SUPPORTERS RALLYING TO HELP IMPRISONED HUMANITARIAN

Ed Shaw Faces 30 Years If Convicted Of Drug Rap

FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS OF Ed Shaw, a former Kingstonian jailed in
Louisiana, are planning several events to financially support him and boost
his morale.

A group of Shaw supporters met in Kingston on Monday night and decided to
hold a fundraising dance this summer, as well as possibly organizing a bus
trip to take people down to his trial, which is set to begin on Aug. 26
after a number of postponements.

Louisiana State Police arrested Shaw and three other men after they found
cocaine and weapons in an SUV in Covington, La. Shaw, 74, has been charged
with felony possession of cocaine over 400 grams.

The former high school teacher, who has spent the last 23 years helping the
poor in Belize and other Central American countries, has been imprisoned
for the last six months. He faces a mandatory minimum 30 years in prison if
convicted of the felony at trial.

His supporters say he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

No drugs or weapons were found in Shaw's vehicle and he was asleep in a
motel.when police arrested three other men after being tipped off by a
suspicious tow truck driver.

Shaw's cousin, Kathryn Elliott of Perth, is helping to organize supporters
and said the dance may take place on June 13.

No venue.has been set but she said organizers are looking into bringing in
a band from Belize that Shaw helped establish as part of his charitable work.

David Pulver, a friend of Shaw's who has visited him and written about his
work in Belize, said the group is still gauging how many people would want
to travel to Louisiana before firming up plans.

"It's still early stages yet," he said.

"We want to see if there are enough people who would want to make the trip."

They would also have to secure accommodation as the trial will probably
last more than a day.

HOLDING UP WELL

Pulver spoke to Shaw by phone two weeks ago and said he was holding up
reasonably well under Louisiana prison conditions.

He was helping other inmates with their English and doing a survey of black
inmates to get their backgrounds, Pulver said. He was also trying to help
raise money for those in Belize affected when Hurricane Iris struck their
country last year

"He seems to be doing pretty well," Pulver said. "He's kept his sense of
humour."

"He knows how to keep his spirits up and keep himself busy"

Shaw has also received a number of letters of character reference from
people in Kingston and other places, which he plans to introduce at his trial.