Friends of Human Rights

Friends of Human Rights
Meeting Summary
April 13, 2005


1. The Tampa Tribune is planning a series of articles about Dr. Al-Arian’s case to be printed shortly before the trial begins. Michael Fechter is apparently going to be writing one of these articles. We decided to send a letter protesting this.

2. We decided to send regular appeals for letters to the Tampa Tribune and the St. Petersburg Times, with a request for a copy of the letter to be sent to Friends (melvau@earthlink.net) in order to monitor the numbers of letters that are being printed, and to publish the letters that are not printed in the alternative media. Our first concern will be jury bias and the need for a change of venue for the trial.
(As a point of information – the Managing Editor of the St. Pete Times is Steve Buckley)

3. The documentary “Unconstitutional”, put out by the ACLU, details the abuses of the “PATRIOT” Act and how it affects all of us. We will search for as many venues as possible. It will be shown on Wednesday, May 11, at First United Church. Warren will contact Vicki Walker at Hyde Park Church to explore the possibility of screening it there. Mel and Nahla will take a copy to her. Ahmed Bedier will try to arrange a WMNF showing at a larger theater. Mel will contact St. Pete for Peace to see if they could arrange a showing in Pinellas County.


4. In order to avoid future conflicts with Wednesday night dinners at First United, meetings of Friends of Human Rights will be held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.