We, the undersigned, support the demand for the immediate and unconditional release of Ajamu Bandele aka Orlando J. Gibson, who was arrested on October 28, 2008 amidst a series of political attacks made against him and the other organizers working under his leadership, by the local city government of York, PA. He and his comrades were working to expose the culture of corruption in York, PA that manifested itself as culturally specifics laws and ordinances meant to guarantee the massive incarceration of the impoverished African and Latino youth of York. This arrest was highly political and made during an mayoral election year. This arrest represents an attempt to silence Ajamu's political activity, thus representing an outright attack on the rights of African people to free speech and political association. Ajamu, having been a product of the dire poverty of York, turned his life around after having served 5 years in prison. He came out and immediately rescued his son from the foster care system, getting full/sole custody of his son Quazil, became a legitimate business owner, and a part-time student at the International Art Institute-York all while doing political work to transform the conditions in York City. According to his parole officer, Ajamu was an "exemplary" parolee; having been reduced to the lowest level of parolee, which only required he see his parole officer once every three months and no longer having to urine sample. Ajamu had, in fact exceeded the State's requirements for those coming out of prison. Ajamu is a champion of African people and his case is further evidence that the counterinsurgent attacks against young Black men did not end in the 60's, but is alive and well in America today. We, the undersigned, again demand the immediate release of Ajamu Bandele aka Orlando J. Gibson and we demand an end to the attacks on African peoples' rights to free speech and political association.

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