Members of the First Unitarian Universalist Society heard about the importance of community togetherness in times of injustice Sunday during a discussion with Steve Downs, an attorney who helped defend two local Muslim men convicted of terrorist activity.
Downs, a retired lawyer, volunteered his time to defend Yassin Aref, the imam of a Central Avenue mosque, and Mohammed Hossain, a pizza shop owner, who were facing multiple counts of conspiring to launder money for a terrorist organization.
Both men were convicted in 2006 and sentenced to 15 years each in federal prison.
About 45 people listened as Downs discussed the implications of the case, how it affects everyday people and about the effect the situation has had on both Aref and Hossain’s families.
Hossain’s wife still works at the Little Italy Pizzeria on Central Avenue. Downs said she is open about her feelings and would sit and talk with anyone about her situation over a slice of pizza. Hossain has six children.
Hossain was sent to federal prison in New Jersey, five hours away. Volunteers drive his family, including his wife and six children, to visit him — a 10 hour round trip. The group has to get to the prison by 10 a.m.
Downs said volunteers are always needed to make the trip.
Hossain is diabetic and in ill health, Downs said.
“I have negative feelings about what’s happening there and the difficulty of getting his family to him,” Downs said.
Aref’s wife is “oddly silent,” Downs said, and she is taking care of four “rambunctious” American teenagers.
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