Zulu's journey began in December of 1973 when he was arrested on frivolous charges. It was during his time in jail that he crossed paths with Herman Wallace, a pivotal moment that led him to join the Angola Chapter of the Black Panther Party. Upon his release, Zulu returned to his community, dedicating himself to organizing against illegal drug trafficking and fostering a safe environment for its residents.

However, Zulu's freedom was short-lived as he was rearrested in February of 1975. Despite all charges being dropped against him, he remained unjustly detained. What followed was decades of solitary confinement in Angola Penitentiary, during which Zulu became a symbol of resistance against the torture of solitary confinement. His plight garnered international attention, with the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan Mendez, highlighting his case in a report on Human Rights.

After years of legal battles, Zulu's lawyers succeeded in having him moved to the general population in November of 2015. Yet, despite this small victory, Zulu continues to fight for his freedom. It's time for Zulu to reclaim what was unjustly taken from him and to finally experience the freedom he so rightfully deserves. Join us in standing with Zulu as we advocate for his liberation.

Arrested at the tender age of 15 and sentenced to death at 16 in the Jim Crow South of 1968, August Williams, known as Gerttown, endured unimaginable hardships within the walls of the Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola State Prison. Born and raised in the New Orleans community of Gerttown, he found himself fighting for survival in a system rife with racial injustice and cruelty.

Despite facing insurmountable odds, Williams found solace in education and faith. Resentenced to life without parole in 1973, following the landmark Supreme Court case Furman v. Georgia, he embarked on a journey of self-rehabilitation. With determination and resilience, he pursued educational opportunities, earning an Associate's Degree from Amherst Theological Seminary and over two dozen faith-based certifications. He also dedicated himself to aiding fellow inmates, serving as a counselor and nurse's aid, and mentoring in physical fitness.

Throughout his incarceration, Williams tirelessly sought exoneration, applying for a pardon six times based on compelling evidence of his innocence. Despite the support of the Pardon Board, the Governor of Louisiana repeatedly denied his release. However, in 2017, after nearly five decades behind bars, Williams was granted parole at the age of 65.

Since his release, Williams has become a beacon of hope and advocacy within the community. As a BAR NONE by DeSign Artist in Residence, he shares his story locally and nationally, shedding light on his continued fight for exoneration. Through his writings, including two books and a documentary, he seeks to raise awareness of the injustices he faced and to inspire others to join the cause.

To bring Gerttown's story to your community or institution, please contact [email protected]. Visit www.bar-none.net to stay updated on his journey and to support his exoneration petition and other BAR NONE by DeSign community initiatives.