Protest to demand charges be dropped against Rasmea Odeh

(From The Committee to Stop FBI Repression)

Palestinian community organizations and Palestine solidarity groups will picket today outside the Chicago Hilton Hotel.  The action is being taken to oppose a fund-raiser for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).  The protest will oppose Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people, and also call for the U.S. government to drop charges against local activist, Rasmea Odeh.

The protest will be held Thursday, October 24 at 720 S. Michigan Ave., beginning at 5 P.M.

Odeh was arrested at her home Tuesday morning by agents of the Department of Homeland Security on allegations of an immigration violation.

According to Hatem Abudayyeh of US Palestinian Community Network-Chicago, “The IDF enforces Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and siege of Gaza.  Now the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice are enforcers of that illegal occupation as well.”  He added, “We will raise our voices to oppose this fundraiser and to show our support for Rasmea Odeh. Her voice and ours won’t be silenced. “

Odeh is a well-known activist in the Palestinian community, and is a symbol of the enduring spirit of the Palestinians in the face of years of oppression at the hands of the Israeli occupation.

Sponsors:   Palestine Solidarity Group-Chicago;Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago; American Muslims for Palestine;US Palestinian Community Network-Chicago; Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine; Anti-War Committee-Chicago; Code Pink-Chicago;ANSWER Coalition-CHICAGO