In France, the newly released ” Cruel and Unusual” updates “In the Land of the Free” and digs more deeply into the arcane mode of punishment that reaches new levels of abuse in the United States- decades of solitary confinement and the results there of.
Meanwhile, Amnesty chapters both nationally and internationally urge their members to Write for the Rights of political prisoners with a special focus on twelve prisoners world-wide, including Albert Woodfox. There will be kick off events globally and Robert King will be urging letter writers on via Skyped interviews with student sections in Holland and the U.S.
As the year draws to a close, a year we were certain we would see Albert released- we pray for many things- world peace, homes for the dispossessed everywhere and freedom from fear, racism and hatred at home and abroad and finally, finally, finally…. freedom for Albert Woodfox and the too many political and economic prisoners held in gulags around the country.
Screening of “Cruel and Unusual” in Paris, France on Friday, Dec. 4
This week, on Friday December 4, Amnesty International will be screening the film “Cruel and Unusual” in Paris, France as part of a weekend of scheduled events.
Write For Rights
Amnesty International is also focusing on Albert Woodfox as part of the current “Write for Rights” campaign.
Along with urging supporters to add their name to Amnesty’s online petition to Louisiana Attorney General James Caldwell, Amnesty is also asking people to write letters to both AG Caldwell and to Albert, with a sample letter and other information available here.
Ashe’ Mwalimu Johnson: Long Time Angola 3 Supporter and Tireless Fighter for Human Rights
As reported by the New Orleans Advocate: “Mwalimu Johnson, a prison-reform advocate and a sought-after counselor to thousands of fellow inmates, died Tuesday of kidney failure at his home in New Orleans. He was 78.”
In Africa, Mwalimu would have been an honored griot – sharing the wisdom of generations through stories and song- transplanted in this hostile soil, he became instead a keeper of the flame for all those stories emanating from the tombs of this modern day slavery that he had survived. He could recite pages and pages of books that he had read years ago verbatim. His memory was the receptacle for the buried truths of the innocent and falsely convicted. Through his own trials and tribulations on this plane, he became a wise counselor and sage prophet.
He was, above all else, an advocate for justice and equality with a moral compass that never veered off course. Dealing with adversity on every level, he never lost his positive outlook and the calm, measured way that he approached every challenge. If ever there was someone whom you could confidently say would be returning to the ancestors, Mwalimu would be that one, as in his life, he never strayed far from them and his return is guaranteed.
As much as we will miss his physical presence with us, his spirit remains and we pray that his suffering is finally over and he now has the same wings on his feet that carried his heart along all these years.
Ashe’ Mwalimu for your years of guidance and friendship and your unswerving commitment to the movement.
West Feliciana Parish Detention Center
PO Box 2727
St. Francisville, LA 70775
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