February 11, 2010

Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah was shot dead by FBI in November

Last week, Detroit law enforcement released the findings of their autopsy of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah, who was shot dead during an FBI raid in November. Since then, family members of the deceased and community activists have called for a second autopsy to look into possible cuts on the Imam's hands which, according to a local press report, may indicate he was bitten by an FBI dog before he allegedly fired back.  Community activists have also submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to see if there is a video of the incident.

In reaction to the news that Abdullah was shot 21 times (including once in the back and multiple times below the waist), MPAC last week issued an action alert to community members and all people of goodwill to contact their Congressional Representatives and request they support Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) letter calling for an independent investigation into the matter.

That same week, MPAC hand delivered letters to the various Chairpersons and Ranking Members of the various House Judiciary Subcommittees urging them to support an independent probe of the incident. It also sent a similar letter to the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division.

MPAC will continue to monitor developments surrounding the incident and press Congressional and Justice Department officials to ensure the independence, transparency and timeliness of the investigation. Meanwhile community members, activists and other people of goodwill are strong urged to continue contacting their local officials and Congressional Representatives to ensure the investigation goes through as planned.

For more information on contacting your Congressional officials, please see our earlier Action Alert.

- Alejandro Beutel (alejandro@mpac.org)
Government Liaison