Supporters of Mark Curtis in the United States and around the world scored a victory October 17 when Iowa parole officials informed Curtis's attorney William Kutmus that they will grant the imprisoned trade unionist and socialist activist a formal parole hearing on November 21. This is the first time in three years the Parole Board has agreed to meet with Curtis, who was framed-up on rape and burglary charges in 1988.
Curtis supporters should take note of this victory and the change it registers by backing the effort being organized by the Mark Curtis Defense Committee to collect some additional letters in each area before November 21.
Priority can be given to talking about Curtis's fight for parole with those individuals whose letters will likely have the most impact on the Board's decision that day. The defense committee is explaining that the most effective letters are those from individuals that focus on why Curtis should be paroled and don't try to reargue with the Board the facts of the trial that took place more than seven years ago - important as these facts are.
Curtis completed the sentence for the phony rape charge he was convicted of more than two years ago. The average time served for the burglary charge cops and prosecutors tacked on several weeks after his original arrest is 76.2 months. Curtis has already served 85 months in prison. Every month that passes more and more people are asking, "Why is Mark Curtis still in prison?" Growing numbers of workers, farmers, and young people view his continuing imprisonment as being based on political prejudice. This fact weighed on the Board's decision to grant Curtis a hearing.
The 298 letters sent to the Board since mid-July had an impact on them as well. The big majority of these letters are from the United States, including a substantial number from Iowa and the Midwest.
In the last month in particular, several letters have come in from some dozen countries around the world. Earlier in July 5,000 letters of support from landless Brazilian peasants were sent to Curtis, who in turn passed them on to the parole officials.
Also making it difficult for the Board to continue to justify holding Curtis in prison is the growing awareness in the U.S. that cops lie. This was especially highlighted during the recently concluded O. J. Simpson trial where the Los Angeles cops were exposed as liars and racists. The key witness against Curtis was a Des Moines police officer who had lied and beaten a witness in a previous case. This fact was hidden from Curtis's jury by the actions of the judge who presided at his trial.
While there is no way to predict the parole board's decision on November 21, granting the hearing reflects progress in the fight to win Curtis's release. The authorities hoped to break the political activist and to use his victimization to intimidate others. This effort has failed. Curtis's fight has and will continue to serve as an inspiration to others.
Mark Curtis is entitled to parole.
Iowa parole officials have made their first step in that direction.
Curtis supporters everywhere should now act accordingly by winning additional letters urging the parole board to grant Curtis his release!