Free the Virgin Island 3
Donation protected
My name is Kwasi Seitu, a veteran of the global Black struggle for justice, equality, and freedom. For the past year I have been assisting the "Virgin Islands 3," to end their political imprisonment that has gone on for over 43-years. The three are (as pictured) Haneef Bey (Beaumont Gereau), Abdul Azziz (Warren Battentine), and Malik Bey (Meral Smith). At the time these men were seized and imprisoned not one of them was over the age of 23.
Last winter the three contacted me and asked if I would assist them and this past October, I made a visit to St. Croix in order to get in close proximity and gain a more detailed understanding of their situation.
Initially, the issue appeared that they were being denied the right to apply for parole, but then as a result of that closer look, I discovered that these men do not even have a sentence. Their sentences were quietly retired by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons back in 2000-01, meaning they should have been released at that time.
I prepared for each of them petitions for the writ of habeas corpus raising the fact that they have been illegally detained by the U.S. through the various colonial governors for the past 15-years. After they each filed their petitions and on the day by law when the court should have been ordering their release, the three were instead rounded up and put into maximum-security isolation, where they remain.
On my visit I stayed with the people, I met with them, and found that a lot of them want the three released. However, because of the way the U.S. quickly convicted and imprisoned, most people do not understand what took place and what is taking place with them. As the lead strategic consultant, I need to return to the VI as quickly as possible and for a more extended stay in order to help solidify the outside support and force the government to abandon its illegal actions.
A good part of the funds raised will go to cover transportation costs, not there and back, but to travel between the three main islands (from St. Thomas to St. Croix is $80 one way). While just as much or more will be spent on printing and distributing organizing material, as well as securing meeting spaces. Again, this matter is urgent.
Please visit www.virginislands3.yolasite.com to learn more on their case, and www.itj-pdn.org to learn more about ITJ's other initiatives. And please remember that "The limits of tyrants are prescirbed by those who they oppress" Frederick Douglass
Thank you.
Last winter the three contacted me and asked if I would assist them and this past October, I made a visit to St. Croix in order to get in close proximity and gain a more detailed understanding of their situation.
Initially, the issue appeared that they were being denied the right to apply for parole, but then as a result of that closer look, I discovered that these men do not even have a sentence. Their sentences were quietly retired by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons back in 2000-01, meaning they should have been released at that time.
I prepared for each of them petitions for the writ of habeas corpus raising the fact that they have been illegally detained by the U.S. through the various colonial governors for the past 15-years. After they each filed their petitions and on the day by law when the court should have been ordering their release, the three were instead rounded up and put into maximum-security isolation, where they remain.
On my visit I stayed with the people, I met with them, and found that a lot of them want the three released. However, because of the way the U.S. quickly convicted and imprisoned, most people do not understand what took place and what is taking place with them. As the lead strategic consultant, I need to return to the VI as quickly as possible and for a more extended stay in order to help solidify the outside support and force the government to abandon its illegal actions.
A good part of the funds raised will go to cover transportation costs, not there and back, but to travel between the three main islands (from St. Thomas to St. Croix is $80 one way). While just as much or more will be spent on printing and distributing organizing material, as well as securing meeting spaces. Again, this matter is urgent.
Please visit www.virginislands3.yolasite.com to learn more on their case, and www.itj-pdn.org to learn more about ITJ's other initiatives. And please remember that "The limits of tyrants are prescirbed by those who they oppress" Frederick Douglass
Thank you.
Organizer
Kwasi Seitu
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC
