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Time Frame: 1 Month

Plan of Action: Specific action requests include the concrete support of Bro. Bowers' legal defense team; the concrete support of Bro. Bowers himself; and to substantially increase the level of involvement of freedom-loving people globally in spreading the word about this despicable travesty.

Purpose of Action: Support Veronza Bowers, Jr. who remains in prison 18 months past the expiration of a 30-year sentence he has already completed.

Scheduled for mandatory parole on April 7, 2004, Veronza Bowers, Jr. was a model prisoner that prison officials showered with praise in the past. Mandatory parole is a requirement by statute after a prisoner has completed his full sentence if there is a record of positive institutional and if one cannot consider the inmate a "threat to society" upon release. Four different Parole Examiners, as well as the U.S. Parole Commission (USPC) itself, the most powerful parole authority in the nation, agreed that Mr. Bowers has complied with these prerequisites. In spite of this, just minutes before his April 7th release, the USPC rescinded his parole at the request of a law enforcement lobby group known as the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), which claimed to have evidence that Bowers had violated prison rules.

At a subsequent hearing, the court dismissed FOP claims as unsubstantiated and a new parole date was set. The FOP then lobbied the U.S. Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, to intervene and, as a result, Mr. Bowers has languished in prison over 18 months past his scheduled release date.

Mr. Bowers' conviction occurred during the FBI's infamous COINTELPRO operations, which used covert and illegal actions to eradicate civil rights, political and peace organizations. On October 6th, 2005 the five members of the U.S. Parole Commission met at the request of the U.S. Attorney General. They upheld the U.S. Attorney General's request to deny Veronza Bowers parole and to keep him indefinitely in prison.

Like filthy, disease-carrying cockroaches, this system prefers to do its dirt under cover of darkness. Like in countless other situations, it has been the voices and actions of righteous people that freed those incarcerated unjustly by shining light on their dirty work.

TOGETHER, we can help force the U.S. Parole Commission and the federal prison system honor its obligation to let Veronza Bowers go free.

Acknowledgements:
Veronza Bowers Legal Defense www.veronza.org
The Jericho Movement www.thejerichomovement.com
The Freedom Archives www.freedomarchives.org.

For information offline, please contact
Rhonda Jones (1-480-460-9232) or
Maynard Garfield (1-828-462-0249).

What You Should Do Now:

1.	Even with some of the attorneys working pro bono, there are many legal and court costs. In order to continue the struggle for Bro. Bowers' freedom, please find it in your heart and pocketbook to help in any way that you financially can. Donations should be sent to: Veronza Bowers, Jr. Legal Defense Fund PMB 201 2614 N. Tamiami Trail Naples, FL 34103-4409
2.	Veronza's immediate concern is staying out of the prison mess hall. There are too many fights and problems there. He buys food (sardines, crackers, etc.) from the commissary and takes it back to his cell and is hurting for phone and food money. Please send whatever you can (check or m.o.) to help our Bro. survive this gulag: Federal Bureau of Prisons Veronza Bowers, Jr. #35316-136 P.O. Box 474701 Des Moines, Iowa 50947-0001
	Note: As of Nov.12 Elder Veronza has NO money in his commissary. Cash by mail takes WEEKS to process. If you decide to send him a donation, please send it Western Union, if possible. If you need additional information or want to talk to some of his folks directly call: Alexis Miles, 720-298-3770 (a) Western Union Wire Transfers Toll Free #: 800-225-5227 "Company" name: FBOP-DC Inmate #: 35316136
	(b) Send Donation by Western Union Online
3.	Write letters to the U.S. Parole Commission, the Attorney General and the National Appeals Board. It is very important to make your voice heard in this matter. Emphasize Veronza’s excellent record in prison and unquestionable legal entitlement to parole. U.S. Parole Commission 5550 Friendship Boulevard, Suite 420 Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7286 TEL.: (301) 492-5990 FAX: (301) 492-6694 Alberto Gonzales U.S. Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20530-0001 TEL.: (202) 353-1555 E-MAIL: AskJOJ@usdoj.gov
4.	Write to Veronza! Uplift him with your words and stay updated. The increased mail will also show Prison Officials that Veronza Bowers has global support and give his legal team leverage! Veronza Bowers #35316-136 FCC Medium C-1, P.O. Box 1032, Coleman FL 33521-1032
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Distribute Widely Sample Support Letter NEW! Press Release Case Background Letters of Support (Including Prison Officials and State Attorneys)

Goals
Support the Veronza Bowers, Jr. Legal Defense Fund with donations.
Increase donations going directly to Veronza Bowers.
Demand that Prison Officials keep Veronza Bowers out of harm's way.
Lift Veronza Bower's spirit by encouraging more supporters to write.
Increase awareness of modern political prisoners and the harassing role played by groups like the Fraternal Order of Police.

Outcomes
Greater resources and options for Bowers legal team.
Safer surroundings for Veronza Bowers.
Global support for Veronza Bowers will be obvious to Prison Officals.
Show Veronza Bowers that we early await his presence on the outside.
Increase activism for all political prisoners and those violated in prison.

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