DALLAS/EWORLDWIRE/July 29, 2008 --- Dallas Peace Center's Hadi Jawad deems the government's case against the Holy Land Foundation is weak and wasteful, and the proceedings undermine U.S. law, due process, and the civil liberties of Americans.Jawad along with other Hungry for Justice coalition members which represent national and regional civil rights and interfaith organizations will gather at Dallas City Hall on Wednesday, July 30, to express objections to the retrial of the defendants of the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) slated for September 8, 2008.
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: Wednesday, July 30 at 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Flag Room at Dallas City Hall
WHY: Coalition members will urge the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to dismiss the Holy Land Foundation retrial due to legal and financial concerns brought to light since the first trial ended in October, 2007.
"U.S. taxpayer dollars were wasted in a 14-year investigation in collaboration with global intelligence agencies across three continents that failed to produce any convictions," said Jawad.
"Four of the five defendants in this case are being represented by court-appointed attorneys who have remained unpaid for almost a year, while prosecution lawyers are spending unlimited resources preparing for their desperate, redemptive do-over trial," added Jawad.
Khalil Meek, Hungry 4 Justice Coalition, spokesperson said, "The Dept. of Justice's attempt to re-try this case violates the double jeopardy standards established to protect American citizens against heavy-handed, zealous prosecutions using weak, unsubstantiated, politically driven theories."
Hungry for Justice was formed in April, 2007, as an ad hoc committee to organize local and national support for the defendants in the Holy Land Foundation Federal trial. It adheres to non-violent principles and affirms
the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Members of the coalition include among other civil rights and civil liberties organizations and activists:
. Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
. League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
. The Dallas Peace Center
. Muslim American Society
. American Muslim Alliance
. A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
. Crawford Peace House
. American Muslim Task Force
MEDIA: For pre- or post-press conference interviews or for more information, contact Khalil Meek, Hungry for Justice Spokesperson, at 972-849-9188, or e-mail khalilmeek@gmail.com.
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