[Ppnews] Support Parole for Jalil Muntaqim

[Political Prisoner News]

Laura Whitehorn

Hi, all - You've probably heard that the judge in the San
Francisco 8 case has ordered that Jalil Muntaqim (and Herman Bell) be
transported back to NY for parole hearings. Jalil is asking that we
write letters supporting his request. Please address the letter
to the Parole Commissioners (Re: Parole application of Anthony
Jalil Bottom #77A4283) but send to:

Cheryl Kates, Attorney
PO Box 711
Honeoye, NY 14471

The more personal and individual your letter is, the better. You can
write about visiting or communicating with Jalil, or if you haven't
been in direct touch with him, you can write about the articles you've
read by him or any other knowledge you have of his activities while in
prison. Please say that you are aware of the case for which he is
serving his sentence. You can also talk about your own perspective -
for example, if you are a teacher, you know how valuable it is that
Jalil has counseled young prisoners. Any particular slant you can give
to your assertion that he will be an excellent candidate for release
can give the letter more force.


Some of Jalil's achievements while incarcerated:
In 1986, Mr. Bottom drafted a legislative bill for New York State
prisoners to obtain good time off their sentence. The bill was submitted
and introduced into the New York State Assembly - Committee on Corrections
by former Assemblyman Arthur O. Eve.

In 1994, while incarcerated at Shawangunk Correctional Facility, Mr.
Bottom established the first Men's Council in the United States prison.
His efforts were featured on television in Japan and written about in the
NY Times. During this period, he also graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a
B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Sociology. Instead of resting on his
success, he taught African Studies to a group of prisoners.

On two occasions, he received commendations from prison officials for
quelling potential prison riots, one in the mess hall at Great Meadow
Correctional Facility and another time in the auditorium at Greenhaven
Correctional Facility.

 >From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Bottomm was the office manager of the prison
computer lab at Eastern Correctional Facility. His duties consisted of
teaching prisoners keyboarding skills and how to use computer software
programs. Despite his busy schedule, he found the time to raise money from
inmate accounts to support the charitable Children's Funds.

In 1999, in Auburn Correctional Facility, Mr. Bottom established
sociology, poetry, and legal research and discussion classes under the
auspices of the Lifer's Committee that he chaired.

Mr. Bottom co-sponsored the Victory Gardens Project, a program in which
farmers in Maine grew tons of fresh produce for distribution to poor urban
communities in New York, New Jersey and Boston, Massachusetts. In the four
years of its existence, the Project distributed nearly 10,000 pounds of
fresh produce in urban centers.

In response to the tragedy of September 11, 2001, while in Auburn
Correctional Facility, Mr. Bottom proposed raising funds from inmates to
donate to the American Red Cross. Former Deputy Superintendent of
Programs, R. Nelson acknowledged Anthony's efforts in a memorandum.

While in Auburn Correctional Facility he worked as a Pre-GED Teacher's
Assistant, earned a vocational certificate for Architectural Drafting. Mr.
Bottom has proposed and gained the approval for a Life Skills Program for
inmates.

Mr. Bottom is a published poet and essayist; his writings are found in
several University sponsored books of compilations of prison writers. He
has also written an unpublished novel and teleplay.

Parole Release Plans

In the event that Anthony Bottom's Application for Parole is approved, and
he is released on bail pending the resolution of present (California)
charges, he would live in either Syracuse, New York or Austell, Georgia.
In Syracuse, he would apply for the Master's program at Maxwell School
Syracuse University, to obtain a degree in Public Administration and a
certificate in Health Services Management. In Austell, Georgia, he has an
offer of
employment in the construction field and a home that is to be provided
by his mother.

Anthony Bottom has a 37-year-old daughter, two grandchildren and one great
grandchild. Over the decades of imprisonment, he has maintained a strong
family relationship, although they reside in California and Georgia.
Throughout his years of imprisonment, there have been continuous family
visits when they were able, including family trailer visits. As an
example, in the November 2000, issue of Essence Magazine, Anthony Bottom,
his daughter and granddaughter were featured in an article titled "Daddy
Says,"
discussing father and daughter relationships. Mr. Bottom will continue
to be involved in community service, particularly in regards to AIDS
education. He once initiated a campaign to provide school supplies to
AIDS orphans in Africa.




Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  
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