Why Are We Back In Iraq?

I'm crossposting this diary that Saurav wrote up at Daily Kos today. I know...I know...Just last week I wrote that I would never ask my readers to donate money to anyone. But I can't help it. This story has greatly affected me and I'm going to do all I can to help these two girls and their families. So...please...if you can afford it...write a check to help out the families.

"As you know, two teenagers, A & T, have been detained on immigration charges and smeared in the media as "suicide bombers" by the U.S. government without any susbtantiation; even the young women don't have access to the evidence against them. All this while unnamed FBI officials and DHS officials have undercut their own agents' claims that this is a serious national security investigation. Without knowing all the facts, it seems safe to say this would be a farce if people's lives were not being destroyed."

"Adem Carroll, an advocate in close touch with the family, told me they need to raise approximately $10,000 in the next three months just in order to get by. The vast majority of the money would go towards housing. The remainder would be for food and in case any legal expenses come up (although the lawyer is currently doing the case for free)."

"There's enough money available right now from various sources to cover them for a few days, but it could get somewhat bad for them in a short amount of time. Also, we haven't factored bail in yet, which, if granted, could potentially be a huge expense (we'll send out a separate appeal for that if it comes up, which it hopefully will, so she can get out of jail)."

"Given everything they're going through with their daughter's jailing, isolation, and the media smear campaign by the government, it would be amazing if those of us outside the direct situation can help out with this end of it. I can't imagine what it's like to both grapple with your daughter being in jail and simultaneously worry about whether you'll have a place to live if/when she gets out."

"CAIR-NY, a reputable group involved in helping these two families and many others, has an Emergency Family Fund."

To contribute to the fund, you can mail checks to:

"FYI, Adem Carroll is at Islamic Circle of North America, and helps administer the fund. He's also the person I know who's been in closest contact with T's family. If you want it to go directly to the teenagers and their families, earmark it as such. Otherwise, whatever surplus the fund has will be used for the Emergency Family Fund more generally."

"Please drop a line to ibeforegplease@yahoo.com and let us know if you're sending a check and how much. You can get more information on this action alert and other details of the case at Detain This!, where this is crossposted."

# posted by Ron Brynaert : 4/15/2005 01:42:00 AM