The Forgotten U.S. Political Prisoners

ALBERT WOODFOX WRONGLY CONVICTED DECEMBER 16,1998

Albert Woodfox, one of the Angola 2, was reconvicted of the murder of a prison guard in 1972, despite a total lack of evidence. The prosecution relied on the testimony of a former prisoner who was given special favours, including the successful effort of the warden to get him a clemency grant despite his conviction for aggravated rape. They also relied on his association with the Black Panther Party and referred to statements they said he made in the early 1970s about racist pigs who were worthy of death.

Albert took the stand and spoke eloquently about the conditions in Angola, the true nature of his organizing efforts and even the difference between rhetoric and specific action. He even brought out the fact that he passed a lie detector test. The point was raised that the only bloody handprint at the murder scene did not match him (the prison officials never ran it against anybody except the original four defendants, none of whom matched).

Albert was tried in Amite, LA, a small town where the murdered guard is buried and where his family resides. Several jurors admitted after the trial that his being a Black Panther influenced their decision. Their misconceptions and fears prevailed. There were several issues of prosecutorial misconduct which arose during the trial and may be used to challenge the conviction in the appeal process. Unfortunately, Albert continues to wait for justice.

Statement from "It's About Time" published by the Committee to Celebrate the Founding of the Black Panther Party, PO Box 221100, Sacremento, CA 95822, USA.


Freed political prisoner Geronimo ji Jaga (Pratt) recently issued the following statement of support for former Black Panthers Albert Woodfox and Herman Wallace: "Albert Woodfox and Herman "Hooks" Wallace are very dear to me because they come from my home state of Louisiana. The Louisiana chapter of the Black Panther Party was one of the best chapters we organized and they were some of our best, most disciplined soldiers. They were the kind of soldiers who never cried out to anyone for help, even though they were facing life imprisonment. Understand that after being in that kinda situation for so long, I can personally attest to the highly disciplined and dedicated nature of these two askaris. They endured, and they survived, over all the years, with very little help from the outside world. They are the kind of unsung heroes who we must come forward to help, because they never asked for anything from us in exchange for suffering what they have suffered. To Struggle for the People and not expect anything selfish in return is a rare thing and this is what Wallace and Fox have personified throughout all those hard years. They most certainly deserve our strongest salute." Dau Trahn, GERONIMO


Albert Woodfox and Herman Wallace have been held in solitary confinement for over 25 years. That is longer than any other political prisoners in the history of the United States.

They welcome mail. You can write them at:

Albert Woodfox #7221118
Camp - J Gator 4 - R - 11
Louisiana State Prison
Angola, Louisiana 70712
USA

Herman Wallace # 76759
Camp - J Gator 3/R/6
Louisiana State Prison
Angola, Louisiana 70712
USA

LETTER TO THE U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO

Albert Woodfox's and Herman Wallace's mail is routinely witheld from them and the letters they send out to their friends and supporters often do not reach their destination. The following letter was sent to U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno to protest this violation of their human rights.


June 16, 1999

Ms. Reno,
I am writing to express my profound concern over the systematic violation of the constitutionally guaranteed rights of prisoners to receive and be able to answer letters from friends and supporters. I am referring specifically to the situations faced by Albert Woodfox #72148 and Herman Wallace #76759 who are incarcerated in the Louisiana State Prison in Angola, Louisiana. The prison authorities there routinely interfere with their mail. I know this is taking place because I have been corresponding with both of these men and my letters often do not reach them and the letters they write me do not reach me.
This is absolutely inexcusable. Behind this situation lies the desire of the prison authorities to prevent them from being in contact with people who are supporting their efforts to overturn their convictions. As the top law officer in the United States you have an obligation to insure that the law is upheld and these men have every right to send and receive mail the contents of which are consistent with what is allowed by law. I am urging you in the strongest possible terms to act expeditiously to insure that their rights to receive and send mail are upheld.

Sincerely,

Bruce Allen
1st Vice-President
St. Catharines & District Labour Council


LETTER IN SUPPORT OF FREEDOM FOR ALBERT WOODFOX

This letter to the authorities in Louisiana was sent as part of a campaign in support of Albert Woodfox prior to his re-conviction on December 16, 1998. Albert was first convicted in Amite, Louisiana in 1973 (For further details see above).


December 7, 1998

Ms. Cullen,
I am writing to inform you that I believe it is outrageous that the prosecution is going to attempt to re-convict Albert Woodson based on his past political affiliations and inflammatory statements he made some thirty years ago. These do not constitute proof of anything more than the degree of anger felt by Afro-Americans over the pervasive racism of American society. I have been to Louisiana on two occasions and was appalled by the extent of overt racism I saw there. I view your attempt to re-convict Albert Woodson as evidence of institutional racism in the state of Louisiana.

Most Sincerely,

Bruce Allen
1st Vice President
St. Catharines & District Labour Council

CC: Hon. Bruce C. Bennett
It's About Time


FREE EDDIE CONWAY

The U.S. government and corporate media very successfully suppress vital information about the history of resistance to our oppression. So much so, that few of us vaguely remember the name Marshall Eddie Conway and even fewer of us recognize the tremendous contributions he has made to the struggle for social justice and freedom. Eddie Conway, as a leader of the Baltimore chapter of the Black Panther Party, was a courageous and effective organizer in the fight against repression, racism, exploitation and oppression of African Americans and working people.

Because he was an effective community organizer Eddie Conway was targeted by J. Edgar Hoover's insidious COINTELPRO, an operation whose stated purpose was to destroy any organization or individual, particularly in the black community, fighting against the system for basic economic, political and social rights. Like Mumia Abu-Jamal, the FBI and police kept Eddie Conway under constatnt surveillance.

In 1969 the Baltimore police and FBI framed-up Eddie Conway - charged him with a crime which all the evidence confirms he could not have committed. To make an example of him, he was arrested while at work in the U.S. Post Office.

Even in prison, Eddie Conway proved to be a powerful foe of injustice. In 1974, in an attempt to break this freedom fighter, penitentiary guards in Maryland viciously beat Eddie Conway. Even though he received a broken shoulder, a fractured jaw and other injuries, and spent three months inhospital, no one was ever prosecuted for this horrible beating despite a suit he filed against the State of Maryland.

With unbelievable strength, this spirited, working class warrior continued to confront the system. He organized prison inmates to fight against the prison-industrial complex. Conway initiated and organized the United Prisoners' Labour Union at the Maryland Penitentiaries, which signed up 500 members and secured the support of the labour community.

In spite of his incarceration, he has never stopped organizing others to deal with the conditions they face. He has initiated many organized efforts among his peers, including youth counseling programs, an organization of lifers; prison conditions committees concerned with overcrowding, brutality and health issues; computer literacy programs; cultural and literacy programs.

Marshall Eddie Conway represents the very best spirit of exemplary revolutionary courage and stamina.

Conway is a role model for young class warrriors and revolutionaries. Eddie sets the standard for never giving up or losing hope and that we can win if we continue to struggle and maintain unity. This is why the working class must fight for freedom and exoneration for Marshall Eddie Conway.

Write to: Marshall Eddie Conway, #116469, P.O. Box 534, Jessup, MD 20794, USA

Reprinted from Fighting Words!, P.O. Box 648, New York, N..Y. 10276, tel. (212) 353-3130.


"At no time in my life have I killed or attempted to kill anyone. I have no involvement in that incident. I'm innocent." - Marshall Eddie Conway


Marshall Eddie Conway has been in prison since 1970.


For more information on his case and those of other political prisoners in the U.S. write for the new issue of BLU Magazine, P. O. Box 517, New Paltz, NY 12561 or send an e-mail to: revcenter@hotmail.com

Web site: www.blumagazine.net

Persons in Canada who want to do work in support of Marshall Eddie Conway and the Angola 3 can contact: Praxis1871@aol.com

Related Web Site: Praxis 1871