The NLG PPSC exists in recognition that the United States targets and incarcerates activists, organizers and others affiliated with
progressive movements (See, for example, http://www.freedomarchives.org/Cointelpro.html).
The NLG has a long history supporting people locked up as a result of their movement work (See http://www.nlg.org/our-history), and although we have very limited resources, we have recommitted ourselves to support U.S. held political prisoners, especially those who have been imprisoned for decades: for example, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Leonard Peltier, Oscar López Rivera, Sundiata Acoli, Jalil Muntaqim and Herman Bell.
This Committee aims to connect each prisoner with a Guild member (lawyer, law student or legal worker) who lives nearby and who can work with the prisoner’s existing support team (if there is one.) The NLG member will coordinate legal support such as, for example, representation at parole hearings or representation to ensure proper medical care. The inspiration for this work came from former prisoner Ray Luc Levasseur, and the committee was formed with the help of Lynne Stewart, Ralph Poynter & Sekou Odinga.
We are hoping to mobilize new lawyers and legal workers, as well as experienced attorneys who have represented the political prisoners for years. Our wish is that the veterans, along with the prisoners, will mentor those new to this work. For more information, and to join the Committee, contact the PPSC Co-Chairs (Benjamin Evans, Judith Mirkinson, and Melinda Power) at politicalprisoners@nlg.org.
