Dear Friends and Supporters:
Thank you all for extending your concern for my well being and supporting
our continuing social media blast to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in demanding
he grants my application to commute this sentence to time served.
While
we are happy for Judith Clark, we must realize there is something
inherently disturbing. When
we compare our records of accomplishments in
prison and the extent of community support, Gov. Cuomo’s decision
presents questions about racial injustices in the decision-making processes
in New York State.
The
New York Times December 4 and 5, 2016 exposé of NYS DOCCS and
Board of Parole’s overt racist practices left little to the imagination
about what can be aptly described as apartheid. Gov. Cuomo proclaimed
on December 6, 2016 that he would order a top-down investigation into
discriminatory
and biased practices in both the prison and parole system. However,
his recent clemency decision indicates he is unable to lead by example.
Again,
I am elated Judith Clark was granted clemency. I knew Judy long before
she became a prisoner.
In fact, the last time I saw here was on
a visit in Attica in the late 1970’s. Yet, understandably, the issue
is one of Black political prisoners suffering the government’s relentless
vindictive posture of retaliation for our failure to succumb to white supremacy.
Sundiata Acoli, Veronza Bowers, Dr. Mutulu Shakur, Herman Bell, Seth Hayes,
to name a few, languish in prison because of the racial policy of the government.
Therefore, my observation of Gov. Cuomo’s clemency decision is
based on historical and pragmatic analysis that must be pointed out as
we proceed
in the fight for freedom.
In
this regard, I’ve asked we increase the social media blast directed
to Gov. Cuomo’s office to two days a month for the next six months.
Each second and fourth Wednesday of the month, we should call, text,
email, tweet and use whatever social media method to ensure he gets
the message
of our dissatisfaction with his failure to grant my application to
commute this sentence to time served.
Beyond
that, I would like to open a second front to achieve our goals.
Specifically, I am asking all
New York City and State activists to identify
a member of the Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus, and inquire
why they have not challenged Gov. Cuomo on his lackluster approach
in tackling the pervasive racially discriminatory practices in the New
York State prison
and parole system. These elected officials should not get a pass, and
our activist community needs to establish a direct-action determination
in
making these representatives know that in 2017 they will be made to
step up in response to our struggle for substantial institutional changes
in
the overall criminal (in)justice system in New York State. They each
should be told to demand Gov. Cuomo grant my application in “good
faith” if
he is serious about ending racial and biased practices in the prison
and parole system — To lead by example!
It
is incumbent on the activist community to step up the work … the
New York Times exposure has provided the irrefutable foundation to
make these demands on these elected officials. We only need to
have the unrelenting
audacity to demand the kind of government practices we believe should
govern.
Thank
you for your support. I will continue to teach and speak truth
to power from behind the walls,
but my freedom, like the rest of Black political
prisoners, depends on the “Power of the People” to rise
up and fight for freedom.
In the Spirit of Nelson Mandela
in Apartheid NYS Prison System
Amandla! Amandla! Amandla!
Jalil A. Muntaqim
Southport, January 11, 2017
Remember: We Are Our Own Liberators!
To
read more on the current situation, click here!
__________________________________________________
Jalil
had a visit from his brother Dave and sister Stephanie
in April. He and they say it was a wonderful visit. Dave sent us
some pictures
of the visit to post.
Read
Jalil's response to 2016 parole denial here.
Read
the entire parole hearing transcript here.
Read
the parole board's decision here.
We
are enraged to report that Jalil received notice on June 28, 2016, that
he
was once again rejected by the Parole Board. This is the ninth
time Jalil has been to the Board, and the ninth time he has been denied,
despite having an excellent record and meeting all requirements to
be
released
on parole.
There
will definitely be an Article 78 appeal of this denial. We will
need everyone's help in preparing for the appeal and will definitely
be waging
a strong campaign.
We
cannot continue to allow the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the Patrolmen's
Benevolent Association (PBA) and the
New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association
(COPBA) to impose their will upon the Parole Board. The FOP, PBA
and COPBA have made it clear that they are trying to impose Life
Without
Parole (LWOP) on our Political Prisoners. THIS IS NOT LAW AND NOT
WHAT THEY WERE SENTENCED TO. They must be held accountable for their
actions!
We
will keep everyone posted on upcoming steps and actions to take. In the
meantime,
please take the time to write to Jalil and him know he is
in our hearts and on our minds.
Jalil
has also submitted a request to Gov. Cuomo requesting commutation of
sentence to time served, as the parole board is obviously biased. A fair
and just parole hearing is impossible for Jalil and our other NY State
political prisoners.
Jalil
has asked people to write Governor Cuomo and urge him to grant executive
clemency
to Jalil.
Here is the info:
The
Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor
of New York State
NYS
State Capitol Building
Twitter @NYGovCuomo
#clemency4jalil
cc
this office:
New
York State DOCCS-
Executive Clemency Bureau
The
Harriman State Campus – Building 2
1220
Washington Ave
Watch
videos of Jalil's brother Dave speaking about Jalil here.
To
read Jalil's response to his 2014 parole denial, click here.
To
read about Jalil's ongoing FOIL lawsuit,
click here.
Be
sure to read the wonderful letter from Jalil's Mom Billie: A
Mother's Cry in
support of her son's release.
Check
out the videos of Jalil discussing
the Case of the New York 3, Cointelpro, Plutocracy and
some history leading to the formation of the Jericho Movement,
of which Jalil is a co-founder.
Also
Check out the videos from an interview
with Jalil
in 1988 by Paper Tiger TV, especially Part 3, which includes
a response to Badge of the Assassin with Safiyah Bukhari,
Attorney
Brian Glick and the New York 3.
Listen
to a snippet of the "Redemption" CD
being compiled by Oakland Jericho
for Jalil