NOVEMBER 2004 early : (LYNNE STEWART TESTIMONY : THERE ARE TIMES WHEN VIOLENCE IS NEEDED TO CHANGE OPPRESSIVE GOVERNMENTS AND INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THOSE THAT "PERPETUATE CAPITALISM") A U.S. lawyer accused of aiding militant Muslims said in testimony on Monday there are times when violence is needed to change oppressive governments and institutions, including those that "perpetuate capitalism." The lawyer, Lynne Stewart, 65, is on trial on charges she helped an imprisoned client, the radical cleric Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, communicate with Egypt's Islamic Group. The group is on the U.S. government's list of terrorist organizations.
Stewart has denied any wrongdoing and maintains she was doing her duty as a lawyer representing a client being held incommunicado. She could face 15 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charge against her, providing "material support" to terrorists.
During cross-examination, Stewart, was grilled on her own radical views. She unabashedly described what she felt was the need for uprisings seeking change, even if such actions result in death.
"I believe in politics which lead, in my view of history, to violence being exerted by people on their own behalf to effectuate change," she said. "I believe entrenched institutions will not be changed except by violence. "The American Revolution was accomplished violently."
---------- "Cleric's U.S. Lawyer: Violence Needed at Times," by Gail Appleson, Reuters, Nov 8, 2004