J.B. Gerald: America's Political Prisoners!

Political prisoners are those currently in prison, because of their race, religion, political convictions, or care for others. Removed from the community, because they seek justice for their people, some are branded with inappropriately long sentences, and are often in solitary confinement to destroy their beliefs. Some are falsely charged, or unjustly convicted. Others are guilty of their innocence and caring for others. Their imprisonment reveals points, where the people's conscience, and necessity are greater than society's injustice can sustain. Political prisoners, the status is not officially recognized under North American law, provide a country with its first defense against extremes of injustice, war crimes, crimes against humanity, economic crimes, and genocide. Often these men and women are simply the most articulate, and innocent of those, society assigns to pay for its faults. Albert Woodfox: Amnesty International has launched a campaign to keep Louisiana Attorney General James D Caldwell from appealing the court's decision, which once again overturned Woodfox's conviction, finding his trial flawed by racial discrimination. Woodfox, one of the Angola 3, was initially targeted in prison for Black Panther Party organizing to the benefit of both black and white prisoners. Louisiana has previously appealed, rather than honor court decisions in Woodfox's favor. While Amnesty asks Woodfox to be retried or freed, since he was unjustly convicted, having served forty years in solitary confinement, a retrial would only prolong an absolute injustice. Albert Woodfox should be freed immediately. Partial sources online: State of Louisiana Must Not Appeal Federal Ruling Overturning Conviction in Angola 3 Case, February 27, 2013, Amnesty International. Lynne Stewart: The petition for compassionate liberation of Lynne Stewart, is available through Justice for Lynne Stewart. Denied treatment for 18 months, she is currently under prison medical care for terminal cancer. Her sentencing to ten years, for an infraction of legal protocol by a judge informed of her medical condition, was a death sentence, pandering to the propaganda efforts of the government's war on terror. Its effect highlights a flaw in American justice, previously noted in the Salem Witch Trials, and Senator Joseph McCarthy's hunt for Communists. Bradley Manning: The Freedom of the Press Foundation has published the initial court statement of Pfc Bradley Manning, whom military prosecutors are trying to incarcerate for life. Manning released to Wikileaks, the video of a US military action, firing on Reuters cameramen and good Samaritans caring for the wounded.