Anti -Sanctions Activist Dies
Prominent Chicago Businessman Mr Gregory Turner who throughout his life lobbied for removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe, has died.
He was 81.
In 2015, the late Mr Turner was sentenced to 15 months in prison for calling on American authorities to facilitate the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe.
At the time, Turner was found guilty by a federal jury of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by collaborating with and lobbying on behalf of a sanctioned foreign government.
A co-defendant in the matter, Asiel Ben Israel, also of Chicago, then 73, was sentenced to seven months in prison after pleading guilty to the charge of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Mr Turner had relocated to Zimbabwe.
It is not clear yet if he was in Zimbabwe by the time of his death.
To prove his unwavering commitment and devotion to helping the people of Zimbabwe, Mr Turner refused to show remorse for trying to plead for and rescue the 14 million Zimbabweans who were and continue to groan under the unjust burden of sanctions induced economic drone and stagnation.
“It was never my intention to circumvent the U.S. government,” Turner told U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo.
“I’m sorry for the mistake, but I am not sorry for attempting to help 14 million people who are starving,” said Cde Turner in his remarks before sentencing in the Chicago Federal Court.
So resolute he was that he chose to go to prison with his conscience intact.
Like a real soldier, Cde Turner has died with his integrity unscathed.
He refused to betray the principle of freedom which planted his sympathies towards Zimbabwe.
Confirming his death, a close friend, Cde Philip Chabata said,
“We lost a super African whose love for Zimbabwe was beyond reproach. He sacrificed it all for Zimbabwe. Rest in peace cadre.
“Rest in peace soldier. You stood tall and above. Until we meet again,” said Cde Chabata.
Turner is not the first black American volunteer lobbyist to be blacklisted by the American regime for standing by, defending and promoting the interests of Zimbabwe on American soil.
The late Coltrane Chimurenga of the December 12th Movement will be remembered for defiantly mobilising and holding countless protests outside UN Headquarters in New York in advocacy against unjust unilateral sanctions by the Western Alliance against the Southern African nation.
The US passed the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act in 2001 in protest at what they termed lack of respect for private property rights after the country had embarked on the historic land reform program in 2000.
The economic blockade still hurts the Zimbabwean economy today.
