The Malcolm X Commemoration Committee (MXCC) wholeheartedly supports the release of Black Panther political prisoner Herman Bell!

            MXCC put their concerns in writing to Governor Cuomo as is their regular practice supporting Parole bids for political prisoners.

            This recommendation was written with an alarm. Bell, who turned 70 in January, was given a release date of April 17^th after 45 years in prison and seven previous bids for Parole. However, the NY Patrol Benevolent Association (PBA) took to the media and began a vicious smear campaign about Bell and his case seeking to inflame public opinion against him and to get the Governor’s office to derail the release. Mayor Bill DiBlasio immediately came out against the release without any examination of the case. CBS News put out a week long poll on whether Bell should be released or not, and it came back overwhelmingly favorable for Bell. The NY Times even did an editorial in favor of Bell’s release.

            MXCC is encouraging concerned New Yorkers to write, call and tweet the Governor insisting that Bell be released.

            Other political prisoners have been cleared for release only to face similar trials. The most incredible case is of Veronza Bowers. Bowers was cleared for release back in 2004, was given three different release dates between then and 2005, but opposing forces got to the US Parole Commission to rescind his release each time. After 45 years, like Herman Bell, Bowers is still in prison!

            Sundiata Acoli, now 81, was recommended for Parole three years ago by a judge, but the NJ Parole Board appealed and his bid for release was blocked. When he last went before the Parole Board, he was given a 15 year hit! He will be 95 in 15 years. It was his second 15 year hit it must be said.

            “We will not rest until Herman is physically and literally free,” said Zayid Muhammad, MXCC’s press officer…

THE MALCOLM X COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE

PO BOX 380-122, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11238

718-512-5008  mxcc519@verizon.net

“We have a common oppressor …Once we all realize that we have a common enemy, then we unite,

on the basis of what we have in common…"  Malcolm X—Message to the Grass Roots

March 23, 2017