Savage v. Council on American-Islamic Relations, Inc.

Filing 6

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT Michael Savage Adding Does, Adding Allegations Adding 2nd COA against Michael Savage, APPLICATION for Stay of Execution. Filed byMichael Savage. (Horowitz, Daniel) (Filed on 12/25/2007) Modified on 12/26/2007 (ys, COURT STAFF).

Download PDF
Savage v. Council on American-Islamic Relations, Inc. Doc. 6 DANIEL A. HOROWITZ State Bar No. 92400 2 Attorney at Law P.O. Box 1547 3 Lafayette, California 94549 4 (925) 283-1863 1 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Attorney for Plaintiff U N I T E D STATES DISTRICT COURT N O R T H E R N DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA MICHAEL SAVAGE, 15 aka (Michael Weiner) 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 No. C 07-06076SI Plaintiff, vs. Counsel on American-Islamic Relations, Inc., Council on American Islamic Relations Action Network Inc., Council on American Islamic Relations of Santa Clara Inc., and Does 3-100 Defendants. _____________________________/ 1st AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES Dockets.Justia.com 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION (Trademark Infringement) THE PARTIES 1. Michael Weiner is the radio show star of The Michael Savage Show" where he uses the name "Michael Savage". He is hereinafter referred to as "Michael Savage" as this is the name used in the public arena. Michael Savage is the owner of copyright interests in his show, "The Michael Savage Show" also known as "The Savage Nation". 2. "The Savage Nation" is a nationally syndicated radio show that reaches over eight million listeners per week. Related to that show is the website www.MichaelSavage.com which receives 2.3 million page views per month. The radio show originates in San Francisco, California. 3. "The Savage Nation" is unique among so-called "Talk Radio" in that it combines serious intellectual analysis with dramatic and emotional soul baring that the show advertises as "Psychological Nudity". This performance aspect of the show is critical in that it conveys an emotional power and a fundamental honesty to the programming that is meaningful to the listening audience. 4. There are segments of the show that are as lyrical and as emotionally powerful as live theater, poetry, rap music or other genres where a performer 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 combines social commentary with powerful performance. In fact the start of show always begins with the admonishment: "Warning: This show contains adult language, adult content, psychological nudity. Listener discretion is advised." 5. Those millions who continue to listen understand that they are hearing radio that is as cutting, raw, emotional and fundamentally honest as any programming that has ever existed on the airwaves. 6. Defendants are part of a deliberately complex and deliberately confusing array of related organizations which in general operate under the name "Council on American Islamic Relations" aka "CAIR". In fact, these names are often modifications of the true name of the corporate entities. 7. The originally named defendant in this lawsuit is the Council on American Islamic Relations aka CAIR. Such a group exists in Texas and has been served as being the same Council on American Islamic Relations aka CAIR as is involved in the actions alleged herein. This group despite being one of the few "CAIR" groups having the name "Council on American Islamic Relations" is paradoxically not named as a Chapter of the group on the website that purports to be that of the very same Council on American Islamic Relations aka CAIR. 8. This particular "CAIR" group is headquartered in Garland, Texas. During the years 1998 and 2001, at least three members of the board of directors of the Holy Land foundation were from Sherman, Richardson and Garland, Texas. FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Richardson, Texas is less than 10 miles from Garland. The same Ghassan Eliashi who is a member of the board of the Holy Land Foundation was also a founder of the CAIR group in Garland, Texas. 9. The self-proclaimed leaders of the Council on American Islamic Relations aka CAIR operates out of Washington, D.C. and where the actual name of the corporation is Council on American Islamic Relations Action Network aka CAIR. Therefore, Doe 2 is named herein as the Council on American Islamic Relations Action Network, Inc. aka CAIR. However, in its IRS Form 990 filing in 2005, the group used the corporate name, Council on American Islamic Relations and not Council on American Islamic Relations Action Network. 10. The copyright infringing audio segment is contained on a website which purports to be that of the organization CAIR. The website address is www.cair.com. Www.cair.com is owned and controlled by Doe 3, Council on American Islamic Relations of Santa Clara, Inc. The content of the website consistently relates to the activities Washington, D.C. based Council on American Islamic Relations Action Network but it never refers to any corporate name. Therefore, plaintiff has added the Santa Clara based "CAIR" group as a defendant. 11. Plaintiff alleges that each of the named defendants, others unknown and Does 3-100 acted in concert and in conspiracy to accomplish the matters set forth in the complaint. FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 12. Plaintiff further alleges that the decentralized organizational structure, the shared use of the name CAIR and the substitution of the name Council on American Islamic Relations for the proper name of the District of Columbia based group, Council on American Islamic Relations Action Network is part of a plan and design created to cause confusion and to hide the actual relationships between the entities. When alleging actions taken in support of the conspiracy, CAIR is referred to generically (as "CAIR"). If the actions of a specific subgroup are particularly relevant, the individualized entity will be identified. 13. This organizational structure is part of the scheme to hide the illegal activities of the group, funding, the transfer of funds and to complicate investigation of the organization 14. This cell type structure creates problems for law enforcement and others to trace the activities of the organization. It is part of the overall plan of defendants and each of them to avoid detection of their funding and to avoid detection of the nature and scope of their activities. 15. This same confusion and deception has been used by the Council on American Islamic Relations Action Network in the United States District Court. In No. 3:04-CR-240 in the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, (before the Honorable A. Joe Fish, District Judge), defendant filed a pleading using the name Council on American-Islamic Relations ("CAIR") when in fact it appears that the actual group name is the Council on 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 American Islamic Relations Action Network. 16. In a brief filed in that action titled, "AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF OF THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE UNINDICTED CO-CONSPIRATORS' FIRST AND FIFTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS", CAIR stated: "NOW COMES, the Council on American-Islamic Relations ("CAIR"), by and through its undersigned counsel, respectfully submitting this Amicus Curiae brief in opposition to the public issuance of the unindicted co-conspirator list and seeking the Court to strike their name from the list, along with the names of all other unindicted individuals and organizations, and take any other action that it deems to be appropriate." 17. The brief appears to be on behalf of the Washington D.C. based Council on American Islamic Relations Action Network as the brief contains the following: INTEREST OF THE AMICUS CURIAE The Council on American-Islamic Relations ("CAIR") is America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, with regional offices nationwide and in Canada and national headquarters on Capital Hill in Washington, D.C. CAIR is a nonprofit, grassroots civil rights and advocacy group, which was established in 1994 ... 18. As the Texas Corporation originally sued herein as Council on American FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Islamic Relations was formed in 1998 and the Council on American Islamic Relations Action Network out of Washington D.C. was formed in 1994, plaintiff alleges that the confusion of names is part of a pattern and practice by defendant and that such deception has been perpetrated on the United States District Court in Texas. 19. The deception is so pervasive that Attachment A to the government's trial brief in the above action, listed the organization as the Council on Islamic American Relations aka CAIR. This confusion was not corrected and in fact was repeated in the documents prepared by "CAIR" in the public (PACER) file in that action. 20. The groups of organizations and individuals acted in conspiracy with and in cooperation with each other, acting under the umbrella of "CAIR" are referred to herein as "CAIR". Defendants named herein as Does 3-100 are defendants whose true names and capacities are presently unknown. When the names and identities of said Does are ascertained, this complaint will be amended to reflect the same. These Doe defendants include persons and entities that have conspired with CAIR to violate the rights of plaintiff as set forth herein. JURISDICTION 21. This lawsuit raises a federal issue arising out of federal statute (copyright infringement and RICO violations). In addition, the CAIR group most directly associated with the operation of the website that is at the core of the copyright infringement case, is a Santa Clara based organization. The "CAIR" website FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 owned by this group lists this as the "San Francisco Bay Area" chapter of CAIR. San Francisco and Santa Clara, California are within the jurisdiction of the United States District Court, Northern District of California. Further, the CEO of the Santa Clara based group is on the "national board" of the entity that identifies itself as the Washington, D.C. based group. Finally, the founder of the Washington DC based CAIR served on the Board of Directors of the Santa Clara based CAIR in 1998, 2000, 2001 and perhaps in other years as well. 22. Michael Savage broadcasts out of a studio and at a radio station located in San Francisco, California. COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT 23. This lawsuit concerns the infringement of the copyright to the October 29, 2007 show wherein a dramatic, meaningful and powerful segment of the Savage Nation was and continues to be expropriated by defendant, CAIR (as identified herein). This expropriation is both a continuing act of copyright infringement as well as a racketeering act as set forth herein but more fully in the Second Cause of Action. The Second Cause of Action is incorporated herein by this reference. 24. The segment misappropriated was in excess of four minutes. As set forth in more detail herein, the misappropriated segment was used by CAIR for fundraising purposes and the segment was used in a manner designed to cause harm to the value of the copyright material in the long and short term. This was the desired result and it was part of a greater plan and scheme to destroy public voices FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 that express opposition to the criminal political agenda of CAIR as set forth more fully in the Second Cause of Action. (The allegations of the Second Cause of Action are incorporated herein by this reference.) 25. CAIR is not a civil rights organization and it never has been. 26. At all times relevant herein, CAIR was and is a political organization that advocates a specific political agenda on behalf of foreign interests. COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AS A TOOL TO ATTACK FREE SPEECH, PROMOTE A TERRORIST AGENDA AND FOR OTHER "NON 11 FAIR USE" PURPOSES 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 27. CAIR has misappropriated copyright protected material from Michael Savage and made this material available on its website. This is actionable regardless even if CAIR had a genuine charitable purpose in using Michael Savage's material. However, even genuine charities must gain the permission of a copyright holder before using the copyrighted work for fund raising or other purposes. 28. The CAIR misappropriation was done for political purposes unrelated to civil rights and unrelated to CAIR's tax exempt status. 29. The copyright infringement was done to raise funds for CAIR so that it could self perpetuate and continue to perform its role in the RICO conspiracy set forth in Count Two and to disseminate of propaganda on behalf of foreign FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 interests that are opposed to the continued existence of the United States of America as a free nation. 30. CAIR repackaged the content of Michael Savage's show and manipulated that stolen content so that it could be used by CAIR to raise funds. Little or none of the money raised went to alleged "civil rights" activities. 31. The CAIR repackaging damaged the work and damaged the public image of the work because it was taken out of context, the introductory remarks were omitted and the context of "The Savage Nation" were removed. It was deliberately designed to obscure the specific message conveyed by Michael Savage. The actual message while highly provocative and strongly worded, was not intended as an attack on people of faith and in fact, Michael Savage is well known as a person of faith. 32. The stolen material as repackaged by CAIR was intended to portray both the material and the creator of the material, Michael Savage as having a blanket opposition to a particular religion. This was not the context of the statement and it is not consistent with the content of the programming as a whole. 33. In fact, Michael Savage has presented various views and various perspectives. The purpose of his show (among other purposes) is to present uncensored, genuine points of view that force listeners to both think and feel in ways that normal polite discourse may not allow. The CAIR misappropriation FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 omitted this reality about the show and therefore failed to incorporate the context of Michael Savage's many comments which include praise for the aspects of nonviolent Islam that create a high level of morality and family values. 34. CAIR knew or should have known that it was misportraying the views of Michael Savage as the following are just some of the positive positions taken by Michael Savage with respect to people who use their religion to promote morality, freedom and family values. As noted herein, Michael Savage makes no distinction among religions in these comments. These comments include but are not limited to the follows: CALLER: Hi Dr Savage, thank you for taking my call. I'm a Muslim, I'm originally from Turkey and I've been in this country since 93. I've been listening to your show for the last 3 years, and 80% I support what you're saying, I believe in American values. My religion is Islam, my question to you is can I be a Muslim and still support American values in this country. SAVAGE: Sure you can, absolutely. That's what I said all along. Look, it's like saying can I be a Jew and still support American values, can I be a Buddhist and still support American values, can I be a Hindu can I be an Atheist, Yes that's what America is all about. It's freedom of religion, and freedom to be non religious. That's what makes the country great, it's freedom. So I don't understand where the problem exists. FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR SA V A G E : In other words, everybody knows no matter what their religion is, even an atheist knows it's not right to take a penny out of another man's pocket that's not yours right? C A L LE R : Right SA V A G E : Ok, so you start with that basic knowledge, the basic rules of living with people can be boiled down to do unto others as you would do onto you, or do onto others as you would have them do to you. That's the essence of every religion. (Date of Show: 3/27/07) **************** SAVAGE: There are areas of unity between the religions and I think we need to strengthen those. We need to strengthen those areas of unity. Maybe this IS a radio show that can help do that. Mohammed from Orlando, welcome back to the program. Now, you heard the Rabbi from New York and his views of Evolution and Creation you agree with? CALLER: Yes, and that's what Islam is definitely all about. When I was listening to his message or his ... he uh, uh, has a great way of articulating the words that he was, uh, telling on this conversation. That, um, the way we were created and everything else, that's exactly, I think, there's a lot of similarities between all religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 SAVAGE: But yet, many Christians call the show and they don't believe in Evolution. They believe only in Creation. Are there... um... Creationists within the Muslim tradition as well who reject Evolution? I would think that the educated Muslim understands that you can have science and religion coexisting. CALLER: Definitely. Without science, I don't think we actually can basically survive. And the word, the first word that came out when revelation came in upon the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, is "read," which is basically a way of telling human beings to take themselves and educate themselves and go into areas of things like science and like I said, that's the first thing that Muslims are encouraged to do is basically educate themselves. So, I don't see there is a difference between... a lot of people when they hear "Evolution," they take it to the extreme that we all came out from apes or from another animal or some other beings, but that's not how evolution is. So, evolution could be something that, um, basically, where, where, um... SAVAGE: Well, I had asked the Rabbi yesterday how do you explain the previous, uh, pre-humans, for example. Let's call them that. The Neanderthal, for example. How do you explain that? If God is perfect, why would He create an imperfect man before creating a perfect man? And his answer was very interesting. He said that God took a long time to arrive at man to teach us how much time and effort it takes to create even one man in order to show us how important life is and the divinity of mankind. I FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 thought that was beautiful, didn't you, Mohammed? CALLER: Definitely and also, uh, in Islam, way before humans were created, there was another creature that walked on the earth, and that's another creature which we call the Djinns. And the Djinns actually, they were living in Earth way before we came in and they did exactly the same thing that we're doing right now. We're shedding blood all over the place. And God, when he told the angels that he will create humans, the angels replied to him that you will create a human just like you did with the Djinns. And they will do exactly the same thing that the Djinns did. And He said, I know that, but I know more than you will. So that's exactly the same way. So there's a lot of creatures that... SAVAGE: So in other words, we're still behaving like sub humans even though we're humans. CALLER: Exactly SAVAGE: And we're not supposed to behave like that. We're supposed to behave like the angels, but we're still behaving worse than the ape. CALLER: Definitely. SAVAGE: [Laughter] Mohammed, bless you. Alechem Salam. Thanks for listening to The Savage Nation. FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Date of Show: 11/29/06 35. These misportrayals were done to deliberately increase the profit making aspects of CAIR's misappropriation and to further the illegal purposes of the organization. The misportrayals were done to silence people who oppose the commission of acts of violence, murder or torture under the guise of religion. By omitting Michael Savage's strong endorsement of all religions and all religious practice that supports moral values, family values and freedom, CAIR destroyed the value of the copyright material and the performance as a whole, at least to the extent that people gave credence to the CAIR packaging of the content. 36. To further promote their website, fund raising and the appearance of a genuine human rights agenda, CAIR organized contacts with various advertisers including Walmart, AutoZone, JC Penny and others whereby CAIR sought to convince them not to advertise on The Michael Savage Show. Any success in this area was due to the copyright infringement and the false context in which the material was presented. CAIR caused some advertisers to pull advertising but they also made false claims as to many other advertisers. These false claims were done in part to intimidate other talk show hosts. 37. In its actual context, the piece was directed toward violent terrorists who mask their personal evil with a false religious aura. This included the "Hitler of Iran" (Mahmoud Ahmadinejad). Michael Savage's show in its introduction promises "psychological nudity". Savage's outrage and strong language FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 objecting to the murder of homosexuals and the mutilation and oppression of women under the guise of religion makes much more sense than the CAIR packaged spin that Savage who has repeatedly taken pro-faith views was somehow against a particular religious group in its entirety. 38. The audience of "The Savage Nation" expects this type of from the heart outrage and when it is directed at a murderer such as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his ilk, the piece is far more understandable and far more American mainstream. While the strength of the outrage is remarkable and a hallmark of "The Savage Nation", the sentiment is shared by a huge number of Americans. 39. The copyright material properly viewed is a scream of outrage on behalf of the American public against beheadings, hangings of homosexuals, mutilation of women, the torture of rape victims and the thought that CAIR and other groups are trying to import these atrocities into American life. 40. Just as all religions are free to practice in the United States, Michael Savage is free to exercise his beliefs without having someone in the opposition steal his property and convert it for their own use. The violation of the copyright and the desecration of that copyright material is a violation of the freedoms of Michael Savage to express his views. 41. Michael Savage has analogized his statements on the radio to those made by Winston Churchill when he warned of the rise of the Nazis. Michael Savage has pointed out that all Germans were not Nazi's and Churchill's words if heeded FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 would have protected the German public as well as the rest of the world. To steal his words and repackage them is to steal the intellectual and emotional property of Michael Savage and those who support his positions. 42. Michael Savage's right to speech is protected by both the First Amendment. It is essence of freedom that voices can be raised strongly and without fear of illegal retaliation. CAIR attempted to silence Michael Savage by stealing his work, misrepresenting it and then seeking to have advertisers drop his show. This is a violation of Michael Savage's rights to speech and to his religious beliefs. 43. The conduct of CAIR (in addition to raising money) in violating the copyright interests of Michael Savage was to gain media attention and control so that CAIR would be seen as the "moderate" voice in the media. In fact CAIR is a radical voice that deliberately attempts to be seen as centrist so that media time goes to CAIR and once on the air, CAIR directs its rhetoric to the benefit of its extremist clients. This is a deliberate tactic and the theft of the copyright material was part of a pattern and practice advancing this tactic. CAIR TARGETS THE 1st AMENDMENT 44. The copyright infringement and the use of the copyright material is a RICO predicate act and part of the broad conspiratorial purposes of CAIR. Michael Savage is a long time opponent of CAIR and its interests. For example, on February 21, 2006, CAIR National Legal Director Arsalan Iftikhar appeared on MSNBC's Scarborough Country debating the Dubai side of the U.S. ports story. Michael Savage was the leader of the public opposition to the purchase of major FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 U.S. ports by Dubai and Savage herein alleges that the misappropriation and misuse of his content as set forth herein was done in part in retaliation for Savage's opposition to overseas ownership of such a strategic asset. 45. CAIR has consistently sought to silence opponents of violent terror, through economic blackmail, frivolous but costly lawsuits, threats of lawsuits and abuses of the legal system. In doing so, CAIR has used extortion, threats, abused the court system, obtained money via interstate commerce under false and fraudulent circumstances. These acts against speech and political action by Americans include those items set forth in the paragraphs immediately following. 46. The copyright infringement against Michael Savage and the attempt to damage him economically is further part of an organized campaign to silence opposition figures by causing them severe economic damage. ABUSIVE LAWSUITS AND ECONOMIC BLACKMAIL BY CAIR 47. CAIR filed a frivolous lawsuit filed against American Citizens who alerted security when they observed six Muslim Imams boarding US Airways Flight 300 in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 20, 2006. The Imams deliberately acted as if they were terrorists in order to create an incident. The lawsuit by CAIR was intended, among other things, to intimidate American citizens so that they would be afraid to report terrorist activities when they observed them. To protect Americans from such tactics, Congress passed legislation to protect reporting citizens. FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 17 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 48. CAIR launched a public act of misinformation against Dr. Laura Schlessinger when she criticized the taking of school children to a Mosque to learn morals. Such a field trip likely violated the separation of church and state and Dr. Schlessinger's comments were protected by the First Amendment. Despite this, CAIR sought to sanction Dr. Schlessinger for her comments. 49. In August 2005, CAIR pressured ABC radio to terminate radio talk show host Michael Graham for criticizing terrorism and Islam. The did this by making threats of economic harm against ABC. 50. Threatened legal action against Young America's Foundation to stop them from allowing a speaker critical of CAIR address their group. There was no legal basis for CAIR's position, it was a threat of economic extortion as YAF would be forced to expend funds to defend the frivolous lawsuit. 51. On March 31, 2004, CAIR sued Andrew Whitehead who operated the website anti-CAIR.org.net. This lawsuit alleged that Whitehead's articles showing CAIR's connection to Islamic terror were libelous. CAIR dropped the lawsuit when discovery requests were filed by Whitehead's attorney and the website continues to carry the same material. 52. CAIR sued North Carolina congressman, Cass Ballenger who called CAIR "the fund-raising arm for Hezbollah" and raised the possibility that it would try to blow up the Capitol Building. CAIR responded with a $2 million defamation suit. 18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 This lawsuit was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon. Apr. 11, 2006 update: A three-judge federal appeals court panel in Washington (made up of David Sentelle, Judith Rogers, and Thomas Griffith) ruled unanimously to uphold Judge Leon's March 2005 decision to dismiss CAIR's case. Arsalan Iftikhar, CAIR's director of legal affairs, had described the purpose of the lawsuit as follows: "With this lawsuit, we are sending a clear message to all those who make malicious and defamatory statements against American Muslims or their institutions that they will be held accountable in a court of law. 53. CAIR again targeted American students when the attacked Sara Townsley a columnist with the Cornell Daily Sun a Cornell University student newspaper, who wrote an article on Oct. 19, 2004 "A Vote for Kerry is a Vote for the Enemy," in which she stated that CAIR officials "have defended suicide bombers, funneled money to Hamas, and at least five of its leaders have been deported, indicted, or convicted on terrorism charges." CAIR responded that same day with an accusatory letter ("Ms. Townsley uses regurgitated smears against CAIR from right-wing websites and noted Islamophobes such as Daniel Pipes and Steven Emerson") that also demanded the column's immediate removal, apologies for "these vicious attacks," and permission for CAIR to submit an oped. The CAIR letter also threatened that "If you elect to publish or distribute this confidential letter to any person or entity in any form; suit will be filed forthwith." Andy Guess, editor-in-chief of the Cornell Daily Sun, responded on Oct. 25 by denying any infraction and offering CAIR just a letter-to-the-editor for its response. On Oct. 26, CAIR responded that its "mentioning a possibly impending lawsuit is not FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 19 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 merely a hollow gesture on our part". 54. The frivolous lawsuits, are direct attacks on the ability of ordinary Americans to criticize defendants and their co-conspirators because ordinary Americans are not financially capable of defending these lawsuits without suffering severe financial harm. Such lawsuits are predatory, filed without a serious expectation of winning, but undertaken as a means to bankrupt, distract, intimidate, and demoralize defendants. Plaintiffs seek less to prevail in the courtroom than to wear down researchers and analysts. Even when the latter win cases, they pay heavily in time, money, and spirit. As counterterrorism specialist Steven Emerson comments, "Legal action has become a mainstay of radical Islamist organizations seeking to intimidate and silence their critics. 55. The financial attacks on media personalities and student groups such as the Cornell University newspaper and Young America's Foundation are meant to intimidate Americans by using economic threats to violate the First Amendment rights of Americans. 56. As set forth herein, CAIR is not a civil rights organization but is instead a political organization designed to advance a political agenda that is directly opposed to the existence of a free society that includes respect and dignity for all people and all religions. 57. The copyright infringement herein is part of this plan. CAIR's fundamental purpose is to be a lobbyist for foreign interests. FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR CAIR AND IT'S TERROR CONNECTIONS 58. The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires registration as an agent of a foreign principal when an organization acts on the order, request, or under the direction or control of a foreign principal, or whose activities are directed by a foreign principal when that person engages in political activities for or in the interests of such foreign principal or acts in a public relations capacity for a foreign principal. 59. CAIR would have to register as a foreign agent if their activities were not hidden under the false claim that they are a civil rights organization that enjoys tax exempt status. The lawsuit against Michael Savage is part of the subterfuge of CAIR acting to protect civil rights when in fact is goal is to defend and promote foreign organizations and their illegal activities. 60. The allegations in the Second Cause of Action contain more detail regarding CAIR's involvement in the 9/11 terror attacks and other terrorist activities. As set forth herein, plaintiff gives an overview of why CAIR's copyright infringement was intended not as "fair use" but to serve the political purposes of foreign radical groups. 61. The funding and expenditures of the CAIR groups are deliberately confused by the use of different names, interlocking directorships and other devices 21 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 designed to obscure the foreign domination of this group. Some of what is known is set forth herein. 62. In 2005, CAIR's Washington branch received a donation of $ 1,366,466 from a Saudi Arabian named Adnan Bogary. This was a major portion of the listed budget for that year. This funding from overseas is obtained in many different ways some public and some hidden. The details of which shall be established at trial. 63. CAIR was tied to terror from the day it was formed. The group was incorporated on or about 1994 by Omar Ahmad ("Ahmad") and Nihad Awad ("Awad"). Both men were officers of an terror organization known as the "Islamic Association for Palestine". 64. Omar Ahmad was in fact, the President of the Islamic Association for Palestine. This group was listed by the United States Attorney as an unindicted co-conspirator in the case of U.S. v. Holy Land Foundation, CR NO. 3:04-CR240-G. In addition, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control has designated this organization as supporting and/or engaging in terrorist activity. Presently all financial transactions with this organization by residents of the United States, or within the borders of the United States, are prohibited. Federal agents locked down the Holy Land Foundation's headquarters in Richardson, Texas, as well as its three other offices in Bridgeview, Illinois, Patterson, New Jersey, and San Diego, California, securing their offices and taking custody of relevant business records. This action is taken under the authority of FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 22 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Executive Order 13224, signed by the President on September 23, 2001, which authorizes aggressive actions against the bankers of international terrorism. 65. The Washington based CAIR 990 return lists Omar Ahmad as their "Chairman Emeritus". Omar Ahmad is also listed on the CAIR website as being the founder of CAIR and being on the national board of directors. He is further listed as being from the San Francisco area, thereby connecting the Washington D.C. group to the California group through interlocking relationships. 66. CAIR's parent group, IAP, was founded in or about 1982 by Musa Abu Marzook ("Marzook"). Marzook was IAP's ideological leader and controlling director from the date of its founding until shortly after his deportation from the United States in 1997. At all times relevant, Marzook was an operative of, and/or affiliated with, the "Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyyah," or "Hamas." Hamas is an international terrorist organization. Hamas is organized into distinct wings, or bureaus, that perform different functions, but operate as a seamless whole. It includes a military wing, responsible for carrying out suicide bombings and other terrorist attacks; a social wing, which operates much like a social welfare agency; and a political wing, which sits above the military and social wings and is responsible for setting policies and guidelines regarding Hamas' activities. The defendant Holy Land Foundation (HLF), sometimes called "the Fund," was an integral part of the Hamas social infrastructure. Not only did HLF operate to support the Hamas agenda, but it was created for that very purpose. 67. On January 24, 1995, pursuant to Executive Order 12947, the Department FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 23 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, designated Hamas as a Specially Designated Terrorist organization. This designation makes it illegal for any United States person or entity to engage in any unlicensed transactions or dealings involving the property or interests of Hamas. Hamas' designation as a Specially Designated Terrorist organization has remained in place since January 24, 1995. On October 8, 1997, the Secretary of State,pursuant to the laws of the United States, designated Hamas as a "Foreign Terrorist Organization." As a result of this designation, it became illegal for any person within the United States or subject to its jurisdiction to provide material support or resources to Hamas. In 1998, the director of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") counter-terrorism unit stated IAP was "a Hamas front.(that is) controlled by Hamas, it brings Hamas leaders to the US, it does propaganda for Hamas." 68. The government's actions regarding IAP is well earned by the group. For example, during a youth session at IAP's third annual convention in Chicago in November 1999, IAP President and CAIR founder, Omar Ahmad delivered a speech praising suicide bombers. "Fighting for freedom," he said, "fighting for Islam -- that is not suicide. They [the suicide bombers] kill themselves for Islam." (cited in Jihad in America by Steven Emerson) 69. Lisa Gardiner, a reporter at the Argus newspaper in Fremont, California reported that Ahmad stated at a public event that she attended that "Islam isn't in America, to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Koran, the Muslim book of scripture, should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on Earth." Ahmad now denies making this statement. FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 70. CAIR opened its first office in Washington, DC, with the help of a $5,000 donation from the terror group, the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF). This group, ,like CAIR, is a self-described charity founded. It was founded by Hamas operative, Mousa Abu Marzook. In the government brief in U.S. v. Holy Land Foundation, Case No. 3:04-CR-240-G, United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, the United States alleges that "The leader of the Palestinian Committee in the United States at that time was unindicted coconspirator Mousa Abu Marzook. Marzook is now ­ and has been since 1995 ­ a Specially Designated Terrorist and Hamas leader." 71. At a 1994 meeting at Barry University, CAIR co-founder Nihad Awad stated that: "I am a supporter of the Hamas movement." Awad wrote in the Muslim World Monitor that the 1994 trial which had resulted in the conviction of four Islamic fundamentalist terrorists who had perpetrated the previous year's World Trade Center bombing was "a travesty of justice." 72. Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization by Canada, the European Union, Israel, Japan, and the United States. Hamas is banned in the Muslim nation of Jordan, Australia and the United Kingdom 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 CALIFORNIA CAIR GROUP'S EXTREMIST TIES 73. The website carrying the copyright infringing material is a Santa Clara based CAIR group. That group is sued herein under its actual name, which is the "Council on American Islamic Relations of Santa Clara" This group filed its 2005 Form 900 return under the name, "Council on American Islamic Relations, California." Various California based CAIR groups operate under names such as Council on American Islamic Relations, California. It is impossible without discovery to fully distinguish between them. They also cross fund each other. 74. The Santa Clara based group lists two donations made by the Santa Clara group to Islamic Relief. Islamic Relief is an organization listed by the United States Attorney as an unindicted co-conspirator in the case of U.S. v. Holy Land Foundation, CR NO. 3:04-CR-240-G. This Santa Clara group also donated to CAIR's Washington group. In year 2000 the group identified itself as "Council on American Islamic Relations N. Cal" and in that IRS form 990 it indicated that it donated funds to the Holy Land Foundation which has been identified by the United States Attorney and the President of the United States as supporting Hamas. This was done at the same time that CAIR founder and Hamas affiliated Omar Ahmed, sat on the board of this chapter. 75. CAIR's Los Angeles branch publishes a magazine called "In-Focus". While published in Los Angeles its board has included members of the national CAIR board of directors. Asthma Ahmad is the Managing Editor and Staff Writer for CAIR-California's monthly tabloid, In Focus. FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 26 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 76. Under Ahmad's leadership, In Focus published an article lauding the terrorist group Hezbollah and its leader Hassan Nasrallah. The piece read, "[I]t was undoubtedly the epic heroism of the resistance fighters that dealt the humiliating defeat to the Anglo-American-backed Zionist forces, but such heroism would not have been possible without the larger-than-life leader to inspire, direct and focus it. Nasrallah's leadership in war and later has made him into an emblematic figure of long-cherished hope not only to a majority of the Lebanese people but also to the Arab nation as a whole and indeed to the Muslim world... The valour, selflessness and determination that made it possible for the resistance he led to push back the Zionist military giant cannot be denied..." (Mulham Assir, In Focus, `Nasrallah ­ Leadership and Restraint,' October 2006) 77. Under Ahmad's leadership, In Focus has published full page, color advertisements for the terrorist group falsely claiming to be a charity, Islamic Relief. (In Focus, June 2005 ­ Present) According to the Israeli government, Islamic Relief is a Hamas front that has provided funds and assistance to Hamas. (Chris McGreal, The Guardian, `Israel accuses British-funded Islamic charity of being front for terrorists,' May 31, 2006). In April of 2005, In Focus published a full page ad for ICNA Relief, an Islamist "charity" that is the top donor to a Pakistani group that gave $99,000 to the head of Hamas, Khaled Mashaal, in August of 2006. (Joe Kaufman, FrontPage Magazine, `Helping Hand to Hamas,' May 15, 2007) 78. In March of 2006, In Focus published a full-page ad from the Citizen's 27 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Committee for Equal Justice announcing an event to demand the release of terrorist Sami Al-Arian. (In Focus, March 2006). Al-Arian, a former university professor, was arrested by the United States government in 2003 on charges that he funded and was the U.S. chief of operations of a terror group that was responsible for hundreds of terrorist acts in Israel, resulting in over 100 deaths. He was acquitted on eight of the 17 charges against him December 2005 after a six month trial but other charges remained unresolved by the jury. On April 14, 2006 Al-Arian pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide services to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and he agreed to be a prison sentence followed by deportation. 79. In the October 2005 issue of In Focus, Ahmad lauded senior advisor to the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), Maher Hathout, as a "prominent local speaker." (Asthma Ahmad, In Focus, `The Night Journey Remembered,' October 2005) Hathout is a Hezbollah supporter that declared, in May of 2001, that the United States is "under Israeli occupation." (Zionist Organization of America, `ZOA Shocked By Decision To Give LA Human Relations Award To Pro-Hizballah, U.S. & Israel-Basher Maher Hathout,' September 6, 2006). 80. Featured on Ahmad's Discover Islam site were downloadable lectures given by Jamal Badawi and Ingrid Mattson. (Discover Islam, January 1, 2003 ­ October 21, 2004) Both Badawi and the organization Mattson is the President of, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), were named as co-conspirators in the trial against the Hamas charity, the Holy Land Foundation (HLF). (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas ­ Dallas Division, United States of America vs. Holy Land Foundation. FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 28 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 81. While Ahmad was Editor of the National MSA newsletter, MSA Link, an article was published in it threatening violence. It read, "Some call it resistance. Some call it terrorism. Others call it revolutionary violence and some describe it as civil disobedience. We just call it `Intifada'... They can suppress us, but we will erupt again." (Idris Elbakri, MSA Link, Vol. 17, `We are the Palestinian People,' March 2002) 82. In October of 2002, on behalf of CAIR-California, Ahmad advertised a fund raising banquet featuring suspected co-conspirator of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, Siraj Wahhaj. The title of the event was `A United and Secure America: With Liberty and Justice for All.' (Asthma Ahmad, Dar ul Falah Forum, `CAIR Annual Fundraiser,' October 6, 2002) 83. The involvement of California based CAIR groups with terror ideology and terror organizations can be further seen in the 2004 tax return of the Santa Clara based CAIR group. This return shows that it donated to the Texas based group located in Dallas as well as "Café Intifada". The group also stated that it invests money with the North American Islamic Trust. The United States Attorney in the case of U.S. v. Holy Land Foundation, CR NO. 3:04-CR-240-G has listed this organization as an entity that is/was a member of the terrorist group, the U.S. Muslim Brotherhood. 84. The structure of these groups has an almost unfathomable complexity. Faoud Khatib who is listed as the CEO of the Santa Clara based CAIR is also the 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 CEO of another CAIR related organization called CAIR California Title Holding Corporation. This same person is listed on the CAIR website as being on the national CAIR board of directors. CAIR LEADERSHIP'S RELATIONS WITH TERRORISTS AND THEIR SUPPORT NETWORK 85. The involvement of CAIR's founders in illegal conduct was addressed on February 2, 1995, when U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White named CAIR Advisory Board member and New York Imam Siraj Wahhaj as one of the "unindicted persons who may be alleged as co-conspirators" in Islamic Group leader Omar Abdel Rahman's foiled plot to blow up numerous New York City monuments. 86. On May 7, 1996, CAIR coordinated a press conference to protest the decision of the U.S. government to extradite Marzook for his connection to terrorist acts performed by Hamas. CAIR characterized the extradition as "anti-Islamic" and "anti-American." 87. Prior to 9/11, CAIR continued in its claim that it was a civil rights organization. They made this claim when in October 1998, CAIR demanded the removal of a Los Angeles billboard describing Osama bin Laden as "the sworn enemy," asserting that this depiction "offensive to Muslims." 88. Also in 1998, CAIR denied bin Laden's responsibility for the two al Qaeda bombings of American embassies in Africa. CAIR's leader Ibrahim Hooper, claimed the bombings resulted from "misunderstandings of both sides." FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 89. In a July 1998 news article CAIR co-founder Omar Ahmad is quoted speaking to a group of California Muslims expressing his hope of seeing an America under the domination of Islam. In that article, Ahmad is quoted as saying, Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Koran ... should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on earth. 90. On October 5, 2001, just weeks after 9/11, CAIR's New York office sent a letter to The New York Times arguing that the paper had misidentified three of the hijackers and suggesting that the attacks may have been committed by people who were impersonating Arab Muslims. 91. CAIR further exploited 9/11 as it put on its website a picture of the World Trade Center in flames and below it a call for donations that was linked to the Holy Land Foundation website. 92. The HLF is the Holy Land Foundation. On December 4, 2001, the Attorney General of the United States stated that "the Holy Land Foundation, received much of its early money from Mousa Abu Marzuq, a top Hamas official who, the U.S. courts have determined, was directly involved in terrorism." 93. The use CAIR's website to misappropriate the spirit of 9/11 charity to raise money for a terror organization is a pattern of conduct of CAIR that has been repeated with the appropriation of Michael Savage's material for CAIR's own 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 purpose. While the outrage of diverting 9/11 charity is unmatched in its callousness, the success of that enterprise may well have emboldened CAIR in its present conduct. 94. When the President of the United States closed the Holy Land Foundation in December 2001 for collecting money "to support the Hamas terror organization," CAIR decried his action as "unjust" and "disturbing." 95. On April 20, 2002, CAIR's director spoke at a rally in Washington D.C. He spoke from a podium next to a Hezbollah flag. 96. On December 29, 2004 Wagdy Ghoneim, an extremist Egyptian cleric known for his advocacy in support of violence and hatred for Jews, decided to voluntarily leave the country after being accused of immigration violation, CAIR's director in California, Hussam Ayloush, told The Los Angeles Times that the case demonstrated "the selective application of laws on Muslims." CAIR has never publicly criticized the radical statements made by Ghoneim. 97. In a July 7, 2004 interview with BBC, Gary Douglas Hooper, CAIR's spokesman, defended Sheik Yusuf Qaradawi, a Qatar-based Muslim cleric known for his support for terrorism, as "respectable," adding: "I don't think there's any incitement of violence on his part." Qaradawi was an open supporter of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah, as well as groups targeting U.S. forces in Iraq. Qaradawi is barred from entering the U.S. because of his advocacy of violence. FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 32 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 98. On April 13, 2005: Ghassan Elashi, a founding board member of CAIR's Texas chapter, and two of his brothers, were found guilty of supporting terrorism by funneling money to the leader of Hamas. They were convicted in a federal court in Texas of handling and trying to conceal an investment by senior Hamas leader Musa Abu Marzuq. 99. In July 2004, Ghassan Elashi was convicted on separate charges of illegally exporting goods to Syria and of money laundering. At that time, a representative of CAIR's Dallas-Fort Worth chapter, Khalil Meek, argued that the only thing the Elashis were guilty of was the "crime of being Muslims in America. Elashi is also on the board of the Hamas supporting Holy Land Foundation. PHILADELPHIA MEETING OF HAMAS 100. In October 1993, less than one month after the public signing of the Oslo Peace Accords which attempted to end the violence between the Israeli's and Palestinians, approximately 20 members of the shadowy group sometimes called the "Palestinian Committee" gathered together in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to discuss how best to proceed in light of the Olso Accords. Ghassan Elashi was one of the people present. 101. Attendees at the Philadelphia meeting, were admonished not to mention "Hamas," but rather to refer to it as "Samah," which is Hamas spelled backwards. Attendees questioned how they could continue their quest to defeat the peace process without being viewed as "terrorists." They discussed their concern that the 33 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 peace process would attract Palestinian support and further complicate their ultimate goal of creating an Islamic state throughout Israel. They agreed that they must operate under an ostensible banner of apolitical humanitarian exercise in order to continue supporting Hamas' vital social recruitment effort. INTERNATIONAL FUNDING 102. CAIR receives significant international funding, for example, in 1999 the Islamic Development Bank gave a 250,000 US dollar grant to CAIR to purchase land for a national headquarters. In 2002, the World Association for Muslim Youth (WAMY), a Saudi government-funded organization, financed distributing books on Islam free of charge 2002 and an advertising campaign in American publications. This included a quarter page in USA Today each Friday, for a year, estimated to cost $1.04 million. In 2003, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal donated $500,000 to distribute the Koran and other books about Islam in the United States.In 2005, CAIR's Washington branch received a donation of $ 1,366,466 from a Saudi Arabian named Adnan Bogary. In 2006, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry, financed the building of a property in the US to serve as an endowment for the organization. This gift is thought to generate income of approximately 3 million US dollars a year. MORE TIES TO TERRORISM 103. On June 6, 2006, the Ohio affiliate of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OH) honored one of the unindicted conspirators in that 1993 World Trade Center bombing, Siraj Wahhaj. Wahhaj had also served as a FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 34 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 defense witness at the trial of one of the men convicted for that terrorist attack, the "Blind Sheikh" Omar Abdel-Rahman (a conviction that CAIR has labeled "a travesty of justice"). More than 400 CAIR-OH supporters gathered at this fundraising banquet. 104. On August 7, 2006: Altaf Ali, executive director of CAIR-Florida, published an opinion piece in the Sun-Sentinel, in which he compared Israel and the U.S. government to Al Qaeda. 105. On August 12, 2006: CAIR participated in and endorsed several rallies in support of Hezbollah and the "resistance" fighting American forces in Iraq. 106. In May 2007 CAIR was identified by the government as an unindicted co-conspirator in a case involving a charity that was allegedly affiliated with Hamas. Federal prosecutors in the case of the Holy Land Foundation listed CAIR under the category: "Individuals/entities who are and/or were members of the US Muslim Brotherhood's Palestine Committee and/or its organizations." The government also listed Omar Ahmad, CAIR's founder and chairman emeritus, under the same category. 107. In August 2-7, 2007 during the Holy Land Foundation trial in Texas, FBI agent Lara Burns testified about evidence connecting CAIR and two of its founders to the Holy Land Foundation as well as to the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood movement that established Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank. The FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 35 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 agent identified CAIR executive director Nihad Awad as one of the scheduled participants at a meeting of Hamas officials in a hotel in Philadelphia in 1993. At the time, Awad was a representative of IAP. Burns also identified CAIR co-founders Awad and Omar Ahmed as members of the Palestine Committee set up by the Muslim Brotherhood. 108. Attacks on other public figures have included an attack on Presidential candidate, Rudy Guiliani for using the phrase "Islamic Terrorism" and for accepting the endorsement of Pat Robertson whose endorsement of Guiliani included a reference to the "bloodlust of Islamic terrorists". 109. CAIR also attacked Guiliani's choice of Daniel Pipes as foreign policy advisor. Pipes is the person who republished the Fremont Argus quotation from CAIR's cofounder that: Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Koran ... should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on earth. 110. Based upon these facts and further facts to be produced at trial, plaintiff alleges that CAIR is not a civil rights organization but instead is a political vehicle of international terrorism and that the copyright infringement itself and the manner in which the material was used, was part of a deliberate practice and pattern to do material harm to those voices who speak against the violent agenda of CAIR's clients. FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 36 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR JURY TRIAL DEMAND 111. Plaintiff hereby demands a jury trial in this matter as to each and every cause of action. DAMAGES AS TO THE FIRST & SECOND CAUSES OF ACTION 112. Michael Savage seeks actual, general and special damages according to proof as to each cause of action. Damages for the First Cause of Action for Copyright Infringement include but are not limited to actual Damages and Profits as described in 17 USC 504. Damages as to the Second Cause of Action include statutory damages, trebling of damages. As to each cause of action, plaintiff seeks costs and attorney's fees. 113. Michael Savage does not presently elect but reserves (for the First Cause of Action), the right to elect statutory damages as set forth in 17 USC 504. 114. Michael Savage further contends that the actions of defendants and each of them were wanton, wilful and malicious. Michael Savage contends that the actions of defendants were criminal. For these reasons and for the reasons set forth herein, Michael Savage is entitled to punitive and exemplary damages as to each cause of action. 115. Michael Savage reserves the right to seek injunctive relief and other 37 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 remedies permitted by law. SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION R a c k e te e r Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act (1 8 USC §§'s 1961-1968.) 116. Michael Savage realleges and incorporates herein, paragraphs 1-85 of the complaint. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 117. In addition to the jurisdiction and venue previously alleged herein. Jurisdiction arises under this cause of action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§1330(a), 1331 and 1332(a)(2) and 18 U.S.C. §2388. Jurisdiction also arises based on the Named Defendants' violations within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. §§1605(a)(2), (a)(5) and (a)(7) (the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act), 28 U.S.C. §1350 ("Alien Tort Act"), the Torture Victim Protection Act, PL 102-256, 106 Stat. 73 (reprinted at 28 U.S.C.A. §1350 note (West 1993)), and 18 U.S.C. §2333. Plaintiffs allege that both personal and federal question jurisdiction exists and arise pursuant to these laws and statutes. RICO CONSPIRACY DESCRIBED 118. CAIR and its co-conspirators have aided, abetted, and materially sponsored and al Qaeda and international terrorism. CAIR is an outgrowth of the Hamas front group the Islamic Association of Palestine. The FBI's former associate FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 38 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 director in charge of Investigative and Counter-Intelligence Operations described the Islamic Association of Palestine as an organization that has directly supported Hamas military goals and is a front organization for Hamas that engages in propaganda for Islamic militants. It has produced videotapes that are very hate filled, full of vehement propaganda. It is an organization that has supported direct confrontation. 119. CAIR and its coconspirators have, since their inception, been part of the criminal conspiracy of radical Islamic terrorism. These organizations play a unique role in the terrorist network. They emanate from the notorious HAMAS terrorist organization and like so many of the terrorism facilitating charities named and indicted by the United States government they are engaged in fund raising under the guise of assisting humanitarian causes they are, in reality, a key player in international terrorism. 120. The unique role played by CAIR and CAIR-Canada is to manipulate the legal systems of the United States and Canada in a manner that allows them to silence critics, analysts, commentators, media organizations, and government officials by leveling false charges of discrimination, libel, slander and defamation. In addition, both organizations have actively sought to hamper governmental antiterrorism efforts by direct propaganda activities aimed at police, first responders, and intelligence agencies through so-called sensitivity training. Their goal is to create as much self-doubt, hesitation, fear of name-calling, and litigation within police departments and intelligence agencies as possible so as to render such authorities ineffective in pursuing international and domestic terrorist entities. FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 39 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 121. The role of CAIR and CAIR-Canada is to wage PSYOPS (psychological warfare) and disinformation activities on behalf of Whabbi-based Islamic terrorists throughout North America. They are the intellectual "shock troops" of Islamic terrorism. 122. In the years and months leading up to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 these organizations provided a variety of services to terror groups in order to interfere with law enforcement and intelligence officials in the performance of their duties. They did this not to ensure civil rights as Americans understand the term but "civil rights" in their interpretation which was and is the domination of their group over the United States. 123. In Estate of John P. O'Neill, Sr., et al. v. Al Baraka, et al. 04 CV 01923 (RCC) filed in United States District Court, Southern District of New York the estate of head of security for the World Trade Center is suing CAIR among others for being part of the RICO conspiracy leading to the terrorist attack of 9/11. The allegations therein are contained in this pleading and as the outcome of that case may influence the case at bar, this relationship is disclosed herein. 124. As set forth more fully herein, the RICO predicate acts of this conspiracy include but are not limited to the following: Conspiracy to commit murder (in the United States, in the 9/11 Terrorist attacks and against United States Citizens among others) Conspiracy to commit arson (in the United States and in the 9/11 Terrorist 40 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 attacks) Fraud with Identification Documents 18 U.S.C. § 1028 Mail Fraud 18 U.S.C. § 1341 Wire Fraud 18 U.S.C. § 1343 Financial Institution Fraud 18 U.S.C. §1344 Illegal transactions in monetary instruments 18 U.S.C. § 1956 Money laundering 18 U.S.C. § 1957 Defrauding the United States Government 18 U.S.C. § 371 Travel Act 18 U.S.C. § 1952 Filing false or materially false tax returns 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1),(2) Engaging in a corrupt endeavor to impede and impair the due administration of the internal revenue laws 26 U.S.C. § 7212(a) Providing material support of Terrorism 18 U.S.C. § 2332(b)(g)(5)(B); 18 U.S.C. § 2339A; 18 U.S.C. § 2339B; 18 U.S.C. § 2339C Criminal Infringement of Copyright 18 U.S.C. 2319 In addition, plaintiff realleges those factual assertions set forth in the First Cause of Action. 125. The conduct engaged in by CAIR that constitutes the RICO predicates includes but is not limited to: Mid-1990s to 9/11/2001 CAIR conducted or participated, directly or indirectly, in the conduct of the Rico Enterprise's affairs and participated in the operation or management of the FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT SAVAGE v. CAIR 41 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 operation of the Rico Enterprise itself. CAIR conspired to conduct or part

Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.


Why Is My Information Online?