Bruce Kent and Hamja Ahsan
What a privilege to have been invited to read one of my poems at Sunday’s rally for Talha Ahsan held outside the Home Office – and in such august company too, including one of my all-time heroes, veteran humanitarian Bruce Kent, who made an impassioned speech on the injustice of Talha’s treatment, calling for Britain’s iniquitous extradition agreement with the USA to be overturned.
poet Hilaire
Fellow Loose Muse poet, Hilaire, read a wonderful poem inspired by her correspondence with Talha whilst he was in solitary confinement in Connecticut Correctional Facility, having been extradited from the UK with no charge.
My poem, entitled ‘Prisoner (Without Charge)’ was inspired by Talha’s own deeply moving poetry and the grace and wisdom he expressed even whilst in such hellish conditions.
Yes folks, any one of us can be extradicted to America without any requirement for evidence, or indeed, a trial date. In a nutshell – you’re guilty until proven innocent.
Through plea bargaining, Talha is now technically free, though he remains in America while the authorities pussy-foot around. He should be home NOW with his family. For more information: FREE TALHA AHSAN CAMPAIGN: www.freetalha.org Twitter: @hamjaahsan / @freetalha #BringTalhaHome
bookerplays 
Thanks Claire for posting this. It was indeed a privilege to read at this event. And while it was a celebration of Talha’s impending return to the UK and of his family’s resilience, the injustice continues, for him and many others. More power to our writing elbows!
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