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:

There's a lot of stuff going on in the lead-up to August, but this seems especially important:

Imam Hasan, a Lucasville prisoner and major organiser in the 2016 strike who was sent to solitary on clearly bogus charges that he tried to get someone to carry out a suicide bombing in support of the strike(!) has just been thrown into solitary again, phone zap called for Monday 30th to try and get him out.

Outspoken prison rebel and organizer Imam Siddique Abdullah Hasan was transferred to the hole Friday evening. Reports from other prisoners are saying that staff is doing the same thing to him they did in 2016, when guards worked with an outside faith leader to manufacture blatantly false and racist accusations that Hasan tried to recruit him into a suicide bombing plot. (https://shadowproof.com/2016/09/01/muslim-prisoner-accuses-ohio-supermax-prison-retaliation-involvement-planned-strike/)

We are digging for more information now, but please be prepared for a phone zap Monday morning. This event will be updated with more details and a call in script by then.

In the meantime, write letters of support to Hasan and get them in the mail today so that he and the staff who have targeted him know that we are mobilizing in his defense.

Siddique Abdullah Hasan
130-559
878 Coitsville-Hubbard rd
Youngstown OH 44505

Call OSP: 330-743-0700 (Fax: 330-743-0841) Warden: Richard A. Bowen, Jr. drc.osp@odrc.state.oh.us

Call NW Regional Director David Bobby: 614-752-1736 David.Bobby@odrc.state.oh.us

Call-In: Demand Holman Prisoners Put in Solitary Be Released to General Population

Please call ADOC Commissioner Jefferson Dunn and Holman Warden Cynthia Stewart and demand that the eight prisoners locked up on July 19th be returned to general population.

Commissioner Jefferson Dunn
(334) 353-3870

Warden Cynthia Stewart
(251) 368-8173

(emails should be jefferson.dunn@doc.alabama.gov and cynthia.stewart@doc.alabama.gov)

Support Baltimore Rebel Allen Bullock

Donate to his commissary here

You can also write to Allen at:

Allen Bullock, SID # 3880939, ID #457790
Eastern Correctional Institution
30420 Revells Neck Rd
Westover MD 21890

Imam Hasan is still on hunger strike:

ACTION ALERT: Phone Zap to #FreeHasan, 614-752-1153

Ahead of the 2018 National Prison Strike, the State of Ohio has launched a campaign of repression against prison rebels including outspoken organizer Imam Siddique Abdullah Hasan. Imam Hasan was transferred to the hole on July, 27, 2018. He began a hunger strike on the morning of July 28, 2018 to protest a conduct report signed by Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) Bureau of Classification Chief Brian Wittrup which referred to his receiving information about the upcoming National Prison Strike. The report charges Imam Hasan with violations of the following rules of conduct:

(15) Rioting or causing others to riot;
(16) Engaging in or encouraging a group demonstration or work stoppage;
(46) Conducting business operations with any person or entity outside the institution, whether or not for profit, without specific permission from the managing officer;
(56) Use of telephone or mail in furtherance of any criminal activity;
(61) Any violation of any published institutional rules, regulations or procedures. codes.ohio.gov/oac/5120-9-06

Imam Hasan told us that most of his property has been confiscated. He has no pen, paper, kites, envelopes, stamps, or legal work. A security barrier with sandbags is outside his cell door (presumably to prevent anyone from passing anything to him).

STEP 1
Call Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) Director Gary Mohr at 614-752-1153

SUGGESTED SCRIPT: "Imam Siddique Abdullah Hasan (R130559) has been on hunger strike since July 28, 2018 to protest the conduct report he was issued by Brian Wittrup. We support Imam Hasan because speaking about a strike over the phone is not a "business operation" or inciting a "riot". We need you to drop the charges, meet his demands, return his property and reinstitute his previously earned privileges."

STEP 2
Send letters of opposition to the ODRC Director's home address:

Gary C. Mohr
221 St Clair Dr
Chillicothe, OH 45601

Send emails to drc.publicinfo@odrc.state.oh.us

STEP 3
Send letters of support to:

Siddique Abdullah Hasan, R130559
878 Coitsville-Hubbard Road
Youngstown, OH 44505

ADDITIONAL TALKING POINTS
- #August21 Strike Demands Drafted by Incarcerated People in Ohio goo.gl/WyTD9U

- In 2016, ODRC manufactured blatantly false and racist accusations about Imam Hasan attempting to recruit an outside faith leader for a suicide bombing plot bit.ly/2cl4O2p

Updates:
In Ohio, Imam Hasan's hunger strike has entered a second week, and Greg Curry reports that a spontaneous work stoppage broke out, and he's asking people to challenge the conditions he's held in:
"Meanwhile, the low wage cops harassing us looking to create problems. So Enough prisoners that recognized this decided to start protest that include refusing to work! of course the cops went to there SPECIAL INMATES to get them to cross the Pickett line but that was frowned upon so the pod is looking like we're HELD AGAINST OUR WILL! IMAGINE THAT...

I need people to call the BUREAU OF CLASSIFICATION, MR. WITTRUP. Ask him why am I being held on a disciplinary version of population without the full privileges of my level such as a rec. yard, gym, chow hall, and many privileges at the same level anywhere else are rule violations here. Ask him what's the plan what's the timeline for moving me out of here. As most of you know it's been 20 plus years stuck here it's time I go!

Remind Mr. Wittrup of that: Brian.Wittrup@odrc.state.oh.us
[you can cc to: Richard.Bowen@odrc.state.oh.us, and to the regional director, Todd.Ishee@odrc.state.oh.us - AP]

thank you.
FREEDOM FIRST, GREG"

Write to Greg via Jpay or directly via snail:
Greg Curry #213-159
OSP
878 Coitsville-Hubbard Road,
Youngstown, OH 44505

In Alabama, anarchist rebel Michael Kimble seems to have been severely beaten by staff:

"We've just received word that Michael was beaten by guards and is currently in lock up. No other information at this time, but we will keep this space updated with what information we get.

Please call Holman Prison at 251-368-8173 to ask about Michael's whereabouts and demand his release. It's important that prison guards and management get reminded that they can't abuse people unnoticed or with impunity. The warden is named Cynthia Stewart.

Just received word that Michael is in "severe condition." More when we know it. Please keep calling the prison!

Holman Correctional Facility is not releasing his condition, let us flood the Commissioner of Prisons lines and demand that they release Michael to an actual hospital that will help him. The # to the commissioner's office is 334-353-3870, ask to release Michael Kimble from Holman Correctional, AIS 00138017. FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS, RAZE THE WALLS"

Pre-strike statement from Jailhouse Lawyers Speak

New audio on the strike from Rustbelt Abolition Radio and Kite Line (Kite Line's hosts seem to not be GDPR compliant or something, so EU people will need to use a proxy to listen to the latter).

Black Panther/Black Liberation prisoner Robert Seth Hayes makes parole, having been held since 1973 and faced serious medical issues in recent years.

Official strike fundraiser page

Strike promo video

Allow People in McCormick Prison to Wear Clothes

People in prison at the McCormick facility in South Carolina are already being targeted. Please call Agency Director Bryan P. Stirling at 803-896-8555

Suggested Phone Script

"I'm understanding that people in segregation at McCormick prison are being humiliated and being forced to walk around a metal pole with just their boxers on and being paraded around even in front of women officers. Even the Muslims who are religiously required to cover certain parts of their bodies are being denied any way to cover themselves. It is causing a lot of tension and creating a dangerous situation."

Should also be possible to email him at stirling.bryan@doc.sc.gov.

See also Hunger Strike Launched Inside Sterling Correctional Facility in Colorado

Huh, I got totally overwhelmed trying to keep up with stuff in late August. Anyway, here's a few recent ones:
Phone Zap to Get Malik Out of Solitary!
28 Days Without Food: Anarchist Prison Rebel Sean Swain Requests Support
Support MDOC Whistleblower Todd Wentworth
Sussex 2 Sussex: From Death Row to An Empty Cell

And a few more:
Jason Walker Calls for Support against Staff Misconduct and Fake Disciplinary Hearings
On the Importance of the Vaughn/Smyrna 17 Case
Vaughn/Smyrna 17 Court Support Summary, 2nd Week
NC’s “progressive” razorwire plantations: A report from a prison strike leader

Updates on Mumia's case here: https://mobilization4mumia.com/actions/

Kevin “Rashid” Johnson STILL Does Not Have his Property — PLEASE HELP!

Monday: Clemency Phone Zap For Jailhouse Lawyer Melvin Perez
Tuesday: Call to Action! Tuesday January 15, 2019 Phone and Email blast to support comrade Doc Holiday who is elderly, ill and being denied medical treatment. We also demand his release from decades on Supermax

Eric King’s Communication Restricted: Call in to Help!

Eric is still being held at USP Leavenworth after being assaulted by staff at FCI Florence. He still is being held without charges, disciplinary write-ups, or any disciplinary hearings for more than 140 days. He is still under the jurisdiction of FCI Florence and this month when he tried to call his wife for his one phone call a month he found that their communication was restricted and he was unable to call. EK remains without an explanation as everyone refuses to provide any information as to why his phone communication has been cut off.

This is incredibly problematic not only for Eric and his family for all political prisoners. If the BOP is able to block communication with Eric despite laws and regulations what is to stop them from restricting communication of other political prisoners from their support and family.

Eric is being held in absolute segregation without even a cellmate at USP Leavenworth and has been now for over 137 days now. This added to his previous time in isolation makes his time served about a year of his total prison time which is very traumatic and triggering. Eric is still dealing with the emotions that have resulted from the incidents that took place in Florence as well as that he has been unable to see his family for over 4 months now. He has missed holidays and birthdays. The day he was attacked was the day following his wife’s surgery for cancer therefore he has missed being able to process subsequent medical problems with her. He is faced with the realization that for the remainder of his sentence he will be far from his wife and kids. The letters and support he has received has been amazing and he is so thankful. While he processes the trauma and grief we ask that you stand with him and continue to show support.

We ask that folks call as often as they can and to as many offices as they can. Take a block of time and call the same number over and over, request difference staff’s voicemail. Get creative but show them that we are watching and ready to protect our friend and comrade.

We got word that Eric was planning on going on a hunger strike beginning yesterday if he didn’t have answers. As there is a prolonged delay in mail right now he may have already began. If this is the case it is so important that we hit the phone lines as hard as possible on Monday.

FCI Florence
Call: 719-784-9100
Ask for: The warden/assistant warden, the legal department, Counselor Quintana, Counselor Rivera. If denied demand the person answering the phone take down a message.

Email: FLF/ExecAssistant@bop.gov

BOP North Central Regional Office
Call: 913-621-3939
Ask for: Director Jeffrey Krueger. If denied ask to speak with his assistant. If denied again, demand the person answering the phone take down a message.

Email: NCRO/ExecAssistant@bop.gov

Sample Script:

Hi I am calling about Eric King, #27090045 to demand that his phone restriction be lifted. It is unacceptable to take away a prisoner’s calls to his wife and family without any notice and without him being brought up on any charges.

—

Thank you for all of your help and continued support!
Until all are free.
-EK Support Crew
Category : Uncategorized

Further updates on hunger-striking anarchist prisoner Eric King:
"Update 1/16/19: On the fourth day of his hunger strike Eric was able to get a five minute call to his wife in exchange for eating dinner on 1/14/19 by negotiating with the prison. He has been standing strong and is in good spirits. He has definitely sent the message to the prison that he is backed up by our support on the outside. He has shown them that he is motivated and that he will see this out. The lower level administration is desperately trying to find answers for him as to why Leavenworth restricted his communication with his partner. It was explained to him (as our research showed) that for a prison to restrict a spouse’s communication there is a complicated process that must be followed; we know that this was 100% not done.Yesterday the executive assistant at Leavenworth gave false information saying that Eric was informed on November 20th, 2018 at 12pm (an oddly specific and arbitrary time and date) that the communication restriction was being put in place and why. This is a blatant lie. Both Eric and his Lieutenant were shocked by this information because no one else at Leavenworth seems to have this same understanding. It seems that the warden, the executive assistant and only upper-level staff at Leavenworth have this information and they are doing whatever they can to keep it and cover it up (likely because they know that the proper processes were not followed). They have gone so far as to ‘lose’ two of the grievances EK filed in the last two months trying to get information.Their time is up. We are sending (with your help!) an effective message to the prison that we are watching and we are going to make their lives hell until this is fixed. That Eric is not standing alone in this. They know now, after negotiating with him and getting him to eat only in exchange for a 5 minute phone call with his wife, that he will continue the hunger strike until the lines of communication are open again. Eric resumed the hunger strike the next morning. We need the community to continue to stand strong with Eric and keep making phone calls. Thank you all for your continued help and support."
Contact details as above.

On the Anniversary of #OperationPUSH, Support Prison Strikers Facing Repression

"We are taking a next step in that struggle, bringing in power from supporters outside to cancel prison labor contracts with government agencies. Will you join us again?

On Jan 22, we will pack the Alachua County Commission in defense of their decision to end their contracts with FDOC slave labor. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/583860068705222

Even if you can't make it out on Jan 22, you can send commissioners an email right now to help us build momentum, by using and sharing this link:
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/end-prison-slave-contracts-in-alachua-county

You can also help by spreading this FAQ on Ending Florida Prison Slavery far and wide:
https://nationinside.org/campaign/incarcerated-workers-organizing-committee-gainesville/storybank/faq-on-prison-slave-labor/ "