New Years Eve prison noise protests in London

You've been holding protests outside various London prisons on New Years Eve (NYE) for the past few years, when did you start and what is the reason for the protests?

The recent NYE protests began in 2010 after a callout for a global day of action against prison by the North American Anarchist Network. London Anarchist Black Cross (ABC) organised a noise protest outside Brixton prison in south London as part of this international day of action. The aim of the protest was to visually and vocally break the isolation and alienation that prisoners feel,especially around this festive time of year and on a night most spend partying with friends. The noise protests act as public display of defiance against state repression.

Since 2011 London ABC have organised protests at Pentonville and Holloway prisons in north London on NYE, the mantle of Brixton being taken on by the London Campaign Against Police and State Violence since then.

What kind of reaction do the protests cause inside the prisons you visit? Have you ever had feedback from any prisoners?

We receive a great response from the prisoners every NYE. Shouts of 'fuck the police' and 'happy new year' can be heard echoing from the cells at the same time. Cell lights switching on and off and burning debris being thrown from cell windows.

Through letters prisoners have described the protests creating a buzz on the prison wings on NYE.

Similar protests around the world tend to be quite rowdy, particularly in Greece, how does London compare and are there any you draw inspiration from?

Rowdy, lively and resistant protests are always encouraged on NYE and the Greeks (especially anarchists) have always been quite good at this. But this is no small part due to the strong anarchist community and outrage at acts of police brutality with the killing of 15 year-old Alexander Grigoropoulos in 2008 and subsequent imprisonment and hunger strike of his friend Nikos last year in 2014. London's cultural climate is vastly different to Greece and not just within the anarchist community. While the oppression and repression of the state & judicial system are equally destructive there are different challenges that need to be faced. London has a network of CCTV surveillance unrivaled in Europe and protesters are aware of this, despite this London protests still remain very rowdy.

Last year the police ended the protest outside HMP Brixton by violently attacking the crowd, making several arrests. What happened there?

For the last two years we have seen arrests at the Brixton NYE noise protest, last year we saw police using pepper spray and batons against a non-violent crowd. It is difficult to know what runs through the cops mind when there surround and a attack a peaceful crowd of people. The crowd contained speakers on police violence including Sean Riggs sister who's brother was murdered in Brixton police station a ten minute walk from the prison. I suppose they don't see the irony of attacking a protest against police violence. But be prepared for this eventuality if you are attending a prison protest this year, oh and ACAB.

Finally, could you tell us a bit more about London ABC? What kind of activity do you do as a group and which prisoners are you supporting?

London ABC is a prisoner support group, the current members of the group are also prison abolitionists. We are opposed to the prison system and we encourage people to write letters of support to those inside, whether or not they are anarchists. London ABC also works with ABC groups in the UK and internationally to provide support and promote campaigns of anarchists and activists worldwide. A full list of individuals and campaigns can be found on our website.

London ABC also supports solidarity actions and protests taking place here in the UK and across the world. NYE protests are a significant part of building a culture of resistance and acknowledgement of role that prisons play with within our society and the effect prisons have on destroying social struggles. Every year we are seeing more and more towns and cities holding noise protests around the world. So join us for NYE.