High Plains Reader Editorial: From Flood to Freedom Fighting
May 1, 2009 by admin
Thursday, April 30 – Link to orginal article
Roxana Saberi’s situation right now is looking grimmer by the day. She’s been on a hunger strike for over a week, and there seems to be little hope of intervention by the U.S. government. Under Iranian law, she may or may not have been guilty of the accusations against her, but this isn’t about politics. This is about caring for human life. When our property was on the line during the flood we are still recovering from, we rose as one and fought the river back. Now, when the life of a community member is on the line, will we not do the same?
From flood to freedom fighting, Fargo can overcome adversity. Let us make a spectacle of unfathomable proportion, so that our demonstration may dwell in the thoughts of the world. It is time to let the masses know that Fargo-Moorhead will not let this happen lightly. That is why we, in cooperation with other various organizations, particularly the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, have planned a home town vigil on the Veterans Memorial Bridge on Main Avenue, this Saturday at 2 p.m.
Participants are encouraged to wear yellow ribbons, yellow armbands, or yellow clothing of any sort. Speaking at the vigil will be the President of Concordia, Congressman Pomeroy, a representative of the North Dakota Newspaper Association, a representative of the North Dakota Broadcasters Association, various media, and other friends and advocates.
A special thanks to those who are supporting Roxana’s plight: ND Human Rights Coalition, Concordia College, North Dakota Newspaper Association, North Dakota Broadcasters Association, KVLY / KXJB Tv / Valley News Live, KFGO, People Escaping Poverty Project (PEPP), The Flag, FM Extra, Red River Women’s Network, and many more.
On a side note, it seems there is a community in California who also have one of their locals imprisoned in Iran. There is talk that they will host a similar demonstration at the same time in the hopes that our unified voice will be even stronger.
Final Push to Free the Cass 23:
On a similar note, the remaining members of the Cass 23 are awaiting trial on May 7. This is the last chance for these men to receive justice. Lured by the false promises of a company called Signal International, they came to the United States to find themselves without the green card they were promised, underpaid, and in slave-like conditions.
They had a choice between legal temporary residency in indentured servitude, or illegal status on the run. These men chose the latter. Many of them spent their life savings on this scam, some even acquiring loans from shady loan-sharks.
They can’t go home and face the consequences there, but they can’t work if they stay here. The trial on May 7 will determine their fate. They could be deported, sent packing both broke and broken-hearted to an even worse situation.
There will be a prayer vigil/rally for these men at Olivet Lutheran Church, Friday, May 1 at 4:30 p.m. This is the final push to convince the powers that be to intervene. Our current immigrations policy is broken, and by beating legislators over the head with it, we might just accomplish something.