NYC subway bomb plotter who wanted to avenge Abu Ghraib convicted of conspiracy News
NYC subway bomb plotter who wanted to avenge Abu Ghraib convicted of conspiracy

[JURIST] A federal jury Wednesday convicted [US DOJ press release] Shahawar Matin Siraj of conspiracy and other charges Wednesday for his role in a failed plot to bomb a New York City subway station in 2004. Siraj, a Pakistani immigrant who first drew authorities' attention for expressing anti-American sentiments after 9/11 [JURIST news archive], and another suspect, James Elshafay, were arrested in 2004; Elshafay cooperated with police. An informant, Osama Eldawoody, posed as an accomplice and testified against Siraj, who claimed that an undercover officer suggested the bomb plot and incited him with photographs of US prisoner abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison [JURIST news archive]. The prosecution presented videotape surveillance [MSNBC report] of Siraj and Elshafay discussing the plot in which Siraj said he would not plant the explosive device.

Siraj, 23, could face life imprisonment. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

November 9 is the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism [UNITED factsheet]. On November 9, 1924, American gay activist Henry Gerber and several associates formed the Society for Human Rights, the first gay rights organization in the United States. The Society received a charter from the State of Illinois in December but was disbanded in July 1925 after a police raid which led to Gerber's arrest and trial (albeit not conviction). Pay a virtual visit to Henry Gerber House, now a registered Chicago landmark.

Supreme Court strikes down Massachusetts anti-draft law

On November 9, 1970, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 in Massachusetts v. Laird not to hear the case of the state's anti-draft law. Massachusetts had passed a law, which allowed its citizens to decline to fight in any undeclared war, even if the person was drafted. The law was passed in opposition to the draft and the war in Vietnam. The First Circuit found the war constitutional and thus struck down the law.