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People Demanding Ruchell's Freedom!

By VVAW

On Feb. 8th, a demonstration was held outside the gates of San Quentin Prison in California, 150 people demonstrated in response to a call by the February 8th Coalition, including VVAW/WSO, the Revolutionary Union, Revolutionary Student Brigade, Sedition newspaper, May 1st Workers Movement and Wei Min She (an Asian-American community organization). The action was called in support of Ruchell Magee who is now serving a life sentence on kidnap charges resulting from the heroic Marin County courthouse escape attempt in 1970.

Ruchell received this life sentence on Jan. 23rd in a San Jose courtroom. The court, afraid of the mass support that has been building to demand Ruchell's freedom, set the time of the sentencing for 7:30am and gave less than 15 hours notice. Despite attempts of the courts and police to prevent it, 50 people came out to form a militant picket line to protest the sentencing. After the sentencing was over, police charged and surrounded the demonstrators, arresting 30 people on charges of "demonstrating near a courthouse." Most of those arrested were members of the organizations in the February 8th Coalition, including 2 people from VVAW/WSO.

Ruchell's struggle goes back to 1963 when he was falsely convicted of robbing $10 after an argument and given an in determinant sentence. Ruchell has been fighting ever since to win his freedom but has been consistently sabotaged by court-appointed lawyers and denied his most basic rights. Following years of brutality, Ruchell appeared in the Marin County courthouse in Aug. 1970, to testify on behalf of fellow prisoners. On this day, the prisoners made their bid for freedom and attempted to escape in a van, taking with them the court's presiding judge. Police opened fire on the van and indiscriminately murdered Jonathan Jackson, Judge Harold Haley and other prisoners. Following this, Ruchell was charged with murder and kidnapping. He was tried in 1972 on these charges, but the trial ended with a hung jury. Later, murder charges against Magee were dropped.

A real people's movement has been building around Ruchell's defense during the past several months. This is in contrast to Ruchell's denunciation of his former co-defendant, Angela Davis (a leading member of the Communist Party, USA and National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression). Following his sentencing, Ruchell proudly rose in court and called Angela "a pig, a rat, a snitch--a dirty snitching rat." Davis was freed by the mass support mobilized throughout the country in her defense, and has since done little to aid the fight free Ruchell.

In his defense, Ruchell has consistently asked on question, "Does a slave have the right to rebel?" The demonstration outside San Quentin and another demonstration outside the Supreme Court in Washington, DC (also sponsored by VVAW/WSO,RSB and RU) answered that question with a definite "YES!" Chants of "Free Ruchell, It's Right to Rebel" rang through the crowds. The demonstration in Washington also focused much of its attention on the struggle of Gary Lawton (see p.13) and chants of "Brother Lawton, Brother Magee, People's Struggle Will Set You Free" were also heard.

Ruchell Magee is a relentless fighter against oppression and an inspiration to all oppressed people. The people who rule this country think they have finally disposed of Magee; but we say to them; The people will set Ruchell free!

(The San Jose 30--arrested at the sentencing--are now awaiting trial and have formed a defense committee. They desperately need funds to cover legal costs. Please send any donations to: San Jose 30 Defense Committee, 185 N. 12th St., San Jose, CA 95112).