Update on Jamil Al AminJuly 17th, 2014 Lynne wants everyone to know that Jamil is now at Butner Medical Center (federal prison facility) and we all must continue to pay close attention to his situation and make sure he gets good treatment while there.The will be an update TONIGHT (7/17) at 8pm Eastern on the WBAI program Where We Live. Click here to go to the WBAI website and stream live tonight. Emergency Meeting for Jamil Al Amin!July 15th, 2014Calling all people of conscience in New York. Please Forward Widely. As you know, political prisoner Imam Jamil Al Amin (AKA H. Rap Brown) is in medical crisis. Please join the Campaign to Bring Mumia Home in this public response to his condition and incarceration. We welcome co-sponsors and co-organizers to this event. Please spread the word in your networks. Flyer below and attached. Also note the petition and letter from his wife, Sister Karima Al Amin, Esq. below with an update on his condition and numbers to call. Also listen to interview with Sis Karima and Ramsey Clark on WBAI’s Law and Disorder this Monday morning. (MP3) Wed July 16 at 7PM Bluestockings Bookstore 172 Allen Street Petition https://www.causes.com/posts/919704-and-what-answer-will-you-give-for-abandoning-your-brother People of conscience should
Letter from his wife, Karima Al Amin, Attorney at Law, with more details on his condition. There are several updates on the internet, but this is where we are at this point:
1.) Imam Jamil has had a dental problem for more than a year, which resulted in swollen jaws, broken teeth, and the inability to swallow;
2.) He lost 29 lbs. over a three-week period;
3.) His legs, feet and ankles have been swollen; and
4.) He went through a two-week period whereby he could not get out of his bed except for two times a day.
He attempted to see a physician at ADX, but instead saw a physician’s assistant who gave him water pills, and antibiotics weeks after his second extraction.
Based on people calling and inquiries from two Congressional reps, ADX finally took blood and urine tests. Results were shared with Imam Jamil, on June 23, 2014, a day after Attorney Ramsey Clark completed his visit with him at the ADX. The Regional Medical Director discussed the preliminary findings with Imam Jamil and said the findings suggested that he may have Multiple Myeloma–cancer of the plasma cells, and the stage would be confirmed once he had a bone marrow biopsy. If he has not reached stage 1 of the condition, then it would suggest that he has MGUS, which is a pre-Multiple Myeloma condition. Imam Jamil’s take on the discussion was that he had cancer, and the stage would be confirmed once he has the biopsy.
Based on this information, his age (70 years), and the symptoms, we are calling for his immediate transfer to a federal medical center, Butner, NC, or Rochester, MN, where he could receive the appropriate monitoring and medical care.
I hope this information is useful. Please let me know if you need additional information. We appreciate your assistance.
Best,
Karima
Support Imam Jamil Al-Amin aka H. Rap Brown!July 11th, 2014From: Karima Al-Amin I do want to send information to you, and folks are circulating numbers to call and things to do. Just briefly, Imam Jamil has been ill for quite some time, i.e., loss of 29 lbs., abscesses in his mouth–swollen jaw, difficulty breathing, swollen feet and ankles, weakness, and fatigue. We launched a campaign for people to contact Florence ADX, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the regional medical division of the FBOP, demanding that he be examined by a physician. After pressure also from two Congressional reps, he finally had blood and urine tests. We then found out that the results revealed perhaps an early stage of Multiple Myeloma–cancer of the plasma cells. With this preliminary diagnosis, he has to have a bone marrow biopsy to determine the stage. We are calling for him to be transferred immediately to a federal medical center (Butner, NC, or Rochester, MN) where he can receive the treatment that ADX failed to give him. Please e-mail the following right now and request that he is moved to the best federal medical facility that can give him the best attention for this particular rare cancer. Include his name and ID#: Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin #99974-555 It is important to say, I am writing to request that Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin #99974-555 is moved from ADMAX, USP to the best federal medical facility that can give him the best attention for this particular rare cancer.
It is important to say, hello I am calling to request that Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin #99974-555 is moved from ADMAX, USP to the best federal medical facility that can give him the best attention for this particular rare cancer.
Federal Bureau of Prisons 320 First Street, NW Washington, DC 20534 July 2014 Blog from LynneJuly 2nd, 2014My very dear friends, comrades, supporters; Since my prognosis designated July as a terminal date, I decided I better write so that you would know that all is well and we continue to fight on !! In the past months we had a superb trip and rousing events in California — lots of people old and new to continue to share in the joy that I am OUT ! Ralph and I danced in the street in the mission district of San Francisco accompanied by a Leftist Brass Band. We had a barn burner event in Oakland and we traveled to San Jose, Marin County and Sacramento to meet and greet the many supporters who played the all important role that has put me back on the streets. The effort was movement wide and proves what can be done. We just have to muster the will to do it. After we returned to the East we made a visit to Boston and met with many folks of past struggles and of course, their greeting to me was formidable. Right here in my own NYC we participated in the many events surrounding the effort to free Oscar Rivera Lopez, Puerto Rican political prisoner held for 33 years. Hopefully that will happen soon. We also made numerous phone calls and signed petitions on behalf of Abdullah Majid and Jalil Montecalm, Seth Hayes and Jamil el Amin and others I am committed to emptying the jails of our Mandelas. Healthwise I have been keepin’ on. With guidance from my Doctor daughter Zenobia and the folks at Memorial Sloane Kettering I am embarked on an experimental regimen that has shown success in people whose cancer involvement is similar to mine. It is quite rigorous in its scientific discipline and keeps us close to home even when we might want to be away. BUT it is a positive hope and I am determined (as you all know) to beat this affliction into the ground and continue with the WORK. It seems to become more pressing with each day as the predations of capitalism grow more ominous. On the negative side, I continue to have trouble walking and must lean on the good Ralph — literally as I did figuratively for the last 4 years— Side effects from the experimental meds are bothersome but not more. On the Positive side, we have moved from my generous son and daugher in law’s back into the little house i was living in at the time I went to jail. SNAIL MAIL 1676 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215 A great deal of family effort and a fair amount of $$$ made this possible but it is so restorative to be living there once again—my books, my old ’60′s posters, the family pictures… Heavenly. I just wish that I could summon up a little more energy to respond to many of you who have reached out to us. Hopefully the new drug will remedy this. We are extremely grateful for all the money raised to help pay for the necessities, medical and otherwise. Now that we are back out in the real world in our own house we have some new needs . Each visit to the Doctors in Manhattan costs at least $100. for parking and etc. If you are in a position and feel inclined to help out, we are always appreciative. Tomorrow I will be at SK to be prodded and poked and then we will join my beloved family upstate for the holiday to be celebrated in a revolutionary manner. It is a good day to think about true revolutionary movements world wide and the people who made them,,not the least of whom are the many brave men and women in the political prisoner gulag of America. LoveStruggle Uprising Radio: Lynne Stewart and Ralph Poynter On Life, Activism, Prison, and FreedomJune 25th, 2014 Famed activist Lawyer Lynne Stewart as freed earlier this year on compassionate release as she battled cancer in prison. The celebrated lawyer who had been incarcerated under post 9-11 “Special Administrative Measures” for sharing her terrorism suspect client’s views with a reporter, was freed after 4 years in prison, where she suffered from late-stage breast cancer and was given only 18 months to live.Progressives all over the nation, led by Stewart’s husband, Ralph Poynter, organized for her release for many months. Lynne Stewart is well known for representing controversial clients, and according to one press account, she “defended America’s poor, underprivileged, unwanted, and forgotten (Indymedia).” Photo: Lynne and Ralph at John Brown’s GraveJune 3rd, 2014Lynne and Ralph at John Brown’s grave in Lake Placid, NY, 2014. Lynne and Ralph’s Panel at the Left Forum (NYC)May 29th, 2014Photos: Lynne and Ralph Guest Speakers at Betty Davis’s Philosophy ClassMay 17th, 2014Ralph Poynter & Lynne Stewart were guest speakers at Betty Davis’s senior class in philosophy on this past Thursday, May 15,2014. Support the new book from Lynne’s former client Tom Manning!May 16th, 2014Show Your Solidarity and Help Make this Inspiring Book Come Alive!
Tom Manning is a freedom fighter, political prisoner and prolific artist. His paintings are stories that jump off the page, revealing the outlook of people who struggle for liberation around the world. His paintings are about life and his landscapes recall times of importance. The years of work to produce this beautiful book and important document are nearing their end and we need your help to fund the last phase of production! ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/for-love-and-liberty
Featuring:
All proceeds, after production costs, will be donated to the Rosenberg Fund for Children: Twitter: @wwwrfcorg Facebook:rosenbergfundforchildren
Tom Manning: Freedom Fighter, Political Prisoner
From the Preface by Robby Meerpol:
“Tom’s been incarcerated for 34 years. But even before he received his current life sentence he was trapped by the limited choices left to an impoverished child surviving in Boston’s infamous Maverick Street Projects. The military during the Vietnam era seemed like a way out, but that too became a hellish form of confinement.
Tom broke free, he revolted. He became a revolutionary. He committed the unforgivable sin of confronting today’s great imperial empire, the United States, on its home turf. For that, I expect the prison industrial complex will do its best to keep him confined for as long as it can.”
More info at: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/for-love-and-libertySupport Sundiata Acoli!May 15th, 2014
Please provide support for Sundiata whatever way you can. If you’re in the region, go to the courthouse on May 28. If not, donate to his legal defense or (if you cannot) send Sundiata your support after checking out his website (link below). The following information is from his webpage. KN
Sundiata gave the Sundiata Acoli Freedom Campaign (SAFC) an update on his May 1st annual review. The parole board will reduce his sentence by only three months, to be taken off the 8-year (illegal) hit they added to his time. He would not be eligible for parole for over four more years. It is important to note that Sundiata has 41 years in prison and is 77 years old. He has maintained a clean record.
Sundiata’s attorney will argue an appeal of denial before the New Jersey Appellate Division in Trenton, New Jersey on May 28, 2014. This is an important and significant day.
http://www.sundiataacoli.org/ |
Conscientious objector Omar Saad sentenced to prison for the
fifth time for his refusal to join the Israeli Army.
Omar Saad, 18 years old from Mghar, a village in the Galil, arrived, Sunday 2.3.2014, to the Induction Base in Tal Hashomer where he declared his refusal to serve in the Israeli Army. Omar was sentenced to 20 days of imprisonment for his refusal, in the military prison No. 6 near Atlit.
We also want to inform you that it has come to our attention that civilian lawyers, including lawyers from New Profile, are no longer allowed to visit Omar and other objectors, during his incarcerations in military prisons. The army claims that civilian lawyers are not certified to enter military prisons. We have appealed to Adalah (www.adalah.org/eng) to help us protest the issue.
After being sentenced for the fifth time, Omar issued a public statement, as follows:
"I, the undersigned Omar Zaher Aldeen Saad , conceded myself to the Israeli Army authorities two months ago, determined to my rejection to do the Israeli military service.
I have been ruled 3 times in prison, and each time for 20 days, and today was sentenced for the fifth time and in retaliation decision for another 20 days.
Since one year and a half, I declared my refusal to conscription law imposed on the people of the Druze community, and I refuse to serve in the Israeli army, through a letter sent to Israel's Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and until today I have not received any reply.
I declare it again and loudly: I am Omar Saad Zaher Aldeen I refuse to serve in the Israeli military army and I demand the respect for my faith and not to be obliged to do things that contradict with my conscience and principles.
I want my freedom.
Omar Zaher Aldeen Saad"
I have been ruled 3 times in prison, and each time for 20 days, and today was sentenced for the fifth time and in retaliation decision for another 20 days.
Since one year and a half, I declared my refusal to conscription law imposed on the people of the Druze community, and I refuse to serve in the Israeli army, through a letter sent to Israel's Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and until today I have not received any reply.
I declare it again and loudly: I am Omar Saad Zaher Aldeen I refuse to serve in the Israeli military army and I demand the respect for my faith and not to be obliged to do things that contradict with my conscience and principles.
I want my freedom.
Omar Zaher Aldeen Saad"
In his refusal decleration from 26/10/2012, Omar Saad wrote:
"I refuse that because I am pacifist, and I hate any kind of violence, and I believe that the army institute is the top of physical and psychological violence, and since I received your order for making the checking procedures my life changed completely. I became very nervous and my thoughts were dispersed. I remembered thousands of hard images, and I could not imagine myself wearing the military uniform andparticipating in suppressing my Palestinian people, and fighting my Arab brothers. I reject enlisting to the Israeli army or to any other army, because of national and moral reasons. I hate oppression, and I reject occupation."
You can find more news items re Saad's imprisonment and Druze Refuse here and here and here and here.
Regardin the issue you can also watch a video by the Arab Druze group against military servise.
His prison address is:
Omar Saad
Military ID 08143090
Military ID 08143090
Military Prison No. 6
Military Postal Code 01860, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-4-9540580
Israel
Fax: ++972-4-9540580
Since the prison authorities often block mail from reaching imprisoned objectors, we also recommend you to send them your letters of support and encouragement via e-mail to: messages2prison@newprofile.org (hitting “reply all” to this message will send the message to the same address), and they will be printed out and delivered during visits.
Recommended Action
First of all, please circulate this message and the information contained in it as widely as possible, not only through e-mail, but also on websites, social networks, conventional media, by word of mouth, etc.
Other recommendations for action:
1. Sending Letters of Support
Please send Omar letters of support to the prison address above and via e-mail to: messages2prison@newprofile.org
2. Letters to Authorities
It is recommended to send letters of protest on the objectors’ behalf, preferably by fax, to:
Mr. Moshe Ya'alon,
Minister of Defence,
Ministry of Defence,
Hakirya,
Tel-Aviv 61909,
Israel.
E-mail: s...@mod.gov.il or pniot@mod.gov.il
Tel.: ++972-3-6975220
Fax: ++972-3-6962757
Ministry of Defence,
Hakirya,
Tel-Aviv 61909,
Israel.
E-mail: s...@mod.gov.il or pniot@mod.gov.il
Tel.: ++972-3-6975220
Fax: ++972-3-6962757
Copies of your letters can also be sent to the commander of the military prison at:
Commander of Military Prison No. 6,
Military Prison No. 6
Military Postal Code 01860, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-4-9540580
Military Prison No. 6
Military Postal Code 01860, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-4-9540580
Another useful address for sending copies would be the Military Attorney General:
Denny Efroni,
Chief Military Attorney
Military postal code 9605, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-3-569-45-26
Chief Military Attorney
Military postal code 9605, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-3-569-45-26
It would be especially useful to send your appeals to the Commander of the Induction Base in Tel-HaShomer. It is this officer that ultimately decides whether an objector is to be exempted from military service or sent to another round in prison, and it is the same officer who is ultimately in charge of the military Conscience Committee:
Gil Ben Shaul,
Commander of Induction Base,
Meitav, Tel-HaShomer
Military Postal Code 02718, IDF
Israel.
Fax: ++972-3-737-60-52
Commander of Induction Base,
Meitav, Tel-HaShomer
Military Postal Code 02718, IDF
Israel.
Fax: ++972-3-737-60-52
For those of you who live outside Israel, it would be very effective to send protests to your local Israeli embassy. You can find the address of your local embassy on the web.
Here is a generic sample letter, which you can use in sending appeals to authorities on the prisoners’ behalf. Feel free to modify this letter or write your own:
Dear Sir/Madam,
The imprisonment of conscientious objectors such as Saad is a violation of international law, of basic human rights and of plain morals. The repeater imprisonment of conscientious objectors is an especially grave offence, as it means sentencing a person more than once for the same offence, and has been judged by th UN working Group on Arbitrary Detention to constitute a clear case arbitrary detention.
I therefore call for the immediate and unconditional release from prison of Omar Saad, without threat of further imprisonment in the future, and urge you and the system you are heading to respect the dignity and person of conscientious objectors, indeed of all persons, in the future.
Sincerely,
3. Letters to media in Israel and in other countries
Writing op-ed pieces and letters to editors of media in Israel and other countries could also be quite useful in indirectly but powerfully pressuring the military authorities to let go of the objectors and in bringing their plight and their cause to public attention.
Here are some contact details for the main media outlets in Israel:
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We will continue updating on further developments.
Thank you for your support,
New Profil