Statement by Romiane “Chip” Fitzgerald. Longest held Black Panther Political Prisoner in captivity. Chip is in his 38th year of incarceration.
ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
THE PEOPLE ARE THE POWER!
On behalf of the 170,000 imprisoned sisters, brothers, and comrades for whom I do not speak for but I do speak with the, we embrace you in spirit of love and solidarity!
In the current atmosphere of neo-conservative Christian fascism and extraordinary rendition- where people are afraid to be labeled unpatriotic…or a terrorist for their progressive and radical beliefs and political dissent- to paraphrase my comrade Fred Hampton of the Black Panther Party and who was assassinated nearly 40 years ago…I REMIAN A REVOLUTIONARY!
The prison system has mutated into a complex dysfunctional resource-wasting parasite of social control, political repression and revenge! Human beings are warehoused in these concrete and steel bunkers that destroy human sensibilities and the human spirit. Then following years of continuous antagonism and frustration at the hands of sadistic prison guards tortured souls are released on to an unsuspecting public to offend. There in is the cause and effect of an 80% recidivism rate.
The human warehouses destroy human beings like the Iraq war is mutilating young Americans. Prisoners are being de-sensitized…they are frustrated, angry and bitter and unprepared to become productive members of society. These tortured souls who are our families and loved ones, are paroled with little hope…this is why California’s recidivism rate is above 75%. The system is now designed to perpetuate itself.
We are again confronted with a parole setting body of individuals known as commissioners. Who are that racist and revenge oriented and operate as if they are exempt from the rule of law with the CCPOA (Prison Guards Union) and crime victims driving the policy of the CDC. The intent is to keep these prisons filled to capacity!
From a practical perspective of economic dollars and cents, there is no return on the dollars invested in the Prison Industrial Complex. It’s an enormous drain on the state budget, denying social services the people-health care insurance and increasing funding for education and social programs for our youth and young adults to prevent them from joining gangs and engaging in criminal activity.
The enormity of the problem may seem overwhelming…and we as individuals by comparison may seem insignificant and powerless but appearances can be very deceptive. In the words of Public Enemy…”Don’t Believe the Hype.”
What is to be done to solve the problem? Let us follow the example of the anti war movement. Let the politically conscious people of Cali, the progressive and revolutionary people rise up and seize the day! Organize to halt the perversion of justice and squandering of valuable resources by the Prison Guard Union (CCPOA) and the Prison Industrial Complex. Demand to be active participants in the sentencing/ prison reform process. Demand public transparency as guaranteed by the law. Register and vote out the legislators who have rewarded the campaign contributions of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association with CARTE BLANCHE to do as they please in the California Department of Corrections- which has resulted in corruption, criminal mismanagement, thievery, brutality and even death!
The federal District courts have held the prison bureaucrats guilty and responsible for all of the above. So the people have an obligation to rise up and say to the public servants…ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! BASTA! ALL POWER BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE…WE ARE THE POWER!
SEIZE IT!
Romiane “Chip” Fitzgerald
Lancaster State Prison
Year 37 of his incarceration
March 2007
