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 Today’s entry in honor of an amazing man: 

Albert Woodfox 

February 19, 1947 – August 4, 2022 

 

Albert Woodfox, who was held in solitary confinement longer than any prisoner in U.S. history, has died at the age of 75 due to complications tied to COVID-19. The former Black Panther and political prisoner won his freedom six years ago after surviving nearly 44 years in solitary over a wrongful murder conviction of a prison guard. Fellow imprisoned Panthers Herman Wallace and Robert King were also falsely accused of prison murders, and they collectively became known as the Angola 3. Democracy Now! interviewed Albert Woodfox in his first live TV interview just three days after his 2016 release, and multiple times afterward. “I’m just trying to learn how to be free,” Woodfox said. “I’ve been locked up so long in a prison within a prison.” Woodfox went on to write his memoir, “Solitary,” and continued to fight for prison reform after his release. 


Here a link to the obituary by Democracy Now  

(including his first live TV interview after being freed at age 69 on his birthday in 2016) 

https://www.democracynow.org/2022/8/5/albert_woodfox_black_panthers_angola_three 

 

...may you rest in peace, may you rest in power...

Famously, honestly, and humbly, Albert Woodfox said: “I’m just trying to learn how to be free.” And I wonder if not all of us in the Land of the Free can take inspiration from him and be aspiring to this. For me, this has been my deep mantra for the past four years – from here on out... 

Comments

Alex K said…
I very much am grateful and appreciate you writing about Albert Woodfox and describing some of his life and what he attained in the face of such unimaginable hardship. Many years ago when I was a lawyer and volunteered to represent an inmate on Georgia's death row, I had the good fortune to consult briefly with George Kendall who was, I believe, the main attorney for Mr. Woodfox. George is a brilliant lawyer and kind and generous man who worked with Mr Woodfox for many years before helping to attain his release. Thank you Karina for pointing out the things that need to be seen and saying the necessary things to help us see what really matters.
August 7, 2022 at 6:20 PM
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