Inside Shadows: Memorial for Marilyn Buck, NOV 11.

This comes from the SF Chronicle via Marilyn's friends in the Phoenix Anarchist Coalition. Maybe we should host a memorial here, too.

--------Women Prisoner News: Marilyn Buck obituary in SF Chronicle-------

A memorial gathering will be held on November 7th from 4-7 at the First Unitarian Church, 685 14th St., Oakland. Additional ones will be held in Texas, New York City, and Puerto Rico; details will be posted on www.marilynbuck.com.

On Tuesday, August 3, 2010, long-time U.S.political prisoner and acclaimed poet Marilyn Buck, 62, passed peacefully at her home in Brooklyn. On July 15th, several weeks before the date originally set for her release, Marilyn had been released from the federal Bureau of Prisons medical facility in Carswell, Texas and paroled to New York. Marilyn served 25 years of an 80-year prison sentence for politically motivated actions undertaken in support of self-determination and national liberation and in opposition to racial injustice and U.S. imperialism. Throughout her years in prison, Marilyn remained a steadfast supporter of fellow political prisoners and an advocate for the women with whom she was imprisoned.

Marilyn became involved in the civil rights and anti-war movements and joined the Students for a Democratic Society during her college years and became an active supporter of the Puerto Rican, Native American and Black liberation struggles in this country. She was a consistent and outspoken advocate for the liberation of women and gay liberation.Marilyn was incarcerated in Dublin, California for 15 years, during which time she earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and Master of Arts in poetics. Her poetry and essays have been printed in a wide variety of journals and books. A new collection of her poetry will be published next year under the title "Inside Shadows."

In 2009, Marilyn was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer; treatment came too late to save her life. Marilyn is survived by three brothers, three sisters-in-law; cousins, nieces and nephews; her friend and attorney Soffiyah Elijah, and other loving friends worldwide. A memorial gathering will be held on November 7th from 4-7 at the First Unitarian Church, 685 14th St., Oakland. Additional ones will be held in Texas, New York City, and Puerto Rico; details will be posted on www.marilynbuck.com.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2010%2F08%2F22%2FMNBUCKMARI6.DTL

This article appeared on page Z - 99 of the San Francisco Chronicle © 2010 Hearst Communications Inc.

Decimas para Marilyn Buck: Carlos Quiles.

Thanks to Freedom Archives for putting this out where we can find it.

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En Memoria Marilyn Buck

Sentada al frente Marilyn Buck, detras las hermanas Lucy y Alicia Rodríguez

Ida Luz Rodríguez
Especial para CLARIDAD

Se nos ha ido nuestra hermana y compañera Marilyn Buck. Pasó a otra vida el 3 de agosto rodeada por el profundo amor de amigas y amigos quienes dieron testimonio que Marilyn enfrentó la muerte de la misma manera que vivió la vida, con amor y valor.


En 1985, Marilyn, fue sentenciada a 80 años de cárcel por su incansable defensa del derecho a la dignidad y libertad de los seres humanos. Luchó contra la injusticia, el racismo y el colonialismo que tanto daño le ha hecho a la humanidad y la naturaleza. Durante sus 25 años en cárceles del gobierno de los Estados Unidos logró engendrar solidaridad, amor y respeto internacional.


Al final de 2009, Marilyn fue diagnosticada con un sarcoma uterino, un cáncer poco común y muy agresivo. El 15 de julio de 2010, fue excarcelada del centro médico carcelario en Carswell, Texas y vivía en Brooklyn, Nueva York en la casa de su entrañable amiga y abogada Soffiyah Elijah. El ser que fue Marilyn caló profundamente en mi corazón y en el de mi hermana Alicia. Nosotras como prisioneras políticas compartimos momentos muy importantes con la compañera. Su humanidad y brillantez nos sirvió como una luz.


Alicia y yo pensando en Marilyn nos acordamos de un domingo, 5 de septiembre de 1999 en la cárcel en Dublin, California cuando todavía estábamos dialogando y reflexionando sobre si aceptar o no la oferta del Presidente Clinton. Esa mañana nosotras nos encontrábamos frente al televisor mirando el programa Meet the Press con un moderador y tres invitados. Uno de los panelistas fue el congresista puertorriqueño Luis Gutiérrez quien bravamente enfrentó la cólera y el racismo de los otros panelistas enfurecidos con la oferta del Presidente Clinton. Ya habían pasado casi tres semanas de una gigante ola de represión y racismo desatada por gran parte de los medios noticiosos y represivos que buscaban las formas de impedir nuestra salida de la cárcel.


Como puertorriqueño Luis Gutiérrez sintió el impacto racista y peligroso de las palabras de los panelistas, miró fijamente la cámara, y dijo “que salgan ya”. Nosotras entendimos que se dirigía a nosotros los prisioneros políticos. Marilyn, Alicia y yo entendimos que había fuerzas poderosas que buscaban mantenernos encarcelados costara lo que costara y que la salida nuestra de la cárcel sería una victoria para la nación boricua. Nos acordamos que Marilyn nos miró y nos dijo ustedes no pueden negar la oferta. Tienen que salir ahora. Esas palabras nos tocaron el corazón porque sabíamos que ella se iba a quedar encarcelada.


De nuevo pensando en Marilyn nos acordamos del 10 de septiembre, día de nuestra salida de la cárcel. Alrededor del medio día nos despedíamos de las compañeras de prisión cuando oí un profundo llanto. Pregunté quién lloraba y las mujeres me dijeron es tu hermana Alicia. Había muchas mujeres dándonos la despedida así que no podía verla. Luego Alicia me dijo que el llanto fue producto de una profunda indignación que sintió porque no salían todos los presos políticos particularmente Carlos Alberto Torres, Oscar López Rivera y Haydée Beltrán. Mi hermana sintió un estado de paralización del cual se percató Marilyn y fue ella la que agarró a Alicia y la movió hacia la puerta y afuera la llevó hasta el lugar donde nos procesaron antes de salir de la cárcel. Para Alicia, Marilyn fue su puente hacia la puerta de salida de la prisión. Ésa fue Marilyn Buck. Tuvo un corazón noble y muy bravo.


El testimonio del compañero Carlos Quiles surge de su encuentro con Marilyn a través de la poesía, llamadas telefónicas y cartas.

Décimas para Marilyn Buck

Compañera, para ti
una décima criolla,
la más genuina, que apoya
lo más genuino de aquí.
Del terruño el frenesí
en humilde convivencia,
del campo la luz, la esencia,
los olores mañaneros
y los nocturnos luceros
testigos de tu conciencia.

Es que te siento tan nuestra,
tan nacional, tan cercana,
tan genuina, tan hermana,
del isleño amor la muestra.
El sentir patrio demuestra
lo que tú me has demostrado,
tú eres surco que el arado
ha abierto de libertad,
tú estás en mi vecindad,
tú eres boricua a mi lado.

Yo no quisiera llorar
pero tengo atragantado
tu sentimiento que ha dado
tanto, tanto por amar.
Yo no quisiera mirar
con mis ojos lagrimosos
esos tuyos tan hermosos
más no puedo contener
la rabia ni el llanto al ver
lo que te causó el acoso.

Con los brazos de esta tierra,
Marilyn, quiero abrazarte,
compañera, y quiero darte
todo el amor que ella encierra.
Tú eres patria, nuestra, guerra
por nuestra liberación
ajena a nuestra nación
ante los ojos del mundo,
presente en cada segundo
de nuestra revolución.

Tú eres la décima mía,
la de Llorens y Virgilio,
eres extranjero idilio,
tú eres cercana alegría.
La octosilábica via
para cantar nuestra historia,
tú eres lucha, eres memoria,
eres canto libertario,
eres fusil necesario
para llenarnos de gloria.

Marilyn Buck, compañera,
reconozco tu presencia,
tu lucha y tu consistencia
y tu entrega siempre fiera.
Esa voluntad sincera
que se acercó a mi nación
fue un acto de devoción
y de solidaridad
y apoyo a la libertad
desde lejana prisión.

Maravillosa mujer,
que mi patria te conozca
y que en tu ser reconozca
lo valioso del poder.
El poder de poder ser
en valor y sacrificio
chispa y fulgor, el indicio
que siempre estará presente
en las manos de la gente
para ser del fuego inicio.

Una décima sencilla,
una décima de amor,
una décima cual flor
que representa a mi Antilla.
Para tí, la maravilla
de mujer universal,
para tí ese cideral
espacio de gloria eterna
en la décima más tierna
de nuestro espacio vital.

5 de agosto de 2010

Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org

Questions and comments may be sent to claude@freedomarchives.org

Be Strong: Marilyn Buck dies free.

I just learned that my favorite poet and revolutionary, Marilyn Buck, has passed away from cancer. She was exceptionally gracious and kind to me at a very difficult period in my life when we corresponded, speaking nothing of her own illness. That selflessness was characteristic.

Here is a roundabout link to her friend Mariann Garner-Wizard's beautiful photo album, where I first came across the news. Once there is more information out there about her, I'll post it. Check the Rag Blog first for updates - I'm posting Mariann's note about her today from there below.

If you have or know of a spot on this planet where Walmart will never build, please plant a tree in her memory. Then join us, if you can, in Arizona's streets, or boycott this place completely. There must be no more business as usual. If this fascism isn't stopped here, it spreads across the country like a virus. It has already.

Blessings, Marilyn. Thank you for sharing your freedom with us all these years. May you always dance.

---------------------------------

Mariann G. Wizard : Poet/Political Prisoner Marilyn Buck Dies in New York Hospital

Marilyn Buck was released from prison July 15, 2010.
Recently released from Texas prison:
Cancer takes poet Marilyn Buck

By Mariann G. Wizard / The Rag Blog / August 3, 2010

AUSTIN -- Friends of long-time political prisoner, former Austinite, and acclaimed poet Marilyn Buck, 62, were saddened by news of her death in a New York hospital early Tuesday, August 3.

Buck was released from the federal prison medical center in Carswell, Texas, July 15, 2010, and was paroled to New York City.

Buck served 25 years of an 80-year prison sentence for politically motivated crimes undertaken in opposition to racial injustice and U.S. imperialism. As a prisoner, Marilyn, while moderating her ideas about methods, continued to stand tall for her beliefs.

A selfless advocate for others, especially in the arena of prison medical care, Marilyn was diagnosed late last year with a uterine sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, too late for treatment to save her life.

Marilyn Buck was the recipient of funds raised at a June 25 benefit in Austin hosted by eight local groups, including NOKOA the observer and The Rag Blog, and supported by many businesses, artists, poets, and compassionate individuals.

While attending the University of Texas at Austin, Buck became involved in the civil rights and anti-war movements, and worked with SDS and the underground newspaper, The Rag. In the following years she became increasingly committed to and active in support of the black liberation struggle in this country.

Buck is survived by three brothers; several cousins; her long-time counselor, Jill Soffiyah Elijah; and loving friends worldwide. Her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Louis Buck, who both pre-deceased her, were leading civil rights activists in Austin in the early 1960s.

According to sources close to Marilyn's family, there will not be a funeral, but memorial gatherings will be scheduled in the future in New York City, in California's Bay Area, and in Texas. Funds raised for her hoped-for transition to the free world that had not been dispersed at the time of her death will be used according to her wishes to assist other aging prisoners.

The size of the U.S. prison population guarantees that increasing numbers of those released after lengthy sentences will lack savings, health insurance, or the network of friends from all walks of life that sustained Marilyn -- and benefited from her generous, principled spirit -- throughout her years behind bars.

Youth Emergency Service, Inc., fiscal sponsor for last month's Austin benefit, will continue to accept tax deductible contributions through PayPal at its website, or by check or money order, made out to YES, Inc., at PO Box 13549, Austin, TX 78711.

Also see:

• "Thorne Dreyer: Poet Marilyn Buck Freed After 25 Years in Prison" by Thorne Dreyer / The Rag Blog / July 19, 2010
• "Austin Benefit: Friends Support, Celebrate Marilyn Buck" by Mariann G. Wizard / The Rag Blog / June 30, 2010
• "Warrior-Poet Marilyn Buck: No Wall Too Tall" by Mariann G. Wizard / The Rag Blog / May 19, 2010
• And listen to Thorne Dreyer's interview with Robert King and Mariann Wizard on Rag Radio / June 22, 2010

Africa Today with Marilyn Buck

What an amazing woman. Click on the KPFA icon for the interview (mp3 file). There's also an interview with her attorney, Jill Soffiyah Elijah (a pretty incredible woman herself) at the website for the Friends of Marilyn Buck.

After all that, you should head over to kerspledebeb to sample the CD of her poetry from prison, Wild Poppies. She reads a handful herself, but most are read by other people from around the world who were themselves political prisoners. My favorites are probably "Thirteen Springs" and one that isn't with the samples, "To Vieques, in Solidarity" (which is read in both English and Spanish - the Spanish version is the most beautiful).

Finally, I'm so sure that you'll want to buy a copy for yourself - and a couple to have on hand as Christmas gifts - that I'm giving you that link too. Enjoy.

Back from Exile: Marilyn Buck is free!

This is the best news I've had in a long while, and came to us just moments ago from Vikki Law, who wrote the book on women's resistance in prison...today is truly a day to celebrate freedom.

Welcome Home, Marilyn. It's about time.

---------------------------------------------------

Activist, Poet, Writer,

Translator, Teacher –

Former Political Prisoner Marilyn

Buck Freed!!!

On July 15, 2010, Marilyn Buck was released from the federal prison medical center in Carswell, Texas. She is paroled to New York.

More news will be posted on http://marilynbuck.com/ as it becomes available.

Marilyn Buck: State of Exile.

From the Friends of Marilyn Buck, who is fighting cancer in federal prison. She's an extraordinary poet and translator (see State of Exile by Cristina Peri Rossi), and a sharp essayist. The article this links to at the Rag Blog is awesome. Note Marilyn's address change below, and drop her a card of encouragement and blessings. She is supposed to be paroled in August: show them how big and caring her community is.

Hit this page on her friends' site and listen to an interview with her attorney, Professor Jill Soffiyah Elijah, detailing Marilyn's history, prosecution, and experiences as a political prisoner. Professor Elijah has represented many of our freedom fighters and political prisoners over the years...

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Political Prisoner, Poet, Writer, Translator, Teacher –

Free Marilyn Buck!

political prisoner

Marilyn Buck began her antiracist activism as a teenager in Texas. As a college student, she organized against the war in Vietnam and in solidarity with the Black liberation movement. “After less than a decade as a political activist,” she writes,“I went to prison, convicted of procuring firearms for the Black Liberation Army. I faced 10 years in prison—a very long time for a young woman."

After serving four years, Marilyn was granted a furlough from prison and did not return. She spent the next eight years in clandestinity. Marilyn was recaptured in 1985. In addition to charges related to Assata Shakur’s escape, she was convicted of conspiracy to protest government policies (the invasion of Grenada and military intervention in Central America) through the use of violence against government property. Her total sentence was 80 years.

poet, writer

“The trials, those years of intense repression and US government denunciations of my humanity had beat me up rather badly. Whatever my voice had been, it was left frayed. I could scarcely speak.” Instead, Marilyn wrote. “For prisoners, writing is a life raft to save one from drowning in a prison swamp. I could not write a diary or a journal; I was a political prisoner. Everything I had was subject to investigation, invasion and confiscation. I was a censored person. In defiance, I turned to poetry, an art of speaking sparely, but flagrantly.”

Marilyn’s poems can be found in many collections, in her chapbook, Rescue the Word, and on her CD Wild Poppies. She has been awarded three prizes by the PEN Prison Writing Program, including first prize for poetry in 2001. Some of her poems are online here.

translator, teacher

Marilyn has long translated for Spanish-speaking women held in prison, and she is now translating Spanish literature to English. In 2009 City Lights published her translation of Uruguayan poet-in-exile Cristina Peri Rossi’s extraordinary collection, State of Exile. Read more about her publications.

She has also taught writing, GED preparation, history, and yoga inside.

imagination

One of more than 100 political prisoners in the United States, Marilyn is proof that imagination and solidarity can’t be stifled, no matter how many prisons or patriot acts we face.

her address is:

MARILYN BUCK 00482-285
FMC CARSWELL
P.O. BOX 27137
FORT WORTH TX 76127

more

Read a recent profile of Marilyn by a long-time activist friend at Austin's Rag Blog.