FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HEAP: A BOOK TALK WITH BLACK PANTHER ROBERT HILLARY KING

Thursday, October 8th, 8pm, MonkeyWrench Books (110 E. North Loop)

Former Black Panther and Angola 3 political prisoner Robert Hillary King speaks on his new book "From the Bottom of the Heap: The Autobiography of Black Panther Robert Hillary King." In 1970, a jury convicted Robert Hillary King of a crime he did not commit and sentenced him to 35 years in prison. He became a member of the Black Panther Party while in Angola State Penitentiary, successfully organizing prisoners to improve conditions. In return, prison authorities beat him, starved him, and gave him life without parole after framing him for a second crime. He was thrown into solitary confinement, where he remained in a six by nine foot cell for 29 years as one of the Angola 3. In 2001, the state grudgingly acknowledged his innocence and set him free.

King's story begins with born black and poor in Louisiana in1942. Just a teenager when he entered the Louisiana penal system for the first time, King tells of his attempts to break out of this system, and his persistent pursuit of justice where there is none. King's story remains one of inspiration and courage, and the triumph of the human spirit. The conditions in Angola almost defy description, yet King never gave up his humanity, or the work towards justice for all prisoners that he continues to do today. From the Bottom of the Heap, so simply and humbly told, strips bare the economic and social injustices inherent in our society, while continuing to be a powerful literary testimony to our own strength and capacity to overcome.

Texas Injustice: Family Members Speak Out

Monday, August 4, 8:00 PM
MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop Blvd.

Family members of death row inmates tell their stories about the criminal injustice system. Featuring Sandra Reed, mother of Rodney Reed, innocent on death row; Lawrence Foster, grandfather of Kenneth Foster Jr., who came within hours of an execution before winning a commutation of his sentence; Jeannine Scott, wife of wrongly convicted Yogurt Shop defendant, Michael Scott; and Delia Perez Meyer, sister of falsely accused death row inmate, Louis Castro Perez.

This event is part of a series of events sponsored by MonkeyWrench Books called Beyond the Bars: Local struggles against the Prison Industrial Complex. During the weekend of September 26-28, Oakland, California will play host to Critical Resistance 10, celebrating a decade of struggle against the Prison Industrial Complex. In the month before Critical Resistance, Monkeywrench Books will be hosting a series of prison-related events every Monday in August, featuring films, local organizations, and individuals directly affected by the prison industrial complex. For more information visit monkeywrenchbooks.org.

STATE VS. REED: A SCREENING OF THE AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE CASE OF TEXAS DEATH ROW PRISONER RODNEY REED.

Directed by Ryan Polomski and Frank Bustoz.

This 60 minute film documents the questionable murder conviction of Bastrop
resident Rodney Reed. Rodney was convicted of killing Stacey Stites on a
single piece of DNA evidence, which was explained by the romantic
relationship the two had. However, defense lawyers failed to establish this
connection at trial. In addition, strong evidence exists that points to
the initial prime suspect, Stacey's fiancée, then Giddings police officer
Jimmy Fennell. Hidden DNA evidence and eyewitness testimony all point away
from Rodney Reed. For years Rodney's family has fought to expose the facts
in this case Join the CEDP in a viewing of this important film. There will
be an update on recent developments in the case and of the ongoing struggle
to win justice for Rodney Reed.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16TH AT 7PM
AT MONKEYWRENCH BOOKS
110 E North Loop Blvd
$5 Donation Requested

www.freerodneyreed.org
www.myspace.com/statevsreed