innocence

Almost 50 years ain’t enough? Free Kenny Zulu Whitmore!

Published in: SF Bayview, 26 June 2022

The-Zulu-shade-never-fades, Almost 50 years ain’t enough? Free Kenny Zulu Whitmore!, Behind Enemy Lines
“The Zulu shade never fades” and neither does the spirit of liberation within the too many wrongfully convicted and unjustly sentenced Black, Brown and Indigenous people languishing within U.S. prisons. With their freedom on the line, but still needing to speak, we’re honoring their anonymity – and need for support. “Because of people’s appreciation of craft, it gets into places where it really shouldn’t and the politics become secondary to the workmanship of the actual art piece. I’ve always found that when people come to look at something from an aesthetic point of view they are more open to reading it and looking at it and taking it in.” – Carrie Reichardt, of ‘Treatment Rooms Collective’ a team of artists/Zulu supporters out of the UK.

by an anonymous supporter

I recently read an article on May 10, 2022, where elderly political prisoner Sundiata Acoli, 85 years of age now, was ordered released by a New Jersey Supreme Court after serving more than 49 years in the belly of the Beast.

And on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, Kerry Shakaboona Marshall walks out of prison after being held captive for 34 years into the arms of his mother who was known as Mama Pat. Patricia Vickery worked tirelessly for her son’s release. This made me think of Kenny Zulu Whitmore,  Political Prisoner in Louisiana.

Kenny Zulu Whitmore was “captured by the modern-day slave catchers,” as he once said, in February 1975, for the August 15, 1973 robbery and murder of the mayor of a rural town in the Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Zulu was 18 years of age at the time, and racial tension was, as it was around the country in 1973, high and violent. Zulu has maintained his innocence of the robbery and murder. At the time of his arrest in February 1975, he was held incommunicado by E.B.R.P.D. for three days, taken out of jail into a heavily wooded area beaten and tortured, refused food and drink by his captors, until they beat a false confession out of him.

Zulu was tried and convicted of armed robbery and second-degree murder and was sentenced to Life Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP), plus over 100 years in prison.

Shortly afterward, Zulu was transferred to the notorious Louisiana state plantation better known as Angola. Upon his arrival to Angola, Zulu was immediately placed into CCC/Close-Cell Restriction, known around the country as solitary confinement.

In solitary, Zulu met members of Angola 3 and joined the Angola chapter of the Black Panther Party for Self-defense. Our beloved comrade would spend the next 37 1/2 years in solitary confinement. He is now being housed in general population. 

Currently, Zulu’s case is pending in the district court awaiting a ruling by the judge. Zulu has been incarcerated 47 and a half years. We cannot forget our Elderly Warrior in his struggle for justice. As more legal updates become available, I will pass them on. Let’s show our brother some love and light.

Kenny Zulu Whitmore

Send our brother some love and light: Kenny Zulu Whitmore, 86468 Cypress #3, Louisiana State Prison, Angola, LA 70712.

Angela A. Allen-Bell reports back from Kenny “Zulu” Whitmore’s Nov. 25 Court Hearing

From the Angola 3 e-Newsletter:

Zulu’s next hearing is on December 11!

SULC Professor Angela A. Allen-Bell was one of many supporters (including Robert King and Albert Woodfox) that attended Kenny “Zulu” Whitmore’s court hearing on November 25 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Following the hearing and a strong showing of public support at the courthouse, Prof. Bell told the A3 Coalition that “Zulu’s spirits were really lifted by our presence today. The State now has until the next court date (December 11) to test the fingerprints.”

If you live close enough, please help support Zulu by attending his court date next month. The December 11 hearing will be at the 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge, LA.

In the meantime, Prof. Bell urges supporters to keep up the public pressure: “The Louisiana courts need to know all eyes are on them.”

For more information about Zulu’s case, please visit http://www.freezulu.org

(PHOTO: Zulu celebrates Christmas with his family on December 28, 2016. This photo and several others taken of Zulu visiting with his family were published by the SF Bay View Newspaper in 2017.)

Send Zulu Some Holiday Season Love!
Write Him:

Kenny Zulu Whitmore
86468 – Cypress #3
LA State Prison
Angola, LA 70712
U.S.A. (or use Jpay.com for an “email” which he can read on a kiosk)

Zulu's supporters before the court room on Nov. 25, 2019

Zulu’s supporters before the court room on Nov. 25, 2019

Pack the Courtroom Oct 2nd!

We thought Friday 20th of September there would be another Courthearing, the same as was ordered in April to take place on July 22nd, which was postponed. Please check here for the first announcement.

But it is now October 2nd, at 9:30 AM!

Free Zulu!

Zulu with blue sky, designed by Bev, a longtime friend of Zulu

Pack the Courtroom!

Free Zulu photo with blue skyThere was a long-awaited Court Hearing on April 2nd, 2019, in which Zulu was present, with support of his family and friends.

In this hearing, the State was ORDERED by the Judge to have all of the withhelded evidence tested by July 22nd, which is the next court date. So let’s pack the courtroom on July 22nd!