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ATLANTA, April 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A federal grand jury in Atlanta has indicted Syed Haris Ahmed, 21, of Atlanta, on a charge of material support of terrorism.
"This indictment is the first public result of an extensive and ongoing terrorism investigation led by the Atlanta Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF)," said United States Attorney David E. Nahmias. "The agents of the JTTF have worked with great diligence and skill in developing the evidence that was presented to the grand jury. This is the first international terrorism charge filed in Georgia. The charge against Mr. Ahmed is serious and involves national security, and it will be prosecuted with that in mind."
The indictment was returned under seal on March 23, 2006. The only allegations or facts about the case that are currently in the public record are those in the indictment. The body of the indictment reads as follows:
From on or before March 2005 until the date of this indictment, in the Northern District of Georgia and elsewhere, the defendant, Syed Haris Ahmed, a person within the jurisdiction of the United States, did knowingly and unlawfully provide, attempt to provide, and conspire with others known and unknown to provide material support and resources, and to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, and ownership of material support and resources, knowing and intending that the material support and resources were to be used in preparation for and for carrying out a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 956 (conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim, or injure persons or damage property in a foreign country) and 2332b (acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries), all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2339A(a).
"During the course of the investigation, the JTTF worked
diligently with many different government agencies both here and
abroad," Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation's Atlanta Office Gregory Jones said. "These
partnerships along with a variety of investigative techniques
enabled the FBI to effectively disrupt and prevent any potential
threats whether here in the United States or internationally.
The Atlanta JTTF, which is composed of local, state and Federal
investigators, has been fully engaged over the past several months
with this terrorism investigation. Let me assure you that at no
time were we aware of an immediate danger to the Atlanta area
or the United States."
According to United States Attorney Nahmias and documents presented
in court:
Ahmed was arrested on the afternoon of March 23, after the indictment was returned. Later that day, he spoke by telephone with United States Magistrate Judge Joel M. Feldman, who advised him of his rights and determined he was eligible for appointed counsel. Magistrate Judge Feldman then appointed an experienced criminal defense lawyer, John R. (Jack) Martin, to represent Ahmed. On March 24, after meeting with his counsel, Ahmed signed a voluntary, written waiver of his right to an initial appearance and arraignment, including his right to a bond hearing; that waiver was filed with the court. The waiver was extended, in writing and with the advice of his counsel, on March 31 and April 7; each waiver was filed with the court. On April 13, counsel for the Government and for Ahmed met with Judge Feldman to request that the initial appearance and arraignment be scheduled for April 19. On April 19, Ahmed appeared before Judge Feldman and entered a plea of not guilty. Judge Feldman ordered Ahmed to be detained pending trial. Judge Feldman also entered an order declaring the case to be complex for speedy trial and discovery purposes, and the case was assigned to United States District Judge Clarence Cooper for trial. No other proceedings are currently scheduled.
Since his arrest, Ahmed has been detained in facilities regularly used by the United States Marshals Service to detain pre-trial federal defendants. From the day after his arrest, his location has been known to his lawyer and his family, who have been able to visit with him. The location is not being made public because of the nature of the case.
All of the documents and proceedings in this case were placed under seal by order of the court, at the joint request of the Government and Ahmed. The court unsealed the documents earlier today at the request of the Government, based upon the public reporting of Ahmed's arrest and developments in the ongoing investigation.
The charge in the indictment carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
This case is being investigated by agents of the Atlanta Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which is led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Atlanta Division.
United States Attorney David Nahmias and Assistant United States Attorneys Robert McBurney and Katherine Monahan are prosecuting the case.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains
only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges
and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's
guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
For further information please contact David E. Nahmias (pronounced
NAH-me-us), United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public
Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office, at (404) 581-6016. The
Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office
for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan.
http://www.usnewswire.com/
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Monica donates Emmy Monica Kaufman - WSB-TV in Atlanta |
Atlanta, GA - (9/25/03). Atlanta entrepreneur and developer Herman J. Russell, CEO of H.J. Russell & Co., and author/entrepreneur Terrie M. Williams, will host an evening press conference at their new Recycling Inspiration Awards Gallery on November 18, 2003. Following the event will be a reception hosted by Russell and Williams at Paschal's Restaurant, located in Castleberry Hill. Recycling Inspiration (RI), a new international movement that re-celebrates achievements to inspire dreams by recycling awards from celebrities and public leaders to youth and adults who are pursuing similar careers. The RI movement has already received award donations and pledges from RI Ambassadors such as: Maynard and Valerie Jackson, Jonathan Tisch, CEO of Loews Hotels, Nelson Mandela, Patti LaBelle, Tom Joyner, Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., WXIA's Tiffany Cochran, Michael Bolton, Mary J. Blige, Jaheim, Beyonce Knowles, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Eddie Murphy, ESSENCE magazine's Susan L. Taylor; and Tavis Smiley (The Tavis Smiley Foundation). A complete list of RI Ambassadors can be viewed at www.recyclinginspiration.com. |
On Friday, September 12, 2003, Russell and Williams were joined by a stream of well-wishers at their ribbon-cutting ceremony. On hand, were WSB-TV's Monica Kaufman, Donata Major, CEO of Concessions LTD, Commissioner David Scott, (who brought greetings and an award on behalf of Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin), Xavier Artis, Chairman of Players Govern Players Communications, and Renee Graham, RI Executive Director. Kaufman donated an Emmy she recently won for a Closeups television special at the RI ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month. She is one of the organization's first RI Ambassadors and encourages other personalities and community leaders to come on board as RI Ambassadors and to donate awards. "I know this works!", stated Kaufman. "I've seen what can happen when a child is encouraged by someone they admire...especially when that someone is outside of their own family." Artis announced that the November 18th press conference will serve as the public's official welcome to the RI Awards Gallery and will reveal the movement's worldwide message - Recycling is giving back; Inspiration is giving forward. Become an RI Citizen! The reception will serve as the official kick-off of an eight-city tour that will visit Los Angeles (Entertainment); San Francisco (Media); Chicago (Business); Washington, D.C. (Politics/Government); Charlotte (Spirituality); Philadelphia (Sports); Boston (Law) and Houston (Sciences/Health). |
 Recycling Inspiration (RI Ambassadors) (names listed from Left to Right) Monica Kaufman - WSB news anchor (Atlanta, GA) H.J. Russell - Chairman/CEO, H.J. Russell & Co. Terrie Williams - President, The Terrie Williams Agency Xavier Artis - Chairman/CEO, Players Govern Players Communications |
 Elide Enterprises Deputy Sponsor of $50,000 Elide Sterlin - CEO, Elide Enterprises |
In a surprise announcement, Elide Sterlin, CEO of Elide Enterprises of New York, principal sponsor of the ribbon-cutting ceremony contributed $50,000 to the organization to assist Recycling Inspiration with its media launch and eight-city tour. "What we want to acknowledge is that everyone's contribution to their community matters. By recycling these awards, we are able to recognize and encourage people as they are in the midst of their journey with an award from an individual whose accomplishments they admire." Sterlin, whose company developed the color scheme for the RI logo, commented, "Color plays such as important role in our lives. The Recycling Blue represents the dream and organized social aspect of the campaign, and the Inspiration Green focuses on positive economic impact. This contribution is meant to help launch the RI worldwide message." The new RI headquarters office is located in the Urban Suburban building located at 196 Peachtree Street S.W., (between Garnett and Trinity). |
(404) 589-3596 or on the web: www.recyclinginspiration.com
What is Recycling Inspiration (RI)? RI is a multifaceted motivational campaign that seeks to inspire the social and economic dreams of humanity across the globe. RI is comprised of a celebrity/youth and adult award exchange, inspirational events, community programs, diversity/tourism support systems, RI merchandise and services. RI secures awards previously bestowed to leaders and celebrities (RI Ambassadors) in Entertainment, Sports, Business, Law, Politics/Government, Media, Spirituality and Sciences/Health . . . We then recycle them to youth and individuals who are building dreams (RI Citizens)
RI Ambassadors Through RI's vast network of strategic relations we have already received award donations and pledges from RI Ambassadors such as: Terrie M. Williams (noted author, youth advocate and first RI award donor); Herman J. Russell of Atlanta's H.J. Russell & Company, Jonathan Tisch, CEO of Loews Hotels, Xavier Artis, Chairman & CEO, PGP Communications (Business); Nelson Mandela, the late Maynard Jackson, Mayor Shirley Franklin (Government); Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. (Law); Michael Bolton, Mary J. Blige, Jaheim, Beyonce Knowles and Destiny's Child, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Rev. Run (Run DMC), Eddie Murphy, Bow Wow, Patti LaBelle, Kedar Massenburg, President & CEO of Motown Records, Roy Hamilton, Music Producer (Entertainment); renowned boxing promoter Butch Lewis, Olympic Gold Medal boxer Mark Breland, Charlie Ward of the New York Knicks (Sports); ESSENCE magazine's Susan L. Taylor, Tavis Smiley (The Tavis Smiley Foundation); broadcast journalists Ed Gordon of BET, Monica Kaufman and Tiffany Cochran (Media); Dr. Gaston Sterlin, Greene Avenue Medical, P.C. (Sciences/Health) and the list goes on
RI Citizens Acceptance of the RI oath enables consumers of all ages to increase their collective voice and become RI Citizens, empowered as agents of inspiration on a global scale. Consumers can apply for RI Citizenship by visiting www.recyclinginspriation.com and registering. With the oath comes the privilege of being part of something without parting with one's self and the personal responsibility of giving back and forward to humanity. Once the RI Citizens program is fully launched, registered RI Citizens will be able to nominate fellow citizens for RI awards; attend select RI rallies and events; receive preferred access to RI merchandise; sign up for your global passport to special offers; take part in various RI community programs; cast votes for the RI Poll regarding topics of concern and participate in inspirational debates as part of the worldwide community effort to promote diversity and social/economic consciousness. Become an RI Citizen!
RI includes a gala award ceremony, eight-city tour and community programs.
The RI Reunion awards ceremony unifies the achievements of celebrities and leaders in an unprecedented gathering to give back--and forward--to inspire dreams. The annual RI reunion tour will commence with a gala ceremony presenting the awards acquired through out the year. RI Award recipients (RI Citizens) are linked to their respective RI Ambassadors.
Terrie Williams (RI Ambassador), entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker, has provided the impetus for the Recycling Inspiration movement and will co-host the RI reunion tour with comedian/actress "Payne". The tour will visit eight cities that will be designated to coincide with each RI Awards Category. In year one the cities will be: Los Angeles (Entertainment); Chicago (Business); Washington, D.C. (Politics/Government); Boston (Law); San Francisco (Media); Philadelphia (Sports); Charlotte, (Spirituality); and Houston (Sciences/Health). In future years, other U.S. cities will be so designated, and RI will expand to include cities on an international basis such as London, Paris, New Delhi, Tokyo, Beijing, Johannesburg, and Brazil.
RI community programs include:
RENEW IT Project - Works with urban programs and civic developers to clean up and refurbish neglected parks, recreational centers and rental properties. For example, a RI Monument will be built in Atlanta, the official Headquarters of Recycling Inspiration consisting of recyclable goods collected from local streets within the community.
Diversity/Tourism Initiative - Brings together celebrities, local leaders and citizens, and creates relationships with tourism boards to develop and finance campaigns to produce a positive economic impact on local retailers, hotels and restaurants.
RI Governor/Mayor Program - The governor, mayor, or local celebrities and leaders proclaim their town an official RI city and donate awards and pledges to the RI Campaign. The RI flag will be raised at a permanent location within each RI Tour city.
PGP Communications is responsible for launching the international
RI campaign. It is intended to motivate globally to "give
back and forward". PGP Communications is an enterprise that
creates powerful public relations, multicultural marketing, and
entertainment campaigns for personalities, products and entities.
Begin playing the game like an entrepreneur, visit www.playersgovernplayers.com
(distributed through
BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com)
Deadline for Entries is Oct. 31
Atlanta, GA - (9/19/03). The heart of African-American cultural expression in the South and home to thousands of highly successful and progressive black men and women in the arts and entertainment industry-is this year's location for the 2004 Independent Black Film Festival, January 20-26 at Magic Johnson Theatres.
In its first year, the Independent Black Film Festival was born from the need to provide more authentic platforms to promote and showcase the incredible breadth and depth of inventiveness and creativity within the African-American artist community-including filmmakers, composers, animators and screenwriters. Through a competitive showcase of diverse and provocative independent features, animation, documentaries, shorts, experimental and new media films, IBFF seeks to entertain and educate the community, while encouraging and empowering artists.
Daymon Bradford and Bill Moore are the creators of the Independent Black Film Festival. Bradford's artistry as an animated filmmaker/writer/editor and Moore's artistic eye and strong visual flair, combine in an effort to bring "Black Hollywood" to Atlanta.
The Independent Black Film Festival is now accepting entries for films, screenplays and film scores. For more details, please visit www.indieblackfilm.com. Admissions will be accepted until October 31, 2003.
So seize the moment. Free your creativity. Be part of black history in the making. The Independent Black Film LLC's mission is to be one of the key players in the new digital cinema revolution. The company seeks out minority filmmakers who are pioneers in their field, defining the new grammar of independent cinema in the 21st century.
(distributed through
BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com)
Author - Amanda Grihm |
Bookcover - "The Wolf" |
Atlanta, GA - (9/3/03). Recent discussions with the author of The Wolf, Amanda Grihm, reveals that she believes she actually did travel back through time and transform into a wolf. Grihm admits that one of the transformations took place in a dream but insists that subsequent transformations were real. According to Grihm, transforming into a wolf released her from a victimization that she carried for thirty-seven years - a rape, by three men, that took place on her thirteenth birthday.
Grihm feels that writing The Wolf helped her to understand and accept this paranormal experience. I was able to clear up several questions I had about the experience - things I thought I'd never understand and others that I didn't think humanly possible. I know now that the experience was both real and necessary for me to move out of a place of fear and intimidation. For the first time in thirty-seven years I am not afraid of anyone; or, the possibility of people holding any type of power over me.
Writing the book was wonderfully therapeutic and freeing. Only after writing the book did I realize that I am powerful not a victim. I stopped overlooking all of the steps I had taken, over the years, to become strong, viable and even adversarial. I look people straight into their eyes and accept their challenges. I don t back away in fear even though I won't waste time on an unworthy opponent. Today, I move with authority through my life and I see myself as a force to be reckoned with. I think it would be unwise for anyone to mess with me!
Women, men and children from around the world seem to agree with Grihm. They believe, after reading The Wolf, that she has, in fact, experienced the transformation. They have also gained enough strength from her experiences to confront people and situations that have adversely affected their lives. Grihm believes so strongly in the idea of writing to release victimizations that she started a new program, Reaching Through Readings and Writings, that she has been implementing in detention centers in Georgia. Grihm's workshop will be implemented in a number of Georgia schools for at-risk and last-chance students. In 2004, Grihm will offer her free workshops to shelters for women who need to be released from a victimization and whose stories need to be told.
What is the wolf about? What else! It is the story of a woman who travels back through time in order to identify the one event that devastated and changed the course of her life. After she understands the events and the people involved, she transforms into a wolf, defeats her enemies and is freed to move on with her life.
For a limited time, The Wolf can be purchased on www.bn.com and www.amazon.com.
Grihm recently changed publishers, so for a short period of time, The Wolf will not be available on the open market. However, signed and advance copies can be ordered by sending an email request to jag.publishing@usa.com
To preview the first few chapters of The Wolf go to www.yourpersonalstory.com/new1358.html
About
The Author
Amanda Grihm is an African American writer. She currently resides
in Stone Mountain with her husband, J. Emil Grihm. In addition
to authoring her first novel, The Wolf, and being the managing
partner of JAG Publishing, she runs one of the most creative nonprofit
organizations in the county, Project Match, Inc. It is a 501(c)3
public, nonprofit corporation that creates permanent home shares
between senior or disabled citizens with homeless individuals
and single-parent families.
Amanda wrote her first short story at age thirteen. Since that time she has written a stage-play, several more short stories, two made-for-TV movies and she is currently completing two new novels, Dark Justice (December 2003) and The Dark Skinned Sister (May 2004). She prefers to write about stranger-than-fiction true events and stories. She finds unique ways to explore and share the truth of people's lives in both her stories and her program. She writes from her heart and her mind's eye about things that hold an interest for her - love, friendship and spirituality. Amanda and many members of her family have had psychic experiences. Consequently, some of her stories delve into the supernatural.
(distributed through
BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com)
African-American Female Entrepreneur Wants To Promote The Beauty of Preserving Black Hair
Atlanta, GA - After attending a Historically Black College, entrepreneur Fatima Sokera became inspired to launch FBB. Incorporated and create the revolutionary hair product TAKE DOWN®. The product helps detangle hair and aids in the fast and easy removal of braids, weaves and dreadlocks. TAKE DOWN® Hair products are helping to prevent African-American women from damaging and/or losing their hair when removing braids, bonding glue, sew-in-weaves, quick weaves, infusion, hair extensions and dreadlocks. Solving the removal problems when taking down these hairstyles is not an easy task.
Fatima Sokera, and her staff, travel both domestically and internationally educating and motivating women on why they must and how they can save their hair. In promotional efforts, TAKE DOWN® Hair products is running a contest in the present anniversary issue of Vibe Magazine. The contest calls for creative talent to promote the beauty of maintaining and preserving Black hair- by submitting a 15-30 second video commercial. The winner of the contest will receive $750.00 and their commercial will be used in both national and international marketing.
Sokera comments, "the contest allows women and men of color to creatively educate (via entertainment), consumers and us as manufacturers on their opinions and feelings about the importance of preserving the beauty of our hair."
Unfortunately, across the globe, Black females are thinning and balding from snatching the glue out of their hair and ripping braids out of their hair, without combing through the knots and tangles at the root of the hair. Sokera adds, "If we truly cared about the beauty of our hair we would not continue to self-inflict damage to our God given crowns. The goal of this contest is to generate more concern and love for preserving black hair. I truly hope all the contestants make us feel and understand this whether it be through song, spoken word, rap, or acting."
All contest details can be found in the anniversary issue of Vibe Magazine. The deadline is October 15, 2003.
For more information contact FBB Incorporated at (770) 424-8189. Email takedown1@hotmail.com or visit www.takedownproducts.net
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