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<b>FROM:<br>
</font><font face="Verdana" size=3 color="#000080">THUG LIFE
ARMY.COM<br><br>
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*********<br><br>
</font><font face="Verdana" size=3>SUPPORT FORMER BLACK PANTHER HERMAN
BELL <br><br>
</b>by <b>Robert<br><br>
</b>10/30/2005 <br>
12:39:14 PM <br><br>
</font><font face="Verdana" size=3 color="#1C277F"><i>
<a href="http://www.thuglifearmy.com/news/?id=2061">
http://www.thuglifearmy.com/news/?id=2061</a> <br><br>
</i></font><font face="Verdana" size=3>Herman Bell was born and raised in
the rural South by a large, loving but economically disenfranchised
family. At the age of 7, his father came to take him to live in New York
City, where he could have a better education. He spent the rest of his
youth in the city, then came West via a college football scholarship. It
was in the Bay Area that Herman was introduced to and became a member of
the Black Panther Party. He participated in the Party’s successful,
self-sustaining community programs. Having been initially inspired by
Malcolm X, like so many others, he went on to study the philosophies of
national liberation movements which were coming to fruition around the
world during the 1960s.<br>
<br>
It was in the context of the onward march of human history and the rising
tide of global Black consciousness that Herman began his organizing and
activism in the Black liberation movement. In response to the growing
strength of this movement, the FBI targeted the Black Panther Party and
community leaders for neutralization and elimination. Herman, like so
many others, was driven underground and became part of the Black
Liberation Army. He felt that it was his duty to serve his community, as
well as to maintain and uplift its dignity and life force, given that
Black people have been so grievously abused and disrespected since they
were forced to these shores as an inexhaustible supply of slave labor.
Herman’s affiliation led to his capture in 1973 and conviction in 1975
for the killing of two policemen in New York City in1971. Herman’s two
co-defendants, Jalil Muntaqim (Anthony Bottom) and Albert Nuh Washington,
were also convicted. All received twenty- five years to life
sentences.<br>
<br>
Herman, Jalil, and Nuh (known as the New York 3 (NY3)) received a hung
jury at the end of their first trial.<br>
<br>
So the government ramped up its efforts during the second trial by
forcing one of the NY3’s comrades, whom the government had brutally
tortured, to turn state’s evidence and offering to drop charges against
another witness for her testimony. Year later during an appeal hearing, a
federal judge found that a New York City detective perjured himself when
he testified falsely about ballistics evidence at their trial. (The
government illegally destroyed all ballistics evidence in the case during
the course of the NY3’s appellate process to gain their release.) Also,
despite the secret involvement of the FBI and Nixon’s White House in
efforts to secure a conviction, the trial judge refused to allow
testimony about the infamous COINTELPRO program. IN short, the government
broke the laws of the United States over and over again in order to
neutralize the NY3.<br>
<br>
Herman Bell has spent most of his adult life in prison. He is an
exceptionally compassionate man who has continued to grow and evolve in
many progressive directions during this torturous 30-year span. He
received both his Bachelors degree and his Masters degree in Sociology
while in prison. He counseled countless others to complete their
education as well.<br>
<br>
In fact, Herman has always been such appositive influence, that he is
held in high regard in the New York state prison system. As a football
coach, he uses his pro-ball caliber football skills to channel prisoners’
pent-up energies into a healthy, teamwork outlet. As a teacher, he has
taught many Black Studies courses through the years, enabling the
dispirited underclass of prisoners to see their lives within the context
of their history and culture and to claim the dignity that is their birth
right.<br>
<br>
Nor has Herman confined his leadership kills behind prison walls. He is a
positive influence on communities outside prison as well. In 1995, he met
two environmental activist farmers from Maine, and together they created
the Victory Gardens Project.<br>
The VGP brought people together from diverse lifestyles and remote
locations – the urban-rural connection – to plant, grow, tend, harvest,
and then distribute free food to our communities. This life-giving
project enjoyed eight successful seasons, with Herman as an active
participant via his outreach and writings. In 2002, Herman joined with
other U.S. political prisoners in a penpal dialogue with homeless
children in New York City, which was made into a booklet for free
distribution. In 2004, Herman came up with the brilliant idea of a school
essay contest which was implemented by the Victory Gardens Project:
children competed for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th prizes for the best essay on
a “contribution they made to their community without being asked,” just
from their own motivation.<br>
<br>
>From 2002 on, Herman has been instrumental in the production of an
annual political prisoner calendar with the help of Montreal activists.
This extremely educational item has been distributed internationally,
documenting the historic and current struggles and sacrifices of our
imprisoned activists. The proceeds have consistently been dedicated to
the support of various community groups.<br>
<br>
It was in the context of the onward march of human history and the rising
tide of global Black consciousness that Herman began his organizing and
activism in the Black liberation movement. In response to the growing
strength of this movement, the FBI targeted the Black Panther Party and
community leaders for neutralization and elimination. <br>
<br>
Herman, like so many others, was driven underground and became part of
the Black Liberation Army.<br>
<br>
Reminder: Support parole for former Black Panther Herman Bell!<br>
<br>
Please Support Herman Bell's Parole Campaign<br>
<br>
Dear Friend and Supporter<br>
<br>
Herman Bell has been imprisoned for the past 32 years.<br>
He is scheduled to re-appear before the New York State Parole Board in
February 2006 for the second time since the inception of his state
sentence. We are writing to request your support for his release.<br>
<br>
Herman Bell has had an impressive institutional record and list of
accomplishments in the course of the past thirty-two years of his
imprisonment. Parole should be decided on the basis of one’s record while
in prison, rather than on one’s charge of conviction. When Herman first
went to the board two years ago, several prominent New York City
newspapers carried daily hit pieces attacking him in his bid for parole.
The NYC police union – the Fraternal Order of Police – held a press
conference to launch a massive petition drive urging the parole board to
deny his application. We have every reason to believe that these tactics
will be repeated as Herman approaches his second parole hearing. Thus,
your support is once again vitally needed.<br>
<br>
Herman has risen above what would be the most difficult of circumstances
for any of us to bear. He deserves to spend the rest of his days on the
outside, bringing his copious skills and magnificent heart into our
midst. Herman has a wife, Nancy, children – Kamel and his partner Kihana
– and two adorable grandchildren to come home to. Herman’s family is
working hard to realize the day when he can walk out the prison gates.
Won’t you please join us? Here’s what you can do:<br>
<br>
Write a letter in support of Herman’s parole. Address is as: “To Whom It
May Concern” or “Dear Parole Commissioner.” Use the re: line of “Herman
Bell, 79C-0262.” Please send your letter to:<br>
<br>
<b>NY3 Freedom Campaign<br>
3543 – 18th Street, Box #12<br>
San Francisco, CA 94110.<br>
<br>
</b>We would like your letter as soon as possible, but no later than
November 1, 2005, as we need to submit the parole package to the prison
early in November. Here’s some points you can touch on when you write
your<br>
letter:<br>
<ul>
<li>Please write about the nature of your relationship with or knowledge
of Herman, and how long you have known him.
<li>Please include a statement about why you think Herman is ready to be
released from prison.
</ul> <br>
</font><font face="Verdana" size=3 color="#1C277F"><b>Some facts you
might want to include:<br>
</b></font><font face="Verdana" size=3> <br>
-He has been a model prisoner for 32 years; -He has completed his BA and
MA in Sociology while in prison; -He has participated in many educational
and cultural activities benefiting prisoners; -He is an accomplished
football and basketball coach; through self-study, he has acquired
knowledge of music theory and is mastering the flute; -He has a job, a
loving family, and a place to live waiting for him upon release; -He
deeply regrets any harm his political activities may have caused others;
he is 57 years old and has had more than 3 decades to reflect upon how he
can enrich his community with his coaching, teaching, and counseling
skills; -He has already served over 32 years in prison – enough is
enough.<br>
<br>
Explain in your view there is a definite probability that, if released,
he will live and remain at liberty without violating the law.<br>
<br>
Please use your professional letterhead, if applicable.<br>
<br>
We deeply appreciate you standing with us to honor and secure liberty for
this wonderful, deserving man.<br>
Please send in your letter as soon as possible.<br>
<br>
Thanking you, sincerely,<br>
<br>
Nancy Jacot-Bell and Kamel Jacot-Bell<br>
<br>
</font><font face="Verdana" size=3 color="#000080"><b><u>
<a href="http://victoria.indymedia.org/news/2005/10/45219.php">
http://victoria.indymedia.org/news/2005/10/45219.php</a></u></font>
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<br>
</font><font face="Verdana" size=3 color="#000080"><u>
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/drumbeat-weekend_edition/" eudora="autourl">
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/drumbeat-weekend_edition/</a></u></font>
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<br>
For more information on Herman Bell and other political prisoners Please
Visit – <br>
</font><font face="Verdana" size=3 color="#000080"><u>
<a href="http://www.thejerichomovement.com">
http://www.thejerichomovement.com</a></u></font>
<font face="Verdana" size=3> <br>
<br>
</font><font face="Verdana" size=3 color="#000080"><u>
<a href="http://www.thejerichomovement.com/hermanbell.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.thejerichomovement.com/hermanbell.html</a></u></font>
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