Arar v Ashcroft Argument and Rally - New York, NY

In 2002, Maher Arar, a Canadian citizen, was detained at JFK airport while on a stopover. He was interrogated, detained for two weeks, denied his right to go to court, and sent to Syria where he was tortured and held in a grave-like cell for ten months. He was never charged with a crime. 

CCR's lawsuit, Arar v. Ashcroft claims that former Attorney General Ashcroft and other officials violated his right to be free from torture and arbitrary detention and his right to go to court. Though the courts dismissed the case largely due to U.S. officials' claims that national security and foreign policy concerns are at stake, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals decided to rehear Arar’s case en banc in a rare move earlier this year. 

Join us on Dec 9th during this opportunity to finally see justice served.

December 9, 2008

ARAR RALLY BEFORE THE ARGUMENT

• 12:30pm: Rally Begins
• 1:30pm: Procession to the Courthouse (Foley Square, Worth & Centre Streets, New York, NY)

Rally organized by Witness Against Torture

ARAR V. ASHCROFT ARGUMENT

3:00pm U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit,
9th Floor, Ceremonial Courtroom
500 Pearl St.
New York, NY

Please arrive at least one hour in advance as we expect a long line at the courthouse.

The entire hearing is available via streaming video at C-SPAN's website.

OTHER MEDIA On December 9th for the show, Morning Edition, Arar told NPR's Renee Montagne that he hopes his case will highlight human rights abuses in situations like his. He also described to her his rendition — and the months he spent in a Syrian jail, as well as the influence of his wife's efforts. Play audio interview with this link. Dina Temple-Raston covers the Court of Appeals argument for NPR's show, All Things Considered. "Arar wants to sue the U.S. government for violating his constitutional right to due process — something he has not been permitted to do thus far because the Bush administration has said to do so would imperil national security." CCR Staff Attourney Maria LaHood is interviewed in the piece. Play audio news piece with this link. Click this link to see the cumulative Maher Arar coverage at The New York Times.

Learn more about this case and the issues surrounding it by clicking on this link.

Click on any of the images below to enlarge.