Civil Rights Lawyer Defending Those Accused under the “Anti-Terrorist” Legislation faces 30 Years Jail
The Bush Administration wants to stop civil rights lawyers – those who stand between persons targeted and their incarceration or execution – from asserting the legal rights and defenses of those the government charges with crimes in connection with the so-called war on terror
Fight the Government’s Attack on the Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel
Stand With Lynne Stewart Support the NLG “Day of Outrage” on February 17
The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition condemns the prosecution and conviction of civil rights attorney Lynne Stewart. Lynne, a member of the National Lawyers Guild and a 65-year-old grandmother, has for decades been a stalwart defender of those prosecuted by the government, defending the poor, working people, and those politically targeted. She became the target of the Bush/Ashcroft/Gonzales Justice Department herself and in April 2002 the government arrested Lynne, raided her office, and charged her with providing material support to terrorists in connection with her legal representation. Lynne was convicted this Thursday on all counts, and now faces up to 30 years in prison. Lynne has stood for the right of all those targeted by the government to have unflinching and committed defense counsel; to have an attorney who carries out the responsibilities of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel without intimidation by government prosecutors.
Lynne Stewart became the target of the expanding witchhunt of the new millennium carried out by the U.S. government since September 11th. Her prosecution has been part and parcel of the war waged against the Muslim and Arab community as well as those who represent opposition to the government’s political program. The government wants to stop civil rights lawyers – those who stand between persons targeted and their incarceration or execution – from asserting the legal rights and defenses of those the government charges with crimes in connection with the so-called war on terror. The government has worked to eviscerate attorney-client privilege and to cut funding for provision of attorneys to jailed poor and working people. This is an administration that fears due process and justice, that has asserted the authority to jail both citizens and non-citizens indefinitely, without charge, without hearing and without access to an attorney. This administration of torturers and war criminals has had its own lawyers, including AttorSupport Lynne Stewart & the Rig.ems ney General Gonzales, assert that there is a “legal” right to violate international law and commit such war crimes.
The Administration is hoping that support for Lynne will be muted because of who she has represented and because of the government’s efforts to demonize her. They hope that people will turn their backs in fear to keep favor with the government. But Lynne is loved and supported by so many around the country. The response she has received by the hundreds of thousands who have heard her speak out at antiwar demonstrations is just one sign of the overwhelming support she has.
The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition urges people of conscience to stand with Lynne Stewart and to stand up for the right to counsel. The National Lawyers Guild has called for a “Day of Outrage” and local actions on Thursday, February 17 to support Lynne Stewart, which we encourage A.N.S.W.E.R. supporters to join. More details will be forthcoming from the NLG. In addition, the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition will be raising her case in cities around the country during the March 19 antiwar demonstrations on the second anniversary of the “shock and awe” invasion and occupation of Iraq.
Support March 19 demonstrations
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Act Now to Stop War & End Racism http://www.ANSWERcoalition.org
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