Re: Romaine Fitzgerald—B27527

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:

Pursuant to Article V, Section 8, of the California Constitution, you have the extraordinary executive power to affirm, modify or reverse a decision of the California Board of Prison Terms (the “Board”) as to parole for people serving indeterminate life sentences. And, you have exercised that power in denying parole to hundreds of inmates to whom the Board has granted parole, including in the case of Sandra Lawrence. Of course, in 2008, the California Supreme Court overruled your decision in the Lawrence case, and ruled that the Board’s charge is to grant parole except where there is a showing of present dangerousness.

Romaine Fitzgerald has been incarcerated under a life term for 40 years now, even though he has been eligible for parole for 33 years. In 2008, the Board denied parole to Mr. Fitzgerald despite the failure of evidence that he represented a present danger. Its denial was, therefore, unlawful. Moreover, as Board commissioners at that last, July 2008 hearing challenged Mr. Fitzgerald to renounce the political views he held at the time of the commission of the crime when he was a member of the Black Panther Party, I believe the denial was politically motivated.

At the hearing, Mr. Fitzgerald showed that he had never been charged with a violent infraction during his long incarceration, that he had participated in innumerable rehabilitative programs, been trained in several vocational fields and fulfilled all work assignments. In 1998, he suffered a stroke, and, as a result, remains partially paralyzed. On April 11, 2009, he turned 60 years old. In consideration of all of the above and in the absence of any showing of present dangerousness, I am urging you to reverse the Board’s politically-charged, unlawful denial and grant parole to Romaine Fitzgerald.

Sincerely yours,

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July 21, 2008

Dear Supporters of Chip Fitzgerald,

On July 2, 2008, Romaine “Chip” Fitzgerald was denied parole by the California Board of Parole Hearings, to wait one more year for a new hearing. Serving a life sentence from 1969 convictions for murder and assault on police when he was a member of the Black Panther Party in Los Angeles, Chip was first eligible for parole in 1976. Since then, he has not been charged with any prison violations sufficient to justify this denial. Chip remains the longest held Black Panther Party political prisoner in the United States.

The spirit of all of us, the People, is greater than the authority of the Board! Our June 28, 2008, tribute to Chip in Los Angeles demonstrated our unity and strength and the power of our commitment to free Chip. Our seven-hour event was one of the most significant gatherings of community leaders Los Angeles has seen in a long time. Hosted by KJLH radio host Dominique DiPrima and our event coordinator Sikander Iqbal, the tribute lasted many hours longer than expected because everyone sensed the historic importance of our inter-generational, multi-ethnic assemblage, to resurrect the spirit of the Panther embodied in Chip and launch a new movement for progressive change in this country.

The Committee thanks Ben Caldwell of Kaos Network for providing his beautiful space in Leimert Park; and Paul Hiles of Chef Marilyn’s for his donation of a wonderful meal for the hundreds who attended the tribute; and Gregory Everett for showing his documentary, 41st & Central; and filmmaker Fatima Washington for filming the entire event. We especially thank hard-working volunteers Eric Lambkins, Stephanie Roberts, Ashley Level, Sade Elhawary, Tiana Braner, Kristoffer Ealy, Nafassi Ferrell, Esme Taylor; committed supporters Matt Hart of the LA-ABCF, LA Brown Berets, A.O.A, Building Communities and Families, UCLA African Men’s Collective; and the artists who performed at the event, particularly the great poet Ojenke, and Sadiki Bakari.

Let us not be discouraged by the Board’s decision. Let’s remain vigilant! Keep getting signatures for the online petition advocating for Chip’s release. Help the Committee raise money for legal counsel for Chip’s appeal of the Board’s decision in a court of law. Let’s free Chip Fitzgerald! Please send Chip a letter of support:

Romaine Fitzgerald
Centinela State Prison
B-27527, FC-2-110,
PO Box 921,
Imperial, California 92251-0731

With gratitude and love for the People.