STOP SUNDIATA!
If you are new to this issue, begin reading from the bottom of this
page first. The articles at the top are the most recent.
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State Trooper Werner Foerster 1938 - 1973 |
PAROLE DENIED!
NJLawman.com On Wednesday, August 11, 2004 the New Jersey State Parole Board released its decision denying parole for convicted cop-killer Sundiata Acoli. Despite the massive pressure put on the parole board and Governor's office by Acoli supporters, he will remain in prison. The Board highlighted several considerations for denying parole including “Squire's [Acoli’s former name was Clark Edward Squire] prior incarcerations did not deter future crimes; he had several institutional infractions; his account of the crime was contrary to facts in evidence from the trial and Squire lacked credibility on several factual matters, among other factors, as reasons to deny parole.” Additionally and unexpectedly, the panel “further recommended that an extended future eligibility term, outside of the Board's administrative guidelines, be established for Squire.” Acoli has been serving time since 1973 for the murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster and wounding of Trooper James Harper. He was the partner of escaped cop-killer Joanne Chesimard also known as Assata Shakur. Reaction from the website supporting Acoli’s release was swift and full of the normal rhetoric. NJLawman.com
Thursday, August 12, 2004 1:25 a.m.
Thursday, August 12, 2004 1:25 a.m.
NJLawman.com Editorial
There is no greater evil in a civilized society and democracy than taking the life of one who is sworn to protect it. Of course there are other heinous crimes, and every death is tragic beyond words. We make this statement solely in the context of law and order.
It is the people who agree that policing in all of its components is needed. It is the people who agree to shell out portions of their hard-earned shillings to pay for this policing. And, it is the people who ask us and employ us to protect them.
On May 2, 1973, New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster was murdered while protecting the people. Trooper James Harper, Foerster’s partner, was also struck down but survived.
The miscreant who participated in the events of that spring day was denied freedom yesterday. His supporters refer to him as a “political prisoner.” They attach race and oppression and border on conspiracy theories in advocating his cause. (Since when did lobbying for the release of a cop-killer become worthy of being labeled a “cause”) They echo the claims and diatribe he has made for years. What is lacking from what he and what they say is any shred of remorse.
As much as our community wanted this decision, it doesn’t quite feel like reason for celebration.
A family surely still pains from the memory of a troop car’s unannounced visit and all that followed including having to continue husbandless and fatherless. Squad members, academy mates, friends, and acquaintances were all given an unwelcome lesson in mortality and how little the price of life is to some.
Those who care for this miscreant who had nothing to do with his actions are left distressed.
Most importantly, a thirty-four-year-old, “kid” to some, was deprived of a whole life that was ahead of him.
However, yesterday’s decision was the correct decision. A man who murdered a policeman was denied parole. A man with a history of spewing hatred, advocating revolution, and a clear inability to take ownership of his acts will remain where he belongs, in prison. Actions must be followed by consequences, especially for miscreants such as Acoli.
While no amount of years of incarceration could ever ease the pain he rained on so many, his release would surely torment all.
Hopefully, we will not have to revisit this issue any time soon.
July 24, 2004
COP-KILLER SENDS
MESSAGE TO SUPPORTERS
THROUGH WEBSITE
NJLawman.com
Saturday, July 24, 2004 9:20 p.m.
"I had hoped I would have some definitive news to give you by now, but I've heard (unofficially) that they need/will take another 2 week extension to make their decision. I've also heard that the police are flooding the Gov's office with last minute calls/letters requesting that I be denied...."
-Sundiata Acoli
This message is currently posted on the website supporting the release of convicted cop killer Sundiata Acoli. Everyone's efforts have obviously had some results, but now is not the time to become complacent.
If you have not yet helped, you are needed now. It will take you five minutes to print one of the pre-prepared letters provided below, sign it, and fax it to the Governor's Office. That number is also provided. Click here to visit the website supporting his release.
We have posted this issue in law enforcement message boards and newspapers forums all over the country, and letters have been sent in from other states.
There is no more important part of the brotherhood (and sisterhood) than participating in something like this. It could have been you. For those of you not in law enforcement, there is a letter for you too, and your help is needed just as much.
NJLawman.com
NJLawman.com
Saturday, July 24, 2004 9:20 p.m.
July 15, 2004
PAROLE DECISION
EXPECTED ANY DAY
NJLawman.com
Thursday, July 15, 2004 12:00 a.m.
We contacted the New Jersey Parole Board this week regarding the Parole Board's decision on the release of convicted cop killer Sundiata Acoli.
We found them to be very helpful and polite.
As of now, a decision has not yet been made. We ask that you continue with the fax campaign to the Governor's office as described by our previous article listed below.
We will email everyone on our email list and post the information as soon as we learn the decision. To sign up for our email list, go to the bottom of this page and enter your email address.
NJLawman.com
Thursday, July 15, 2004 12:00 a.m.
July 4, 2004
COP-KILLER SUPPORTERS
MONITORING THIS SITE
LAUNCH NEW CAMPAIGN
NJLawman.com
Friday, July 4, 2004 1:50 p.m.
The website supporting the release of cop killer Sundiata Acoli is now updating their site within hours of each new article we post. They are also asking for donations for their cause. Why they need donations and where the money is going is unclear.
This website does not want your donations nor will we accept them. Whether your are part of the blue line today, tomorrow, yesterday or just a concerned citizen, we are asking for five minutes of your time.
Trooper Werner Foerster, Trooper Werner Foerster, Trooper Werner Foerster. Keep saying the name. He could be the guy next to you in briefing, the range, the pod, or the courtroom.
If you heard him calling on the radio for help, you would stop at nothing to get to him. Well, he is calling.
We need you to copy and paste one of the two letters below (unless you would rather prepare one yourself) and fax it to the Governor's office. It will take you five minutes. There is one pre-written letter for law enforcement and one for citizens.
Just yesterday, the website supporting Acoli's release issued a plea for all their members and supporters to saturate our elected officials, newspapers, community leaders, and the Internet with requests of support.
They need to hear from us too! The fax number to the Governor's office is (609) 292 3454.
NJLawman.com
Letter for Law Enforcement
Dear Honorable Governor McGreevey,
I am writing to you regarding the parole hearing of convicted cop killer Sundiata Acoli, also known as Clark Edward Squire. Acoli was convicted for the 1973 murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster and shooting of Trooper James Harper.
As a member of the law enforcement community, I cannot emphasize enough how strongly opposed I am to any parole being granted.
While it may be easy to feel sympathy when looking at a picture of a smiling, older man who has been in jail for thirty years, he murdered a New Jersey State Trooper. His sentence was life plus thirty years. It would be a travesty if someone were to be released from prison with a life plus thirty year sentence.
Since our Federal Government appears to be doing nothing to bring Acoli’s co-defendant and New Jersey’s number one most wanted fugitive, Joanne Chesimard, back from Cuba, the release of Acoli would be a complete slap in the face.
I could go on for pages, but I know you are busy Governor McGreevey.
Bottom line, Werner Foerster was a young man of thirty-four with just three years on the job when he was executed. He was a father, a husband, a son, a brother, a friend, and a colleague. While it may be thirty-one years since his death, in 1973 he was a real man with real feelings and real dreams.
All of that was stripped away from him and those who cared about him on that second day of May, 1973 by a couple of revolutionaries who just didn’t feel like going to jail that day. Instead, they opted to murder two New Jersey State Troopers. Thankfully, Trooper Harper survived.
I know that groups supporting Acoli are lobbying heavily for his release. We do this job every day without complaint. We just ask that the murderer of a police officer be required to serve a full, judge-issued sentence.
Werner Foerster was murdered, and his murderers should not go free. Please help us, the law enforcement officers of your state.
Justice for Trooper Werner Foerster. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Letter for Citizens
Dear Honorable Governor McGreevey,
I am writing to you regarding the parole hearing of convicted cop killer Sundiata Acoli, also known as Clark Edward Squire. Acoli was convicted for the 1973 murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster and shooting of Trooper James Harper.
As a citizen of New Jersey, I cannot emphasize enough how strongly opposed I am to any parole being granted.
While it may be easy to feel sympathy when looking at a picture of a smiling, older man who has been in jail for thirty years, he murdered a New Jersey State Trooper. His sentence was life plus thirty years. It would be a travesty if someone were to be released from prison with a life plus thirty year sentence.
Since our Federal Government appears to be doing nothing to bring Acoli’s co-defendant and New Jersey’s number one most wanted fugitive, Joanne Chesimard, back from Cuba, the release of Acoli would be a complete slap in the face.
I could go on for pages, but I know you are busy Governor McGreevey.
Bottom line, Werner Foerster was a young man of thirty-four with just three years on the job when he was executed. He was a father, a husband, a son, a brother, a friend, and a colleague. While it may be thirty-one years since his death, in 1973 he was a real man with real feelings and real dreams.
All of that was stripped away from him and those who cared about him on that second day of May, 1973 by a couple of revolutionaries who just didn’t feel like going to jail that day. Instead, they opted to murder two New Jersey State Troopers. Thankfully, Trooper Harper survived.
I know that groups supporting Acoli are lobbying heavily for his release. We just ask that the murderer of a police officer be required to serve a full, judge-issued sentence.
Werner Foerster was murdered, and his murderers should not go free.
Justice for Trooper Werner Foerster. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Your Name
ACTIVIST WEBSITE MAKING
ONE LAST PUSH FOR PAROLE
OF COP KILLER
NJLawman.com
Friday, July 2, 2004 12:50 p.m.
NEW JERSEY - The pro-revolutionary website which is leading the charge for the parole of convicted cop killer Sundiata Acoli has launched another effort in their campaign for his release.
Earlier today they posted a plea for all their members and visitors to fax letters to the Governor's office urging Governor McGreevey to lend support to their effort. They also posted a pre-written letter for supporters to copy and paste into a fax.
This group expects their efforts to be considered but not those of the law enforcement community. The end of their letter reads as follows, "Surely police agencies should not be allowed to unfairly pressure the parole board’s decision."
It is imperative that the Governor's fax machine also receives letters from us!
The fax number to the Governor's office is (609) 292 3454.
To view the website supporting Acoli's release, click here.
Acoli was convicted for the 1973 murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster. For more information on the incident, scroll down this page to the previous articles.
PAROLE DECISION FOR
ACOLI POSTPONED
NJLawman.com
Thursday, July 1, 2004 12:50 a.m.
NEW JERSEY - In an unusual move, the decision on whether or not to grant parole for convicted cop killer Sundiata Acoli was postponed by members of the State Parole Board.
On Tuesday, June 29, 2004 two members of the State Parole Board met with Acoli at Allenwood Federal Penitentiary in White Deer, Pennsylvania where he is incarcerated. The meeting reportedly lasted for more than five hours.
Only two members of the panel attended the interview. Rather than issue a decision, which was expected, the two Parole Board members opted to have transcripts made of the interview for later analysis.
The decision is now expected to come within a week to ten days. The NJLawman.com website will post the results as soon as available.
Two new articles have been posted on Acoli's supporters' website which you should review.
Acoli was convicted for the 1973 murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster. For more information on the incident, scroll down this page to the previous article.
NJLawman.com
Thursday, July 1, 2004 12:50 a.m.
OUTRAGE!
NJLawman.com
Friday, June 24, 2004 8:20 p.m.
Somewhere within the vast New Jersey Government an inmate's parole hearing is scheduled.
The date is given to the Parole Board. It is given to the inmate and, presumably, to the facility of incarceration. Except in this case, it may even be posted on the Parole Board website to be found somewhere in a maze of links broken down by county and three different report types.
And, that's it.
In the current case, the inmate is Sundiata Acoli. This is at least the second time that he and his people were given notice of a parole hearing while his victim's family and the law enforcement community were told nothing. His supporters are writing letters while we don't even know that a date has been set.
This is nothing less than absolutely outrageous! However, this issue will have to wait for another day.
On June 29, 2004, a State Parole hearing will take place. The name of the person up for parole is Sundiata Acoli, also known as Clark Edward Squire.
Acoli has been serving time since 1973 for the murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster. Acoli was a member of the Black Liberation Army. He was with someone who should be familiar to you, Joanne Chesimard also known as Assata Shakur, on the second day of May, 1973. The two were in a vehicle with a third man, Zayd Malik Shakur.
The trio was stopped by New Jersey State Troopers James Harper and Werner Foerster who were patrolling the New Jersey Turnpike in the area of East Brunswick. According to reports, the three were being questioned when Acoli and Shakur pulled semi-automatic weapons and opened fire.
Trooper Foerster was struck twice in the chest, and Trooper Harper was hit in the shoulder. Chesimard then proceeded to take the service weapon from the injured Trooper Foerster. She pointed it at the wounded Trooper and shot him twice in the head, execution style. The thirty-four-year-old trooper with just three years on the road died soon after. He left a wife and family behind. Fortunately, Trooper Harper survived.
This brings us to today.
On Tuesday, June 29, 2004 Sundiata Acoli will attend a parole hearing. You haven’t read about this because Acoli’s supporters are trying to keep it quiet so no letters are written to the parole board. They are doing everything possible to pressure the board into granting Acoli's parole. They're even making online efforts to spread the word.
Write letters, make calls, and recruit others! Cop killers should never see the light of day. Send a letter to the New Jersey State Parole Board, at this address:
New Jersey State Parole Board Letters need to be sent now to make it there on time. If not for Sundiata Acoli, Trooper Werner Foerster would most likely be enjoying his retirement right now. We, as a community, must never forget him or other fallen officers. The only people looking out for us are us. NJLawman.com NJLawman.com Friday, June 24, 2004 8:20 p.m.
P.O. Box 862
Trenton, NJ 08625
Stop Sundiata Acoli
Original Article Campaign to Prevent Parole of Convicted Cop Killer Sundiata Acoli Support for this effort is growing. We would like to thank those who have given their support by helping to get the word out on their websites. More are expected. 9-1-1 Com Center of New Jersey Right-Thinking from the Left Coast More are listed on StopSundiata website December, 2003 There is a movement that is quietly working right now. They remain quiet because they are trying to slip their goal under our radar. They know that we, the law enforcement community, are their only obstacle. On January 2, 2004, a State Parole hearing will take place. The name of the person up for parole is Sundiata Acoli, also known as Clark Edward Squire. Acoli has been serving time since 1973 for the murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster. Acoli was a member of the Black Liberation Army. He was with someone who should be familiar to you, Joanne Chesimard also known as Assata Shakur, on the second day of May, 1973. The two were in a vehicle with a third man, Zayd Malik Shakur. The trio was stopped by New Jersey State Troopers James Harper and Werner Foerster who were patrolling the New Jersey Turnpike in the area of East Brunswick. According to reports, the three were being questioned when Acoli and Shakur pulled semi-automatic weapons and opened fire. Trooper Foerster was struck twice in the chest, and Trooper Harper was hit in the shoulder. Chesimard then proceeded to take the service weapon from the injured Trooper Foerster. She pointed it at the wounded Trooper and shot him twice in the head, execution style. The thirty-four-year-old trooper with just three years on the road died soon after. He left a wife and family behind. Fortunately, Trooper Harper survived. This brings us to today. On January 2, 2004 Sundiata Acoli will attend a parole hearing. You haven’t read about this because Acoli’s supporters are trying to keep it quiet so no letters are written to the parole board. They are doing everything possible to pressure the board into granting Acoli's parole. They're even making online efforts to spread the word. A website has been set up by those strongly opposed to Acoli’s release. The site contains information on what you need to do to keep Acoli in prison. The site is www.stopsundiata.com. . Write letters, make calls, and recruit others! Cop killers should never see the light of day. If not for Sundiata Acoli, Trooper Werner Foerster would most likely be enjoying his retirement right now. We, as a community, must never forget him or other fallen officers. The only people looking out for us is us. NJLawman.com
Sundiata Acoli Sundiata Acoli Sundiata Acoli
Your Views
January 6, 2003
"I am writing concerning the article about the parole hearing for the release of Sundiata Acoli dated 12/18/03 in the Home News Tribune.
Being a concerned person for the well being of humanity, I couldn't help but think while reading your article and the information of others who have been commenting on the parole hearing for Sundiata, that it is somewhat....well not somewhat but mostly slanted in favor of guilt for an incident that, not even the feds have declared a solid case. Who shot the officer has always been into question, but your comments do not refer that opinion...if you looked into the documents you would also see that someone else also lost their life on that night. Do you applaud the killing of Zyad Shakur on that night or was it also an unspeakable turn of events? Its kind of amusing to continue to call persons[ 'radicals'] of that time terrorist or commies. What does that mean? Will you write an article saying that Martin Luther King was a terrorist? Because if you know the history...Hoover did call him a terrorist...and he also said that, the whole movement for African American equality was a threat to the security of America, do you also agree?
I'm just assuming, but maybe you don't know about Cointelipro? Because if you did, you wouldn't support the opinion that those 'radicals' were ill informed on the political of that time. They understood the political spectrum at that time very well...and wanted a change, but how do you change when the government is trying to kill you and have it documented that...yes, we are trying to kill political activist and continue this process. Lets not forget Patriot Acts 1 and 2, but again these maybe programs that you support. At least you can do this, and let Mr. Acoli's case stand alone and not associate it with the lives of others....what does he have to do with a 'radical' environmentalist group?
What does he have to do with the escape of Assata Shakur....nothing! Lets ride on the facts and the facts are he was a target of cointelipro. Do you know of the panther 21 case, they locked up Mr. Acoli in that case...a case trial that cost NY a whole hell of a lot of money and for what....to continue the process of cointelipro. Oh yeah, they were not charged with any crimes. Websites like stopsundiata.com create a false impression that persons with political views will be released and cause harm to the general public....when was the last time you heard of a formerly released activist, being arrested for a crime....you don't....but can i ask you when was the last time that a black male died at the hands of the police. Or how many times have racist attacked black families, I recommend that you should read the Intelligent Report by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Who pays for these crimes? Who puts out websites against the killing of black men and women.
To concluded, the police are trained that they are more likely to be murdered by a white male in any and every situation they may find themselves...now that's a fact, but no one has the courage to report on that, because racism [white supremacy] lives and will never go away.
At least be balanced."
-Damu Khamisi
Our Response
Firstly, we are not balanced. We do not attempt to present the above article as "both sides of the story." Yes, the article did slant towards Acoli's guilt. That was because he was guilty. That is what a jury declared after hearing both sides present evidence and their version of the facts.
As far as facts being in question, yes, they were in question until a jury found Acoli guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
As far as whether Acoli would commit another crime if he were to be paroled, I cannot even get that far. He participated in the murder of a police officer and for that fact alone, he should never see the light of day. That officer had a wife and children whose lives were destroyed. He had friends, family, and buddies who lives were destroyed. By all accounts, Acoli was a very intelligent man with a bright future, but he made his choices, and he must accept the consequences.
As far as everything else you mentioned, I don't know. I don't see how Martin Luther King being called a communist is relevant to this issue, but to each his own.
Also, no, we don't applaud the death of the other person in that car. No death should be applauded. However, none of the deaths would have happened if they did not begin shooting at the officers.
December 8, 2003
"Thank you for bringing to light the effort to free this piece of excrement. I went to his supporters’ website and noted the contact information. I felt compelled to write to them; below is the message I sent. Be assured that I will be contacting the Parole Board as well vehemently objecting to his release. Once again, thank you for bringing this to our attention.
I am writing this in absolute disbelief. Your website does a great job of glossing over the facts of Squire's imprisonment and imploring anyone visiting the site to join the movement to free him. There is one fact your scant homepage (not surprisingly) fails to mention: HE MURDERED A NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPER. I should mention that I am a Police Officer employed in New Jersey; that should help to explain my vantage point. Each day I and my fellow brothers and sisters in blue go to work hoping to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. We stop vehicles all the time, and know that that is perhaps the most dangerous part of our jobs: not knowing who or what may be lying in wait inside. That was obviously the case in 1973 when Troopers Harper and Foerster stopped Squire's vehicle. In the blink of an eye, two cowards inside the car opened fire. Fortunately, one of the miscreants was killed. Unfortunately, the others weren't. It should be pointed out that THEY made that choice to end one Trooper's life and attempt to end the other's. Quite frankly, they are fortunate that the death penalty was not an option at the time of their trial...I for one would have celebrated their executions. You point out that he has inspired many in the intervening years by his writings. If he has reformed, good for him; however, he still deserves to be imprisoned because he is not a "Warrior," he is a MURDERER. He has not been unjustly incarcerated as you claim. To the contrary, he is a poster child for swift administration of the death penalty, much less life imprisonment. It is my sincere hope that he will die behind bars and that soon that other piece of trash Chesimard will join him in jail and rot as well. We law enforcement officers will do all that we can to see that Squire and everyone like him gets what he deserves: the rest of his life in prison."
-Anonymous
Stop Sundiata Acoli, Stop Sundiata