Today . . .

. . . marks 1500 days of imprisonment for

Dr. Sami Al-Arian.

(MASNET) Friday, March 30th marks 1500 days in jail for Dr. Sami Al-Arian. Dr. Al-Arian was recently sentenced to an additional eighteen months in jail for his refusal to testify before a grand jury. However, this verdict was rendered against him despite a plea agreement he had with the government, which included a no-cooperation clause. (See: MAS Net)

Dr. Al-Arian has been scheduled for a hearing with Judge Bruce Lee on April 20th, 7 days after his government agreed upon release date. Reports from family members indicate that "Dr. Al-Arian intends to restate his commitment to his non-cooperation clause and request Judge Lee to withdraw the current citation for contempt."

More on Dr. Al-Arian's ongoing persecution at Counter Punch

. . . is also the 31st Anniversary of Land Day.

(Wikipedia) For Palestinians, Land Day has since become a day of commemoration and tribute to those who have fallen in the struggle to hold onto their land and identity. The Press Center of the Palestinian National Authority has characterized it "...as a remarkable day in the history of the Palestinian people's struggle, as the Palestinians in such a particular day embrace the land of their ancestors, their identity and their existence."

More on Land Day 2007 at BBC News