May Day Initative to Free Jalil Muntaqim

by Jalil Muntaqim’s Support Group

Many of you know that Jalil has been fighting for his release since 2002, when he first became eligible for parole. He has been to the Parole Board 10 times, each time denied, for reasons related to the nature of the crime – something that will never change.

After the last parole hearing and denial, pursuant to New York State Constitution Article IV, Section 4, Jalil filed an Application to Commute the Sentence to Time Served with New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Gov. Cuomo has the authority to grant the application and order Jalil’s immediate release from New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYS DOCCS) custody.

On May 1, 2019, May Day, we are requesting that for all of May, friends and supporters call, tweet, email and text Gov. Cuomo’s office and appeal to him to grant Jalil’s Application to Commute the Sentence to Time Served.

Since the application’s submission, it has been revealed that New York’s Board of Parole had a “secret deal” with the New York City Police Benevolent Association (PBA) permitting members to submit letters of opposition to parole applicants directly to the Board of Parole through their website. These letters negatively influence decision-making processes and ensured Jalil would not receive a fair and impartial parole hearing. During Jalil’s 2014 hearing, he was told that “current and former members of law enforcement” were parole commissioners. Many of them decided to deny his release.

On Dec. 4 and 5, 2016, the New York Times published an extensive exposé titled, “The Scourge of Racial Bias in New York State’s Prisons,” informing readers that “the racism can be felt from the moment a Black inmate enters New York’s upstate prisons.” This implacable racism has been institutionalized throughout the entire parole system, instilling biases in parole commissioners and influencing their decisions.

Since the submission of Jalil’s application, Gov. Cuomo has received many letters and communications urging him to grant Jalil parole. However, due to the revelation of political collusion between the Board of Parole and the PBA, the media backlash and the scrutiny of the release of Jalil’s co-defendant, it has become necessary to launch this May Day Initiative in support of Jalil’s application.

On May 1, 2019, May Day, we are requesting that for all of May, friends and supporters call, tweet, email and text Gov. Cuomo’s office and appeal to him to grant Jalil’s Application to Commute the Sentence to Time Served. We also request that this initiative be widely posted on social media platforms, encouraging freedom-loving people around the world to join in our May Day Initiative.

On May Day and every day in May, do this!

Write, call, email and/or tweet Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to commute Jalil’s sentence and release him immediately. Communications to Gov. Cuomo’s office must refer to Jalil as: Anthony Jalil Bottom, 77A4283, Sullivan Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 116, Fallsburg, New York 12733-0116.

Write: The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, Executive Chamber, State Capital Building, Albany, NY, 12224

Call: 1-518-474-8390

Email form: www.governor.ny.gov/contact/governor-contact-form

Tweet: @NYGovCuomo

For more information concerning Jalil’s case, check out his website: www.freejalil.com.

Freedom is a constant struggle.

Also, send our brother some love and light: Anthony Jalil Bottom, 77A4283, Sullivan Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 116, Fallsburg, New York 12733-0116.

Source: https://sfbayview.com/2019/05/may-day-initative-to-free-jalil-muntaqim/