Sami Amin Al-Arian (Arabic: سامي العريان) (b. January 14, 1958 in Kuwait) is a Palestinian computer engineer who accepted a plea bargain which resulted in his conviction with conspiracy to help Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Al-Arian, a former university professor, was arrested by the United States government in 2003 on charges of funding terrorists. He was acquitted on eight and deadlocked on nine of the 17 charges against him December 2005 after a six month trial with three co-defendants. On April 14, 2006 Al-Arian pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to provide services to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and agreed to be deported. In return, federal prosecutors agreed to drop the remaining eight charges against him. Al-Arian was sentenced to the 57 months in prison and given credit for time served. He was to serve the balance of 19 months and then be deported.

However, Al-Arian served a 14-month sentence for civil contempt of court after refusing to testify against former associates. The 14-month sentence was in addition to the criminal sentence. In December of 2007, a federal judge lifted the civil contempt charge. However, in March of 2008, The Justice Department subpoenaed Al-Arian to testify before another grand jury. He has refused to testify and is currently on a hunger strike.[1]

Sami Al-Arian has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring to provide services to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a specially designated terrorist organization, in violation of U.S. law, the Department of Justice announced today. Al-Arian pleaded guilty to Count Four of the indictment against him - a charge of conspiracy to make or receive contributions of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad...Al-Arian's agreement with the government calls for a recommended prison sentence of 46 to 57 months in prison, based on a five-year maximum statutory sentence.

Al-Arian famously said the following words: "Let us damn America, let us damn Israel, let us damn them and their allies until death."

Why do people sympathize with the terrorist? That's pretty twisted and sick.

...did they end up showing it at Edwards?

They did..I will post on it momentarily

I attended the event after reading about it on your website. I have to say, it was not as bad as you portrayed it. It was very positive and at most urged people to be educated about the case and to pressure the judge for his deportation, which is what the government offered him to begin with.

Even if I don't like what the guy's views, I think it is not good for us to be alarmists on such matters. We end up losing credibiltiy.

I went to the event. It was terrible. That CAIR is trying to free the terrorist Al-Arian reveals that they are supporters of terrorists. As if we all didn't know already.

It is a bad idea to censor other people. What happened to the First Amendment right? Thanks to you guys it now appears that we conservatives oppose free speech or that we are not confident in the validity of our arguments that we need to silence others instead of debating them.

The best approach was for us to hold another event, later on, at the same theater to counter what the documentary is claiming. Where can I watch this documentary? Is there a link. Now I really want to know what this fuss is all about.

Dave,

With all due respect, this wasn't censorship. In fact, it was very democratic. It was a nation wide boycott of a theater who held a fund-raiser for terrorists.

Should we just shut up when this happens in our community?

Let me know.

--JC

Because of Jonathan's efforts, CAIR and the MSU raised less money from the community for someone who plead guilty to terrorist activities. I am very happy about that.

I also commend Starplex for their moral integrity in this manner by choosing not to screen the film.

As for debating with the MSU or CAIR, it's pretty impossible to do that. If you criticize either of these groups, you're automatically an "anti-Muslim bigot." If you feel that Sami Al-Arian's character is flawed because of how he raised funds for terrorist groups, you're a racist.

I'd also like to add that we, as Americans, have every right to boycott or call to question events that raise money for suspected terrorists, etc. Freedom of speech and expression should not be one-sided.

Great job, Jonathan.

What's the problem. Just WATCH the movie first - then make up your mind Otherwise, you really do have to admit to being fasicists 100% rather than just say 75%.
Here's the site:

http://www.linktv.org/programs/usavs

Dave,

Here is the link to the shorter version of the documentary: http://www.linktv.org/programs/usavs. I hope it clears any misconceptions you might have about the role of US government in the case.

To Constantine: How was it a nation wide boycott when all you did was show up with your look-alike and took pictures?

The screening has generally been very successful, people from all parts of the social spectrum, including famous artist like Evergreen and a member of Cypress Hill, come to watch. So by all counts our event has been a success and will help Sami al-Arian in his struggle against US government.a

It was a nationwide effort because of the reach that this blog had and all the phone calls that were made. Even your friends at CAIR admit to that.

And, how very embarrassing for you that barely anybody showed up.

You guys really have to do better than just giving me your talking points, sending be doctored photos, or planting anonymous comments.

You lie with such ease, its pretty despicable. Yet you are so dumb and easy to refute.

--JC