In memory of Hugo (Yogi) Pinnell, a universal urban guerilla
by Khalfani Malik Khaldun
“And we made them leaders guiding men by our command, and we sent them inspiration to do good deeds, to establish regular prayers, and to practice regular charity, and they constantly served us and only us.” – Anbiyaa 21:73
All power to the people.
Today I sit in my caged existence away from the outside world and still connected to the revolutionary community. Recently a New Afrikan brother and comrade wrote me with news: Hugo Pinnell was executed on the prison yard at Folsom. This was heartbreaking news and it sent me into a rage.
I was introduced to our brother Yogi over 15 years ago when he exchanged correspondence about the struggle and survival on the inside. He gave me a political overview of his contribution to our movement, inside and outside of these plantations.
Hugo Pinnell, like George Jackson, was and shall ever be an example for New Afrikan manhood. He expressed his solidarity with our prison activism and our collective responsibility to create change. Hugo Pinnell equally supported my fight for freedom from a charge I spent 20 years in solitary confinement over. A prison guard was stabbed to death and after a trial and being found guilty, I was sentenced to 60 years.
Hugo Pinnell, like George Jackson, was and shall ever be an example for New Afrikan manhood.
Hugo spent over four decades in solitary confinement. Those repressive conditions didn’t break him, and for years he represented a symbol of revolutionary love and strength. He was a teacher, big brother and fighter in the cause of our people.
His legacy must be held up and celebrated in the same likeness as we honor George Jackson. This brother will be missed by many – let us rejoice in what he was to us – and his life and his memory shall live in our nation in his death.
To hear that at 71 years old he was stabbed and killed by an affiliated white supremacist after being released from solitary confinement (hell) affected me terribly, and his executioners should never know again what it feels like to rest at night. I pray to Allah that he torment their very existence. For Hugo “Yogi” Pinnell was and will forever be a chosen son of the freedom struggle for a liberated New Afrikan nation in Amerikkka.
His legacy must be held up and celebrated in the same likeness as we honor George Jackson.
Hugo inspired me to keep on standing for a self-determined free liberated zone for our people. I will not let my big brother down. Long live Hugo Yogi Pinnell! A luta continua.
I am sharing a poem for our brother going home.
I’m Free
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God laid for me
I took his hand when I heard him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh to love to work to pray
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I’ve found that peace at close of day.
If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow
My life’s been full, I’ve savored much
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief
Lift up your hearts and share with me
God wanted me now; he set me free.
Power to the people!
Your brother and comrade,
Brother Khalfani Malik Khaldun
Send our brother some love and light: Khalfani Malik Khaldun (L. McQuay), 874304, P-203, P.O. Box 1111, Carlisle, IN 47838.
On the day of Yogi’s death
by Michael Allen
I really appreciate all the articles on the good brother Yogi Bear, RIP on Aug. 12, 2015. The day of his death, I told the oppressor I was suicidal and swallowed pills to overdose.
They did nothing – just left me in the cell to die. So I started a fire in my cell to get me help. They came, extinguished the fire, then pepper sprayed me.
After I got out of medical, I was put on suicide watch on B-yard [where Yogi was assassinated]. When we got there, it looked like a ghost town. There were cases of soup, jars of coffee and clothes just lying out on the yard and sally port.
Thank you, Bay View, for being our voice against those who try to keep us voiceless.
Send our brother some love and light: Michael Allen, T-55834, CSP Sac, A6-115L, P.O. Box 290066, Represa CA 95671.
Long live Hugo, my brother for life
By Loticol Chastang
I know a lot about Hugo and respect Hugo and all the Big Six. I’m housed in Sacramento State Prison on New Folsom’s C-yard and was really hurt when Hugo died.
When I’m hurt and mad, I do dumb things that used to get me in all kinds of trouble. I learned how to take my anger and turn it into poems.
I shared this poem with brothers who knew Hugo, and they asked me to send it to the Bay View.
Black August 12, 2015
August 12, 2015, a strong warrior felled
Warrior cries all day long
Hugo battled like a beast and paved the way for me
Hugo, you made this world safe
You will always be a true Afrikan warrior to me
Long live Hugo – tears running down my heart
I said “Long live Hugo” with my fist raised high
It’s time to battle
It’s time to yell that soldier cry: One, two, three, let’s go!
It’s time to ride and turn that wild beast loose
Hugo, you will never be forgotten
Them tears are stamped on my heart
Long live Hugo!
You will always be my brother for life.
Send our brother some love and light: Loticol Chastang, F-41212, CSP Sac, C2-115, P.O. Box 290066, Represa CA 95671.
