“Tear Down the Walls”

Solidarity Conference with Political Prisoners in the US

The Organization of Solidarity of the Peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America (OSPAAAL) has the pleasure to invite you to attend the International Conference in Solidarity with the political prisoners in the United States, “Tear Down the Walls”that will be held in Havana, Cuba, from March 27th-29th 2002 in Palacio de las Convenciones.

This important conference would be an international meeting on winning freedom for U.S. political prisoners, sponsored by a broad coalition of U.S. based groups and activists.

Aware of the solidarity that you has always shown with just causes of this similar nature, the Executive Secretariat of OSPAAAL request the honor of your affirmative response to the present invitation before March 10th.

Following the conference call:

TEAR DOWN THE WALLS

AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WINNING FREEDOM FOR U.S. POLITICAL PRISONERS AND PPOWS.

HAVANA,CUBA

MARCH 27-29, 2002

HOSTED BY

ORGANIZATION OF SOLIDARITY OF THE PEOPLES OF AFRICA , ASIA AND LATIN AMERICA (OSPAAAL)

AN HISTORIC CONFERENCE

“Tear Down the Walls” will be an unprecedented international convocation on behalf of approximately 100 political prisoners and prisoners of war (PPOWS) who are currently behind bars in the United States. Participants from around the world will come together to learn, strategize and join the fight to win freedom for these women and men who are some of the longest-held political prisoners in the world. Hosted by OSPAAAL, an organization wich spans three continents, and sponsored by a broad coalition of U.S. groups, the conference will shine an international spotlight on the United States´ record of persecution of those who struggle for social change.

WHO ARE THE POLITICAL PRISONERS?

The PPOWS are women and men incarcerated because of their involvement in political activities which challenged the unjust nature of the U.S. socioeconomic system and its hegemonic policies around the world. Most political prisoners have been in prison since the 60´s and 70´s when the U.S. government´s domestic counter-insurgency COINTELPRO program was initiated to destroy liberation movements inside the U.S. targeting their leadership.

The majority of the PPOWS are Black/New African and there are also Puerto Ricans, Native Americans, Chicano/Mejicanos and North Americans. There are PPOWS from the religious activist communities and those incarcerated as a result of recent resistance to U.S. policies. The political prisoners have been inflicted with disproportionately long sentences, isolation, and sensory deprivation. The have been criminalized and denied their basic human rights under international law.

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

The political prisoners are part of the massive, racist prison industrial complex which incarcerates over 2 million people and represents the ugly face of globalization within the borders of the U.S. The same government which spearheaded COINTELPRO is sponsoring massive incarceration as a method of exploiting, controlling and disrupting entire communities.

The United States masquerades as a protector of human rights and democracy in order to justify its assaults against other nations such as its continuing blockade of Cuba, its support for Israel aggression against Palestine, and its growing intervention in Colombia. The U.S. uses the issue of human rights abuses and political prisoners in other countries as a key propaganda tool with which to leverage social and economic control over other nations, particularly those which represent a political challenge. At this juncture in history as George W. Bush, the “king of executioners” has assumed the presidency through a blatantly manipulated, election, it is imperative for those of us living inside U.S .borders to work together with international forces to expose and resist the aggressive and repressive character of the U.S. system.

THE NEED FOR AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

The fight to win freedom for all U.S. PPOWS needs to be based on international law with the recognition and assistance of progressive forces worldwide. International support has given significant momentum to the efforts to free Mumia Abu-Jamal, Leonard Peltier as well as the successful campaign to release eleven Puerto Rican PPOWS in 1999.

During the 1960´s and 70´s, liberation, anti-war and social justice movements (which many of the political prisoners were part of) gained strength and leadership from movements in Latin America, Africa and Asia. OSPAAAL has, since its inception in 1966, fought to build solidarity between peoples of the tree continents. In 1996 hosted an international conference in support of the Puerto Rican political prisoner´s release.

“Tear Down the Walls” will provide a place to analyze the victories that have been won in the past, such as the release of Geronimo Ji Jaga and the eleven Puerto Rican political prisoners, as well as the setbacks such as the recent rejection of clemency for Leonard Peltier. The lessons drawn will contribute to the development of a multi-pronged strategy to free al the political prisoners.

GOALS FOR THE CONFERENCE

To advance the national and international movement to free U.S. political prisoners and defend U.S. political prisoners in exile.

To forge solidarity between progressive forces around the world.

To analyze the lessons of other campaigns to free PPOWS.

To denounce the social and political conditions which exist in the U.S. system which give rise to the disproportionate incarceration of people of color within the United States.

To deepen an analysis of the interrelationship between political prisoners, the growth of the prison industrial complex and U.S. counterinsurgency strategy world-wide.

To develop a concrete action program for future work

AGENDA

United States, society and political prisoners

The prisons industrial complex and the violations of the political prisoners human rights.

c) International solidarity with the political prisoners in the United States

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Presentations from international representatives and personalities

Educational plenary forums

Workshops to develop specific programs

Film, hip-hop, dance, poster exhibit.

CALL FOR PAPERS AND WORKSHOPS

Please send in proposals for workshops and papers in the following theme areas:

Internationalizing the movement to free political prisoners

Women political prisoners

Analysis of past campaigns, Experiences.

Documentation of human rights violations

Relationship of PPOWS, counter-insurgency and the prison industrial complex

Youth organizing for PPOWS

SPONSORS

All African Peoples Revolutionary Party, American Friends Service Committee, Anarchist Black Cross, Black Radical Congress, CA Coalition for Women Prisoners, CA Prison Focus, Can´t Jail the Spirit Publishing Group, Center for Constitutional Rigts, Committees of Correspondence,Critical Resà­stanse, December 12th Movement, El Comià© Pro Derechos Humanos de Puerto Rico, Hands Off Assata Campaign, Interfaith Prisoners of Conscience Project, International Action Center, International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu Jamal, It´s About Time, Jericho Amnesty Movement, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, Lyrics on Lockdown, Malcom X Grassroots Movement, Middle East Children´s Alliance, Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu Jamal, MOVE, National Boricua Human Rights Network, National Conference of Black Lawyers, National Lawyers Guild, New Afrikan Peoples Organization, Out of Control Lesbian Committee to Free Women Political Prisoners, Pastors for Peace, Peter Maurin Center/Plowshares, Prairie Fire Organizing Committee, Pro Libertad, Provisional Government Republic of New Africa, Release 2001 Campaign, Resistance in Brooklyn, Timers, Unià³n del Barrio, United Church of Christ.