Religious freedom groups and groups concerned about women’s rights are asking President Obama to urge King Abdulaziz to seek reforms on religious freedom and women’s rights in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz
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.”
Women’s rights groups, led by the Muslims for Progressive Values, have organized a demonstration outside the Saudi Arabian embassy on Saturday, June 26, at 1:30 PM, to “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.”
We support the universal human rights for all people of all religions, of all genders, of races, and all ethnic backgrounds. We call for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We also call upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure the universal human rights of women, children, and all of its citizens in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz to meet with Obama at the White House later this month
— BNO News: “President Barack Obama and Saudi Arabia King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz will meet at the White House in Washington, D.C. later this month, officials announced on Sunday.”
— “The two leaders plan to meet at the White House on June 29, where they are set to discuss issues such as Gulf Security, peace in the Middle East, and other regional and global matters.”
— DNA News: “In another meeting between Obama and a key ally in the Middle East, Saudi King Abdullah will visit Washington for talks on June 29, the White House said.”
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
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.
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 EmbassySaudi 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.
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′).
— UN, US, and human rights activists around the world expressed solidarity with the Burma people and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, imprisoned on her 65th birthday
— Guardian: “In Burma, any political meeting of more than five people is illegal”
— Guardian: Burma flash mobs
On June 13, 2010, volunteers from the Washington DC area joined together to have a public remembrance of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum attack on June 2009 and to remember the tragic murder of museum guard Stephen Tyrone Johns by white supremacist, Holocaust Denier James Von Brunn. We also remember that there were those whose hearts were burdened by hate, who praised Von Brunn’s terrorism, and that the struggle against white supremacism and anti-Semitism continues.
Near the end of the public remembrance of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Musaum attack, two members of a Charlottesville, Virginia-based “white nationalist,” anti-Semitic group, Occidental Dissent, sought to heckle speakers at the public remembrance. The Occidental Dissent group claims to seek “the creation of a Jew-free, racially exclusive White ethnostate in North America.” The group also has a history of seeking to deny women’s rights, and has publicly stated its goals are to infiltratepolitical organizations to promote “white nationalism.” The visitors included the group’s leader who calls himself the pseudonym “Hunter Wallace” or “Prozium” (based on the movie “Equilibrium”) and Mike Capatano (who left after a moment). The group’s leader “Hunter Wallace” remained behind, wearing a yellow Gadsden Flag shirt.
White Nationalist from Anti-Semitic Occidental Dissent Group Visits Public Remembrance of U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Attack
Mohamed Yahya Responds to White Nationalist Heckler: "If you hate me, I love you"Volunteers Stand United in Love and Tolerance - Urging All to Choose Love, Not Hate
R.E.A.L. founder Jeffrey Imm quickly reached out to the Occidental Group group leader, as one of our brothers and sisters in humanity who we must work to reach, and indicated this demonstrated an important reason why we held such a public remembrance. The R.E.A.L. founder pointed out that we do not offer an upraised fist against white supremacism and anti-Semitism, but we offer an outstretched hand to all to choose love, not hate. R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm then in fact extended such an outstretched hand to the group’s leader and urged him to choose love, not hate.
Jeffrey Imm, Mohamed Yahya, and Mrs. Washington Offer an Outstretched Hand, Not an Upraised Fist - to White Nationalism and Anti-Semitic Group Leader - We Urge Choose Love, Not Hate
al-Masry al-Youm is reporting on the death of a young Alexandrian man who was reportedly beaten to death by Egyptian police. Supporters of his concerned about human rights have created a Facebook page on this topic.
— “Khaled Said, a 28-year-old Alexandrian man was beaten up to death by two policemen as he refused to give them money, a human rights group said on 10 June.”
— “‘On Sunday, Khaled was at cyber cafe at around 11:30 in the evening. Two policemen asked him for money and when he said he didn’t have, they beat him,’ Muhammad Abdel Aziz, lawyer with el-Nadeem, told al-Masry al-Youm. ‘As he was beaten up, his head hit a marble table and he started bleeding.'”
— “According to Abdel Aziz, the policemen took Said out of the cyber cafe and continued to beat him. ‘He screamed at them saying ‘I am dying, leave me’, and he fell on the floor.'”
— …”The police has ordered an autopsy of Said’s body.”
A year ago, on June 10, 2009, in Washington DC, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was attacked by a white supremacist, Holocaust denier James Von Brunn, who sought to enter the museum with a rifle to kill Jews. In his murderous rage, he shot and killed black security guard Stephen Tyrone Johns, who was in Von Brunn’s way. The terrorist James Von Brunn was shot and stopped by security guard Harry Weeks and other security guards, and Von Brunn died in a prison hospital on January 6, 2010.
June 10, 2009 Terror Attack (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
This philosophy of terrorist hate should give us all pause to reflect. If anything were to be learned from the June 10, 2009 terrorist attack, it is the cancerous destruction that hate will cause.
In our support for our universal human rights of equality and liberty, we offer another approach. While we defy hate, we also offer an outstretched hand, not an upraised fist, to those who hate. We urge those who hate to release such burden of hate from their hearts and to join us in defending our human rights, which are also their human rights.
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum is intended to remember the worst atrocity committed against an identity group in human history. When such a place is itself the target of terrorist hatred, it should be a severe warning signal for Americans and all human beings. But that warning signal has been scrupulously ignored, as has the terrorist attack itself been largely forgotten. Even worse, some have sought to rationalize hate against other identity groups themselves, and sadly like Von Brunn, have come to view that compassion is only for the weak.
The cancer of hate has continued to spread. Months after the June 10, 2009 terrorist attack, I saw some people with signs in the streets of Washington DC promoting racial hatred, some carrying signs with swastikas, and some with signs spewing vulgar and obscene messages. Racial supremacist and anti-Semitic groups have sought to promote their cause in our nation’s capital and around the country. On our public airwaves, there are those openly call for bombing houses of worship, who openly promote racist views, who question American legislation designed to guarantee our civil rights, and who ultimately believe that hate is the answer to our nation’s and to the world’s problems.
The lesson that has been taught by the Holocaust has been summarized as “Never Again.”
The lesson that the June 10, 2009 terrorist attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum must teach us is “Never Again to Hate.”
That is a lesson that too many are not interested in hearing about. But if we ever seek to be responsible for equality and liberty, it is our most vital lesson to be learned.
For many reasons, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum terror attack must not be forgotten. But on June 10, 2010, a year later, there was little interest in remembering it. Washington DC area mainstream newspapers only posted AP wire reports to their web sites buried in the “local news sections,” and the private remembrance by staff of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was covered primarily by Washington DCtelevision stationson their web sites that cover “local” news. Such a terror attack of hate is no longer viewed as “national” news.
We Will Remember Stephen Tyrone Johns (Photo: U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum)
In terms of public activism, however, we believe that American citizens also have an obligation to do their part, in remembering this terrorist attack. We are holding a public event to remember the event. We also urge those who seek to express their commitment to challenging hate to share your thoughts with us at info@realcourage.org, and we will share your statements on our web site.
On Sunday, June 13 at 2 PM, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) is hosting a public remembrance in Washington DC of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum attack and the murder of Stephen Tyrone Johns. We have invited the public to join us in this public remembrance, and to share their testimonies of the need to promote tolerance, dignity, respect, and equality for our fellow human beings.
We will hold this public remembrance at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC, near where Martin Luther King, Jr. worked on his speech “I Have A Dream.” We too, have a dream, of human dignity, of human rights, and of equality and liberty – not just for all American, but also for all human beings. We have a dream of our fellow human beings united to be responsible for equality and liberty.
But we know that we cannot begin to make that dream a reality without defying and denying the cancerous growth of hatred in our nation, in our society, and around the world.
On June 13, when we publicly remember the terrorist attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, our united message will be “Never Again to Hate.”
On Sunday June 13, 2010, at 2 PM, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) invites Washingtonians to a public event to remember the June 10, 2009 attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and to remember the loss of Stephen Tyrone Johns. Choose love, not hate.
We will meet at the Freedom Plaza in Washington DC, near where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. worked on his speech “I Have a Dream,” and will stand united in our diverse religions, ethnicity, and races. We will stand united for equality. We will also say “Never Again” to hate.
Freedom Plaza - Washington DC - 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW - Site of June 13, 2010 - "Never Again to Hate" Event
We will remember black security guard Stephen Tyrone Johns who was shot to death on June 10, 2009 while on duty defending a museum that stands in remembrance to the Holocaust. We vow that his death will not be in vain, but that such sacrifices will remind us of the need to be ever-vigilant and defiant against the forces of hate that seek to spread in Washington DC and throughout America.
As those who promote hate seek to create ever-increasing numbers of hate groups in America, our message to them is that America will never retreat on hate. But we don’t answer hate with hate. Instead of an upraised fist, we offer outstretched hands and hearts to those who do hate, to urge them to release the burden of hate from their hearts, and join us in defending the universal human rights and dignity of all people.
— Date: Sunday, June 13, 2010
— Time: 2 to 4 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time
— Location: Freedom Plaza, Washington DC, 20004 – on Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 13th and 14th Streets NW
— Contact: Jeffrey Imm, info@realcourage.org, 301-613-8789
The Freedom Plaza in Washington DC is named in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., who worked on his “I Have a Dream” speech in the nearby Willard Hotel. In 1988, a time capsule containing a Bible, a robe, and other relics of King’s was planted at the site.
— Parking lots: the nearby National Theater reports the following parking lot areas include:
— PMI
— 1220 E Street, NW – Enter on E Street between 12th and 13th Streets
— 424 11th Street, NW
— 1325 G Street, NW – Enter on G Street between 13th and 14th Streets
— QUICK PARK
— 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW – Enter on 13th Street between E and F Streets
Media reports stated that the mosque had Hebrew graffiti which stated that the mosque was “slated for demolition,” with images of the Star of David painted on the mosque, as well as comments that stated “Price Tag,” and “War will break out in Judea and Sumaria.”
Vandalism of Omar-Bin-Khattab-Mosque (Photo: pls48.net and Yedioth Ahronoth)
Yedioth Ahronoth reported that police were investigating the incident, and stated that local individuals “suspect residents of nearby Rechasim community” in the vandalism. Yedioth Ahronoth also quoted Ibtin mosque keeper Muhammad Umriyeh (Mohammad Omaria), who had seen teenagers that stated they were from the Rechasim community, “When we started asking around someone said he saw three teens in the village center last night who wore yarmulkes. He asked them what they were doing and they said they were searching for a lost dog.” Haaretz reported that he also stated that “this is a serious crime that cannot be ignored.”
Israeli Minister of Minorities Avishay Braverman denounced the graffiti and vandalism stating that “This is an act of loathsome vandalism done by extremists with one aim — to harm the relations between Jews and Arabs.”
Graffiti on Omar Bin Khattab Mosque (Photo: pls48.net and Yedioth Ahronoth)
In 1965, the Bedouin village of Ibtin was created to provide a permanent settlement for the Bedouin in that area. Villagers are part of the Amria tribe.
Jerusalem Post: “Mosque vandals ‘influenced by flotilla'”
— Jerusalem Post reports: “Four yeshiva youths arrested by police on Wednesday on suspicion of spraying graffiti on a mosque in the northern village of Ivteen ‘were influenced by the Gaza flotilla’ and ‘events in the West Bank,’ but do not appear to be part of an organized extremist cell, the detective leading the investigation told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.”
— “Officers from the Coastal police’s central arrested the four men, who study at a yeshiva at Kfar Hasidim, one day after a Star of David was spray painted on the mosque’s wall, as well as the messages, ‘There will be war over Judea and Samaria,’ and ‘This structure is marked for demolition.'”
Jerusalem Post publishes image of defacing of a mosque in West Bank with the story - stock image?
Israel: Teens suspected of planning Molotov cocktail attack over raid
— Yedioth Ahronoth reports: “Judge extends remand of 2 youths from Tarshiha who planned to hurl firebomb on Jewish vehicles following IDF raid on aid flotilla”
— “During their investigation the teens said they were motivated by the killing of civilians by the IDF and noted they learned how to make the explosive device on the internet.”
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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) urges all to Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.
New York state legislators plan to make vandalism outside of a house of worship a felony punishable by at least one year in jail. The New York State bill is being led by State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein and Assemblyman George Latimer (S.1909/A.180). The bill had passed the New York State Senate, and State Senator Jeffrey Klein is encouraging the New York State Assembly and the Governor to pass and support this legislation. Senator Klein is the grandson of Holocaust survivors, and during his press conference stated why the need to protect houses of worship is so vital to American religious freedom.
Senator Jeffrey Klein stated that “unfortunately there are still those who interfere with our ability to practice our religion and worship God. So my legislation, I think, is going to a long way towards making sure that we can do that.” He stated “What makes me angry is there are still some who chalk this up as children playing pranks. Well that’s absolute nonsense, and I think we have to punish those who interfere with our right to practice our religion.” He indicated that today in the New York state law there is a loophole, where someone can commit vandalism outside a house of worship and it is a misdemeanor, while committing vandalism inside the house of worship is a felony. Senator Jeffrey Klein concluded “we have to put an end to this type of violence, we have to put an end to these types of crimes of hate.”
New York State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein Calls for Bill to Make Vandalism Outside a House of Worship a Felony in New York
Regarding attacks on houses of worship, Archbishop Dolan stated: “A house of worship represents safety, security, peace, love, acceptance, the most noble aspirations that we as human beings have. When we vandalize that, when we wreck that, when we deface that, as the senator said, we strike right at the heart of what makes us great as Americans and people of faith.”
Rabbi Joe Potasnik stated: “Someone who wants to hurt one of us, hurts all of us… It is said if you are compassionate to the cruel, you end up being cruel to the compassionate. If we don’t have legislation in place that punishes the perpetrators, we cannot fulfill our moral mandate.”
New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan and Rabbi Joe Potasnik of the New York Board of Rabbis Call for Tougher Laws Against House of Worship Vandalism
In NYC’s John F. Kennedy airport, two New Jersey men were arrested and have been charged with planning terrorism . The initial reports have indicated that the two men arrested, Mohamed Hamoud Alessa and Carlos Eduardo Almonte, were planning to join terrorist groups in Somalia, and were flying from JFK airport to Egypt en route to Somalia. In Somalia, they planned to join the Al Shabaab, which has been linked to Al-Qaeda. They planned to arrive in Cairo, Egypt, and then perhaps take a boat to Somalia. They had previously been in Jordan in 2007, and AP reports that they unsuccessfully tried to get to Iraq in the past.
Police Photos of Mohamed Alessa and Carlos Almonte (Photo: Department of Justice)
The accused Alessa and Almonte had been training in an “outdoor facility in West Milford, New Jersey” and had been teaching military tactics to an undercover law enforcement officer in Jersey City, New Jersey. The accused repeatedly listened to and played recording of American cleric Anwar al-Awlaki “promoting violent jihad and martyrdom.” Anwar al-Awlaki, who is now believed to be in Yemen, has regularly praised terrorist organizations and was in contact with the Fort Hood accused terrorist Nidal Hasan. In addition, the accused reportedly also watched videos by Adam Gadahn (aka Azzam al-Amriki) praising Nidal Hasan.
Inspirations for Mohamed Alessa and Carlos Almonte to Kill Non-Muslims: Anwar Al-Awlaki, Nidal Hassan, Adam Gadahn
The criminal complaint also addresses the accused regularly discussing plans to “wage violent jihad” and join “violent jihadist groups operating in Somalia.” In their discussions, they reportedly considered joining various “violent jihadist groups that were operating in Somalia, including Al-Shabaab, Hizbul Islam, and Ahlu Sunna wa’l Jama’a, ” but Almonte viewed that Al-Shabaab “is the main one… the main thing.”
The criminal complaint states that “On November 29, 2009, in Jersey City, New Jersey, in the presence of Almonte, Alessa stated, in part: “We’ll start doing killing here, if I can’t do it over there.” Alessa also reportedly stated “A lot of people need to get killed, bro, swear to God… I have to get a… assault rifle and just kill anyone that even looks at me the wrong way, bro. Nah, I swear to God, bro. I wanna, like – I’m not – my – my soul cannot rest until I shed blood. I wanna, like, be the world’s known terrorist… I swear to God.” He also reportedly stated: “I’m gonna get a gun…. I’ll have more bodies on it – than the – than the hairs on my beard. You know what I’m saying? It’s already enough, you don’t worship Allah, so… that’s a reason for you to die… We’re being pushed by every corner of the earth, yanni. They only fear you when you have a gun and when you – when you start killing them, and when you – when you take their head, and you go like this, and you behead it on camera, and you – you have to be ruthless bro. I swear to God, bro. Enough of this punk (expletive). It’s that everyone has to be ruthless to – with these people. We’ll start doing killing here, if I can’t do it over there. I’m gonna get locked up in the airport? Then you’re gonna die here, then. That’s how it is. Freaking Major-Nidal-shaved-face-Palestinian-crazy guy; he’s not better than me. I’ll do twice what he did.”
According to the complaint, on November 30, 2009, Alessa instructed Almonte and the FBI undercover agent on how to kill a guard with a knife, and then Alessa told the FBI undercover agent “and whenever they think I’m leaving, they always think I’m gonna come back, yanni. I leave this time, God Willing, I never come back. I’ll never see this crap hole. Only way I would come back here is if I was in the land of jihad and the leader ordered me to come back here and do something here. Ah, I love that.”
The complaint also reveals Alessa talking to Almonte and the FBI undercover agent about saving up money for the trip to Somalia. The complaint indicates that the duo planned to fly to Cairo, Egypt, and then considered various options on getting to Somalia, including taking a boat from Egypt to Somalia. During the discussion on funds saved for the Somalia trip, Alessa reportedly told Almonte and the FBI undercover agent that about stealing equipment, saying “you get your weapons when you get there… and then, you kill non-Muslims and you take the spoils of war. The leader gets them (referring to weapons), and distributes it amongst the ranks. Best life.”
The duo frequently worked out, and according to the complaint “Alessa stated [on January 3, 2010] that stronger muscles mean bigger muscles which means killing more non-Muslims.” On the same date, they listened to another lecture from Anwar al-Awlaki who “emphasized that an individual need not rely on others or have a leader in order to wage violent jihad.”
According to the complaint, on January 17, 2010, Alessa providing instruction to Almonte and the FBI Undercover Agent regarding: “(1) how they should love believers of Islam and hate non-Muslims; (2) the enemies of Allah, specifically: (a) the devil; (b) one’s self; (c) non-believers; (d) hypocrites; (e) Jews; and (f) Christians; and (3) the importance of waging violent jihad.”
THe FBI had been watching the accused for 4 years, and according to the criminal complaint, “On October 9, 2006, a member of the public (‘Individual 1’) who knows the DEFENDANTS sent a tip through the FBI’S website concerning the activities of the DEFENDANTS. In that electronic message, Individual 1 stated” ‘every time they (referring to the DEFENDANTS) access the Internet all they look for is all those terrorist videos about the Islam holly [sic] war and where they kill US soldiers and other terrible things… They keep saying that Americans are their enemies, that everybody other than Islamic followers are their enemies.. and they all must be killed.”
The complaint also stated that a family member told law enforcement that the accused “watched a video on the computer about suicide vest bombs.”
— New Jersey Star-Ledger: Two N.J. men arrested at JFK airport before boarding plane to join Islamist terrorist group, authorities say
— New Jersey Star-Ledger reports: “Mohamed Hamoud Alessa, 20, of North Bergen, and Carlos Eduardo Almonte, 26, of Elmwood Park were apprehended at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens before they could board separate flights to Egypt, where they were to start journeys to Somalia”
— “Officials said the suspects were not planning an imminent attack in the New Jersey-New York area but were believed to be joining with the terrorist fight against Americans in Somalia.”
— “Authorities said the men planned to wage jihad as part of a Somalia-based Islamist terror group called al Shabaab, an organization of several thousand fighters spread through Somalia’s southern region. Al Shabaab, whose full Arabic name means ‘Mujahideen Youth Movement,’ has had ties to al Qaeda since 2007, according to national security experts.”
— New Jersey Star-Ledger: Federal authorities charge 2 men from N.J. with pursuing dream of ‘holy war’ in Somalia
— Star-Ledger: “Also according to the complaint, Alessa said he wanted to be more successful at waging jihad than the Fort Hood shooter. ‘He’s not better than me. I’ll do twice what he did.'”
— “He also said he would start his holy war in the United States if he couldn’t get overseas and then hauntingly foreshadowed his own apprehension. “We’ll start doing (killing) here, if I can’t do it over there. I’m gonna get locked up in the airport? Then you’re gonna die here, then.'”
