Ahh, miscommunication is alive in the arts.

Last week, as members of the law enforcement community here and in other parts of the country became aware of Tom Manning's feature role in an exhibit planned for USM entitled, "Can't Jail the Spirit: Art by Political Prisoner Tom Manning & Others" there was a wave of concern expressed to the USM administration. Manning was convicted and sentenced to 80 years in prison in 1985 for committing acts he terms "armed propaganda." These acts include bombings and the shooting death of New Jersey Trooper Philip Lamonaco. Manning claims self defense in the Lamonaco killing, but apparently was willing to use violence as a way to call attention to apartheid in South Africa and "genocidal capitalism" in the U.S.

The art show, with the announced purpose of opening a discussion on what it means to be a political prisoner couldn't have chosen a more controversial featured artist.

While there were written protests and comments from Lamonaco's widow and police groups, it's my belief that USM's initial solution, to put quotation marks around the phrase"political prisoner" would have gone a long way toward solving the problem.

I always thought a political prisoner was one who has been persecuted for speaking out or living in a way that threatens an immoral government, but using immoral methods sort of begs the question: What is a political prisoner? Is it anyone who claims the title? anyone who is busted for using violence for political ends?

This is quoted from an email from Portland Victory Gardens Project, one of the sponsors of the show:

"Last Friday, September 8, after most students and faculty had left campus, University of Southern Maine president, Richard Pattenaude, abruptly announced his decision that the scheduled art exhibit, "Can't Jail the Spirit: Art by Political Prisoner Tom Manning & Others" (co-sponsored by
Portland Victory Gardens Project), would be cancelled, and the art immediately removed from the USM Woodbury Campus Center.

"Since Portland Victory Gardens Project (PVGP) and the USM community were not notified of this decision in advance, nor given any opportunity to participate in this decision, PVGP will be holding a press conference to address this matter tommorow, Tuesday Septemer 12, at 4pm in the gallery of the Woodbury Campus Center. PVGP will read a statement that we have prepared regarding this matter, and announce our plans to return the art show to USM's campus (see next paragraph). We invite all USM students and faculty who disagree with President Pattenaude's decision to join us in expressing their views.

"On Friday September 15th, we will demonstrate that the government and police still "Can?t Jail the Spirit", with a mobile exhibit of art by Tom Manning and others. The art show will begin at 5pm at the Woodbury Campus Center on USM?s campus, and will travel to Congress Square by
6pm. Tom's paintings will be displayed along the route and in the square, alongside art from local artists. Speakers will include Ray Luc Levasseur, lawyers from the National Lawyers Guild, and an open mic. All members of the public who believe in expression free from police control are encouraged to bring poems, music, art, food, signs, and their free speech."