Giving Up Isn't An Option - An Email from Katrina Jorene

Dear Friends & Family,

What may be the last leg of this long journey starts next week: mom's appeal at the High Court resumes (starts?) on the 28th of Oct. The appeal will be heard until the 30th of Oct, followed by the next hearing dates from the 24th - 28th November '08. The judge has expressed that he'd like to give judgment by the end of 2008.

[The first round of the Appeal will be heard at 9am, October 28 – 30 in Criminal Court 2 of the High Court Level 5, Room 2.]

13 years is a really long time, but the fight for what's right & just is a tireless process. You stop, they win. We've had enough time to catch a breath, so now it's back to the good fight. I'm writing to you today because you've been wonderful, and supportive, and now, more than ever, your support is needed.

I know that as this has gone on for more than a decade, many of us have moved on to different things (understandably!), but for those who still keep mom and the rest of us in your thoughts and prayers, I can't sufficiently express how thankful we are. For those who have forgotten, or who are simply exhausted by this insane process, I'm asking you now to remember & to re.energize your spirits.

Quite simply put, we're not going to win this alone. We need you. All of you.

So, what can you do:

1. Show up in court:
- A packed court room is so.incredibly.important. The judge, who at times appears to enjoy being a real ...well, arse, up there in his judge.seat, gets his act together when there's a strong presence of supporters. The show of support & solidarity is also important for the cause, for the people we're fighting for, and for mom.

2. Write about it:
- We cannot rely on the mass media in Malaysia to carry this story as they are much too controlled by the authorities. If they do cover the trial, it's usually buried at the back...near the obituaries (I wish i was kidding!).

As such, please:

Blog
Email your friends
Write letters asking for support
Write letters to the authorities
Write to newspapers ; hey, they may stick your letter at the back, but at least its there!

3. Tell your friends / family / community:

- We need you to talk about the trial, but we also need you to talk about what the trial stands for. 13 years down the line, there has just been a further erosion of the rights of migrants and refugees in Malaysia. Silence from our part simply supports this denial of basic rights. Let us not be bystanders.

4. Pray:
- Storm heaven with prayers. We should never underestimate the power of prayer.

5. Do what your conscience asks you to.
- Just that.

I know my list is long and my requests plenty. Ultimately though, please do what you can in your own capacity. We can never be too far away to fight for what is right. We should never be too busy to ignore what's important.

From the bottom of my soul, I thank you.

I'd just really like my mother *back* by year end. There's lots more work to be done.

Peace.Prayers.Possibilities.

katrina/jorene/kat/treena


"The man who defends his friends in never overwhelmed by the storms of life;
he is strong enough to come through difficulties and to carry on"
- The Manual of The Warrior of Light



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