The Portland Observer (Portland, Oregon) 
December 6, 2006 

POLITICAL IMPRISONMENT CHARGED
Supporters of civil liberties rally for justice Monday outside Pioneer Courthouse in the case of a Patrice Lumumba Ford

photos by Isaiah Bouie/The Portland Observer

By Sarah Blount

A federal appeals hearing took place in Portland on Monday for Patrice Lumumba Ford, one of the "Portland Six" who was sentenced to 18 years in a federal prison as one of the government's first victims in the war on terror.

Ford, a lifelong Portland resident, was charged with sedition for trying to unsuccessfully go to Afghanistan from China in Oct. 2001, before the U.S. invaded the country.

A full courtroom left many friends and supporters of civil liberties outside the Pioneer Courthouse to offer support to Ford's family, who for years have been politically active in Portland, including his father, Kent, who was a Black Panther.

Ford has been incarcerated since his initial arrest on Oct. 4, 2002. The U.S attorney who prosecuted the case argued he and five other men, mostly African American Muslims, were going to Afghanistan to fight American forces. The men claimed they merely wanted to help at the Afghani refugee camps

Ford was originally offered a five-year sentence in a plea bargain, but that offer was withdrawn, presumably after former Attorney General John Ashcroft's intervention, and he faced a maximum 20-year sentence.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court has agreed to hear an appeal of Ford's sentence on grounds that it was excessive. He is being represented by a new lawyer, Shaun McCrea of Eugene. McCrea argued that the sentencing guidelines for treason were erroneously applied in Ford's case. Previously, Ford tried to obtain habeas relief on the grounds of ineffective assistance of counsel but the U.S. District Court denied that appeal.

The issue at Monday's hearing was whether the advice of Ford's former attorney affected the sentencing.

"We are hoping for a reversal and remand for a resentencing in district court," McCrea said, adding that a three judge panel for the 9th circuit will take an unspecified amount of time before ruling.

The case has drawn national attention and a spectrum of the local community in solidarity of civil liberties.

Kayse Jama, founder of the Portland's Center for Intercultural Organizing and friend of the Ford family, was among supporters.

"I don't know when we became a nation where we convict people for their beliefs," said Jama, a fellow Muslim who believes Ford is a political prisoner.

Students, including Abdul Boutnach of Morocco, members of the local Roman Catholic parish attended by Ford's father Kent, and several individuals holding "Free Lumumba" placards also joined Ford's mother outside during the hearing.

The father stepped out of the courthouse looking grim, but said he is hopeful and thanks everyone for their prayers.