Angola 3 News

Monday, December 2, 2013

Join Us for Albert Woodfox's Fifth Circuit Court Hearing in New Orleans on Tuesday, January 7th (A3 Newsletter)

Please sign the Amnesty International petition demanding Albert's release!

Over the holiday, we learned that 2014 will begin with the final courtroom chapter of Albert Woodfox's current struggle to finalize Judge Brady's 2013 ruling which overturned his conviction for a third time based on a finding of racial discrimination in the selection of the grand jury foreperson.

Azadeh Zohrabi on CA Hunger Strikers, Solitary Confinement, and Herman Wallace

(Stayed tuned for footage of Robert King, speaking after Zohrabi, and the Q and A session afterwards.)

Azadeh Zohrabi has almost 10 years of experience visiting and advocating for people in California’s prisons. During this time, she has worked on a range of issues including improving the conditions of confinement for pregnant women and limiting the use of solitary confinement in both juvenile and adult institutions.

A3 Newsletter: Winning in the Court of Public Opinion (w/ info on Nov. 8, SF Robert King event, Albert Woodfox's Nov 13 hearing and more)

COVERAGE OF ALBERT'S HEARING: Times-Picayune articles by Lauren McGaughy (before and after the hearing) and Jasmine Heiss of Amnesty International

(Outside the Supreme Court in New Orleans)

As the week of Herman's release, reindictment and death clearly illustrated, the most important battle IS in the court of public opinion. We resonated with the words of Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow in response to the Federal Courts reversal of a positive ruling on Stop and Frisk. As with Stop and Frisk, public consensus is key in the struggle to abolish solitary confinement and like Stop and Frisk, public consensus on solitary confinement is shifting in a major way.

Photos from press conference and delivery of petition to free Albert Woodfox, at Louisiana State Capitol, Oct.21

MEDIA COVERAGE: Times-Picayune II The Advocate II The Republic / AP II KBOO Radio interviews Robert H King

Robert H King speaks outside LA State Capitol

(View more photos below)

Click on image above to read the statement of support from LA State Rep. Patricia Smith

Congressman Cedric Richmond's statement for October 21:

“I am firm in my resolve to continue the fight to address the horrors of long term solitary confinement in a meaningful way. The plight of the Angola 3 has shined a disinfecting light on this terrible, unconstitutional practice of indefinite solitary confinement without meaningful due process reviews. This past summer, I joined the prominent Ranking Members of the Full House Judiciary Committee and relevant subcommittee Ranking Members in asking the Department of Justice to examine the practice in its use in Louisiana jails. We are continuing to monitor the situation and promise all of you assembled today that the sacrifices of the Angola 3 will not be in vain. We will continue to fight to ensure that prisoners are dealt with in a manner that is consistent with the constitution and I am currently exploring transformative legislation on this very topic. I look forward to partnering with you all to ensure that this story is told and will use my position on the House Judiciary Committee to make certain that we serve the interests of justice. Thank you all for your hard work on this issue and please know that my office stands as a resource to those fighting for justice.”

Photos from the second line for Herman Wallace, New Orleans, Oct. 19

View more photos here.

Sign Amnesty Intl Petition to Release Albert Woodfox Immediately; To be hand delivered at Louisiana State Capitol on Oct. 21

Please sign the Amnesty International petition to release Albert Woodfox here!


(FLYER: Join Amnesty and the A3 Coalition on Oct. 19 in New Orleans and Oct. 21 at the Capitol in Baton Rouge)

Amnesty International has launched a new campaign demanding Albert Woodfox's immediate release from prison (featured below), declaring that "Herman died a free man. Let's help Albert live as one." Indeed, it is now its up to us to continue Herman Wallace's fight for justice. We must do everything we can to have Albert released from prison as soon as possible.

We Speak Your Name (A3 Newsletter about Herman Wallace's Memorial Service)

HONORING HERMAN: Tribute made by US Congressmen Conyers, Richmond, and Scott II Mural and Banner in North Carolina II Mumia Abu-Jamal's Message for Herman's Memorial (in Spanish) II Washington Post II New Orleans Public Radio II Rev. Mae Elise Cannon, Huffington Post

ON HERMAN'S RELEASE: Herman's Conviction Overturned and Immediate Release Ordered! (morning of Oct. 1) II Judge Jackson Denies State's Request for a Stay and Issues Second Order for Herman's Immediate Release (afternoon of Oct. 1) II Free At Last! Herman Has Finally Been Released (evening of Oct. 1) II West Feliciana DA Says Herman Has Been Reindicted (Oct. 3) II
The "Muhammad Ali of the Criminal Justice System" Passes On (Oct. 4) II Turning Grief Into Strength; Oct. 12 Memorial Service in NOLA (Oct. 7)

(A3 Coalition Newsletter, Oct. 13, 2013)

Yesterday, Herman Wallace was laid to rest after a memorial service befitting his liberation roots. New Orleans supporters, friends and family came together to create a magnificent send off for Herman, just the way he wanted it.

Turning Grief Into Strength; Oct. 12 Memorial Service in NOLA

HONORING HERMAN: Tribute made to by US Congressmen Conyers, Richmond, and Scott II Mural and Banner in North Carolina II Mumia Abu-Jamal's Message for Herman's Memorial

Herman Wallace, RIP
Sunrise: October 13, 1941
Sunset: October 4, 2013

What an unbelievable, surreal, momentous, and historic week it has been with Herman's amazing release after 42 years, the State's vindictive last ditch attempt of a reindictment, and his passing. This, all in a period of days. His family and friends are still in a whirlwind.

UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Demands the Release of Albert Woodfox from Solitary Confinement

MEDIA COVERAGE: The Advocate II Times-Picayune II Al Jazeera II Washington Post / Associated Press II UPI II Amnesty International: “We now need to focus on the fact that after all this time Albert Woodfox is still being held in solitary confinement. This must end immediately.”

Reprinted below is a new statement released today by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, demanding Albert Woodfox's immediate released from solitary confinement.
US: “Four decades in solitary confinement can only be described as torture” – UN rights expert

GENEVA (7 October 2013) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture, Juan E. Méndez, today called on the United States to immediately end the indefinite solitary confinement imposed on Albert Woodfox since 1972.

The "Muhammad Ali of the Criminal Justice System" Passes On

--Special thanks to PBS, who is currently honoring Herman by streaming the film Herman's House. Watch the full movie here.

MEDIA COVERAGE: NY Times II Amnesty International II Times-Picayune II The Advocate II ABC II Melissa Harris-Perry, MSNBC II NBC II The Independent, UK II UPI II Common Dreams II Toronto Sun / Reuters II Associated Press: NY Daily News , Memphis Commercial Appeal , Windsor Star II ACLU II All Voices II NPR II El Ciudadano, Chile II Voice of Russia interviews Solitary Watch II The China Post / AFP II Scott Crow II Facing South II Slate II Arab News II Jaan Laaman / Prison Radio II National Catholic Reporter II Los Angeles Times II Counterpunch II Policy Mic II Angela A. Allen-Bell on Reel Talk Radio (featuring Michelle Alexander on A3 at 14:50 into show) II The Militant

This morning we lost without a doubt the biggest, bravest, and brashest personality in the political prisoner world. It is with great sadness that we write with the news of Herman Wallace's passing.

Herman never did anything half way. He embraced his many quests and adventures in life with a tenacious gusto and fearless determination that will absolutely never be rivaled. He was exceptionally loyal and loving to those he considered friends, and always went out of his way to stand up for those causes and individuals in need of a strong voice or fierce advocate, no matter the consequences.

West Feliciana District Attorney Says Herman Wallace Has Been Reindicted

(Herman Wallace, in ambulance after his release.)

In an article published this evening, Lauren McGaughy of the Times-Picayune cites an announcement by West Feliciana District Attorney Samuel D’Aquilla, that a grand jury has reindicted Wallace. McGaughy writes further that:

Free At Last! Herman Wallace Has Finally Been Released

--Special thanks to PBS, who is currently honoring Herman by streaming the new film Herman's House, which you can watch, in full, here.

MEDIA COVERAGE: Oct. 2 episode of Democracy Now (embedded above) and Amy Goodman's Truthdig column II BBC News Magazine II Steven Hawkins, Amnesty International II NY Times II NY Times editorial II CNN II Times-Picayune (with photos of Herman's release) II The Advocate II NBC II ABC / AP II South China Morning Post / AFP II NY Daily News / Reuters II Huffington Post Live TV (w/ Robert King) II WAFB CBS News Baton Rouge (video) II CBS National News II UPI II Catholic Online (w/ WGNO ABC video of Herman's arrival at LSU) II The Independent, UK II Medical Daily II France 24 II Atlanta Black Star II Le Monde, France II Oregon Public Broadcasting / NPR II Fire Dog Lake II Daily Star, UK II The Scotsman II The Guardian II Die Welt, Germany II Mumia Abu-Jamal II Common Dreams

(Herman upon release, on route to the LSU hospital.
You can click on the photo above to enlarge.)

--View A3 Coalition photos from Herman's release at Flickr and Indybay. and a video of his arrival at the LSU hospital.

After a long, dramatic day, we are humbled to report that the indomitable, irrepressible Herman Wallace has just been released after spending over 4 decades in solitary confinement.

UPDATE: Judge Jackson Denies State's Request for a Stay and Issues Second Order for Herman Wallace's Immediate Release

UPDATE: At the end of the day, Herman was finally released!

MEDIA COVERAGE: Times Picayune--Herman Wallace must be released immediately or state will face contempt charge, judge rules II CNN

After this morning's bombshell ruling by Judge Jackson overturning Herman's conviction and ordering his immediate release, his legal team has spent the day trying to convince Louisiana officials to do as the Court requires and let him go free.

Herman Wallace's Conviction Overturned and Immediate Release Ordered!

UPDATE: The Guardian reports that Louisiana is refusing to release Herman Wallace from prison despite today's court order. However, Judge Jackson has now responded with a second order to immediately release him, explicitly saying that State authorities will be in contempt of court if they do not comply. At the end of the day, Herman was finally released!

--Amnesty International Demands: "Louisiana Must Release Dying Prisoner After Judge Overturns 1974 Conviction"

MEDIA COVERAGE: Amnesty International II Solitary Watch II The Atlantic II The Advocate II The Times-Picayune II NOLA Defender II BBC II SF Chronicle / Associated Press II Think Progress II Democracy Now II News One II UK Telegraph / AFP II UK Daily Mail II UPI II teleSUR (in Spanish) II Radio New Zealand

--Read today's court ruling here.

(Statement written by the International Coalition to Free the Angola 3)

Miraculous news this morning! Judge Brian A. Jackson, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, has overturned Herman's conviction, granting him full habeas relief based on the systematic exclusion of women from the jury in violation of the 14th Amendment.

Please Join Us at Albert Woodfox's Court Hearing on Sept. 17

News Coverage by Times Picayune: "Hearing to block strip, cavity searches of Angola 3 inmate delayed"

Although our hearts and minds are all preoccupied with Herman right now, in late August, the A3 civil case legal team filed a TRO to stop the now routine strip searches Albert has had to endure since March (view the legal filing here).

Fighting Spirit: A Message from Herman Wallace

Times Picayune: Federal Magistrate rules against Herman Wallace's writ of habeas corpus petition

PLEASE TAKE ACTION: Demand Humane Release for Herman! USA, UK, France, Belgium, and elsewhere

On Saturday. August 31st, I was transferred to LSU Hospital for evaluation. I was informed that the chemo treatments had failed and were making matters worse and so all treatment came to an end. The oncologists advised that nothing can be done for me medically within the standard care that they are authorized to provide. They recommended that I be admitted to hospice care to make my remaining days as comfortable as possible. I have been given 2 months to live.

Bail request filed by Herman Wallace's legal team

(Recent photo of Herman Wallace)

On the evening of August 20, the Angola 3 legal team filed a request for bail in Herman's habeas case. This comes only days BEFORE a recommendation is expected from the Magistrate Judge reviewing the case. Judge Jackson has the authority to issue bail at any time while the case is under consideration, but especially when the facts are compelling and failure to release on bail could "leave the petitioner without remedy."

Torture by Design: Saying No to the Architecture of Solitary Confinement and Cruelty --An interview with Raphael Sperry

UPDATE: The ADPSR has ruled against the request by Sperry and the AIA to condemn the architecture of torture

Torture by Design: Saying No to the Architecture of Solitary Confinement and Cruelty
--An interview with Raphael Sperry

By Angola 3 News

Friday, August 16 marked the 40th consecutive day of a multi-ethnic statewide prisoner hunger strike initiated from inside the Security Housing Unit (SHU) of California's Pelican Bay State Prison. When the strike first began on July 8, the 'California Department of Corrections and Reform' (CDCR) reported 30,000 participants statewide, which the Los Angeles Times wrote "could be the largest prison protest in state history." In response, the hunger strikers have been shown support from around the world (watch our videos from Oakland, CA).

This week, as the striking prisoners' health continued to worsen, the families of prisoners and supporters gathered on the steps of the State Capitol building in Sacramento, and over 120 health professionals called "upon Governor Jerry Brown and Jeffrey Beard, Secretary of the CDCR, to immediately enter into good-faith negotiations with the prisoner representatives, and to respond to their demands, in order to end this crisis before lives are lost."

A3 Newsletter: On a Move, But the Struggle Continues

(Published by the International Coalition to Free the Angola 3, on August 5, 2013)

On July 12, Louisiana's Hunt prison reduced Herman Wallace's classification from maximum to medium security and transferred him out of solitary confinement into a 10-bunk dorm inside the prison hospital, where he has access to a day room, and does not have to wear leg irons.

While celebrating the more humane conditions, we emphasize that the transfer from solitary is not enough and we are asking folks to continue supporting Amnesty International's call for compassionate release. If you have not yet done so, please take action here.

VIDEOS: Oakland protest supporting CA prisoner hunger strike (featuring Danny Murillo, Janetta Louise Johnson and Paige Kumm)

RELATED: Solidarity from Chiapas, Mexico and in Berlin, Germany (read writeup and watch video)

At lunchtime on Wednesday July 31, Frank Ogawa/Oscar Grant Plaza in downtown Oakland hosted a protest rally in support of the CA prisoner hunger strike that began on July 8. The rally was followed by a spirited march through downtown Oakland (view event photos here). This event was held in conjunction with other solidarity events around the world.

Angola 3 Basics

(Download a flyer version of this fact sheet here.)

In 1972, deep in rural Louisiana, three young black men were silenced for trying to expose continued segregation, systematic corruption, and horrific abuse in the biggest prison in the US, an 18,000 acre former slave plantation called Angola.

Peaceful, non-violent protest in the form of hunger and work strikes organized by inmates caught the attention of Louisiana’s elected leaders and local media in the early 1970s. They soon called for investigations into a host of unconstitutional and extraordinarily inhumane practices commonplace in what was then the “bloodiest prison in the South.” Eager to put an end to outside scrutiny, prison officials began punishing inmates they saw as troublemakers.

At the height of this unprecedented institutional chaos, Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfox, and Robert King were charged with murders they did not commit and thrown into 6x9 foot solitary cells where they remained for decades.

Their struggle for justice continued until Robert was released in 2001, Herman in 2013, and Albert in 2016.

Despite a number of reforms achieved in the mid-70s, many officials repeatedly ignored both evidence of misconduct, and of innocence.

The State’s case was riddled with inconsistencies, obfuscations, and missteps. A bloody print at the murder scene did not match Herman, Albert or anyone charged with the crime and was never compared with the limited number of other prisoners who had access to the dormitory on the day of the murder. In 2008, NPR asked Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell why the state refused to test the print. "A fingerprint can come from anywhere," Caldwell explained. "We're not going to be fooled by that."

Potentially exculpatory DNA evidence was “lost” by prison officials—including fingernail scrapings from the victim and barely visible “specks” of blood on clothing alleged to have been worn by Albert.

Both Herman and Albert had multiple alibi witnesses with nothing to gain who testified they were far away from the scene when the murder occurred.

In contrast, several State witnesses lied under oath about rewards for their testimony. The prosecution’s star witness Hezekiah Brown told the jury: “Nobody promised me nothing.” But new evidence showed Hezekiah, a convicted serial rapist serving life, agreed to testify only in exchange for a pardon, a weekly carton of cigarettes, TV, birthday cakes, and other luxuries.

“Hezekiah was one you could put words in his mouth,” the Warden reminisced chillingly in an interview about the case years later.

Notably, Teenie Rogers, the widow of the victim, prison guard Brent Miller, after reviewing the evidence believed Herman and Albert’s trials were unfair, expressed grave doubts about their guilt, and called upon officials to find the real killer. "“Each time I look at the evidence in this case, I remember there is no proof that the men charged with Brent’s death are the ones who actually killed him. It’s easy to get caught up in vengeance and anger, but when I look at the facts, they just do not add up,” said Rogers in 2013.

Herman’s conviction was finally overturned in October 2013 by a Federal Judge. Although his trial was riddled with evidence of prosecutorial misconduct and other constitutional violations, it was the systematic exclusion of women from his jury in violation of the 14th Amendment that freed him. Unfortunately he was released in the late stages of advanced liver cancer and only experienced 3 days of freedom. Sadly for Herman, justice delayed was justice denied.

Albert’s conviction was overturned three times by judges citing racial discrimination, prosecutorial misconduct, inadequate defense, and suppression of exculpatory evidence. While the case worked its way through endless appeals, Louisiana officials refused to release Albert from solitary, even when no longer convicted of the crime, because “there’s been no rehabilitation” from “practicing Black Pantherism.”4

In June 2015, a Federal Judge courageously ordered Albert's immediate release and barred a retrial stressing the “Court's lack of confidence in the State to provide a fair third trial." This extraordinary remedy was also frozen pending yet another series of appeals.

Finally, Albert was released in February of 2016, 43 years and 10 months after first being put in isolation for a crime he didn’t commit.

Louisiana today has the highest incarceration rate in the US—thus the highest in the world.

Three-fourths of the 5,000+ prisoners at Angola are African American. And due to some of the harshest sentencing practices in the nation, 97% will die there.

Reminiscent of a bygone era, inmates still harvest cotton, corn and wheat for 4 to 20 cents an hour under the watchful eye of armed guards on horseback.

We believe that only by openly examining the failures and inequities of the criminal justice system in America can we restore integrity to that system.

We must not wait.

We can make a difference.

As the A3 did years before, now is the time to challenge injustice and demand that the innocent and wrongfully incarcerated be freed.

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

In 2000, Herman, Albert and Robert filed a civil lawsuit challenging the inhumane and increasingly pervasive practice of long-term solitary confinement. Magistrate Judge Dalby described their decades of isolation as “so far beyond the pale” she could not find “anything even remotely comparable in the annals of American jurisprudence.” Over the course of 16 years, this seminal case detailed unconstitutionally cruel and unusual treatment and systematic due process violations at the hands of Louisiana officials and inspired worldwide action to end long term solitary.