[NYTr] A Visit from the FBI: When Fear Is Not an Option

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Counterpunch - Dec 1, 2007
http://www.counterpunch.org/salam12012007.html


A Visit from the FBI: When Fear Is Not an Option

By SHEMON SALAM

I was visited by the FBI at my residence on Thursday, November 29th. I
am an Asian-American Muslim Man. I am an anti-war activist who believes
that United States military has no business in the Middle East or
anywhere else in the world. I do not hide my political perspectives
from anyone. Despite this, I refuse to be intimidated into silence.

The two FBI agents claimed to be investigating a "complaint" from the
University of Washington's campus students that I might have said
"things" which could suggest that I advocate violence against the U.S.
This was in reference to my opposition to the Islamo-Fascist Awareness
week that the College Republicans hosted in mid-October. During this
week the CR showed a video which described all Palestinians as
terrorists and posited a theory that Palestinian men are prone to
violence because they are sexually repressed. (Ironic coming from the
CR) Michael Medved also spoke during this week. I was part of a
demonstration with a body of Muslims students and people of color who
were barred from entering the event. The event organizers cited full
capacity as the main reason. Why is my opposition to this event being
criminalized?

The FBI agents wanted to see a flyer that I was passing out. I told
them NO. I asked them, "Is this Stalin's Russia or McCarthy's America?"
They have no business collecting literature from me or anyone else in
the Untied States. Anyway, the flyers can be found all over campus
because I have nothing to hide from my neighbors.

This is not one isolated incident. Muslims and Arabs are being
attacked, harassed, and intimidated by the FBI across the country. The
FBI claims that anyone who opposes US imperialism is a terrorist. Some
Muslims leaders have come out in public and said "good Muslims" should
cooperate with the FBI to help them control the "bad Muslims".
Meanwhile, the FBI has sent spies to our mosques and broken into our
houses in the middle of the night to kidnap our brothers and sisters
and send them to Guantanamo without evidence of any crime. Who is
causing the terror here? Most of the time it goes unnoticed and in the
shadows Arab and Muslim families are destroyed. Let me make it clear
-- the FBI is a racist and anti-democratic organization. Granted, the
two FBI agents who visited my house were very nice to me and even shook
my hand. That should not cover up the crimes of the institution they
work for.

Meanwhile the College Republicans, who claim to be defenders of
democracy and free speech are inviting racists like Medved onto campus.
The CR advocates perspectives that lead to the deaths of Arabs and
Muslims and people of color and you don't see the FBI visiting them. I
am not advocating state repression against the College Republicans; I
simply wish to point out the racist double standard here.

I can ask how did the FBI get my house address? My address is not
listed anywhere. Did the University administration give it to them?
This would not be far-fetched considering that University
administrations across the country have made it clear that they will
stand with the FBI before they stand in solidarity with Arabs, Muslims,
and students of color. Just look at their endorsement of the Patriot
Act and the SEVIS registrations of international students. Given this
climate, the burden should be on the UW administration to prove that
they are not collaborating with such McCarthyist surveillance of campus
activists like myself. How can they claim to be the patrons of free
speech and dialogue if they facilitate such intimidation?

Only democratic and anti-racist students can curb the power of racist
University bureaucracies and the FBI. Student organizing is part of a
rich tradition of American history that has made the U.S. a more
democratic and anti-racist country than it would be otherwise. However,
across the country, University administrators and the FBI are working
hand-in-hand to shut down and intimidate all who oppose U.S. Empire and
domestic racism.

UW and the city of Seattle claim to be liberal and progressive places
where racism cannot be found. This is a myth. Home grown
white-supremacy stalks this campus. Every time we see the College
Republicans, the FBI, and the Administration it is a reminder that
people of color and Muslims and Arabs are not safe yet. However we are
not silent victims. We do not know our own strength and no one dares to
tell us. It is up to us to rediscover our democratic and anti-racist
traditions. It is up to us to take back our university. Fear is not an
option.

[Shemon Salam can be reached at: smj_shemon at yahoo.com ]