hey folks,

Seth called me this morning and wanted to pass on some important information about his parole appeal and some harassment that he has been facing lately. I have uploaded the interview that I did with Seth on these issues to the Internet, and you can listen to what he has to say at http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=20492

Please feel free to forward this information or to play parts of it on the radio if you have your own radio show. Seth is fine with this and he wants to get the word out.

If you're not able to listen to it over the Internet, the very short update is that Seth and his lawyer, Susan Tippograph have prepared a parole appeal which will be submitted in the next few days. It will be important to gather letters in support of Seth for this appeal to let the authorities know that people have here support him and are aware of what is going on.

July 28, 2006

Greetings,

I am writing to thank you for your support, love and concern in my bid for release at my fifth parole board appearance. Sadly, release wasn't granted. Instead I've received once again, an additional two-year hit for the fifth time, "due to the seriousness of the crime, release at this time would undermine respect for the law." This is a standard, pat answer based upon political views (the governor continually insists that violent felony offenders should not receive parole) rather then the application of the law. We are going to appeal.

Naturally that brings up the need for your continued support. You have been strong for me over this difficult period and I ask you for that support and commitment awhile longer.

(A longer message will be forthcoming)

Message from Robert Seth Hayes regarding denial of parole - July 20

I remain strong, detached from frustration, and eager to step up the fight to win release. I am truly thankful for all the support everyone has given me. I now request everyone's continued support in the next stage of defense now underway. For my part, I will maintain an open line so everyone will remain updated as I proceed. For now, thank you everyone, please stay firm and involved, and let's keep up the fight for respect and application of justice. It is our duty to demand justice as well as practice justice onto all.

Locked down for more than a lifetime: Soliciting letters of support for a U.S. political prisoner Robert Seth Hayes’s Parole – June 2006 A letter from the Robert Seth Hayes Support Committee - www.sethhayes.org | info (at) sethhayes.org Robert “Seth” Hayes is a U.S. political prisoner and former member of the Black Panther Party who has been imprisoned in New York state for more than three decades. When Seth was convicted in 1974, his sentence was 25 years to life. The implicit understanding at the time of his sentencing was that Seth would serve 25 years as a minimum, after which time he would be eligible for release based on his record and conduct in prison. In July, 2006, Seth will be going before the parole board for the fourth time. At each of Seth’s previous parole hearings, he was denied release due to the serious nature of the crime he was convicted for and given another two years in jail. The refusal of parole for the serious nature of the crime seems contrary to the spirit of the law, for it is something that a prisoner can never change, and the giving of parole is based upon the prisoner's behavior while behind bars.

Seth is not the only one being subjected to these unfair rules. This has
become common practice for the New York state parole board, who, by
denying parole based on the seriousness of the conviction, are defacto
re-sentencing many prisoners to life in prison without the possibility
of parole.

Seth’s prison record is exemplary, and if a decision about Seth’s parole
were to be based on his conduct and personal growth, he would have
rejoined his family and his community years ago.

Please write a letter to the parole board to let them know that you
think Seth deserves to be released. Write your own letter, or use the
sample letter that has been included in this document.

If you have a personal relationship with Seth, please consider writing
about this relationship in your letter. If you work with a community
organization or union, have a professional job, or are a rock star,
please consider mentioning this in your letter (or writing on
letterhead, etc.).

If you decide to personalize your letter, you may choose to include
information drawn from the short biography also included in this
package, where some of Seth’s accomplishments are highlighted.

More information about Seth can be found on a web page that has been put
together by his supporters at www.sethhayes.org

All letters should be mailed or faxed to Seth’s lawyer, Susan Tipograph,
by no later than June 30th, 2006 as Seth's parole hearing is taking
place on July 15, 2006. Please send all of your letters to:

Susan Tipograph