Supporters of SIST leader protest

Shawano Leader, Wisconsin/November 17, 2008

Nearly 50 family members, friends and associates of Naomi Isaacson gathered outside the Brown County jail Sunday afternoon to show support for her.

Isaacson is the CEO of the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology. Authorities say she is being held on a federal warrant issued from Maryland.

"Her dietary needs are not being met. She is being starved," said Isaacson's attorney Alan Eisenberg. Eisenberg said Isaacson is an orthodox Jew and needs a kosher diet. Kosher food is prepared according to Jewish dietary laws.

"They offered her a fine array of pork products, pork hot dogs, pork hamburgers, pork, pork, and more pork and non-kosher items," Eisenberg said.

Eisenberg told Green Bay television station FOX 11 that's not what his client needs. "It's not kosher. It's 100-percent not kosher," Eisenberg said.

Eisenberg said Isaacson's sister delivered kosher food to the jail, but the staff is not allowing her to eat it.

A spokesman for the Brown County jail said Isaacson's attorney is simply trying to draw attention to the situation. Captain Jack Jadin says there is no issue. He says the jail is offering Isaacson food and not denying her anything. Jadin says the standard diet at the jail is 100-percent pork free.

After visiting with his client, Eisenberg said her condition is deteriorating. "She could barely hold her head up. She's pale. In my opinion she's failing," Eisenberg said.

Eisenberg says the jail is threatening to force feed her. "She was crying the whole time I was in there. This is just a publicity stunt?

I don't think so," Eisenberg said.

Despite the signs and public demonstration, no one in the group of Isaacson's supporters was willing to speak to media.

Isaacson is being held at the Brown County jail until she is transferred into federal custody. The jail could not say when Isaacson will be transferred.

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