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Dear Friends: Enclosed is the first of several letters written by Ramsey Muniz while in solitary confinement at the Oklahoma Transfer Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Conditions there were torturous, as described by Ramsey. Please distribute.–Irma L. Muniz
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5/11/06

Writings from Solitary Confinement

The writings come from the depth of my Mexicano spiritual corazon. Even though I find myself in this cold dark hole of America, the spirit to rise and share with my people that the time has come for us to seize. I see no faces. I only encounter the concrete walls and steel beds of oppression and injustice. Yet I’m not saddened because my mind and Mexicano corazon are filled with the spirituality of our liberation here in America once and for all.

I’m filled with the spirits of our sisters and brothers from our Holy Land (Mexico) who took to the streets in millions like never before. The entire world viewed with amazement that maybe the United States was not a country of the free. Why should I have to be constantly confined in the dark cold holes of this system? The faces I saw on the national TV news were the majority of young faces, which means the struggle for justice and freedom can take as long as it has to. Those same faces in the streets will be there for a long time to come.

When one struggles for justice, liberation and spirituality, you never truly become old. One becomes
younger at heart and mind, simply because you are seeking the truth and the truth this very day is setting our people, la raza, los Mexicanos/Mexicanas free.

And why has the Bureau of Prisons denied me medical care and treatment for the last eleven years? Why? For the first time, we Mexicanos have become a national presidential issue in the United States. Hispanics, Latinos, and national Hispanic organizations
should take a strong position in favor of amnesty for
our sisters and brothers of our Holy Land. Please do
not allow these politicians or the congress to think
that we are different. Our roots, our most powerful
ancient God-given roots all go back to the same source.

We were not in existence only yesterday. We were
here long before the creation of the United States.
We are not strangers to this land. We must learn to
be patient with each other. We have been physically,
mentally, and spiritually divided for almost 500
years. There is a lot of self-hatred and ignorance
in our hearts and we must overcome the latter in
order to win. At this point, we as a people are the
only ones that can be destructive to each other.
Families must bond once again. Blood and heart are
the strongest elements in mankind. We must set aside
all the petty differences and not become a soap
opera destructive force. La familia must rise once
again. La familia must reunite. La familia must
embrace again!

I decided to express my constitutional right,
and petitioned the court to direct the federal medical
facility to provide medical care and treatment.
Instead, the staff in Springfield, Missouri took my
body in chains and shackles and tonight I find myself
in solitary confinement in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

They stated that on one, especially a Mexican like
myself, would file any petition against them. Is
this the true meaning of American justice?

Even tonight with the token lighting, as I share these
words from my heart, I can feel the spirits of our
Mexicano revolutionary hero, Ricardo Flores Magon,
who also suffered in the dungeons of Leavenworth and who died there – or is he really dead? I live within
all the spirits and love of our past revolutionary
Mexicanos and Mexicanas. They never permit for me
to feel alone, lonely, or isolated from those close
to my life. I only become stronger in my beliefs,
convictions, and principles because the Oppressor
continues to violate my human rights by any means
necessary. I only feel for my wife, my family, and
those close to my heart after so many years of
suffering and sacrifice.

The nights are extremely cold and painful to
my body, yet they refuse to give me a blanket. I
will survive because it is written in our ancient
past that we must sacrifice to the end. Why is it
so cold and dark in this hole, and why must I suffer
in this cruel fashion?

We must learn to openly communicate with our
Holy Land of Mexico and its governing body. For too
long the Holy Land has separated itself from its own
people who lived in Aztlan (Southwest). A national
delegation of Mexicanos and Mexicanas should be
organized for the purpose of presenting its agenda
to the president and Congreso de Mexico. Remember
and don’t ever forget that we are all the same people.
Todos somos uno! The day that we as a people accept
each other as one is that day that we shall be free
in this world of today and tomorrow.

Forgiveness: We as a people, as a Mexican race
are in the immediate process of recognizing and
accepting who we are once again. For decades the
oppressor has made us believe we are different,
simply because a border divided us for many
years. We must learn to forgive each other for
the blindness and/or acceptance of thinking we
were different. We are one and shall be one
forever! Nothing can change that. It is part of
our nature and most importantly it is God-given.
“Todos Somos Uno” will be our new cry to the
world and to those around us. We are in for new
ideas, philosophies, thoughts, action, and
organizing and we must come with an open heart
and love for our people.

“The reasonable man adapts himself to the
world: The unreasonable one persists in trying
to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all
progress depends on the unreasonable man.”

–George Bernard Shaw

One could say that I’m an unreasonable
Mexicano. Be it so, especially since I have
witnessed and experienced oppression, discrimination,
and injustices. If some doubt my words, then tell
me why I am confined in this cold dark hole and
will be in this hole until who knows when. My
sisters and brothers from our Holy Land of Mexico
have also suffered for coming into the land which
was once ours. Some are even confined in the holes…

I will never surrender the love and devotion
I have in my heart for the freedom of our people.
We must forever sacrifice and endure the
suffering it takes for liberation and justice
within mankind. History throughout the world
states that some will have to sacrifice and carry
the cross of freedom, love, and spirituality. I
have accepted that part of history from the t
ime of my birth. My mother, Hilda, was a Mexicana
freedom fighter to the day of her death. I continue
to carry that cross in my heart and body, for she
is with me this very night sharing these words with
all our people!

In exile,
Ramsey (Tez)
Libertad y Aztlan!!
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http://www.freeramsey.com

Following the spaghetti trails of binational and international policy groups in the Americas, we find a “Declaration of San Carlos” adopted on March 24, 2006 by the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE). Venezuela’s footnotes to the declaration suggest some discomfort with the emerging anti-terrorism category of “emerging threats.”
This is an international, rather than multinational initiative, since it falls under the Organization of American States (OAS).

Interesting to find are three objections in the form of footnotes from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The first objection concerns wording of a paragraph that connects terrorism to “illicit drug trafficking, illicit trafficking in arms, money laundering, and other forms of transnational organized crime.” Such wording, says Venezuela, “is geared toward pointing out a direct and permanent connection between terrorism and transnational organized crime, as that entails a repudiation of the norms of due process and the presumption of innocence—universally recognized principles in the area of human rights.”

The second objection concerns the category of “Emerging Threats.” Venezuela refuses to support the framework of this category, “because no common definition is given of emerging threats and because it introduces elements that are not consistent with the realities of the Hemisphere and that are disproportionate with regard to one another, by their nature and according to the provisions of the Declaration on Security in the Americas.”

Concerns embraced by the category of “emerging threats” do seem to be “disproportionate to one another” if you compare security for the 2007 Cricket World Cup alongside weapons of mass destruction. As for its reference to “elements that are not consistend with the realities of the Hemisphere” it is more difficult to see what Venezuela intends. Perhaps this is a reference to the category’s preoccupation with cyberterrorism. Perhaps it has more to do with the issues that surround nuclear materials (see below).

One interesting phrase under “emerging threats” defers to “each state” to define “emerging threats” according to its own laws. We read in this language the influence of the USA.

In objection three, Venezuela returns to the category of “emerging threats” in order to single out disapproval of the reference to UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004). The resolution pertains to “proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons”. This category rings familiar as a motivation (or pretext) most vigorously applied by the USA to Iraq and Iran. Does Venezuela worry that such powerful linkages between emerging threats, nuclear and chemical materials, and pre-emptive warfare may soon go South?

Instead of viewing nuclear issues in terms of “emerging threats”, Venezuela’s footnote encourages a framework established in 1967 by the nations of Latin America and the Caribbean in the form of the Treaty of Tlatelolco, a self-adopted prohibition of nuclear weapons from the region.

Dear Friends:

This letter from Ramsey Muniz describes the
violation of his constitutional rights for
the past eleven years. We continue to make
this information known, and have received
encouraging support from congressmen.
Please distribute. — Irma L. Muniz

4/7/06

Violation of my Constitutional Rights Under the Eighth Amendment – Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Before reading this constitutional opinion,
it is important that you first examine the attached
medical narrative (exhibit A), sent by
Dr. Pete E. Garcia, in charge of the Orthopedic
Surgery and Sports Medicine Clinic, to the Warden
at the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth,
on February 1, 1995. If necessary, one will be able to find in
my federal sentencing transcript where
unmistakably I be confined in a Federal
Correctional Institution (FCI), and not in a
hard core federal penitentiary. The Bureau of
Prisons and the United States Marshall’s Office
disregarded the legal intentions of the federal
judge, and instead confined me in the Leavenworth
Federal Penitentiary.

From the commencement of my incarceration,
I was suffering from my physical disability and
medical conditions. I constantly complained to
the institutional medical authorities about my
physical condition to the conclusion that I could
not levitate from my bunk bed for days, suffering
extreme spasms, arthritic pain, inflammatory
rheumatism, distress, agony, and affliction.
This cruel and unusual punishment continued for
a period of over eleven (11) years.

On or about 1996, due to the weakness and
physical disabilities of my knees, I incurred a
most drastic fall and injured my left hip. After
various days confined to my bunk bed, several
inmates provided assistance in carrying me to the
institutional medical facility. The result was the
same as before. X-rays were not taken, a full
medical examination was not provided, and the only
remedy was aspirin and a cane, which I use to this
very day. The continuous denial of proper medical
attention and care for the last ten (10) years
pertaining to my hip was a violation of my
constitutional right – cruel and unusual punishment.

On August 22, 2005, I became extremely ill to
the point that I was carried on a stretcher to the
institutional medical facility in Leavenworth.
After four hours of examinations, they finally
decided that I be submitted to St. John’s Hospital
in Kansas City, Kansas. What was to be a simple
overnight operation resulted in a near death
medical situation. From St. John’s Hospital I
was transferred to Pawnee Hospital, and In turn
I was transferred to Providence Hospital for
surgery once again. Only five days after the
operation, I was chained, shackled, and transferred
to this present medical facility for federal
prisoners in Springfield, Missouri.

I continue to complain about my existing
physical condition – knees, left hip, and back
condition due to a large herniated disc. I persist
with the assistance of my family and attorney that
x-rays be initiated of my left hip and knees. After
performing an x-ray of my hip, they found that it
had to be replaced and should have been medically
attended to years ago.

Since my severe illness of August 22, 2005,
I have been on a liquid diet because of my dentures.
Only two weeks ago I began to eat properly, but
I continue to be extremely physically weak and not
in a medical position to undergo an immediate hip
surgery.

An attorney, my family, and others have
respectfully requested that my hip operation be
delayed for a reasonable time so that I may recover
my physical, emotional, and mental strength.

It is of record that the Springfield medical
staff authorities have not yet shared with me the
medical evaluation report submitted by Dr. Pete Garcia, Orthopedic Surgeon of Corpus Christi, Texas, nor have they taken x-rays of both my knees. To continue denying full medical evaluation and proper professional care at this medical facility is a continuous violation of my eighth amendment — cruel and unusual punishment.

As a graduate of Baylor School of Law and a
practicing attorney for many years (prior to my
unjust confinement), it is my legal opinion and
position that I be remain confined to this United
States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in
Springfield, Missouri, until I am medically
examined and treated for both my knees. To do
otherwise or attempt to confine me once again
in a United States penitentiary instead of a
low level institution (FCI) would be a blatant
violation of my constitutional rights pertaining
to cruel and unusual punishment.

How much more must I suffer after more than
ten years of extreme and severe punishment. I am
63 years old and in pursuit of justice in the
United States of America’s constitution.

In exile,

Ramsey R. Muniz

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www.freeramsey.com

By Greg Moses

IndyMedia
Austin / CounterPunch

There I was, eating enchiladas mole at Las Manitas, trying not to make a big deal out of Jon Dee Graham standing right next to me, when, through the window, Congress Avenue turned red, white, and green with chanting students…

500 high school students from Austin, Cedar Park, and Leander marched to the capitol Friday where they rallied for immigrant rights in opposition to a threatened federal crackdown.

Students marched up Congress Ave. shortly before 2:00 p.m. and rallied along the wide sidewalk just outside the capitol gates.

Dressed mostly in white t-shirts and carrying various sized flags of Mexico, students chanted “Me-xi-co, Me-xi-co, Me-xi-co” and “Hell No, We Won’t Go!”
“We’re here to work. We’re not criminals!” declared one hand-made sign. “Viva Mexico, Si Se Puede” said another, echoing the famous slogan of Cesar Chavez, “Yes, We Can!”

“We Pay Taxes,” said a slogan written in black marker on the back of a white t-shirt. “Without US Mexicans, the US is Nothing,” said a posterboard sign in black and white. A few young women wore petit-sized flags tucked to the fronts of their shirts.

The students were greeted with frequent honks from passing cars as drivers waved and gave ‘thumbs up’ to the impromptu demonstration for immigrant rights and dignity. Sometimes the car would be a mint-condition Chevy SUV, full of students waving Mexican flags from the windows.

One demonstrator, with his face half covered by a bandana made from a Mexican flag said most of the students were between the ages of 15 and 18. Others identified themselves as from Reagan, LBJ, and Garza high schools in Austin.

“I was on lunch break from Garza High School,” said 19-year-old Daniel Dimas, “and I heard the people walking shouting ‘ay, ay, ay!’ So I pulled up beside them and played my Spanish music real loud and said, ‘Do you need some support?’ So I ended up here!” Dimas held a Mexican flag mounted on a short pole that he waved as he led chants.

“Who made this country?” asked Dimas before he turned back to his newfound friends and shouted,”Who likes beans?” and “Who likes tortillas?” He could have asked also about caramel-colored lollypops, which seemed very popular with the crowd.

“You see what I mean,” says Dimas, smiling at the robust cheers that answered his questions. “We’re a whole new diverse group that this country needs. And we’re not going anywhere. What else can I say?” Of course, he had more to say:

“We built this country. We are nearly half the population. Even if they stop us, we’re going to come back. They’re not going to stop us. We’ve been here too long.”

Sixteen-year-old Vanessa Villa from Vista Ridge High School in nearby Cedar Park said she had planned to march next Tuesday, but on the spur of the moment this morning, students started walking from the high school toward the capitol, a distance of 24 miles.

“We’ve been walking all day, since 10:30!,” exclaimed Villa.

“We’re that proud!” said 15-year-old Jacki Caballero of Cedar Park, recalling the long walk down FM 1431 to Highway 183 where the students caught a bus.

“We’re the ones who created this place!” said Caballero.

“And we’re working for all immigrants,” said Villa, “not just Mexicans, but Puerto Ricans, and Cubans, too.”

An adult passed through the crowd with flyers announcing a national day of action here on April 10 (at 4pm). On Saturday (April 1) the annual Cesar Chavez march was also scheduled to highlight immigrant rights.

Leading up to last Saturday’s immigrant rights march held in Los Angeles, students there staged walkouts. That march topped a million people, and students across the country have continued walkouts this past week.

The afternoon was unusually warm for late March, and one student was taken away by ambulance for apparent heat exhaustion. She was only one block from the capitol.

At the main entrance to the capitol grounds, some students sat shoulder-to-shoulder along low stone walls, occasionally joining in chants or making “waves” from one end of the wall to the other with a ripple of dancing hands.

Other students enjoyed the rally in the modest shade of small trees. Still others led chants and cheers from the warmed up sidewalk along 11th Street.

When a television cameraman moved into position behind the sidewalk crowd they turned their attention from passing traffic to face the camera.

“No, no,” explained the cameraman, “face the street!”

When the students first arrived at the capitol, the Austin police department lined up eight motorcycle patrols along the curb of the sidewalk. But with students in a cheerful, peaceful, and sometimes playful mood, police soon retreated to the shady side of the street.

Tourists passing through the main gate to the capitol grounds made their ways gently through the crowd of students. It was impossible not to note that two Anglo women passed through the crowd walking their Chihuahua.

After about an hour of rallying, students began to peel away from the rally, many of them leaving by way of the nearby bus stop where they could be seen lining up to board buses and Dillos (the smaller downtown shuttles).

Afterword, with Obscenities

If you visit the streets of Austin often enough, you’ll see occasional t-shirts that say, “F**k y’all, I’m from Texas,” a trend that might possibly be blamed on the cultural influence of Texas songwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard who wrote a song with a very similar title a few years back, but who of course sings the song with a great deal of wry glee.

This is just a long way of introducing the context for one carefully lettered t-shirt in red, white, and green marker that was covered up most of the time. But for a few minutes the student took off his outer t-shirt (yes it was a guy thing) revealing the back panel of his his inner white-t, lettered with the kind of font that you sometimes see in family names written on the rear windows of pickup trucks.

“F**k Y’all,” said the t-shirt, “I’m from Mexico.” It was a total work of art.