Greens join critics of FBI harassment of Muslim community in Lodi terror probe; Camejo says ‘Christian Taliban' responsible

GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: Monday, June 20, 2005

Contacts:
Cres Vellucci, State Press Office, 916-996-1970,
Beth Moore Haines, GPCA Spokesperson, 530-277-0610,
Sara Amir, GPCA Spokesperson, 310-270-7106,

SACRAMENTO (June 20, 2005) – Former Green Party gubernatorial candidate Peter Camejo said this week a "Christian Taliban" is responsible for attacks on the civil liberties of all Americans, and the harassment of the Muslim community of Lodi during an ongoing probe of alleged terrorist links there.

Camejo, the Green Party candidate for governor in 2002 and the 2003 recall election, joined the ranks of civil rights organizations who have charged the FBI has intimidated the Muslim community during an investigation in Lodi.

The ACLU and other groups have said they are filing complaints against the FBI, including one involving an 11-year-old girl who fainted when the FBI broke the door down at her home, and then was denied medical treatment by the FBI. She eventually was treated but the FBI initially wouldn't let her go to the hospital.

Green Party members from Sacramento, San Francisco and other parts of the state are participating in community forums and other events to support the Muslim community, which feels "under siege" because of the intense FBI tactics.

Camejo, describing the government's crackdown on civil rights in Lodi and via the USA Patriot Act during a talk at a civil rights workshop for the Muslim community, said there is a "consciousness developing in America...a new form of discrimination and hostility.

"Until Americans learn how to live and respect others, we will never be free ourselves," said Camejo, who said the "challenge to our own civil rights" has caused a real "crisis" in America.

He added that much of the blame on attacks on basic constitutional rights in the U.S. can be blamed on the "extremist" wing of the Christian church, a "Christian Taliban which taking over this country. The greatest danger in America is coming out of the White House," said Camejo.

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The Green Party of California
http://www.cagreens.org
P.O. Box 2828, Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
gpca@greens.org