At UF Tuesday, people spoke out against a humanitarian act that was mistaken as an act supporting terrorism.
Students for a Democratic Society and Students for Justice in Palestine hosted three nationally known activists to speak about U.S. government political repression against Arab-Americans, Muslims and anti-war activists.
Noor Elashi, who spoke at the event, wrote a book about her father’s involvement in the Holy Land Foundation charity. Her father, Ghassan Elashi, was sentenced to 65 years in prison for providing food, medical care, shelter and education to Palestinian and American people in need.
“The jail my father is at offers only a fraction of the visitation and call time compared to other jails,” Noor said.
The next speaker was John Cline, the attorney who defended Ghassan Elashi in trial.
“There are cases where the justice system has failed,” he said. “The Holy Land case is one of those.”
Cline said the government accused the Holy Land Foundation of giving resources to the Hamas terrorist group. He said the government had no evidence to back up its claim, and its main defense was an anonymous source.
The last speaker was Mick Kelly, a man whose house was ransacked by the FBI because he was believed to have participated in terrorist acts.
“I have always been happy to speak up for the liberation of Palestine. It’s all about what people say and what people get organized to do,” Kelly said. “I’d rather sit in jail for 100 years than keep quiet.”
Mick Kelly, left, listens while Noor Elashi, center, discusses the itinerary with Sara Mohamed on Tuesday evening in Little Hall.
