Stand With the NJ4
I am asking you to please take action in solidarity with Renata Hill,
one of the New Jersey 4.
In faithful struggle,
Jason
Who are the NJ 4???
On June 14, four African-American women—Venice Brown (19), Terrain
Dandridge (20), Patreese Johnson (20) and Renata Hill (24)—received
sentences ranging from three-and-a-half to 11 years in prison. None of
them had previous criminal records. Two of them are parents of small
children.
Their crime? Defending themselves from a physical attack by a man who
held them down and choked them, ripped hair from their scalps, spat on
them, and threatened to sexually assault them—all because they are
lesbians.
The mere fact that any victim of a bigoted attack would be arrested,
jailed and then convicted for self-defense is an outrage. But the
length of prison time given further demonstrates the highly political
nature of this case and just how racist, misogynistic, anti-gay,
anti-youth and anti-worker the so-called U.S. justice system truly is.
Read more – http://www.facebook.com/group.
PLEASE TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTION, THIS IS ESSENTIAL!
You are needed to help stop the re-prosecution of Renata Hill, of the NJ4
( 9 days to stop the prosecution)
Friends and Allies,
We hope this is a call to action finds you well and with a few moments
to respond immediately. Enclosed is a sample letter addressed to
Robert M. Morgenthau, the District Attorney of New York County, in
which we state our goals of ending the prosecution of Renata Hill.
Please send your letter immediately.
On Ocober 14th, Renata Hill, one of the New Jersey 7, is scheduled to
face her retrial. We are in support of her desire to not have to go
back to trial, and demand that the charges against her cease.
Please send this letter, or one similar in your own words, to the
address listed. After sending in the letter, please let us know so
that we can tally how many letters have been sent. (freenj4@yahoo.com)
Forward widely. We will be in touch to follow up with where we are in
pressuring the DA or the possible need to escalate pressure.
For Our Defense,
Bay Solidarity
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SAMPLE LETTER:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Your Name]
[Your address]
Robert M.
Morgenthau
District Attorney
New York County
1 Hogan Place
New York, NY 10013
[Date]
Re: People vs.
Renata Hill
Dear Mr.
Morgenthau:
I am writing concerning the case of Renata Hill, who is currently
awaiting a retrial on charges stemming from an incident in August
2006. Her conviction for Gang Assault was recently overturned on
appeal.
I want to encourage you to stop further prosecution in this case, and
to release Ms. Hill so that she may get on with her life. Ms. Hill has
already served two years on charges resulting from a street
altercation that she did not initiate. While she was incarcerated, she
was separated from her young son. She also suffered the death of her
mother, whose memorial she was unable to attend. Since their
convictions on Gang Assault charges, the felony convictions against
both Ms. Hill and one of her co-defendants were overturned by the
appellate courts. The two other defendants are currently awaiting
their appeal hearings.
Notably, the complainant in this matter has commenced a multi million
dollar lawsuit and runs a website, Dwayne Buckle Foundation for
Justice, seeking donations to his cause based on virulent anti-gay and
lesbian attacks.
I believe that further prosecution and incarceration of Ms. Hill would
be unjust. She has been punished enough for her role in the event –
both by actual imprisonment, and in the impact that imprisonment has
had upon her life. I appreciate any assistance you can provide in
preventing any further injustice.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
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