Welcome to BASE21

By Greg Butterfield

The plight of political prisoners in U.S. jails has grown more serious since Sept. 11. The prisoners' defense committees are urging progressives to stay involved in their struggles while organizing to stop the U.S. war in Afghanistan.

The Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon had direct consequences for some prisoners, while others have suffered from the stepped-up repression and racism.

Black revolutionary Sundiata Acoli has been held virtually incommunicado since Sept. 11. Courts and prosecutors are working feverishly to suppress new evidence of Mumia Abu-Jamal's innocence while the public's attention is focused elsewhere. In Texas-the U.S. execution capital under former Gov. George W. Bush-political activist Emerson Rudd is scheduled to die in mid-November.

Leonard Peltier has launched a new bid for release 25 years after his wrongful conviction, while another Native activist, Eddie Hatcher, suffers declining health and mistreatment. Chicago activist Fred Hampton Jr., freed for "good behavior" after nearly a decade in prison, continues his fight to have false charges removed from his record.

Legal lynchings continue

Supporters of Pennsylvania death-row prisoner MUMIA ABU-JAMAL have scheduled three days of actions for the weekend of Dec. 7-9, which is the 20th anniversary of the incident that resulted in his frame-up for the killing of Philadelphia cop Daniel Faulkner. Abu-Jamal's defenders charge that local prosecutors, government officials and the courts are conspiring to stop lawyers from entering new evidence. Self-described mob hitman Arnold Beverly has confessed on videotape to killing Faulkner, but the court has yet to hear his statement.

The International Concerned Family & Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal urge supporters to come to Philadelphia on Saturday, Dec. 8, for a march and rally, or organize a local protest, teach-in or press conference for Abu-Jamal on Dec. 8-9. Student walkouts are planned for Dec. 7. For more information, visit the web site www.mumia.org or call (215) 476-8812.

Political activist EMERSON RUDD, chair of Panthers United for Revolutionary Education (PURE) on Texas death row, is scheduled to be executed Nov. 15. Rudd was barely 17 when he was arrested and charged with murder. Two other Black activists have been killed by Texas since March 2000: PURE member Ponchai "Kamau" Wilkerson and Shaka Sankofa/Gary Graham.

About his activities as a political organizer, Rudd said: "I have not allowed the system to destroy my mind. I have tried to keep integrity and human dignity." To sign your name to an appeal to the Texas governor, e-mail rudd_em@operamail.com. To join in protests, call the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement at (713) 523-8454.

Sundiata in isolation since 9-11

Former Black Panther SUNDIATA ACOLI has been held in isolation since Sept. 11 at Pennsylvania's Allenwood Federal Prison. He was not allowed to contact his lawyers until late October.

After receiving Acoli's call, attorneys Jill Elijah and Chris Bergen reported: "The prison administration stated that Sundiata and 15 others were rounded up because they were anti-government type people and/or they had explosives in their past. When the others were sent back, Sundiata was kept in segregation. He was told by the administration that he would be held for a while because he was a member of the Black Panther Party.

"He cannot go outside at all, he is constantly confined to his cell. The prison administration is telling Sundiata that he may be in segregation longer because he got a suspicious package at the post office and it may be anthrax. Sundiata states that he is not sick and he is not being physically abused."

Supporters are asked to call Counselor Odo and Warden Jake Mendez at (570) 547-0963 to inquire about his health and when he will be released from isolation. Letters of concern can be sent to Warden Mendez and Counselor Odo at PO Box 3500, USP Allenwood, White Deer, PA 17887. Please send a copy of your letter to Sundiata Acoli #39794-066, PO Box 3000, USP Allenwood, White Deer, PA 17887.

Acoli, one of the longest-held political prisoners in the U.S., was arrested in 1973 with Assata Shakur. Shakur later gained her freedom in Cuba. For updates, visit www.afrikan.net/sundiata.

FRED HAMPTON JR., a Black activist and the son of legendary Black Panther leader Fred Hampton, was released from Statesville Correctional Facility in Illinois on Sept. 14 after serving eight years in prison. Hampton was convicted of committing arson at a Chicago store in 1992-during a demonstration in solidarity with the Los Angeles rebellion that followed the Rodney King verdict.

Supporters say the arson charge is a lie and that Hampton was framed by vengeful Chicago authorities. While Hampton is now free and has resumed his political activities, he continues to fight for full clemency. Letters supporting clemency should be sent to Gov. George Ryan, State of Illinois, 207 State House Road, Springfield, IL 62706, or faxed to (217) 524-4049.

For more information, visit www.npdum.com.

Peltier files for sentence reduction

During the last days of his administration, Pre si dent Bill Clinton granted numerous pardons to crooked associates and campaign donors. But Clinton refused to pardon American Indian Movement warrior LEONARD PELTIER-despite an international campaign urging him to do the right thing and release the Native activist after 25 years of wrongful imprisonment.

Now Peltier, whose health has been in decline for several years, is trying another tack. On Nov. 2, attorney Eric Seitz filed a motion for reduction of Peltier's two life sentences from consecutive to concurrent. "We believe a reduction would obligate the Parole Commission to grant Leonard Peltier's release," says a statement from the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee.

Peltier was convicted of killing two FBI agents during a shoot-out at the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1975. A federal prosecutor later admitted he had no idea who shot the agents.

"Please contact your senators and representatives and request they urge the Department of Justice not to oppose the motion," the statement continues. Senators and representatives can be contacted through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Talking points are available from the LPDC at (785) 842-5774 or www.freepeltier.org.

Another Native political activist, EDDIE HATCHER, is in urgent need of support, according to his sister Ginger Ammerman. "Eddie is not doing well right now," she wrote. "He has lost an excessive amount of weight. He is being singled out, harassed and intimidated daily." Hatcher is imprisoned at the Marion Correctional Institute in North Carolina.

Hatcher was charged with first-degree murder for the 1999 drive-by shooting of his friend Brian McMillan. "I was appalled by the weakness of the evidence in the Hatcher case," said former Raleigh News and Observer reporter Anne Russell, "the willingness of the jury to be easily and quickly led by an over-zealous prosecutor, and I left the courtroom 99 percent convinced that an innocent man might be put to death."

He was later sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Supporters are asked to call and write letters demanding information on Hatcher's condition and whereabouts; an end to his 22-hour-a-day lockdown; an end to harassment by prison staff; and to let officials know that "the world is watching." Address protests to Sid Harkeleroad, Superintendent, Marion Correctional Institute, Marion, NC 28752 or call (828) 659-6814.

For more on Hatcher's case and updates on his condition, visit the Web site www.eddiehatcher.org.

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