A Joyous Announcement to the
International Movement to Free Lynne Stewart
Editor’s note: Lynne Stewart is out of prison and is home with her family! According to a December 31, 2013 New York Times article by Benjamin Weiser titled “Judge Orders Release of Dying Lawyer Convicted of Aiding Terrorism,”
“A federal judge in Manhattan ordered a “compassionate release” on Tuesday for Lynne F. Stewart, the former defense lawyer convicted of assisting terrorism who is dying from cancer in a federal prison in Texas. …The request to Judge Koeltl on Tuesday came from the director of the Bureau of Prisons through the office of Preet Bharara, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York. The filing said Ms. Stewart qualified for compassionate release because she had a diagnosis of a terminal, incurable illness with a life expectancy of less than 18 months and because of the relatively limited risk of recidivism and danger to the community if she were released. ‘The defendant’s terminal medical condition and very limited life expectancy constitute extraordinary and compelling reasons that warrant the requested reduction in sentence to time served,’ the judge’s order said.”
We received the following message from Lynne and share it with all of you who have rallied and mobilized the world over in her support.
You stood by her with letters, emails and telephone calls to the Federal Medical Center, Carswell, U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons, Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Department of Justice, members of Congress, the White House and U.S. Embassies.
The enduring global movement for social justice has persevered—ever inspired by Lynne Stewart’s steadfast refusal to bend the knee, submit to coercion or official duplicity.
Your steadfast support in Defense of Lynne Stewart embodies the injunction of Rosa Luxemburg: “In the beginning, was the deed!”
We are grateful to you all.
December 31, 2013, 3:12 P.M.
Message from Lynne
“My Dears:
“Well, the impossible takes a little longer! We learned this morning that the U.S. Attorney’s office has made the motion for my compassionate release and that the order was on Judge Koeltl’s desk. Since on the last go-round he stated in court that he would treat it “favorably,” we are now just waiting expectantly.
“The wonderful thing is that Ralph is here in Ft. Worth for a visit and will bring me back to New York City with him. We don’t know when but the rules state that the warden has two days to let me go after he receives the order so it could be as early as Friday or a few days more. Whatever it is, I can’t stop crying tears of Joy! I can’t stop thinking of all the marvelous people worldwide who made this happen...you know because each of you played an integral role. My daughter Z is already lining up Sloan Kettering and we will have to see if there is a probation qualification attached to the order and how it will affect me. After that Ralph will start making arrangements to rent Yankee Stadium for the Welcome Home... Smile.
“So if this reaches you before midnight tonight raise a glass of bubbly to the joy of all of us that the old girl is OUT!
Love Struggle,
Lynne”