Friends of Ahmed will be "Friends of Larry" for One to Two Weeks

After September 11th, friends of Ahmed Bensouda jokingly began calling him "Larry." One friend recorded his answering machine message.  In an ominous voice it said: "Larry's bunker is now a military occupied zone. Beeeeep." Ahmed's friends recognized, in response to the media announcement, that many of the initial suspected terrorists were Arab and Muslim males with the first or second name 'Ahmed.' A process was created where almost anyone fitting this ethnic image and religious profile, including himself, could be the subject of violence and harassment. Ahmed's friends were concerned for his safety, and so Ahmed Bensouda, with good humor, kept this message for several months. At the time, no one imagined Ahmed's small basement apartment (sarcastically known as "the bunker") would actually be under surveillance.

Ahmed's request

At Ahmed's request, we have been asked to stand-by for 7-10 days to give him a chance to arrange a moderate, unpoliticized settlement. He is hoping that he will be granted a voluntary departure agreement, which is contingent on the state's "request" that he does not consult with an attorney.  Ahmed realizes this strategy is risky. However, if Ahmed can be deported in a relatively short amount of time then he would not be subjected to continued harassment and incarceration.  Ahmed is providing the opportunity for the government to act in good faith, as promised, and assist in preserving his health and dignity, consistent with the minor visa technicalities he has been charged. The government does not wish to see solidarity with Ahmed politicized and for seven to ten days, neither does Ahmed.

Political Repression of Ahmed

The INS accusations that Ahmed has not been attending school have not been consistent. Details regarding his status as a student/non-student are constantly changing.  Some of us have been told Ahmed was not a student for one year, other have been told two years, some have been told he was only a part time student. Our response is first, that his friends have witnessed him behaving and functioning as a normal full time student. Secondly, many of the documents in his apartment have been confiscated, including his computer files, and there is evidence that his apartment has been wiretapped. (How many smoke alarms does an efficiency apt need?) Finally, and most importantly, we have all come to realize that he is being harassed for his political activism under the guise of a visa violation and thus his true student status is irrelevant.

When speaking to Ahmed on Saturday June 1st, he provided details concerning his incarceration.  INS agents subjected him to interrogation using tactics such as changing the room temperature, racial slurs calling him "nigger" and "Moroxican" (most INS detainees are Mexican nationals.)  Also, when they filled out his profile and left the blank for "race" as "unknown," he asked if he could change it but they replied "It's not important."  He had intended to change it to "mud."  He was also subjected to questioning about his political beliefs which included the following:  "Do you know Osama Bin Laden" to which he replied "No."  Ahmed was also asked his opinion about the U.S. government.  He replied under duress, "It has its problems."  He was also questioned about the contents found in his computer files, pointing to literature stating "Smash the U.S. and Zionist Empire."  This referred to a flyer condemning U.S. imperialism and its support of Israeli Apartheid, while advocating democracy for all oppressed peoples.  

What's next?

In the meantime, please continue to build solidarity networks and stand by for alternative and more proactive tactics.  The odds that he will be granted voluntary departure are slim, but he has asked that the government be given a chance to keep their word.  Therefore, the following adjustments will be made shortly to the "Friends of Ahmed" website.  For seven to ten days it will be known as the "Friends of Larry" website.  All pictures of "Larry" will be removed.  All previous articles and details provided will be maintained as being about "Larry" for now.  Updates about negotiations will continue to be posted.  The struggle continues - a bit more subtly for the next few days.  

-Ahmed and his friends