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<font size=3><a href="http://www.thejerichomovement.com/muntaqim2.html" eudora="autourl">http://www.thejerichomovement.com/muntaqim2.html<br><br>
</a></font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3>Comrades: Please send
this to your lists.....<br><br>
You've probably already received at least one e-mail message asking you
to write a letter supporting the parole application of Anthony Jalil
Bottom. I won't repeat the plea, but if you scroll to the end of this
letter you can find the information on where to send a letter. It's not
too late, as long as you do it in the next few days. If you need more
motivation, consider the following letter, written by our dear comrade
Safiya Bukhari over a year before her death. If nothing else moves each
of us to fight for the release of Jalil and all the other political
prisoners, let the memory of Safiya-and how hard and long she worked for
their release-be the reason. Writing the following letter wasn't easy for
Safiya, but she did it-and each of us can, too. - laura whitehorn,
former political prisoner<br><br>
May 5, 2002<br><br>
To Whom It May Concern:<br>
I write this letter in support of Anthony Jalil Bottom's application for
release on parole.
I</font><font face="Times, Times" size=3>'</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3>ve
procrastinated this long in hopes that God would guide my hand and give
me exactly the right thing to say that would make a difference. Thus far,
I have received no such guidance and time is running short, therefore I
can only write what I know about Jalil and what I know to be his
intentions should he be released on parole.<br>
My name is Safiya Bukhari-Alston.
I</font><font face="Times, Times" size=3>'</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3>ve
know Jalil for well over thirty (30) years. I knew the young brash
political Jalil. I knew the young incarcerated worried father Jalil. The
son and brother Jalil who could do nothing while his mother and sisters
went through changes or were victimized. I know the grandfather Jalil.
The depressed Jalil. The sad Jalil. The angry Jalil who could do nothing
but watch while a friend died in jail.<br>
I
don</font><font face="Times, Times" size=3>'</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3>t
know the one dimensional Anthony Bottom #77A4823. There is no such
person. Jalil is a complex person.
He</font><font face="Times, Times" size=3>=</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3>s
a human being, moved by his feelings, beliefs and what he perceives to be
the right thing to do.<br>
At nineteen years old, prior to his arrest, Jalil worked and helped
support his family. Had been taught responsibility and took that
responsibility seriously. He wasn't into drugs or any of the other social
ills that was so prevalent in our community, Jalil, like so many of us
who were products of that generation, felt a responsibility to make a
difference in our community. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had
just been killed, and Malcolm X "El Hajj Malik Shabazz" had
also been shot down. We all felt that if these great men could give up
their lives for what they believed in that we had a responsibility to do
something. The rallying cry of Malcolm X "We shall have our freedom,
we shall have it, By Any Means Necessary" became our mantra. <br>
While he was on trial Jalil became a father. Even from behind bars he
never abdicated his responsibilities as a father and tried to be the best
father he could be. He tried to be involved in every aspect of his
daughter's life. I remember when she was 15 going on 16 and going through
some major crises of confidence, she didn't believe she had anyone she
could talk to, that loved her. Jalil arranged for her to come out to New
York and spend the summer so they could have some quality time together.
It turned out to be very important for the both of them. <br>
That same conscientiousness he displayed towards his daughter extends
toward all the members of his family. Jalil and his mother are very
close. He*s the first born and was born when she was very young. He's
very protective of her and she feels like a part of her is missing. She
moved to Georgia and bought a house which she plans to turn over to him
upon his release. In a very real sense they have been doing this time
together. He feels the pain that she is enduring because of him and is
haunted and driven by it. <br>
Which brings us to today, his youth was dedicated to his people and the
community. He placed his people and community in front of his
responsibility to his family. As a consequence of his devotion to his
people, his family suffered. For a number of years now his plans have
been to bring some joy and happiness into the lives of his family,
especially his mother and daughter. That's his primary goal at this point
in his life.<br>
I can say this unequivocally because it was my goal on my release from
prison. Prior to my release on parole in 1983 I made a promise to my
mother that I would be there for her. I have done that. I have been home
for almost 20 years now. I have earned my college degree. Finished
raising my daughter and, for the last fourteen (14) years, work as the
Director of Administration of a multi-office law firm. I'm not saying
that the desire to make a different for my people is not still there. I'm
saying that we have all matured and are rational enough to realize that
it takes more than one or two people to bring about necessary
change.<br>
Jalil is a dreamer, but he's also practical. He's older and what keeps
him going to day is the desire to be there for his family. It is my hope
that in considering whether or not to grant parole to Anthony Bottom you
will consider the three dimensional person. <br>
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I hope I have said
something worthy of reflection.<br><br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2> <br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3>Sincerely,<br><br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2> <br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3>Safiya
Bukhari-Alston<br><br>
<br>
</font><font size=4>Send one copy of your letter right away to:<br>
Chairman<br>
N.Y.S. Division of Parole<br>
97 Central Avenue<br>
Albany, NY 12206<br>
Re: Parole for Anthony "Jalil" Bottom, 77A-4283 (address letter
to "Parole Commissioners")<br>
and send a copy to Jalil's attorney:<br>
Ms. Cheryl L. Kates, Esq.<br>
Edge of Justice<br>
121 N. Fitzhugh St.<br>
Rochester, NY 14614<br><br>
</font><font size=3><x-tab> </x-tab><br>
</font><tt>-- <br>
</tt><font size=3> <br>
_____<br>
Laura Whitehorn<br>
Senior Editor<br>
POZ Magazine<br>
1 Little West 12th Street, 6th Floor<br>
New York, NY 10014<br>
212.242.2163 x 229<br>
fax: 212.675.8505<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
</font><x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<font size=3 color="#FF0000">The Freedom Archives<br>
522 Valencia Street<br>
San Francisco, CA 94110<br>
(415) 863-9977<br>
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