Great News: Lynne Stewart Finally Released

In a rare bit of good news, perfect to start the new year, wrongly jailed lawyer Lynne Stewart has finally received compassionate release. Democracy Now reports:

The civil rights attorney Lynne Stewart has returned home from prison after a federal judge ordered her compassionate release. Stewart is 74 years old and dying from late-stage breast cancer. Viewed by supporters as a political prisoner, she had served almost four years of a 10-year sentence for distributing press releases on behalf of her client, Omar Abdel Rahman, an Egyptian cleric known as the "blind Sheikh." Stewart arrived to a group of cheering supporters in New York City on Wednesday. Democracy Now!'s Amy Goodman and Renée Feltz were at the airport to cover the homecoming and speak with Stewart about her time behind bars and her plans to continue fighting for political prisoners — and for her own life — now that she's free.

Rallies for Lynne Stewart

Lynne Stewart, another victim of our country's paranoia and abuse (the prisons are full of them), has been denied compassionate release. She's dying of cancer. Rallies are being held for her next week: on Tuesday, July 9th, in New York City, and on Friday, July 12th, in Washington, D.C.

Foley Square, Lower Manhattan Courts, 4-7 pm, with march to 500 Pearl Street.

Columbia Heights Civic Plaza, 14th Street & Park Road, NW, 5:30-8 pm.

More info at the International Action Center.