Health Affairs Newsmaker Breakfast

Immigration Detention: Give Detainees Fair Hearing

Joseph Peter Drennan, Attorney-at-Law
218 North Lee Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Sam W. Burgan, Attorney-at-Law
5673 Columbia Pike, Suite 201, Falls Church, Virginia 22041
 
 PRESS RELEASE – 12/1/2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Joseph Peter Drennan, Sam W. Burgan
Legal Counsel for Aymen Abu Aita
(703)    519-3773 or (703) 575-8810
Joseph@josephpeterdrennan.com ; sburgan@BurganLaw.com

Christian Peace Activist, Ayman Abu Aita Comes to D.C. from Bethlehem To Sue Sacha Baron Cohen, David Letterman, CBS, NBC Universal, Inc., and others for Damages and Injunctive Relief for Defamation Over False Portrayal as “Terrorist Group Leader of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade” in the movie “Bruno” and on the “Late Show with David Letterman”.

A press conference will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, at 1:00 PM, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Christian Peace Activist, Ayman Abu Aita, and his counsel, will announce the filing of a lawsuit against Sacha Baron Cohen, David Letterman, CBS, NBC Universal, Inc., and others.  Abu Aita is suing for damages and injunctive relief for defamation over the false portrayal of him as a “terrorist group leader al-aqsa martyrs brigade” in the movie “Bruno” and the “Late Show with David Letterman.”

Abu Aita was interviewed by Sacha Baron Cohen, under the pretext of being a German journalist, at a hotel, near Bethlehem, in July of 2008.  A manipulated version of the interview appeared in the movie “Bruno,” with a caption that falsely identified Abu Aita as a “terrorist group leader al-aqsa martyrs brigade,” and re-aired on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”   In fact, Ayman Abu Aita is a Christian, a respected leader in his town, and a peace activist who supports non-violence.

The movie “Bruno” premiered on June 30, 2009, and was released nationwide on July 10, 2009.  On July 7, 2009, Sacha Baron Cohen appeared on “The Late Show with David Lettermen” to promote the movie “Bruno.”  In the course of the interview, both Messrs. Cohen and Letterman made extensive misrepresentations, falsely identifying Mr. Abu Aita as a terrorist.  Also, in the course of the interview, the film clip from the movie showing Mr. Abu Aita was aired, with the subtitle “terrorist group leader al-aqsa martyrs brigade.”   

Ayman Abu Aita has experienced severe harm to his livelihood and reputation.  His life has been threatened and his family and business have suffered.

The press conference will begin at 1:00 p.m.  Mr. Ayman Abu Aita and his counsel will be available for interviews immediately after the press conference.  Copies of the lawsuit will be available at 12:00 noon.                ###

Tannen Discusses Book on Sisters, 6:30 pm Dec. 2

Linguist and Georgetown professor Deborah Tannen Discusses will discuss her book, "You Were Always Mom's Favorite!: Sisters in Conversation Throughout Their Lives," at 6:30 pm, Dec. 2.