Shabazz was arrested by authorities while en route to Iran to attend a Hollywoodism conference.
His letter reads in part:
I… was invited to travel to Iran to discuss the impact of Hollywood in stereotyping Muslims, Iranians and African people…. I was a featured interviewee for the Press TV documentary “The Façade of the American Dreamâ€. ……
He goes on to talk about his alleged harassment by law enforcement in Middletown, NY that led up to his detainment on February 3rd.
I was coming out of a restaurant with my mother, and her friend. As the 3 of us entered the car to leave 2 police cars converged on our vehicle, and boxed us in. My mother was petrified. With guns drawn I was then ordered to step out of the back seat. I asked them why to which they replied that I had several warrants for my arrest. I told them that they were mistaken, but I still complied with their request. Humiliated in front of all on-lookers I was then thrown on the car while the officers ripped through my pockets.
Read the entire letter here.