Lynne Stewart, the lawyer who made herself an enemy of the U.S. government by defending unpopular clients, was imprisoned in the wake of 9/11 for violating a minor provision in defending "The Blind Sheikh" Omar Abdel Rahman. Now, as Stewart has contracted Stage 4 cancer, supporters have mounted a campaign for her compassionate release.
Despite being recommended for release by the warden of the prison where she was detained, her request was ultimately denied by Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Charles Samuels. Now, in yet another setback for the campaign, its appeal of Director Samuels' decision has been rejected.
In spite of these setbacks, campaign supporters and Lynne Stewart herself remain optimistic. Below is reprinted a letter from Lynne Stewart along with a letter from Heinz Leitner, a supporter in Vienna.
You can learn more about the campaign and get involved by visiting LynneStewart.org
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8/9/13
Friends, Supporters, Comrades:
Well, we are once again being educated in the meaning of “protracted struggle”, not that anyone wanted or needed this. It was clear yesterday in Court in NYC that Judge Koeltl was not going to act solely within the “spirit ” of the law but would instead rely upon the Bureau of Prisons to make a “legal” motion on my behalf. Although the lawyers valiently argued that justice does not allow for a “right” without a “remedy”, in my case, the right to die at home and the fact that there is no appeal (remedy) from the Bureau’s decision.
There are new and compelling facts now before the BOP–the prognosis now of 18 months and the fact that the PET scan revealed that the most serious cancer (of the lungs) is getting worse. The Judge yesterday, asked the Government to concede (as their papers did by not contesting any facts) that I qualified in every respect for the release. They, of course, remained silent. For that reason I am asking once again that all of you send a “shout” out to the BOP, AG Holder and Pres. Obama and express any outrage you might feel that the days and months are ticking by and I remain in Texas. The DC Prison Bureaucracy clearly would just as soon see me die here.
So, not to be discouraged or disinheartened by this latest legal impediment–the walls of Jericho DID come tumbling down, eventually !!
Love Struggle,
Lynne
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Re: Lynne Stewart, #53504-054, Compassionate Release
Dear Ambassador William C. Eacho,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have just learned that Judge Koetlt has rejected Lynne Stewart’s appeal for compassionate release.
Lynne’s Forth Worth doctors, following her recent PET Scan, changed her prognosis from 24 months to 18 months of life. This was based on the fact that the size of the malignant tumors in her lungs had increased. Lynne Stewart has Stage 4 breast cancer.
I am urging the authorities of the United States not to sacrifice the rest of human rights lawyer Lynne Stewart’s life on the altar of politics. Grant Compassionate Release to Lynne Stewart immediately!
I join with thousands upon thousands in the United States and abroad to cry out against the bureaucratic murder of Lynne Stewart.
I join with them to demand Lynne Stewart’s immediate release to receive urgent medical care in a supportive environment with her loved ones, and call upon the Bureau of Prisons to act immediately. Stop this cruelty and inhumanity!
I am urging President Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder, and Charles E. Samuels, Jr., Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons to exercise the power vested in their office to grant Compassionate Release to Lynne Stewart.
Sincerely,
Heinz Leitner
Vienna
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