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Angola 3 carry on Black Panther struggle Chicago-Sept. 11 and its aftermath threatens to engulf us in a renewed militarism overseas and the restriction of civil liberties here. At this moment, it is imperative that we not allow our struggles against racism and the criminal injustice system to be pushed aside. Angola 3 prisoner Albert Woodfox made several points about the terrorist attack in a phone conversation we had last week. He is concerned about the new "Home Security" cabinet position, staffed by Tom Ridge, because a movement that wishes to unseat a dictatorial government could be labeled "terrorist." Woodfox suggested that the label might be used on anyone speaking out against whatever powerful interests want to do, and noted that China has already referred to the freedom movement in Tibet as "terrorist." THE LEGAL FRONT The only evidence against Woodfox and Herman "Hooks" Wallace is the state's so-called eyewitness, Hezekiah Brown, a four time convicted serial rapist on Death Row, who claimed to have seen them murder prison guard Brett Miller. For years, the State claimed this evidence had been destroyed or lost, but when Albert was recently retried, proof that Brown received cigarettes and a pardon as payment for his false testimony was finally disclosed. On Sept. 14 a Writ of Certorari was filed in the U.S. Supreme Court. Of the many claims for relief that were made in a hearing this past summer only one was accepted. The other 15 or so were denied. That one claim now gets moved to the judge, who will sign off on it if he thinks that Wallace complied with legal time limits. Wallace's lawyer characterized this as a bad decision. The possibility of an evidentiary hearing still exists, but is expected to take a long time if it happens. Until then, Woodfox and Wallace exist in the same legal limbo as Mumia Abu-Jamal-innocent men falsely accused and imprisoned for their political beliefs and activity. The other member of the Angola 3, Robert King Wilkerson, is arriving in Chicago for ten days on Oct. 19. He will have a number of speaking engagements and all are welcome to help with his Chicago tour. He will be speaking at NEWS & LETTERS' office on Monday, Oct. 22 (the National Day of Protest Against Police Brutality) at 6:30 p.m., 36 S. Wabash, Room 1440, in the Chicago Loop. A PANTHER'S CREED Woodfox and Hooks released a statement for the upcoming Black Panther Party reunion. It reads in part: Time has changed our bodies but not our resolve; nor has it taken our
strength. Gray hairs adorn our heads, but each grain is buried and cultivated by wisdom born of life's experiences. Our souls are battered and bruised but we remain defiant...We, like all of you here today, at some
time in our lives made a conscious decision to become social revolutionaries. Our humanity would not allow us to close our eyes to the
horrors waged against the poor, the homeless, the sick, the workers and artists of this country in the name of the great lie called Democracy!
You possess the shovel, the dirt and the Power to eventually bury the capitalist mode of production. Realize that no matter how long it has been
or how much time has changed you, you are still Black Panthers!... In closing, we ask that you hear the words of our beloved comrade and friend, Robert King Wilkerson, who was freed this year by the support of the people
along with his own fighting spirit. It is this kind of spirit that has allowed us to survive so many years of darkness and despair. Power to the People!
-b.l.s. National Committee to Defend the Angola 3 - Chicago P.O. Box 617511 Chicago, IL 60661
773-250-3477 |
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