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For far too many African-Americans, the name, Albert "Nuh"
Washington, is virtually unknown. For those in the know, however, and those
in touch with 1960s-era black history regarding the Black Liberation
Movement, his name is both known and respected.
Nuh (the Arabic form of Noah) was a committed member of the Black
Panther Party and later, after the notorious FBI-engineered East coast-West
Coast split, worked with the Black Liberation Army (BLA), in defending the
lives and dignity of black folk.
Back in the 1970s, Nuh was shot and captured with another Panther,
Jalil Muntaquin, and was later charged and convicted of murder along with
Jalil and Herman Bell. Evidence has since surfaced strongly suggesting the
three men were unjustly convicted in this case.
For over 28 years Nuh has been held in California and New York
gulags, and repeatedly punished for his political ideas. Now, Nuh, recently
diagnosed with malignant liver cancer, is dying. Doctors give Nuh between 3
to 10 months to live.
Across the nation, Black Liberation supporters, nationalists and
human rights activists are trying to spark a movement for Nuh's release due
to his terminal condition. At the head of this humanitarian effort is
prominent attorney Joan P. Gibbs, Esquire (who may be reached at
jgibbs3926@aol.com), who has more information on the campaign.
In the book Can't Jail The Spirit (Oct. 1992), Nuh wrote, in part:
My family instilled in me values and a sense of pride in myself,
family, and people. They were always there. I am not allowed family
reunion visits because I am considered a high-security escape risk, while
others, who have escaped, can get them. It is now harder for my mother to
visit me. My friends must make plans to get here. I have not held my wife
in a long time.
I tell jokes and educate my fellow prisoners, which is why I
am transferred a lot. The Black Panther Party is physically gone but the
spirit lives in a lot of us. Just recently a brother asked me for the goals
and rules of the Black Panther Party, and a few people wish to be part of it
again. After 20+ years as a prisoner, the memory of being with the people
still brings a smile to my face and it is something I share with my fellow
prisoners: the concept of unity, movement, and love.
I am a prisoner of war as well as a political prisoner
because of the historical and contemporary acts of war carried out against
Blacks/New Afrikan people inside and outside these United States by the
government and those who believe in white supremacy.
Nuh's radiant spirit continues to shine nearly 3 decades after he
was unjustly caged by the State. Yet, the flame of life is flickering
within him.
Let us build a movement which, like the Puerto Rican
Independentistas, insures that Nuh does not breathe his last in a cage.
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