In 1969 Romaine “Chip” Fitzgerald was a member of the Southern California chapter of the Black Panther Party that was targeted by the FBI for its political activities. Fitagerald, a dedicated cadre who educated his community through his work selling and circulating the Black Panther New Service, has been locked up for over 38 years. The state of California continues to violate the law, i.e. penal code 1170.2(b).
Today, Chip is the longest held Black Panther political prisoner in the United Stares prison system. He has had a stroke and major back surgery. He is disabled. He has a slight paralysis on his left side and walks with a cane.
Mel Mason, President of the Monterey Peninsula NAACP, which advocates on Chip’s behalf said, “Chip had a stroke and major back surgery…this is absolutely political…The rule of law says that people sentenced to “Life With Parole” must be given a release date. If he was anyone else, he’d have been out a long time ago. He should never have been incarcerated, and he meets the requirements for release.
Chip is from Compton, California.
