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Dear Friends,<br><br>
This is the latest update on the continuing struggle for the release of
Veronza Bowers, Jr. from federal prison after more than 30 years of
incarceration.<br><br>
You may recall on April 7, 2004, the day before Veronza's legally
mandated release, the US Parole Commission, without notice, hearing or
any reasonable explanation, issued an order that he was not then or ever
to be let out on parole. That decision was quickly overturned by a
Federal Judge William T. Hodges and the USPC was ordered to show cause
why this model prisoner, who has served the time required by law, should
not be paroled. The Commission could not show cause and the new date for
his long awaited return to society was set for February 18,
2005.<br><br>
Many of Veronza's friends and family members gathered in Ocala, Florida
near the Coleman Correctional Facility on February 17th in anticipation
of seeing him walk through the prison gates. Kayo, Eda and I had come
from California as had his daughter Veronica, his sister Cynthia flew in
from Omaha, Nebraska, Vincent representing the Sherrod family, who regard
Veronza as an adopted son, was there as were close friends Garf, his wife
and others.<br><br>
After receiving assurances throughout the week from the prison
authorities that all the paperwork was in order and the final parole
authorization had been secured, the warden of the Coleman Correctional
Facility, Mr. Holder, virtually guaranteed us that nothing could prevent
Veronza's release this time as it had in the past.<br>
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Little did we know that a repeat performance of the Commission's
high-handed quest to keep Veronza behind bars at any cost was about to
occur. At 4:45 PM on February 17th, the day before his scheduled release,
Veronza's case manager received a phone call from the US Parole
Commission simply asking, "How long can you delay his release and
keep him in?" Veronza's Mandatory Parole was set to occur the next
morning at 8:30 AM. Soon thereafter, a FAXed Notice of Action was
received at the prison indicating that his parole was canceled pending a
Reconsideration Hearing to take into account "new information"
that had magically emerged. Once again, this time just 15 minutes before
the end of the last day prior to his scheduled release, the Commission
had reversed itself and pulled the plug.<br><br>
We have learned that this "new information" was provided to the
Commission by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police via its
regional office in Richmond, Virginia. The FOP claimed that family
members of the officer killed had not been properly informed of the
parole hearing and that, if set free, Veronza would be a threat to the
lives of<u> all</u> police officers. On this basis a new hearing will be
scheduled for sometime in March.<br><br>
According to prison authorities at Coleman, there is no precedent for
this type of action on the part of the Commission. Some of the staff were
visibly upset by this latest sudden and unexpected turn of events,
expressing support for Veronza and hope for his eventual
release.<br><br>
The good news is that Veronza's very supportive family and close friends
had a chance to meet each other face-to-face (many for the first time)
and renew their commitment to fight the injustice that is being
perpetrated. Warden Holder graciously allowed all of us who had gathered
at the prison to visit with Veronza for an extended period of time.
Unbelievably, it was Veronza who provided solace to all. His strength and
equanimity is eclipsed only by his faith and determination that justice
will eventually prevail. Clearly it is not Veronza but the US Parole
Commission and the Fraternal Order of Police who are a threat to law and
order and the rule of law in this country.<br>
Please stay in touch, we need your continued commitment and support as
there is much work to be done. The web site is back up, but will undergo
some changes in the days to follow. Stay tuned for details at
<a href="http://www.veronza.org/" eudora="autourl">http://www.veronza.org<br>
</a>Love and hope to all,<br><br>
Monty<br><br>
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<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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