Perversion of Justice
Winner of the Changemaker Award, Media that Matters Film
Festival
Winner of the Advocacy Award, San Francisco Women's Film Festival
June 25th, 2009
A BITTER INJUSTICE
On June 19th, 2009, Judge Laurie Smith Camp granted a motion submitted
by Hamedah and her attorney Mike Hansen. Judge Smith-Camp reduced
Hamedah's sentence to 144 months. Because she has already served
four years beyond this 12 year sentence, Hamedah, her family and
friends were giddily preparing for her homecoming.
Last night, we learned that Judge Smith Camp changed her decision
and denied the motion. While those of us who love and support
Hamedah are crushed, we are determined that justice will prevail.
Join the Cause Free Hamedah Hasan on Facebook or/and for sign
up for the Yahoo Group FreeHH for more information on how you
can help.
Hamedah wrote on June 25th after she learned that she would not
be released: I NEED my family, friends, and supporters to stand
with and help me fight this injustice. I NEED you all to stand
with me and say this is NOT okay. More than ever I need this and
I need your prayers.
Thank you for everyone who has and continues to walk this journey
with me. Looks like it's going to be a little bit longer than
we thought.
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In this poignant 30-minute documentary, we meet Hamedah Hasan
and her three daughters, a family caught in the web of our nation's
federal sentencing guidelines and drug conspiracy laws.
Hamedah fled from an abusive relationship and sought refuge
at the home of her cousin, who was selling drugs. When her cousin
was arrested, prosecutors also charged Hamedah as a conspirator
in the drug-selling operation. What happened next shocked Hamedah,
her attorney and outraged even the Bush-appointed Federal judge
who sentenced her, calling this the "most grotesque perversion
of justice I can think of."
This film is a powerful call to action. No viewer will be untouched
by Hamedah's story, which is the story of thousands of families
across America.
A short version of Perversion of Justice was selected for inclusion
at the 8th annual Media that Matters Film Festival and won Working
Films' Changemaker Award. Check out the short and find out more
about this fantastic festival at http://www.mediathatmattersfest.org/8/
AN OPEN LETTER FROM HAMEDAH HASAN
2007
Produced and Directed by Melissa Mummert
Edited by Dorne Pentes
Cinematography by Jeffrey Roberts
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