{"id":2684,"date":"2010-11-19T09:19:45","date_gmt":"2010-11-19T15:19:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blackactivistwg.org\/blog\/?p=2684"},"modified":"2013-09-04T10:29:17","modified_gmt":"2013-09-04T16:29:17","slug":"lynne-stewarts-letter-to-supporters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.blackactivistwg.org\/blog\/lynne-stewarts-letter-to-supporters\/","title":{"rendered":"Lynne Stewart\u2019s Letter to Supporters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Larry Pinkney was mentioned by political prisoner Lynne Stewart in her\u00a0November 19th, 2010<\/a>\u00a0letter to supporters:<\/p>\n

Good to Bridge the Distances once again.\u00a0 With cyberspace, we are all closer now than ever before.\u00a0 As the evil empire continues to reveal itself in ever more horrifying ways, we are all called upon to resist and make a record.\u00a0 I can write letters, read the Times and moan, groan and gnash my teeth on the phone to Ralph but you guys are the \u201cboots on the ground\u201d for righteousness. I love you all.<\/p>\n

Human beings suffer,
\nThey torture one another,
\nThey get hurt and get hard.
\nNo poem or play or song
\nCan fully right a wrong
\nInflicted and endured.
\nHistory says, don’t hope
\nOn this side of the grave.
\nBut then, once in a lifetime
\nThe longed for tidal wave
\nOf justice can rise up,
\nAnd hope and history rhyme.
\nAn excerpt from “The Cure at Troy” by Seamus Heaney<\/em><\/sup><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I\u2019m now closing in on a Year in Prison (or is it closing in on me?) Seems impossible but I certainly had ups and downs.\u00a0 The ups were the demonstrations of support and love at the time of my surrender and the rallys at Court at the time of the re-sentence and the Prison for my birthday !! To hear the clamor of the cowbells, and the beat of many drums\u2026 To Look out the window and see you all out there with signs, chanting\u2013it uplifts and it comforts me. Also, everyday at mail call, except when they hold up my mail when I feel like a star and am the envy of everyone here!\u00a0 While I do feel that I am operating in a parallel universe\u2013most prisoners do, I am linked to reality by Ralph, my family, the Radio (WBAI), lawyer visits for the case, and also those lawyers who come in to discuss other important issues. I am removed but I am in touch.\u00a0 I also want to particularly thank the many of you who contributed to the Lynne Stewart Organization or directly to my commissary\u2013the Revolutionary Feminists and the Partisan Defense Committee, who send money each month.\u00a0 You cannot survive in here without help.\u00a0 Also I want to thank the many of you who have sent me books.\u00a0 If I have a \u201cjones\u201d (old school talk) it is reading and I have had choices of my own and your own, which permit me to \u201cescape\u201d from the boredom and absurdity\u00a0 in here. Also, Folks who keep my name aloud and alive out there\u2013 the worst thing would be to be forgotten.\u00a0 I especially want to thank the International Action Center, Law and Disorder with Heidi Begosian, Michael Rattner and Michael Smith \u2013Mondays 9 am on WBAI, Taking Aim with Ralph Schoenman and Mya Schon and their special guest Ralph Poynter (!) on Tuesdays at 5pm on WBAI,\u00a0 Where we Live with Sally O\u2019 Brien and Dequi Kioni Sadiki , Thursday at 8pm Wbai, On the Count with Eddie Ellis, Saturday at 11 am Wbai and Radio Free Erin with John, Sandy and sometimes Randy Credico at 1 pm on Saturdays, Wbai. There are others broadcasting on the Internet\u2013Steve Lendman, Rev\u00a0 Pinkney. and Larry Pinkney. Of course I want to mention, the National Lawyers Guild, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Revolution Book Store, St Marks Church, and many others who have supported and advised me since Koeltl dropped the Judicial hammer on me.<\/p>\n

Personally, I am in good shape.\u00a0 No health problems except the ravages of aging.\u00a0 I try to walk every day, expecially when we go to the roof for an hour.\u00a0 You can\u2019t know how good air can smell and taste until you\u2019re deprived. (You notice I didn\u2019t say \u201cfresh\u201d air!!) The food in here is not only of poor quality but is so monotonous.\u00a0\u00a0 We also have had very sporadic hot water \u2013no showers. Miserable and we\u2019re very crowded.\u00a0 I now have 3 roommates\u2013tough but??\u00a0 It\u2019s Jail. I should be getting moved to a Federal Prison some time in the future.\u00a0 The judge has told the BOP to keep me in NY at the MCC while my appeal is pending.\u00a0 They do not have to do it but apparantly have no objection.\u00a0 Many of you have written to urge BOP to make Danbury, Conn. be my next stop.\u00a0 It seems counter intuitive that a prison will be an improvement but it is a truism of \u201cjailing\u201d\u2013better food, more outdoors and exercise, more to do.\u00a0 Most important for this native New Yorker, it is a short trip for a visit and the visits are extended.\u00a0 So important for my family, especially my big guy, Ralph, and me.<\/p>\n

We are working on the appeal of the sentence to the Second Circuit and then we will probably try to get to the Supreme Court on the whole case.\u00a0 We are not wearing rose colored glasses and the political climate and the very conservative nature of both Courts does not bode well.\u00a0 But we are fighters.\u00a0 It\u2019s very important it seems to me that we make deep footprints in this dreadful time \u2014 that others may know and prevent. It\u2019s a progression. I also am an incurable optimist especially in things political and believe with my whole heart \u201cThe People Yes\u201d.\u00a0 These are days of a terrible cynicism even among those who are dedicated and enlightened.\u00a0 We can\u2019t allow ouselves the luxury of giving up\u2013being armchair commentators rather than the warriors at the barricades!<\/p>\n

So I continue to write\u2013letters and tributes and letters for events.\u00a0 I wish it could be more.\u00a0 I am encouraged by the response and hope that my example at this difficult time will continue to force the issues and heighten the contradictions!!<\/p>\n

Love, Struggle<\/p>\n

Lynne<\/p><\/blockquote>\n