Free Ruchell “Cinque” Magee, 81-year-old political prisoner held unjustly for 57 years

Ruchell “Cinque” Magee is the longest-held political prisoner in the United States. He is now 81 years old, and due to the joint risk of the COVID-19 crisis on top of the poor conditions inside California prisons he needs attention, respect, and justice now more than ever!

In 1963, Ruchell was captured in Los Angeles and unjustly railroaded with trumped up charges over a $10 drug trade, receiving a harsh sentence of seven years to life. He has taken every opportunity to state and restate his factual innocence and the racism he faced in court.

After 7 long years in the harshest conditions, Ruchell was offered an opportunity for freedom from his unjust imprisonment via the Marin County Courthouse Rebellion. He believes, to this day, that every person unjustly locked down has the right to rebel. Wouldn't you do the same?

The freedom fighters, led by Jonathan Jackson, demanded the release of the Soledad brothers. In a fit of calculated brutality, the San Quentin guards killed Jonathan Jackson, James McClain, and William Christmas. Ruchell survived with serious wounds, but the courts have continued to abuse, slander, and rob him of a fair trial ever since. He took on the name "Cinque" in honor of the great African rebel who led others in the takeover of the slave ship Amistad in 1839, went to court to demand their freedom, and won their liberty despite all odds.

The in-justice system has attempted to make an example out of Ruchell, and it's the duty of these politicians and judges to make right what was done so unfairly decades ago. He has made failed attempts at parole, dedicated himself to studying politics, and even become a lawyer inside the prison walls who helped others with their cases while working on his own release.

Ruchell deserves not only freedom, but also the worldwide recognition that he should have been a free man on August 7, 1970 rather than in a courtroom on that fateful day. Governor Newsom has the power to right this decades-long injustice, so he must take every action necessary to free Ruchell “Cinque” Magee!

 

Write to Ruchell Magee:

Ruchell Magee #A92051 #T 115

California Medical Facility

P.O. Box 2000

Vacaville, CA 95696-2000

United States

 

*Mail is reviewed by correctional officers before reaching the political prisoner. Please do not mail sharp objects, hardcover books, inflammatory language, or anything that could endanger his freedom.

 

Write and Call the Governor:

Governor Gavin Newsom
1303 10th Street, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841 
Fax: (916) 558-3160

 

Read more: https://www.liberationnews.org/free-ruchell-cinque-magee/

 

En Español: https://www.liberationnews.org/libertad-para-ruchell-cinque-magee/

 

Article by Kiilu Nyasha (2017): https://sfbayview.com/2017/02/ruchell-cinque-magee-sole-survivor-of-the-aug-7-1970-courthouse-slave-rebellion/