12/19/10; 12:03pm

Dear Folks:

Some nuts and bolts and trivia

1 New Address
Lynne Stewart
Federal Medical Center, Carswell
53504 – 054
Unit 2N
PO Box 27137
Fort Worth TEXAS 76127

2 Visiting is very liberal but first I have to get people on my visiting list Wait til I or the lawyers let you know. The visits are FRI, SAT, SUN AND MON for 4 hours and on weekends 8 to 3. Bring clear plastic change purse with lots of change to buy from the machines. Brief Kiss upon arrival and departure, no touching or holding during visit (!!) On visiting forms it may be required that you knew me before I came to prison. Not a problem for most of you.

3. One hour time difference

4. Commissary Money is always welcome It is how I pay for the phone and for email. Also need it for a lot that prison doesn’t supply in terms of food and “sundries” (pens!) A very big list that includes Raisins, Salad Dressing , ankle sox, mozzarella (definitely not from Antonys–more like a white cheddar, Sanitas Corn Chips but no Salsa etc. To add money, you do this by using Western Union and a credit card by phone or you can send a USPO money order or Business or Govt Check. The negotiable instruments (PAPER!) need to be sent to Federal Bureau of Prisons , 53504-054, Lynne Stewart, PO Box 474701, Des Moines Iowa 50947-001 (Payable to Lynne Stewart, 53504-054) They hold the mo or checks for 15 days. Western Union costs $10 but is within 2 hours. If you mail, your return address must be on the envelope. Unnecessarily complicated ? Of course, it’s the BOP !)

5. Food is vastly improved. Just had Sunday Brunch real scrambled eggs, PORK sausage, Baked or home fried potatoes, Butter(sweet whipped M’God !!) Grapefruit juice Toast , orange. I will probably regain the weight I lost at MCC! Weighing against that is the fact that to eat we need to walk to another building (about at far as from my house to the F Train) Also included is 3 flights of stairs up and down. May try to get an elevator pass and try NOT to use it.

6. In a room with 4 bunks(small) about two tiers of rooms with same with “atrium” in middle with tv sets and tables and chairs. Estimate about 500 on Unit 2N and there are 4 units. Population Black, Mexicano and other spanish speaking (all of whom iron their underwear, Marta), White, Native Americans (few), no orientals or foreign speaking caucasians–lots are doing long bits, victims of drugs (meth etc) and boyfriends. We wear army style (khaki) pants with pockets tee shirts and dress shirts long sleeved and short sleeved. When one of the women heard that I hadn’t ironed in 40 years, they offered to do the shirts for me. (This is typical of the help I get–escorted to meals and every other protection, explanations, supplies, etc. Mostly from white women.) One drawback is not having a bathroom in the room—have to go about 75 yards at all hours of the day and night –clean though.

7 Final Note–the sunsets and sunrises are gorgeous, the place is very open and outdoors there are pecan trees and birds galore (I need books for trees and birds (west) The full moon last night gladdened my heart as I realized it was shining on all of you I hold dear.

Love Struggle

Lynne

According to the BOP Locator as of 12:45p today (NY time), Lynne was at Carswell Federal Medical Center. According to Mapquest, it’s about 45 miles from Fort Worth.  Information about the facility – from the BOP website – is at http://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/crw/index.jsp.

PLEASE SEND CARDS!

MAIL ADDRESS:

LYNNE STEWART
53504-054
FMC CARSWELL
FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER
P.O. BOX 27137
FORT WORTH, TX  76127

More information soon.

Ralph Poynter is interviewed
by Taking Aim’s Mya Shone and Ralph Schoenman.

“The other shoe has fallen: Lynne has been designated.”

Good to Bridge the Distances once again.  With cyberspace, we are all closer now than ever before.  As the evil empire continues to reveal itself in ever more horrifying ways, we are all called upon to resist and make a record.  I can write letters, read the Times and moan, groan and gnash my teeth on the phone to Ralph but you guys are the “boots on the ground” for righteousness. I love you all.

I’m now closing in on a Year in Prison (or is it closing in on me?) Seems impossible but I certainly had ups and downs.  The ups were the demonstrations of support and love at the time of my surrender and the rallys at Court at the time of the re-sentence and the Prison for my birthday !! To hear the clamor of the cowbells, and the beat of many drums… To Look out the window and see you all out there with signs, chanting–it uplifts and it comforts me. Also, everyday at mail call, except when they hold up my mail when I feel like a star and am the envy of everyone here!  While I do feel that I am operating in a parallel universe–most prisoners do, I am linked to reality by Ralph, my family, the Radio (WBAI), lawyer visits for the case, and also those lawyers who come in to discuss other important issues. I am removed but I am in touch.  I also want to particularly thank the many of you who contributed to the Lynne Stewart Organization or directly to my commissary–the Revolutionary Feminists and the Partisan Defense Committee, who send money each month.  You cannot survive in here without help.  Also I want to thank the many of you who have sent me books.  If I have a “jones” (old school talk) it is reading and I have had choices of my own and your own, which permit me to “escape” from the boredom and absurdity  in here. Also, Folks who keep my name aloud and alive out there– the worst thing would be to be forgotten.  I especially want to thank the International Action Center, Law and Disorder with Heidi Begosian, Michael Rattner and Michael Smith –Mondays 9 am on WBAI, Taking Aim with Ralph Schoenman and Mya Schon and their special guest Ralph Poynter (!) on Tuesdays at 5pm on WBAI,  Where we Live with Sally O’ Brien and Dequi Kioni Sadiki , Thursday at 8pm Wbai, On the Count with Eddie Ellis, Saturday at 11 am Wbai and Radio Free Erin with John, Sandy and sometimes Randy Credico at 1 pm on Saturdays, Wbai. There are others broadcasting on the Internet–Steve Lendeman, Rev  Pinkney. and Larry Pinckney. Of course I want to mention, the National Lawyers Guild, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Revolution Book Store, St Marks Church, and many others who have supported and advised me since Koeltl dropped the Judicial hammer on me.

Personally, I am in good shape.  No health problems except the ravages of aging.  I try to walk every day, expecially when we go to the roof for an hour.  You can’t know how good air can smell and taste until you’re deprived. (You notice I didn’t say “fresh” air!!) The food in here is not only of poor quality but is so monotonous.   We also have had very sporadic hot water –no showers. Miserable and we’re very crowded.  I now have 3 roommates–tough but??  It’s Jail. I should be getting moved to a Federal Prison some time in the future.  The judge has told the BOP to keep me in NY at the MCC while my appeal is pending.  They do not have to do it but apparantly have no objection.  Many of you have written to urge BOP to make  Danbury, Conn. be my next stop.  It seems counter intuitive that a prison will be an improvement but it is a truism of “jailing”–better food, more outdoors and exercise, more to do.  Most important for this native New Yorker, it is a short trip for a visit and the visits are extended.  So important for my family, especially my big guy, Ralph, and me.

We are working on the appeal of the sentence to the Second Circuit and then we will probably try to get to the Supreme Court on the whole case.  We are not wearing rose colored glasses and the political climate and the very conservative nature of both Courts does not bode well.  But we are fighters.  It’s very important it seems to me that we make deep footprints in this dreadful time — that others may know and prevent. It’s a progression. I also am an incurable optimist especially in things political and believe with my whole heart “The People Yes”.  These are days of a terrible cynicism even among those who are dedicated and enlightened.  We can’t allow ouselves the luxury of giving up–being armchair commentators rather than the warriors at the barricades!

So I continue to write–letters and tributes and letters for events.  I wish it could be more.  I am encouraged by the response and hope that my example at this difficult time will continue to force the issues and heighten the contradictions!!

Love, Struggle

Lynne

Lynne Stewart Given “Fighter for Justice” Award – by Stephen Lendman

Six previous articles highlighted the injustice, culminating in her November 19, 2009 internment at MCC-NY, 150 Park Row, New York, NY, prisoner number 53504-054. Later she’ll be transfered to a federal prison to serve 10 years (unless reversed on appeal) for working honorably, ethically, and admirably with distinction for over three decades.

Access the most recent article on her and previous ones through the following link:

http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2010/07/darkness-in-america-lynne-stewarts.html

Though incarcerated, she’s not forgotten and will honored at the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s (PSL) November 13 and 14 National Conference on Socialism at the University of Southern California’s (UCLA) Los Angeles campus. The program will feature alternatives to capitalism’s destructive growth, especially in recent years.

Speakers and panel discussions will address US imperialism, class struggle in Africa, building a new workers movement, defending immigrant workers, confronting racism and bigotry, fighting the expanding police state, why socialism is necessary, the role of a revolutionary party for change, how to fight bankers and billionaires, and more.

In an October 15 letter to Lynne, PSL’s Ian Thompson notified her of the award, saying:

“In our Nov. 13 evening panel, we are giving our first-ever PSL ‘Fighters for Justice’ awards to several people. We would like to honor you as an award recipient. Other(s include) political prisoners Mumia Abu-Jamal, Leonard Peltier and the Cuban Five, all unjustly incarcerated. Presenters will include former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark. (He’ll) present your award” because of his longtime close association with you. Read the rest of this entry »