For Immediate Release:

January 28, 2020

DHS WHISTLEBLOWER TO TESTIFY AS EXPERT IN “SEATTLE SIX” TRIAL

Government Accountability Project client Dr. Scott Allen to Testify as Expert on Impacts of Child Detention in Trial of “Seattle Six” Constituents Urging Congressional Action

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, January 30, Dr. Scott Allen, a Government Accountability Project client and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) whistleblower serving as a medical subject-matter expert for DHS’s Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, will testify as an expert witness in the trial of the “Seattle Six,” a group of constituents seeking Congressional action to address harms to immigrant children in detention who were arrested last August for refusing to leave the Seattle office of Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

Dr. Allen and his colleague Dr. Pamela McPherson first blew the whistle on the imminent risk of harm to children in detention in July of 2018, sharing their concerns internally and with Congress. When this failed to provoke any action, Drs. Allen and McPherson took their concerns to 60 Minutes, NPR, and CNN. Despite their warnings, overwhelmingly validated by the medical professional community, seven children have died in DHS custody since the implementation of the Trump administration’s “zero-tolerance” immigration policy.

Dr. Allen will speak about the adverse health  effects of child detention, problems facing migrant children in DHS detention specifically, and the failures of DHS to address known, ongoing risks of harm to children in detention. Dr. Allen and his legal counsel, Dana Gold, will also participate in a press conference held in front of the courthouse before and after the trial. Dr. Allen and Ms. Gold will additionally be available for interview before and after the trial.

 

Pre-Trial Event: Children in Immigration Detention: Health & Human Right

WHEN: Wednesday, January 29, 2020, 7:00-8:30 PM

WHERE: University of Washington (Seattle), Thomson Hall, Room 101 

WHO: Dr. Scott Allen & Prof. Angelina Godoy, founding Director of the UW Center for Human Rights (UWCHR)

This event is free and open to the public.

 

Press Conference

WHEN: Thursday, January 30, 8:30-9:00 AM& at end of trial

WHERE: 700 Stewart Street, Seattle, WA 98101, in front of the US District Court for the Western District of Washington, 

WHO: Marla Zink, attorney for defendants; the Seattle Six defendants; Dr. Scott Allen and Senior Counsel Dana Gold

 

Trial

WHEN: Thursday, January 30 @ 9:30 am

WHERE: US District Court for the Western District of Washington, 700 Stewart Street, Seattle, WA 98101, 12th Floor, Courtroom 12B (security check federally accepted ID required)

 

Contact: Andrew Harman, Communications Director

Phone: (202) 457-0034 ext. 156

Email: [email protected] 

 

Government Accountability Project

Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, Government Accountability Project’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, Government Accountability Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.

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