1053. Help Lynne Stewart's Fight Against Cancer and for Her Freedom

By Jeff Mackler, May 3, 2013

Visit Justice for Lynne Stewart

I just learned a few moments ago that federal probation officers in New York
visited members of Lynne's family today to ascertain whether they could
provide adequate Brooklyn, New York facilities for Lynne to live and be cared
for.

Of course, the family confirmed this immediately.

While we must use extreme caution in predicting an immediate and positive
outcome from this fact, we can state that government procedures with regard to
granting the compassionate release that tens of thousands around the world
have demanded include recommendations or administrative procedures from the
Bureau of Prisons to the presiding judge in Lynne' case.

This is Federal District Court Judge John Koeltl who, it appears, has the
authority to direct federal probation officers to investigate whether a
suitable facility for Lynne's care is available if Lynne were to be
transferred to her desired medical facility, in the case, the world renown
Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Lynne emailed me  yesterday to state that her second chemotherapy treatment
was only partially successful in reducing her metastasized breast cancer in
the area of her lymph nodes and sternum. But the cancerous spots on her lugs
remain unchanged.

Now more than ever, first rate medical care is critical to save Lynne's life
and continue her battle for freedom.

Lynne has cautioned us all to not let up in this battle. "Like a tree that
grows in Brooklyn," says Lynne in an illusion to the 1943 Betty Smith novel of
a poor Irish-American family's struggle to establish roots and live a decent
live in early twentieth century Brooklyn, "I will not be content until my feet
are firmly planted in my Brooklyn home."

It appears that the worldwide campaign for compassionate release for Lynne has
taken root. But this is not the time for speculation with regard to the
exigencies of America's criminal "justice" system.

Lynne's live still hangs by a string. She survived the horrific ordeal of two
chemotherapy treatments that nearly ended it and had to be confined to a
hospital isolation ward when her white blood count fell to dangerously low
levels.

Her cancer has been in part and temporarily restrained, but not the malignant
tumors that persist in her lungs.

Demand compassionate release  for Lynne now! Sign the petition to do so in any
of the following manners depending on the state of your computer.

1)   Go to Lynne's website at LynneStewart.org and click on "Justice for
Lynne Stewart." Follow the directions on the right side of the first page.

2) Sign the petition on the change.org site.

3. Another way is to include the link directly to the change.org site in an
email message or article

http://www.change.org/petitions/petition-to-free-lynne-stewart-save-her-life-release-her-now-2

This leads people to the site directly and with one click and we lead people
to Lynne's website.

It's easy enough to locate the petition on the change.org site - there is a
search option in the browser and Lynne Stewart leads people to the petition
site. Also, the petition has been listed as one of the "popular" human rights
petitions from the beginning.

3. Some people will have difficulty using the change.org site. Either their
server is too slow, their computer a few years old and the browser software
too old. There is a note on the petition site telling people what to do. In
that case they send their message of support to ralph.poynter@gmail.com. Ralph
Potnter is Lynne's lifelong companion, husband and leader of her national
defense.

Stay on the alert to attend a possible New York court hearing wherein Judge
Koeltl may make a final determination on Lynne's demand for compassionate
release.

Finally, send your generous donation payable to the LYNNE STEWART ORGANIZATION
and mail it to:

1070 Dean Street, Brooklyn, New York 11216

Act now!

In solidarity and for Lynne's freedom and life itself,

Jeff Mackler, West Coast Coordinator, Lynne Stewart Defense Committee
jmackler@lmi.net  510-268-9429

Note: Jeff Mackler is available for West Coast fundraising and  speaking
engagements on Lynne's case.