[Ppnews] Veronza Bowers, Jr. Update

[PPnews at freedomarchives.org]

Envelope-to: claude at freedomarchives.org
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 12:40:00 -0800

From: "Monty H. Levenson" <monty at shakuhachi.com>
Subject: Veronza Bowers, Jr. Update


Dear Friends,

I just got off the phone with Veronza and am very pleased to inform you 
that the recommendation for Mandatory Parole made at his December 21st 
hearing was approved by the United States Parole Commission in Washington, 
D.C. Veronza will be released from federal prison no later than February 
21, 2005 after serving more than 30 years of incarceration. Alan Chaset, 
the lead attorney on our teams, is working hard to secure an earlier 
release date once the administrative details and paper work are completed. 
I will keep you posted.

While this is wonderful news, past experience has taught me that 
circumstances can change very quickly and unexpectedly when dealing the 
USPC and Bureau of Prisons bureaucracies. As you may recall, last time 
Veronza was due to be released, his parole was rescinded less than 18 hours 
prior to emerging from prison gates as his daughter and three sisters 
waited outside to greet him. While Kayo and I plan to be at the prison this 
time, I will not celebrate until the hug I have for him is delivered.

Veronza asked me to thank all of you from the bottom of his heart for your 
help and unyielding support. He will write a personal letter tonight which 
I will pass on to you when it is received. If you have any words for 
Veronza, please send them to me and I will deliver them in person.

In closing, I would like to say that my experience as a friend and advocate 
for Veronza over the past 17 years has taught me much. Here is one man's 
story-or nightmare, if you will-that forces me think about the more than 
two million Americans presently locked up by our government-six million, if 
we include those on parole and probation. Multipy these numbers by the 
families, friends and loved ones touched by their incarceration. While many 
undoubtedly deserve to be there, I find it very disturbing to read, with 
increasing frequency, about those who have been falsely convicted or 
wrongly executed due to the color of their skin, social class or political 
and religious beliefs. In light of this, our success in winning Veronza's 
freedom is but a small, symbolic victory. To my mind, its greatest 
significance lies in showing us the power of a citizenry that this willing 
to endure and stand up, against all odds, for the principles that underlie 
the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing justice and human rights for all.

All the best,

Monty

-- 


Monty H. Levenson
Tai Hei Shakuhachi Flutes
P.O. Box 294
Willits, CA 95490
Tel.:707-459-3402
FAX: 707-459-3434
e-mail: monty at shakuhachi.com
Web Site: http://www.shakuhachi.com

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