Palestinian activist dies soon after release
By Jesse Heiwa
Farouk Abdel-Muhti, a long-time activist for
Palestinian liberation and against the detention of immigrants,
died from a heart attack on July 21, 2004, after giving a talk
at a "Detentions and Torture: Building Resistance" forum in
Philadelphia.
Farouk worked with many organizations, including the Free
the Detainees campaign, which he was representing.
He was arrested in the post 9/11 anti-immigrant hysteria on
April 26, 2002, after becoming a producer on Palestinian issues
for Pacifica Radio's WBAI in New York.
Farouk was not freed until April 12, 2004, after a
successful campaign of grass roots activism and also legal
support provided by the Center for Constitutional Rights. While
inside the prison walls he continued to organize on behalf of
all those who were detained under the frenzy of the "war on
terrorism."
Farouk was beaten while detained and was kept in solitary
confinement for eight months. His medication was also withheld.
Many believe that the deterioration of his health was a result
of these abusive conditions.
Our sympathies go out to his friends, family and comrades
and we vow to continue his work for Palestinian liberation,
freeing the detainees and for a world of peace and justice.
Farouk Abdel-Muhti, Presente!
Jesse Heiwa, of OutFM.org and QueerJustice.org, worked
with Farouk Abdel-Muhti at WBAI-FM.
Reprinted from the Aug. 5, 2004, issue of
Workers World newspaper
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