he believes though that his mother was still alive when buried. This man has sent me his indictment against the savage thuggery of this anti-human, fascist regime, to be introduced to an international court.”
– Rescue Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani, Prosecute Leaders of the Islamic Republic! by Mina Ahadi

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Additional Activism to Challenge Groups Promoting Stoning

The international Hizb ut-Tahrir group held a demonstration on June 22 in Indonesia supporting calls for  stoning, and we reject such views.  On World AIDS day, Hizb ut-Tahrir also called for stonings as the answer to AIDS.   The American branch of Hizb ut-Tahrir is planning to meet in a Chicago suburb on July 18 or 25 at an undetermined location, after the Chicago Oak Brook Marriott canceled hosting their Hizb ut-Tahrir America conference on July 11.  R.E.A.L. has challenged Hizb ut-Tahrir’s views on stoning, and Hizb ut-Tahrir America’s objections to democracy and religious freedom.  R.E.A.L. has invited DC area Muslims in support of democracy and religious freedom to join them at the R.E.A.L. July 11 Lincoln Memorial event at 2 PM to demonstrate their support for our human rights, and challenge Hizb ut-Tahrir’s views.

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stand with our fellow human beings in defense of our Universal Human Rights.

We urge all – Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.


Iran: Stop the Stoning of Sakine Ashtiani

Human rights activists around the world are condemning the Islamic Republic of Iran court’s decision to stone Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani for adultery.  We condemn this barbaric and inhuman practice and demand that the U.S. government and international justice and human rights groups speak out on this.  We demand that the Islamic Republic of Iran ENDS this inhuman practice of stoning.

Protests are being held in Washington DC and London on July 2 and in Toronto and Cologne Germany on July 4.  The international point of contact is maria.rohaly@gmail.com

The Washington DC protests on July 2 beginning at 6 PM will be held at the Islamic Republic of Iran Interest area of the Pakistan Embassy at 2209 Wisconsin Ave N.W., Washington DC.  The protest organizers state that the event will include “Walk to DuPont Circle to read demands and share information with the community about Sakine Mohammadi, Zeinab Jalalian, and removing the Islamic Republic from the UN Commission on the Status of Women.”

Iran: Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani to be Stoned for Adultery
Iran: Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani to be Stoned for Adultery

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Protest Statement for Washington DC Event

Friday July 2 at 6pm in front of the Islamic Republic’s Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy (2209 Wisconsin Ave NW, Wash DC).

The children of Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani have reached out to the world with a heart-rending appeal: Protest against our mother’s stoning!

Mission Free Iran is organizing Washington DC’s participation in the global protest to respond to the appeal of Sakine’s children and demand a stop to the barbaric execution of Sakine by stoning.

We will meet in front of the Islamic Republic’s Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy at 6pm on Friday, July 2, 2010 to tell the Islamic Republic that we will not stay silent while one more woman is stoned to death in Iran.  We will later walk to DuPont Circle and raise awareness of Sakine’s situation in the community.

Please feel free to bring your own signs with messages protesting the barbaric and criminal stoning act that the Islamic Republic has planned for our sister, Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani.

* We will demand freedom for Sakine.
* We will demand an end to stoning, and to all executions in Iran.
* We will demand removal of the Islamic Republic from the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
* We will demand that the Islamic Republic be put on trial in international court for its crimes against humanity.

There will be an open mike so that anyone who wishes to speak may express themselves.

“He said his mother was an outspoken critic of the regime and especially Khomeini from day one. She was a teacher and had spoken against the regime and authorities at work. “One day when we were all having lunch, they stormed in and took my mother with them … it all happened so quickly. It didn’t even take two weeks when, one day, they announced in the town ‘come and witness a women being stoned.’ That woman was my mother.”

He said that with fear and in a state of shock, he went and from a distance witnessed his mother being stoned to death… he believes though that his mother was still alive when buried. This man has sent me his indictment against the savage thuggery of this anti-human, fascist regime, to be introduced to an international court.”
– Rescue Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani, Prosecute Leaders of the Islamic Republic! by Mina Ahadi

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— International Committee Against Stoning Protest Letter

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News Media Reports:

CNN: Iran: Death by stoning imminent for Iranian woman, attorney says
— CNN: “Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani, a mother of two, is waiting to die in Iran by a method of execution described by her lawyer as ‘barbaric’ — stoning.”
— “She will be buried up to her chest, deeper than a man would be, and the stones that will be hurled at her will be large enough to cause pain but not so large as to kill her immediately, according to an Amnesty International report that cited the Iranian penal code.”
— “The 42-year-old woman from the northern city of Tabriz was convicted of adultery in 2006, and her execution is imminent, said prominent human rights lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei.”
— “Ashtiani was forced to confess after being subjected to 99 lashes, Mostafaei said Thursday in a telephone interview from Tehran.”

— Daily Mail: ‘Help us save our mother’: Pleas from the children of ‘adulterous’ Iranian woman who faces death by stoning

— Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty: Fear For Iranian Woman Facing Death By Stoning
— RFE/RL: “According to Article 83 of the Laws of Islamic Punishment in Iran, ratified in 1991, the penalty for adultery is death by stoning.”

— Ynet – Iran: Children appeal for help in saving mother from execution
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Other Global Protests

LONDON, England: Friday July 2, 18:00-21:00 outside the Islamic Republic Embassy, 16 Prince’s Gate, London SW7 1PT, تلفن اطلاعات: 07515732665

KÖLN (Cologne), Germany: Sunday July 4, Mourning Mothers will gather at the Church Door in the City Center at 11am to protest the threatened executions of Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani and Zeinab Jalalian.

TORONTO, Canada: Sunday July 4, Community Fair at the Toronto Pride Week festivities; activities will consist of handing out fliers and talking to the community about stopping the stoning of Sakine. (more details forthcoming)

Iran: Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani to be Stoned for Adultery
Iran: Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani to be Stoned for Adultery

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Washington DC Protests Logistics Information

The Washington DC protests on July 2 beginning at 6 PM will be held at the Islamic Republic of Iran Interest area of the Pakistan Embassy at 2209 Wisconsin Ave N.W., which is in the vicinity of the Dupont Circle or Woodley Park/Adams Morgan subway stops (Red Line); however, note this may be a significant walk. Walking should take about 45 minutes.  See detailed walking directions below.

The protest organizers state that the event will include “Walk to DuPont Circle to read demands and share information with the community about Sakine Mohammadi, Zeinab Jalalian, and removing the Islamic Republic from the UN Commission on the Status of Women.”

Google Street Map Area of 2209 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington DC

Washington DC: Street Map Showing Area Around 2209 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington DC: Street Map Showing Area Around 2209 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.

Google Walking Directions from:
— Dupont Circle Metro Stop (1525 20th Street Northwest, Washington, DC) to 2209 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC

1.    Head north on 20th St NW toward Q St NW    33 ft
2.    Turn left at Q St NW        1.1 mi
3.    Turn right at Wisconsin Ave NW  0.7 mi
Destination will be on the right

Walking Directions Map from Dupont Circle
Walking Directions Map from Dupont Circle

Google Walking Directions from:
— Woodley Park/Adams Morgan Metro Stop (2700 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC) to 2209 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC

1.    Head southeast on Connecticut Ave NW toward Woodley Rd NW 207 ft
2.    Turn right at Woodley Rd NW  0.3 mi
3.    Continue onto Garfield St NW 0.5 mi
4.    Turn left at 34th St NW     0.2 mi
5.    Turn right at Massachusetts Ave NW 246 ft
6.    Turn left at Observatory Cir NW     0.3 mi
7.    Continue onto Calvert St NW    0.1 mi
8.    Turn left at Wisconsin Ave NW  0.3 mi
Destination will be on the left

Walking Map from Woodley Park Metro
Walking Map from Woodley Park Metro
Washington DC - Street View of Intersection of Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. and W Place, N.W.
Washington DC - Street View of Intersection of Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. and W Place, N.W.

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White House: Groups Call for Saudi Arabia King Abdullah to Support Women’s Rights, Religious Freedom

On June 29, 2010 in Washington D.C., human rights groups and volunteers picketed the White House sidewalk and Pennsylvania Avenue while Saudi Arabian King Abdullah met with U.S. President Obama.

June 29, 2010: Saudi Arabia King Abdullah and U.S. President Obama Meet
June 29, 2010: Saudi Arabia King Abdullah and U.S. President Obama Meet

While King Abdullah and President Obama were meeting, Muslims and non-Muslims, men and women, united to demonstrate in front of the White House to call for President Obama to urge Saudi King Abdullah to support women’s rights and religious freedom in Saudi Arabia, and urged King Abdullah to follow through with previous calls for reforms.

June 29, 2010 - White House Demonstrators from CDHR, IIC, The Gulf Institute, and R.E.A.L
June 29, 2010 - White House Demonstrators from Various Groups: CDHR, The Gulf Institute, IIC, and R.E.A.L.

Groups of demonstrators included representatives of and volunteers supporting The Institute for Gulf Affairs, Islamic Information Center (IIC), Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (CDHR), Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), and Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.).  CDHR, Gulf Institute, and R.E.A.L. had all separately planned demonstrations for that day at the White House. Some groups decided to consolidate their efforts at the White House.

June 29, 2010: Demonstrators Protesting for Women's Rights, Religious Freedom in Saudi Arabia Outside White House
June 29, 2010: Demonstrators Protesting for Women's Rights, Religious Freedom in Saudi Arabia Outside White House

Demonstrators in support of freedom for religious minorities and women in Saudi Arabia represented a broad cross-section of individuals:  women, men, Muslims, non-Muslims, Arabs, non-Arabs, white and black Americans.  They stood before the White House to urge President Obama to focus on what must be America’s real “common cause” with Saudi Arabia – our shared human rights and human dignity.

June 29, 2010 - Diverse Individuals Unite for Human Rights and Freedom in Saudi Arabia
June 29, 2010 - Diverse Individuals Unite for Human Rights and Freedom in Saudi Arabia

Demonstrators from the combined supporters of The Institute for Gulf Affairs, IIC,  and R.E.A.L. also chanted slogans at the Saudi mission leaders and the White House during the meeting between President Obama and King Abdullah.

One woman demonstrator led a chant for women’s rights, shouting to the Saudi leaders that “women are not property,” and calling for Saudi Arabia to “end gender apartheid in Saudi Arabia.”

Other demonstration chants at the White House including “end religious oppression in Saudi Arabia,” “free Hadi and Nathalie,” and “religious freedom in Saudi Arabia.”

Saudi Mission Outside the White House Gates
Saudi Mission Outside the White House Gates

Protesters picketed the White House sidewalk with signs and distributed fliers on human rights issues, as Saudi mission leaders were entering the White House gates.  One individual entering the White House stopped to take photographs of the demonstrators.   The IIC’s Mahdi Husain and R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm picketed past Saudi mission individuals as they took photographs of the demonstrators.

Muslim Mahdi Husain (Right) of the IIC and Christian Jeffrey Imm (Left) of R.E.A.L. Picket Together for Religious and Women's Freedom in Saudi Arabia
Muslim Mahdi Husain (Right) of the IIC and Christian Jeffrey Imm (Left) of R.E.A.L. Picket Together for Religious Freedom and Women's Rights in Saudi Arabia -- Standing Publicly and United for Human Rights

The demonstrators also called upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to act on victims of religious oppression in that nation. The Institute for Gulf Affair’s Director Ali Al-Ahmed denounced such religious oppression, remarking on Hadi Al-Mutif, the longest serving religious prisoner in Saudi Arabia.  Hadi Al-Mutif has been in prison for 17 years for a joking comment as a teenager that was viewed as blasphemous by a Saudi court, and was originally  accused of apostasy and sentenced to death, even though Hadi Al-Mutif is a Muslim.  Hadi Al-Mutif remains in prison and has alleged physical abuse, and much of his time in prison has been in solitary confinement.  The Gulf Institute has been promoting a petition calling for the freedom of Hadi Al-Mutif.

The Gulf Institute Director Ali Al-Ahmed Tells Media of the Religious Oppression and Imprisonment of Hadi Al-Mutif in Saudi Arabia
The Gulf Institute Director Ali Al-Ahmed Tells Media of the Religious Oppression and Imprisonment of Hadi Al-Mutif in Saudi Arabia

R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm also distributed an orange flier summarizing the concerns of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) regarding the need for religious freedom, freedom of worship, and religious tolerance in Saudi Arabia.  The USCIRF made specific recommendations to President Obama to address such concerns in his meeting with Saudi King Abdullah.

The demonstrators called for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support women’s rights in that nation, and called for changes to the guardianship program that exists in Saudi Arabia.

100_0140-LR

Demonstrators also called for the religious freedom of Canadian Nathalie Morin who, along with her children, has been held a prisoner by her common-law husband in Saudi Arabia.   The DC Chapter of the Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), held a protest demonstration outside of the Saudi Embassy on this subject on Saturday, June 26, 2010.  The June 26 protest was led by MPV’s Fatima Thompson.   The Canadian branch of MPV also held a protest in Toronto on June 26, outside the G20 Summit.

Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) DC chapter activist Fatima Thompson Protests for Women's Human Rights
Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) DC chapter activist Fatima Thompson Protests for Women's Human Rights - Photo from June 26 Protest Outside Saudi Embassy

At the Tuesday, June 29 protest at the White House, MPV’s Fatima Thompson passed out fliers to the White House visitors, engaging them to become aware of the plight of Nathalie Morin and Hadi Al-Mutif in Saudi Arabia.  She urged women to become educated on the women’s rights issues challenging Saudi women in terms of the guardianship program and the challenge to women’s rights in daily life and law in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Nathalie Morin, shown here with her eldest son, Samir (now nearly seven years old), says she has been trying to return to Canada for 2½ years. (Family photo)
Nathalie Morin, shown here with her eldest son, Samir (now nearly seven years old), says she has been trying to return to Canada for 2½ years. (Family photo)

While Fatima Thompson was distributing fliers, R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm also addressed the White House visitors with his portable microphone system from the Pennsylvania Avenue area, while holding up posters with photographs showing the abuse that Nathalie Morin and her children have undergone in Saudi Arabia.  R.E.A.L.’s Imm stated, “if a woman was beaten like this, if children were abused like this, in the United States, wouldn’t we call the police?  The attack on women’s rights in Saudi Arabia is very much a law enforcement issue – one of enforcing our universal human rights for women’s rights and dignity – consistently around the world.”

In Saudi Arabia: Abuses of Canadian Nathalie Morin and Her Children - Held Against Her Will
In Saudi Arabia: Abuses of Canadian Woman Nathalie Morin and Her Children - Nathalie Morin is Held Against Her Will

After protesting at the White House, the demonstrators then moved to outside the Blair House down the street from the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue for visiting dignitaries to continue to send their message in support of religious freedom and women’s rights to the visiting Saudi mission.  Demonstrators saw Saudi King Abdullah and his aides during the protest demonstration outside of Blair House.

June 29, 2010 - Human Rights Activist Demonstrating Outside Blair House
June 29, 2010 - Human Rights Activist Demonstrating Outside Blair House

While human rights activists demonstrated on June 29, 2010, Saudi King Abdullah and U.S. President Obama met and told the media of some areas of common interests.  The news media reported that the two were finding common grounds on the topic of Middle East peace, as well as frustration with the media.  King Abdullah, stated, regarding the media: “May God spare us from all of the bad things they can do to us. (Laughter) And may God — and may God bless us with all the positive things they can do for us and for humanity,” to which President Obama replied “Well, that is an excellent prayer.”

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands in support of our unqualified, universal human rights for both women and men, and for the religious freedom, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience for all.  R.E.A.L. stands in support of freedom of the press and freedom of expression.  But most importantly, R.E.A.L stands in support of our fellow human beings, and recognizes that all human rights campaigns are missions of mercy, and the most important element to successful human rights is compassion and dignity to all.

R.E.A.L. urges all to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

R.E.A.L. urges the press of the world not to be silent about human rights violations and oppression, whether it is found in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the United States, or anywhere else in the world.  R.E.A.L. urges the media and press to continue to be a voice of conscience in reporting the news of the world, no matter how inconvenient the truths of our conscience may be to world leaders.

Without such a compass of our conscience in human rights, all of our freedoms, including our freedom of expression, will remain endangered in too many parts of the world.

We must all be responsible for equality and liberty.

End-Gender-Apartheid

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CDHR-photo-6

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Additional Photos are at this web link.

As additional photos are obtained from other volunteers, we will update this blog posting and the web link of photographs.

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Demonstration Group Contacts:

The Institute for Gulf Affairs
Ali Al-Ahmed, Director
Website: http://www.gulfinstitute.org/

Islamic Information Center (IIC)
Mahdi Husain, Public Relations
Website: http://www.IslamicInformationCenter.org

Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (CDHR)
Ali H. Alyami, Executive Director
Website: http://www.cdhr.info

Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV)
Washington DC Activist: Fatima Thompson
Website: http://www.mpvusa.org/

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) volunteer group
Founder: Jeffrey Imm
Website: https://www.realcourage.org
Email: info@realcourage.org

R.E.A.L. Supports Our Universal Human Rights for All Human Beings

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Groups’ Upcoming Events

The human rights groups all have additional upcoming events this summer.   The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (CDHR) has a conference on Muslim scholars’ warnings on radicalism on July 20, 2010 in Washington DC on Capitol Hill, 4:00pm – 6:30pm, Rayburn House Office Building Room B-369.   The Islamic Information Center (IIC) has a conference in  Washington DC at the Capitol Hilton on July 23 through 25.  The Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) group has an annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia on August 6 through 8.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has a public outreach scheduled for Sunday July 11 at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool at 2 PM, where it encourages Muslims and non-Muslims to join together to demonstrate our shared support for democracy and freedom, in response to groups that seek to deny such freedoms, and urges those interested to contact R.E.A.L. at info@realcourage.org

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Orange Ribbon for Universal Human Rights - Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)
Orange Ribbon for Universal Human Rights - Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

Tuesday, June 29 – White House Event – Women’s Rights and Religious Freedom in Saudi Arabia

On Tuesday, June 29 at 12 Noon at the blocked off area of Pennsylvania Avenue, between the White House and Lafayette Park, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supporters will urge President Obama and Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to seek women’s equal rights and religious freedom in Saudi Arabia, during their meeting that day at the White House.

If you are interested in attending or for more information, contact: Jeffrey Imm, info@realcourage.org, 301-613-8789

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has submitted an assembly plan notification to the Washington DC Metropolitan Police for public awareness activity.  In May, we had a similar event regarding negotiations with the Taliban while Afghan President Karzai was at the White House.  If weather or security conditions warrant, we will move to Lafayette Park, which we have also discussed with the National Park Service (NPS).

Calling for Women’s Equal Rights

We challenge the lack of women’s equal rights in Saudi Arabia, including the laws that demand segregation of women in public life, the male guardianship program, and the inequality for women in education, employment, health, and equality before the law.  We reject the treatment of women, including public lashing, abuse of women at the hands of religious police, and a culture which has allowed women to become viewed as second class citizens – in the law and daily life.

We challenge the gender apartheid in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and call for its leaders to accept the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which calls for such freedoms “in the equal rights of men and women” in every part of the world.

We also call upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to recognize the unqualified, universal human rights for all women in Saudi Arabia, for a life not based on segregation, fear, intimidation, and oppression, but as equal partners in that nation and in the world.

Calling for Human Rights of Religious Freedom

Our consistent support for freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18, which states that: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.” We call upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the nations of the world to support such unqualified, universal human rights on our fellow human beings right to believe and worship as they see fit.  We support all of our fellow human beings RIGHT TO BELIEVE – without exception, without qualification – free from intolerance, intimidation, and fear.

The U.S. State Department continues to denote the lack of freedom of religion in Saudi Arabia, and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended that Saudi Arabia be listed as a Countries of Particular Concern (CPC). We share the concerns about religious freedom in Saudi Arabia described in both the U.S. State Department and the USCIRF reports, and we urge U.S. President Obama to follow the recommendations of the USCIRF in his June 29 meeting with Saudi King Abdulaziz. (See also Adobe Acrobat PDF of USCIRF letter to U.S. President Obama.)

In terms of religious freedom, we urge the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) leaders to support Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in the interests of world peace and harmony, as well as the long term security both for the KSA and the world.

Calling for Consistency in Our Universal Human Rights

We believe that support for such universal human rights is a demonstration of our love for our fellow human beings.

We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

whitehouse

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Postscript: I know that some believe that calling for the KSA to support women’s human rights, the UDHR, and UDHR Article 18 for religious freedom may seem impossible.  In 1979, I also stood before representatives of the Apartheid Government of South Africa calling for the end to the racial supremacism of Apartheid laws created in 1750.  This was just 6 years before the founding of the first Saudi nation-state by Prince Muhammed Ibn Saud and Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab.

The end of apartheid was announced in 1990, and by 1992, apartheid was ended in South Africa.  But in 1979, such calls then too were viewed as impossible .  But we have seen in the world that the march for human freedom is relentless and consistent, like the waves of the ocean, such universal human rights will ultimately not be denied.  It is our obligation to continue to participate in that march for freedom, as human beings Responsible for Equality AND Liberty.

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Logistics and Map:

white-house-map

If you are taking the Washington DC subway (Metro), you should exit at the Farragut West (Orange/Blue Lines), Farragut North (Red Line), or McPherson Square (Orange/Blue Lines) metro stops.

FARRAGUT WEST METRO STATION to WHITE HOUSE Walking Directions: 1. Exit station through 18TH & I (EYE) ST NW entrance. 2. Walk approx. 1 block S on 18th St NW. 3. Turn left on Pennsylvania Ave NW. 4. Walk approx. 3 blocks SE on Pennsylvania Ave NW.

FARRAGUT NORTH METRO STATION to WHITE HOUSE Walking Directions: 1. Exit station through CONNETICUT AVE & K ST NW entrance. 2. Walk a short distance S on Connecticut Ave NW. 3. Walk straight on 17th St NW. 4. Walk approx. 1 block S on 17th St NW. 5. Turn left on I St NW. 6. Walk a short distance E on I St NW. 7. Turn right on Connecticut Ave NW. 8. Walk approx. 1 block S on Connecticut Ave NW. 9. Bear right on Jackson Pl NW. 10. Walk approx. 1 block S on Jackson Pl NW. 11. Turn left on Pennsylvania Ave NW. 12. Walk approx. 1 block E on Pennsylvania Ave NW.

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Additional Background on KSA and Women’s Rights Issues:

Women’s rights in Saudi Arabia
Perpetual Minors: Human Rights Abuses Stemming from Male Guardianship and Sex Segregation in Saudi Arabia
— Adobe Acrobat PDF File

Saudi Cleric Fired for Rejecting Segregation of Sexes — Ahmed Qassim Al-Ghamdi

Saudi Cleric Calls for Gender Segregation or Death: Shaikh Abdul-Rahman al-Barrak

Saudi Woman Criticizes Muslim Clerics in TV Poetry Contest — Gets Death Threats

Saudi Arabia: “Domestic abuse goes unreported due to sensitivity”

Escaping Saudi Arabia’s gilded cage — on oppression of women in Saudi Arabia

“Saudi Arabia — The World’s Largest Women’s Prison”

Saudi Woman Challenges Male-Only Polygamy, Accused of Blasphemy

Saudi judge: It’s OK to slap spendthrift wives

Saudi religious police blamed in ‘honor’ killing of sisters

Saudi Arabia: Brother kills two sisters in Social Affairs shelter over “honor”

Saudi Arabia: 75 year old woman lashed, press concerned about men

Saudi Arabia: Philippine Woman Imprisoned for Being Rape Victim

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Additional Background on KSA and Religious Freedom Issues:

USCIRF Recommendations to President Obama for June 29 Meeting

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has called upon President Obama to urge “the Saudi government to implement effective strategies for preventing people from embracing violent extremism in the first place.  They will need to focus on reforms that ensure that intolerance has no place in their culture.  Despite the Saudi government pledging to the United States nearly four years ago that it would undertake such reforms, very little progress has been made.  In this regard, we appeal to you to raise three important issues: revising the Saudi government-controlled curriculum and textbooks; reining in the government-funded Commission to Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice (CPVPV), or religious police; and releasing Hadi Al-Mutif, the longest serving religious prisoner in Saudi Arabia.”

U.S. Department of State International Religious Freedom Report 2009 on Saudi Arabia – Excerpts

The U.S. Department of State International Religious Freedom Report 2009 on Saudi Arabia states that:
“Freedom of religion is neither recognized nor protected under the law and is severely restricted in practice.”
“Moreover, the public practice of non-Muslim religions is prohibited, and the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPVPV) continued to conduct raids on private non-Muslim religious gatherings. Although the Government also confirmed its stated policy to protect the right to possess and use personal religious materials, it did not provide for this right in law, and the CPVPV sometimes confiscated the personal religious materials of non-Muslims.”

“the Government continued to enforce its official interpretation of Sunni Islam. Some Muslims who do not adhere to this interpretation faced significant political, economic, legal, social, and religious discrimination, including limited employment and educational opportunities, underrepresentation in official institutions, and restrictions on the practice of their faith and on the building of places of worship and community centers. The largest group affected was the Shi’a. Non-Muslims, most of whom are citizens of other countries, also face significant restrictions on the practice of their faith. There were fewer charges of harassment and abuse at the hands of the CPVPV, but incidents of CPVPV excesses continued to cause many non-Muslims to worship in secret, for fear of the police and CPVPV. Textbooks continued to contain some overtly intolerant statements against Jews and Christians and subtly intolerant statements against Shi’a and other religious groups, notwithstanding Government efforts to review educational materials to remove or revise such statements.”

“On January 16, 2009, the Secretary of State re-designated the country as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).”

USCIRF 2010 Report on Saudi Arabia – Excerpts

“Despite King Abdullah undertaking some limited reform measures and promoting inter-religious dialogue in international fora in recent years, the Saudi government persists in banning all forms of public religious expression other than that of the government’s own interpretation of one school of Sunni Islam and also interferes with private religious practice. Ismaili Muslims continue to suffer severe discrimination and abuse on account of their religious identity and there is an ongoing crackdown on Shi’a Muslim dissidents, which has resulted in numerous arrests and detentions. Members of the Commission to Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice (CPVPV or religious police) continue to commit abuses, overstep their authority with impunity, and are not subject to judicial oversight. Moreover, the government continues to be involved in supporting activities globally that promote an extremist ideology, and in some cases, violence toward non-Muslims and disfavored Muslims.”

“USCIRF again recommends in 2010 that Saudi Arabia be designated as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC. Although so designated by the State Department since 2004, an indefinite waiver on taking any action in consequence of the CPC designation has been in place since 2006.”

“Little discernible progress has been made nearly four years after the State Department publicly announced that, as a result of bilateral discussions, the Saudi government had confirmed that it would advance specific policies with the aim of improving religious freedom conditions. The Saudi government continues to engage in an array of severe violations of human rights as part of its repression of freedom of religion or belief. Abuses include: torture and cruel and degrading treatment or punishment imposed by judicial, security, and administrative authorities; prolonged detention without charges and often incommunicado; and blatant denials of the right to liberty and security of the person, including through coercive measures aimed at women and the broad jurisdiction and abusive actions of the CPVPV. The full implementation by the Saudi government of the July 2006 policies would diminish some of its institutionalized abusive practices that have resulted in severe violations of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief in Saudi Arabia and worldwide.”

Muslims and Rights Activists Call for Women’s Rights, Freedom for Nathalie Morin, at Saudi Arabia Embassy

On June 26, 2010, at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington DC, Muslim women, Muslim men, and other supporters of human rights called for women’s rights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).  Specifically, the Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV). led by DC chapter activist Fatima Thompson, sought to protest the male guardianship program, and the conditions of gender apartheid for women in Saudi Arabia, while Saudi King Abdulaziz was attending the G20 summit in Canada.  The Washington Times also reported on the plans for the protest in their June 25 article, “Women’s rights supporters to protest outside Saudi mission.”

Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) DC chapter activist Fatima Thompson Leads Saudi Arabia Protest in Washington DC - June 26, 2010
Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) DC chapter activist Fatima Thompson Leads Saudi Arabia Protest in Washington DC - June 26, 2010

A Canadian woman, Nathalie Morin, has been held against her will in Saudi Arabia, by her common-law husband since 2005.   Nathalie Morin has been a victim of conjugal violence, confinement and abuse, and activist had photographs of the abuse of Nathalie Morin and her children.   The Canadian National Post reported on the plight of Nathalie Morin and the efforts of Canadian political leaders in seeking to help her in a report: “Help sought for Canadian family in Saudi Arabia.”  According to the National Post, Nathalie Morin’s common-law husband Samir Said Ramthi Al Bishi, “met with Canadian officials in Saudi Arabia on Sept. 22, at which time he demanded $300,000 in exchange for the release of Ms. Morin and the children.”

Nathalie Morin, shown here with her eldest son, Samir (now nearly seven years old), says she has been trying to return to Canada for 2½ years. (Family photo)
Nathalie Morin, shown here with her eldest son, Samir (now nearly seven years old), says she has been trying to return to Canada for 2½ years. (Family photo)

At the June 26, 2010 protest,  Muslim women and men, as well as other human rights activists,  condemned the mistreatment of Nathalie Morin demanding that she and her children, and other similarly detained were allowed to return to their home countries for safety. The MPV protest statement sought to “declare to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Government that Americans are demanding Nathalie Morin and her children, as well as any foreign nationals held captive, be returned to their countries immediately, that they respect the human rights of women and children and ensure the safety of Nathalie Morin and the safety of her children.”

June 26, 2010: Protest at Saudi Arabian Embassy Calls for Release of Nathalie Morin and Respect for Women's Rights
June 26, 2010: Protest at Saudi Arabian Embassy Calls for Release of Nathalie Morin and Respect for Women's Rights

The leader of the protest, Fatima Thompson spoke to television media on the subject, and a Saudi woman gave an interview on the story in Arabic.  When additional reports are available, this blog posting will be updated.

Protesters marched around the Saudi Arabian Embassy and chanted “Free Nathalie Morin,” “No Guardian for Mature Women,” “End Gender Apartheid,” and “Saudi Arabia Keep Your Promises.”

Protesters at June 26, 2010 Call for Women's Rights Outside Saudi Arabian Embassy
Protesters at June 26, 2010 Call for Women's Rights Outside Saudi Arabian Embassy
Protesters Marching Outside Saudi Arabian Embassy
Protesters Marching Outside Saudi Arabian Embassy

Protesters were showing their signs and chanting to individuals entering the Saudi embassy.  One Saudi Arabian embassy employee came out with a camera to take the photographs of the protesters.

Protesters Marching Outside Saudi Arabia Embassy
Protesters Marching Outside Saudi Arabia Embassy

Protesters also showed their signs to drivers going past the area, near the John F. Kennedy Center.  Some drivers saw the protesters and stopped to give a “thumbs up” in support of their efforts.

Message on Guardianship Program
Message on Guardianship Program

Several Muslim men came and joined the protest at the Saudi Arabian embassy, and marched together with Muslim women and rights activists in support of Nathalie Morin and women’s rights in Saudi Arabia.

Muslim Women and Men Protesting Together for Women's Rights - June 26, 2010 Protest Outside Saudi Arabian Embassy
Muslim Women and Men Protesting Together for Women's Rights - June 26, 2010 Protest Outside Saudi Arabian Embassy

One man joined the protest whose family came from an African nation as workers and had lived in Saudi Arabia for two generations without gaining citizenship.

Protester Outside Saudi Embassy
Protester Outside Saudi Embassy

Fatima Thompson was speaking to Muslim men on the plight of Saudi women as they passed by the protest group, seeking their support for women’s rights.

Protest Leader Fatima Thompson Speaks with Muslim Men on Women's Issues
Protest Leader Fatima Thompson Speaks with Muslim Men on Women's Issues

Some protesters also distributed a fliers with a report:
— “UN: Saudi Arabia Pledges End of Men’s Control Over Women”

Protesters sought to urge the Saudi Arabian government to be responsible for its pledges for women’s rights.

The protesters also included Jeffrey Imm from the volunteer human rights group Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.), whose group plans an event at the White House on women’s rights and religious freedom on Tuesday, June 29 at 12 Noon (see also Adobe Acrobat PDF flier).

Update: June 28 – 9 PM – The Gulf Institute has changed the time of their event on June 29 White House and moved it also to 12 Noon as well.  I am certain we will coordinate efforts.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)'s Jeffrey Imm at June 26, 2010 Saudi Arabia Embassy Protest for Women's Rights
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)'s Jeffrey Imm at June 26, 2010 Saudi Arabia Embassy Protest for Women's Rights


[Additional photographs at Online photo gallery of photographs of June 26 protest taken by Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)]

Saudi Arabian Embassy
Saudi Arabian Embassy
Outside Saudi Arabian Embassy
Outside Saudi Arabian Embassy

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Press Release from Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV)
PROTEST – Nathalie Morin and Gender Apartheid – Saturday June 26, 2010 at 1:30pm

PROTEST
Saturday June 26th, 2010, 1:30 pm in front of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia
601 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20037
To denounce the confinement of Nathalie Morin and her children, and foreign nationals, in Saudi Arabia

Canadian, Nathalie Morin who is 26 years old, along with her three small children, has been held against her will in Saudi Arabia by her common-law husband since 2005. A victim of conjugal violence, confinement and abuse, Nathalie must return to Canada with her children. But in Saudi Arabia a woman must have the authorization of her male guardian to leave the territory and her aggressor will not allow this.

Gender apartheid and the male guardianship system of Saudi Arabia is a violation of women’s human rights and international law. As long as the U.S. and Saudi governments consider Nathalie and her children’s case a private affair, they will not deploy all efforts to ensure their safety and bring them home to Canada. During this time, Nathalie’s condition continues to deteriorate as the abuse worsens.

On June 26th and 27th, representatives of the Saudi government will participate in the G-20 summit in Toronto to discuss the economy. In June 2009 Obama stated in his speech in Cairo: «But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose.
These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere.» We call on President Obama to defend human rights by demanding that any foreign nationals held captive in Saudi Arabia be allowed to exit the country.

This protest is to declare to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Government that Americans are demanding Nathalie Morin and her children, as well as any foreign nationals held captive, be returned to their countries immediately, that they respect the human rights of women and children and ensure the safety of Nathalie Morin and the safety of her children.

Location: 601 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20037

We will not abandon Nathalie and her children to an undeserved fate

Information: www.nathaliemorin.org E-mail: soutiennathaliemorin@gmail.com

Contact Information for MPV:

Ani Zonneveld – MPV-USA (national organization) ani@mpvusa.org 323-842-2869
Fatima Thompson – MPV-DC (local chapter) thompson.fatima@gmail.com 703-901-0720

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June 26: DC Saudi Arabia Embassy Protest for Women’s Rights

Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) and other supporters of human rights will be holding a protest on Saturday, June 26, in front of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington DC – starting at 1:30 PM

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Information obtained from Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV)
PROTEST – Nathalie Morin and Gender Apartheid – Saturday June 26, 2010 at 1:30pm

PROTEST
Saturday June 26th, 2010, 1:30 pm in front of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia
601 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20037
To denounce the confinement of Nathalie Morin and her children, and foreign nationals, in Saudi Arabia

Canadian, Nathalie Morin who is 26 years old, along with her three small children, has been held against her will in Saudi Arabia by her common-law husband since 2005. A victim of conjugal violence, confinement and abuse, Nathalie must return to Canada with her children. But in Saudi Arabia a woman must have the authorization of her male guardian to leave the territory and her aggressor will not allow this.

Gender apartheid and the male guardianship system of Saudi Arabia is a violation of women’s human rights and international law. As long as the U.S. and Saudi governments consider Nathalie and her children’s case a private affair, they will not deploy all efforts to ensure their safety and bring them home to Canada. During this time, Nathalie’s condition continues to deteriorate as the abuse worsens.

On June 26th and 27th, representatives of the Saudi government will participate in the G-20 summit in Toronto to discuss the economy. In June 2009 Obama stated in his speech in Cairo: «But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose.
These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere.» We call on President Obama to defend human rights by demanding that any foreign nationals held captive in Saudi Arabia be allowed to exit the country.

This protest is to declare to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Government that Americans are demanding Nathalie Morin and her children, as well as any foreign nationals held captive, be returned to their countries immediately, that they respect the human rights of women and children and ensure the safety of Nathalie Morin and the safety of her children.

Location: 601 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20037

We will not abandon Nathalie and her children to an undeserved fate

Information: www.nathaliemorin.org E-mail: soutiennathaliemorin@gmail.com

Contact Information for MPV:

Ani Zonneveld – MPV-USA (national organization) ani@mpvusa.org 323-842-2869
Fatima Thompson – MPV-DC (local chapter) thompson.fatima@gmail.com 703-901-0720

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The Saudi Arabian embassy in Washington DC is at:

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
601 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Main Number: (202) 342-3800

The Saudi embassy is near the JFK Center for the Performing Arts and the Watergate complex, not with other embassies in the International Drive / International Court areas.

See this link for a map

The Washington DC subway (“Metro”) has a stop at Foggy Bottom (orange / blue line) that is closest to the Saudi embassy.  When the Metro trip planner tool is back online, we will post the walking directions.

DC Map of Area of Saudi Arabia Embassy
DC Map of Area of Saudi Arabia Embassy
Saudi Arabia Embassy
Saudi Arabia Embassy

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Nearby Kennedy Center Directions
By Subway / Metro:
The Foggy Bottom/George Washington University Station (on the Orange and Blue lines, at 23rd and I streets, NW) , is the stop closest to the Kennedy Center. From there it is a short walk via New Hampshire Avenue OR use our FREE Kennedy Center Shuttle (signs are towards the left as you exit the escalator). The shuttle departs every 15 minutes from 9:45 a.m.-Midnight Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-Midnight Saturdays, and noon-Midnight Sundays and 4:00 p.m.-Midnight on Federal holidays.

By Bus:
The 80 bus goes to the Kennedy Center. For details on bus routes and schedules, call Metro information at (202) 637-7000 or TTY (202) 638-3780.

By Taxi:
Taxi service to and from the Kennedy Center is convenient and readily available. A taxi dispatcher is available to signal cabs and assign patrons from 6:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. on matinee days) until 30 minutes after the end of the last performance, and taxis queue in the Plaza each evening to serve patrons. Look for the uniformed dispatcher at the Hall of States entrance.

By Car/ Get Directions:

from Northern Virginia | from Maryland and Northwest DC | from Downtown DC

Please refer to the map below to help plan your trip. Also be sure to check our parking information, garage hours, and fees before arriving.

Important Note About SUV’s 6 Feet or Higher
For vehicles taller than 6 ft., there are limited spaces available on levels “B” and “C” South and “C” North (max. clearance 7′).

WIDE AREA MAP

wide area map