Free CHIP FITZGERALD! BPP Comrade up for Parole March 29!!

Who is Romaine "Chip" Fitzgerald?

In 1969 Romaine "Chip" Fitzgerald was a member of the Southern California chapter of the Black Panther Party that was targeted by the FBI for its political activities. Fitzgerald, a dedicated cadre who educated his community through his work selling and circulating the Black Panther New Service, has been locked up for over 38 years. The state of California continues to violate the law, i.e. penal code 1170.2(b).

Today, Chip is the longest held Black Panther political prisoner in the United Stares prison system. He has had a stroke and major back surgery. He is disabled He has a slight paralysis on his left side and walks with a cane.

Mel Mason, President of the Monterey Peninsula NAACP, which advocates on Chip's behalf said, “Chip had a stroke and major back surgery…this is absolutely political…The rule of law says that people sentenced to “Life With Parole” must be given a release date. If he was anyone else, he’d have been out a long time ago. He should never have been incarcerated, and he meets the requirements for release.

Chip is from Compton, California.

If you want us to print and send your letter on your behalf, e-mail it to:

freechipfitzgerald [at] yahoo.com

OR

You can send one signed copy of your letter to the Board of Prison Terms and one to Chip's lawyer:

Official organizational / business / personal affiliations are VERY helpful.

Board of Prison Terms
1515K Street. Ste. 600
Sacramento, CA
95814

Attorney Linda Buchalter
1011 5th Street No. 6
Santa Monica, CA
90403

Let us know if you send a letter. Sample letter with more information about Chip is below...

Date]

Ms. Margarita Perez, Chairperson
Board of Prison Terms
State of California
1515 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Ms. Perez & Board Members:

I am writing in support of the release of Inmate Romaine Fitzgerald, B27527, who may be scheduled within the next two to three months for a parole hearing. Mr. Fitzgerald is currently incarcerated at the California State Prison in Lancaster, California.

Since 1972, Mr. Fitzgerald has been serving a life sentence, with possibility of parole. This means that by California law, Mr. Fitzgerald should have long ago been given a release date. In the near 38 years Mr. Fitzgerald has been in prison, Mr. Fitzgerald’s prison records reflect that he has been and continues to be a model prisoner who has never been involved in any acts of violence or of a criminal nature. In fact, Mr. Fitzgerald has participated in a number of rehabilitation activities, including individual and group counseling. He has a record of diligence and commitment in these activities.
While in a previous prison, Mr. Fitzgerald suffered a massive stroke, which has left him significantly disabled. He has also had back surgery for a degenerative spinal condition.

Mr. Fitzgerald has received the support of leaders of his community of Compton, California to include City Attorney LeGrand Clegg and Compton City Councilwoman Barbara Calhoun. He has also received support from his U.S. Representative Maxine Waters and from the Monterey Peninsula Branch of the NAACP, which accepted Mr. Fitzgerald as a member in 1999 when he was incarcerated at Salinas Valley State Prison. Mr. Fitzgerald remains a member of that NAACP branch and is part of the adult advisory team to that NAACP branch’s Youth Council, whose members see Mr. Fitzgerald as a mentor and adviser. He regularly writes them and gives them advise about how to be positive role models for other youth in the community.

Mr. Fitzgerald’s incarceration has far exceeded the maximum amount of time he should have served given his sentence. As a result, I ask that Mr. Fitzgerald, in accordance with state law, be released to return to a supportive community that will assist him with education and employment and a family that will provide him with love, protection and guidance and a smooth entry back into society.

I thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

[Signature]