IVP Designs These people are the force behind the shirt. A friend at IVP stopped to eat at George's cousin, Steve Martorano's famous restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Cafe Martorano-got talking with Steve about George and was inspired by what he heard. George teaches "Creative Writing" classes within the walls at Coleman Federal prison. George copes with the "caged" world by teaching, others caged with George cope by being taught.
Ahoodie These shirts are currently being featured on the Ahoodie website. They too just ran a contest with the "Coleman Creative Writing" T-shirt as a prize.
FREE GEORGE MARTORANO Read some of George's latest writings and letters - creative to say the least - why let this talent be "caged" any longer
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George's daughter Francesca was recently here with us for 5 days-she was able to visit with her dad 3 days which I know made him very happy-she was 4 when George was arrested and sent away for the "rest of his life"
Letter Writing Shirt Giveaway Update 2/5/10...
I have received 15 letters so far-ALL worthy of faxing to the White House, Attorney General, and BOP Director. Keep them coming, our friends over at IVP Designs can't wait to get the shirts to the winners - which from the looks of those received so far, best, and better are real close. PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING
JANUARY-- www.Ahoodie.com just did a great release on the "Coleman Creative Wruting " t-shirt-PLEASE, check it out and watch for your chance to get one free from us here at the WeBelieveGroup.
DECEMBER 1st 2009
I recently called the White House comment line to support the release of George. The lady on the phone with me suggested I write down my request and FAX it to the President. She stated that while he does answer some comments via the "comment line", he answers more faxes. Faxes, are clean and not subjected to a long screening processes like snail mail. So, please, get out your pens and jot down a few lines and either fax it to 202-456-2461, or send it to me at,
PO BOX 41491 St Pete Fl 33710 and I will fax it...
below is a "sample letter"
December 1, 2009
Dear President Obama, Attorney General Holder, and FBOP Director Lappin,
Thank you for taking the time to address my concerns. My brother-in-law, George Martorano has been a federal inmate for the past 26+ years. He was arrested in 1983 on various drug offenses. He plead guilty and received a “draconian-like” prison sentence of LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE. While I agree that George’s crimes were very serious, I cannot agree with the no-hope sentence he was given. I read and hear stories of people with MUCH more serious crimes getting much lighter sentences on a daily basis. George Martorano is NOT the same man he was 27 years ago and should not be judged on who he was for the rest of his life. He has changed, he is a teacher, a writer, and helps other inmates with various problems. George has filed brief after brief to access some relief only to have all denied. He was concidered by the Bush administration for a “commutation of sentence” for 5 years, before receiving a notice of denial. My question to you sir would have to be, who benefits from keeping this man locked up one more day?? Why do we cage NON-VIOLENT drug offenders with hope-less sentences? Why waste tax dollars on caging this man any longer when he would be a benefit in the free world ?? I pray and hope that you will look at this man’s file and case, and see that he is deserving of a “second chance” and should be given one. Please have George Martorano released with “TIME SERVED”. 27 years for his crimes is more than enough.
Peace & Hope,
(sign it and mail to us)
Your Name
XXX 1st street
fistville, Here, USA
PHILLIP GARRIDO AKA "SCUMBAG"
How is it this scum-bag got a “second chance”?
1970-arrested on drug charges–PROBATION
1973-arrested on drug charges–PROBATION
1976-arrested on kidnapping and RAPE charges
1977-convicted in federal court for kidnapping, and in state court for sexual assult
1977-sent to federal prison in Leavenworth
1984-Nevada Board of Parole Comm. holds first hearing, denies parole
3/19/1986-Moved to federal prison in Lompoc
3/31/1986-Nevada Board of Parole Comm. holds second hearing, denies parole.
11/5/1987- US Parole Comm. holds first hearing, grants parole, sent to Nevada
8/4/1988-Nevada Board of Parole Comm hold third hearing, grants parole.
8/29/1988-Shows up in federal bureau of prisons for a violation!!!! BUT, parole commission has no record of violation (hmm, and just 25 days after his parole hearing)
12/16/1988-UNKNOWN violation expires and he is released from whatever supervision was ordered. FBOP said this!!!
4/2/1993-A warrant is issued for Garrido’s arrest for violating his federal parole. He is held at Pleasanton Federal Corr. Inst.
5/10/1993-HE IS RELEASED FROM PLEASANTON, and ordered into home confinement supervision. (ARE YOU KIDDING ME, a month later)
8/31/1993-Released from home confinement (4 months???)
1999-released from federal parole supervison, continues on state supervision.
2009-ARRESTED FOR SEXUAL ASSULT AND KIDNAPPING-awaiting trial
WOW!!!!! I have been caged for 26+ years and can’t get a shot, but this idiot did–someone, anyone, explain ALL of this to me.
August 20, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IVP Designs, a manufacturer of prison-themed tee shirts and other apparel, has reached an agreement with federal prisoner George Martorano to produce a line of apparel and other products intended to promote awareness of Martorano’s ongoing incarceration.
Martorano is believed to be serving the longest sentence in US history for a first-time, nonviolent offense. He is currently in his 26 year of a life-without-parole sentence at FCI Coleman in Florida. In that time George has been a model inmate, writing several books, and teaching writing to his fellow inmates. In honor of his accomplishments IVP will produce a line of apparel called “Coleman Federal Creative Writing.”
Says L.T. Deaton, founder of IVP, “As a former inmate, I know that there are many inside who have made mistakes in life. But I also know that there are many inmates that have served their time and deserve a second chance. Of those people, I can think of no one more deserving of freedom than George. IVP is proud to promote awareness of his case and we hope the popularity of our clothing will lead to his eventual release.”
There are several organization dedicated to securing George Martorano’s release. The most prominent is HYPERLINK "http://www.freegeorge.us" www.freegeorge.us, run by John Flahive. Say’s Flahive, “We are grateful to IVP for helping us shine a light on George's case. George has paid his debt many times over and to keep him locked up any longer is an affront to common decency."
The first IVP apparel products featuring George Martorano should be in stores this Fall.
IVP Designs is a division of DLA Designs LLC and is based in Los Angeles, California. For more information, go to HYPERLINK "http://www.ivpdesigns.com" http://www.ivpdesigns.com.
This was posted recently in our guestbook ...
Name: jaime woodard
Date: 06/04/09
Message: Hello my name is Jaime Woodard I am the founder of We Deserve Our Lives Back.com I'm trying to get a bill passed called H.R. 1529 Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act of 2007(for non-violent, first-time, ex-federal offenders). The bill is sponsored by Congressmen (dem) Charles b Rangel of NY who heard the cries of hundreds of thousands of people who deserve their life back. The bill H.R. 1529 can be viewed on Opencongress.org; along with Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman who is heading second chance hearings of New Jersey, Congressmen Donald Payne and The Second Chance Campaign all have links on www.wedeserveourlivesback.com. Supporters can also sign a petition on my website by clicking on the heading petition for H.R. 1529. My contact number is 201 - 966 - 1251 or jaimelwoodard@gmail.com. Can you please contact me about helping the lives of many? H.R. 1529 should be made law; I need the word spread, the petition signed and ex-offenders to gather in peace to get this bill passed.
JUNE 1st 2009
We were saddened to learn that Dr. Kenny Linn died this past thursday. Kenny has been friends with George for many years. I too was blessed with the friendship of Kenny. I really don't know what to say... our prayers and thoughts go out to all that are affected by Kenny's passing.
Kenny Linn, you will be remembered by many, and forgotten by none !!!
4/2/09...
Thursday 02 April 2009
by: Maya Schenwar, t r u t h o u t | Report
(Photo-illustration: Everett Bogue / t r u t h o u t)
In the last throes of the Bush presidency, reporters and citizens alike waited restlessly for the announcement that many were sure would come: the long list of pardons for administration officials at risk of prosecution, GOP pols mired in scandal (hello, Ted Stevens) and white-collar criminals with lucky Bush links. The list never arrived. The former president issued a mere two commutations on his last day in office, both to border agents convicted of assaulting a Mexican drug dealer.
TO READ THE REST, GO TO ... http://www.truthout.org/040209J
3/17/09...
We were sad to learn last night that a dear friend of George's and ours, had passed away on Sunday evening 3/15/09--Harry Peak was one of the funniest and nicest guys I ever met-His crimes were NON-VIOLENT, yet his sentence was "Life"... guess they got what they wanted. George and Harry have known each other for over 20 years. Harry was suffering with cancer and died Sunday at Butner Medical. He was recently sent there from Coleman medium. We send our love and prayers to all that knew Harry. Harry Peak, we will miss you, but remember this, "we will see you later"
***you can read a recent entry George wrote of his friend Harry before he was sent to Butner at ... http://www.freegeorge.us/ |
I made it to DC to experience history as President Obama was sworn in-I was lucky enough to receive a "Silver" ticket (invitation) from Rep. Bill Young's office. It was great to say the least-everyone I saw was smiling, displaying hope, talking, and walking with their heads up. How did DC do handling such a large HAPPY crowd?? TERRIBLE!!!! Every time I asked a police officer or Capitol cop for direction, I was given a different answer and done so with with a touch of arrogance. I stood in line, "with my ticket," for what seemed like forever-it was cold-real cold-but we waited-and waited-the ABOVE PICTURE is as close as we got-WITH OUR TICKETS to the "security checkpoint" to the "ticket holder area." We reamained fired up though-just to be there and see that many people with HOPE again was worth it. I can once again feel proud to be American-I can once again hold hope that George will get some relief from this NEW administration.
PLEASE TAKE 5 MINUTES AND EITHER HAND WRITE OR EMAIL YOUR CONGRESS-PERSON TO REQUEST THAT THEY SUPPORT FEDERAL PAROLE, AND THE ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION OF NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS
And remind them to (1) include ALL inmates-(2)make all bills retroactive
PRESIDENT OBAMA-WOW, does that sound great-we have "almost" survived 8 years of, well, you know-anyways, now is the TIME folks-we must demand change in the way "they" sentence and incarcerate here in the USA. We must demand a re-vamping of this "so-called DRUG WAR" -We must demand FEDERAL PAROLE be reinstated-We must demand that the JUSTICE DEPARTMENT become "just"-We must demand that HUMANS be treated as HUMANS. Call your SENATOR-Call your Representative-WRITE WRITE WRITE and VISIT when you can- WE MUST MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN!!!
March 08- While I am not a big fan of "Rap", I will have to say I am a big fan of "Plies". He has stepped up and voiced his concerns with this "MASS INCARCERATION" of Americans. We need more people that do have a "VOICE" to follow suit and step up with him!!! PLEASE check out one of his websites he has set up, http://www.bidlong.com/index.php If, your not "INTO" rap like me, GET PAST THAT, and realize that this is part of what it's gonna take to make change
Jan. 08-- Maya Schenwar, from http://www.truthout.org/ called me a few months back to do an interview and get in touch with George as she had heard his story-she did a story on how there is NO PAROLE in the federal system and WHO is affected- SHE DID A GREAT JOB !!!- Now she goes out and gets an interview with Danny Davis and again, WHAT A JOB!!!! PASS THIS AROUND !!!
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/012808A.shtml
Jan. 08-- Did you happen to catch the story on the "COLEMAN PEN" guards getting caught bringing in DRUGS, CELL PHONES, and WEAPONS to the INMATES??? Unbelieveable!!!! Here I sit, trying to bring attention and support to fact that George Martorano has changed, and is ready for a second chance through his hard work at helping others stay strong and NOT resort to drug use and VIOLENCE; AND WE HAVE GUARDS BRINGING the "@*&%" in!!!! IS THIS NUTS OR WHAT??? Please, after reading the following (just click on the link), WRITE that letter to the White House, and ask that George be released with TIME SERVED !!! http://www.wesh.com/news/15132270/detail.html
NOVEMBER 29th 2007- a MUST READ!!!!!! http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/112807J.shtml
July 11th 2007-here is the latest article SUPPORTING George and his quest for justice... http://tampa.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A268555
OCT 12th 2006 It was official, George was MOVED !! this is huge - here is his new address, please get your pens out and send him a quick note....
George Martorano / 12973-004
FCI COLEMAN MEDIUM
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 1032
COLEMAN, FL 33521
THIS IS A PETITION TO HELP BRING BACK PAROLE IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM...
http://www.petitiononline.com/ilydff/petition.html
Please visit the www.fedcure.org site for more info on how you can help with the campaign to reinstate parole !!!
George's NEWEST PETITION- Please take the 30-60 seconds to help George after 23 Years
http://petitionthem.com/default.asp?sect=detail&pet=3599
THANKS !!!!! |
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