Rasmea Odeh’s horrific treatment in prison
Rasmea Odeh, Palestinian-American icon, hugs one of her supporters following the jury selection. Her trial will continue at the Theodore Levin Court House on Nov. 5.
Rasmea Odeh, a Palestinian icon, has been in solitary confinement for the past 12 days at the St. Clair County Jail in Port Huron, Michigan.
She is not allowed any contact with other prisoners and is confined to her cell all day, except at midnight for a few short minutes, according to a press release from the Committee to Stop FBI repression. Rasmea is currently not allowed to make phone calls and can not receive visitors. This isolation punishment was initially set for 6 days, but when she had expected to go back to general population, it has been extended two days at a time, without explanation, the press release said.
“We have grave concerns about Rasmea’s well-being. She has not been eating well, due to ongoing dental pain as well as other health issues exacerbated by the conditions of solitary confinement,” the statement read.
Odeh, who was found guilty on one count of unlawful procurement of naturalization last month, has been waiting for Judge Gershwin A. Drain to rule on the motion to release her from jail.
The prosecutor in Odeh’s case, Jonathan Tukel, is maneuvering to delay the judge’s decision on her release. After the defense motion was filed, an amicus (or “friend-of-the-court”) brief was submitted by the National Lawyers Guild (NLG), supporting the defense and urging Rasmea’s release. Judge Drain has agreed to a request by Tukel for time to submit his own motion to exclude the NLG’s brief.
Drain’s willingness to compromise with the prosecution in this case is nothing new. Odeh’s case was blatantly tried unfairly and the bias shown by the judge continues to rear its ugly head.
The Committee to Stop FBI Repression urges everyone to participate in its action to release Odeh from solitary confinement.
Here’s what you can do:
1. Today, please Call the office of
St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon
(810) 987-1700 [choose option 0],
Tell him you are calling about Rasmieh [sic] Odeh (inmate #144979), and ask that he release her from solitary confinement immediately.
2. Send a message on the county’s webform
Go here and post the following webform message: “I am writing out of concern for the health and well-being of Rasmieh Odeh, inmate #144979. I urge you to take immediate action to end her solitary confinement.”
