Political Prisoner Radio - Free Russell Maroon Shoats

Sis. Theresa Shoatz is a long-time prison activist, organizer, and daughter of Russell "Maroon" Shoatz, a dedicated community activist, founding member of the Black Unity Council, former member of the Black Panther Party, soldier in the Black Liberation Army, and US-held prisoner of war. Now 68 years of age, "Maroon" has been held at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) Greene in southwestern Pennsylvania for nearly 40 years, 30 of those in solitary confinement. During this time he has earned a reputation amongst prison staff and prisoners as a leader because of his consistent support for human rights inside and outside the walls. Prison officials claim that Shoats is a security threat due to past escapes and attempts, though new evidence has surfaced that his continued solitary confinement is based on secret and fraudulent evidence of a non-existent plan to takeover a prison in the 1980s. Prison officials also identified Maroon's political associations as a basis for continuing to torture him via solitary confinement. He has been unable to hold his children or grandchildren or interact with others in a humane setting during this time, despite not having violated prison rules in two decades. He has suffered severe psychological anguish and his physical health has been worsened by the stress of prolonged isolation.

 Supporters of Russell Maroon Shoatz have launched a campaign to have him released from the torturous solitary confinement that he has been held in for more than twenty years. A letter-writing and petition campaign has been launched and supported by the nation's leading human rights legal organizations, the Center for Constitutional Rights and the National Lawyers Guild, along with the Human Rights Coalition, a prison abolitionist organization co-founded by Maroon.

An evening of music, spoken word and discussion on Maroon’s life is eagerly anticipated for May 5th, 2012, 6-8pm, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 521 W 126th Street, New York, NY 10027. This event is FREE and open to the public!! Please visit the website for more information: http://russellmaroonshoats.wordpress.com/