Israeli Undercover Unit Moves into Beit Lahia, Killing 4

PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Press Release

Ref: 46/2006
Date: 30 May 2006

Time: 10:30 GMT

An IOF Undercover Unit Moves into Beit Lahia, Killing 4 Palestinians and Wounding 4 Medical Personnel and 2 Journalists

On Monday evening, 29 May 2006, an undercover unit from the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) moved into Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. This operation, which continued until Tuesday morning, 30 May 2006, killed three members of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, who engaged in armed clashes with the IOF unit. A fourth Palestinian was killed when an IOF aircraft fired a missile at him. In addition, four medical personnel and two journalists were wounded.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 23:20 on Monday, 29 May 2006, an IOF undercover unit moved nearly 2,500 meters into Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. When IOF soldiers reached a position 400 meters away from the American International School, they clashed with a group from the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad. The armed clash lasted for half an hour and killed three members of the al-Quds Brigades:

1. Mohammed 'Omar Khalil 'Omar, 20;

2. Yousef Khalil Abu al-Me'za, 24; and

3. 'Abdul Rahman Mohammed Abu Shanab, 27.

A fourth member was also wounded in the clash. The four members are all from al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City.

Approximately thirty minutes later, three Palestinian ambulances arrived at the scene of the attack in order to evacuate the bodies. A number of Palestinian journalists were in the area reporting on the clashes. As soon as the medical crew got close to one of the bodies, an IOF helicopter gunship fired a missile, which fell just 50 meters away from the ambulances. Four medical personnel and two journalists were wounded as a result:

1. Diaa' al-Halabi, 25, a paramedic from al-'Awda Hospital, wounded by shrapnel to the head, the chest and the right thigh;

2. Rami al-Haj 'Ali, 30, a paramedic from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the chest and back;

3. Mohammed Shihda al-Muqayad, 25, a paramedic from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the chest;

4. Nahid Saleh al-Shawa, 50, a paramedic from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the left thigh;

5. Yahia Ibrahim al-Madhoun, 27, a correspondent from the local Shabab Radio station, wounded by shrapnel to the right leg; and

6. Mahmoud al-Bayed, 32, a cameraman from Ramatan News Agency, wounded by shrapnel to the right leg.

At approximately 02:00 on Tuesday, 30 May 2006, an IOF aircraft fired another missile at Saber Mohammed Abu Qailaq, 22, a security man living in the area, while he was checking the area. The missile killed him instantly. A Palestinian civilian, 27-year-old Ashraf Sha'ban Dawas, was wounded by shrapnel to the head, while he was near his house.

PCHR strongly condemns this latest attack and is gravely concerned over the escalation of Israeli attacks inside the OPT. This latest attack further proves PCHR's warning that IOF have not withdrawn from the Gaza Strip but have only redeployed around it. They are, therefore, in a position to commit crimes whenever and wherever they wish inside the Gaza Strip, in complete disregard of international law and international humanitarian law. PCHR calls upon the international community to immediately intervene to stop such crimes, and reiterates its calls for the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to meet their obligations to ensure protection for Palestinian civilians in the OPT.

-End-

Public Document

**************************************

For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 - 2825893

PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org

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Fourth Annual International Al-Awda Convention
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To register: http://al-awda.org/sf-conv_reserve.html
To flyer, the writing is on the wall: http://al-awda.org/pdf/flyer.pdf
For all other convention info: http://al-awda.org
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Fwd: 5 Palestinians Killed and 4 Wounded by IOF in Gaza City and Balata Refugee Camp

Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 00:07:20 -0700
To: Blog post at TUPOCC
From: Info TUPOCC <info@tupocc.thinkhost.com>
Subject: 5 Palestinians Killed and 4 Wounded by IOF in Gaza City and Balata Refugee Camp
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PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Press Release

 

 

Ref: 44/2006
Date: 21 May 2006

Time: 07:30 GMT

 

5 Palestinians Killed and 4 Wounded by IOF in Gaza City and Balata Refugee Camp

 

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have escalated their attacks on Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).   Five Palestinians, including three women and one child, have been killed as a result of these attacks in the past 24 hours.  Three members of the same family were killed and four other members wounded in one of these attacks.

 

In the Gaza Strip, IOF extra-judicially executed a member of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, in Gaza City on Saturday evening, 20 April 2006.   This attack also killed three Palestinian civilians and wounded four others, all from the same family.  PCHR's accountant was passing by the area at the time of the attack but escaped injury.   IOF admitted responsibility for this attack, claiming that the targeted man was responsible for developing Grad-type Katyusha rockets.  

 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 18:35 on Saturday, 20 May 2006, a Palestinian civilian vehicle (a Mitsubishi) was traveling north near a house belonging to Dr. Mahmoud al-Zahhar, the Palestinian Foreign Minister, in Sinaa' Street, Gaza City.   In the meantime, another civilian car (a white Mitsubishi), in which a Palestinian family was traveling, was coming from the opposite direction.  When the two cars approached each other, an IOF aircraft launched a missile at the first car, killing its driver.   Shrapnel from the missile also hit the second car, killing three civilians (a woman, her daughter and her grandson), and wounding four others.  Later, the victim in the first car was identified as Mohammed Sha'ban al-Dahdouh, 28, a prominent member of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad.   The three victims in the second car were identified as:

 

1.         Hanan Mohammed Aamen, 45;

2.         Na'ima Mahmoud Aamen, 25; and

3.         Muhannad Mohammed Aamen, 4. 

 

Those who were wounded were identified as:

 

1.         'Emad Hamdi Aamen, 39;

2.         Mohammed Hamdi Aamen, 30;

3.         Mo'ayad Mohammed Aamen, 3; and

4.         Maria Mohammed Aamen, 2. 

 

PCHR's accountant, Rami Abu Sha'ban, was passing by the area in his private car, when the attack took place.  His car was only a few meters only away from the targeted car at the time of the attack, but he escaped injury, although his car was damaged.  

 

In the West Bank, IOF willfully killed a Palestinian woman inside her house in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus. 

 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 21 May 2006, IOF moved into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus.   They took position at the entrance to the al-Jammasin quarter in the center of the camp.  At approximately 04:15, Subhi Abu Musallam, 50, left his house to go to work in the vegetable market.  When he saw IOF positioned in the area, he decided to return home.  His wife heard footsteps approaching the house, so she went to the second floor and looked through the window to check that it was her husband coming back home.   As soon as she looked through the window, an IOF soldier willfully shot her dead with a live bullet to the head.  According to Palestinian medical sources, the bullet that hit the victim was of an explosive nature.

 

PCHR strongly condemns these attacks and is gravely concerned over the recent escalation of Israeli attacks in the OPT.  PCHR asserts that such crimes serve to perpetuate the cycle of violence in the region.  PCHR calls upon the international community to immediately intervene to stop such crimes and reiterates its calls for the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to meet their obligations to ensure protection for Palestinian civilians in the OPT.

 

     

 

-End-

 

 

 

 

Public Document

**************************************

For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 - 2825893

PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org

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Fwd: [tupocc] This isn't justified, this is homocide.

Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 00:04:16 -0700
To: Blog post at TUPOCC
From: Info TUPOCC <info@tupocc.thinkhost.com>
Subject:  [tupocc] This isn't justified, this is homocide.
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Milwaukee Police Accountability Coalition (MPAC)
719 S. 6th Street * Milwaukee, WI 53202
414/273-9777 or 414/379-0049 email:  mattnelson64@hotmail.com
"Police brutality is the use of excessive or unnecessary force by police officers
with the purpose or expectation of causing death, bodily harm, or mental harm."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Milwaukee Police Accountability Coalition (MPAC)
Demands For McCann: May 22, 2006

1. Sign and press criminal charges against MPD Officer Alfonzo Glover in connection with the assault, battery, death and other physical harm committed against Wilbert Prado by law enforcement officers in the City of Milwaukee.

2. Press criminal charges against the MPD Officers in connection with the assault, battery, death and other physical harm committed against Juan Perez, Samuel Rodriguez, Justin Fields, Larry Jenkins, and others by law enforcement officers in the City of Milwaukee.

3. Support the effort to bring Federal Criminal Charges against the officers in connection with the assault, battery, and other physical harm committed against Frank Jude in the City of Milwaukee.

4. Cooperate with ongoing and future investigations of Police Brutality committed by MPD Officers in the City of Milwaukee. 

We, the Milwaukee Police Accountability Coalition demand a verbal commitment today (May 22, 2006), followed by a written confirmation by Friday May 26, 2006. 

Thank you,

Debra Jenkins 414.873.9695, Eddie Perez 414.333.9468, Marilyn Walczak 414.264.6635, and Matt Nelson 414.379.0049 on behalf of the Milwaukee Police Accountability Coalition (MPAC).

---

05.21.06 - Please Forward Widely - 
Contact: Eddie Perez 414.333.9468, Matt Nelson, mattnelson64@hotmail.com #414.379.0049 or Carey Jenkins #414.788.3868.

MPAC TO CONFRONT MCCANN URGING HIM TO SIGN CRIMINAL CHARGES IN THE PRADO KILLING: MONDAY MAY 22, NOON

MCCANN, THE HANDWRITING IS ON THE WALL,
POLICE BRUTALITY IS A CRIME!

On Monday May 22 at 12pm, the Milwaukee Police Accountability Coaltion, including members of the the Prado, Jenkins, Rodriguez, Perez, and Jude family will present demands to District Attorney E. Michael McCann with the purpose of E. Michael McCann signing criminal charges against Officer Alfonzo Glover for killing Wilbert Prado.  MPAC sources indicate that the charges are drafted, finalized and awaiting McCann’s signature. 

When: Monday May 22, 2006
Where: Office of E. Michael McCann, 821 W State Street (Safety Building) 4th Floor,

Wilbert Prado, an unarmed man, was shot eight times, with 19 bullets fired by Officer Alfonzo Glover.

"We have waited a year for criminal charges to be brought against the MPD Officer who killed Mr. Prado.  The Prado family and many other families who have been victimized by police violence must have justice." Said Matt Nelson, of MPAC.  "The fact that Officer Alfonzo Glover is African-American and Wilbert Prado is Latino should not be used as a way to divide the already united Black and Brown community in fighting police brutality.  It is the Color of the Law which allows officers to beat, maim, and kill with impunity not the color of Officer Alfonzo Glover's skin." Continued Nelson.

Wilbert Prado's case is only one example of the many lives that were stolen from Police Brutality in the City of Milwaukee and we demand justice for all of Milwaukee's families vicimized by Police Brutality.

The Milwaukee Police Accountability Coalition (MPAC) stands united for justice and has committed itself to organizing our communities and finding creative solutions to Milwaukee’s police brutality crisis.  The recent acquittals of the officers in the Frank Jude beatings and the Larry Jenkins killing have destroyed the public’s trust in the judicial process and illuminated the depth of corruption in the City’s justice system.  MPAC has responded and our resolve will hold those accountable who create and benefit from injustice, violence, and police brutality.

The Milwaukee Police Accountability Coalition is made up of local, state, and national organizations and driven by families who have lost loved ones at the hands of the police. We are a multiracial and multigenerational group partnered with Education For The People! and dedicated to working to end police brutality and stop violence in our communities.

"This isn't justified, this is homocide."

###

Background Information on the Prado Case:

Holding Them Accountable
Group asks for charges in the Prado murder
By Lisa Kaiser
Shepherd Express, June 2005

The public is speaking out. But is anyone listening?

A group of concerned citizens delivered more than 700 letters of protest to District Attorney E. Michael McCann’s office. An unarmed man, Wilbert Prado, had been shot eight times, with 19 bullets fired, by an off-duty police officer, Alfonzo Glover.

The group feels that justice is not being served after an inquest jury determined that Glover was justified in shooting and killing Prado in a South Side alley.

The inquest jury’s findings are only advisory. McCann can still choose to press charges if he feels it’s warranted.

"McCann is an elected official and represents the people," said Robert Miranda, who helped organize the letter-writing campaign. "The inquest only provided an advisory recommendation. But we’re saying that the people advise that you should do something different."

Matt Nelson, executive director of Education for the People, said that McCann will decide in a few weeks whether to bring charges against Glover, and public input such as the letters may play a role in his decision. "The court should hear it. McCann has everything he needs," Nelson said. "McCann can show some leadership. It’s best for the family and the community if he brings criminal charges."

Nelson wasn’t surprised that the jury didn’t recommend charges, even though Glover admitted to shooting Prado. No inquest jury in Milwaukee County has recommended pressing charges against officers in fatal shootings in the past 20 years.

"It’s difficult to prove a case against an officer," said Rep. Fred Kessler (D-Milwaukee), a former judge. Kessler noted that officers have statutory rights that the average person doesn’t have. Plus, jurors tend to side with police officers. "Generally, the community holds a police officer in higher regard," Kessler said. "To press charges, you need another officer to testify or video evidence of misconduct."

Kessler said that he couldn’t remember any district attorney who pressed charges after an inquest jury advised dropping a case, as Prado’s supporters want McCann to do. "It would be highly unusual," Kessler said. "The DA is holding all of the cards. He’s bringing evidence and questioning witnesses. If he can’t convince the inquest jury with no opposition, then he won’t file charges."

According to many, the inquest system itself is flawed. In an inquest, one side presents its case, with no cross-examination and no advocate for the victim. The defendant may have a lawyer, but the district attorney is responsible for presenting the case. The jury must return a verdict based upon a finding of probable cause.

That seems pretty straightforward, but in cases that involve a police officer—such as Prado’s—the results seem skewed in favor of the officer. A recently introduced piece of legislation would create changes in how inquests are created and conducted when the defendant is a law enforcement officer. The bill, authored by Milwaukee representatives Annette (Polly) Williams and Pedro Colon, would give the state attorney general the authority to call an inquest and appoint a special prosecutor to conduct the proceedings. This would take the case out of the district attorney’s hands. It would also allow certain relatives of the victim to be represented by an attorney, who would be able to subpoena witnesses, examine or cross-examine any witnesses and argue before the court. The bill would also prohibit inquests into cases involving officers from being conducted in secret, which is currently allowed.

Although inquest juries as they’re currently organized haven’t recommend charges to be brought against cops, they do serve a purpose. According to some in the legal community, they provide cover for the district attorney because if he doesn’t feel that there’s enough evidence, he doesn’t have to press charges and can say that he presented the case for additional scrutiny and the inquest jury agreed with him.

Nelson said that as flawed as the current inquest process is, it was a victory of sorts for Prado’s relatives and supporters. "There wouldn’t have been an inquest if there hadn’t been public outrage and mobilization," he said.

At the moment, that outrage may be the community’s best resource, since working through the system isn’t resulting in charges being filed against allegedly reckless police officers such as Glover. Another avenue for public complaints, the Fire and Police Commission, has received 817 citizen complaints since 1999, according to Nelson. But the commission has never found officer wrongdoing in any of these cases. Even the Milwaukee circuit court found that the commission wasn’t effective in evaluating the public’s complaints.

"This lack of accountability and oversight encourages police brutality," Nelson said.

To address this, Nelson and Education for the People want to establish a civilian review board to investigate police misconduct. According to the group’s proposal, it would be made up of elected members who could issue subpoenas, impose punishment and offer rewards to officers who come forward with information about police misconduct. It would be politically insulated from the police department.

"We want a professional police force," Nelson said. "One that protects civil rights and protects neighborhoods. Incidents like Prado and Frank Jude compromise relationships between the police and the community, and they make the police department reckless."

On June 25, Education for the People and Justice for Wilbert Javier Prado will host a forum on police brutality and accountability. It will be held at 10 a.m. at the Cesar Chavez Action Center at 719 S. 6th St.

###

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Fwd: [tupocc] Asian Law Caucus Job

Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 00:02:31 -0700
To: Blog post at TUPOCC
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Subject: [tupocc] Asian Law Caucus Job
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939 Market Street, Suite 201, San Francisco, CA 94103 
Tel: (415) 896-1701 * Fax: (415) 896-1702

www.asianlawcaucus.org 

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

SPECIAL PROJECTS ATTORNEY

 

The Asian Law Caucus (ALC), one of the nation's oldest API civil rights and legal services organizations, seeks a special projects attorney for the duration of 6 months.  The special projects attorney will provide critical legal services in the areas of wage and hour violations, unemployment insurance appeals, paid family leave, employment discrimination, language rights, and other issues affecting low-wage workers.  Legal services provision will serve as the basis for identifying broad patterns of abuse, which may require broader legal and policy advocacy.  The special projects attorney will also participate in community education workshops and panels. 

General Tasks 

• Supervise and provide legal services in employment rights, and other areas as needed
• Assist in legislative and administrative advocacy on employment rights issues
• Conduct community education workshops on employment rights
• Assist in conducting ALC's bi-monthly employment clinics
• Supervise law clerks and other personnel
• Perform other work as needed.
• Report to assigned Staff Attorney

 

Qualifications 

• B.A./B.S. and J.D. degrees with membership in good standing with the California State Bar
• 1-2 years of related legal practice experience (strongly preferred)
• Excellent research, analytical, written, and oral communication skills
• Excellent client communication and interaction skills
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to work independently and in collaboration with other attorneys, community advocates and community-based organizations
• Commitment to social justice and service to low-income communities of color
• Fluency in Asian language (preferred)

 

Salary and Benefits:

This is 6 month, full-time, exempt position.  Salary DOE, plus medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits; without benefits, contract can be negotiable. 

 

Application Process:

Qualified, interested candidates should submit a cover letter, writing sample and resume to:

Special Projects Attorney Search

Asian Law Caucus

939 Market Street, Suite 201

San Francisco, CA 94103 

OR 

jobs@asianlawcaucus.org 

Date Due: ASAP or until filled       Date Posted: May 4, 2006 

_____________________________________________________________________________

The Asian Law Caucus was founded in 1972, with a mission to promote, advance and represent the legal and civil rights of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.  ALC is committed to the pursuit of social, economic and racial equality and justice for all sectors of society, with a specific focus on the needs of low-income, immigrant and underserved communities.  ALC strives to create an informed and educated community empowered to assert its rights and to participate actively in American society.  As such, ALC integrates its legal services, educational programs, and community organizing initiatives with advocacy at the national, state and local levels. ALC is an equal employment opportunity employer and committed to diversity in the work place.

• 
  

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NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD SUPPORTS MAY 1 IMMIGRATION ACTIONS

NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD SUPPORTS MAY IMMIGRATION ACTIONS

The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) stands in support of the immigrant rights movement, and through its chapters and Mass Defense Committees is providing political and legal support around the country for May Day actions, including the Great May 1 Boycott, to push for comprehensive immigration reform favorable to undocumented workers. The NLG condemns the raids being carried out by the Department of Homeland Security against undocumented working people across the U.S. and recognizes that initiation of these raids by the government at this moment in time is an effort to terrorize and silence immigrant communities in advance of May 1.

The NLG‚s trained legal observers are being deployed to monitor large demonstrations to guard against unlawful police actions. In certain areas, the Guild is providing direct legal support for students who have been penalized or threatened for exercising their First Amendment rights and engaging in school walkouts.

As well, the Guild and its members are actively working in coalition with immigrant rights groups, community groups, labor leaders and social justice organizations as they plan for actions on different levels around the country in this new civil rights and workers rights movement.

Some examples from around the country include: the Connecticut National Lawyers Guild Mass Defense Committee‚s provision of legal observers and legal support for demonstrations being organized by the immigrant communities in Hartford and New Haven on May 1. The Guild is also providing legal support for high school students in West Hartford, Connecticut who are organizing a student walk out and demonstration in support of the May 1 national boycott.

In Los Angeles, Guild members will be providing legal observers for two demonstrations in the City. In addition, they are organizing as part of a coalition to represent students who are out of school that day. This is a continuation of the chapter‚s significant work in response to the walkouts in late March. Their website, www.schoolwalkouts.info, contains a wealth of information on what they are doing, information for parents and students and others on their rights.

In New Orleans, NLG students and lawyers will be helping with legal observing for local actions. Oregon Guild members are involved in planning local events, and will perform legal observing and criminal defense as needed. In Minnesota the NLG is involved with the coalition that is organizing the May 1 rally.

In New York City, the NLG will be providing dozens of legal observers for the May 1 Great American Boycott for Immigrant Rights. In Philadelphia, NLG legal observers will be covering immigration rights events throughout May Day week, including a large May 1 march in Philadelphia, a feeder march from Camden, NJ, and an event in Lancaster County, PA.

The San Francisco/Bay Area is staffing a legal hotline and providing Legal Observers for a number of actions on May Day. They have established a separate hotline to advise and support workers who are harassed or fired in retaliation for participation in the strike. Bellingham, Washington members trained new Legal Observers for the May Day march, at which several hundred are expected.


Founded in 1937 as the first racially integrated national bar association, the National Lawyers Guild is the oldest and largest public interest/human rights bar organization in the United States, with more than 200 chapters. The Guild has a long history of representing individuals whose rights have been violated by governments in the U.S. and abroad.

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