by Shaka Shakur
Usually Feb. 21 is a day of remembrance and reflection for me as it represents the anniversary of the day Brother El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz aka Malcolm X was assassinated by agents of the U.S. government and its counter-intelligence program, COINTELPRO.
Well, this Feb. 21, 2018, I’m having to focus on and prepare for a different type of assassination, a different type of murder, but still a lynching nevertheless. The only difference is it’s in a U.S. kourt* of law, where all the trappings of fairness, due process of law and impartiality is just a mirage and part of the larger facade that often represents “U.S. just-us” when it is applied to poor oppressed people of color or the have-nots.
I’m scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on charges of aggravated battery, battery with serious bodily injury, possession of a dangerous device or material that could be used as a weapon and a simple count of battery – all stemming from an altercation with COs (correctional officers) on Aug. 31, 2017, where it is alleged that one was attacked with a weapon, a sharpened piece of hard plastic, after a year-long campaign of harassment and provocations. A year-long campaign of psychological torture and targeting.
I was assigned a public defender who apparently is the go-to attorney for this small county when it comes to representing inmates who are given new charges. As the attorney stated himself, “I’ve been coming here to the facility for the past 20 years.” He appears to be more of a dealmaker as opposed to a trial attorney.
This Feb. 21, 2018, I’m having to focus on and prepare for a different type of assassination, a different type of murder, but still a lynching nevertheless. The only difference is it’s in a U.S. kourt* of law, where all the trappings of fairness, due process of law and impartiality is just a mirage and part of the larger facade that often represents “U.S. just-us” when it is applied to poor oppressed people of color or the have-nots.
I’m going to kourt in a kounty that is listed as 97 percent “white” and 3 percent “other,” and in the words of my attorney, “It’s probably only about 20 Black people (not families, mind you) in the whole county.” I couldn’t help but think of the recently released movie “Get Out” written by the comedian Jordan Peele and wonder if they had tracking devices for something where you can actually give an estimate down to a number as to how many Black folks live in a specific area.
During this pre-trial hearing, which I will be allowed to personally attend only by video conferencing, we are set to discuss several critical motions – such as my request to participate as co-counsel on my case, the refusal of the kourt to process my motion for discovery of documents and evidence, and a motion for a psychiatric evaluation to test for PTSD and other related issues due to my isolation and being held in solitary for the past 12 years.
The judge in this case has been openly hostile, arrogant and dismissive. I seriously doubt if I can or will get a fair trial in this case. Further, it’s yet to be determined how many people in this county of 20,000 have direct or indirect links to this plantation prison, as it is one of the main if not primary contributors to the local economy.
Therefore, I’m asking people to attend this pre-trial hearing scheduled for 9:00 a.m. in Judge Hugh Hunt’s courtroom on Feb. 21, 2018. I’m asking you to come out and be my eyes, ears and heartbeat in an attempt to prevent a legal lynching. To prevent a railroad and figurative murder.
To send a signal to the good ol’ boys network and to those who profess to love freedom, but yet spend all their time denying freedom to others. To those who profess to be a protector of right and yet bend over backwards to deny the human rights of others.
I’m asking people to attend this pre-trial hearing scheduled for 9:00 a.m. in Judge Hugh Hunt’s courtroom on Feb. 21, 2018. I’m asking you to come out and be my eyes, ears and heartbeat in an attempt to prevent a legal lynching. To prevent a railroad and figurative murder.
Our brother, the shining Black prince, Malcolm X’s murder couldn’t be stopped, but you, the people, can prevent mine! You, the people, the tax-payers and comrades can clearly send the signal that you’re watching, that you’re paying attention and that which is attempting to be done in darkness will surely be brought to the light of day.
Free All Political Prisoners!
For more information, contact me directly: Shaka Shakur, 135647, Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 1111, Carlisle, IN 47838 or The Collective, P.O. Box 542, Bloomington, IN 47402.
*The use of the letter “K” in certain words associated with the United States or its power structure is a New Afrikan Independence Movement custom, intended to represent the white-supremacist basis of U.S. ruling class power. The “K” symbolically expresses the Klan-type ideology and practice behind the courts, prisons, military etc. – IDOC Watch editor
This story first appeared on IDOCWatch.org.