Lynne Stewart is a political prisoner in the United States. An attorney stripped of her license and thrown in prison for the 'crime' of issuing a press release. Last week, she wrote the following:
It is certainly sobering to be celebrating the start of my 74 year
mired down in this prison. It is even more so when there is my life
line that must be considered. Nonetheless, I remain my ebullient self
and face my fight and my future with optimism. Part of the reason for
this is the wonderful mail I receive daily from people all over the U.S.
and the world. From Tasmania to Tel Aviv (!?) people write and tell me
of the role I play and have played in their lives. It is overwhelming
sometimes.
Today, I have asked you all to rally once again on my behalf.
(Little did we know they would close down the federal government last
week. A conspiracy to keep me here? smile). By coming out and making
another statement on my behalf, I think you are taking a stand for
everyone behind bars. They can lock us down but they cannot lock us away
from the people, who are now coming to have a different sense of the
futility and cruelty of the prison system, and who will take action if
called upon. I am happy to be the poster girl, oops, woman for this. I
know it will never be a some time thing for me and that when I am in the
world again (and I WILL BE IN THE WORLD AGAIN !) this struggle is one
that I must continue. I hope we all give a heartfelt wish for health
and release for Herman Wallace, a valiant warrior, our brother comrade,
who is dying in Angola, after 40 years of solitary.
[Herman Wallace died a free man shortly after his release.]
Hoping that it is a glorious day wherever you are hearing this--my
mom always remarked that the Sunday I was born was perfect weather. I
guess I am waxing nostalgic but blow out the candles and have a bite of
the birthday cake and know that I am indebted to all of you and to our
movement for the fabulous and courageous support you have shown me over
these years. We go on to victory for one elder woman (me) but also to
express our outrage at this heartless system.
Lynne Stewart,
Prisoner # 53504-054
Visit the Justice for Lynne Stewart website: www.lynnestewart.org
for birthday messages from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Fr. Miguel d'Escoto
Brockmann, Ed Asner, Dick Gregory, Medea Benjamin and Code Pink,
Richard Falk, Chris Hedges, Zachary Sklar, Ralph Schoenman and many more
people around the world.