Don’t Cry for Me, New York: A Disbarred Civil Rights Lawyer Goes to Jail
Disbarred civil rights lawyer Lynne Stewart had a few words for her followers on Thursday before she surrendered to begin serving her 28-month prison sentence for helping an imprisoned terrorist communicate with his followers.
As she walked toward the courthouse, Stewart recalled a labor organizer executed in 1915 after a controversial trial, the New York Times reports. “This is the day they executed Joe Hill, and his words were, ‘Don’t mourn me, organize,’ ” Stewart said. “I hope that will be the message that I send, too.”
Stewart was forced to go to prison after a federal appeals court said her bail should be revoked and she should begin serving her sentence “forthwith.” The court rejected claims that the First Amendment protected her release of statements by an imprisoned sheik.
The Times says Stewart was greeted Thursday by more than 100 supporters who chanted “Free Lynne Stewart.” In a farewell speech, Stewart said she wouldn’t change much about the past and urged younger lawyers to fight hard for their clients.
“They can put me in jail, but my love, my ideas, my forcefulness I hope will remain with all of you,” she said. “And I will return.”
The Associated Press also had coverage.
