Monday, April 22, 2013

Why Russell ‘Maroon’ Shoatz Must Be Released From Solitary Confinement --An interview with Theresa Shoatz and Matt Meyer

Take action by telling Secretary Wetzel that you want Russell 'Maroon' Shoatz to be immediately removed from solitary confinement!



Why Russell ‘Maroon’ Shoatz Must Be Released From Solitary Confinement
--An interview with Theresa Shoatz and Matt Meyer

By Angola 3 News

This month, a 30-day action campaign was launched demanding the release of Russell ‘Maroon’ Shoatz from solitary confinement, where he has been held for over 23 consecutive years, and 28 of the last 30 years, in Pennsylvania prisons. On April 8, when the campaign began, Maroon’s legal team sent a letter to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PA DOC), demanding his release from solitary confinement and promising litigation against the PA DOC if he is not transferred to general population by May 8.

The action campaign describes Maroon as “a former leader of the Black Panthers and the Black freedom movement, born in Philadelphia in 1943 and originally imprisoned in January 1972 for actions relating to his political involvement. With an extraordinary thirty-plus years spent in solitary confinement…Maroon’s case is one of the most shocking examples of U.S. torture of political prisoners, and one of the most egregious examples of human rights violations regarding prison conditions anywhere in the world. His ‘Maroon’ nickname is, in part, due to his continued resistance—which twice led him to escape confinement; it is also based on his continued clear analysis, including recent writings on ecology and matriarchy.”

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

A3 Newsletter: Four Score and One Too Many Years

(Artwork by Emory Douglas)
Today, April 17, 2013, marks 41 years that Albert Woodfox and Herman Wallace have been unjustly incarcerated in solitary confinement in Louisiana. This is 41 years of living in concrete and metal cages of 6 x 9 feet; 41 years of being separated from their families and loved ones; 41 years of being wrongly accused of a murder they did not commit.

Over 41 years ago, prison officials at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (aka 'Angola'), an 18,000-acre former slave plantation, were first confronted by the Angola 3's challenge to the obscene human rights atrocities that were a daily reality for prisoners there. They responded to these efforts by fabricating a case against Albert and Herman for the tragic murder of prison guard Brent Miller in 1972. Shortly thereafter, when Robert King entered Angola, he was ensnared in the aftermath of that murder and joined Herman and Albert in solitary.

An Injustice Compounded: Amnesty International demands an end to the cruel and inhuman treatment of Albert Woodfox and Herman Wallace

(Below, reprinted in full, is a new Amnesty International statement that has just been released. --Reprinted by Angola 3 News)

Herman Wallace (left) with Albert Woodfox (right)

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

PUBLIC STATEMENT

AI index: AMR 51/019/2013

16 April 2013

An Injustice Compounded

Amnesty International demands an end to the cruel and inhuman treatment of Albert Woodfox and Herman Wallace


On the anniversary of the forty-first year since they were placed in prolonged isolation in Louisiana prisons, Amnesty International demands that Louisiana authorities immediately transfer Albert Woodfox and Herman Wallace to a less restrictive prison setting.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Herman's House film to premiere in NYC on April 19, w/ events through weekend


On Friday, April 19, the new film about Herman Walllace and his collaborative art project with A3 supporter Jackie Sumell, will make its debut in NYC, with several events scheduled around the many screenings of the film through the weekend. Read more here.

New photos from a visit with Herman this month are featured below.


Thursday, April 11, 2013

On April 19-21, a 41 hour vigil in New Orleans will mark 41 years of solitary confinement for Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox of the Angola 3


Next week in New Orleans, on April 19-21, please join us next weekend for stageplays, documentaries and 41 hours in a solitary cell to commemorate 41 years of solitary for Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Upcoming New Orleans and Baton Rouge film screenings of HARD TIME, about Robert King and the Angola 3, April 17-19

Hard Time - promo from Shebafilms Kelly Saxberg on Vimeo.

Watch and listen to Canadian media coverage from the film's premiere there in February:  CBC Radio  II  Thunder Bay News Watch, TV coverage and written article.



Dr. Ronald Harpelle’s new documentary film entitled "Hard Time," will premiere in Louisiana next week:

--Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge on April 17th (E130 Howe Russell Hall at 7pm)

--The Craige Community Center in Old Algiers, New Orleans on April 18th (1800 Newton Street from 6pm to 9pm),

--The Angola 3 Coalition office in New Orleans on April 19th (2900 Grand Route St. John at 9pm, as part of a 41 hour vigil).