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Free Press Correspondent
Arrested!
Yaribu Malik-Al Din Damu, Reformed Gang Member and Free Press Correspondent, seized by State on Dec. 21, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT DATE: January 1, 2007
CONTACTS: Tish Wilkins, 707 206 9287, Mary Moore 707 874 2248 or Karen Saari 707 876 3206
Reformed former gang member Yaribu (“Ya”) Damu (formerly Virgil Wilkins) was seized from his temporary Christmas season job at Target in Santa Rosa on December 21, 2006 by the California “Magnum Gang Task Force” for violation of his parole. He was booked into the Sonoma County Jail that night and moved to San Quentin on December 27. He is currently awaiting a closed (public not allowed to attend) hearing before the state parole board.
Ya served 15 years in California State prison system for gang related activities. During his time in prison, Ya became an active participant in the conscious prisoner movement and worked with Stan Williams to create the protocol which resulted in the truce between the Crips and the Bloods. He worked on the inside to stop racial intolerance. He was released from prison just five months ago and went to live with his wife in Rohnert Park. Ya was excited to be “out” and determined never to be inside again. He completed the apprenticeship program for the Northern Laborers Union and secured a job with a local construction company. He worked there for four months and they want him back. He loved working so much that during the Christmas season he got a second job stocking shelves at night a local Target store.
More than anything, Ya is determined to work with youth to keep them out of prison. He became active with EDUCATION NOT INCARCERATION and helped establish a branch in Sonoma County. Ya continued to write to prisoners who were still inside. He was arrested for a parole violation, associating with known gang members. Ya was writing to prisoners and encouraging them to renounce the gang culture. For this, he has been seized and sent back to prison.
“Our community needs Ya back to help our troubled youth. He has been there, he can speak to these lost young people in a way few others can. The state prison system needs to hear a message from the community that their action is unjust.” said friend Karen Saari.
“If the State is really interested in diminishing racism and violence, they need people like Ya working on the outside. Call your local representatives, and let them know about this case. Let all your friends and acquaintances know. Write a letter about this terrible injustice," said friend Mary Moore.
Click here for more on Ya's story.