And a former black liberation activist who spent 35 years in prison—27 on death row—is free. Zolo Azania was convicted of killing a police officer during a 1981 bank robbery in Indiana. At his trial, he was an outspoken member of the Republic of New Afrika and maintained his innocence. An all-white jury sentenced him to death, but the state Supreme Court twice overturned his death sentence. He was later given a 74-year sentence, and was released early last week after earning credit for good behavior.

Zolo Azania: “I got out of prison. I was released February the 6th, which was a Monday. And my whole life changed! The whole world. The Earth even smelled different. I want to thank everyone who supported me over the years, everyone who has supported me and offered me their assistance and their sympathies and condolences, and for the people that I’ve lost and people who didn’t make it. I’ve seen a lot of people get executed.”

Zolo Azania’s supporters have set up a GoFundMe page to help the 62-year-old “rebuild his life” as he looks for employment and continues his activism.