Shifa Sentencing
Posted On Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at at 2:18 PM by Dan
Yesterday, December 14, Eshanul (Shifa) Sadequee and Haris Ahmed were sentenced. Shifa received a 17 year sentence and Haris a 13 year one. Both will have a 30-year probation after serving their time. Shifa represented himself at the hearing and, after hearing a prepared statement by the judge, refused to stand. Although Judge Duffy said during the hearing he would consider certain objections when sentencing, his reading of a prepared statement meant he had already made up his mind before entering the courtroom. Judge Duffy is, at best, disingenuous. Worse, his statement was a white supremacist rant along the lines of Samuel Huffington's "Clash of Civilizations." I will write my impressions of that disgusting display later.
Below is my statement on behalf of Shifa. Shifa refused to allow anyone to speak on his behalf. I can only surmise that spending 3 1/2 years in solitary confinement has had some kind of effect on him. The trauma of that experience must be extreme. My statement begins below. You can read more about the sentencing, including the family statement, at freeshifa.com.
My name is Daniel. I first met Shifa some years ago and a friend of his and his family. In considering his sentence, I would like to tell you about the Shifa I met and know. This Shifa is compassionate, caring, and gentle. The Shifa I know is one who has worked to make Atlanta a better place, a place without violence.
I met Shifa at a national conference to end domestic violence. I met Shifa in the hallway and spoke with him about the conference. He struck me as young but sincere in his desire to create a world without violence. Through Shifa I met his sister and was connected to Raksha, the South Asian anti-domestic violence organization. I was working on a project to bring together crime survivors with family members of formerly and currently incarcerated people in order to address state policy issues. Shifa helped facilitate this project through his introductions. It was through this project I met my wife. It is too strong to say I owe my marriage to Shifa, I do not. However, the path that led me to where I am included meeting Shifa. He helped me along that path. He did it through kindness and gentleness.
Justice would be served by considering the full person before you. Your honor, the only Shifa I know is one who is peaceful. The only Shifa I know is one who loves his family and wants them to live in a violence-free world. I would welcome this Shifa to live in my neighborhood or in my home. As you sentence him today, I ask that you consider this Shifa.
In Honor of International Human Rights Day
Posted On Thursday, December 10, 2009 at at 12:47 PM by Dan
Shifa Sadequee will be sentenced on Monday, December 14. Please come to the hearing and provide support. Gather at 10 am at the Russel Federal Building in Downtown Atlanta.
For more information, look at the Free Shifa website at freeshifa.com.
Below is the synapsis of the case taken from the Free Shifa site.
Ehsanul “Shifa” Sadequee is an American born US citizen kidnapped from Bangladesh at 19 and detained unconstitutionally in solitary confinement since 2006. He has been subjected to a physical assault to his head, denied medical care, and has suffered psychological abuse at the federal prison in Atlanta, GA. Shifa endured punishment and torture for over 1200 days (over 3 years) in solitary confinement before the trial began.
For a long period, Shifa was denied access to information on the charges or evidence against him. The so-called “evidence” used to convict him consisted of on-line chats, visiting & taping tourist sites, and translating and publishing scholarly religious texts from Arabic to English. His First Amendment rights to religious beliefs, translation and publication of scholarly and academic literature, free speech, and debates have been violated.
Shifa Sadequee was convicted on August 12 on four counts of conspiracy and attempt to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations. The evidence is flimsy and the laws are all based on “pre-emptive prosecution” to convict people before a crime has been committed. This case is part of a larger strategy from the Bush era of targeting Muslims for detention and discrimination – through policies of torture, illegal wiretapping and detentions throughout the U.S. and at Guantanamo. We must work together in this new era of hope to end these unjust policies and to remember individuals like Shifa who are still suffering the consequences.
Some Notes on Comments
Posted On Monday, December 07, 2009 at at 11:06 AM by Dan
This blog has never gotten many comments so I've not felt the need to have any kind of policy. I've said before I don't like anonymous comments and usually reject them unless the commenter has a good reason. However, my repost of "Some Analysis of Atlanta Police Brutality & Queer People" has generated a bit of comments and all of them are anonymous. I've only posted one and here's why.
Even a casual glance at any daily newspaper site, magazine, blog, etc. shows that the comments section become a haven for white supremacists and fascists to blame people of color, women, and/or poor people for everything. They do it by hiding behind anonymous names. Now I have a job. I understand that if everyone on that job knew about everything I've written or said my life on that job would be more difficult. To that end, I don't have my full name and address on this blog. But this site has been up for some time and if someone wants to disagree with me there's an email contact where they can do that. Anonymous comments, particularly ones that are white supremacist, et. al, are one shot deals without accountability. That doesn't fly unless you got a good reason.
If the comment substantially adds something to the conversation, if you make the case that your information would affect your job or safety, if you want to post a link or suggestion for further information, I will accept the comment. If you repeat something that's been said already, or if you want to challenge people to "strap on a badge and pistol and see how big your attitude is when your [sic] standing alone in the ghetto," then I'm going to delete your comment. Why? Some of the reason is because you don't know. Do a little reading and think about it. Or, here's an idea, post an identity (like a name or email address) and invite a conversation.
Just a thought or two.
The Execution of John Brown
Posted On Tuesday, December 01, 2009 at at 5:01 PM by Dan
Abolitionist John Brown was executed by the state of Virginia on December 2, 1859. Brown had led a raid on the armory at Harper's Ferry with the intent of raising an army to free enslaved Africans. The raid failed and Brown was executed. His execution probably did more to move the nation towards the Civil War than the raid ever could. Below is the last letter he wrote to his wife and children. The text comes from The Life and Trial of John Brown website.
Letter dated November 30, 1859
My Dearly Beloved Wife, Sons and Daughters, Everyone--
As I now begin what is probably the last letter I shall ever write to any of you, I conclude to write to all at same time. I will mention some little matters particularly applicable to little property concerns in another place.
I recently received a letter from my wife, from near Philadelphia, dated November 22, by which it would seem that she was about giving up the idea of seeing me again. I had written her to come on if she felt equal to the undertaking, but I do not know that she will get my letter in time. It was on her own account chiefly that I asked her to stay back. At first I had a most strong desire to see her again, but there appeared to be very serious objections; and should we never meet in this life, I trust that she will in the end be satisfied it was for the best at least, if not most for her comfort. I inclosed in my last letter to her a draft of fifty dollars from John Jay, made payable to her order. I have now another to send her, from my excellent old, friend Edward Harris, of Woonsocket, R. L, for one hundred dollars, which I shall also make payable to her order.
I am waiting the hour of my public murder with great composure of mind and cheerfulness, feeling the strong assurance that in no other possible way could I be used to so much advantage to the cause of good and of humanity, and that nothing that either I or all my family have sacrificed or suffered will be lost. The reflection that a wise and merciful, as well as just and Holy God, rules not only the affairs of this world, but of all worlds, is a rock to set our feet upon under all circumstances--even those more severely trying ones into which our own feelings and wrongs have placed us. I have now no doubt but that our seeming disaster will ultimately result in the most glorious success; so, my dear shattered and broken family, be of good cheer, and believe and trust in God with all your heart, and with all your soul; for He doeth all things well. Do not feel ashamed on my account, nor for one moment despair of the cause or grow weary of well doing. I bless God I never felt stronger confidence in the certain and near approach of a bright morning and a glorious day than I have felt, and do now feel, since my confinement here. I am endeavoring to return, like a poor prodigal as I am, to my Father, against whom I have always sinned, in the hope that he may kindly and forgivingly meet me, though a very great way off.
Oh! my dear wife and children, would to God you could know how I have been travailing in birth for you all, that no one of you may fail of the grace of God.
Through Jesus Christ--that no one of you may be blind to the truth and glorious light of his Word, in which life and immortalty are brought to light, I beseech you every one, to make the Bible your daily and nightly study, with a childlike, honest, candid, teachable spirit of love and respect for your husband and father.
And I beseech the God of my fathers to open all your eyes to the discovery of the truth. You cannot imagine how much you may soon need the consolations of the Christian religion. Circumstances like my own for more than a month past have convinced me beyond all doubt, of our great need of some theories treasured up when our prejudices are excited, our vanity worked up to the highest pitch. Oh! do not trust your eternal all upon the boisterous ocean without even a helm or compass to aid you in steering. I do not ask any of you to throw away your reason; I only ask you to make a candid, sober use of your reason.
My dear younger children, will you listen to this last poor admonition of one who can only love you? Oh! be determined at once to give your whole heart to God, and let nothing shake or alter that resolution. You need have no fears of regretting it. Do not be vain and thoughtless, but sober minded; and let me entreat you all to love the whole remnant of our once great family. Try and build up again your broken walls, and to make the utmost of every stone that is left. Nothing can so tend to make life a blessing as the consciousness that your life and example bless and leave you the stronger. Still, it is ground of the utmost comfort to my mind to know that so many of you as have had the opportunity have given some proof of your fidelity to the great family of men. Be faithful unto death; from the exercise of habitual love to man it cannot be very hard to learn to love his Maker.
I must yet insert the reason for my firm belief in the divine inspiration of the Bible, notwithstanding I am perhaps naturally skeptical, certainly not credulous. I wish all to consider it most thoroughly when you read that blessed book, and see whether you cannot discover such evidence yourselves. It is the purity of heart filling our minds as well as work and actions, which is everywhere insisted on, that distinguishes it from all the other teachings, that commends it to my conscience. Whether my heart be willing and obedient or not, the inducement that it hold. out is another reason of my convictions of its truth and genuineness; but I do not here omit this my last argument on the Bible that eternal life is what my soul is punting after this moment. I mention this as a reason for endeavoring to leave a valuable copy of the Bible to be carefully preserved in remembrance of me, to see many of my posterity, instead of some other book equal cost.
I beseech you all to live in habitual contentment with moderate circumstances and gains of worldly store, and earnestly to teach this to your children and children's children after you, by example as well as precept. Be determined to know by experience, as soon as may be, whether Bible instruction is of divine origin or not. Be sure to owe no man anything, but to love one another. John Rogers wrote to his children, "Abhor that arrant whore of Rome." John Brown writes to his children to abhor, with undying hatred also, that sum of all villainies--Slavery. Remember, he that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth in spirit than he that taketh a city. Remember, also, that they, being wise, shall shine, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.
And now, dearly beloved family, to God and the work of His Grace I commend you all.
Your affectionate husband and father,
John Brown
AJC Story on Sorry Chief Pennington
Posted On Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at at 11:45 AM by Dan
This week is the 3rd anniversary of the killing of Kathryn Johnston by the Atlanta Police Department. Chief Pennington attended a community meeting where he said he was sorry. Indeed, he's very sorry. Below is the AJC story about how sorry he is. Of course, the neighborhood situation is the same as before. The police are still out of control. The review board still doesn't have subpoena power, and the APD wants it that way. But Pennington is really sorry.
Wait, did I say the neighborhood situation is the same as before? According to the Associated Press, I'm wrong on that account. Their in-depth coverage (4 paragraphs) shows how much better things are. They even talked to a businessman, so you know things must be just peachy.
Pennington apologizes for Johnston slaying, says hurt lingers
http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/pennington-apologizes-for-johnston-211359.html
by Ernie Suggs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
9:26 p.m. Monday, November 23, 2009
Widely known simply as English Avenue, the area is still wracked with drugs, violence and crime. Abandoned homes, some brand new but unsellable, still dot the neighborhood. Ivory Young, the city council representative in the area, said that only 13 percent of the property in the area is owner occupied. The rest is being rented or has been boarded up by an absentee landlord.
But for the people who attended the meeting, primarily to listen to mayoral candidates Mary Norwood and Kasim Reed, those who still love the area left with one thing -- a sense of remorse from the police department over Johnston’s death.
“I take full responsibility for what happened. What happened to Mrs. Johnston was tragic,” said Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington. “I don’t think anybody ever apologized to the Johnston family. But I’d like to take this moment to personally apologize. You can’t have an ongoing healing process until someone steps up and say they were wrong.”
It was three years ago this week that the 92-year-old Johnston exposed problems so deep inside certain parts of the APD that she nearly brought the department down. On the evening of Nov. 21, 2006, several members of the APD drug unit stormed into Johnston’s home and pumped two shots into her chest, killing her.
Members of the unit had obtained an illegal, no-knock search warrant, which allowed the officers to break down her door. The officers planted marijuana in the house after killing Johnston, who had fired a shot in self-defense as they were breaking down her door.
Three officers were later convicted of crimes and are currently serving prison time.
“We went through some difficult times and no one felt it more than I did,” Pennington said. “The officers broke the law. I was appalled and hurt. I don’t think this hurt will ever go away.”
More than a month before Christmas, Johnston’s former Neal Street home is the only one in the neighborhood with holiday lights. A man uses as old fashioned manual lawn mower to keep the grounds nice. Lights ring the railings and windows. A large table holds dozens of stuffed animals and flowers.
A painting of Johnston, looking at a flat-screen image of President Obama, graces the home’s front window. It is called, “Looking Back for Justice.”
“Nothing has changed around here. Burglaries still occur. I still hear gunshots,” said Janssen Robinson, who lives next door to Johnston’s home and is the artist of the painting. “The element is still here.”
Robinson locked his home and made his way to the church to here what the candidates had to say.
“I would rather see action, more than hear more words,” he said. “It is easy to say things. But it is action that we need around here.”
Both Norwood and Reed used the opportunity to lay out their plans for fighting crime. Both will aggressively seek a new chief to replace Pennington, who is retiring. Reed’s plan to open up all of the city’s recreation centers could be ideal in an area like English Avenue. Norwood’s plan to clean up neighborhoods and find slum lords was also tailored to the neighborhood. Both were well-received.
Norwood, who attended several community meetings after Johnston’s death, as well as her funeral, said little has changed since the murder.
“One of the reasons I am running for mayor is because I have not seen the improvements I wanted to see both in safety and in taking care of our community,” Norwood said. “Get rid of abandoned housing and get people back in them. Get the trash picked up. This community has mortgage fraud and abandoned homes. Who owns them? If we don’t know who they are, then why are their ... buildings here?”
Ask for a ranking, Reed said the city was at an “eight” in the severity of crime, part of which he blamed on the economy. Throughout the campaign, Reed has said he wants to hire 750 additional police officers and get kids off the streets.
“The population has grown 100,000 citizens and our police force has grown by 300 officers. We don’t have a big enough police force,” said Reed, adding that the lack of recreation centers contributes to a rise in property crimes. “We have 50,000 kids with nothing to do. I want to change that.”
Pennington agreed that more police officers are needed. He said when he came to the city in 2002, he had 1,400 officers and needed at least 2,000. He said the highest number he reached was 1,800 and the most officers he hired in a year was 250. But the department still loses 150 officers a year to retirement and resignations.
“They leave because of pay and benefits. We haven’t had a pay increment in 10 years," he said. “Atlanta has a great police department. We just don’t have enough police. I hope the candidates get the officers we need. I hope one day I will be able to see it – from afar.”
Atlanta Cops in the News
Posted On Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at at 2:00 PM by Dan
The Atlanta Police Department seems in the news a lot lately. Perhaps this is only because I've been watching more intensely. Of course, the mayor's race may have something to do with it. The police union recently endorsed Kasim Reed. Chief Pennington issued an order that officer have to cooperate with the civilian review board (CRB), although the officers do not have to testify before the board. Pennington is committed to keeping a CRB without the power to do its work, a stance consistent with the APD. He only issued this order after significant prodding from the CRB to keep his promise.
Lastly there is the CBS Atlanta story on bad cops, posted on November 16 and updated on November 17. While it's interesting to read the stories of cops gone bad, the problem is it positions police misconduct as the problem of a few bad apples. The lesson from the CBS story is that most cops are good people, but sometimes there are bad ones. We have to weed out the bad ones and we'll be fine. What if the problem is systemic? What if we're not talking about bad apples, but a tree that produces poison fruit?
If this sounds interesting, I recommend Kristian Williams's book, Our Enemies in Blue.
For what it's worth, the CBS Atlanta story is reprinted below.
CBS Atlanta News Investigates Cops On Other Side Of Law
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/news/21632579/detail.html
ATLANTA -- CBS Atlanta News is asking tough questions about good cops gone bad. The people protecting the streets in Atlanta have found themselves behind bars for drinking and driving and even charged with murder. In less than two years, 27 Atlanta police officers have had run-ins with the law, some of them more than once.
Reporter Jennifer Mayerle asked Maj. Lane Hagin what the arrests say about the department.
“It says police officers are human. Certainly it's not the image we want to present as a police department,” said Hagin.
CBS Atlanta News obtained video of Officer William Greenwell after drinking with another Atlanta police officer. He stumbles during a sobriety test, telling the Smyrna Police officer who pulled him over he had eight or nine mixed drinks. The incident reports shows Greenwell’s initial blood alcohol level was .17. He pleaded guilty to DUI.
John Freeman is in jail awaiting trial on a charge of murder. He admits shooting the security guard at his apartment complex multiple times.
“It’s embarrassing to even have someone accused of that as a police officer, and certainly if it's proven to be true and he's convicted, that's a black eye,” said Hagin.
Edward Rabb was charged with the rape of a neighbor in 2008. The District Attorney’s office decided not to take the case to court. Less than a year later, he was arrested for drinking and driving. Reports show he blew an initial .18, more than twice the legal limit. Police reports show his "eyes were blood shot and watery, and he had urinated on himself."
William Rucker is another double offender. Video CBS Atlanta News obtained of Rucker weaving in and out of traffic is what landed him in jail for a week, while APD kept him on the payroll. He was found guilty of numerous traffic violations. Rucker was also jailed for lying to police in South Carolina. Rucker is currently on desk duty.
Stephen Moyet was charged with simple assault and battery for attacking a fellow officer responding to a domestic 911 call.
Two officers resigned while still under investigation. Justin Green pleaded guilty to hit and run. He didn't resign until he tested positive for cocaine, and admitted to losing his gun while out partying.
Duane Grundy was already on administrative leave when he was locked up for the attack on then girlfriend, Brittani Lewis. Lewis said she feared for her life.
“He actually started choking me, and my head was down in my leather couches and I couldn't breathe. My 3-year-old son was hitting him, fighting him, trying to pull his pants, trying to get him off of me,” said Lewis.
Grundy also admitted to smoking marijuana while working at APD. CBS Atlanta News has learned he is now working at Lenox mall.
Mayerle asked Hagin what the department is doing to make sure there aren't any more black eyes.
“We have good people here, we have good training. There's a very stringent hiring process that we put people through,” said Hagin.
If you see cops behaving badly, you can file a report with the department they work for over the phone or in person. You can also contact the Office of Professional Standards.
A Response to Sgt. Keher
Posted On Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at at 1:20 PM by Dan
The Sunday Paper recently ran an open letter from Sgt. Scott Kreher. Sgt Kreher is president of the police union and a veteran of the Atlanta Police Department. After reading the letter I had some questions I would like to ask Sgt. Kreher.
I recently read your letter to the Atlanta mayoral candidates, “Save Our Cops: An open letter to Atlanta's next mayor.” In your letter you mention that in order “save our cops” the city should implement certain changes including pay raises, tuition reimbursement, and other steps to help reduce police turnover.
1) Creating a Search Committee to conduct a nationwide search for the next Chief of Police, and guaranteeing that this committee include members of the ACRB and concerned community members;
2) Appointing a police chief who publicly commits to ensuring full cooperation with the ACRB, including the disciplining of officers who refuse to comply; and
3) Calling for, and supporting a full ACRB investigation of the REDDOG unit with a commitment to following the recommendations produced by such an inquiry.
However, I would say this is only a first step. For the APD to really show it deserves support the department, the chief, and the union will have to support a fully funded civilian review board with subpoena power. The funding for the board can come from the same sources you outline in your letter. Towing fees, license enforcement, and better contracting of supplies (quartermastering) sound like a decent way of raising the funds. Personally, I’m willing to go on trust that this will work. The Southern Center for Human Rights has a report on the Atlanta civilian review board, including recommendations to make the board effective. If you and the rest of the police are willing to accept those recommendations, I’m sure the people of Atlanta wouldn’t begrudge you a small pay raise and tuition reimbursement. What do you say? If your answer is no, then what exactly about the APD is worth saving?
