redstar2000
23rd October 2003, 12:56
Political Prisoner, John Two Names, needs your help!
For over 7 years, John has been held captive by the State, not for any crime, but for his activism
and involvement in "confrontational politics." John, an Echota Cherokee, is involved with Indigenous Rights Campaigns, Anti Racist Actions and Prison Struggles.
In 1996, Two-Names was captured by the A.T.F., F.B.I., and the Cullman County Sheriff's Department in Cullman, Alabama, a county notorious for lynch mobs, crooked politicians, and the Ku Klux Klan. He was charged with two counts of Arson 2nd Degree, four counts of burglary, 3rd degree, and one count of unlawful breaking and entering a motor vehicle. These charges stem
from what authorities called a "crime-spree" that left two schools burned, and several businesses ravished. Two-Names was considered a suspect because he was labeled as a "militant, terrorist/extremist."
After ten months of being held without bond, he was taken to trial. In this time, the District Attorney tried unsuccessfully to link Two-Names for the crimes. The finger prints didn't match; no recovered merchandise was found, and there were no witnesses to put him at the scene-just two-blocks from his home. So, just 3 days before trial, a "lost" transcript of a witness conversation appeared which said that John confessed to the crimes while in jail. A jail house snitch, charged with rape said that he was offered $20,000 to implicate someone else. John supposedly was going to pay him. A continuance was filed to investigate these matters, but denied.
During the 9-day trial, acts of jury tampering occurred when the Chief Investigator tried to get a juror to vote guilty in exchange for a job at
the courthouse, evidence tampering occurred, and was proven, and cross-examination was not allowed by the defense. This is on top of numerous other violations including being charged with two-burglaries for one building, and ineffective counsel.
Media campaigns launched by the Feds spread rumors to discredit John by alerting the public to "possible bombs being placed throughout the county." Several evacuations of businesses were conducted.
At the end of the trial, with no evidence what so ever, John was found guilty. He was sentenced to two 20 year terms and five 10 year terms to run
consecutively for a total of 90 years. He was also ordered to pay over 5 million dollars in restitution and fines. This is the harshest penalty on record in the State of Alabama for a classified "non-violent, first time offender."
During his incarceration, Two-Names has remained active in the fight for social justice. He is co-founder with Political Prisoner Sekou Kambui of the
prisoner led initiative,"The Social Consciousness Development Group." He helped his family start the Brothers in Tears Warrior Society of Turtle Island, an Indigenous Prisoner's Rights Group. He is Honorable War Headman for National Native American Traditional Worship, inc./Eagle Clan Indian Association, and spokesperson for Native
American Prisoners of Alabama (n.a.p.d.a).
Because of his activism behind the walls, John has had his mail withheld, rejected, and tampered with. He has been subjected to numerous shakedowns in which his law work and political materials were confiscated and "lost." His wife and grandmother were sexually harassed by guards, and his 5-year old son subjected to strip searches.
His family's fight to win his freedom has caused a backlash against them as well. His mother was the victim of a brutal gang-rape, his grandmother's
home was torched, his loved ones have moved several times due to law enforcement harassment, and his younger siblings were kicked out of school for being a "risk to the other children."
Two-Names has documents released through the Freedom of Information Act that clear his name. The Assistant Attorney General admits that there was evidence tampering at trial, and the courts "marvel at a conviction upon such flimsy proof," yet he remains behind bars.
Please show your solidarity with John Two-Names. This brother is in need of your help to win his freedom. As of now, he is trying to force the
release of his trial transcripts, and petition for a sentence reduction, as well as fight his case. There is little time left, as the clock runs down on
the time he can meet his filing deadlines. Any donations are welcomed, and actions of solidarity, fundraisers and letter campaigns are encouraged
John Two Names Needs Your HELP Now! - Support Letters Needed
In September 2003 budget cuts in Alabama gutted many of the social services in Alabama, while the Department of Corrections (DOC) received an additional $16 million. This money came on the condition that they reduce the prison population. Now the DOC has said they will release upwards of 6,000 non-violent offenders in the next few months. They are conducting about 200 hearings a week. John Two Names (see below for more information) has a parole hearing set for November 13, 2003. After that, his next scheduled
hearing would be on August 1, 2006. He feels now may be the best chance for his release. He has requested letters, calls, emails, and faxes of support to be sent to the parole board in favor of his release. Please write whatever you can, below is a sample letter that you can use to help
write your letter.
Send letters to: State of Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, Lurleen B.
Wallace Building, 500 Monroe St. PO Box 302405, Montgomery, AL 36130-2405.
Phone: (334)242-8700, Fax: (334)242-1809, Emails:[email protected]
[email protected]
State of Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole
Lurleen B. Wallace Building
500 Monroe St. P.O. Box 302405
Montgomery, AL 36130-2405
October 10, 2003
Your Name
Address
To the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles:
I am writing regarding the early parole hearing of Andy John Riendeau, #193786. I recently learned about his case.
Andy has been in prison for seven years, although he has never received a fair and complete trial. Andy has documents released through the Freedom of Information Act that clear his
name, but they have never been heard in court. With the current over-population in Alabamašs prisons, Andy, who is classified as a "non-violent first-time offender," should be granted early parole.
Andy has demonstrated his readiness for parole, with completion of all rehabilitation requirements and training in several trades. He has worked
tirelessly for justice and the rights of Native American Prisoners. While in prison, he has worked hard educating and enriching the lives of himself and those around him. He has both job offers and a strong support network of friends, his wife and family awaiting him outside of prison. Currently, Andy is working as a legal clerk, helping other inmates with their legal work.
He is a writer and his articles and essays have been published in several magazines.
Andy does not pose a threat to any community and his continued incarceration is unnecessary. He has already served 7 years and his current
parole date is set for August 1, 2006. Please accept my recommendation for the early parole of Andy Riendeau. Andy would benefit whichever community he chooses to grace upon his release and society as a whole.
Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Your Name
To find out how you can help, contact the following:
J. 2. N. Freedom Collective
P. 0. Box 310955
Birmingham, Alabama 35235
Anita C. Riendeau
205-791-9740
(All Cash, Checks, or Money Orders should be made out to Anita C. Riendeau.)
Or write to John directly at:
Andy "J.2.N." Riendeau
#193786 Dorm C-2-168
Elmore Corr. Fac.
PO Box 8
Elmore, Al 36025
---------------------------------------------
Just a note here. As Amnesty International has learned, it's the letters with foreign postmarks that really make a difference in these kinds of political cases.
:redstar2000:
For over 7 years, John has been held captive by the State, not for any crime, but for his activism
and involvement in "confrontational politics." John, an Echota Cherokee, is involved with Indigenous Rights Campaigns, Anti Racist Actions and Prison Struggles.
In 1996, Two-Names was captured by the A.T.F., F.B.I., and the Cullman County Sheriff's Department in Cullman, Alabama, a county notorious for lynch mobs, crooked politicians, and the Ku Klux Klan. He was charged with two counts of Arson 2nd Degree, four counts of burglary, 3rd degree, and one count of unlawful breaking and entering a motor vehicle. These charges stem
from what authorities called a "crime-spree" that left two schools burned, and several businesses ravished. Two-Names was considered a suspect because he was labeled as a "militant, terrorist/extremist."
After ten months of being held without bond, he was taken to trial. In this time, the District Attorney tried unsuccessfully to link Two-Names for the crimes. The finger prints didn't match; no recovered merchandise was found, and there were no witnesses to put him at the scene-just two-blocks from his home. So, just 3 days before trial, a "lost" transcript of a witness conversation appeared which said that John confessed to the crimes while in jail. A jail house snitch, charged with rape said that he was offered $20,000 to implicate someone else. John supposedly was going to pay him. A continuance was filed to investigate these matters, but denied.
During the 9-day trial, acts of jury tampering occurred when the Chief Investigator tried to get a juror to vote guilty in exchange for a job at
the courthouse, evidence tampering occurred, and was proven, and cross-examination was not allowed by the defense. This is on top of numerous other violations including being charged with two-burglaries for one building, and ineffective counsel.
Media campaigns launched by the Feds spread rumors to discredit John by alerting the public to "possible bombs being placed throughout the county." Several evacuations of businesses were conducted.
At the end of the trial, with no evidence what so ever, John was found guilty. He was sentenced to two 20 year terms and five 10 year terms to run
consecutively for a total of 90 years. He was also ordered to pay over 5 million dollars in restitution and fines. This is the harshest penalty on record in the State of Alabama for a classified "non-violent, first time offender."
During his incarceration, Two-Names has remained active in the fight for social justice. He is co-founder with Political Prisoner Sekou Kambui of the
prisoner led initiative,"The Social Consciousness Development Group." He helped his family start the Brothers in Tears Warrior Society of Turtle Island, an Indigenous Prisoner's Rights Group. He is Honorable War Headman for National Native American Traditional Worship, inc./Eagle Clan Indian Association, and spokesperson for Native
American Prisoners of Alabama (n.a.p.d.a).
Because of his activism behind the walls, John has had his mail withheld, rejected, and tampered with. He has been subjected to numerous shakedowns in which his law work and political materials were confiscated and "lost." His wife and grandmother were sexually harassed by guards, and his 5-year old son subjected to strip searches.
His family's fight to win his freedom has caused a backlash against them as well. His mother was the victim of a brutal gang-rape, his grandmother's
home was torched, his loved ones have moved several times due to law enforcement harassment, and his younger siblings were kicked out of school for being a "risk to the other children."
Two-Names has documents released through the Freedom of Information Act that clear his name. The Assistant Attorney General admits that there was evidence tampering at trial, and the courts "marvel at a conviction upon such flimsy proof," yet he remains behind bars.
Please show your solidarity with John Two-Names. This brother is in need of your help to win his freedom. As of now, he is trying to force the
release of his trial transcripts, and petition for a sentence reduction, as well as fight his case. There is little time left, as the clock runs down on
the time he can meet his filing deadlines. Any donations are welcomed, and actions of solidarity, fundraisers and letter campaigns are encouraged
John Two Names Needs Your HELP Now! - Support Letters Needed
In September 2003 budget cuts in Alabama gutted many of the social services in Alabama, while the Department of Corrections (DOC) received an additional $16 million. This money came on the condition that they reduce the prison population. Now the DOC has said they will release upwards of 6,000 non-violent offenders in the next few months. They are conducting about 200 hearings a week. John Two Names (see below for more information) has a parole hearing set for November 13, 2003. After that, his next scheduled
hearing would be on August 1, 2006. He feels now may be the best chance for his release. He has requested letters, calls, emails, and faxes of support to be sent to the parole board in favor of his release. Please write whatever you can, below is a sample letter that you can use to help
write your letter.
Send letters to: State of Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, Lurleen B.
Wallace Building, 500 Monroe St. PO Box 302405, Montgomery, AL 36130-2405.
Phone: (334)242-8700, Fax: (334)242-1809, Emails:[email protected]
[email protected]
State of Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole
Lurleen B. Wallace Building
500 Monroe St. P.O. Box 302405
Montgomery, AL 36130-2405
October 10, 2003
Your Name
Address
To the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles:
I am writing regarding the early parole hearing of Andy John Riendeau, #193786. I recently learned about his case.
Andy has been in prison for seven years, although he has never received a fair and complete trial. Andy has documents released through the Freedom of Information Act that clear his
name, but they have never been heard in court. With the current over-population in Alabamašs prisons, Andy, who is classified as a "non-violent first-time offender," should be granted early parole.
Andy has demonstrated his readiness for parole, with completion of all rehabilitation requirements and training in several trades. He has worked
tirelessly for justice and the rights of Native American Prisoners. While in prison, he has worked hard educating and enriching the lives of himself and those around him. He has both job offers and a strong support network of friends, his wife and family awaiting him outside of prison. Currently, Andy is working as a legal clerk, helping other inmates with their legal work.
He is a writer and his articles and essays have been published in several magazines.
Andy does not pose a threat to any community and his continued incarceration is unnecessary. He has already served 7 years and his current
parole date is set for August 1, 2006. Please accept my recommendation for the early parole of Andy Riendeau. Andy would benefit whichever community he chooses to grace upon his release and society as a whole.
Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Your Name
To find out how you can help, contact the following:
J. 2. N. Freedom Collective
P. 0. Box 310955
Birmingham, Alabama 35235
Anita C. Riendeau
205-791-9740
(All Cash, Checks, or Money Orders should be made out to Anita C. Riendeau.)
Or write to John directly at:
Andy "J.2.N." Riendeau
#193786 Dorm C-2-168
Elmore Corr. Fac.
PO Box 8
Elmore, Al 36025
---------------------------------------------
Just a note here. As Amnesty International has learned, it's the letters with foreign postmarks that really make a difference in these kinds of political cases.
:redstar2000: