Update on SCI Court Hearing Involving Cuban Solidarity Activist Rev. Lucius Walker

[Jacuma]

March 13, 2009

Dear Friends in the Struggle for Justice,

We are writing to give you an update on yesterday's court hearing,
regarding the ongoing attempt by the office of the Special Commissioner
for Investigation (SCI) for the NYC Department of Education to hold IFCO
and Rev. Walker in contempt.

The SCI’s stated purpose is an investigation of students and teachers
who visited Cuba. Our understanding is that they are trying to do what
OFAC has not been able to do- to punish IFCO for its efforts to end the
blockade.

The first thing we want to say is THANK YOU so much for your support.
We are grateful to our spirited friends and supporters who filled the
courtroom on Centre Street yesterday; to those who sent us encouraging
notes from all around the US; and especially to our friends in Cuba who
have been holding us in prayer and in their thoughts as we continue in
this tedious and time-consuming struggle.

The hearing yesterday was an oral argument, in which attorneys for both
sides were given an opportunity to present their respective cases and to
answer questions from the judge. We were represented by IFCO attorney
Linda Backiel who has been working in cooperation with attorney Palyn
Hung and attorney Art Eisenberg, both excellent attorneys from the
NYCLU.

The good news is that the judge did not make an immediate ruling
yesterday.

NY State Supreme Court Judge Judith J. Gische listened very attentively
as our extraordinary attorney Linda Backiel presented our case.

The SCI wants the judge to hold IFCO and Rev. Walker20in contempt of
court because they refused to produce the information the SCI has
demanded. The critical issue now is whether a state court judge should
order IFCO to turn over to the SCI the same information that has been
demanded by OFAC, information that IFCO has refused to provide to OFAC
as a matter of deeply held principles.

If the SCI were to receive that information, his office would be
mandated by law to turn it over to OFAC. So we are hoping that Judge
Gische will understand how much is at stake.

But Judge Gische did listen very thoughtfully as Attorney Backiel
explained the seriousness of the concurrent federal issues. We hope the
judge will carefully study the points of law and cases cited by attorney
Backiel before making a ruling about the contempt motion.

One of the most notable parts of the afternoon came when one of the
members of Rev. Walker’s church approached our attorney and asked "Why
is the government going after my pastor?" Linda replied, "I don't know;
maybe you should ask the government..."

So this intrepid parishioner went up to the SCI's attorneys, and asked:
"If the government belongs to the people, and we're the government, then
why is the government going after my pastor??!!!"

SO: what can we do now? IFCO is pleased and honored that so many of
you have written expressions of support, offered prayer and been present
in the courtroom. As we reach the crucial moment of the judge’s decision
we ask that you continue your support.

Meanwhile, let us continue in our solidarity with Cuba:

-Please contact your elected representatives in Congress and ask them to
co-sponsor HR874/S428 to end the restrictions on travel to Cuba.

-Help us build the 20th Friendshipment caravan this July.

-Let's end the immoral blockade against our brothers and sisters in
Cuba!

In continued solidarity,
Rev. Lucius Walker

John Waller
Cuba Caravan Coordinator
IFCO-Pastors for Peace
Cell 831-512-6688
email cucaravan@igc.org
PASTORSFORPEACE.ORG
418 W 145th Street
New York, NY, 10031