HT America Event Cancellation

All -
As some of you know, I went out to Chicago last July alone to protest
the Hizb ut-Tahrir America supremacist group in July 2009 at their first public convention. My argument was a simple one - based only on defending our UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS, FREEDOM, and DEMOCRACY. Others soon joined.




This year we have challenged Hizb ut Tahrir America from here in Washington DC, by sharing with the Chicago community information about Hizb ut-Tahrir America's documented statements and views against our freedoms, and especially against religious freedom. The Chicago Tribune today reported on some our efforts. Hizb ut-Tahrir was to hold its 500 person convention in Chicago today. Not only won't they hold that convention today, it appears that they will not be doing so in the near future.



We have learned of a new communication by Hizb ut-Tahrir America supremacist group tonight.
http://www.hizb-america.org/media-center/press-releases/1067-hizb-ut-tahrirs-2010-khilafah-conference



It looks like the Hizb ut-Tahrir America event in Chicago has now been completed canceled, not just for July 11, but also for this month, as according to HT "Since it is important to hold such an event near the date of the destruction of the Khilafah in Rajab, it was not possible to reorganize and transfer to an appropriate facility in a timely fashion." "The cancellation on such short notice of this event which was scheduled to be held at the Chicago Marriott Oakbrook Hotel does not give the sponsors sufficient time to locate a suitable site in which to hold the conference." One of their Facebook pages promoting a Chicago event is now down.



As with the white supremacist American Renaissance groups' attempt at a conference in Washington DC, R.E.A.L. has had communications with Chicago public and business establishments about the nature of the Hizb ut-Tahrir supremacist organization and their public, documented calls for the death penalty for those who seek the religious freedom to leave Islam.



As with the white supremacist American Renaissance, R.E.A.L. has had not sought to block their freedom of assembly and in fact, has offered both organizations the opportunity to debate us in public before the American people. We will see if Hizb ut-Tahrir shows up at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC tomorrow and accepts our invitation. Since it is possible that CNN may be covering part of our event, we would welcome the opportunity.



The white supremacist American Renaissance declined to meet us in public, which is no small surprise. The white supremacist American Renaissance biannual conference, where racists and Holocaust Deniers were to spread hate, was canceled in February 2010 here in Washington DC for the first time in 16 years.



When you think that one person cannot make a difference, I want you to remember this.
Never underestimate the power of one person's efforts.

But much more importantly, when you think the power of HUMAN RIGHTS is not considerable, I also want you to remember this. Because nothing R.E.A.L. has ever or will ever accomplish is done alone - it is done by the considerable consensus of those in support of our UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGNITY - who will put their money where their mouth is. But you have to consistently make a HUMAN RIGHTS case - to the existing consensus today that is already willing and anxious to find a way to be responsible for equality and liberty.



Some have become very impatient with pursuing what appears to be a long and tedious human rights avenue. Some think that we can make other activist arguments that defy our very universal human rights for all people, in their frustration and anxiety. I urge you to reach out to others to reconsider abandoning a consistent commitment to our universal human rights - wherever it may be - and no matter how frustrating, infuriating, and inciting that others' actions may seem. Our primary tool in the struggle of ideas is our unqualified, universal human rights. We must never let others goad us into abandoning our position of credibility with Americans and with the world.



Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) will continue our human rights argument. Perhaps we may not get 500 angry people at our events. But we don't seek large, angry crowds. We seek to touch the hearts, the minds, and the moral conscience of this generation - and reach out to those that will embrace such freedoms without question. I have a hundred small poignant stories of those who have made a quiet stand since we started in March 2009. But every time, I am always moved and honored to see the REAL COURAGE of people from EVERY IDENTITY group who are willing and anxious to stand with us in support of our universal human rights, and who desperately want to do the right thing.



We will continue to defend human rights for all - of every race, ethnic background, gender, and religion, because that is the basis of our arguments. That is the basis for our shared identity with our fellow human beings. That is what it means to be Responsible for Equality And Liberty.



Regards,

Jeffrey Imm
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)
http://www.realcourage.org