Ramos and Compean: One Year and Waiting
Steve Elliott
From the Desk of: Steve Elliott, President, Grassfire.org Alliance
1/17/2008
Today sadly marks the one year anniversary of the wrongful imprisonment of U.S. Border Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.
On this very date, in 2007, we told you that Ramos and Compean were ordered into federal custody after Judge Kathleen Cardone denied their motion to remain free on bond pending their appeal.
Since that time, the two have been locked in solitary confinement--away from their homes, and their loved ones. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), an outspoken advocate of the agents released the following press statement:
"It has been a year since Border Agents Ramos and
Compean entered prison. This marks a year of shame for
President Bush who has been fully aware of the details of
this blatant miscarriage of justice and chosen to do
absolutely nothing about it. Since day one, family members,
a cross section of the American people and Members of
Congress have pleaded with President Bush to pardon or
commute their sentences to prevent these men from having
to endure the horror of federal prison.
For a year, the President has shown us his arrogant and
heartless side by permitting the wrongful incarceration of
Ramos and Compean to continue. He may have put Ramos
and Compean out of his mind, but for the rest of us, the
President's disregard for Ramos and Compean's injustice
represents a definitive and deliberate inaction on his part.
The last year has been an absolute nightmare for these two
men who risked their lives defending our borders. Agent
Ramos was savagely beaten within days of imprisonment
and both men have been condemned to solitary confinement
for a year, suffering conditions worse than detainees at
Guantanamo Bay.
It is shameful that President Bush refused to show the
same level of mercy for Ramos and Compean that he was
so easily willing to grant his friend Scooter Libby."
Patrick, as you know, the agents' appeal was heard before the
5th Circuit Court of Appeals on December 3, 2007 with a ruling
expected in the coming weeks.
Grassfire has been in close contact with both Mrs. Ramos and Compean, and they have not received any indications as to when the ruling might be announced. They did however,
ask everyone to pray. Contingent upon the courts ruling, Ramos and Compean may be forced to serve their entire 11 and 12 years sentences, respectively.
++ Action Item--Contact Rep. Rohrabacher, and thank him
Grassfire is asking members of our team to contact Congressman Rohrabacher, and thank him for his ongoing commitment to freeing Ramos and Compean.
Here is the Congressman's contact information: 202/225-2415
Please know that as soon as we know anything about the appeal, we will report it to you!
Thanks for standing with us.
Steve Elliott
President
Grassfire.org Alliance
P.S: Please continue to write to Nacho and Jose. We were told they look forward to hearing from Grassfire team members! Below are their addresses:
Ignacio Ramos #58079-180
FCI Phoenix
Federal Correctional Institution
37910 N. 45th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85086
Jose Compean #58080180
FCI Elkton
PO Box 10
Lisbon, OH 44432
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