It’s contemptible that so many newspapers are reporting the end of Dr. Al-Arian’s hunger strike when so few to none reported on his condition during the two-month long ordeal.
But then they couldn’t assist the government in sending this message:
Contempt citation affirmed for former professor on hunger strike
Associated Press, 24 March 2007
RICHMOND, Virginia: A U.S. appeals court affirmed a civil contempt ruling against a former professor, just hours after the Palestinian ended a two-month hunger strike to protest his extended imprisonment.
Dr. Sami Al-Arian Suspends Hunger Strike
Tampa Bay Coalition for Justice and Peace, 23 March 2007
Community leaders, supporters and people of conscience welcomed Dr. Al-Arian’s decision to end his hunger strike. “I give thanks to God that Dr. Al Arian has suspended his fast for justice, because we need him in this world in good health,” said Pastor Warren Clark of Tampa. “Dr. Sami Al Arian is a real asset to our world and to his family. He is a clear articulate voice for a peace with justice settlement in Israel-Palestine. That is why Muslims and Christians are working side by side to call for his freedom, and will continue to do so.”
Nihad Awad, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) stated: “We welcome this positive development, and hope that the coming days will bring the justice that is so long overdue to Dr. Al-Arian and his family. We continue to appeal to the Department of Justice and the Attorney General to end Dr. Al-Arian’s suffering by honoring his original plea agreement.”
Said Dr. John Arnaldi of the Tampa-based Friends of Human Rights: “Mr. Attorney General, it is time to end the miscarriage of justice that has been inflicted upon Sami Al-Arian by your policies and return to the rule of law. Honor the plea agreement and release Sami Al-Arian.”
Rev. Marcia Free, of the United Church of Christ in Knoxville, TN. will visit with Dr. Al-Arian today. She said: “In this Lenten season of my faith, when we include fasting as a spiritual discipline, supporting our prayers for justice for all people, I am grateful to God for my Muslim brother Dr. Sami Al-Arian’s willingness to fast for justice. I believe God will answer our prayers, restoring Sami to his wife and children and that his sacrifice will further the cause of justice.”