Goodbye, Dubai
Cat is coming home. No criminal record, his name cleared, and he’s a free man. A poor man, but free! We expecting him on a plane back to London within twenty-four hours. The BBC went to Dubai to cover this story, and interviewed key officials in the case. The reporter and our attorney are saying that damage control is underway: many prisoners are about to be released, and they’re promising reforms which could reduce these sorts of arrests happening to future travelers. Not holding my breath, but if this does transpire, then we’ve basically achieved everything we set out to do from the beginning, and that’s a fair bit of awesome.
You guys have a fucking lot to be proud of. The media attention we’ve drawn from our collective efforts has resulted in not only Cat’s release, but that of other prisoners and the subsequent changes that are under review. That’s a pretty serious accomplishment. Today you can look in the mirror and know you’ve made the world a better place, and I sincerely hope karma gives you the reach-around for your efforts. You guys rock.
I never thought I’d see the day where I said the internet restored my faith in humanity. This is the geek equivalent of an ’80s movie ending. Who’s throwing the prom, then?
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:00 am
That’s bloody fantastic news. Congratulations Diz, Milly and everyone else.
80s prom happening in Manchester, in 20 minutes or so. In my flat. With lashings of, er, Żubrówka, cuz I believe that’s all we’ve got in. Oh, and no more than three people, cuz I’m trying to paint. But apart from that, it’ll be perfect. £200 in a cab, or thereabouts. See y’all in 20.
Really though, well done everybody.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:23 am
I’m so happy to read this! I wish you the very best!
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:40 am
!!!!!!!YES!!!!!!
Words can’t express how happy I am to hear this! He and the others who’ve been out there have been in our hearts every day.
I am SO GLAD this nightmare is coming to an end, and I’m sure he feels like he has some of the best friends in the world that anyone could ever ask for!
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:46 am
This is the best news I can imagine. Fantastic!
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:48 am
This is really good to read. It really made me feel sick thinking about this whole situation.
Back when I was dealing with the loss of Laura, I had all sorts of financial hurdles that resulted from her death, and internet friends from all over came through to help. I wish I could have done more to help your Diz, but unfortunately the timing was bad, and not many people too me up on the offer of cheap CDs to raise money.
Anyway, I’m very pleased to hear this is coming to a close for you.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:50 am
Wonderful news — and congratulations.
I’d offer for prom duty, but I’m a ways away and look horrible in a dress.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:55 am
Thank God he’s going free. Let’s get Leonard Peltier out next.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:56 am
I guess that really goes to show how far 10k readers and $5 donations can go.
Cheers on the great work!
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:57 am
I’m really glad to hear that.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:19 am
YES YES YES YE!!!!
I’m SO happy for you!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:27 am
yes! that’s fucking wonderful!
i don’t even know you, but it is wonderful!!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:36 am
wonderful news. congrats…! been asking mer about it near daily. glad to hear it worked out and he and hopefully the other prisoners will be returning home safely…
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:45 am
Oh, Mil. I’m so relieved. Tears of…. something. I don’t know what. I’m just so glad he’s coming home.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:48 am
Well done!
BEHOLD THE POWER OF THE INTERNETS!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:56 am
This is wonderful, wonderful news — I’m so glad to hear it.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:58 am
YES!!! I’m actually crying. Hell yes, yes, yes. Justice! I’m so happy this turned out well. Let me just reiterate everything above, und everything everyone else is gonna say after me. Ze world is a brighter place.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
In all seriousness… can we have a Coilhouse prom please?
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Yayyyyyyy
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Absolutely fucking beautiful! I could scarcely believe it myself when I read Diz was free. The whole ordeal had really affected my friends and I here on the East Coast, and I can scarcely express my elation regarding this most fortunate turn of events.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Very good news indeed! Lets hope that things do change over there, even if slowly.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Whooo! Sweet relief…I’m just all sorts of inspired by the whole series of events. Amazing job everyone :o
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Hells yeah!
Good job, internets.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Great news!
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I am SO glad! This is very good news.
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:11 pm
[…] Le-Hoy’s been released. And it seems that the media attention has miraculously triggered a review of the cases of all the […]
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Oh, thank goodness. I am so glad he’s been released, and so proud of the internet communities that got together to work so hard on this. :D
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Omg, fantastic news! And what a beautiful way to start the day :) All of you ROCK!
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
[confetti]
[fireworks]
[ginger strippers]
Hmm ,what else does a prom need?
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
[…] goodbye Dubai […]
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Spiked punch. A proper 80s prom needs spiked punch.
Woohoo! my cynical dark little heart suddenly has a wee bit of faith in the human race again. yay.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:52 pm
[…] and thanks to the massive effort put forth by his friends, colleagues, and many of you fine peeps Diz is finally returning home from Dubai where he was unjustly held for weeks. I hope this ordeal has shed enough light on the […]
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:45 pm
that is fantastic. its so wonderful to see people join together to make something amazing happen.
March 4th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Yes!! congrats!
March 4th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Just shows, when you least expect it, the right thing can happen. All you need is a media furore and a skipful of microdonations. Diz, that’s fantastic news. Banners and puffy shirts ahoy! Can I bring Molly Ringwald?
March 4th, 2008 at 2:22 am
This makes me happy beyond words…a nice way to ring in a new year on the planet (tis me birthday) and truly believe that the collected efforts of people can still accomplish something good.
Man now I need a prom date…hey Mer will you be my prom date? I promise to wear a tacky blue tux and grow a bitchin’ afro.
March 4th, 2008 at 6:36 am
wow that is amazing! I’m so happy for him. I remember when I got out…it was almost surreal. I can’t believe that we accomplished all of this and I’m so glad that they are releasing others. I was arrested with this other guy on pratically the same charge…he didn’t leave with me and I dont know if he’s still there or not. But that’s amazing! congratulations! And all I have to say is “HA” to those that dont believe in collective power. Welcome back!
March 4th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Thank the gods. And it only took a MASSIVE movement of money and people to get an innocent person away from them. Looks like we win.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:01 am
that’s fantastic!
shit, i got something in my eye…
March 4th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
This story has been depressing the shit out of me for ages. I’m so happy your friend is free. Now I can stop worrying about it.
I need to stay away from the internet for a while.
March 4th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Yay! Glad to hear it.
How about we let the Pillows, or Boredoms host the LA prom–two shows in March no one here should be missing. There’ll be at least one person dancing his ass off.
March 4th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Wow, congratulations. So glad for you that it all worked out.
x
March 4th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I’m really really happy for you guys. This is amazing not because I wasn’t expecting/hoping for this to happen, but because of the very thing you mentioned – the incredible amount of communication, support, networking and outreach that has taken place from perfect strangers.
I hope you guys have a nice, cozy time catching up and loving and taking care of each other.
March 5th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I’m so elated!!!! fucking fantastic!!!
March 6th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Many, many congratulations. What a relief. You’ve done some excellent work.
March 7th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I’m so happy to hear this! I couldn’t donate to the fund or cook up a media storm but I was following and getting people to sign the petition. What fantastic news!
March 10th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Brilliant news! I’ve been following his story since Warren Ellis brought it to my attention. I signed the petition and even sent some cash for his legal fund.
I seems that happy endings are so rare these days. I savour this one for some time.
March 25th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I am so happy to hear that cat has been released but what about the others that are held there and cant afford to have lawyers acting for them it has been said that they will be released but when now that cat is free and the subject will die down what will happen to rest of the prisoners injustley held in dubai
March 26th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Hi Doc, you make a very good point.
The ball hasn’t been dropped and we’re currently fighting to expose their practices. The Times covered our story yesterday, and validated our claims that Dubai officials are paid bounties to arrest foreign travelers:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article3607846.ece
I also started a MySpace for the campaign yesterday:
http://www.myspace.com/boycottdubai
We’re not going away. We’ll continue to fight on behalf of everyone Diz left behind at Al Wathba, and won’t stop until Dubai changes its policies and travelers are safe and informed.
July 7th, 2008 at 11:03 am
To Whom it May Concern: To The Editor
I am a Canadian Citizen and I am writing to you because I would like you to write and publish a story on my husband who is in the Dubai Central Prison because he is an innocent man. He has been in prison since December 2007.
Please let me know if you would like to print his story and I will put it in writing and email it to you.