Beloved Peace Activist Riad Elsolh Hamad, Dead at 55: Another Victim of the “War on Terror”

author : Daisy Ouye and D K Ouye topic : War on Terror | Palestinian Children’s Welfare Fund | PCWF | Palestine

by Daisy Ouye and D K Ouye

Long-time peace activist Riad Hamad , who chaired an organization called Palestinian Children’s Welfare Fund (PCWF) that has raised millions of dollars for Palestinian children, was found dead just before 2 p.m. on April 16. His family reported him as a missing person when he didn’t return from a trip to a local pharmacy two days prior, telling police he was suicidal.

I spoke with Paul Larudee , a close friend to Riad, by phone. Paul was recently in Olympia as co-founder of the Free Gaza Movement and replaced Riad as chair of PCWF just before he died. He explained that Riad was methodical in turning over the bank account password, storage unit combination, and responsibilities . He said that those closest to Riad were also “worried for his state of mind in general” and that he was under tremendous pressure due to years of harassment from authorities.

Mr. Hamad was a Lebanese American who immigrated in the 1970’s. He had multiple masters degrees and was a middle school teacher. Riad sponsored 2 families in Palestine who had no means of income. He raised funds for medicine and books and ran the PCWF, which collects donations and sells Palestinian arts and crafts to help the children of Palestinian refugee camps; children who have been displaced by Israeli occupation.

In a statement released through their lawyer, his family described him as “admired by many members of the local, as well as international community.” He was beloved for his kindness, generosity, dedication and sense of humor. He was also an outspoken critic of the Bush administration.

Hamad was put under FBI surveillance in 2003, when a shipment of several boxes of books and used clothing that he tried to send to Israel for a group inclusive of Palestinian and Israeli children, was rejected. In a video on Free Speech TV, he opened some of the boxes that weren’t already opened and searched by the government. He joked, “You found me out, here’s your weapons of mass destruction, you got me,” as he revealed the books and clothes.

The pressure on this tireless peace activist increased with years of constant interference in the operation of the charitable organization he ran from his home. His neighbors and co-workers were questioned and asked to spy on him, which none would agree to. The implications of the FBI surveillance suggest they were trying to connect him to a terrorist group. Raid’s family was interrogated and watched, his home was raided by the FBI, and packages he sent were opened.

When asked why he continued, he said, “This is about basic civil rights. No child should go hungry.” Always clear on spending, with donors listed on the PCWF web site, Riad called himself “an open book.”

Still, Feb. 27th the FBI again raided his home, confiscating 40 boxes of tax related paperwork, other documents, books, flags, CD, etc. Special agents said they had probable cause for money laundering, wire fraud, and bank fraud. “There’s actually a very low threshold for judges to grant warrants and perform seizures,” Larudee explained. According to the Progressive Independent Forum, the search warrant was issued by Robert Pittman, “Known for hostility to Arabs and Palestinians [and] with whom Riad had previous experience.” Larudee explained that they also seized Riad's passport, froze his bank account and were asking for documents dating back fifteen years. He said Riad did not expect fair play from them and referred to Sami Al-Arian, Palestinian professor and also an outspoken activist.

Sami Al-Arian was arrested in Feb. 2003 for an alleged connection to terrorism, based on secret evidence. He took a plea bargain and has been held a year past his release date. He was in the 34th week of a hunger strike to protest his unjust imprisonment when Riad died.

Larudee told me that Riad had said repeatedly “I’m not worried about what happens to me, but I worry for my family’s future.” Hopelessness about the future is an even stronger predictor than depression in those who might take their own lives.

There has been a great deal of speculation about the circumstances surrounding Raid’s death because of the condition of his body when he was found. He was found in Lady Bird Lake, near his home in Austin, Texas, bound. His car was parked nearby. The police statement said the placement of the bindings were “consistent with Hamad having done this to himself.” This matter-of-fact explanation of such an awful scene has been difficult for his friends and supporters to accept. An autopsy could take several weeks.

After talking with Larudee, a beloved and tireless activist himself, I am convinced that Riad took his own life. He explained to me that he felt Riad may have chosen this method to draw scrutiny and suspicion to a situation that warrants it. When I called Larudee, it was to discuss Texas state law and to ensure the police had followed procedure. He assured me that the police had treated his case as a homicide and that it was, indeed, the family who urged them to believe Riad was at high-risk for suicide because of his intensely affective state with the FBI raid just over a month before.

Media reports included statements in which the police referred to “stressors” in Riad’s life. Since most of the authorities of government were the stressors, their reports meant little.

“Mr. Hamada’s family and friends are obviously devastated over their loss” a statement from the family reads.

The current administration has targeted several charitable organizations benefiting Palestinian children: Kinder USA, Middle East Children Alliance, Holy Land Foundation and PCWF. It has been costly, disruptive and there have been no convictions for any crime.

With the future of PCWF in Larudee’s hands now, we asked him if he feared government interference. He replied with a deep breath that sounded like conviction, “We are prepared. We will build on their experience. We are keeping very careful records and have two very good lawyers.”

Rest in peace, Riad.

“We won’t stop.”