Letters of support needed immediately for Jalil Muntaqim’s parole hearing

[Moorbey]

by NYC Jericho

Jalil is asking that we write letters supporting his 2009 parole, which has been postponed for 30 to 90 days for lack of records. This means the hearing could occur as early as Oct. 22 and as late as the end of December. It is believed that they want a new victim impact statement and the sentencing minutes from California.

In the interim he said we need to continue efforts to build support. Please write a letter and urge others to do so, addressing the letters to the Parole Commissioners (Re: Parole application of Anthony Jalil Bottom #77A4283) but send to:

NYC Jericho, P.O. Box 1272, New York, NY 10013.

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. Anthony Bottom (aka Jalil Muntaqim) 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 New York 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. Bottom 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 Lifers’ 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 Sept. 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 and 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
Some of the family waiting to welcome Jalil home are his grandson Selmar Jalil, his granddaughter Shacari, his son-in-law Selmar in back, his daughter Antoinette and his great-granddaughter Aminah Jasmin. This photo was taken in 2007.
Some of the family waiting to welcome Jalil home are his grandson Selmar Jalil, his granddaughter Shacari, his son-in-law Selmar in back, his daughter Antoinette and his great-granddaughter Aminah Jasmin. This photo was taken in 2007.
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.

“Remember,” says Jalil, “we are our own liberators!”

Learn more at FREE JALIL: Jalil Muntaqim Political Prisoner. Send our brother some love and light. Write to him at his new address: Jalil Muntaqim/ A. Bottom, 77A4283, Auburn CF, P.O. Box 618, Auburn, NY 13021. If you want to help Jalil/A. Bottom with commissary, send a postal money order to the same address.

[Elisa Keisha]

thanx for the info. saving!