Lynne Stewart Given "Fighter for Justice" Award - by Stephen Lendman
Six previous articles highlighted the injustice, culminating in her November 19, 2009 internment at MCC-NY, 150 Park Row, New York, NY, prisoner number 53504-054. Later she'll be transfered to a federal prison to serve 10 years (unless reversed on appeal) for working honorably, ethically, and admirably with distinction for over three decades.
Access the most recent article on her and previous ones through the following link:
sjlendman.blogspot.com/2010/07/darkness-in-america-lynne-stewarts.html
Though incarcerated, she's not forgotten and will honored at the Party for Socialism and Liberation's (PSL) November 13 and 14 National Conference on Socialism at the University of Southern California's (UCLA) Los Angeles campus. The program will feature alternatives to capitalism's destructive growth, especially in recent years.
Speakers and panel discussions will address US imperialism, class struggle in Africa, building a new workers movement, defending immigrant workers, confronting racism and bigotry, fighting the expanding police state, why socialism is necessary, the role of a revolutionary party for change, how to fight bankers and billionaires, and more.
In an October 15 letter to Lynne, PSL's Ian Thompson notified her of the award, saying:
"In our Nov. 13 evening panel, we are giving our first-ever PSL 'Fighters for Justice' awards to several people. We would like to honor you as an award recipient. Other(s include) political prisoners Mumia Abu-Jamal, Leonard Peltier and the Cuban Five, all unjustly incarcerated. Presenters will include former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark. (He'll) present your award" because of his longtime close association with you.
"PSL is presenting you with this award for your decades of struggle and perseverance before and now during your unjust incarceration. Your unwavering defense of the most oppressed and exploited people resonate with working-class and poor people across the country and around the world."
PSL asked if she'd accept the award, and if so, send a written speech to be read on her behalf. Hundreds are expected to attend, highlighted by Ramsey Clark and other distinguished speakers, including community leaders, activists, and international solidarity members of the Filipino, Salvadoran, and Palestinian movements.
A Personal Note
In a just received personal note, Lynne explained that:
"Sometimes I feel like we're trying to move what is depicted on" her enclosed card, a photo of snow-capped mountains. "Other times, I feel that 'there ain't no high enough! I know we all wrestle with the same 'devils' - so many causes, so little time," and such obstacles to overcome.
She enclosed some items of interest, including about two other political prisoners, the Mississippi Scott sisters, bogusly sentenced in 1993 to life in prison for an alleged nonviolent crime involving $11. Access an article on them through the following link:
sjlendman.blogspot.com/2010/08/scott-sisters-victimized-by-american.html
She also mentioned Mumia "as they push him toward the trap door, and the FBI," persecuting activists who want change.
She explained she's in good health, wished she could do more like she's done throughout her entire professional life, then ended her moving way, saying,
Love Struggle!
Lynne
We won't forget her, now or ever, nor the many hundreds of other bogusly convicted political prisoners in America's gulag, the shame of the nation.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at
lendmanstephen-AT-sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.
www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.