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United Campus Ministry papers, 1970-1972

1971-04-09 Press-Citizen Article: 'Defendant In 'Plot' To Give Talk'

PRESS CITIZEN
April 9, 1971

Defendant In 'Plot' To Give Talk

Eqbal Ahmad

One of the six persons under indictment by the Department of Justice for allegedly conspiring to kidnap Presidential Adviser Henry Kissinger, and to blow up buildings in Washington, will speak at 8 p.m. here next Tuesday in Macbride auditorium.
Dr. Eqbal Ahmad, a research fellow at the Adlai Stevenson Institute in Chicago, and a well-known lecturer and opponent of American intervention in Indo-China, will speak on the significance and implications of the "Harrisburg Conspiracy" and the approaching trial.
Ahmad, who will be tried with the Rev. Philip Berrigan, and four others, is being brought to Iowa City by the Association of Campus Ministers, in cooperation with the University of Iowa's Union Board.
The Rev. James Narveson, a campus minister for Christus House Lutheran Student Center, said the sponsors felt that bringing Ahmad to speak was essential because "the whole problem of the role of the religious community in the affairs of the State is raised in a most serious way by this indictment."
He said a committee to defend Eqbal Ahmad had been set up  in Chicago with a membership including Studs Terkel and Dick Gregory, and that similar support was growing elsewhere.
The accused and their followers believe the indictment is being used as a weapon of repression.
In a statement issued on Feb. 8, the indicted men and women denied that they were conspirators and contended that charges had been trumped up against them because of their opposition "to the massive violence of our government in its war against Southeast Asia."
Ahmad has called the charges "ridiculous" and has asked Americans "not to be intimidated."
"Instead, we must continue to analyze the nature of the war and bring the truth before the public," he said.
Prior to Ahmad's Tuesday public address, an invitational party will be held at Center East, Jefferson and Clinton Streets, to raise funds for his defense.  At 7:15 p.m. a press conference will be held at Center East.

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PRESS CITIZEN April 9, 1971 Defendant In 'Plot' To Give Talk Eqbal Ahmad One of the six persons under indictment by the Department of Justice for allegedly conspiring to kidnap Presidential Adviser Henry Kissinger, and to blow up buildings in Washington, will speak at 8 p.m. here next Tuesday in Macbride auditorium. Dr. Eqbal Ahmad, a research fellow at the Adlai Stevenson Institute in Chicago, and a well-known lecturer and opponent of American intervention in Indo-China, will speak on the significance and implications of the "Harrisburg Conspiracy" and the approaching trial. Ahmad, who will be tried with the Rev. Philip Berrigan, and four others, is being brought to Iowa City by the Association of Campus Ministers, in cooperation with the University of Iowa's Union Board. The Rev. James Narveson, a campus minister for Christus House Lutheran Student Center, said the sponsors felt that bringing Ahmad to speak was essential because "the whole problem of the role of the religious community in the affairs of the State is raised in a most serious way by this indictment." He said a committee to defend Eqbal Ahmad had been set up in Chicago with a membership including Studs Terkel and Dick Gregory, and that similar support was growing elsewhere. The accused and their followers believe the indictment is being used as a weapon of repression. In a statement issued on Feb. 8, the indicted men and women denied that they were conspirators and contended that charges had been trumped up against them because of their opposition "to the massive violence of our government in its war against Southeast Asia." Ahmad has called the charges "ridiculous" and has asked Americans "not to be intimidated." "Instead, we must continue to analyze the nature of the war and bring the truth before the public," he said. Prior to Ahmad's Tuesday public address, an invitational party will be held at Center East, Jefferson and Clinton Streets, to raise funds for his defense. At 7:15 p.m. a press conference will be held at Center East.