Dare we hope that the new Democratic Congress will overturn the Patriot Act? The Act violates the rights promised in the First, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The right to assembly, free speech and a free press; the right to security of persons and effects, to due process of law, to assistance of counsel; and the right of habeas corpus must be restored to their place in the hearts and minds of all Americans.

One of the first victims of the Patriot Act was Attorney Lynne Stewart, indicted in the spring of 2002 over “evidence” procured by abrogating the previously protected attorney/client privilege. She was convicted of aiding and abetting terrorism and, though the government prosecutor sought a 30-year sentence, the judge, impressed with her years of dedicated work as defense counsel in the U.S. courts, gave her only 28 months of detention. In nine months, the government will appeal the length of Lynne’s sentence in the U.S. Court of Appeals. In the same court, Lynne’s attorneys will appeal the conviction so that she can return to her law practice.

The SF Gray Panthers invite members and friends to attend a fundraising potluck brunch next month with Lynne and her husband, Ralph on Monday, February 26, at 11:00 AM at a member’s home. Lynne will give us an update of her case and Faith Petric will bring her guitar to help us rally round Lynne both in celebration of her lightened sentence and in the hope that before the year is out she will be exonerated from the accusation of participating in a terrorist act. Call the office, 415-552-8800 for information and directions.

Read about Lynne's case and its current status

SF Gray Panthers backgrounder on Lynne's case

Search SF-GP articles on Lynne Stewart

(back to February 2007 Newsletter front page)