(SANTA CLARA, CA, 1/3/2024) – The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), the Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC), and the Arab-American Civil Rights League (ACRL) filed an Amicus Brief with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in support of the Nov. 13, 2023, genocide complaint brought by the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) on behalf of Defense for Children Palestine and other organizations. This complaint is directed against President Joe Biden and senior government officials—who filed a motion to dismiss the case on Dec. 8—for their roles in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. An Amicus Brief, known as a “friend of the court” brief, provides additional information, expertise, or insight to the court from parties not directly involved in the case.
SEE:
- Brief of Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Opposition to Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss
- Defense for Children International – Palestine v. Biden
The brief includes a detailed compilation of information gathered from various sources, including interviews with affected Palestinian Americans who are from, or have ties to, Gaza, data from human rights organizations, and reports documenting the catastrophic impact on the Palestinian population, including the
- Death of over 21,320 innocent men, women, and children.
- Widespread injuries and displacement of civilians.
- Destruction of vital infrastructure in Gaza since Oct. 7.
This evidence serves to illustrate the depth of the crisis and the impact of U.S. military support in the region.
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Managing Attorney Brittney Rezaei said:
“Our collective goal in submitting this Amicus Brief is to paint a comprehensive picture of the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, including firsthand accounts and statistical data that underscore the urgent need for judicial intervention.
“By supporting this complaint, we aim to highlight the critical role of U.S. policy in perpetuating the Gaza genocide. The brief underscores the urgent need for a shift in policy to protect human lives and uphold international human rights laws and is a call for justice and accountability at the highest levels.”
CAIR-CA urges the court to consider the gravity of the situation in Gaza and the role of U.S. officials and to rule in favor of the Plaintiffs by granting a preliminary injunction on U.S. military assistance and weapons sales to Israel.
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Senior Communications Coordinator Lorrie Adam, ladam@cair.com or (408) 986-9874