In response to Stewart’s resentencing, activists vow to continue fight

Following is a selection of responses from activists after the Lynne Stewart resentencing hearing July 15, when the judge gave the progressive lawyer and breast-cancer survivor a 10-year prison term.

The Lynne Stewart case proves that the desire for justice in the U.S. is alive and well as seen by the constant support Lynne has received over the many years of this case. The government’s action is discouraging. The continued response of the people is encouraging. The struggle continues.

Ralph Poynter, Lynne Stewart’s life companion

The death sentence imposed on a 70-year-old woman has sent a message that the terms “terror” and “terrorism” will be used to stifle dissent, to silence voices, to let the powers that be trample over the rights of ordinary [people]. Those of us in the peace movement, the anti-war movement, the anti-racism movement, the environmental movement, the movement for a just immigration policy, must continue our struggles. This is what Lynne Stewart wants us to do. Her sacrifice will not be in vain if we continue these vital grass roots movements for a just and humane society. We owe that to our beloved Lynne Stewart, the people’s lawyer. We got your back, Lynne. Aluta continua!

Vinie Burrows, U.N. Rep.,Women’s International Democratic Federation; founding member of the Granny Peace Brigade; and recipient of the Paul Robeson Award from the Actors Equity Association.

WE MUST START FRESH!!! Imagine a world where Mumia, Peltier, the Cuban Five, Mehanna and Lynne are among us. It’s time to start unsullied, introduce new and youthful ideas, blood and tools. Knowing what I know about Lynne there will be a surge in jailhouse lawyers, prison reform, anti-imperialist, anti-Zionist and anti-fascist revolutionaries. One of my catchphrases for the last 20 years has been, “This entire system was never designed to empower us.”

Knowing this and being in media, everything I touch is aimed at exposing, indicting and criticizing this system while creatively designing a world without fascists, imperialists and dictators masked in free enterprise. Lynne was not the only one indicted, tried, convicted and sentenced; we all have been sentenced to a lack of access to this beautiful bright light that made us better every day.

U-Savior, journalist, media activist, filmmaker and director of the documentary “Disappearing Voices — The Decline of Black Radio.” (www.disappearingvoices.com) E-mail: [email protected].

The fourfold increase in the prison sentence for Lynne Stewart to 10 years is a tragic miscarriage of justice. In sentencing, the court relied on the guidelines as if they were the Ten Commandments, while they are discretionary and have proved disastrous nationally to federal justice, imposing and lengthening sentences that have multiplied the federal prison population to the level of an international disgrace. This sentence, if affirmed, will further distort federal sentencing, diminish the imperative role of federal trial judges in determining sentences, infect judicial decision making with the fear of terrorism and inhibit all but the bravest of the criminal defense bar from zealous advocacy on which the honor and integrity of the rule of law in [the U.S.] depends.

Ramsey Clark, former U.S. attorney general, human rights lawyer and Lynne Stewart’s co-counsel in trial of Sheik Omar Rahman.

The corporate media does not mention the extraordinary support Lynne got not just with hundreds showing up today for a three-hour court hearing, but a long vigil last night, and a long program a week ago at Judson Memorial Church. People call her “the people’s lawyer,” deeply appreciate her decades of contributions to the movement, and express their love for her in so many ways. Supporters wrote letters, contributed money and came to event after event. The love that poured out for Lynne was truly inspiring. It’s what motivates our movement at its best and shows the kind of person and exemplary leader Lynne is, in her high level of morality, commitment and ability to unify.

Suzanne Ross, co-chair, Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC)

What the corporate media accounts omit is that there were hundreds of supporters in court today — so many that they had to accommodate most of us in an overflow room on a different floor with a closed-circuit TV broadcasting the proceedings. We all must denounce this outrage committed against this wonderful 70-year-old person in fragile health, and work harder than ever to organize to free her.

Bob Lederer, Justice and Unity Coalition, WBAI (NYC)

We have work to do. We must never give up! Instead we must organize, organize, organize and resolve to fight now harder than ever! I completely disagree with the judge and was extremely disappointed with the resentencing. This is a horrible day for what is left of this system of justice and is an attack on the legal system as it sends a clear message that the U.S. is now going after the attorneys. Everyone should be concerned about this and attorneys everywhere need to come together and stand up to fight this horrible decision. Lynne Stewart is a courageous woman and we need more attorneys like her.

Lisa Davis, Take Back WBAI

The full force of the U.S. criminal “justice” system came down on innocent political prisoner, 30-year veteran human rights attorney and radical political activist Lynne Stewart. We can only hope that the winds of change that are stirring the consciousness of millions today in the context of [U.S.] capitalism in economic and moral crisis keep the movement for her freedom alive and well. The fight is not over! What we do now remains critical. Lynne’s expected appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court cannot be written off as absurd and hopeless. What we do collectively to free her and all political prisoners and to fight for freedom and justice on every front counts for everything!

Jeff Mackler, West Coast director, Lynne Stewart Defense Committee

The Feds’ targeting and extreme abuse of Lynne Stewart has everything to do with her years of dedicated legal defense work for radical U.S. political prisoners such as Sekou Odinga and David Gilbert, as well as for Arabs and Muslims under legal attack. We all need to stand up for this hero whose life is at risk.

Elspeth Meyer, Resistance in Brooklyn, member of Lynne Stewart Defense Committee