Here in Massachusetts we are trying to build our local chapter of the Jericho Movement. We will continue our work to free those activists imprisoned for political reasons.

In April 2004, we held a working conference at UMass Boston entitled "Set the Captives Free." The working conference began with an evening of cultural edutainment with special musical guests Dead Prez, The Foundation, VCR, Blackout Boston, Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo, FTP, Reflect & Strengthen, Curtis King, Simon & Wagner, and PRESENTE! on April 16, 2004. The following day we held workshops on Political Prisoners, Prisoners of War, and Racially Profiled Detainees in the U.S with Pam Africa (MOVE), Jean Day (AIM), Fred Hampton Jr.(former political prisoner), Linda Evans(former political prisoner), Russell Shoats Jr., Netdahe Williams, Rod Coronado(former political prisoner, animal rights activist), Mike Duan (South Asian Coalition,) Rawan Barakat(New England Committee to Defend Palestine), Lourdes Lugo (National Boricua Human Rights Network), Attorney Soffiyah Elijah, Attorney Nancy Murray (ACLU, NLG), and Nalda Vigezzi (Cuban 5 Coalition).

In May 2005, we held a second working conference and concert at the historic Strand Theater in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Speakers and performers included Dead Prez, The Last Poets, Attorney Lynne Stewart, Dhoruba Al Mujahid Bin Wahad (former political prisoner and Panther 21 defendant), Alicia Rodrà guez (Puerto Rican Independentista and former political prisoner), Rafael Cancel Miranda (Puerto Rican Independentista and former political prisoner), Kazi Toure (former political prisoner), Queen Godis, Boston City Councilors Felix Arroyo and Chuck Turner, The Foundation, Nasim Abdul Malik, Reflect and Strengthen, PRESENTE, Russell Shoats Jr., Netdahe Williams, and Rick Laaman. Throughout the year we also organize film screenings, discussions, demonstrations, celebrations and other events in Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, Dorchester and elsewhere.

We also have traveled to Philly, New York, and other places to participate in other events.