:: News release
ATTENTION: NEWS EDITORS
Friends and Family of Gary Freeman
H-110 Frederick Street
Toronto, ON M5A 4A9
freemandrum@web.ca, www.freemandrum.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 2, 2005
Friends and Family of Gary Freeman Begin Month of Tuesday Vigils to Stop Extradition to United States; First Gathering is Tuesday, May 3 at 5:15 pm at 361 University Ave. Courthouse
TORONTO -- Friends and family of Gary Freeman (aka Joseph Pannell), an African-American man held close to a year in custody as he fights extradition to the United States, will gather Tuesday, May 3 at 5:15 pm, and three Tuesdays thereafter, for peaceful walking vigils as they attempt to build public awareness of and support for Freeman's struggle to remain with his family in Canada.
Freeman's extradition hearing runs on Wednesday, May 25 - Thursday May 26. He is represented by attorneys John Norris (of Ruby & Edwardh) and Julian Falconer.
Freeman was arrested last July 29 in an armed takedown outside the Toronto Reference Library, 35 years after an incident in Chicago involving a white police officer. That year, 1969, tensions in the African-American community reached such a high point of fear given the frequent police shootings of black youth (at least 11 young men were killed and many others seriously wounded) that a Committee to End the Murder of Black People was formed.
Indicted in 1969 by an all-white jury, Freeman spent two years in pre-trial custody. After finally being released on bail, he decided to come to Canada, fearing, with much justification, that he would not face a fair trial in a Chicago courtroom. He has lived here ever since, marrying, raising four kids, working as a library technician, and becoming an active contributor to the community.
"Gary has spent three years in custody, which under Canadian sentencing law, is the equivalent of nine years behind bars," says Natercia Coelho, who has been married to Freeman since 1982. "We hope the courts and Justice Minister Irwin Cotler will stop this extradition. We hope they realize that the best interests of justice are not served when so much time has passed, when Gary has already spent so much time behind bars, when the chances that the word of an African-American man will be believed against that of a white police officer are pretty much nil. Just look at the Rodney King case. The whole world saw King beaten on video, but the jury sided with the police."
"If Gary is sent to Chicago, we will lose not only our wonderful father and husband, but also a valuable member of the community who serves as a mentor to lots of young people. Even while he's been in jail he hasn't wasted his time: he's been an inspiration to a lot of younger guys to try and turn their lives around. We want him home with us."
For more information on the vigils contact the campaign at freemandrum@web.ca. Mr. Norris is available for questions regarding the extradition at (416) 964-9664. Julian Falconer is also available for comment at (416) 964-3408.
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