Defend The Irvine 11: Can You Help Our Brothers?

On February 8, 2010, ten University of California, Irvine and University of California, Riverside students individually stood up and made brief statements of protest during a speech by Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren. The students expressed deeply engrained political dissent over Israel’s unlawful treatment of the indigenous Palestinian populations.

Despite the peaceful nature of the protests, each protester was immediately arrested and cited. An eleventh student was similarly arrested and cited as he attempted to leave the lecture hall along with a large group of attendees. These students have come to be known as the “Irvine 11.” On February 7, 2011, the Orange County District Attorney’s office indicted the Irvine 11 on two misdemeanor charges. If found guilty, the students face up to six months in jail, fines or probation and community service.

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While these students’ protest was purely political, the Orange County District Attorney has labeled this case as the “UCI Muslim Case.” Based on the OC DA’s perception of the students’ religion, amongst other things, the students are now facing unprecedented and discriminatory criminal charges.

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On behalf of sister Rhonda Ragab | www.suhaibwebb.com/irvine11
"This is a grave injustice that has shocked the local community. I have known and worked with these brothers for many years and mashaAllah they are intelligent and principled leaders in the community.

If you could please take a couple minutes to help my brothers by signing these 2 petitions, that would be greatly appreciated. Also, please share this post and ask people to sign these petitions!

Petition 1: http://www.change.org/petitions/ask-kamala-harris-take-the-irvine-11-case
Petition 2: http://www.change.org/petitions/ask-the-oc-da-to-remove-himself-from-the-irvine-11-case

Please keep them in your du`a' (prayers) and if you can, please donate to their legal fund.
Rhonda."

Those details again:

• Visit www.irvine11.com for action items and updates.
• Follow the 11 at on Facebook (facebook.com/irvine11) and Twitter (@irvine_11).
• Contact the Orange County District Attorney by phone, letter, or email: Phone: (714) 834-3600
• Email: tony.rackauckas@da.ocgov.com OR log on to orangecountyda.com 
• Address: 401 Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana, California 92701
• Speak Out & Voice Your Support: Media Coverage: Lend your voice to the media coverage of the Irvine 11.
• Call-in to your favorite radio station.
• Write a letter-to-the-editor to the local newspapers.
• Spread the Word & Educate Others: Fight injustice with knowledge. Flood Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Google Buzz, and the blogosphere with news and information on the Irvine 11. 
• You can: Tweet about the campaign. Use the hashtag #irvine11 – example: “Stand with the Irvine 11 against injustice: www.irvine11.com #irvine11.″
• Host an event at your college campus, your mosque, your church, your library. Start a discussion; educate people on the situation and the fight for civil rights in this country.
• Email your family, friends and community about the Stand with the Eleven campaign. Give them quick, easy tips on how they can help. A sample email is available at www.irvine11.com.

Jazakum'Allahu khairan.