Twin Cities ‘Happy Hour for Rasmea’ a major success
Minneapolis, MN – Twin Cites supporters of Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh scored a major success here, July 29, collecting well over $1000 to help her defense effort. About 50 people came together for a “Happy Hour for Rasmea” organized by the Minnesota Committee to Stop FBI Repression. The funds will be used to help get people to Cincinnati, Ohio, where it is expected that the oral arguments on Odeh’s appeal will be heard in federal court this fall.
Jess Sundin, of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression and the Anti-War Committee, told the crowd, “Rasmea has done nothing wrong,” and spoke of Odeh’s many contributions to the Palestinian struggle.
Sundin related that, as a young woman, Odeh joined the struggle in her homeland to free Palestine. Jailed by the Israelis in 1969, she was subjected to horrific torture, including rape. After moving to the U.S., she worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Palestinian, Arab and Muslim women in Chicago. Last year, Rasmea Odeh was convicted on a bogus immigration charge and now she faces prison and deportation.
Sundin pointed out that Odeh became target of the Justice Department as a result of the government investigation of anti-war and international solidarity activists that unfolded after the protests organized by Twin Cities activists at the 2008 Republican National Convention.