Running for Justice for the Maya Q’Eqchi

By Nadrat Siddique

December 29 – Tonight I ran 10k (6.2 miles) to call for justice for the  Maya Q’Eqchi’ in Guatemala. These are Guatemalan Indians, who have been violently evicted by the Guatemalan police at the behest of a multinational corporation operating on indigenous lands. Twenty-five Mayan Indian women and children were arrested, when they resisted expulsion from their homes. Mayan Indians have long been the target of extermination by successive U.S.-supported dictators in Guatemala.

According to the organizers of the virtual run, "On December 6th the Chapín Abajo community in El Estor, Izabal, Guatemala was violently evicted, affecting 50 Maya Q’eqchi’ families. There are 25 arrest warrants against Q’eqchi’ Ancestral Authorities. Women and minors were arbitrarily detained without any justification by the National Civil Police (PNC). This eviction was on behalf of the the company NaturAceites - a leading company in the production of African palm oil in Guatemala, and with a high rate of human rights violations."

The organizers website, further explaining the struggle of the Maya Q’Eqchi, is here:

Very often I run various races as an individual. But, to me the parallels between the struggle of indigenous Guatemalans and the Palestinians--who are routinely expelled from their homes so that upscale Jewish-only settlements may be erected—were so stark, I was compelled to set up a Muslim team in an effort to expand Muslim participation and solidarity with the Guatemalan Indians. The team, Team Jamaat Al-Muslimeen, named for one of the United States’ oldest Muslim social justice organizations of which I am a part, was, due to last minute organizing, unfortunately comprised only of myself. In spirit, however, we stand with indigenous peoples in their fight for human rights and self-determination.

A video of my run is here.

Nadrat Siddique is a Muslim marathoner of Pakistani origin.

National Prayer/ Healing Gathering for Newly Released Political Prisoner

By Nadrat Siddique

December 23 - Tonight I attended a Zoom National Prayer/ Healing Gathering for recently released political prisoner Dr. Mutulu Shakur. Over 100 people attended, including former U.S. political prisoners, prominent activists, journalists, professors, Peoples' attorneys, imams, and others. These included Imam Talib Abdur Rasheed, former political prisoners Sekou Odinga, Bilal Sunni-Ali, and Jalil Muntaqim; Jericho's Anne Lamb, Kamau Sadiki, Imam Jamil Al-Amin Attorney Maha Elkolalli, Attorney Naji Muhahid, Attorney Nkechi Taifa, and SF Bay Chronicle writer Wanda Sabir. 

The meeting was presided over by National Jericho Chairperson Jihad Abdul Mumit, himself a former political prisoner. Introductory remarks were made by Imam Talib Abdur Rasheed, who was recognized for his long-time support for political prisoners. Then, Dr. Mutulu Shakur, sporting his signature dreadlocks and beret, came on. Chants of "Allah-ho-akbar!", "Alhamdulillah!", "Free them all!", and "Free the Land!" broke out as he appeared on screen. Dr. Shakur's voice was slightly weak from chemo, but he was in high spirits. A litany of audience members expressed love for the brother, thanked him for his sacrifice, told him he was looking good, etc. This writer offered him salutations from the Pakistani community and the movement to free Dr. Aafia Siddiqui (via the Zoom's chat).

But, Dr. Shakur did not stay long, saying he had to rest. It was clear that the Warehouse had taken its toll on his body, although they could not break his spirit.

The Zoom was accompanied by an in-person meeting at Masjid Islah in Los Angeles. The masjid's imam, its members, as well as others from the local community participated, giving Dr. Shakur on the ground support. Alhamdulillah for masajid which stand in the true tradition of Islam, and are not afraid to stand with our political prisoners.

The meeting closed out with a beautiful Islamic prayer for healing by Imam Jihad Saafir, who quoted verses from the Qur'an and asked Allah to heal Dr. Mutulu Shakur, as well as to ease the pain of other political prisoners who are not physically free.

BACKGROUND

Dr. Mutulu Shakur was locked up in sordid conditions for 36 years. In 2019, he was diagnosed with bone cancer, but his appeals for compassionate release were denied. On December 16, 2022, he was finally released. He is now 72 and in the throes of Stage 4 bone cancer. 

A visionary with a dream to liberate his people, he co-founded the Republic of New Afrika. In 1979, he founded the Black Acupuncture Advisory Association of North America. In conjuction with this cutting edge organization, he effectively used acupuncture to heal young black men (and others) facing addiction; and went to the UN numerous times to bring the case of human right abuses against the U.S. Black population to that international body. For this, he was targeted by COINTELPRO, the counter intelligence program used to neutralize government opponents, from those in the Black liberation and indigenous rights movements, to environmental activists, socialists, and even Quakers. He was charged in the robbery of a Brinks armoured car, in which two people died. There was no evidence that Dr. Shakur had participated in the killing. Instead, the evidence pointed to an informant, who was involved in the incident, as the likely killer. However, this man took a plea deal, helped to convict Mutulu, and was paid $110,000. The trial was rife with bias, emotion, and illegalities, and Dr. Shakur was sentenced to 60 years. For years, his appeals were denied. In 2022, he was finally accorded compassionate release.

To learn how you can help Dr. Mutulu Shakur as he battles Stage 4 bone cancer, go to,

https://mutulushakur.com/support/