ANITA RODDICK – A FRIEND OF DISTINCTION

I’ve had many days to reflect and to ruminate on the untimely departure of a “friend of distinction”. A friend of the planet; environmentally friendly: socially friendly: a friend to the downtrodden. She was also benevolently friendly. Anita was a friend of mine, and a friend to the Angola 3. I am here today as the only freed member of the Angola 3 to pay tribute and to participate in the memorial of my friend, our friend, a true friend of distinction who brought hope to so many even to Angola State Prison in America. When Anita heard of our collective plight in Angola and prisons throughout
America, she became enraged, then engaged and then she became a friend to the Angola 3.

My first recollection of meeting Anita was around 2003. By then she had spent nearly 2 years being an activist centered around Angola 3, and campaigning for the release of my two comrades, Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox. As best as I can
remember her, the first meeting was at a dinner, in mid-town, in New Orleans, USA. She was a ball of energy, forever talking, laughing, smiling, and just being Anita. There were subsequent dinners and meetings and by this time, Anita’s quest to “free the Angola 3” had heightened and she elevated her efforts to bring herself to Angola Prison, to meet and visit with Albert and Herman regularly. She also elevated her efforts to bring Herman and Albert to the rest of the world. She did! Her attempt to make an even greater effort was paused by her sudden transition. But in pausing, there have been some reflections and in those reflections, it has been revealed that with her husband Gordon at the helm along with Justine and Samantha, Anita’s fire will continue to burn brightly, illuminating the walls, prison bars and halls of
injustices that hold her friends captive.

Anita took it personally. She looked at this monster in America, the criminal injustice system, that is gobbling up much of Americas minority youth, criminalizing whole generations, splitting families apart and perpetuating a permanent underclass and she recognized it for what it was; the neo-slavery. Without Anita’s passion, it’s quite possible the Angola 3 would have remained obscured from the broad public view. Finally, let me say, we are here today for you Anita, for as well as leaving us a great legacy, the memory of you is greater! No mourning, you would not want that, though
I have to confess, there were quite a few of us who cried anyway, but I am sure you will forgive us. Please know that we are mindful of the legacy of struggle you left us and because we love you and we truly want to honour your memory Anita, we know that it is imperative for us to continue walking your talk for you not only talked the talk you walked your talk. We’re sending one of our family home to the ancestors and for Herman, Albert and all the Angola 3 supporters we say to Anita, ashe’ to a revolutionary comrade in the struggle

- Robert H. King/aka Robert King Wilkerson
On behalf of Angola 3