New campaign launched for Angola 3 prisoners

Herman Wallace (left) and Albert Woodfox with Angola prison in the 1970s (background).
Photo: http://www.inthelandofthefreefilm.com

Following is a report on the Angola 3 and the outrageous travesty of justice in Louisiana, where Albert Woodfox and Herman Wallace are still in prison in 6 foot by 9 foot cells. As of April 17 they had been held for 41 years. The report originally appeared in the Angola 3 Newsletter.

Supporters of the Three have launched an action to push ahead a “call for a State Congressional Hearing to end the use of prolonged solitary confinement in Louisiana.” The National Religious Campaign Against Torture is involved in this petition campaign, which involves an effort nationally to end prolonged solitary confinement because it is a form of torture. (See nrcat.org)

The Three, who include Robert King, who finally won his release, had campaigned for human rights within the prison in the early 1970s. The authorities responded “by fabricating a case against Albert and Herman for the tragic murder of prison guard Brent Miller in 1972. Shortly thereafter, when Robert King entered Angola, he was ensnared in the aftermath of that murder and joined Herman and Albert in solitary.”

Their supporters say, “We will not lose hope or forget how much we have already accomplished and just how close we are to winning both Herman and Albert’s release.”

For more information see www.angola3.org.