Freedom For Herman Bell: Black Panther Party Political Prisoner

[XXPANTHAXX]

http://www.thuglifearmy.com/news/?id=2061

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.

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.

Herman, Jalil, and Nuh (known as the New York 3 (NY3))
received a hung jury at the end of their first trial.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reminder: Support parole for former Black Panther Herman Bell!

Please Support Herman Bell's Parole Campaign

Dear Friend and Supporter

Herman Bell has been imprisoned for the past 32 years.
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.

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.

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:

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:

NY3 Freedom Campaign
3543 – 18th Street, Box #12
San Francisco, CA 94110.

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 letter:

Please write about the nature of your relationship with or
knowledge of Herman, and how long you have known him.
Please include a statement about why you think Herman is
ready to be released from prison.

Some facts you might want to include:

-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.

Explain in your view there is a definite probability that, if
released, he will live and remain at liberty without
violating the law.

Please use your professional letterhead, if applicable.

We deeply appreciate you standing with us to honor and secure
liberty for this wonderful, deserving man.

Please send in your letter as soon as possible.

Thanking you, sincerely,

Nancy Jacot-Bell and Kamel Jacot-Bell

http://victoria.indymedia.org/news/2005/10/45219.php

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/drumbeat-weekend_edition/

For more information on Herman Bell and other political
prisoners Please Visit –
http://www.thejerichomovement.com

http://www.thejerichomovement.com/hermanbell.html

[Kweku_Omowale]

i at one time, printed all the names from the jerichomovement list man and wrote to all of dem,the bureau of prisons denied the fact that they opened my letter to sekou odinga and my letter to herman was returned,all the cuban five wrote me back and so did some of africas family,assante sana!