1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,000 that kind of kept it going and kept his spirits alive. 2 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:09,120 Those who contributed on launch good, 3 00:00:09,120 --> 00:00:11,040 and the people involved with launch good, 4 00:00:11,040 --> 00:00:14,080 it's so, so many, you know, I get in with, 5 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:15,680 I don't wanna thank so many people 6 00:00:15,680 --> 00:00:17,800 by not mentioning who they are, 7 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:21,840 but God, a lot of those who you are, 8 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:24,920 and what you did, and how you contributed, 9 00:00:24,920 --> 00:00:26,920 and how you supported justice, 10 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:28,880 and how you supported, you know, 11 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:31,960 this work against oppression, 12 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:33,600 and against unfairness, 13 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:36,120 and against our constitution, 14 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:38,640 and bill of rights, and the freedom of speech, 15 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:40,760 and so, I just wanted to say it, 16 00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:43,120 on behalf of the ISM, 17 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:44,840 we are very proud of you, 18 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:48,160 we appreciate everything that everybody did, 19 00:00:48,160 --> 00:00:50,400 no matter how large or big, 20 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:52,680 we appreciate that, we thank you, 21 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:55,880 and we ask God to bless each and every one of you. 22 00:00:55,880 --> 00:01:02,880 APPLAUSE 23 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:04,880 There's just so much action to the grandpa, 24 00:01:04,880 --> 00:01:07,600 and they're just not letting him go much out of life. 25 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:09,000 We are going to have, now, 26 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:14,000 brother Solasi, a bit about what his thoughts are going to be. 27 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:16,400 Thank you very much, brother, 28 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:20,240 and thank you, and welcome everyone, 29 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:23,840 to ISM, and I am so happy, 30 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:27,480 and honored that after 31 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:30,160 ISM is thriving, 32 00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:32,560 I would not allow to pray 33 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:33,720 that to my freedom, 34 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:36,480 which is gathering prayer with all of us, 35 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:39,960 I need to pray with by myself, an individual, 36 00:01:39,960 --> 00:01:42,200 almost 9% of the time, 37 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:43,680 in saying, 38 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:45,040 that, dear, 39 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:47,200 finally, I am deaf, 40 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:50,480 and I am here with my grandchildren, 41 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:52,160 with my family, 42 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:54,120 with my dear community, 43 00:01:54,120 --> 00:01:55,880 with people of freedom, 44 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:57,240 people of justice, 45 00:01:57,240 --> 00:01:58,640 people of faith, 46 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:02,040 who stood with my cause and my case. 47 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:03,840 Thank you very much, everyone. 48 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:05,880 This means the word to me. 49 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:08,120 I have a new life, 50 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:12,840 and this life came from how comes to Canada, 51 00:02:12,840 --> 00:02:14,480 came from your support, 52 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:17,880 and from your stand with justice, 53 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:20,160 and stand with my case, 54 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:22,960 and I really appreciate it, thank you very much. 55 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:25,520 My dear brother, my sisters, 56 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:27,520 me, and everyone, 57 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:30,080 my dear society, 58 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:33,440 I am back to serve the community, 59 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:36,440 Monday we have many things 60 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:40,040 to continue building bridges 61 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:43,040 more and more with all of faith, 62 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:46,120 to building projects more and more 63 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:48,240 for the future of our children. 64 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:52,160 We are built for goodness, 65 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:54,720 we are against wrong to it, 66 00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:57,640 we are against anything unjust, 67 00:02:57,640 --> 00:03:00,320 but anything with values, 68 00:03:00,320 --> 00:03:02,480 anything with justice, 69 00:03:02,480 --> 00:03:04,600 anything with support coming, 70 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:06,720 support education, 71 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:11,040 support our kids and the future of our kids, 72 00:03:11,040 --> 00:03:12,480 we will be there, 73 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:15,440 and we will do that extra mile to make sure, 74 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:18,760 to deliver for the rest of the future to everyone. 75 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:20,880 This is who we are. 76 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:23,360 I see the same thing when I was in jail, 77 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:26,960 when I addressed a community few times 78 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:27,920 through the phone, 79 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:30,920 inside my room, 80 00:03:30,920 --> 00:03:32,000 inside my home room, 81 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:33,160 I used to say, 82 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:34,560 cause it's too cold by the way, 83 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:39,040 and we'll continue doing the same, 84 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:40,240 whatever we are, 85 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:42,520 to do the mission, 86 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:45,040 to support the community as a priority, 87 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:48,400 and to deliver goodness if we were to show them that. 88 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:54,080 I really was hoping to see my mom 89 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:56,320 before she traveled to Palestine. 90 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:00,720 So, the last few days in jail, 91 00:04:00,720 --> 00:04:03,320 I wasn't system to do not even think 92 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:05,600 it was going by a term in there. 93 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:06,720 And by the way, 94 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:08,920 I didn't want to thank that team, 95 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:12,120 attorneys who worked for my case, 96 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:14,080 and especially the local one, 97 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:16,280 which is brother Wunjid Ahmad, 98 00:04:16,280 --> 00:04:18,360 the CEO of the community leader. 99 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:20,880 APPLAUSE 100 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:23,560 And brother Ashman Akbar, 101 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:25,400 APPLAUSE 102 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:26,640 worked for him. 103 00:04:28,640 --> 00:04:31,240 Because in this community, 104 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:33,440 who you find in downtown Milwaukee, 105 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:34,360 in court, 106 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:37,360 fighting for any just cause for a tree, by the way, 107 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:38,600 you're fighting in Chicago, 108 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:40,240 you're fighting anywhere, 109 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:41,960 you're standing in justice. 110 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:42,800 And by the way, 111 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:45,480 90% of my name is Smith, 112 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:47,840 when they stand with people to be for free, 113 00:04:47,840 --> 00:04:49,760 but then it just goes. 114 00:04:49,760 --> 00:04:52,560 They know how to differentiate between business 115 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:54,960 and to be called myself. 116 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:56,880 And again, there's many attorneys 117 00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:59,400 who stood with me at the end of all, 118 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:00,240 for what they did. 119 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:01,560 And I thank the judge, 120 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:03,440 for his purpose, 121 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:06,920 and the way he chose, 122 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:09,640 to be a judge and honestly, 123 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:12,440 he gave me hope for the system, 124 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:14,240 that, thank God, 125 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:16,040 we had to celebrate even, 126 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:17,640 who can give, 127 00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:20,840 drive judgment for better future. 128 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:24,080 Because imagine myself. 129 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:27,240 Finally, I met my mom, 130 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:29,520 last night before she went back home. 131 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:31,840 If the judge said something else, 132 00:05:31,840 --> 00:05:32,840 how I lost her opportunity, 133 00:05:32,840 --> 00:05:34,240 and she's 85 years old, 134 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:35,040 and by the way, 135 00:05:35,040 --> 00:05:38,440 she came about 10 minutes before I went to jail. 136 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:40,480 She spent five days in the hospital, 137 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:42,720 to put some heart problems. 138 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:44,040 And I spent those five days 139 00:05:44,040 --> 00:05:45,000 by the way with her, 140 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:46,040 inside the hospital. 141 00:05:46,040 --> 00:05:48,600 A lot of people know her thing to be with her. 142 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:50,840 During all my days, 143 00:05:50,840 --> 00:05:53,720 I spent the nights with her in the same room, 144 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:54,760 standing with my mom, 145 00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:56,240 because she wishes my mom and dad, 146 00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:57,760 my dad, best away, 147 00:05:57,760 --> 00:05:59,080 when I was four years old. 148 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:00,880 So she raised me as mom and dad. 149 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:02,680 And I told her to stand with her, 150 00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:05,480 not to be away from her now when she needs me. 151 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:06,440 A lot of time after that, 152 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:08,120 I came giving this opportunity, 153 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:10,400 to see her at eight o'clock. 154 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:11,240 And at the same time, 155 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:12,520 to see my beautiful dad, 156 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:13,880 I have mine, 157 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:15,040 your husband, 158 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:15,880 I'm breaking news, 159 00:06:15,880 --> 00:06:17,880 there's no more thing coming the way. 160 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:20,520 So, they all have racism. 161 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:25,440 And I have my own words. 162 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:28,560 So she came all the way from Memphis with her husband, 163 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:29,560 with her kids. 164 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:31,400 You're prepared to see the new twins, 165 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:34,640 and not some of you prepared to be with me, 166 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:35,480 and by the way, 167 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,240 her fourth baby when I was in jail, 168 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:39,880 now it's like 65, 169 00:06:39,880 --> 00:06:41,320 or 70 days, 170 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:44,560 and I was in jail when she had the birth of the baby. 171 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:46,320 And it was very tough from here to be honest with you, 172 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:47,480 very tough, 173 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:49,760 to have her baby with her kids, 174 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:51,200 while she knows that they're there, 175 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:52,880 going through what I was doing. 176 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:56,960 And to have also my sixth son, 177 00:06:56,960 --> 00:06:58,120 they weren't professionals, 178 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:01,160 had to learn my own kids' English from school. 179 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:02,160 And they weren't professional, 180 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:03,000 I finished college, 181 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:04,000 it's all my six kids, 182 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:04,920 they finished college, 183 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:06,360 they weren't English, 184 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:08,320 and they are American citizen, 185 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:09,520 they are professional, 186 00:07:09,520 --> 00:07:11,280 they are the running of this community, 187 00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:12,560 they're raising this community, 188 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:15,120 like other kids here, this community, 189 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:16,480 we grown here, 190 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:19,720 and we want to continue to build here. 191 00:07:20,720 --> 00:07:23,080 So, I won't be shocked at that. 192 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:24,440 The future will be better, 193 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:28,560 because we need a better future for all of us in Chicago. 194 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:30,320 And again, thank you very much. 195 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:37,320 Thank you very much for coming. 196 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:40,120 I really appreciate why you came here to Houston 197 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:41,920 with me, people of pain, 198 00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:44,320 what man should I promise any names, 199 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:46,000 honestly, or any group. 200 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:46,840 Tilt a group, 201 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:50,120 and I go back with me more than 400 others, 202 00:07:50,120 --> 00:07:52,560 arrived to my room, 203 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:55,320 and the guards there used to be shocked. 204 00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:58,160 And once, well done, once, one time, 205 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:00,400 the guard came to me, a female George told me, 206 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:02,400 so I can come and carry the nail, 207 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:04,520 I can't carry it, what is this? 208 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:07,880 And I have to walk outside to go carry my own nail, 209 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:09,280 because it was too heavy, 210 00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:11,280 it's too vast in the mail. 211 00:08:11,280 --> 00:08:13,920 I have like a face pouring letters from Dallas, 212 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:16,720 I have like 20 to say letters from Michigan, 213 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:19,120 I have like almost 70 letters of whom 214 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:22,840 I'm a medicine community, 215 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:25,840 JBB and other groups who work hard with medicine, 216 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:27,920 they send me films of letters, 217 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:31,000 Milwaukee, the Solan school, you're filming, 218 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:32,480 I mean, if I was serious, 219 00:08:32,480 --> 00:08:33,640 hands I'd show that, 220 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:34,880 then if you guys were raised, I'd say, 221 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:36,840 okay, I mean, I said, you let us all out. 222 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:39,480 But it means a lot to someone who will go into 223 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:40,920 and just situation. 224 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:42,280 Again, thank you very much. 225 00:08:42,280 --> 00:08:43,680 I owe you for this. 226 00:08:43,680 --> 00:08:45,840 I love you, and I promise you, 227 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:48,840 you will be working for separate students as well. 228 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:49,840 Thank you. 229 00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:50,680 Thank you. 230 00:08:50,680 --> 00:08:51,520 Thank you. 231 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:52,360 Thank you. 232 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:54,040 Thank you. 233 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:55,040 Thank you. 234 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:55,880 Thank you. 235 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:58,160 Back up, there is lots of people looking at me back. 236 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:00,120 It's a great feeling, 237 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:03,320 and we're looking forward to working with you more 238 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:04,880 on the daily basis. 239 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:09,400 I want to call up before we talk to the attorney, 240 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:13,160 I would like to bring up Keney as a steward. 241 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:15,560 This is Slaus Elissa. 242 00:09:15,560 --> 00:09:16,400 Thank you. 243 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:17,240 Thank you. 244 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:18,080 Thank you. 245 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:23,040 You took over from his dad, 246 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:25,640 and my son was a quiet guy. 247 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:30,040 But he is a tremendous asset to the family. 248 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:33,680 He took on a really major task. 249 00:09:33,680 --> 00:09:36,520 And he wants to talk a little bit about 250 00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:40,480 what he was like for the family, for those that anyone did. 251 00:09:41,560 --> 00:09:44,560 So I don't think we're being in play. 252 00:09:44,560 --> 00:09:51,560 I mean, when you go back and realize that there was hate now and you have to go find him 253 00:09:51,560 --> 00:09:54,560 and being overwhelmed with all those emotions. 254 00:09:54,560 --> 00:10:00,560 And let me give you a day as the nightmare continues, making up every single day not knowing 255 00:10:00,560 --> 00:10:08,560 how your dad is, what's going on, if he's okay, if many other men also heard about the food poisoning 256 00:10:08,560 --> 00:10:11,560 that he was going to and stuff like that. 257 00:10:11,560 --> 00:10:17,560 But it was killing us as a family and the news came to us as an earthquake to us and the community. 258 00:10:17,560 --> 00:10:24,560 My son insisted on bringing up land today, thinking that his grandfather is so cold 259 00:10:24,560 --> 00:10:27,560 from the nights that he spent over there. 260 00:10:27,560 --> 00:10:32,560 So, when we heard the news yesterday and we rushed, we rushed. 261 00:10:32,560 --> 00:10:37,560 We knew it was a dream come true, but we were worried over daydreaming. 262 00:10:37,560 --> 00:10:40,560 So, we rushed to make sure that we got there as fast as we can. 263 00:10:40,560 --> 00:10:47,560 And dreaming every day, hugging your father again, seeing him being back with a family, 264 00:10:47,560 --> 00:10:48,560 those of you come true. 265 00:10:48,560 --> 00:10:57,560 And it came true because of this amazing community, amazing leaders, amazing people that took the action 266 00:10:57,560 --> 00:11:01,560 and did what they had to do to make sure that he comes home. 267 00:11:01,560 --> 00:11:06,560 And for that we thank all of you guys and those constant community and the cities across the nation. 268 00:11:06,560 --> 00:11:07,560 Thank you. 269 00:11:07,560 --> 00:11:09,560 He's back home. 270 00:11:13,560 --> 00:11:15,560 He's back home with his family. 271 00:11:15,560 --> 00:11:26,560 And we took a quiet night last night on his home, sound asleep in his bed, and he's among his family. 272 00:11:26,560 --> 00:11:29,560 So, that's a big dream come true to us. 273 00:11:29,560 --> 00:11:31,560 And now we can actually call him every day. 274 00:11:31,560 --> 00:11:35,560 Whenever we go on, check whenever we go on, seeing whenever we go on. 275 00:11:35,560 --> 00:11:38,560 And he has one big family that we should have. 276 00:11:38,560 --> 00:11:39,560 What happened? 277 00:11:39,560 --> 00:11:40,560 What happened to him? 278 00:11:40,560 --> 00:11:41,560 Should it have happened? 279 00:11:41,560 --> 00:11:45,560 We did the bike and we'll continue doing the bike. 280 00:11:45,560 --> 00:11:46,560 Thank you so much. 281 00:11:52,560 --> 00:11:53,560 Thank you, Anthony. 282 00:11:53,560 --> 00:12:02,560 We are next going to hear from Sausage's main attorney. 283 00:12:02,560 --> 00:12:16,560 For the media, we will have the video available for you afterwards or if anyone wants what she's saying, we will give you the link so that you can actually have the video. 284 00:12:16,560 --> 00:12:19,560 We're not going to be able to project it. 285 00:12:19,560 --> 00:12:31,560 But this is an attorney, Luna Ruby, from, I think it's Belvak, I don't want to screw it up. 286 00:12:31,560 --> 00:12:34,560 Belvak will be an improvement in New York. 287 00:12:34,560 --> 00:12:44,560 She's worked on a number of cases nationally, particularly for those individuals involved with encampments and the attempt to target them. 288 00:12:44,560 --> 00:12:47,560 She was a rainer. 289 00:12:47,560 --> 00:12:55,560 Okay. 290 00:12:55,560 --> 00:12:56,560 Sorry. 291 00:12:56,560 --> 00:12:57,560 One of the. 292 00:12:57,560 --> 00:12:58,560 One of the. 293 00:12:58,560 --> 00:13:05,560 One of the things that we're just one second. 294 00:13:06,560 --> 00:13:11,560 Can you just get to all the way here? 295 00:13:11,560 --> 00:13:18,560 The board tool. 296 00:13:18,560 --> 00:13:19,560 Okay. 297 00:13:19,560 --> 00:13:20,560 Let's do. 298 00:13:20,560 --> 00:13:21,560 Okay. 299 00:13:21,560 --> 00:13:24,560 We're going to give that a try. 300 00:13:24,560 --> 00:13:25,560 All right. 301 00:13:25,560 --> 00:13:26,560 Sorry about that. 302 00:13:26,560 --> 00:13:34,560 So again, great attorney, great work and great results. 303 00:13:34,560 --> 00:13:39,560 I mean, we were really very, very happy to see the judge's decision. 304 00:13:39,560 --> 00:13:46,560 And I'll have a turn in attorney through me talk about some of the case and where we're going from here. 305 00:13:46,560 --> 00:13:47,560 Attorney. 306 00:14:01,560 --> 00:14:02,560 Can you guys hear good? 307 00:14:02,560 --> 00:14:03,560 Yeah. 308 00:14:03,560 --> 00:14:04,560 Yes. 309 00:14:04,560 --> 00:14:05,560 Great. 310 00:14:05,560 --> 00:14:08,560 So, I'm ready to take 12 feet in there. 311 00:14:08,560 --> 00:14:13,560 I am so honored to remember a lot of questions. 312 00:14:13,560 --> 00:14:18,560 It is a facing team of lawyers dedicated to that injustice with law. 313 00:14:18,560 --> 00:14:24,560 It is profoundly moving to see him and hear philosophy in front of you all and in person. 314 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:31,560 It has been such a battle and it's what it's hope is to have held in fact in for a lot. 315 00:14:31,560 --> 00:14:35,240 He allowed this to change for 80 days in a late-time jail 316 00:14:35,240 --> 00:14:39,000 where he endured horrific conditions of confinement. 317 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:42,580 The law lost 30 pounds while incarcerated 318 00:14:42,580 --> 00:14:46,140 and was denied basic and medical treatment. 319 00:14:46,140 --> 00:14:50,660 He had to type two diabetic and left his blood glucose check 320 00:14:50,660 --> 00:14:54,940 at least daily, or with that extra serious medical 321 00:14:54,940 --> 00:14:57,620 complication. 322 00:14:57,620 --> 00:15:02,340 At that left point, he suffered severe sudden pain, 323 00:15:02,340 --> 00:15:04,980 gave him the bill statement and tossed and disinfected 324 00:15:04,980 --> 00:15:08,140 the guard for mental treatment. 325 00:15:08,140 --> 00:15:11,380 Instead, he was told to purchase the gun tax off 326 00:15:11,380 --> 00:15:13,460 and that medical staff would not be available 327 00:15:13,460 --> 00:15:16,100 until the next morning. 328 00:15:16,100 --> 00:15:18,220 In addition to his medical issues, 329 00:15:18,220 --> 00:15:21,980 he was denied he would only be distracted to stay through it. 330 00:15:21,980 --> 00:15:25,940 But as he told the federal judge a few weeks ago, 331 00:15:25,940 --> 00:15:28,740 the real problem was that he should not be detained 332 00:15:28,740 --> 00:15:30,540 in the first place. 333 00:15:30,540 --> 00:15:32,740 His detention was punitive. 334 00:15:32,740 --> 00:15:37,540 And with retaliation with advocacy on behalf of his people, 335 00:15:37,540 --> 00:15:40,820 the law started a proud Palestinian. 336 00:15:40,820 --> 00:15:43,260 And as he told me when he was a detention, 337 00:15:43,260 --> 00:15:45,740 nothing will stop him from speaking out 338 00:15:45,740 --> 00:15:48,260 about Palestinians who were right. 339 00:15:48,260 --> 00:15:50,980 Yesterday, a federal judge agreed, 340 00:15:50,980 --> 00:15:53,180 and that the government cannot retaliate 341 00:15:53,180 --> 00:15:55,740 against the law through advocacy. 342 00:15:55,740 --> 00:15:58,940 However, the law's legal battle continues. 343 00:15:58,940 --> 00:16:02,540 And it wasn't too many specific claims in the federal court. 344 00:16:02,540 --> 00:16:05,540 That relief and immigration case continues. 345 00:16:05,540 --> 00:16:06,940 And he will be challenged and impeached 346 00:16:06,940 --> 00:16:09,180 in every one of the government's false allegations 347 00:16:09,180 --> 00:16:10,900 dead to America. 348 00:16:10,900 --> 00:16:13,980 But the election here today is clear. 349 00:16:13,980 --> 00:16:16,620 The government's policy of chill speech 350 00:16:16,620 --> 00:16:20,860 of those who advocate for Palestinians who will not proceed. 351 00:16:20,860 --> 00:16:22,660 Freedom of speech and association 352 00:16:22,660 --> 00:16:25,940 is for constitutional right in the country. 353 00:16:25,940 --> 00:16:28,980 And yesterday, a federal judge agreed. 354 00:16:28,980 --> 00:16:30,460 Thank you. 355 00:16:30,460 --> 00:16:31,460 Thank you. 356 00:16:31,460 --> 00:16:32,460 Thank you. 357 00:16:36,460 --> 00:16:37,820 Thank you very much. 358 00:16:37,820 --> 00:16:40,220 We're going to have, if any of the media 359 00:16:40,220 --> 00:16:44,020 have questions for attorney Drew B., 360 00:16:44,020 --> 00:16:47,580 we will have you ask those questions right now 361 00:16:47,580 --> 00:16:52,620 before we have a few other speakers who will address you. 362 00:16:52,620 --> 00:16:55,620 Anyone have a question, and we'll 363 00:16:55,620 --> 00:16:59,580 relay it directly to attorney Drew B.? 364 00:16:59,580 --> 00:17:00,580 Yes? 365 00:17:00,580 --> 00:17:03,060 Are you still worried about the attorney's population? 366 00:17:03,060 --> 00:17:05,500 And there I am, when you really hear 367 00:17:05,500 --> 00:17:07,980 of any concerns about the law, the law, the law, the law, 368 00:17:07,980 --> 00:17:10,300 the law, the law, the law, the law. 369 00:17:10,300 --> 00:17:12,180 OK, so the question is, are we worrying 370 00:17:12,180 --> 00:17:17,300 about the Heritage Foundation, and the issues related 371 00:17:17,300 --> 00:17:19,540 to the freedom of speech, and that they're 372 00:17:19,540 --> 00:17:22,180 trying to impact? 373 00:17:25,180 --> 00:17:28,860 Well, I think everybody should be terrified by what 374 00:17:28,860 --> 00:17:31,980 the government has done in response 375 00:17:31,980 --> 00:17:36,060 to the Heritage Foundation and their plans. 376 00:17:36,060 --> 00:17:42,100 But as you saw yesterday, we cannot allow these actors 377 00:17:42,100 --> 00:17:44,900 to chill to speech of anybody. 378 00:17:44,900 --> 00:17:47,260 This is about Palestine, but it could 379 00:17:47,260 --> 00:17:49,660 be because that's any other area, 380 00:17:49,660 --> 00:17:55,420 whether it's climate justice or human rights. 381 00:17:55,420 --> 00:17:57,220 It can affect everybody. 382 00:17:57,220 --> 00:17:58,180 It starts here. 383 00:17:58,180 --> 00:18:01,260 And that's something that we all should be aware of, 384 00:18:01,260 --> 00:18:04,260 and be ready to fight. 385 00:18:04,260 --> 00:18:05,060 Yes? 386 00:18:05,060 --> 00:18:07,980 For attorney Drew B., respectfully, 387 00:18:07,980 --> 00:18:10,900 the government has been very strong in some of its language. 388 00:18:10,900 --> 00:18:14,500 Even yesterday, since the terminology and accusations, 389 00:18:14,500 --> 00:18:16,580 she just called those allegations false, 390 00:18:16,580 --> 00:18:18,740 and she expanded on that, and asked the actions 391 00:18:18,740 --> 00:18:22,780 from the historic sword, and how she plans to address them. 392 00:18:22,780 --> 00:18:25,820 OK, so he was saying that the government 393 00:18:25,820 --> 00:18:28,780 has been very strong with regards 394 00:18:28,780 --> 00:18:31,340 to the allegations and the language 395 00:18:31,340 --> 00:18:33,780 that they have actually used. 396 00:18:33,780 --> 00:18:37,020 And he wants to know how will you go forward 397 00:18:37,020 --> 00:18:39,660 in addressing some of these allegations that 398 00:18:39,660 --> 00:18:41,060 are being raised by the government? 399 00:18:41,060 --> 00:18:46,900 As we inform the judge, and as the judge decided 400 00:18:46,900 --> 00:18:51,060 in yesterday's decision, they got a 30-year-old 401 00:18:51,060 --> 00:18:54,900 dale allegations that they're breaking up now. 402 00:18:54,900 --> 00:18:56,300 They voted false. 403 00:18:56,300 --> 00:19:00,540 In fact, they chose to not believe in multiple times 404 00:19:00,540 --> 00:19:04,780 during Mr. Farsour 30 years in this country. 405 00:19:04,780 --> 00:19:09,380 And so everybody could see the pretext behind that. 406 00:19:09,380 --> 00:19:12,900 The real reality here is that a lot of stories 407 00:19:12,900 --> 00:19:15,820 targeted for his loss of speech. 408 00:19:15,820 --> 00:19:21,140 And that reality, and that's what we can do with the fight. 409 00:19:21,140 --> 00:19:23,140 Yes, ma'am. 410 00:19:23,140 --> 00:19:26,140 And we're going to bring down a couple of things. 411 00:19:26,140 --> 00:19:31,060 I think we could talk a long way to understand the nature of it. 412 00:19:31,060 --> 00:19:34,380 OK, so the question is, how many pending cases 413 00:19:34,380 --> 00:19:38,220 does Solaf has, pay off, excuse me? 414 00:19:38,220 --> 00:19:41,660 I'm sorry, so that's coming down. 415 00:19:41,660 --> 00:19:44,540 And what is the nature of those cases? 416 00:19:44,540 --> 00:19:47,540 So how many cases does Solaf have that are pending? 417 00:19:47,540 --> 00:19:50,620 And what is the nature of those cases? 418 00:19:50,620 --> 00:19:54,020 So there are two parallel cases going on right now. 419 00:19:54,020 --> 00:19:56,540 There's an immigration court case related 420 00:19:56,540 --> 00:20:01,060 to the government's accusation related 421 00:20:01,060 --> 00:20:03,420 to the immigration status. 422 00:20:03,420 --> 00:20:05,980 Separate are federal cases related 423 00:20:05,980 --> 00:20:07,900 to his unlawful detention. 424 00:20:07,900 --> 00:20:10,060 So when he was detained, lawyers 425 00:20:10,060 --> 00:20:13,660 jumped in action very quickly to try to get a court order, 426 00:20:13,660 --> 00:20:17,060 to stop them from moving him, or deported him. 427 00:20:17,060 --> 00:20:18,700 God, we've been overseas. 428 00:20:18,700 --> 00:20:21,060 So because of quick action of lawyers, 429 00:20:21,060 --> 00:20:24,100 we were able to keep him in and in and out. 430 00:20:24,100 --> 00:20:26,820 And that was our, that federal case, which we can see 431 00:20:26,820 --> 00:20:29,820 able to fight. 432 00:20:29,820 --> 00:20:30,820 Yes, ma'am. 433 00:20:30,820 --> 00:20:32,820 Do you want to come back to that? 434 00:20:32,820 --> 00:20:35,540 Is there any more people on the board? 435 00:20:35,540 --> 00:20:37,500 So the question is, as an attorney, 436 00:20:37,500 --> 00:20:39,820 what are the next steps as you're moving forward 437 00:20:39,820 --> 00:20:40,660 with these cases? 438 00:20:43,660 --> 00:20:47,180 We have an incredible immigration team of lawyers 439 00:20:47,180 --> 00:20:49,660 who will be pursuing and fighting 440 00:20:49,660 --> 00:20:51,980 every criminal allegation against him 441 00:20:51,980 --> 00:20:54,180 for the government's claim that on the basis 442 00:20:54,180 --> 00:20:57,980 of his removal proceeding, which is the immigration proceeding. 443 00:20:57,980 --> 00:21:00,820 We, on a federal case, the federal side, 444 00:21:00,820 --> 00:21:04,180 will continue to pursue that case, 445 00:21:04,180 --> 00:21:07,180 whether it's through discovery and fact-finding. 446 00:21:07,180 --> 00:21:10,020 We'll continue to develop that case, 447 00:21:10,020 --> 00:21:12,780 and we believe strongly that the judge will also 448 00:21:12,780 --> 00:21:16,060 leave him down and rule definitively 449 00:21:16,060 --> 00:21:18,540 that the law's supposed to be constitutional right 450 00:21:18,540 --> 00:21:19,540 through violated. 451 00:21:23,220 --> 00:21:25,060 Any other questions from the media? 452 00:21:25,060 --> 00:21:26,220 Yes, sir. 453 00:21:26,220 --> 00:21:28,060 The federal government ever explained 454 00:21:28,060 --> 00:21:31,740 or operated in a case you wanted to draw to Indiana? 455 00:21:31,780 --> 00:21:36,700 Did the government ever explain why they've drawn him to Indiana? 456 00:21:40,060 --> 00:21:43,620 In the benefit of explaining the conduct, 457 00:21:43,620 --> 00:21:47,740 all I will say is the practice that we've seen in multiple cases 458 00:21:47,740 --> 00:21:52,300 is they try to show people down to favorable jurisdictions 459 00:21:52,300 --> 00:21:57,220 for them to impose a hardship treatment possible. 460 00:21:57,220 --> 00:22:01,700 And, like I said, it worked for the United States conduct 461 00:22:01,700 --> 00:22:05,420 of the legal team that might have just happened, 462 00:22:05,420 --> 00:22:09,340 but we were able to stop him and keep him in Indiana, 463 00:22:09,340 --> 00:22:12,980 still outweighing his family, but not down to that, 464 00:22:12,980 --> 00:22:16,260 where they inevitably were to make it better. 465 00:22:16,260 --> 00:22:21,540 If I can just add to that, I do know that when they took him 466 00:22:21,540 --> 00:22:25,700 to Chicago, then they were taken to Indiana, 467 00:22:25,700 --> 00:22:27,340 like Attorney Drew Lee has mentioned, 468 00:22:27,340 --> 00:22:32,460 is that habeas petition without even having all the papers 469 00:22:32,460 --> 00:22:35,860 from the government was filed, because the fear was 470 00:22:35,860 --> 00:22:38,500 that he would be moved down to Louisiana 471 00:22:38,500 --> 00:22:42,820 for some other jurisdiction as Attorney Drew Lee was mentioning, 472 00:22:42,820 --> 00:22:47,060 ruling down something that's more favorable to the government. 473 00:22:47,060 --> 00:22:50,780 Any other media questions? 474 00:22:50,780 --> 00:22:52,660 No, okay. 475 00:22:52,660 --> 00:22:54,340 Attorney Drew Lee, thank you so much. 476 00:22:54,340 --> 00:22:56,140 I appreciate your time. 477 00:22:56,140 --> 00:22:59,180 And I can appreciate all of your work, 478 00:22:59,180 --> 00:23:02,780 but very, very thankful for you and your entire team. 479 00:23:02,780 --> 00:23:03,780 Thank you. 480 00:23:03,780 --> 00:23:04,780 Thank you. 481 00:23:10,220 --> 00:23:11,020 Okay, thank you. 482 00:23:11,020 --> 00:23:13,180 There's a lot of those popping in the background. 483 00:23:13,180 --> 00:23:15,820 I hope you were able to hear that. 484 00:23:15,820 --> 00:23:18,420 Okay. 485 00:23:18,420 --> 00:23:19,260 All right. 486 00:23:19,260 --> 00:23:22,300 Next, as I mentioned, there were many groups 487 00:23:22,300 --> 00:23:25,260 that were really involved last Sunday. 488 00:23:25,260 --> 00:23:31,020 We had a group, Dr. Jody Milama, who was part of that group. 489 00:23:31,020 --> 00:23:33,540 I'm going to have you talk a little bit about that. 490 00:23:33,540 --> 00:23:37,100 They actually went down, drove the five-five-and-a-half 491 00:23:37,100 --> 00:23:43,460 of the hours to take help to Indiana in the middle of the knowing. 492 00:23:43,460 --> 00:23:48,660 And they were able to rally in support of so much. 493 00:23:48,660 --> 00:23:50,740 So Sue went in, they've done a lot more, 494 00:23:50,900 --> 00:23:54,300 and he's going to just give you a little indication about that. 495 00:23:54,300 --> 00:23:55,780 Thank you. 496 00:23:55,780 --> 00:23:57,540 Thank you. 497 00:23:57,540 --> 00:24:02,020 Just now, I'm sorry. 498 00:24:02,020 --> 00:24:03,500 Thank you. 499 00:24:03,500 --> 00:24:04,500 Okay. 500 00:24:04,500 --> 00:24:07,860 I think we got it. 501 00:24:07,860 --> 00:24:08,860 Okay. 502 00:24:08,860 --> 00:24:14,140 Don't worry about the record. 503 00:24:14,140 --> 00:24:16,500 Good afternoon, sisters and brothers. 504 00:24:16,500 --> 00:24:18,460 Today is a really joyous day. 505 00:24:18,460 --> 00:24:30,460 In addition to being Juneteenth, today is Salah as our freedom day. 506 00:24:30,460 --> 00:24:36,960 Today I celebrate Salah's freedom from unjust captivity by ICE for his strong voice and 507 00:24:36,960 --> 00:24:39,460 advocacy for justice and Palestine. 508 00:24:39,460 --> 00:24:47,460 I am one of many Jews in Milwaukee who sees Salah as our hero for standing up for all 509 00:24:47,460 --> 00:24:56,460 of our constitutional rights for standing up for democracy. 510 00:24:56,460 --> 00:25:02,460 As Frederick went the same, last Sunday, I stood with close to 200 people, many folks 511 00:25:02,460 --> 00:25:07,460 here in this room today, outside the Clay County Detention Center. 512 00:25:07,460 --> 00:25:15,460 It included Jewish people from across three states, alongside an interfaith crowd and Salah's family. 513 00:25:15,460 --> 00:25:19,460 Calling for his release, hoping he would hear us. 514 00:25:19,460 --> 00:25:23,460 Some traveled many hundreds of miles to be there. 515 00:25:23,460 --> 00:25:27,460 Harriet Lickney-Mendell-Dunn, the wife of an Orthodox rabbi, 516 00:25:27,460 --> 00:25:32,460 said in our Jews for Salah vigil, using the words from the story of Exodus, 517 00:25:32,460 --> 00:25:34,460 let my people go. 518 00:25:34,460 --> 00:25:38,460 Salah's story is my people, we are all connected. 519 00:25:38,460 --> 00:25:50,460 In the two months since Salah's accord was taken from his beloved community here, 520 00:25:50,460 --> 00:25:56,460 thousands of Jewish Americans have risen up to oppose the state terror done in our name 521 00:25:56,460 --> 00:25:58,460 against Salah and other Palestinians. 522 00:25:58,460 --> 00:26:02,460 It didn't happen like this before Salah was taken. 523 00:26:02,460 --> 00:26:09,460 We know that Jewish safety depends on protecting a free, multicultural, multiracial democracy, 524 00:26:09,460 --> 00:26:14,460 and that when ICE comes for one, they come for us all. 525 00:26:17,460 --> 00:26:24,460 This constant Jews for justice collected more than 400 signatures from just Jewish residents 526 00:26:24,460 --> 00:26:28,460 of Wisconsin demanding Salah's freedom. 527 00:26:29,460 --> 00:26:31,460 Thank you. 528 00:26:31,460 --> 00:26:35,460 Then we are, which is a national progressive Jewish group, 529 00:26:35,460 --> 00:26:41,460 put up a Jewish petition to freeze Salah, which currently has an amazing 530 00:26:41,460 --> 00:26:49,460 9,500 plus signatures, which is a record number for that organization on any issue. 531 00:26:50,460 --> 00:26:57,460 This week, four rabbis published an op-ed in the Chicago Sun Times demanding to release 532 00:26:57,460 --> 00:27:05,460 the Salah saying we will not allow Salah or anyone else to be illegally detained in our name. 533 00:27:09,460 --> 00:27:12,460 In my work with Jewish boys from east here in Milwaukee, 534 00:27:12,460 --> 00:27:17,460 I have had the great, great honor of working with Salah for more than 12 years. 535 00:27:17,460 --> 00:27:23,460 And I know him well as an extraordinary tour of mitzvahs, of great deeds. 536 00:27:23,460 --> 00:27:31,460 I love and respect his orientations by justice for everyone, and especially for the most vulnerable. 537 00:27:31,460 --> 00:27:37,460 Jews for Salah is an unprecedented convergence of Jews from across the Midwest, 538 00:27:37,460 --> 00:27:42,460 from grassroots and political movements sitting out of shoals, lay-life minions, 539 00:27:42,460 --> 00:27:47,460 representing a wide range of denominational, political, and ideological commitments. 540 00:27:47,460 --> 00:27:52,460 But collectively, we share a common outrage and a firmly-help belief 541 00:27:52,460 --> 00:27:57,460 that is our Jewish obligation to fight for Salah's fundamental freedom 542 00:27:57,460 --> 00:28:00,460 and to the right to dignity and free speech for him and for Salah, 543 00:28:00,460 --> 00:28:05,460 and the entire of Palestinian speech being repressed by those governors. 544 00:28:05,460 --> 00:28:14,460 One of our speakers, Rabbi Prince Elder, had actually just returned from Auschwitz, 545 00:28:14,460 --> 00:28:17,460 before he joined us in front of a fake honey detention center, 546 00:28:17,460 --> 00:28:22,460 the Nazi death camp where his grandmother and aunt had been murdered. 547 00:28:22,460 --> 00:28:24,460 It was his first visit there. 548 00:28:24,460 --> 00:28:28,460 And he told us that while the fake honey jail was not a death camp, 549 00:28:28,460 --> 00:28:30,460 it wasn't stepped towards that. 550 00:28:30,460 --> 00:28:32,460 It was a step towards fascism. 551 00:28:33,460 --> 00:28:35,460 He told us the Torah says, 552 00:28:35,460 --> 00:28:40,460 Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor. 553 00:28:40,460 --> 00:28:43,460 And Rabbi Elder said to the Trump administration directly, 554 00:28:43,460 --> 00:28:50,460 Do not use anti-Semitism as a cudgel in your maid of war against free speech, 555 00:28:50,460 --> 00:28:54,460 against what you decry as liberalism, against the First Amendment, 556 00:28:54,460 --> 00:28:58,460 against Muslims, against Palestinians, against peace activists, 557 00:28:58,460 --> 00:29:00,460 against brown skinned people. 558 00:29:00,460 --> 00:29:04,460 As Jews, we reject the use of our community's legitimate concerns 559 00:29:04,460 --> 00:29:08,460 as a smoke stain for policies that separate families 560 00:29:08,460 --> 00:29:10,460 and undermine democracy. 561 00:29:10,460 --> 00:29:14,460 So to my brothers-in-law, I say welcome. 562 00:29:14,460 --> 00:29:18,460 It's so good to see your smiles here and ask them again. 563 00:29:18,460 --> 00:29:21,460 Our intimate community stands with you. 564 00:29:21,460 --> 00:29:23,460 We celebrate your return today, 565 00:29:23,460 --> 00:29:25,460 and we know the work continues tomorrow. 566 00:29:26,460 --> 00:29:28,460 It's an honor to be in a struggle with you, 567 00:29:28,460 --> 00:29:30,460 as people remain in it with you 568 00:29:30,460 --> 00:29:33,460 until all of you ridiculous charges are dropped. 569 00:29:38,460 --> 00:29:42,460 We also remember altogether all of us remember 570 00:29:42,460 --> 00:29:46,460 that more than 200 other souls still trapped underground 571 00:29:46,460 --> 00:29:51,460 in a fake honey jail to non-healthy food, sunlight, medical care 572 00:29:51,460 --> 00:29:54,460 taken by the Isis Gestapo to bring right democracy. 573 00:29:54,460 --> 00:29:59,460 And we all say that Christa La Fatour means freedom on them. 574 00:29:59,460 --> 00:30:02,460 APPLAUSE 575 00:30:05,460 --> 00:30:08,460 Thank you very much, Dr. Malana. 576 00:30:08,460 --> 00:30:13,460 Okay, we have just a couple more. 577 00:30:13,460 --> 00:30:17,460 We're going to hear from next the executive director 578 00:30:17,460 --> 00:30:20,460 of the Wisconsin Muslim Civil Alliance, 579 00:30:20,460 --> 00:30:22,460 Sister Fosir Goresci. 580 00:30:22,460 --> 00:30:25,460 They were very, very involved in getting information 581 00:30:25,460 --> 00:30:27,460 out to the community. 582 00:30:27,460 --> 00:30:30,460 She worked with also elected officials. 583 00:30:30,460 --> 00:30:33,460 We want to really thank the elected officials. 584 00:30:33,460 --> 00:30:38,460 From those who came when we had our initial press conference, 585 00:30:38,460 --> 00:30:42,460 the officials from the city of Milwaukee 586 00:30:42,460 --> 00:30:44,460 and the surrounding communities, 587 00:30:44,460 --> 00:30:48,460 as well as those who subsequently helped in passing 588 00:30:48,460 --> 00:30:52,460 resolutions, Sister Fosir, can discuss some of that stuff. 589 00:30:52,460 --> 00:30:54,460 Thank you. 590 00:30:54,460 --> 00:30:57,460 APPLAUSE 591 00:30:57,460 --> 00:30:59,460 So, good afternoon, everyone. 592 00:30:59,460 --> 00:31:01,460 Look around you. 593 00:31:01,460 --> 00:31:07,460 This right here is what happens when you tell the community 594 00:31:07,460 --> 00:31:10,460 to sit down and be silent because our community leader 595 00:31:10,460 --> 00:31:13,460 was taken from his free speech. 596 00:31:13,460 --> 00:31:15,460 But we stand up instead. 597 00:31:15,460 --> 00:31:20,460 We speak up every single time. 598 00:31:20,460 --> 00:31:24,460 When Brother Salah was taken from this community, 599 00:31:24,460 --> 00:31:27,460 some people expected us to be quiet. 600 00:31:27,460 --> 00:31:29,460 They did not know this community. 601 00:31:29,460 --> 00:31:34,460 And at home below now, Brother Salah is home. 602 00:31:34,460 --> 00:31:37,460 APPLAUSE 603 00:31:38,460 --> 00:31:40,460 My name is Fosir Goresci, 604 00:31:40,460 --> 00:31:42,460 and I'm the executive director for the Wisconsin Muslim 605 00:31:42,460 --> 00:31:46,460 City Alliance, and I want to talk about how we got here, 606 00:31:46,460 --> 00:31:50,460 because this community deserves to celebrate the collective efforts 607 00:31:50,460 --> 00:31:54,460 that can protect us and bring our community numbers home 608 00:31:54,460 --> 00:31:57,460 when we stand up for one another. 609 00:31:57,460 --> 00:32:00,460 From the moment Brother Salah was taken and detained, 610 00:32:00,460 --> 00:32:02,460 we made a decision. 611 00:32:02,460 --> 00:32:04,460 We were not going to whisper. 612 00:32:04,460 --> 00:32:06,460 We were not going to wait. 613 00:32:06,460 --> 00:32:08,460 We were going to organize. 614 00:32:08,460 --> 00:32:12,460 Over 200 organizations from across Wisconsin 615 00:32:12,460 --> 00:32:17,460 and beyond signed onto a letter calling for Salah's release, 616 00:32:17,460 --> 00:32:21,460 and naming that this was a clear attack on his free speech 617 00:32:21,460 --> 00:32:27,460 to oppose the genocide in Gaza and uplift Palestinian rights. 618 00:32:27,460 --> 00:32:32,460 As a legal resident for over 30 years of a loving community leader 619 00:32:32,460 --> 00:32:37,460 and family man, we stood up to tell the truth about who he is. 620 00:32:37,460 --> 00:32:42,460 Muslim, non-Muslim, faith organizations, civil rights organizations, 621 00:32:42,460 --> 00:32:46,460 labor groups, and every other group we thank you, 622 00:32:46,460 --> 00:32:48,460 we are grateful for all of you. 623 00:32:48,460 --> 00:32:51,460 All of us united under one truth. 624 00:32:51,460 --> 00:32:56,460 This detention was wrong, and we were going to say this everywhere 625 00:32:56,460 --> 00:32:59,460 to everyone and to every level of government. 626 00:32:59,460 --> 00:33:02,460 Milwaukee spoke out. We saw that. 627 00:33:02,460 --> 00:33:04,460 Our Milwaukee Common Council, 628 00:33:04,460 --> 00:33:07,460 passed a resolution with 12 votes in favor. 629 00:33:07,460 --> 00:33:10,460 Thank you, Alderman, Alice Broward for leading that. 630 00:33:10,460 --> 00:33:14,460 We also saw that at the Milwaukee County Supervisor level, 631 00:33:14,460 --> 00:33:18,460 where I testified along with Brother Salah's family, 632 00:33:18,460 --> 00:33:22,460 and I watched supervisors who had not originally said yes 633 00:33:22,460 --> 00:33:25,460 and vote yes, but they then, after listening to all of us 634 00:33:25,460 --> 00:33:28,460 and listening to our community, voted yes. 635 00:33:28,460 --> 00:33:30,460 We wanted to thank the County Supervisor, 636 00:33:30,460 --> 00:33:33,460 Carolyn Gomez Tom, for offering that resolution. 637 00:33:33,460 --> 00:33:36,460 You rallied your colleagues, and you showed up for this community. 638 00:33:36,460 --> 00:33:39,460 We thank you. We did the champion, and you revert. 639 00:33:39,460 --> 00:33:41,460 We appreciate that. 640 00:33:41,460 --> 00:33:47,460 We went to Congress. 641 00:33:47,460 --> 00:33:51,460 Six members led by Congress will be went more, 642 00:33:51,460 --> 00:33:54,460 right here from Wisconsin's 4th District, 643 00:33:54,460 --> 00:33:57,460 wrote directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security 644 00:33:57,460 --> 00:33:59,460 to manning Brother Salah's release. 645 00:33:59,460 --> 00:34:02,460 Senator Tammy Baldwin led a Senator, 646 00:34:02,460 --> 00:34:06,460 joined by Senators Ray Sanders and letters, 647 00:34:06,460 --> 00:34:09,460 Senator Chris Van Holland, 648 00:34:09,460 --> 00:34:13,460 and the people of this community and across the nation 649 00:34:13,460 --> 00:34:18,460 sent over 25,000 letters to members of Congress. 650 00:34:18,460 --> 00:34:21,460 25,000 letters, please. 651 00:34:21,460 --> 00:34:28,460 This is a community that refuses to be ignored. 652 00:34:28,460 --> 00:34:31,460 All of that, every resolution, every letter, 653 00:34:31,460 --> 00:34:34,460 every alcohol, every rally, 654 00:34:34,460 --> 00:34:38,460 built the pressure that supported Brother Salah's legal team 655 00:34:38,460 --> 00:34:42,460 as they fought for this for his heinous petition 656 00:34:42,460 --> 00:34:44,460 to be heard in federal court. 657 00:34:44,460 --> 00:34:48,460 And this week, a federal judge ordered his immediate release. 658 00:34:48,460 --> 00:34:51,460 And this is what advocacy really does look like. 659 00:34:51,460 --> 00:34:53,460 That is what it produces. 660 00:34:53,460 --> 00:34:56,460 And we will do this for every community member 661 00:34:56,460 --> 00:35:01,460 who is targeted by an administration that wants to silence us. 662 00:35:01,460 --> 00:35:03,460 Brother Salah's release is a victory. 663 00:35:03,460 --> 00:35:06,460 However, the work is not finished. 664 00:35:06,460 --> 00:35:07,460 We know that. 665 00:35:07,460 --> 00:35:11,460 We must still fight for his right to free speech in court. 666 00:35:11,460 --> 00:35:13,460 And there are others in detention, 667 00:35:13,460 --> 00:35:16,460 as Joey mentioned as well, 668 00:35:16,460 --> 00:35:18,460 that don't have a coalition behind them, 669 00:35:18,460 --> 00:35:20,460 no press conference, no resolutions. 670 00:35:20,460 --> 00:35:24,460 The system that made this possible are still in place. 671 00:35:24,460 --> 00:35:27,460 And we will do everything we can to speak for our neighbors, 672 00:35:27,460 --> 00:35:29,460 and that is what they deserve. 673 00:35:29,460 --> 00:35:31,460 To Brother Salah, we welcome you. 674 00:35:31,460 --> 00:35:32,460 Thank you so much. 675 00:35:32,460 --> 00:35:34,460 And you're free to belong to every person in this room, 676 00:35:34,460 --> 00:35:36,460 and I congratulate every one of us 677 00:35:36,460 --> 00:35:39,460 that we are so thankful and blessed to have you back. 678 00:35:39,460 --> 00:35:48,460 Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. Pazia. 679 00:35:48,460 --> 00:35:51,460 So we're in here for just two more individuals. 680 00:35:51,460 --> 00:35:59,460 The last person who will be speaking is one of the attorneys. 681 00:35:59,460 --> 00:36:03,460 He's also going to read a statement that was issued by Congress 682 00:36:03,460 --> 00:36:04,460 one more office. 683 00:36:04,460 --> 00:36:10,460 We did go down twice to see Salah's suit at the Clay County. 684 00:36:10,460 --> 00:36:13,460 And again, we appreciate your efforts. 685 00:36:17,460 --> 00:36:20,460 One of the things about this targeting of individuals 686 00:36:20,460 --> 00:36:24,460 is it is targeting individuals from many, many different communities. 687 00:36:24,460 --> 00:36:28,460 And one of the allies that the ISM has worked with for many years 688 00:36:28,460 --> 00:36:32,460 in the Muslim community has worked with for many years 689 00:36:32,460 --> 00:36:36,460 was the Latinx or the Hispanic community 690 00:36:36,460 --> 00:36:38,460 from many, many different backgrounds. 691 00:36:38,460 --> 00:36:43,460 And we are going to hear from Christine Delman Ortiz, 692 00:36:43,460 --> 00:36:47,460 who is here representing Moses to a mother. 693 00:36:47,460 --> 00:36:52,460 Thank you. 694 00:36:52,460 --> 00:36:57,460 It's wonderful to be here with all of you with Salah's suit 695 00:36:57,460 --> 00:37:01,460 at this time when to celebrate 696 00:37:01,460 --> 00:37:05,460 a incoming home to be reunited with his family 697 00:37:05,460 --> 00:37:08,460 and to be reunited with his community. 698 00:37:08,460 --> 00:37:12,460 It's also an opportunity for all of us, a commitment. 699 00:37:12,460 --> 00:37:15,460 As Salah's suit I mentioned earlier, 700 00:37:15,460 --> 00:37:19,460 to really commit ourselves again to the struggle ahead, 701 00:37:19,460 --> 00:37:21,460 to the days ahead. 702 00:37:21,460 --> 00:37:25,460 Because we know that we continue to face challenges, 703 00:37:25,460 --> 00:37:30,460 including the ongoing effort of deportation, 704 00:37:30,460 --> 00:37:35,460 but broadly speaking to, against efforts to silence, 705 00:37:35,460 --> 00:37:37,460 to send, and the abuse of power. 706 00:37:37,460 --> 00:37:41,460 And so it's, you know, really proved today 707 00:37:41,460 --> 00:37:45,460 that when we come together, we do make a difference. 708 00:37:45,460 --> 00:37:49,460 And not everyone speaks out, but when people speak out, 709 00:37:49,460 --> 00:37:52,460 that's what, it's speaking out on behalf of others, 710 00:37:52,460 --> 00:37:55,460 and that's what allows everyone to see the humanity 711 00:37:55,460 --> 00:37:59,460 of this situation, to understand the injustice, 712 00:37:59,460 --> 00:38:01,460 to peel away the walls of that prison, 713 00:38:01,460 --> 00:38:05,460 to expose the inhumanity, and to bring us together. 714 00:38:05,460 --> 00:38:08,460 And so we also thank you for your leadership 715 00:38:08,460 --> 00:38:12,460 and doing that on the phone, who is both under attack. 716 00:38:12,460 --> 00:38:16,460 Um, do you have any of this? 717 00:38:16,460 --> 00:38:20,460 Um, I know that Wisconsinite, who we've been supporting, 718 00:38:20,460 --> 00:38:22,460 and all of us as a community, 719 00:38:22,460 --> 00:38:26,460 was also recently released, 720 00:38:26,460 --> 00:38:32,460 still facing a deportation without having any criminal record, 721 00:38:32,460 --> 00:38:37,460 but it really shows in both cases part of what's been important 722 00:38:37,460 --> 00:38:41,460 to expose, has been those conditions in the jail, 723 00:38:41,460 --> 00:38:46,460 because we've been able to see how these prisons 724 00:38:46,460 --> 00:38:50,460 that are private prisons, this is a business. 725 00:38:50,460 --> 00:38:55,460 They're making money off this, have been voting people 726 00:38:55,460 --> 00:38:58,460 for long periods of time, and putting their lives 727 00:38:58,460 --> 00:39:01,460 and health at risk, at risk. 728 00:39:01,460 --> 00:39:03,460 Anita was able to, when she came on, 729 00:39:03,460 --> 00:39:09,460 to also share how she and others were offered three dollars a day, 730 00:39:09,460 --> 00:39:14,460 to work in the prison, in the cafeteria, and cleaning, 731 00:39:14,460 --> 00:39:18,460 and how she witnessed two miscarriages of two pregnant women 732 00:39:18,460 --> 00:39:21,460 because of the abusive conditions. 733 00:39:21,460 --> 00:39:27,460 So our struggle continues, and I just want to say all of this 734 00:39:27,460 --> 00:39:30,460 of what's been happening, it's an effort. 735 00:39:30,460 --> 00:39:34,460 We are seeing escalation against our communities, 736 00:39:34,460 --> 00:39:38,460 whether that's voting rights activists in Ohio, 737 00:39:38,460 --> 00:39:42,460 whether that's Palestinian activists who were part of the broader network 738 00:39:42,460 --> 00:39:45,460 to document ICE abuses in Minnesota. 739 00:39:45,460 --> 00:39:48,460 We know the escalation against organizations, 740 00:39:48,460 --> 00:39:53,460 and activists is part of the effort, right? 741 00:39:53,460 --> 00:39:57,460 But this is proof that at the time they come at us, 742 00:39:57,460 --> 00:40:00,460 we come back stronger, and we're united. 743 00:40:00,460 --> 00:40:04,460 So we need fear, with courage, and we need division with unity. 744 00:40:04,460 --> 00:40:07,460 It's an honor to be in the struggle with all of you 745 00:40:07,460 --> 00:40:10,460 to celebrate this moment, and we will continue to build 746 00:40:10,460 --> 00:40:12,460 in the times ahead. 747 00:40:12,460 --> 00:40:13,460 Thank you. 748 00:40:17,460 --> 00:40:20,460 Thank you very much, Christine. 749 00:40:20,460 --> 00:40:23,460 Before I call up a budget, I just want to mention one thing. 750 00:40:23,460 --> 00:40:28,460 I had the opportunity to drive back with Salah from Take Home Team 751 00:40:28,460 --> 00:40:33,460 yesterday, and we were talking about it, even while conditions 752 00:40:33,460 --> 00:40:39,460 were there, and Salah doesn't shy away from expressing himself 753 00:40:39,460 --> 00:40:43,460 and organizing people, and many of the people he actually said 754 00:40:43,460 --> 00:40:46,460 there were not from our community. 755 00:40:46,460 --> 00:40:51,460 Many came from Mexico and other areas, but he said how he had 756 00:40:51,460 --> 00:40:54,460 developed a relationship with them. 757 00:40:54,460 --> 00:40:57,460 Some of them didn't have much family, didn't have the resources 758 00:40:57,460 --> 00:41:01,460 he allowed them to use during his phone or the time method, 759 00:41:01,460 --> 00:41:04,460 you know, that being able to use the phone in his minutes, 760 00:41:04,460 --> 00:41:07,460 if I could call that natural phone. 761 00:41:07,460 --> 00:41:11,460 He helped them, you know, writing things in English, 762 00:41:11,460 --> 00:41:15,460 and again, he said it was a family, and when he left, 763 00:41:15,460 --> 00:41:18,460 he said it's amazing how they found out that he was leaving 764 00:41:18,460 --> 00:41:20,460 many of them were crying. 765 00:41:20,460 --> 00:41:24,460 And in their own language, just thanking him for the work that he 766 00:41:24,460 --> 00:41:26,460 actually did. 767 00:41:26,460 --> 00:41:29,460 And again, I just think that that's something too important 768 00:41:29,460 --> 00:41:33,460 to mention, that we are welcome to be with Salah. 769 00:41:33,460 --> 00:41:38,460 Our next one I have invited. 770 00:41:38,460 --> 00:41:40,460 I've known London for a long time. 771 00:41:40,460 --> 00:41:43,460 He's one of the board members of the ISM. 772 00:41:43,460 --> 00:41:47,460 I don't know if he did any work in 81 days, other than for Salah. 773 00:41:47,460 --> 00:41:53,460 I really, you know, every time we're on the phone all the time, 774 00:41:53,460 --> 00:41:55,460 I've bought him in meetings. 775 00:41:55,460 --> 00:41:57,460 He's, you know, talking.