This year, unlike most for the past few decades, there were no in-person Black August mass commemorations here in the sacred Indigenous Ohlone lands aka the California Bay Area. However, some of us did gather at San Quentin State Prison before and after to demand the release of those unjustly held during this deadly pandemic that has claimed so many lives. 

In the spirit of Black August and as we celebrate the release in October of political prisoner and Jericho Amnesty Movement co-founder Baba Jalil Muntaqim after 50 years of torture, I want to share a recent message from Elder Ruchell Cinque Magee. 

Ruchell is now our longest unjustly held political prisoner in the US – and possibly our world – under lockdown for nearly six decades. Many are aware of the shoot-out at the Marin County Civic Center in 1970. Ruchell Cinque was a key figure in that situation but was acquitted of murder, along with our beloved and wise Elder Angela Davis. He should have been set free decades ago, and we must demand his immediate release now. Here we share his insightful words.

Read the interview with Ruchell Magee at https://sfbayview.com/2020/12/ruchell-cinque-magee-speaks/