News & Updates

  • A Letter Of Greetings From Rasmea

    22 December 2017

    Rasmea sends a heartfelt letter from Amman, Jordan.


  • Court Statement

    18 August 2017

    On Thursday, August 17th, Judge Gershwin Drain again violated the rights of Rasmea Odeh, this time by not allowing her to read her entire statement to the court. Read her statement here.


  • Stand With Rasmea At Her Sentencing

    17 August 2017

    We are urging everyone to join us in Detroit, August 17, to show our love and support for Rasmea at her sentencing in federal court. The will be her last court appearance and Rasmea is planning to make a statement.


  • Twitter Storm

    12 August 2017

    Join the Rasmea Defense Committee for a social media campaign Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017, in support of Rasmea - and prepare for the #HonorRasmea farewell event on August 12th.


  • Rasmea On Homecoming Of Oscar Lopez

    22 May 2017

    Today, May 22nd, is Rasmea's 70th birthday, and she's been pretty busy the past few weeks.The Hana Center honored her on May 5th, she spoke at Northwestern University on May 15th, and she gave a powerful welcoming statement at the emotional return of former Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar Lopez to Paseo Boricua in Chicago on May 18th. Watch Rasmea's speech and read the full text below.


  • Supporters Join Rasmea At Plea Hearing

    25 April 2017

    Rasmea Odeh was joined in Detroit by close to 150 supporters from across the Midwest, at a federal court plea hearing based on an agreement reached last month. Sentencing will be formally imposed on August 17 in Detroit, but its terms were discussed and approved by Judge Gershwin Drain at this hearing. Rasmea will be stripped of her citizenship, and have to leave the United States permanently. She will not be sentenced to any further prison time, and she will “voluntarily” depart the country without being detained by immigration authorities.


  • Hundreds To Join At Plea Hearing

    24 April 2017

    On Tuesday, April 25th, Palestinian American icon Rasmea Odeh will be joined in a Detroit courtroom by supporters from across the Midwest. There, Judge Gershwin Drain will consider the plea agreement Rasmea signed in March, which ended a three-and-a-half-year legal battle against immigration violation charges brought against her; however, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Tukel appears to want to sabotage the plea agreement. Stand with Rasmea tomorrow!


  • All Out To Detroit For Plea Hearing

    06 April 2017

    The Rasmea Defense Committee is calling on everyone to mobilize for Rasmea’s final court appearance in Detroit on April 25th. It is essential that we fill the courtroom one final time, in support of our leader and shero Rasmea Odeh, who accepted a plea agreement two weeks ago, and will be forced to leave the United States soon.


  • Rasmea Accepts Plea Deal

    23 March 2017

    Rasmea Odeh, the 69-year old Palestinian American community leader who was tortured and sexually assaulted by the Israeli military in 1969, is bringing to a close her battle to win justice from the U.S. legal system.


  • Motion To Suppress

    17 March 2017

    Michael Deutsch, Jim Fennerty, and the rest of the legal defense team for Rasmea Odeh are gearing up for trial, now scheduled for May 30th. New motions filed this week put the question of Israel and its torturers front and center, and will be considered at a hearing on April 25th (moved from April 4th).


  • Reply To The Chicago Tribune

    10 March 2017

    This piece is a response to a hatchet job on Rasmea published by the Chicago Tribune in commentary this past Sunday. The Trib stated today that it would not publish our letter, so we are publishing a slightly edited version ourselves.


  • Speech On Iwd

    08 March 2017

    Rasmea Odeh received TWO standing ovations at the #InternationalWomensDay event at the Chicago Teachers Union hall last night. Watch the speech and read the transcription.


  • Defense Team Files Motion To Dismiss Indictment

    31 January 2017

    Lawyers defending Palestinian American activist Rasmea Odeh moved to dismiss the new indictment that was brought against her in December 2016.


  • Happy Holidays

    28 December 2016

    Happy Holidays from Rasmea and her defense committee. We can’t stop, we won’t stop, and we need you to stay with us. Rasmea Odeh, Palestinian community leader, is in Chicago for the holidays, continuing her important organizing work. And she’s home because of you! Please continue to support the defense fund by making a generous donation NOW!


  • Retrial Set For May 16

    21 December 2016

    All parties agreed on May 16, 2017, as the new starting date for Rasmea's retrial. The defense committee will continue to send regular updates.


  • New Indictments Against Rasmea

    13 December 2016

    U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade announced that a grand jury she had empaneled returned a new, superseding indictment against Rasmea Odeh for unlawful procurement of naturalization. This new indictment is a vicious attack by prosecutors desperate after a series of setbacks in their case and is written to ensure that Rasmea stands before a jury as an accused terrorist.


  • New Trial Set For January 10

    08 December 2016

    New trial is set to begin January 10th. Continue to call U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade at 313-226-9100, and demand that she stop wasting taxpayer money, that she stop persecuting a woman who has given so much to U.S. society, and that she Drop the Charges Against Rasmea Now!


  • Rasmea Gets New Trial

    06 December 2016

    After cancelling a November 29 Daubert hearing last week, Eastern District of Michigan Federal Judge Gershwin Drain reviewed written arguments, and ruled today that Palestinian American community organizer Rasmea Odeh will be granted a new trial.


  • Nov 29 Hearing Cancelled

    28 November 2016

    The Rasmea Defense Committee just now got word from Rasmea's defense attorneys that Judge Gershwin Drain cancelled the Daubert hearing that was scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, November 29th, in Detroit.


  • Twitter Power Hour

    22 November 2016

    In anticipation of her Daubert hearing on November 29th, join the Rasmea Defense Committee for twitter power hours Wednesday, November 23rd, from 12 Noon to 2 PM CST.


  • Donate To Send Supporters To Detroit

    18 November 2016

    Supporters from Chicago and other parts of the Midwest are already committed to attend. Donate to help them get to Detroit!


  • All Out November 29 In Detroit

    04 November 2016

    The Rasmea Defense Committee is calling on everyone to mobilize for Detroit on November 29th. Supporters from Chicago and other parts of Illinois, Milwaukee, Detroit / Dearborn, Grand Rapids, Minneapolis / St. Paul, Cincinnati, Indiana, and other Midwest areas are already committed to attend.


  • Motion Filed To Protect Rasmea

    07 September 2016

    Rasmea's defense attorneys filed a motion yesterday in response to last week’s ruling by Judge Gershwin Drain that Rasmea would have to submit to up to 18 hours of a government expert’s examination of her mental state.


  • Prosecutors Deny Horror Of Torture

    30 August 2016

    With Drain’s latest decision, Rasmea will be subjected to interrogation by a government expert seeking to support its claim that testimony by torture expert and clinical psychologist, Dr. Mary Fabri, should be excluded.


  • New Legal Attack On Rasmea

    05 August 2016

    Prosecutors launch new legal attack on Palestinian American leader, Rasmea Odeh, regarding mental state; all out for September 22nd federal court hearing in Detroit.


  • Defense Opposes Mental Examination

    03 August 2016

    View court documents of the appeal: the government demands a mental examination of Rasmea and the defense opposes.


  • More Victories For The Defense

    14 June 2016

    Over 100 people from all over the Midwest gathered in Detroit to support Rasmea Odeh as she, her attorneys, and the prosecution appeared before Judge Gershwin Drain for a status conference on Monday, June 13, 2016. Read more for updates on the trial.


  • Rasmea To Appear In Detroit For Status Hearing

    12 June 2016

    On Monday, June 13, 2016, Rasmea Odeh will appear with her attorneys in Judge Gershwin Drain’s chambers for a closed status conference at the federal courthouse in Detroit, Michigan. The Rasmea Defense Committee is mobilizing one hundred supporters to be there as well—from Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Detroit, Dearborn, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Cincinnati, Texas, and other cities and states. They will picket outside the courthouse to urge for a new trial.


  • Status Hearing Update

    30 May 2016

    The June 13th status hearing will take place in chambers, which means it will not be in open court; nevertheless, the defense committee will still be organizing a rally in front of the courthouse while the closed meeting between the judge, attorneys, and Rasmea is in session.


  • Happy Birthday Rasmea

    22 May 2016

    Sunday, May 22nd, is Rasmea's birthday, and there's no better gift she would want than for everyone to donate to her defense fund. You all know we are headed to Detroit for a status hearing in a few weeks, and that a new trial may be on the horizon. Let's start raising funds in preparation!


  • All Out For Detroit June 13

    11 May 2016

    Join us to win #Justice4Rasmea by attending Rasmea’s next court hearing in downtown Detroit, Michigan, on Monday, June 13th, 2016, at 10 AM Eastern time!


  • Mobilize For Another Status Hearing In Detroit

    21 April 2016

    On Monday, June 13, 2016, Rasmea Odeh will appear with her attorneys before Judge Gershwin Drain for a status conference at the federal courthouse in Detroit, Michigan. Supporters will travel to Detroit to urge for a new trial.


  • Rasmea Defense Committee Celebrating Today Planning Next Steps

    26 February 2016

    A ruling from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals represents a partial victory in the case of Rasmea Odeh, the legendary Palestinian American icon who was convicted of a politically motivated immigration charge in 2014, and sentenced to 18 months in prison and deportation last year.


  • Social Media Recap And Next Steps

    11 February 2016

    Thank you for participating in our social media day of action! See our reach and prepare for the appellate court's decision with our Emergency Response Plan.


  • Emergency Response Plan

    06 February 2016

    We are expecting that a decision will be coming down from the appellate court very soon, so prepare your city, organization, and/or campus for our Emergency Response Plan.


  • Resources For Social Media Day Of Action

    25 January 2016

    Use our Resource Guide to participate on Twitter and Facebook for a social media campaign Wednesday, January 27, 2016 with the Rasmea Defense Committee. A decision is expected any day in Rasmea's appeal of her unjust conviction for Unlawful Procurement of Naturalization.


  • Social Media Campaign

    22 January 2016

    Join the Rasmea Defense Committee for a social media campaign Wednesday, January 27th, in support of Palestinian American icon Rasmea Odeh—and prepare for an Emergency Response to the appellate court decision!


  • Thank You For Your Support

    29 December 2015

    From filling the courthouses during trials to making phone calls, you’ve done everything we’ve asked for! We thank you for your support and ask that you continue to support us through donations and throughout the appeals process.


  • Defense Attorney Hits It Out Of The Park In Appellate Court

    14 October 2015

    Appealing the November 2014 federal conviction of prominent Palestinian-American activist Rasmea Odeh, lead defense attorney Michael Deutsch gave a powerful oral argument in front of a panel of three judges in Cincinnati, at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit.


  • Everything You Need To Know About The Appeal In Cincinnati

    13 October 2015

    Stand with Rasmea and fill the appeals courthouse in Cincinnati! Here is everything you need to know about getting there and what's going to happen.


  • Attorneys To Make Oral Arguments In Cincinnati In Appeal Of Conviction

    13 October 2015

    On Wednesday, October 14th, 2015, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, three appellate judges will hear oral arguments in the case of Rasmea Odeh, the prominent Palestinian-American activist from Chicago who was convicted last November in what supporters called a “travesty of justice.”


  • Legal Team Files New Brief

    23 July 2015

    Rasmea’s legal defense team filed a new brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, demolishing the July 8th arguments of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Tukel, who is opposing her bid for a new trial.


  • Prosecutor Files Brief To Deny Rasmea Full Defense

    09 July 2015

    Federal prosecutor Jonathan Tukel filed a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit yesterday, opposing Rasmea Odeh’s call to overturn her conviction and sentencing on immigration charges.


  • Angela Davis To Support Rasmea In Chicago

    27 June 2015

    Prominent Black Chicago groups, including Black Youth Project 100, Black Lives Matter, We Charge Genocide, Southsiders Together Organizing for Power (STOP), and Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, will join Arab and Palestinian groups in welcoming Angela Davis to Chicago, where she will keynote a sold out event in support of Rasmea.


  • Torture Experts Join Appeal

    24 June 2015

    Internationally recognized experts on the effects of torture are weighing in on the appeal of prominent Palestinian American activist Rasmea Odeh.


  • Watch The Appeals Process Livestream

    12 June 2015

    View the livestream on Rasmea's appeals process


  • Rasmea Odeh Appeals Conviction And Sentencing

    09 June 2015

    Lead defense attorney Michael Deutsch filed a brief with the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to appeal the conviction and sentencing of Palestinian community leader Rasmea Odeh, arguing that Odeh was denied her right to present her complete defense, and that the trial court was wrong to allow prejudicial documents from Israel’s military court.


  • Happy Birthday Rasmea

    22 May 2015

    Rasmea Odeh is celebrating her birthday in Chicago and preparing for her appeal in a Cincinnati courtroom. Please donate to her defense!


  • Barbara Mcquade Deserves No Award

    28 April 2015

    Michigan-based Arab-American Civil Rights League (ACRL) will be presenting U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade with an award at its upcoming “Justice Award Tribute” event Friday, May 1st, in Detroit, MI. This award comes on the heels of McQuade’s supervision of the unjust arrest, trial, and conviction of our beloved community icon Rasmea Odeh. Tell ACRL this is unacceptable!


  • Rasmea Odeh Speaks At Incite

    26 March 2015

    Rasmea delivers a powerful speech to the opening plenary of INCITE! Color of Violence 4 Conference


  • United States Advocates Meet With United Nations Special Rapporteur

    23 March 2015

    Human rights advocates from the U.S. met Friday in Geneva with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, to call for support for human rights advocates in the U.S. who face police harassment, arrest and other state violence for their efforts to stand up for their rights and the rights of others.


  • Media Action Alert For Rasmea

    16 March 2015

    On March 12, 2015, Rasmea Odeh was sentenced to 18 months in prison after an unjust conviction last November, but she is challenging that conviction, and our organizing has helped her remain free on bond, pending the outcome of her appeal. Help spread her story and highlight her case in the 4 to 8 months before the appeal.


  • Rasmea Sentenced To 18 Months But Is Coming Home

    12 March 2015

    Over the objections of a prosecution team that called for a harsh sentence of 5-7 years in federal prison, Judge Gershwin sentenced Rasmea Odeh to 18 months for Unlawful Procurement of Naturalization, of which she was convicted last November. Rasmea was released on bond, as she sets out to appeal her conviction.


  • Rasmea Odeh To Speak At Her Sentencing Hearing

    12 March 2015

    Today, Rasmea Odeh, Chicago’s 67-year-old Palestinian community leader, will speak directly to Judge Gershwin Drain in a Detroit federal court, to describe her extraordinary life story and explain why he should not sentence her to imprisonment.


  • Why Rasmeas Case Matters

    11 March 2015

    Op-ed by by S. Mandisa Moore-O'Neal of The Women's Health And Justice Initiative


  • Why I Advocate For Leniency For Rasmea Odeh

    11 March 2015

    Op-ed by Louise Cainkar, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sociology and Social Welfare and Justice at Marquette University


  • We Owe Rasmea Leniency And Compassion

    11 March 2015

    Op-ed by Jess Ghannam on Rasmea's case and why she deserves leniency and compassion


  • Rasmea Odeh Should Be Honored Not Imprisoned

    11 March 2015

    Op-ed by Ramah Kudaimi of the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation and board member of the Washington Peace Center


  • Letters Of Leniency

    10 March 2015

    Letters of Leniency sent to Judge Gershwin Drain


  • A Speech From Rasmea On International Women's Day

    10 March 2015

    A message from Rasmea on International Women's Day in Chicago


  • All Out For Detroit To Support Rasmea

    27 February 2015

    We are committed to filling the courtroom, and an overflow room, on Rasmea's sentencing day on March 12th. We will also organize a picket in front of the courthouse one hour before the hearing. Join us!


  • Defense Attorneys File Sentencing Memorandum

    26 February 2015

    Defense attorneys for Rasmea Odeh, Chicago’s 67-year-old Palestinian community leader, filed a “sentencing memorandum” in a Detroit federal court, arguing that Odeh “should not be sentenced to further imprisonment...


  • Court Denies Motions From Palestinian Activist Rasmea odeh

    16 February 2015

    Rasmea Odeh is set to appear in a Detroit federal court for sentencing on March 12, following her conviction on a single charge of Unlawful Procurement of Naturalization. Three days ago, Judge Gershwin Drain issued an order denying two motions by Odeh’s defense team.


  • Wave Of Support Builds For Palestinian Activist Rasmea Odeh

    09 February 2015

    Protests, speaking events, and fundraisers are being organized across the U.S. as part of the growing national movement to win justice for Rasmea Odeh.


  • Out of jail! Rasmea Returns Home to Chicago

    11 December 2014

    Members of the Rasmea Defense Committee from Chicago and Detroit / Dearborn just welcomed Rasmea back from 5 weeks in a Port Huron, Michigan, jail.


  • Without a full and fair trial, Rasmea found Guilty

    10 November 2014

    In a travesty of justice, Rasmea Odeh today was found guilty of one count of Unlawful Procurement of Naturalization.