Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Sundiata Acoli Freedom Campaign Update

From: Sis. Fayemi

Many of you know, after serving over 38 years in prison, former Black
Panther member Sundiata Acoli was denied parole for the third time on
March 4, 2010. But he was also given a ten year hit by the New Jersey
State Parole Board. Last December, an administrative appeal was
denied by the NJ Parole Board and a letter affirming the denial of
Sundiata's parole was received.

Considering Sundiata's age and his right to freedom, Sundiata's legal
team is focused on pursuing his appellate remedies through the
courts, seeking to appeal his repeated denial of parole. His legal
team has expanded over the years and currently in the process of
raising the 10 thousand dollars needed to file the appeal.

The good news is, the Appellate Court is ready to set a briefing
deadline in spite of the State's improper delays and callous
disregard for Sundiata's rights. Keep in mind, Sundiata will be 74
years old in January.

People who are interested in the parole and release efforts should
contact SAFC @ <mailto:thesafc@gmail.com>thesafc@gmail.com to inquire
about ways to assist us with this urgent fundraising need. We believe
the film, A Power Sun, is important and should be supported. Monies
raised on Sundiata's behalf should go towards his appeal. We still
believe that he can and will receive his freedom with the right support.

The SAFC is a 501c3 organization. All contributions go directly
towards Sundiata's legal fees. Volunteers of SAFC are not paid and do
not request or receive any of the contributed funds.


If you would like to write Sundiata please send your letters to:

Sundiata Acoli (#39794-066)
(Squire)
P.O. Box 1000
FCI Otisville
Otisville, NY 10963-1000

Funds supporting his legal defense can be sent to:

SAFC
c/o FLORENCE MORGAN
120-46 QUEENS BLVD.
KEW GARDENS, NEW YORK 11415

(Florence Morgan has served as one of Sundiata's legal advisors for
over 20 years and is the Chairperson of the New York City Chapter of
the National Conference of Black Lawyers)

Checks and money orders should be made out to The Sundiata Acoli
Freedom Campaign

To all those who continute to show love and support to Sundiata and
all political prisoners, here's my favorite poem I share with you...

Like You

(a poem by Roque Dalton, a Salvadorian poet and guerilla fighter for
freedom in the 60s and 70s. He was killed for revolution.)

Like you I
love love, life, the sweet smell
of things, the sky blue
landscape of January days.

And my blood boils up
and I laugh through eyes
that have known the buds of tears

I believe the world is beautiful
and that poetry, like bread, is for everyone.

And that my veins don't end in me
but in the unanimous blood
of those who struggle for life,
love,
little things,
landscape and bread,
the poetry of everyone

Love & Respect.

No comments: