Report and Update - Lynne Stewart
December 3, 2009
From Pat Levasseur, Lynne Stewart Defense Committee
On Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009, a status conference was held before Judge Koeltl to discuss the procedures concerning Lynne's re-sentencing.
The conference was held in a larger courtroom to accommodate all the people who came to support Lynne. Lynne was represented by Elizabeth Fink, Joshua Dratel and Jill Shellow. Although the "Mandate" (formal Order) hasn't issued yet from the 2nd Circuit, the question raised by the Judge was whether the resentencing should be de novo (which means that the Judge would throw out all the reasoning that went in to his previous sentence and start from scratch) or simply a clarification and update of the sentencing he already gave Lynne of 28 months.
The Judge outlined a schedule; the update of the Presentence Report by the U.S. Probation Dept. is due on February 5, 2010, any objections to that report are to be submitted by February 19, 2009 and the defense and government submission addressing the resentencing of Lynne by March 12th. Replies by March 29th. The formal sentencing is now set for April 22 at 4:30 p.m.
This is a time for the Lynne Stewart Defense committee to be alarmed and very concerned for Lynne. Lynne is a 70 year old woman and any additional significant time could mean that she could die in prison. No harm was caused to anyone by her actions. Lynne's life work as cited by the Judge in his previous sentencing stand as a testimony to her good intentions. Notwithstanding the verdict, Lynne Stewart had absolutely no terroristic intentions or political harmony with her client Sheik Rahman.
The issue of Lynne's health has been on all our minds. This is the situation to date: She has been receiving her medication. Her blood pressure has been extremely high. Initially the medical department of MCC/NY had suggested cutting Lynne's prescription for high blood pressure medicine in half but since Lynne's blood pressure was so high it is being monitored very closely. The main issue for Lynne right now is that surgery for a bladder problem had already scheduled before the 2nd Circuit decision and her consequent incarceration. Now it appears that she will undergo surgery for this condition which is not life threatening but increasingly uncomfortable for Lynne in the near future at a metropolitan New York hospital.
In the near future we will be working with others to plan a public event, and working in cooperation with others to fight for Lynne Stewart's sentence to remain 28 months. I will be sending out further notices of events and updates on Lynne's situation as news becomes available. Meanwhile you can write to Lynne Stewart, Reg. # 053504-054, MCC/NY, 150 Park Row, New York, NY 10007. Do not send stamps, this mail will be treated as contraband and discarded by the prison. Do not send anything that needs to be signed for. Lynne has been given a subscription to the New York Times and the New Yorker. If you would like to subscribe Lynne to a publication, please drop us a line first (email info@lynnestewart.org) just to make sure that you are not duplicating someone else's contribution. Photos are okay, cards postcards and letters. All mail is opened and read. Commissary can be sent to Lynne via Western Union using the registration number and address either via the internet or at a Western Union location. Thank you for your support for Lynne - it means the world to her.
Letter from Lynne Stewart
Dear Sisters and Brothers, Friends and Supporters:
Well the moment we all hoped would never come is upon us. Good bye to a good cup of coffee in the morning, a soft chair, the hugs of grandchildren and the smaller pleasures in life. I must say I am being treated well and that is due to my lawyer team and your overwhelming support.
While I have received “celebrity” treatment here in MCC - high visibility - conditions for the other women are deplorable. Medical care, food, education, recreation are all at minimal levels. If it weren’t for the unqualified bonds of sisterhood and the commissary it would be even more dismal.
My fellow prisoners have supplied me with books and crosswords, a warm (it is cold in here most of the time) sweat shirt and pants, treats from the commissary, and of course, jailhouse humor. Most important many of them know of my work and have a deep reservoir of can I say it? Respect.
I continue to both answer the questions put to me by them, I also can’t resist commenting on the T.V. news or what is happening on the floor – a little LS politics always! (Smile) to open hearts and minds!
Liz Fink, my lawyer leader, believes I will be here at MCC-NY for a while – perhaps a year before being moved to prison. Being is jail is like suddenly inhabiting a parallel universe but at least I have the luxury of time to read! Tomorrow I will get my commissary order which may include an AM/FM Radio and be restored to WBAI and music (classical and jazz).
We are campaigning to get the bladder operation (scheduled before I came in to MCC) to happen here in New York City. Please be alert to the website I case I need some outside support.
I want to say that the show of support outside the Courthouse on Thursday as I was “transported” is so cherished by me. The broad organizational representation was breathtaking and the love and politics expressed (the anger too) will keep me nourished through this.
Organize – Agitate, Agitate, Agitate! And write to me and others locked down by the Evil Empire.
Love Struggle, Lynne Stewart
LYNNE'S BAIL REVOKED
Lynne's bail has been revoked, and she is now being held in jail after the Second Circuit ruled on her and the government's appeals on Tuesady, November 17, 2009. You can read the opinion and other motions to stay below.
KEEP CHECKING BACK - MORE NEWS SOON
|
Please donate.
Click here for information on contributing to the Lynne Stewart Defense Committee, as well as contributing to Lynne's commissary.
We need your support now more than ever!
Letters to Judge
The judge said that if there are any letters regarding this new sentencing they will only be considered if they submitted by counsel. We know that people are anxious to do something for Lynne and this is one thing you can do and you have the time to write a thoughtful letter that we believe the Judge will read and take into consideration. For now you can send your letters to the Lynne Stewart Defense Committee, 350 Broadway, Suite 700, New York, NY 10013. Address the letter to: Honorable John G. Koeltl, United States District Judge, Southern District of New York, 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007 - BUT MAIL TO LSDC - NOT directly to the Judge. We will accumulate the letters for the attorneys who will then submit them to the Judge.
Struggling for Lynne
Links to actions and activities on Lynne's behalf from other organizations and struggles
Petition: Free Lynne Stewart!
Letters to Lynne
To send Lynne a letter, write:
Lynne Stewart
#53504-054
MCC-NY
150 Park Row
New York, NY NY 10007
|
CALENDAR
January 18
TRIBUTE TO LYNNE STEWART:
Saint Marks' 25th Annual King Dinner
Monday January 18th, 2010 7:00 pm. Parrish Hall
131 East Tenth Street Tenth and Second Ave...use the 11th street entrance.
This year the program for our 25th Martin Luther King ..I Have A Dream Remembrance program, we will pay tribute to Lynne Stewart. Priest-in Charge Winnie Varghese, Pastor Micheal Releyea, and Vestry Warden Cynthia Copeland as representatives of the Saint Marks Community are pleased to urge the community-at-large to come out and support Lynne who is a beloved member of our congregation.
The event will feature Norman Marshall, the Rev Paul Chandler, Joy Kelly, actress, members of the Saint Marks Choir and musical ensemble and actor Earl Gianquinto.
Hosted by Music Director Jeannine Otis, the event will explore the connection to Dr. King's writing from the Birmingham Prison.
December 11 - January 30
Vinie Burrows, the legendary actor and long time supporter of Lynne Stewart: RED NOIR opens Friday, December 11th and runs through January 30, 2010 at The Living Theatre, 21 Clinton Street on the Lower East Side. Performances are Wednesday-Saturdays at 8 pm (no show on Friday, Dec. 18). Tickets $20 (Wednesday pay what you can). Call 212-352-3101 or visit: www.theatermania.com
Who is Lynne Stewart?
Lynne Stewart received a 28-month sentence in October 2006. Her lawyers appealed, and she was out on bail until November 17, 2009, when her bail was revoked after the Second Circuit ruled on her and the government's appeals.
Click here to download the
full Appeal Brief in Lynne's case.
Click here to read
sentencing transcripts. (PDF)
Radical human rights attorney Lynne Stewart has been falsely accused of
helping terrorists. On Tuesday, April 9, 2002, she was arrested and agents searched her Manhattan office for documents. She was arraigned before Manhattan
federal Judge John Koeltl. This is an obvious attempt by the U.S. government to
silence dissent, curtail vigorous defense lawyers, and install fear in those who would fight against the U.S.
government's racism, seek to help Arabs and Muslims being prosecuted for free
speech and defend the rights of all oppressed people.
To read Lynne Stewart's entire remarks to her supporters who had waited outside the courthouse for hours for Lynne to emerge after her sentencing on October 16, 2006 before the Hon. John G. Koeltl,
click here.
For more information e-mail us at
info at lynnestewart.org
The Lynne Stewart Defense Committee
350 Broadway, Suite 700
New York, NY 10013
212-625-9696
Many documents on this site require Adobe Acrobat Reader. To download this free resource, click here.
questions/comments: haberdudas at hotmail.com
|