Black Panther political prisoner Seth Hayes has been incarcerated without parole for over 30 years, and is in need of medical help...

Dear friends,

The following is an open letter from Robert 'Seth'
Hayes, a former member of the Black Panther Party
and the Black Liberation Army and a political
prisoner who has been unjustly jailed for over 30
years.  This letter serves as an update as to his
medical condition and his campaign for release on
parole.  Seth was denied parole again in the
summer of 2002 and has waged a long struggle to
receive medical treatment for a variety of serious
medical conditions.

A web page where you can find out more information
about Seth and what you can do to support him and
other political prisoners can be found at:
http://www.kersplebedeb.com/sethhayes/index.html

More contact information can be found at the
bottom of this letter.

In solidarity and struggle,

the Robert "Seth" Hayes Emergency Medical
Committee.

July 31st, 2003.

[ letter transcribed by Tom Keefer ]

-- An open letter from Robert Seth Hayes--

June 29, 2003

Revolutionary Greetings Everyone!

I take this opportunity to address all of you in
this fashion to save time and conserve material
and energy for tomorrow's fight.  In this missive
I wish to notify you that I have "relinquished" my
right to my appeal to the Division of Parole from
my last parole appearance where I received a two
year hit.  I chose to end my appeal attempt which
expires tomorrow, June 30th.  Because I am
scheduled to appear before the parole board again
in July of 2004.  Entering legal battle at this
time can only result in revealing those tactics
relied upon for 2004 in the event I am denied.

As it now stands, I am preparing for the next
encounter with the Parole system.  I have new
moves thanks to the various new parole decisions
recently occurring that offer stronger argument.

Because you and so many others stood by me with
letters of recommended parole release, support,
and assistance to re-enter society, I felt you all
needed to be appraised of the decision I have
reached.  I hope to continue to receive your love
and continued support down the line.

My health still remains a major factor and was one
of the reasons cited by me to the parole
commissioner, Brion Travis, on why I was
relinquishing my direct appeal right for the
recent Parole Board decision of the two year hit.
I explained that due to illness I was unable and
incapable of putting together a tight and
responsible presentation.  To you I add, that
thanks to the assistance of Susan Tipograph and
her undying support and love, along with those of
Tynin Jarret and Lise Kuhn (ditto in the love
showing department), I now have renewed strength
and I am gaining in strength and wellness.
Through their combined contributions I gained
control over my diabetic blood sugars which are
under control, and am now able after to get back
to working out.  The last four days have seen
quite acceptable low blood sugar counts between 66
and 88 at the evening insulin shots.  This is
quite a drop from the 350's to 400's blood sugar
counts of the past 3 + months.  With their
reduction I can now engage in exercises without
fear of side effects and greater injury due to
high sugar levels.  Thank you both (NYC/Montreal)
for that chance to rebound.

And thanks to all of you for your prayers,
contributions, support and love.  I have come this
far simply because you have been with me.  Without
you I would have long ago fallen into despair and
insanity.  Your support, loyalty, and direct
involvement has kept the beast at bay.  They knew
that any attack would be relentlessly
investigated, so they chose wisely to work
underhandedly instead of directly.  Had you not
stayed the course with me, I would undoubtedly
have been picked off.  There is much to do
comrades.  Much to accomplish and much new
material to review, grasp and develop.  We all
must recommit and steel ourselves.  Our work of
recording, participating, and passing on this era
of history now begins.  Let us all commit to those
behind that we honorably carry the torch and when
our turn comes will relinquish it to those worthy
who step forward, committed to carry on the fight
of freedom  for both land and humanity.  My
undying love to you all.

Liberty in Our Life Time.

Special Love and Honor to Crystal, my beloved
Daughter,

Build to win!

[Signed]
Seth'

To get in touch with Robert "Seth" Hayes please
write him at:

Robert "Seth" Hayes #74A-2280,
Clinton Correctional Facility,
Box 2001, Dannemora, New York,
12929, USA.

To contact members of the Robert "Seth" Hayes
Emergency Medical Committee, a group in Montreal
that has been supporting Seth, please call
514-848-7585, email rshe...@yahoo.ca or write:

Robert "Seth" Hayes Emergency Medical Committee,
c/o Quebec Public Interest Research Group
2130 Mackay,
Montreal, QC,
H3G-2J1
Canada

To hear a September 23rd 2002 interview with Seth
please check out
http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=5410