- Seven previous articles discussed her case and status,
explaining the gross injustice against a heroic human rights lawyer who
devoted her career to defending society's poor, unwanted, and unfairly
persecuted - defendants deprived of due process without an advocate like
her.
-
- She knew the risks, yet took them courageously, until
prosecutorial injustice convicted and imprisoned her for doing her job
- defending an unpopular client too vigorously.
-
- Interned on November 19, 2009 at MCC-NY, she remained
there until transferred. Her family and attorneys requested FCI Danbury,
CT close to home, a facility for low security female prisoners with a satellite
camp for minimum security ones. No matter. She was denied the logical choice
for a more punitive one.
-
- On December 18, her web site (www.lynnestewart.org) broke
the news, saying supporters can reach her by mail at:
-
- Lynne Stewart
- 53504-054
- FMC Carswell
- Federal Medical Center
- PO Box 27137
- Fort Worth, TX 76127
-
- The Federal Bureau of Prisons says Carswell "provides
specialized medical and mental health services to female offenders."
It's located at the Fort Worth Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base.
-
- At over 2.4 million, America has the world's largest
prison system, a gulag, the shame of the nation. Two-thirds in it are Blacks
and Latinos. Half are for nonviolent offenses, many for political activism,
including lawyers and other notable figures like Lynne. Numerous previous
articles discussed it, explaining the gross injustice against many wrongfully
there.
-
- Those who know Carswell best call it CarsHELL for its
disturbing abusive record. An earlier article discussed how young women
die there under "questionable circumstances," their families
denied autopsy information.
-
- Wherever women are imprisoned, including Carswell, rape
and other forms of sexual abuse are common - prison guards and officials
the offenders. They also face beatings, isolation, other mistreatment,
and gross medical negligence, including for prisoners most in need.
-
- Journalist Yvonne Ridley quoted the Fort Worth Weekly
saying Carswell imprisonment "can be a death sentence for women prisoners."
Lynne got 10 years. She's 71, currently in good health, but earlier battled
breast cancer and another illness requiring surgery while at MCC-NY. Without
proper care, she risks future health problems as she ages. Incarceration
in America's gulag, including at Carswell, is no place to get it. Punishment
in violation of Bureau of Prison regulations is their specialty, not proper
care and treatment.
-
- Given her prominence as a world figure, hopefully, she'll
avoid the dark side of prison life. The possibility can't be discounted,
but neither can the worst be expected. As Lynne says, never lose hope.
Indeed not, because losing it abandons optimism for change that's only
possible through determined pressure. In today's America, inaction is no
option.
-
- In a recent letter to supporters, Lynne asked them to
resist, explaining she's "operating in a parallel universe" like
other prisoners. She also felt removed but in touch, what's harder now
given her distant location from family, friends and counsel, who can't
drop in to provide comfort or discuss Lynne's Second Circuit sentencing
appeal. If unsuccessful, the Supreme Court will be petitioned for redress
on her whole case, mindful of the unfavorable political climate she faces.
-
- "But we are fighters," she stresses. It's vital
to "make deep footprints (at) this dreadful time - that others may
know and prevent" what happened to her and thousands more treated
unjustly. She's "an incurable optimist," she says. "We can't
allow ourselves the luxury of giving up - being armchair commentators rather
than the warriors at the barricades" for equity and justice.
-
- She's especially grateful to contributors to the Lynne
Stewart Organization, Revolutionary Feminists and Partisan Defense Committee.
Readers able to help can get more information from her site (lynnestewart.org).
Expensive legal fees require as much as supporters can contribute.
-
- She mentioned that "Personally, (she's) in good
shape (except for) the ravages of aging." In New York, she took daily
walks, but the food was "not only of poor quality, (it's) monotonous.
We also have had very sporadic hot water - no showers. Miserable and we're
very crowded." She had three roommates - "tough but?? It's jail."
-
- She expected transfer soon. Now it happened, but not
where she hoped that would have improved her New York confinement - "better
food, more outdoors and exercise, (and) more to do." Most important
was being close to friends, family and counsel, especially her "big
guy," Ralph Poynter, her husband, impeded now from visiting easily.
-
- Lynne ended saying she hopes her example "force(s)
the issues and heighten(s) the contradictions," ending with her signature:
-
- "Love, Struggle"
-
- Lynne
-
- She's a heroic role model deserving support at her time
of need, facing nine more years unless granted redress at a very tough
time when prosecutors demand cruel and unusual punishment, not mitigation.
Silence, timidity, and inaction are no options against it.
-
- Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at
lendmanstephen@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.
-
- http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.
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