Amnesty International: Herman Wallace of the Angola 3 Diagnosed with Liver Cancer, Send Messages of Support

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(Reprinted below is today's statement of support from Amnesty International. Also released was a blog posting by Amnesty UK's Urgent Action Network, and a solidarity card for Herman and Albert on their Tumblr page.)

 

Herman Wallace of Angola 3 Diagnosed with Liver Cancer, Send Messages of Support

By Jasmine Heiss, Amnesty International USA’s Individuals & Communities at Risk Campaigner

After 41 years in solitary confinement, Albert Woodfox and Herman Wallace of the Angola 3 have lived through a nightmare that no human being should have to endure. We work on their case with the hope that, one day, we can share the news that these men have been released from solitary and have seen justice.

But today is not that day. Today I am deeply saddened to tell you that 71-year-old Herman Wallace has been diagnosed with liver cancer, after spending the majority of his life isolated in a small cell, four steps long, by three steps across for 23 hours a day. I’ve often described the Angola 3 case as “injustice compounded” – that description has never rung more true than today.

Angola 3′s Herman Wallace, Gravely Ill, Still Held in Isolation

(April 2013 photo of Herman Wallace)

Angola 3's Herman Wallace, Gravely Ill, Still Held in Isolation

By James Ridgeway and Jean Casella

(Reprinted with permission from Solitary Watch)

Herman Wallace, 71, has been diagnosed with liver cancer. He is being held in a locked prison hospital room at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center at St. Gabriel, Louisiana. The prognosis is grave, according to persons with direct knowledge of the situation. Wallace is one of the two members of the Angola 3 who, along with Albert Woodfox, is still being held in solitary after more than 41 years.

Tessa Murphy, U.S. Campaigner for Amnesty International, which has taken up the case, said in an email, “The tens of thousands of Amnesty International supporters worldwide who have campaigned over the years for justice in Herman and Albert’s case will be devastated by this sad news. Herman and Albert have been held in cruel conditions of confinement for over 40 years without meaningful review; neither of the men have disciplinary record to indicate that they are a threat to themselves, fellow prisoners or staff, and the Louisiana prison authorities have since 1996 broken their own policy to justify the men’s continued detention under these conditions.’’

New Photos of Robert H. King of the Angola 3 with US Congressman John Conyers

PHOTOS: Robert King had a meeting this May with John Conyers to discuss prison issues and the Angola 3 case.

Hard Time - promo from Shebafilms Kelly Saxberg on Vimeo.

To all Angola 3’s devoted supporters, we’ve received some devastating news. Herman Wallace has had an initial diagnosis of liver cancer. There are still very few details to share. Outside medical specialists are visiting him today. Both the legal team and supporters are exploring every avenue of relief for Herman, whose criminal case has been stalled in the courts for over three years. As we receive further information we will share it with you.