For Chip Fitzgerald and his release from prison

When I think of Chip Fitzgerald sitting in prison for almost 40 years, the longest held BPP political prisoner. When I think of Chip I pause and reflect on the birth of my three children and my two grandsons. Their lives and mine have changed and transformed in these precious four decades. As I reflect on Chip’s life I am aware that birth, life in all of its complexities, and death are natural occurrences. Prison is not natural.

The human spirit is not meant to be restricted and contained. The spirit and its casing, the body, lose their luster under emotional surveillance and physical deprivation- inside the minds of those who abuse power; inside concrete and steel walls, electronic doors and windows that hold no promise of air. How do I know this? I was held inside brick walls and cement floors for two years. A short time, yet, long enough to lose connection to the social and the political, the heartbeat of the “outside” world- my friends, my comrades, the movement of time, the day to day life of my young daughter. The austerity, loneliness and forced conformity of the bastille strips smiles away, captures and silences laughter. This experience is so strong that it can remove the cellular memory of the sun.

Some know Chip and love him personally. For others he represents the violent treatment of BPP members. For all of us he represents the thousands of black and brown men and women who fill the prisons and jails in California, in the US and around the globe. Chip is our son, brother, our nephew, our father, grandfather, our uncle, our friend. His is the composite face that we must intentionally recall often so that we do not forget- the color of eyes, the shape of nose and the softness of lips. His is the voice that enters our dreams of his return home, to the quasi-safety of American life. We can not forget AND we must not. We’re indelibly linked. He is each of us, no different. He is no criminal.

Who then are the criminals who remain free of prison? They are the ones who maintain the laws and policies that pierce the heart of life and rob sons from their mothers; food from the mouths of children. Are the Chips of the US responsible for killing hundreds of citizens in villages daily in Afghanistan? No. Are the Chips of the US funding the trafficking of girl children for sale to wealthy American men? No. Do the men who look like, sound like, and feel like Chip impose their will and military force all over the world? We answer NO.

It is important that we have integrity in what we think, say and do in our lives. The original reason for Chip’s incarceration is less important than his release NOW. It is imperative that we support life, his life. It is crucial that we step forward on behalf of his freedom, as he did almost four decade ago on our behalf.

Romaine “Chip Fitzgerald deserves humane regard. Participate in the work of the Committee to Free Chip Fitzgerald. Sign the petition. Spread the word: Let him go!

Welcome Home Chip!

ericka huggins

Oakland, California
June 27, 2008