Robert Will's Defense Committee
The Rob Will Defense Committee
Goals and Objectives
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this urgent message. We are a small group of Rob’s supporters who actively work toward advancing the struggle for Rob’s freedom and the overall Struggle for universal Human Rights, which includes the abolition of the death penalty and the improvement of prison conditions. Rob is a relentlessly dedicated activist who remains unwavering in the face of the oppression. As he says: “once you recognize Injustice, inaction is nothing less than consent and acceptance”. Rob refuses to consent and we stand by him in solidarity! As Gandhi said “we have to be the change we wish to see in the world”.
Here's how you can help:
*Spread the word about Rob’s website (www.freerobwill.org): The distribution of information is absolutely essential. Tell everyone you know about Rob’s site and ask them to spread the word. Help expose the true nature of the prison industrial complex and help Rob gain his freedom.
*Moral and emotional support: Let Rob know what you think of his activism. He appreciates all correspondence and constructive criticism. Thoughts, questions and suggestions are always appreciated. Rob can receive letters, cards, postcards and pictures. Drop him a line to let him know that people on the outside truly do care.
*Media Exposure: Contact all progressive media outlets and inform them about Rob’s struggle, our struggle. Contact print media -newspapers, magazines, etc.-, Internet sources and television outlets. Try everything. It is imperative that we educate the public about the deplorable death penalty and spread the word about Rob’s situation.
*Direct Action E-mail Alert Group: Check the main page to join Rob's e-group. We are activists who wish to join the struggle and make change happen. Through the e-group, you will find updatedes from Rob detailing exactly what types of actions need to be taken. This will mainly involve sending e-mails, making phone calls and sending letters. Two examples of the effectiveness of the Direct Action E-mail Alert:
1) As he has done many times, Rob protested the overtly oppressive treatment of a mentally retarded inmate by staff members. The officers were refusing to allow this inmate to shower. To bring attention to the situation and protest this blatant violation of basic Human Rights, Robert refused to leave the recreation yard. Doing so caused a ranking staff member to come to the pod and he ordered officers to shower and feed the mentally retarded inmate.
The next day, the officers retaliated by refusing to let Rob and the other inmate out to shower and recreate. Rob sent out an update detailing the situation and listed what officials needed to be contacted. His update was e-mailed around, the officials were contacted and the officers were reassigned. Plus, the mentally retarded inmate received his showers and meals from that point on.
2) In protest of capital punishment and the deplorable conditions on death row, Rob refused to leave his cell on an occasion when he was supposed to come out for a “shakedown” (cell search). Because this System always reacts violently to non-violent protest, Rob was tear-gassed repeatedly, beaten by the Emergency Response Riot Team and left completely naked in a “security management” cell. A direct-action e-mail alert was put out, e-mails and phone calls were made and Rob was subsequently given clothes and his property.
The System likes to commit its treachery in the dark. It likes to promote an air of omnipotence but public awareness creates a very uncomfortable situation for those in control. Exposing the true nature of this System means that they simply cannot commit inhuman acts in secret. Let’s help Rob shed light on Injustice! (Contact us at freerobwill@gmail.com for more information on the Direct Action E-mail Alert Group).
*Education Program: For many years now Rob has operated a small library/educational program out of his cell. He passes around his books, zines, pamphlets, educational magazines, etc., and he encourages group discussion. Reading and studying raises the social consciousness of an individual which in turn raises the social consciousness of society as a whole. People in prison can change their life through studying and Rob believes that “education is a vital element in the process of healing Humanity.”
New and used books can be sent to Rob directly from the publisher, amazon.com (or another online bookseller), or a regular bookstore. Rob cannot receive books from individuals. The package books are sent in must have the return address of the publisher or bookstore (online or otherwise) and include a packing receipt. Zines or pamphlets can be sent in directly from publisher/distributor. Subscriptions to educational magazines or newspapers can be obtained in Robs name using his prison address:
Robert G. Will-999402
Polunsky Unit
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston, TX 77351
USA
It is best to contact Rob directly before sending him any educational material. He has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and Rob is a relentless educational propagandist. He loves to receive material to help with the Educational Program and anything and everything sent will be greatly appreciated.
*Internet help: Rob always needs help finding information on the internet and help with sending print-outs to him. He also needs help with typing. Please contact Rob directly if you can offer any help in this area.
*Fundraising: Rob has been locked up for almost 6 years now and he has never had a fundraising event held on his behalf. Rob is "not a great fan of capital” as he says, so he has never tried to raise any money (Plus, he has a very, very hard time asking people for things). Rob is in his last appeal, his last time to save his life. We desperately need to raise funds for him for legal purposes.
Many death sentences that have been overturned were reversed because defense experts were hired with money raised on behalf of a prisoner. Judges often refuse to appoint experts, and no death sentence has ever been overturned without outside help and funds. Sadly enough, this System places the value of money above the value of Human Life.
The ideal goal would be to raise enough funds to pay for a good attorney; or at least be able to pay for investigative and expert witness services. Also, if Rob gets a new trial, a trial attorney will be needed which will coast a large amount of money.
We also need adequate funds to ensure that we are able to campaign around Rob’s case. Copying, mailing, purchasing legal documents, etc. can be very expensive. Plus, in Texas prisoners are not allowed to work for money. Rob has to purchase pens, stamps and other supplies from the prison store which has highly inflated prices. Rob has changed many lives through his activism and we need to ensure that he can continue to do so. Here are some ideas for fundraising:
*Rob is an excellent poet and writer and we would like to publish a book of his writings.
*We can hold rallies, benefit shows or movie screenings, cook-outs, bake sells, TV or radio telethons, marches or fund-drives, etc.
*Please contact us if you are interested in donating to Robert or hosting a benefit, or if you have any additional ideas for fundraising.
Donations can be made directly to:
University Federal Credit Union
Account # 900195621
4611 Gudalupe Street
Austin, TX 78751
USA
PayPal coming soon!
Rob is also able to have founds sent directly to his Inmate Trust Fund (ITF) Account. ITF accounts are used by prisoners to purchase items from the prison store (commissary). Just click on the J-Pay logo on the "donations" page in this website (www.freerobwill.moonfruit.com) to ensure that Rob is able to purchase the supplies that he needs to continue in his activism and fight for Freedom. This truly is a matter of life or death and every dollar counts. We deeply appreciate every donation and we encourage everyone to get involved in this Righteous case.
Let’s work together to help Rob continue in his activism and achieve the freedom that he deserves. We can get Rob off of death row alive and we can be the change we wish to see in the world!
In the spirit of peace and solidarity:
The Rob Will Defense Committee.
