I N T E R N E T ' S M A O I S T BI-M O N T H L Y = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = XX XX XXX XX XX X X XXX XXX XXX XXX X X X X X X X XX X X X X X X X V X X X V X X X X X X X XX XXX X X X X X X XX X X X X X X X XXX X X X V XXX X XXX XXX = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = THE MAOIST INTERNATIONALIST MOVEMENT MIM Notes 117 JULY 1 1996 PRISONER, FOCUS OF RAIL RALLY, IS RETURNED Bob Lena, a Massachusetts prisoner with poor health and subjected to appalling lack of medical care in Dallas Texas, has been returned to Massachusetts. His story was highlighted on the cover of MIM Notes 114. His return is a victory for the activists who gathered in the rain to mark the six month anniversary of the transfer of 299 Massachusetts prisoners to Texas and all who have taken action around this issue. Bob Lena wrote a letter to Jill Brotman, head of the Criminal Justice program at the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). AFSC cosponsored the May 4 rally and has led many other actions to protest the transfer: "If possible, please thank all of the men and women who attend meetings; protest in front of Gov. Weld's house; make phone calls; and, write letters for their support. I am proof that such efforts can be successful."(1) Of the 299 originally transferred, 278 remain in Texas.(2) No one seems to know all the numbers, but one prisoner died of AIDS, a few finished their sentences and were deported directly, a few finished their sentences and were returned to Massachusetts, and a few have returned apparently for health reasons. Lena closed his letter with the imperative: "Let's bring all the men back soon."(1) RAIL will continue to struggle for this success as we confront the criminal injustice system. Notes: 1. Letter from Bob Lena to Jill Brotman, dated May 25, 1996. 2. Jill Brotman, speaking at the June 5 meeting of the Coalition of Prisoner Family and Friends. For more information about the meetings, call Jill at (617)661-6130. MIM Notes is not copyrighted. Please credit MIM when redistributing or referring to this material. Subscriptions are $20 for 24 issues, U.S. mail or e-mail. Send cash, stamps or check made out to "MIM Distributors." Write: MIM Distributors, PO Box 3576, Ann Arbor MI 48106-3576. E-mail: mim@mim.org. http://www.prisoncensorship.info/archive/etext