Political Prisoner Rev. Pinkney Spends 60th Birthday in Isolated Prison

On Monday, October 27, MWRO comrade and political prisoner, Rev. Edward Pinkney, will be 60 years old. It won't be much of a celebration for our friend as he serves 3-10 years at Ojibway Correctional Facility located in a remote corner of Michigan's Upper Penisula.

In August 2008, Rev. Pinkney erroneously "was found to be in violation of the terms of his probation for “threatening” the trial judge by paraphrasing Chapter 30 of Deuteronomy to the effect that God will punish those who persist in the path of injustice", according to the Rev.'s attorney, Hugh "Buck" Davis.

Prior to this, Rev. Pinkney had been working with Benton Harbor, MI, residents and other state-wide and national supporters to squash efforts by Whirlpool and local officials to acquire prime, public waterfront land for a private golf course and club. Along with the destruction of 90 year old trees and sand dunes for local habitat so that an asphalt parking lot could be laid, local residents and activists have fallen victim to power players.

The poorest city in Michigan with a mostly African-American population, Benton Harbor claimed national attention in June 2003 when a riot ensued after a young man was killed during a police car chase. Rev. Pinkney was among those who publicly commented about the community's angry response, ''I believe this: There's never change without conflict. Read your history,'' according to the New York Times.

Through Rev. Pinkney's work with local grassroots group BANCO, he and other residents exposed political and judicial corruption. The ACLU has taken on Rev. Pinkney's appeal case, and Attorney Davis has filed a Petition for Clemency with Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

Read an October 2008 interview with Rev. Pinkney from prison, and learn more about Benton Harbor and Rev. Pinkney at the People's Tribune.

MWRO is asking the public to help! PLEASE take a moment to write two letters.

First letter:
Send a letter or birthday card to Rev. Pinkney and let him know he is not forgotten. Make sure your card has no glitter and no plastic or it will be confiscated by prison authorities. Do not send cash!

Send this card or letter to:
Rev. Edward Pinkney #294671-G46
Ojibway Correctional Facility
N5705 Ojibway Road
Marenisco, MI 49947-9771

Also, please consider a $10 donation to BANCO. (See 10 Reasons to Contribute $10 on the BANCO weblog.) BANCO will make sure that Rev. Pinkney receives a deposit directly in his prison account.

Send a donation to:
BANCO
1940 Union St
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 925-0001

or donate to Rev. Pinkney on BANCO's blog using PayPal

Second Letter:
Please write a letter or postcard to Gov. Granholm and ask her for "clemency" for Rev. Edward Pinkney. Include your name and address.

Send letters to:
Honorable Jennifer Granholm
Michigan Department of Corrections
Office of the Parole Board
Pardons and Commutations Coordinator
P.O. Box 30003
Lansing, Michigan, 48909

Thank you!!