Signatures to support Jalil Muntaqim's release through Parole or Commutation

We the undersigned offer our strongest support for the release of Jalil Muntaqim (aka Anthony Bottom) on parole. We also ask that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo commute his sentence to time served.  Jalil was arrested in 1971 when he was only 19 years-old and a member of the Black Panther Party. Forty-eight years later he is the only Black Panther prisoner who remains incarcerated in New York State prisons.  It is time for this father, grandfather and great grandfather to come home.

Over the decades, Jalil has consistently demonstrated his commitment to sustaining family relationships, pursuing educational advancement and providing service to the community, inside and outside of prison. He has served as a teacher, mentor and role model for hundreds of other incarcerated people.   He stands as an example of the potential to reflect, change and grow despite the many challenges of the prison environment.

Jalil is scheduled for his eleventh parole hearing this coming September.  One of his co-defendants, Albert ‘Nuh” Washington, died in prison in 2000.  The other, Herman Bell, was released in April 2018 after serving almost forty-five years in prison.  There is no justification for Jalil to be held in prison any longer. He should be released at his next parole hearing when he will be sixty-eight years old.

We believe in the principles of restorative justice. While we understand the serious nature of the crimes for which Jalil has been convicted, a life sentence should not be a death sentence. Forty-eight years is long enough.  After all this time, Jalil Muntaqim belongs with his family and his community.