More Letters for Lynne! Lynne Stewart: I’m writing in regards to your case I just read about your case in the PLN. I’m a young white incarcerated male. I’m a identity Christian and don’t agree with the Muslims or Islamics religion but I would like to send my support. If you don’t protect them who would? I believe in justice and in my short time on this earth I believe it’s a conspiracy – out to get you. You must be a “key” to something that’s important to the government. We need more people like you in the system. I going to go and would like to wrap this up with a wish you the best on your case and with your life. Its them against us and your in my prayers. Your friend, WF March 13, 2003 Dear Lynne, Hello! How are you – and I hope this finds things going well for you. I’m doing alright and learned thru the grapevine that A shipped out to ADX a day or two ago. It seems to be reliable. Everything else is everything. I’ve see bits and pieces where you’ve appeared at various events across country speaking, fundraising and raising peoples consciousness about your case, others similarly situated or already imprisoned, and the general contradictions in this racist-fascist government/society as it lurches toward war in Iraq and worldwide. Keep up the great work and stay strong. My best to all there. Love you Much, Struggle S Spring, 2003 Dearest Lynne Stewart, On behalf of the National Lawyers Guild we greatly appreciate your speaking with our panel on civil liberties and the first Amendment. We’d like to wish you the best of luck. and support with your upcoming trial. Sincerley, P and the NLG of AU Summer, 2003 Dear Lynne, I hope this finds you and your family well and like the Birda “fighting mad”. You re a hero and like your name – a stewart of our democracy. I found this in Ireland earlier this month and felt I needed to get it for you. I know you will put up the best of fights they just want you tied up and out of commission, so you can’t remind them that democracy means they can’t do what they are trying to do during the post 9-11 period. I have always held you up to J and S as a role model, and I’m proud to say they follow in your foot steps – J, 27, just graduated from ….law school. He was sworn to the bar between his 1st and 2nd years to represent the indigent, and continued to so during his tenure in law school. He will begin practice as a defense attorney in …after the Bar in August. S – 25 – completes her 4th year at …medical school and plans to be in the ER in a city hospital. She had brain surgery in October of her 2nd year – and was able by January to catch up to her class. I have left public education and presently am pursuing an advanced degree in biomedical ethics and share my life with a pretty neat guy. Give them hell Lynne you’re part of American history – wow – what would your folks say to that! Peace and Love, S Summer, 2003 Dear Lynne, It was with great surprise and incredibleness that I read about you on the front page of the “Washington Post” last week. I was almost late for school as I entered muttering “It can’t be happening to Lynne.” Upon my return home I discovered the second article recounting how successful you have been in your career. You certainly were self-effacing at our 40th reunion. We definitely need people like you to make our judicial system work. I tried to e-mail you but there are several Lynne Stewart’s in the U.S. as I discovered when I looked you up. Hence this note. Needless to say you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am sure you are extremely busy right now but if you have a chance send me an e-mail. I’m enclosing the Post’s articles. Needless to say the editorial is not my thinking. I wish you all the best. Love, J Autumn, 2003 Dear Lynne: In my senile misremembering stage I’m not sure I wrote you to say how angry and/or upset I am about the trouble you’re having. Any institution with a grain of sense and/or perspective would respect your ability and integrity. Can you suggest an authority that I should write to give your cause a boost? Loving admiration, Betty Autumn, 2003 Lynne – Here is a letter I wanted to share “she’s really a fighter – like you. Marty: Hello M: It’s been a number of years since we saw each other, but when I saw you quoted in the Times this morning, I thought I could contact Lynn (sic) Stewart (who I don’t know) or those working with her through you. I want to work on Lynn’s case because as you know I have always had this affinity for women defendants and women lawyers. As a female defendant and lawyer and radical, she is up against more than the usual amount of garbage faced by defendants. I would help in any way necessary, including trying the case. It’s true I’m in California, but I will help in any way possible. Please let me know who I should get in touch with to make this offer. Thank you and nice to be in touch with you again. SBJ September 19, 2003 Dear Lynne and Committee, It was the Detroit/Michigan NLG Chapter’s most extreme pleasure to host three fundraising events for Lynne’s Defense Committee while she was in Detroit for the University of Detroit Mercy Law School’s 2nd Annual Liberty Keeper’s conference. I am confident that everyone who attended a/ fundraiser or the conference gained a deeper appreciation for Lynne’s cause and was inspired by her commitment and the personal sacrifices she and Ralph have made to keep her case in the public eye. We were, of course, dismayed to learn of the most recent court decision which was announced the day after she left. Nonetheless, her talks here left us all feeling more empowered to stand up for the rights of politically unpopular defendants and to oppose the continued attempts of community neighbors and our fellow citizens of the world. I am especially gratified that so many law students had the opportunity to hear Lynne speak at the Liberty Keeper’s conference. As residents of one of the few African-American majority communities in the U.S., we particularly wish to thank and acknowledge Ralph’s input to the dialogue about the Bush Administration’s expansion of the “second-class” status, to which African Americans have long been subjected, to Middle Eastern immigrants and ultimately (under Patriot Act II – VICTORY Act) to U.S. citizens and in particular anyone alleged to be involved in the illicit drug trade. Detroit Chapter, National Lawyers Guild December, 2003 My name’s TG. Please be so kind as to send me a copy of the January 24, 2003 Status Report for my perusal, s I am a supporter of her very urgent cause, a long time admirer. Also if not a burden to you, any other related info that you may have available. All solidarity and unconditional active support to the extremely urgent cause of Lynne’s total acquittal and freedom and vindication – which even a most minimal standard of Justice requires be accorded immediately and without ambiguity or any continuation of the smokescreen of innuendo & foot dragging etc. Let’s drink to the return of the Bill of Rights and the inalienable right of free speech and freedom from persecution and harassment…Onward to Victory TG 1/19/2004 Dear Lynne, It was a pleasure meeting you and your husband at the AACJ annual meeting. Thank you for your invigorating talk. XOXO – DF January 26, 2004 Dear Lynne: Enclosed is my contribution to your legal defense fund which I send with sincere apologies for the lateness of my response to your situation. I cannot even begin to explain it. You probably don’t remember me but I worked for Legal Aid’s Brooklyn Criminal Defense Division office for over twenty years, and we met when you tried an assault case in the Supreme Court there some years ago. You represented a young fellow who was viciously assaulted by a gang of off-duty cops who then had him arrested for assaulting them. You were then, are now and ever will be an inspiration to me. I am sure that you have been told this many times but I will add my voice to the chorus of lawyers who say that you makes us all proud to be criminal defense attorneys. Your courage in the face of the threat that you confront from the likes of that pig Ashcroft gives those of us less courageous the ability to stand our ground against the Right in these critical times. Thank you for that from the bottom of my heart. Yours in struggle, RM January, 2004 Dear Lynne, Here is my contribution to your defense committee. Keep Fighting! You represent the finest aspects of our profession! Thank you! Attorney DA January, 2004 Dear Lynne Stewart Defense Committee, Please add me to your mailing list. I heard about your case and although my contribution is small my support is large. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you in Sonoma County, California. I will let our local Peace and Justice Chapter know you are available to speak at community events. Thank you. BAS January 30, 2004 Dear Friends at the Lynne Stewart Defense Committee, The Freedom Socialist Party is outraged at the governmental persecution of Lynne Stewart, and grateful for her determination to fight back. In addition to fighting for her own rights and those of her clients, she is defending everyone’s constitutional protections. Ashcroft, Bush and company cannot be allowed to punish principled, courageous lawyers, or any of us, for exercising our rights. We are glad to donate $50 to her case. Henry Noble, Freedom Socialist Party. February 1, 2004 Dear Lynne Stewart, Thanks to Jan. issue of Socialist Activist I learned of Nov. 22 new charges by Justice Dept. even though I read many alternative press publications…this is one of most suppressed stories. Please know I will call attention to this unjust endeavor. Thank you for your courage. Peace, JC February, 2004 A prisoner writes: I would like to inquire about he status of the Lynne Stewart case. Has Ms. Stewart been released yet? Thank you, JS |