Via: @jakhisolidarity
Yesterday, 20 year old comrade Tarek Bazrouk was sentenced to 17 months in federal prison plus three years probation on the charges of federal “hate crimes.” This may or may not include time served, bringing the total time that will be spent to 11 months. The defense requested that Tarek be transferred to Fort Dix Prison in Pemberton Township, NJ to be close to his family, and to have access to adequate mental health services.
The prosecution attempted and failed in seeking a 36 month-long sentence for Tarek, with a massive show of supporters arriving to pack the courts, overflowing the federal courtroom inside 500 Pearl St. While the sentencing concluded yesterday, we shall not stop fighting until Tarek walks free.
We reject Tarek’s sentencing as anything more than political theatre where extreme sentences are imposed as a method to suppress Pro-Palestine activism.
We reject the notion that his actions were a “hate crime”. Palestinians have the right to fight back against their oppressors. The “victims” that were brought to testify are known agitators that have consistently showed up to actions and rallies to instigate and provoke.
Tarek is only guilt of resisting his oppressors. His sentence of 17 months in prison and three years probation serves no purpose beyond crushing dissent and resistance under the leveraged language of so called “hate crimes”.
Free Tarek.
Follow @freetarekbazrouk on IG for updates and continue to support our comrade at: Linktr.ee/freetarekbazrouk
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Jakhi had a hearing at 100 Centre St. for two state-level cases, the first regarding alleged graffiti at Columbia University, and the second concerning a protest-related arrest at an ICE rally.
While the ICE related case was dismissed, his Columbia case has been adjourned to December 18th for decisions on whether or not to move to trial. We will provide more support info and details closer to the court date.
We must celebrate these small victories for Jakhi, with the dismissal of one state level case last week, and another yesterday.
Free Jakhi.
Follow @jakhisolidarity on IG for updates and continue to support our comrade at: Linktr.ee/jakhisolidarity