Free John Now! Escalates

The Free John Now campaign continues, moving along in high gear towards the brother's eventual liberation from the confines of the state. The people's voice is being raised--thousands of postcards addressed to Governor William Milliken have been arriving in Lansing, raising eyebrows and making the point. WRITE TO THE GOVERNOR AND LET HIM KNOW HOW YOU FEEL! Pre-addressed postcards can be picked up at 1520 Hill St. and at hip stores all over town.

John was just moved back to Jackson Prison from the hideous Wayne County Jail, and he sends his love to all of you. His spirits are rising day by day as he can feel his release getting closer and closer. "When the prison doors are open/The real dragon will fly out. "--is how Ho Chi Mlnh put it.

Sometime during the next two weeks people's attorneys Buck Davis and Chuck Ravitz will enter a motion before the Michigan Supreme Court asking that John be released on bond, pending decision on his appeal. Bond has been continually denied, starting with Judge Colombo back in 1969 who said that John "would continue to flaunt the law in relation to narcotics" and therefore constituted a "danger to the community. " As all of us have been pointing out to these creeps all along, marijuana is not a narcotic, and its effects cannot be grouped with those of the death drugs that are. People are finally getting hip to this -- Governor Milliken himself recently stated that marijuana is "falsely classified as a narcotic, " and is urging that the maximum penalty for possession be made 90 days. John has already served 22 months in prison for possession, and faces another 8 years ! If Milliken really means what he says he'll correct this gross injustice, and FREE JOHN NOW by commuting his sentence.

The campaign began last Friday with a benefit dance at the Union ballroom. More than 700 people carne to hear Delta R. J. and the Bad Foot Blues Band, the rising UP, Silver Hawk and Sunday Funnies, all for the astounding price of $. 75. Saturday morning was Open House at our house, 1520 Hill St. People feasted on home-baked goodies and toured all 20 rooms. We'll be having another one soon. Sunday evening the community got together for a potluck feast at 300 Thompson St., rapped about John's case and got down to some righteous organic food.

On Friday June 4 people's attorney Bill Kunstler will be coming to town in John's behalf. He'll appear on several radio and tv programs, help raise funds for the campaign at several cocktail parties in Detroit and Ann Arbor, and meet on Saturday with John at Jackson to plan legal strategy.

6Sunday is the first Ann Arbor Tribal Stomp Free Concert, featuring the Pride, Guardian Angel and the UP. David Sinclair will read a message from his imprisoned brother during the afternoon. That evening is a benefit for the John Sinclair Freedom Fund at the historic Grande Ballroom in Detroit. It starts at 7:00 p. m.; admission is $1. 50. The gig features Pride, Carnal Kitchen, the UP, Detroit featuring Mitch Ryder, and the Flaming Groovies. A full day of rock and roll--see you there. . .

In the meantime, besides writing the Governor , you can pick up FREE JOHN buttons, bumperstickers, and a special issue of the SUN on John's case and the marijuana laws at 1520 Hill St. and at stores all over town. Of course, all this takes money--send contributions to the John Sinclair Freedom Fund, 715 E. Grand Blvd, Detroit 48207. We're getting closer, brothers and sisters, John will be back with us soon, because the Power of the People is stronger than the hideous anti-life schemes of the fascist state. FREE JOHN NOW !