Earlier this month, the San Jose Peace And Justice Center hosted the Free ALL Political Prisoners! Benefit and fundraiser for attorney and recently-released political prisoner Lynne Stewart, who is currently battling breast cancer. A number well-known speakers and activists attended the event to show their solidarity with Stewart and political prisoners around the world, including Ramona Africa, Jeff Mackler, and Karen Lee Wald. The San Jose Peace And Justice Center is proud to share the following clips from the event, where these respected and venerable freedom fighters share their stories, their struggles, and their support for the rights of all.
In addition to being Lynne Stewart's husband, Ralph Poynter is her biggest supporter. "When it was announced that I wasn't to speak, Lynne had said, 'You must speak. It's ridiculous that you do not speak. As long as you can say it in a minute or less.'" His charm and wit were eclipsed only by his gratitude for the release of his wife from prison. “So my minute is about up, and so what I want to say to everyone here, and everyone who can convey the message: thank you, thank you, thank you. Because releasing Lynne was more than a political message: it was a personal message, and as everyone who has a friend or family member in jail, you know we all look for that moment. You gave me that moment when you supported Lynne's release...and I will repeat again: thank you, thank you, thank you.”