Update on the Case of Gary Freeman/Joseph Pannell in Canada

[XXPANTHAXX]

This African-American immigrated to Canada some years ago and
was working and living a family life in Toronto. Just last
year the United States Government demanded his extradition to
stand trial in the state of Illinois for the alleged shooting
of a police officer in Chicago in 1968.

The corporate media has labeled him as a former "Black
Panther" in an effort to tarnish his image and to imply that
he must be guilty of a violent action against the police some
37 years ago. His defense lawyers have denied these spurious
charges.

A group of concerned citizens in Canada are working to bring
about his release from dentention and to prevent him from
being sent to the United States to stand trial. In light of
the current atmosphere in the US at this time, it may be
extremely difficult for him to obtain any semblance of
a "fair trial."

The American government under the current administration has
passed several draconian laws which allow the authorities to
hold suspects without evidence and to deny the right to legal
counsel.

Below is an e-mail recieved from Canadians concerned about
the plight of Gary Freeman/Joseph Pannell:


From: "Stephen McGrath" <smcgrath@interlog.com>
Date: Sun, February 13, 2005 10:40 am

For your information, this message was sent out to some
supporters of Gary Freeman / Joseph Pannell:

A meeting with Matthew Behrens of Toronto Action for Social
Change has been arranged for Tuesday, February 15, 6pm, at 25
Leonard Street (near Bathurst & Dundas St.West). We will
discuss various ways of gathering further support for GF in
the community here and in the USA (leaflets, petition,
letters, public events, international appeals, website, etc.)

This meeting is for those who would like to be actively
involved, even in a small way, with such as discussion,
writing, organization, communication, participation,
research, etc. It is not an open public meeting; non-
attendence will not be seen as implying a lack of support.

We are aiming to have a leaflet ready to hand out before a
showing by Cinematheque Ontario of a documentary on Malcolm X
on Saturday, February 26, 2pm, at the AGO's Jackman Hall
theatre.

The basic structure and coding of a website has been done; it
should be ready for launch within the next two weeks.

Attached is Matthew's letter, including directions and map.
(Future meetings may take place in a room at City Hall that
Matthew has access to, if everyone is comfortable with that.)

Joseph Pannell / Gary Freeman
c/o Central North Correctional Centre
1501 Fuller Avenue
Penetanguishene, ON
L9M 2H4

Donations can be made to:
Toronto Dominion Bank/Canada Trust (any branch)
Deposit to Account No. 1037-628-3755
In the name of Natercia Coelho


Attachment: untitled-1.2 (3k bytes)

For your information, this message was sent out to some
supporters of Gary Freeman / Joseph Pannell:

A meeting with Matthew Behrens of Toronto Action for Social
Change has been arranged for Tuesday, February 15, 6pm, at 25
Leonard Street (near Bathurst & Dundas St.West). We will
discuss various ways of gathering further support for GF in
the community here and in the USA (leaflets, petition,
letters, public events, international appeals, website, etc.)

This meeting is for those who would like to be actively
involved, even in a small way, with such as discussion,
writing, organization, communication, participation,
research, etc. It is not an open public meeting; non-
attendence will not be seen as implying a lack of support.

We are aiming to have a leaflet ready to hand out before a
showing by Cinematheque Ontario of a documentary on Malcolm X
on Saturday, February 26, 2pm, at the AGO's Jackman Hall
theatre.

The basic structure and coding of a website has been done; it
should be ready for launch within the next two weeks.

Attached is Matthew's letter, including directions and map.
(Future meetings may take place in a room at City Hall that
Matthew has access to, if everyone is comfortable with that.)

Joseph Pannell / Gary Freeman
c/o Central North Correctional Centre
1501 Fuller Avenue
Penetanguishene, ON
L9M 2H4

Donations can be made to:
Toronto Dominion Bank/Canada Trust (any branch)
Deposit to Account No. 1037-628-3755
In the name of Natercia Coelho

As discussed, we have booked the space at 25 Leonard for a 6
pm meeting on Tuesday, February 15 with a larger group of
folks to talk about what we want to get to work on with
Gary's case (public events, petitions, international pleas,
vigils, website, etc.).

How to get thereplease share this with everyone you are e-
mailing)

25 Leonard is a four story apartment building behind Toronto
Western Hospital, just east and north of the intersection of
Bathurst and Dundas.

By car from the south, take Bathurst north of Dundas one
block to Nassau, turn right, then turn right on Leonard.
There is a three-level parking lot on your left and limited
street parking. As you go south from Nassau, 25 Leonard will
be on your left, and you go along the north side of the
building towards the back, and down a steep flight of stairs
to a basement entrance. That's the place!

From the east, take the Dundas Streetcar to Bathurst (the
Western Hospital), and then go a bit east along Dundas, just
past the emergency entrance, and you will see a little side
street that veers to the left away from Dundas. Take this a
very short jaunt and then you are on Leonard. Turn left and
go up to 25 Leonard and, as above, go to the north side of
the building. If this sounds daunting, you can get off at
Bathurst, walk north one block to Nassau, and follow the
directions as if you are driving.

I hope folks can figure this one out from north and west
based on the major intersection. Call me at 651-5800 if you
have any questions.

Peace

Matthew