ALBANY: On July 2, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit denied Yassin Aref and Mohammed Hossain’s appeal of their convictions in the FBI terrorism-sting operation. This means that both men’s convictions were upheld, and the men will continue to serve their 15-year sentences.

The court’s decision is a sad day for the US Constitution. Secret evidence was used against Yassin Aref, violating the sixth amendment of the constitution. In an email Yassin sent after the decision, he said “I am grateful for everyone who has supported me, wished and prayed for the best for me, and has felt sorry for my family. I appreciate your time and support and I would like to assure you all that I am fine and patient. They cannot put hate in my heart and revenge in my thoughts. I know it’s not over, and I hope you believe the same and stay firm until justice takes place and the truth comes out. Please do not forget my family. Yours, Political Prisoner, Victim of war, Scapegoat for this administration’s policy, Yassin”

Targeting of innocent Muslims is taking place all over the United States now. In August, 2008. a group of people have come together to form the Muslim Innocence Project. Learn more by going to the website, http://www.musliminnocenceproject.org. We must never forget the words in this poem:

First They Came for the Jews

by Pastor Martin Niemöller

First they came for the Jews

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me

and there was no one left

to speak out for me