Press Releases

Conyers Calls on DOJ to Bring Justice in the Case of Alex Odeh

Washington, DC, October 15, 2013

Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) joined Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.); Warren David, president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC); Ben Jealous, president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and Rebecca Vilkomerson, executive director of the Jewish Voice for Peace, in calling for the Department of Justice to bring resolve to the case surrounding the death of human rights advocate, Alex Odeh. 28-years ago this month, an explosion at the Southern California Regional Office for ADC killed Mr. Odeh and injured seven other individuals.  The FBI originally identified a number of suspects after the attack, but since 1985 none have ever been named or indicted.  Today, Congressman Conyers, along with the three organizations, held a press conference, and after joining a letter to the Department of Justice, Rep. Conyers issued the following statement:

“The 28-year-old case around the tragic death of Alex Odeh is a terrible testament to justice in our country.  I chaired the first hearing on Mr. Odeh’s death in the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Criminal Justice in 1986.  Ever since that time, I have remained deeply concerned with the level of violence against all Americans simply for obvious reasons.

“Since 1985, the widow, family, and advocates for Mr. Odeh have been waiting for the FBI to bring Mr. Odeh’s murderers to justice.  Today, I was proud to join Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez in calling for the Department of Justice to purse justice for Mr. Odeh and his family.

“For over a quarter of a century I have looked into Mr. Odeh’s case, and today I stand with ADC and the coalition of groups dedicated to bringing charges or resolving an FBI investigation that is now 28 years old.”

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