The privileges of the One Percent cannot coexist with due process of
law for the 99 Percent; therefore, due process must become whatever the
president says it is. And, when the imprisonment of two-and-a-half
million people is not enough to calm the fears of the rich, then
preventive detention by the military must become the order of the day.
Ultimately, the regime sees no choice but to call out its uniformed
legions to lock up the most volatile sectors of the 99 percent, while
its spies make lists of the human networks that will supply the next
wave of detainees. Or, the president may prefer that they compile “Kill
Lists” for his perusal.
Naturally, the people’s legal “first responders” like Lynne
Stewart must be kept under lock and key at times like this. We are glad
for the privilege of sharing Lynne’s birthday with her, even under such
circumstances. Among all of her other accomplishments and good works, we
congratulate Lynne for having outlived the rule of law in the U.S.
However, the Lords of Capital may one day wish they had preserved the
Constitution as they found it. Because, if Lynn Stewart cannot be
allowed to be zealous in defense of her clients, then who will stand for the rich when the people’s wrath cannot be contained?
-- Glen Ford, "Lynne Stewart: The People's 'First Responder'" (Black Agenda Report).