DOJ: Two Queens Women Plead Guilty in Connection with Plan to Build Explosive Devices Similar to Those Used in Prior Terrorist Attacks in the United States - The New Women's Movement For Equal Justice

Equal protection and prosecution under the law.

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Asia Siddiqui and Noelle Velentzas, both citizens

#MeToo

of the United States and residents of Queens, pleaded guilty to teaching and distributing information pertaining to the making and use of an explosive, destructive device, and weapon of mass destruction, intending that it be used to commit a federal crime of violence.  The guilty pleas were entered before United States District Court Judge Sterling Johnson Jr.  When sentenced, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison.

“Inspired by radical Islam, Velentzas and Siddiqui researched and taught each other how to construct bombs to be used on American soil against law enforcement and military targets,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers. “They were thwarted by the excellent work of the agents, analysts and prosecutors who are responsible for this investigation and prosecution.  For this, we are grateful.”

“In an effort to implement their violent, radical ideology, the defendants studied some of the most deadly terrorist attacks in U.S. history, and used them as a blueprint for their own plans to kill American law enforcement and military personnel,” stated United States Attorney Richard P. Donoghue.  “Thanks to the tireless work of law enforcement, they were stopped before they could bring their murderous plans to fruition.” 

“Velentzas and Siddiqui were intent on waging violent jihad here in the United States, researching at length historical terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, educating themselves on how to turn propane tanks into explosive devices, and dreaming up plans to kill Americans on our own turf,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr.  “Today’s plea is not only a welcome end to this years-long investigation, but a credit to the FBI’s JTTF in New York and our many law enforcement partners who saw this through to the end.”

“This investigation and the subsequent guilty pleas are yet another example of how each day the NYPD and members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force remain vigilant and relentless in their efforts to protect New York City and keep America safe,” stated NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill.  “I want to commend our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District for helping to bring these individuals to justice.”

Between approximately 2013 and 2015, Velentzas and Siddiqui planned to build a bomb for use in a terrorist attack in the United States.  In furtherance of their plan, the defendants taught each other chemistry and electrical skills related to creating explosives and building detonating devices; conducted research on how to make plastic explosives and how to build a car bomb; and shopped for and acquired materials to be used in an explosive device.  They discussed similar devices used in past terrorist incidents, including the Boston Marathon bombing, Oklahoma City bombing and 1993 World Trade Center attack, and they researched potential targets of attack, focusing on law enforcement and military-related targets. 

Siddiqui’s interest in violent terrorist-related activities was reflected in her written submissions to a radical jihadist magazine edited by Samir Khan, a now-deceased prominent figure and member of the designated foreign terrorist organization, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).  Velentzas similarly espoused violent rhetoric, praising the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and stating that being a martyr through a suicide attack guaranteed entrance into heaven.  Velentzas specifically singled out government targets stating, “you go for the head” when you commit a terrorist attack. 

When the defendants were arrested, law enforcement officers seized propane gas tanks, soldering tools, car bomb instructions, jihadist literature, machetes and several knives from their residences. 

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security & Cybercrime Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Craig R. Heeren, Jennifer M. Sasso, Michael T. Keilty, Josh Hafetz and Jonathan E. Algor are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance provided by Trial Attorney Jennifer Burke of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

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You Should See What They Do To Children

If you think a woman who is held for 3 days in jail,  without pants or feminine hygiene products, facing 75 days for failing to complete a diversion program for first time shoplifiting in 2014 is bad, you should see how children end up in foster care and what they do to children in foster care.

And for those who will claim that this woman broke the law and deserves to be punished or that children are in foster care to "protect them from the crime of living in poverty", allow me to ask you this question:

"Would you stand up and speak out on injustice or would you be more concerned about protecting your job?"

Think about this when you go vote in November.

 

Consider this another takeaway:  If this woman has children, they were more than likely placed in foster care

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Debbie Williams of Families & Children Justice Presents The First Annual Award Affair, July 23, 2016

The Host of The Families & Children Justice Show, Debbie Williams, is extending a special invitation to the public to come and engage in the issues of justice for families and children.

Debbie Williams has been more than  just an advocate for social justice, she is a powerful catalyst in elevating the voices of those who seek equality and justice with her weekly television and radio shows on WHPR.

What many do not know is that I consider her to be pivotal in, forcefully, integrating the issues of child welfare into the political arena of Michigan, of which continues to be ignored.

When no one would listen, when our elected officials, including official candidates and religious leaders, would turn their noses up at the ills of child poverty before slamming the doors in the faces of parents and caregivers bemoaning the stripping of their civil rights, Debbie Williams, in her humble being, continued the fight to get someone to pay attention to the silent voices of children and families.

Her tenacity has paid off.

If you are running for elected office in 2016, or even further out, I implore you to, not just show up for a photo op or a quick distribution of campaign kicker cards, I expect your campaign to make a charitable contribution to her organization, Family & Children Justice so that she may be able to continue bringing awareness to a segment of the population which has been ignored and silenced in the most egregious ways.

You may contact to support Debbie Williams:

dwilliams2959@yahoo.com

313-828-4061

She came out of her own pocket to put this together,

It is free.

Families & Children's Justice

Oh, and by the way, I am supposed to be making a public appearance.

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Amnesty International Call For Volunteers Trainer Training For Detroit

Dear MI: Local Group 78, Detroit,  

We are excited to be moving forward with our efforts to resurrect AIUSA's grassroots member training program. In order to develop a program that empowers our groups to undertake independent, strategic and impactful Amnesty activism, we need your help.  In addition to sharing your thoughts on training and the needs of your group, we ask you to consider a new volunteer opportunity.

BECOME A TRAINER  

Our Pilot Training of Trainers (PTOT) will be held July 22-24, 2016 at the Cenacle House Retreat Center in Chicago, Illinois.  In the course of three days, participants will explore the purpose and process of member training, adult learning styles, participatory learning, group dynamics, and conflict resolution; discuss core Amnesty practices and policies; and through exercises and peer feedback develop presentation, facilitation and workshop design skills. 

For the July PTOT, we are looking for 15-20 volunteer leaders who: 

  * will commit to serve as an AIUSA trainer for at least two years, providing 2-3 trainings per quarter to AIUSA member groups, both locally and at conferences

  * live within 50 miles of several AIUSA member groups (relative ease of access)

  * understand Amnesty’s mission, core principles, policies and practices

  * possess strong oral communication skills

  * have demonstrated reliability, willingness to work, and ability to give and accept feedback productively 

Participants will be expected to 

  * read preparatory materials provided in advance of the PTOT

  * come to the PTOT with their first group workshop scheduled (we can help)

  * be fully present from 8am Friday, July 22nd – 3pm Sunday, July 24th

  * provide honest and ongoing feedback on their training and subsequent experience

Participants will receive

  * airfare, lodging and meals from Thursday evening, July 21 – Sunday afternoon, July 24

  * valuable and marketable training/facilitation skills 

  * ongoing support and opportunities for further training

  * the opportunity to expand and deepen their ongoing involvement in AIUSA, and to contribute to the effectiveness of its activists and the broader human rights movement 

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A TRAINER, AND ATTENDING THE 22-24 JULY PTOT, PLEASE COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION AT

  https://metpwg.wufoo.com/forms/z1goto4o1g24i1z/

 AND SEND  YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO:

Membership Empowerment Training Project (METP) Working Group at metpwg@aivol.org 

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:   10PM LOCAL TIME ON 18 MAY 2016.

If you want to become a trainer, but cannot make it in July, please contact us at metpwg@aivol.org. 

For more information about the project, visit us at 

<http://www.amnesty-volunteer.org/usa/training/> 

Please forward this message to anyone you think would be interested. Thank you! 

Warm regards,

Beth Ann, Hilary, Todd, Kathleen, Eric, Angie, Jesús

METP Working Group

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Conyers Supports Justice Department Investigation into Trayvon Martin Case

(WASHINGTON) – Following the jury’s verdict in the Trayvon Martin case, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement:

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“In the wake of this weekend’s verdict, I strongly support the Department of Justice’s determination to conduct an independent and thorough review of the Trayvon Martin case and consider whether federal charges should be brought.”

“Beyond the Department’s investigation, I believe it is more critical than ever that we adopt a nationwide law concerning racial profiling.  That is why I will be reintroducing theEnd Racial Profiling Act of 2013 to address the improper use of race in our law enforcement activity.

“I believe the Trayvon Martin shooting and its aftermath should stand as a clarion call for states to repeal so-called ‘stand your ground’ laws.  I first conducted a Democratic forum on this case in March 2012 with Trayvon Martin’s parents, and believe more strongly than ever that the laws are short-sighted, dangerous and disproportionately impact people of color.”

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