Found on RastaItes Forum:
PLEASE HELP A FELLOW RASTA, READ HIS STORY BELOW AND WRITE A LETTER (THERE IS A SAMPLE LETTER TO KIND OF FOLLOW)...VISIT THIS LINK WHEN YOU ARE DONE WITH THIS LETTER http://www.ccr-ny.org/v2/home.asp
PLEASE if each one of Fulfilled Rastafari reacts to this plea, by simply writing a letter, InI could mek a difference for Human Rights that are being violated in the Prison System, to Rastafari and others. Please Fulfilled Rastafari, what can you do? You can write a letter. We have so many on these email lists, and if each one would write something would be done!
Below is the letter from Ras Solomon, illustrating the NOJUSTICE, AND ONES KNOW, IF THERE IS NO JUSTICE THERE IS NO PEACE, AND WE WANT PEACE, SO LETS MEK A PUSH, RIGHT?
Greetings In the Name of The Most High JAH Rastafari! Iver living,
> > Iver faithful, Iver sure
> > First and foremost, my name is RAS-Solomon Tafari. I am a
> > twenty-eight year old Rastafarian male who is currently incarcerated
> > in a VA state prison. I am writing this message to make you aware of
> > an ongoing plight that you may not be aware is taking place within
> > the VA D.O.C.
> > On Dec 15, 1999, the VA D.O.C. implemented a
> > grooming policy requiring all male inmates to cut
> > our hair to a one inch level and to keep our faces
> > "cleanly shaved". There was never any
> > consideration given regarding one's religion or
> > religious tenets at the time this policy was
> > implemented. For those who refuse to comply with the
> > grooming policy, harsh penalties are imposed such
> > as: all of the inmate's privileges (telephone
> > usage, commissary and visitation) will be suspended.
> > Inmates that refuse to comply will also be placed in
> > segregation indefinitely and be reclassified to a
> > higher security level. Many of us have had all these
> > penalties imposed on us. I ,and a few others, have
> > now been in segregation for eight years straight.
> > While in segregation, we're confined to a very
> > small cell and are permitted to leave the cell three
> > times per week for a fifteen minute shower and for
> > one hour each day five days per week for what prison
> > officials term "exercise time."
> > Being in segregation for such a long period of time
> > and having the above penalties imposed on us is
> > having a detrimental effect on us, not only
> > psychologically, but on our family relations as
> > well. It is true, we have been convicted of crimes.
> > We accept responsibility for our past actions that
> > led to our incarceration. But at the same time,
> > punishment must be balanced with compassion and
> > rehabilitation. Many of us do actually want to
> > better ourselves so that we can hopefully return to
> > society one day as productive citizens and
> > responsible men. We owe this, not only to society,
> > but to our families and loved ones as well.
> > Many of us that are incarcerated use religion to
> > help us in this process of transformation. Why
> > deprive us of this right?
> > To a Rastafarian, there is nothing more sacred than
> > his or her dreadlocks. They (the dreadlocks) are a
> > symbol of a vow the Rastafarian made to the creator
> > to live righteously and to serve The Most High. This
> > vow is the vow of the Nazarite and is derived from
> > the Holy Bible, Book of Numbers, chapter six, verse
> > five which states: "All the days of the vow of his
> > separation there shall be no razor come upon his
> > head: until the days be fulfilled, in which he
> > separateth himself unto the Lord, he shall be Holy
> > and shall let the locks of the hair of his head
> > grow."
> > This ongoing persecution and downpression has been
> > an ongoing issue for eight years now, far too long.
> > We have contacted numerous people and organizations
> > in an attempt to get help regarding this matter.
> > However, we have received very little help and
> > support. But what has been most hurtful is the lack
> > of concern our own brothers and sisters within the
> > international Rastafari community tend to display.
> > We must remember, when the voice of justice is
> > silenced, then we'll all suffer the consequences in
> > some form or another. Today it is us, but tomorrow
> > it could very well be you.
> > We humbly ask that you please assist us in
> > overcoming this current injustice in any way you
> > can. To learn more about this situation and to learn
> > how you can assist us, please send an email. Thank
> > you for your time and patience.
> > RAS-
> > Solomon
> > Tafari
Now if you are not sure what to write, you could write about the CCR recent VICTORIES, and advances that the CCR has made for Prisoners in Guantanamo, but allso mention an issue more close to home, the plight of Rastafari suffering solitary confinemant for refusing to cut their covenant with the Most High, their hair...here is a Isample of a letter you could write to the CCR:
To Whom it may Concern:
Although we are encouraged to hear of the many advances and strides that the CCR has made in the case of protecting and fighting for Human Rights, there is another situation to which your attention would be so appreciated. This concerns Rastafari people who are being held punished excessively because they are choosing to exercise their constitutional rights, and human rights, to keep their hair. By refusing to cut their hair, they are made to stay in Solitary Confinement. This is happening with the Virginia D.O.C. We of Fulfilled Rastafari, want to ask the CCR to help us with this terrible injustice, asking if you would please check into this situation and help us to fight it. Please let me know what I can do individually to help assist you to help these men and women who choose to exercise their Constitutional Rights.
Sincerely,
XX
Fulfilled Rastafari Chapter XX
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