Letter to President Barack Obama from Pastor Dr. R.L. Uzzel

WAYMAN  CHAPEL

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

1013 West Ennis Avenue

Ennis, Texas 75119

972-875-8550

   

Dr. R.L. (Bob) Uzzel-Pastor

972/878-0789 (Home)

469-285-0927 (Cell)

drbobuzz@yahoo.com

www.waymanennis.com

 

THE FRIENDLY CHURCH WERE EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY AND CHRIST IS ALL

 

The Honorable Barack Obama

President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC  20500                                                                                 

December 28, 2012

Dear Mr. President:

We have struggled for many years to free Ramiro " Ramsey " Muñiz from imprisonment for a 1994 conviction and excessive sentence of life without parole for a non-violent drug offense.  As Ramsey pointed out in an interview, he has never ever carried a weapon in his entire life.  He and his family and friends have endured pain and suffering as a result of his many years of incarceration.  He has turned 70 years of age on 13 December, 2012, and suffers from a number of health problems. We refuse to let him die in prison.

 I first met Ramsey in 1972, when he was La Raza Unida Party's Governor of Texas.  He was a community activist during the Civil Rights and Chicano Movements.  He did much to raise "political consciousness" in Texas and the Southwest. He enabled many to gain a political voice and seek public office at local, state, and national levels.  Many of today's Latino politicians got their start in La Raza Unida during the party's heyday from 1970 to 1978.  Others - the " Legacy Children," including Julian and Joaquin Castro of San Antonio -- were too young to be active in politics but attended La Raza Unida meetings with their parents.  All of these owe a debt to Ramsey Muñiz.

Ramsey incurred legal problems as a result of his activism.  Wrong perceptions, judgment, mistakes, withholding evidence, and Ramsey's political background contributed to his convictions.  Every time he went on trial, La Raza Unida was tried along with him even though the party has been legally dead for decades.

We have fought this case for many years, and all appeals have been exhausted as the law did not work in our favor. We now seek your assistance and we ask that you grant Ramsey Muñiz a Commutation of Sentence on humanitarian grounds.

We believe in your leadership and we ask that you help free an innocent man so that he can be reunited with his loving family once again.  To learn about Ramsey Muñiz, go to www.freeramsey.com.

Having voted for you in 2008 and again 2012, you are in my thoughts and prayers as you begin your second term.

In Peace and Solidarity,

Pastor Dr. R.L. Uzzel