Today on DefendersLIVE

Secrets of Mary Bowser - Part 2

Part 2 of 2-part interview with Lois Leveen, author of "The Secrets of Mary Bowser"- Continuing the conversation about Mary Bowser's work with Elizabeth Van Lew as a Civil War Union spy in the White House of the Confederacy. Why would an educated, free Black woman in Philadelphia risk all to return to the city of her birth, and her enslavement, to do this work? How is a culture of secret-keeping a key to survival while enslaved as well as in espionage... Why symbolic truth is as important for the oppressed as it is for the oppressor...

Author Lois Leveen at book-signing...
Tune in at 12 noon - live streamed at WRIR.org or on your radio at 97.3 FM (LP).

Click on Listen above for links to the 2-part interview.

Emergency Court Watch: All Out for Ashley Williams, Tues. June 19 at 3pm

Attention Defenders & Friends!!

The Coalition for Justice has just learned that Judge Richard Taylor has scheduled the sentencing hearing for Ashley Williams. for tomorrow, June 19, 2012, at 3pm, at the John Marshall Courts Building, 400 N. 9th Street. We do not know the room number, but it will be posted in the lobby.

It is critical that everyone who can attend this hearing.
We must speak out against this miscarriage of justice!

Supporters include the Coalition for Justice, VA NAACP, Defenders, and Alliance for Progressive Values.
For background on the case, visit DefendersFJE.org

Today on DefendersLIVE: part 1 of 2 part interview with Lois Leveen, author of "The Secrets of Mary Bowser"- A conversation about this historical novel based on the limited historical record available about her work with Elizabeth Van Lew as a Civil War Union spy in the White House of the Confederacy providing information to the Union Army from the desk of Jefferson Davis... Why would an educated free Black woman in Philadelphia risk all to return to the city of her birth, and her enslavement, to do this work?

Tune in at 12 noon - live streamed at WRIR.org or on your radio at 97.3 FM (LP). More on DefendersLIVE at defendersliveradio.blogspot.com

Info From Today's Show

ACTION ALERT!

The court hearing we've been waiting for in the Ashley Williams case is scheduled for 11 am, Wednesday, June 13, Room 302, John Marshall Courts Building, 400 N. 9th St. in downtown Richmond. The courthouse is just north of East Marshall St., behind City Hall. If you're driving, come a little early, because parking is tight.

At this hearing, Judge Margaret Spencer is to decide on the only motion now before the court: whether Ms. Williams will be granted her request to be represented by attorney Pauline Ewald. If Judge Spencer rules against Ms. Williams, the case will go back to Judge Richard Taylor, for sentencing. There will be no trial. Ms. Williams is facing up to 45 years for a crime she did not commit.

We have got to pack the courtroom on Wednesday. Please recommit to being there and bringing as many people as you can. It is now obvious that the court system and most media would like to keep this case as quiet as possible. It's our job to make sure the public is aware of it.

For more information on the case, please go to www.DefendersFJE.org to read the statement that has been released by the Coalition for Justice, the Virginia NAACP, the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality and the Alliance for Progressive Values. Also, see the Defenders news story posted below that.

The Defenders also are urging everyone to support the courageous Virginia prisoners carrying out a hunger strike at the notorious Red Onion State prison. (See http://virginiaprisonstrike.blogspot.com/)

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO IS FOLLOWING BOTH THESE IMPORTANT STRUGGLES.

UPDATE ON THE ASHLEY WILLIAMS CASE – The court hearing to decide on Ms. Williams' request to be represented by attorney Pauline Ewald will NOT take place this Monday, June 4. What will happen Monday – by email – will be deciding the DATE for the court hearing. We should know that date by Monday afternoon, and will post and send out the information.

An explanation: A June 4 hearing is listed on the Virginia Courts Case Information website (http://ping.fm/DiYZP), the standard site reporters use to find out the progress of cases. But Ms. Ewald has told us that an actual hearing will not take place on that day. There has been confusion about hearings in the past, so, just to double-check, I stopped by the court clerk's office yesterday, and was told the same thing.

Hopefully, everyone who had planned to attend a June 4 hearing will be able to make the new date. If Ms. Williams is granted her request, Ms. Ewald will then ask the court to allow Ms. Williams to withdraw her guilty plea and let the case go to trial, under a new judge. If Ms. Williams is denied her right to be represented by the counsel of her choice, the case will go back to Judge Richard Taylor – not for a trial, but for sentencing. Ms. Williams is facing up to 45 years in prison for a crime she did not commit, so a big turnout for the court hearing will be crucial to prevent a major miscarriage of justice.

Look for a public statement to be jointly issued soon by the state NAACP, the Defenders and the Coalition for Justice, a group of longtime Richmond Black activists that is playing the leading role in supporting Ms. Williams right to a fair trial.

FOR THE BACKGROUND ON THIS CASE, PLEASE VISIT WWW.DEFENDERSFJE.ORG.

The Defenders also are urging everyone to support the courageous Virginia prisoners carrying out a hunger strike at the notorious Red Onion State prison. (See http://ping.fm/24TXg)

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO IS FOLLOWING BOTH THESE IMPORTANT STRUGGLES.