General US prison revolt and struggle thread

Former Black Panther Romaine ‘Chip’ Fitzgerald seeks parole after 49 years behind bars

Sean Swain Calls for Campaign to Get His Communication Turned Back On

"I’m hoping to generate 50 phone calls to each of the following numbers, where folks generally say what’s written below. So, feel free to call and to share this with anyone else who might call, in hopes that we can pressure the fascists to restore my communications…

Kevin O’Donnell Stanek, Asst. Chief Counsel to Governor Kasich: (614) 466- 3555;

State Representative Doug Green (614) 644-6034;

State Representative Hearcel F. Craig (614) 466-8010;

State Representative Greta Johnson (614) 466-6037. (Not on House Directory – 81st District is blank – I wonder if that’s she?)

***

General idea of what to say:

I’m calling to bring to your attention an illegal effort by prison officials to terrorize an Ohio prisoner. The prisoner, Sean Swain, is a model prisoner, a published writer and a radio personality on a globally-syndicated radio show. Because Sean exposed how prison employees who were directed by ODRC Counsel Trevor Clark intercepted and stole Sean’s mail from courts to hide their crimes, prison officials have shut down all of Sean’s communication to the outside world…to his family, his friends, and even to the courts. Prison officials are blocking Sean’s phone, email, and even regular mail. Their goal is not just to silence him, but to cut him off from everyone who loves him and drive him to suicide.

I want you to know that I’m signing an online petition that has 50,000 signatures already, demanding that the director of prisons resign, and I’m urging your office to make arrangements to speak with Sean. You can contact him by phone at the prison by calling his Case Manager K. Baessler at: (513) 932-3388, ext. 84405 or ext. 84410. Please know that if anything happens to Sean while he’s being illegally silenced, I know a lot of registered voters, including me, who will hold your office responsible. The eyes of the world are watching.“

He adds:

“I really need a lawyer. It seems that officials intend to silence me, to stop my social existence beyond the prison fence… FOREVER.They intend to stop me from EVER communicating with ANYONE for the rest of my life.I can’t even sue these people because they steal all incoming legal mail making it impossible to proceed.”

Interview: South Carolina Prisoners Challenge Narrative Around Violence At Lee Correctional Institution

New graphic from Jailhouse Lawyers Speak:

Oh, and Former Black Panther Romaine "Chip" Fitzgerald Denied Parole after 49 Years - parole hearing postponed for five years, ffs.

Not much info about this yet, but:

List of demands for the Angola strike here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nupowerradionetwork/2018/05/08/signothetimes-decarcerate-louisiana-cease-in-peace-work-stoppage

Long-term Black Panther/BLA prisoner Jalil Muntaqim coming up for parole, letters in support requested.
Also, not generally into promoting PSL-led events, but the rally that happened at the weekend outside Lee Correctional is notable for being in a location that really doesn't have a strong tradition of outside IWOC/ABC-type organising.

URGENT CALL ALERT for Kevin Rashid Johnson

Also, on a semi-related note:
NoDAPL Water Protector Sentenced to Thirty-Six Months by Federal Judge

Lots of charges collapsing in the J20 trials

I'm really bad at keeping up with everything going on, but a few big recent ones: Kevin “Rashid” Johnson is Back at Red Onion — and In Solitary
After 47 Years Behind Bars, Will Jalil Muntaqim Go Free?
The 17 Vaughn prisoners charged in connection with the 2017 Vaughn Prison Uprising are suffering brutal repression on a daily basis. The guards and the whole carceral apparatus are trying to break them. Let’s call in on July 2nd to stop the torture.

J20 cases continuing to collapse all over the place.
Ramsey Orta, the whistleblower who's been harrassed by the state ever since filming the killing of Eric Garner, is currently getting hassle from the prison administration

A few more:
Austin, TX: Juneteenth Actions in Solidarity with the End Prison Slavery Movement
Prison strikers issue statement in solidarity with those fighting ICE
“Live From the Trenches”: The Vaughn 17 Speak

Action Alert – Demand Parole for Janet and Janine Africa
Contact the parole board here
Kinetik speaks: ‘In segregation or on the yard, the message is the same – SLAVERY MUST END’
Juneteenth Prison Protest Targets Prison Slave Labor In Austin, Texas
Video Call to Action from Inside Angola Prison
Kevin “Rashid” Johnson is Back at Red Onion — and In Solitary

Call-In Against Racist Discrimination and Retaliation at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility

Not America, but: Bulgaria: Urgent Call for Solidarity Actions from the Bulgarian Prisoners’ Association

ALERTA ALERTA
EMERGENCY REPORT

The Bulgarian Ministry of Justice has taken repressive measures agaisnt members and suspected members of the Bulgarian Prisoners’ Association

The Ministry of Justice is openly giving false punishments and harrassing members and suspected members of our union after a report by us was sent to the European Council of Ministries exposing the lies in a fake report given by the Bulgarian government

We are in need of instant support and solidarity

Please organise rallies and protests at your closest Bulgarian embassy or consulate

Demand that the Ministry of Justice stop their repression of the Bulgarian Prisoners’ Association

Our slogan for the cause is
«When injustice becomes law
Resistance becomes duty»

(report can be found here https://rm.coe.int/1318th-meeting-june-2018-dh-rules-9-2-and-9-6-communication-from-a-ngo/16807958cd )

#Bulgaria
#BPRA
#Injustice
#HandsOffBPRA

(via Bulgarian Prisoners’ Association)

If anyone's interested, there's a Bulgarian embassy at

Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria
186-188 Queen’s Gate
London SW7 5HL

All Hands on Deck: Get Malik Washington out of Ad-Seg!

Update and call to support IWOC member and long time prison organizer, Malik Washington.

Several weeks ago, friends and supporters of incarcerated freedom fighter Comrade Malik Washington were overjoyed to hear that he was getting released, finally, from Administrative Segregation (solitary confinement) at Eastham Unit in Texas–until TDCJ pulled a fast one, falsely claiming that he refused to participate in the Ad-Seg Transition Program to get him released back to general population.

This is a complete lie: Malik has been fighting to get out of Ad-Seg from the moment he was thrown in there two years ago on a bogus riot charge (which was, itself, retaliation for prison strike organizing and agitating against inhumane, discriminatory conditions).

Here’s what actually happened: when Malik arrived at Ramsey Unit on June 21, he was assigned to a top bunk, which is prohibited by his medical restrictions as a seizure patient. TDCJ had failed to transfer his medical restrictions records, or had erased them, and are now claiming no record of these restrictions, which have been on file and in place for the past ten years. Malik wrote a detailed statement requesting to be placed on a lower bunk in order to avoid injury; later that night, he was abruptly transferred back to Ad-Seg at a new Unit (McConnell).

Malik was told that Ramsey staff claimed he refused to participate in the Ad-Seg Transition program–this is NOT true, and he needs to be re-instated to the program immediately! He also urgently needs his medical restrictions put back into his records!

We are extremely concerned for Malik’s safety, and urgently need the help of everyone reading this. Please take one or more of the following actions, and get a couple friends to do the same!

Call Senior Warden Phillip Sifuentes at Malik’s current facility (McConnell) and tell them Keith Washington (#1487958) must be transferred out of McConnell and re-admitted to the Ad-Seg Transition Program!

Phone #: (361) 362-2300 (**048) 00 — ask to be connected to the senior warden’s office/receptionist–try to talk to someone, but also can leave a message.

Sample Script: “Hello, I’m calling because I’m concerned about Keith H. Washington (#1487958) who was recently transferred to your facility. I understand he was transferred there from Ramsey Unit, because he supposedly refused to participate in the Ad-Seg transition program there, but this is not true; Malik never refused to participate, and he needs to be re-admitted to the transition program immediately! I am also concerned that his heat restrictions seem to have been removed from his records. He is a seizure patient and has been on heat and work restriction for years, and these restrictions must be reinstated immediately.”

Please let us know how your call goes at blueridgeABC@riseup.net

Flood TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier with calls/emails!You can use the above phone script as a guide for emails.

exec.director@tdcj.texas.gov

(936) 437-2101 / (936) 437-2123

Flood TDCJ with emails demanding that Malik’s health restrictions and work restrictions be restored: Health.services@tdcj.texas.gov

You can use the call script above as a guide; you don’t need to mention the Ad-Seg situation, but just focus on the need to restore his heat and work restrictions!

File a complaint with the Ombudsman’s Office (the office in charge of investigating departmental misconduct); you can use the above phone script as a guide for emails.

Ombudsman@tdcj.texas.gov

Write to Malik! Every letter he receives lifts his spirit and PROTECTS him, because prison officials know he has people around him, watching for what happens to him.

Keith H. Washington

#1487958

McConnell Unit

3100 South Emily Drive

Beeville, TX 78103

Latest update from the campaign to keep the Bay View in print:

I'd really recommend people donate to their fundraiser if you're able to, with the August prison strikes coming up, a pro-strike newspaper getting into prisons around the country this July/August would make a huge amount of difference.

Final Straw podcast interview on the prison strike

Week of International Support in Lead Up to Nationwide Prison Strike: This is a challenge to every anarchist, abolitionist, rebel and determined fighter against prison society and white supremacy in Amerikkka: Between Monday, July 16 and Saturday, July 21, we’re calling on you to help unleash a concerted and spectacular array of solidarity actions before the upcoming prison strikes!

Some new graphics and stuff here: