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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Carlos Villarreal 415.377.6961

Lawyers Guild, Community Rallies for Imprisoned Colleague

SAN FRANCISCO

Members of the National Lawyers Guild San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (NLGSF) will rally and speak out today in support of the compassionate release of their colleague, Lynne Stewart. They will be joined by community members and activists supporting Stewart and other political prisoners.

What: Rally/Speak Out In Support of Compassionate Release for Lynne Stewart
When: Tuesday, October 8, 2013, Gathering at 5 p.m., Speak Out at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Market Street & Montgomery in San Francisco

Lynne Stewart was convicted in 2005 for providing material support to terrorists. The underlying conduct, however, was the public release of a press statement for the client she had been representing. The trial, championed and led by the Bush Justice Department, was highly politicized and viewed by many as a direct attack on lawyers who would zealously defend unpopular clients.

Stewart is currently serving her prison term in a medical facility in Texas, where she is suffering from cancer. Her most generous prognosis has been that she has less than 18 months to live. Stewart's third petition for compassionate release is before the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons after being approved by her warden. Today she turns 74 years old; Rallies and vigils are being held throughout the United States on Stewart's birthday to call for her release.

For more information on the NLGSF, see www.nlgsf.org.

The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) works to promote human rights and the rights of ecosystems over property interests. It was founded in 1937 as the first national, racially-integrated bar association in the U.S.

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