Wanda's Picks: Robert King's 11 Anniversary ; Della Reese

On his 11th Anniversary of freedom, Robert Hillary King joins us to talk about the case of the Angola 3: himself, Albert Woodfox and Herman Wallace. April marks the 40th Anniversary of their incarceration, King is the only one of the three currently released. King was released after 29 years in solitary confinement, 31 years total only when against his initial response agreed to plead guilty to a lesser conspiracy to commit murder charge. Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox are still prisoners in Angola prison and are working to get released. In March 2008 they were moved, after 36 years, from solitary confinement to a maximum security dormitory. Their cases have gained increased interest over the last few years. Since his release, Robert Hillary King has worked to build international recognition for the Angola 3. He has spoken before the parliaments in the Netherlands, France, Portugal, Indonesia, Brazil and Britain and about the case, and political prisoners in the U.S.. King was received as a guest and dignitary by the African National Congress in South Africa, and has spoken with Desmond Tutu. Amnesty International has added them to their 'watch list' of "political prisoners" / "prisoners of conscience." They have a pending civil suit 'Wilkerson, Wallace and Woodfox' vs. the State of Louisiana which the United States Supreme Court ruled has merit to proceed to trial based on the fact that their 30+ years in solitary confinement is "inhumane and unconstitutional". The outcome of this landmark civil case could eliminate long term solitary confinement in U.S. prisons. They are the subject of 2010 documentary In the Land of the Free, directed by Vadim Jean and narrated by Samuel L. Jackson. Visit http://www.angola3.org and http://3blackpanthers.org/ We close with an interview with Ms. Della Reese who is opening in San Francisco Feb. 16-18 at the Rrazz Room.
We close with an archived broadcast: 02/06/2012