The Arizona Growler

September 21, 2006

SHAFAK ACQUITTED!!

Posted by Garrett P. O'Hara
Filed under: international, First Amendment, Elif Shafak

Consider the university community very relieved.  The Wildcat just broke the story that Elif Shafak has been acquitted of her charge of "insulting Turkishness."  I imagine she is now breathing a huge sigh of relief alongsider her husband and newborn daughter.

EuroNews has video.

Meanwhile, I’m trying to figure out how traditionalist Turks can characterize the EU as Nazis for their views on freedom of speech.  I tried to find a second source of these flags and only found one concerning 1999 Yugoslavia




September 20, 2006

It’s a girl! (and now the trial…)

Posted by Garrett P. O'Hara
Filed under: international, First Amendment, Elif Shafak

Elif Shafak, the embattled University of Arizona assistant professor of Near Eastern Studies, gave birth to a baby girl on Saturday.  Now her girl may not see her mother for a number of years, as Shafak’s trial starts tomorrow.   Though Shafak wants to attend the first day of the trial, her current medical condition may not enable her to do so.

The New York Times also put out a decent article.  For once.




September 12, 2006

Shafak goes to trial today

Posted by Garrett P. O'Hara
Filed under: international, First Amendment, Elif Shafak

UA Near Eastern studies assistant professor Elif Shafak goes to trial today amid expecting a child.  AP has more.  Please let me know if you have additional info.

Update (2:22 P.M.): Conflicting news reports say the trial is on the 21st.  Does anybody know for sure?




August 30, 2006

Breaking: ASUA passes Shafak-support resolution (updated)

Posted by Garrett P. O'Hara
Filed under: international, First Amendment, ASUA, Elif Shafak

Update (9/1): A second source has corroborated the story.  Stand by for text.

A credible source tells me that the ASUA Senate has just passed a resolution in support of UA assistant professor of Near Eastern Studies Elif Shafak.  Shafak is currently awaiting her Sept. 12th trial (with child, mind you) for "insulting Turkishness."

Major kudos to ASUA for standing up for our people. 




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