Supporters of radical attorney Lynne Stewart are once again being called on to help support her release from a federal prison.
The 73-year-old attorney was targeted by the Bush administration for providing a defense to a suspect in a terrorism trial. For the "crime" of reading a press release to the media on behalf of her client, Lynne was eventually handed a 10-year sentence, after prosecutors objected to her first sentence as being too "lenient."
The warden at the prison where Lynne is housed, FMC Carswell, has approved compassionate release for Lynne, who is suffering from a recurrence of breast cancer. The Federal Bureau of Prisons, however, initially denied her request. Since then, Lynne's prognosis has worsened--meaning that time is of the essence in securing her release.
In a statement, the asks supporters of the ailing attorney to sign a new petition demanding her release.
The 73-year-old attorney was targeted by the Bush administration for providing a defense to a suspect in a terrorism trial. For the "crime" of reading a press release to the media on behalf of her client, Lynne was eventually handed a 10-year sentence, after prosecutors objected to her first sentence as being too "lenient."
The warden at the prison where Lynne is housed, FMC Carswell, has approved compassionate release for Lynne, who is suffering from a recurrence of breast cancer. The Federal Bureau of Prisons, however, initially denied her request. Since then, Lynne's prognosis has worsened--meaning that time is of the essence in securing her release.
In a statement, the asks supporters of the ailing attorney to sign a new petition demanding her release.
Lynne Stewart arrives for her re-sentencing hearing in federal court
AN OUTPOURING of support is required once again to free revered attorney Lynne Stewart. She has submitted a new application for compassionate release and received word on September 6, 2013, that FMC Carswell Warden Jody R. Upton has sanctioned and forwarded her papers to the Bureau of Prisons headquarters in Washington, D.C.
With every pretext now removed, we summon Bureau of Prisons Director Charles E. Samuels, Jr. to act appropriately and expeditiously: Review Lynne Stewart's new application, again sanctioned and forwarded by Warden Upton. Instruct the federal attorney accordingly to file the requisite motion with a Federal Bureau of Prisons recommendation for Lynne Stewart's compassionate release. Judge John G. Koeltl is on the record: He will respond to the motion the moment he receives it.
In July 2013, Lynne Stewart was provided a conservative prognosis of 18 months remaining life in the report of the oncologist retained by the prison, thus meeting the new guidelines for compassionate release established by the Bureau of Prisons. Yet another two months have passed since then, with Lynne Stewart's health deteriorating rapidly, and still she is not free.
Now, more than ever before, every day, every moment counts.
What you can do
Send your message to Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Samuels and to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, by signing the Change.org petition for Lynne Stewart.
Find out more about the struggle at the Justice for Lynne Stewart website. You can write letters of solidarity and support to: Lynne Stewart #53504-054, Federal Medical Center, Carswell, P.O. Box 27137, Fort Worth, TX 76127.
Find out more about the struggle at the Justice for Lynne Stewart website. You can write letters of solidarity and support to: Lynne Stewart #53504-054, Federal Medical Center, Carswell, P.O. Box 27137, Fort Worth, TX 76127.
Over 30,000 people in the United States and internationally signed our initial petition. The number of people who have done so is, in reality, significantly greater because the support from prominent organizations encompasses approval and support of their individual members.
Let us outdo all our previous efforts in pressing our demand at this late time: release Lynne Stewart from vindictive bondage and suffering.
On October 8, Lynne Stewart will be 74 years old. She has devoted her life to the impoverished and oppressed, as a school librarian in Harlem, New York and for 30 years as an unwavering criminal defense attorney whose personal and professional ethos continuously placed her client's interests above her own.
We do not want Lynne Stewart to celebrate her 74th birthday on October 8 in prison; should that be the case, she has asked us all to sound the alarm in vigils and rallies outside U.S. Court Houses and appropriate public centers.
Let us embrace her with our energy and our support.
To send your message to Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Samuels and to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, please sign the new Change.org petition for Lynne Stewart.
First published at LynneStewart.org.
http://socialistworker.org/2013/09/25/justice-means-freeing-lynne
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