MANA’s Social Justice Task Force is organizing a seminar on February 13, 2010 (Saturday) at Howard University (DC) to educate the Muslim community about the history and inhumanity of this type of punishment and to join forces with other activists who are addressing this issue so that ultimately we can all work to end this form of torture.

Guests include Cynthia McKinney, Ramsey Clark, Karima Al-Amin and other activists in the field such as Bonnie Kerness of the American Friends Service Committee and Sala Nolan of the United Church of Christ.

The program starts at 9:30 am and three panels will be held,

1. 10 a.m.  – 12 noon
2. 1:30 p.m.  – 3:30 p.m.
3. 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Al-Amin is the wife of Imam Jamil Al-Amin, who is incarcerated in a supermax prison in Colorado.

• The Imam sits in a small jail cell for 23 hours—in complete isolation.
• For one hour he goes out to a small, enclosed area and is able to walk around—still complete isolation.
• No human contact.
• Many Psychologists argue have this type of incarceration is inhumane and cruel.
• In the past, 24/7 isolation was reserved for prisoners who had committed a major violation.
• Imam Jamil didn’t commit a major violation.
• His treatment is due to the fact that he is Imam Jamil Al-Amin.

The reality is that a large number of people are experiencing the same treatment.

This “cruel and unusual punishment” was developed in the 1980s when SuperMax prisons and control units were built to house in particular politically motivated prisoners.

This type of punishment has been expanded under the title of “security threat group management units” which is aimed at Muslims.

• mana-net.org

Tags: American Muslims, Bonnie Kerness, Cynthia McKinney, Howard University, Jamil Al-Amin, Karima Al-Amin, Prisons, Ramsey Clark, Sala Nolan, Seminar, Solitary, SuperMax

Short URL: http://tinyurl.com/yc4p88f