ACTION ALERT: Urge Congress to Call for Independent Investigation into Shooting of Detroit Imam
February 01, 2010
Following this morning's release of the autopsy report of Detroit imam and community activist Luqman Ameen Abdullah, the Muslim Public Affairs Council is renewing its call for an independent investigation into the highly controversial FBI raid which ended in his shooting death by agents. MPAC also calls upon the public to contact their members of Congress to sign onto a letter sent by House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) to the Attorney General calling for an independent investigation into the shooting.
SEE: "Report: Muslim Cleric Shot 21 Times in Dearborn Raid" (Detroit Free Press)
SEE ALSO: "Shocking Details Of Slain Imam's Autopsy" (Fox 2 Detroit)
Last week, local press reported that family members and officials familiar with the autopsy's findings stated that Mr. Abdullah had been shot at least 21 times, including at least once in the back.
FBI agents claim Abdullah refused to surrender, shot first, and killed an FBI dog. Details surrounding the shooting remain murky as the FBI has not officially released information relating to what kind of weapon Abdullah had or how many agents fired on him.
Meanwhile, last week, Rep. Conyers sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder about the case, in which he stated:
"I write seeking your personal assurance that the Department's investigation into the shooting death of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah will be appropriately rigorous, thorough, and -- most critically -- transparent. In addition, I call for the Department's Civil Rights Division to conduct a separate, independent review of whether the Federal Bureau of Investigation's use of confidential informants in our nation's houses of worship may constitute a deprivation of protected constitutional rights."
"The FBI's tactics and actions in the case of Imam Luqman Abdullah have exacerbated tensions between our communities and law enforcement and undercut the fragile trust needed for effective partnerships to keep America safe," said Government Liaison Alejandro Beutel. "The public deserves answers, which requires a thorough investigation by an independent party."
"We have continued to point out the use of unlawful surveillance of our mosques using informants and other intrusive tactics; this is a serious problem and is unconstitutional.," said Detroit Muslim community leader and activist Ghalib Begg. "This type of behavior does not help keep out communities and country safe."
"It is imperative that a transparent independent investigation take place surrounding the disturbing elements within the autopsy of the deceased Muslim prayer leader," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. "Such disturbing elements include multiple wounds to his groin area and back as well as him being found dead in a trailer in the prone position with his hands cuffed behind his back."
REQUESTED ACTION:
Call your Congressional Representative and urge him/her to support Rep. Conyers' letter calling for an independent investigation into this sensitive issue. Click here to find your Representative's contact information (all you need is your zip code).
If you live in the district of Representatives who sit on the House Judiciary committee, please contact your Congressman. Below is their name, state and Washington, DC office phone number:
MEMBERS OF HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE (Listed By State)
Arizona:
Trent Franks - (202) 225-4576
California:
Howard Berman - (202) 225-4695
Judy Chu - (202) 225-5464
Elton Gallegly - (202) 225-5811
Darrell Issa - (202) 225-3906
Zoe Lofgren - (202) 225-3072
Dan Lungren - (202) 225-5716
Linda Sanchez - (202) 225-6676
Adam Schiff - (202) 225-4176
Maxine Waters - (202) 225-2201
Florida:
Thomas Rooney - (202) 225-5792
Debbie Wasserman Schultz - (202)225-7931
Georgia:
Hank Johnson - (202) 225-1605
Illinois:
Luis Gutierrez - (202) 225-8203
Mike Quigley - (202) 225-4061
Iowa:
Steve King - (202) 225-4426
Massachusetts:
Bill Delahunt - (202) 225-4426
Michigan:
John Conyers - (202) 225-5126
Mississippi:
Gregg Harper - (202) 225-5031
New York:
Dan Maffei - (202) 225-3701
Jerrold Nadler - (202) 225-5635
Anthony Weiner - (202) 225-6616
North Carolina:
Howard Coble - (202) 225-3065
Mel Watt - (202) 225-1510
Ohio:
Jim Jordan - (202) 225-1605
Tennessee:
Steve Cohen - (202) 225-4576
Texas:
Louie Gohmert - (202) 225-3035
Charles Gonzalez - (202) 225-3236
Sheila Jackson Lee - (202) 225-3906
Ted Poe - (202) 225-6565
Lamar Smith - (202) 225-4236
Utah:
Jason Chaffetz - (202) 225-7751
Virginia:
Rick Boucher - (202) 225-3861
Randy Forbes - (202) 225-3906
Bob Goodlatte - (202) 225-5431
Bobby Scott - (202) 225-8351
Wisconsin:
Tammy Baldwin - (202) 225-2906
Jim Sensenbrenner - (202) 225-5101
