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7 things you can do to fight
secret evidence
Don't be fooled by the legal speak on secret evidence. This is an issue which anyone who has a telephone, pen, paper and access to the postal service, and/or fax and e-mail access can do something about. All of these are lobbying tools to fight secret evidence. Here are some practical ways you can use them. 1. Find out what exactly is Secret Evidence Make sure you know the basics of Secret Evidence. What it entails, who if affects, when it came into effect, etc. Also, read up on how Secret Evidence has affected Muslims and Arabs, who have been most of the victims of this law. You can find stories, for instance, in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs magazine. 2. Learn about H.R. 2121What is this? It's the Secret Evidence Repeal Act. It would no longer allow the US government to keep away evidence against a suspect on the basis that to reveal it would be a threat to national security. Confused? Inform yourself about H.R. 2121. 3. Inform your family and friends about it At your next family meeting or discussion, talk about secret evidence and the effect is has on Muslims living in the US Then discuss H.R. 2121 and how it can put an end to this law. Be creative and make it as simple to understand as possible. Tell the stories of real people: Nasser Ahmed and Mazen Al-Najjar, for instance. Show their photographs. Use the articles from the Washington Report on Middle East on these two cases and how they have not only affected the lives of these Muslims, but the lives of their wives and children as well. For your friends, bring up the issue for discussion at the next dinner party. Bring a one-page fact sheet on secret evidence for everyone. Also hand out a copy of how secret evidence has affected the life of one person (i.e. Mazen Al-Najjar) to put a human face to the legislation. 4. Call Who to call? See the list below of government representatives who can be persuaded to support H.R. 2121. If these key Judiciary Committee members cosponsor H.R. 2121 , it can pass through the committee without changes. Call them first. Be calm, polite and straightforward. Write down your points on note cards before calling if you feel really nervous. And remember, every call makes a difference. Those who support the Secret Evidence Act (mostly pro-Israel, anti-Muslim forces) have done their lobbying work by effectively trying to persuade. Now you've got to do your part, even if it is just one call. The list of representatives can be found here. 5. Write up the letter and fax it Nothing fancy. Some points from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) : a. secret evidence is unconstitutional b. it is being used specifically against members of the Muslim and Arab-American communities. Almost all of the individuals held based on secret evidence are Muslims and Arabs. c. Federal courts in the US have rejected the credibility of secret evidence on many occasions. In cases where secret evidence was revealed, it often turned out to be nothing more than rumors, press clippings, and other forms of evidence that would not stand up in a court of law. d. The basic guarantee to "due process of law" contained in the Fifth Amendment of the American constitution should not be denied to anyone, citizen or non-citizen. To deprive any individual in the US of freedom without the opportunity to confront the evidence used against him is a denial of justice. It flies in the face of American values. 6. E-mail and forward E-mail and forward to Muslims information about secret evidence from organizations like CAIR. Also use your e-mail to write to any representative from your area about secret evidence. by going to http://www.house.gov/writerep/. Type in your zip code to find out who represents your district. 7. Make Dua (supplication) All power is only with Allah. Make sure to make Dua after your efforts, that Allah make them fruitful, and that those who are suffering under the secret evidence law are freed from this injustice.
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