LEONARD JACKSON
W-70524
Old Colony Correctional Center
1 Administration Road
Bridgewater, MA. 02324

THERE CAN NEVER BE JUSTICE, ON STOLEN LAND.

The UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS is a proclamation adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948.

As a Black man in The United States, I can not with a clear conscience say that the rights set forth in those 30 Articles have been a benefit to me.

I am presently being held in a direct violation of Article 8 of this declaration, for the Commonwealth has admitted to a constitutional violation in my case, and instead of releasing me from this unlawful restraint, the state supreme court has opted to affirm my conviction by stating untrue facts of a non-existing waiver.

Now in the interest of justice and Article 8, all violations should be remedied. Although when it comes to the under privileged who can not afford private attorneys to champion their cause, justice becomes - just us. For we are left to suffer the post hoc manipulations of the judicial system peppered with claims of harmless error and mere procedural defect.

Although I maintain my innocence, let's say my conviction stands and I am serving the terms of my sentence which is life without the possibility of parole. During my sentence, I display a 180 degree turn around to the point where I am not only a model inmate, I am changing the lives of individuals that are re-entering the communities from which they came, and in turn changing the community.

Should I still be considered a threat to public safety, or should a special interest be taken and I be considered for a commutation and given a second chance to make amends for my offense?

I say this because since my incarceration, I have made great strides at my own self-rehabilitation by instructing inmates in character and spiritual development, displaying leadership skills by earning a Competent Communication certificate and Competent Leadership Skills in Toastmasters International, becoming a senior facilitator in the Alternative to Violence Project, and also the founder of C.A.M.P. (Cultural Advancement of Man's Potential) program.

The reason I list just some of my personal achievements is not to pat myself on the back. The reason I list them is for the title of this paper.

For if We The People can forgive The United States of America for its crimes against humanity from its inception, which it deemed necessary to become a nation, what about the institution of man? And the trials and tribulations one must suffer to learn from his errors?

If I am to suffer without the possibility of redemption, reconciliation or forgiveness, the American flag should stand for nothing more than the blood, slavery, genocide, and treason that was committed to make it the leading nation of the world.

Until then Human Rights is only an agent and tool that is to keep the masses passive and in check to never question the powers that be.

As a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Until these rights are adhered to, "THERE CAN NEVER BE JUSTICE, ON STOLEN LAND".

*P*EOPLE *E*QUALLY *A*MALGAMATED *C*AN *E*VOLVE

by Leonard "Freedom" Jackson