[Pnews] Jalil Muntaqim: Message to the Palestinian people - Greetings and solidarity!

[Prisoner News]

*This is a new letter by longtime Political Prisoner, Jalil Muntaqim 
published in a pamphlet of US political prisoner writings for a recent 
delegation to Palestine.

**

Solidarity was forged as former political prisoners in Palestine and 
former US-held political prisoners in our delegation discussed parallel 
experiences. Palestinian audiences at both conferences were moved by the 
messages we brought with us in a collection of letters from currently 
incarcerated US political prisoners some of whom have already served 40 
years and more €”to their Palestinian sisters and brothers. Our 
colleagues at Birzeit University'€™s Institute for Women'€™s Studies 
translated the letters into Arabic. The solidarity was palpable during 
the final plenary of Birzeit's conference, when the phone rang and we 
heard the voice of US political prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal 
<http://www.bringmumiahome.com>. Mumia was calling from Pennsylvania to 
express solidarity with and love for the people of Palestine.

*
*The entire pamphlet can be read here: * 
<http://www.freedomarchives.org/Pal/PP%20Booklet%20Ar%20and%20Eng%20Web.pdf> 



*To the Palestinian Independence Movement***

**

*From Jalil Abdul Muntaqim - BPP/BLA Political Prisoner*

*Solidarity in the Face of Adversity*

*http://www.freejalil.com/blog37.html  - *April 2016

As Salaam Alaikum

It gives me great pleasure to be able to share a few words of solidarity 
based on our mutual struggle opposing racism and colonial oppression.

I have been in U.S. prisons for 44 years, one of the longest held 
political prisoner in the world, for activities and involvement in the 
former Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army. Since my 
imprisonment in 1971, I continue to be active in terms of educating 
prisoners, writing books, essays and articles, and finding innovative 
ways to contribute in exposing U.S. imperialism and its insidious 
support of Zionism. Naturally, I support the movement for Boycott, 
Divestment and Sanctions challenging Israel's occupation of Palestine 
that should be equated as Apartheid.

I was captured at the age of 19 years old, an expectant father, and now 
a 64 year old great grandfather. I have been before the parole board 8 
times, and each time denied release because of "the nature of the crime" 
– the death of two police officers, a situation that time will never 
alter. While I was sentence to 25 years to Life in 1975, the continued 
denials tantamount to life without parole. Obviously, the prison and 
parole system operates with impunity, and in violation of its own 
mandates. Hence, it is the political nature of the conviction that is 
the principle reason for these denials. I share these insights in my 
case in order to let you know my life struggle in many ways parallels 
the struggles of your own political prisoners.

Furthermore, as a revolutionary Muslim (note: I oppose the 
indiscriminate killing by ISIS and Al-Qaeda, et al.), the foundation of 
our solidarity bridges ideological and national boundaries of our 
struggles. We are mutual allies. Therefore, it is only natural for me to 
express solidarity, as we forge our common humanity to oppose racist and 
colonial oppression wherever it may be found.

May Allah (SWT) grant you mercy and success from your tormentors, 
strengthening your resolve to build a future of peace and love for the 
next generations.

Mas Salaam - Revolutionary Love and Unity,

Jalil Abdul Muntaqim


*The Delegation statement can be read here. 
<http://www.freedomarchives.org/Pal/Delegation.We.Stand.docx>*
-- 
Freedom Archives 522 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415 
863.9977 www.freedomarchives.org
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