On tonight's program we will share updates on Russell Maroon Shoatz who is a community activist, founding member of the Black Unity Council, former member of the Black Panther Party, soldier in the Black Liberation Army, and current political prisoner sentenced to life in prison for killing a police officer by a implicitly biased jury not of his peers. He is 72 years old and had been held in solitary confinement for over 22 years. He is a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and recovering radiation treatment of prostate cancer.

Considering that many of the current political prisoners who struggled against the same systemic racist polices including police terrorism and that current activists face a similar fate for their activities today, it is essential that the current movement make freeing political prisoners part of any policy demands.

 Political Prisoner Birthdays:

 

Monday, Aug 31, 2015

Ronald Reed #2195311

Minnesota Correctional Facility-Oak Park Heights

5329 Osgood Avenue North

Stillwater, Minnesota 55082-1117

Saturday, Sep 5, 2015

Brian Vaillancourt M42889

Robinson Correctional Center

13423 East 1150th Avenue

Robinson, Illinois 62454