Stevie Fields, our friend
Donation protected
Our client and friend, Stevie Lamar Fields, died in his sleep February 27, 2017, after a two-year battle with lung cancer. Stevie spent the last 38 years on California's Death Row. We were very close to Stevie; he had no contact from any remaining family members on the East Coast throughout his time in prison, so he designated us as his "next of kin" and granted us authority to recover his remains. We are raising funds to cover the cost of the cremation of Stevie's remains and to recover his ashes, as he asked us to do.
Despite having survived a terrible childhood marked by extreme trauma, poverty, and abuse, and his near lifelong incarceration history, Stevie retained his humanity throughout. He wrote beautiful poetry, studied African theology, the history of the African diaspora, and African American history, and shared political news stories with his friends on the Row. Stevie loved candy, cookies, and other junk food from the prison vending machine; had a rare and unique ability to laugh at the absurdity of his situation despite its extreme injustice, and left a deep imprint on those of us blessed with his kindness and friendship.
Stevie approached his death like he approached life; he was a survivor but understood when victory was out of reach for reasons beyond his control. He fought his cancer with grace and dignity, sharing his poetry with his doctors at Marin General, and dedicating a poem to them. When it was clear that his illness was terminal, we discussed his wishes for his remains. He wanted to be cremated and his ashes scattered with dirt Amina collected for him in South Africa and Shelley brought to him in his hospital bed. We are grateful that Amina was able to visit with him the week before he died and Shelley was able to visit the day he died. We would like to celebrate his life by taking his ashes to places he only read about and freeing him far from the four walls that confined him for so long.
We are seeking funds by March 5, 2017 due to payment regulations for his cremation. We are not a charitable organization so we do not believe the donations will be tax deductible but please consult your tax professional.
Shelley Sandusky and Amina Azhar will be in charge of cremation payment. Please contact us for additional information.
SHARING THE CIRCLE
by Stevie Fields
Earth is the circle
We should share
Because all will
perish here
We must work together
to bring about change
That the earth
share with us
I choose to share
in the circle
of touching
people forward
Despite having survived a terrible childhood marked by extreme trauma, poverty, and abuse, and his near lifelong incarceration history, Stevie retained his humanity throughout. He wrote beautiful poetry, studied African theology, the history of the African diaspora, and African American history, and shared political news stories with his friends on the Row. Stevie loved candy, cookies, and other junk food from the prison vending machine; had a rare and unique ability to laugh at the absurdity of his situation despite its extreme injustice, and left a deep imprint on those of us blessed with his kindness and friendship.
Stevie approached his death like he approached life; he was a survivor but understood when victory was out of reach for reasons beyond his control. He fought his cancer with grace and dignity, sharing his poetry with his doctors at Marin General, and dedicating a poem to them. When it was clear that his illness was terminal, we discussed his wishes for his remains. He wanted to be cremated and his ashes scattered with dirt Amina collected for him in South Africa and Shelley brought to him in his hospital bed. We are grateful that Amina was able to visit with him the week before he died and Shelley was able to visit the day he died. We would like to celebrate his life by taking his ashes to places he only read about and freeing him far from the four walls that confined him for so long.
We are seeking funds by March 5, 2017 due to payment regulations for his cremation. We are not a charitable organization so we do not believe the donations will be tax deductible but please consult your tax professional.
Shelley Sandusky and Amina Azhar will be in charge of cremation payment. Please contact us for additional information.
SHARING THE CIRCLE
by Stevie Fields
Earth is the circle
We should share
Because all will
perish here
We must work together
to bring about change
That the earth
share with us
I choose to share
in the circle
of touching
people forward
Organizer and beneficiary
Amina Azhar
Organizer
Lafayette, CA
Shelley Sandusky
Beneficiary
