Please join fellow lawyers WEDNESDAY at 11:45 a.m. in downtown Seattle to show your support for the jailed lawyers and judges in Pakistan and The Rule of Law. It is very unusual for lawyers to be “called into action” in our country. This is one of those rare requests. Your presence is critical. Please show your support for an independent Pakistani judiciary and for restoring the constitution of Pakistan.
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What: Lawyers March in Support of Pakistani Lawyers and Judiciary
When: Wednesday, November 14, 2007, 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Federal Courthouse, 7th Avenue and Stewart Street, Seattle, WA
map of courthouse
Attire: dark suits/dresses, white shirts/blouses, ties for men
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Please forward this email today to concerned lawyers in Seattle and throughout our State.
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Message from American Bar Association President, Bill Neukom
Images this week of police beating and jailing almost 3,000 Pakistani lawyers were almost as shocking as Gen. Pervez Musharraf suspending Pakistan’s constitution and putting its Supreme Court under house arrest.
The American Bar Association immediately spoke out against these clear breaches of the rule of law. But, American lawyers must do more to object to conditions in Pakistan.
On Wednesday, November 14, the ABA is organizing a lawyers’ march in Washington, D.C., to support the rule of law and lawyers in Pakistan. At 11:30 a.m., a critical mass of lawyers will gather at the James Madison Building (101 Independence Avenue SE) before walking around the Supreme Court. Lawyers across the country are participating in similar marches in their communities, and the ABA is encouraging and supporting these local efforts.
Over the last few days, brave Pakistani lawyers have dressed for work and headed to court knowing that they would be met by policemen’s batons and tear gas instead of their clients. These lawyers went to work anyway because of their belief in the rule of law.
It is time for us to demonstrate that we share Pakistani lawyers’ commitment to justice. Together, we will show that they are not fighting alone.
We have invited our members in Washington, D.C., to attend the November 14 march. For more information about this event, or state and local activities, please visit the ABA website at www.abanet.org.
Thank you for your hard work for the ABA and in support of the rule of law.
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Seattle Program:
at 11:45 a.m., convene at 7th Ave. and Stewart St. (or anywhere around the courthouse block)
at noon, walk clockwise around courthouse block as a group, appropriately spaced, 2 to 4 abreast
quiet conversation only, no placards, no chants; make brief statement if member of the public or press approaches
at 12:20 p.m., convene on courthouse steps for brief program
dignitaries form a double line behind the speaker (bar leaders, deans, former KCBA, WSBA and other bar Presidents and Officers, etc.)
Speaker presentations (approx. 20 minutes)
at 12:40 p.m., program ends; group again marches around the block and disperses
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For current information on the crisis in Pakistan, see www.abanet.org; www.nytimes.com; www.cnn.com; and www.wsj.com.
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