This looks like a really impressive resource: https://perilouschronicle.com/
Urgent Phone Zap: Support Hunger Striker Kinetic Justice
Civil Rights Defense Fund for Jason Walker
"In his most recent assault by racist guards on Nov. 23, 2018 at the Ellis Unit, a bogus disciplinary assault case was written against him to conceal the event. On Aug 23 2018 while at the Telford Unit, he was written a false report for threatening to assault staff. He was locked up in solitary the day of the hearing which prevented him from attending the hearing. This case was ultimately overturned and expunged but he was written a second false case and was never notified he’d received the charge. During an investigation by the Houston Chronicle it was exposed that the prison counsel substitute Shelia Forte falsified records to frame Jason with the case. She was fired for this act and faces criminal felony charges. Jason has a pending lawsuit on many of these issues.
He is seeking donations in effort to obtain meaningful legal assistance to better his chances of battling the defendants, their legal team, and the judge who are acting in concert to get his claims dismissed. Even though his civil rights have been clearly violated, attorneys in Texas have no interest in justice, only in collecting fees for legal help. With the help of a lawyer, Jason will have a fighting chance."
The SF Bay View is still in need of donations to stay afloat
Hello folks, my name is Josh. Several years ago I was jumped by two white supremacists because I'd started working with anti-racist activists in my hometown. While defending myself, I ended up injuring one of the attackers and while in the hospital he told the police that I was the one who initiated the fight. Confident in my innocence I went to trial and lost. I was convicted of assault and given 9 years in prison.Now consider, if you will, life as an anti-racist activist in prison. I'll spare all the details, but while in prison I became heavily involved in other forms of activism; working to overcome gang violence and racism, working for prisoner's rights and restorative justice as alternatives to incarceration, among other things. Because of my activism I spent more than four years in solitary confinement.
My planned release date was in 2020, but after 6 years I finally won my appeal, my conviction was overturned and I was released without warning from solitary confinement directly onto the streets of Portland, Oregon. After my release I struggled for a few months trying to gain some stability and to make sense of everything that had happened, but before long I found myself back in prison for another year.
As I write this, I've been out exactly one month. I'm determined to break this cycle and become successful again, and I was convinced by a dear friend that I need to humble myself and ask for help.
Success, in this case, means paying off my legal fees, owning a work vehicle and enough tools to restart my construction/landscaping business, while maintaining my involvement in social justice work.
I'm currently, at least, not homeless thanks to a person who risks eviction for having an "unapproved house-guest", but beyond that I have only one way to go and that's UP.
I'm also doing different types of work, some art related, to reach my goals, and any questions or conversation is also welcome. Thank you so much for any love and support.
Wishing everyone out there beauty in your lives.
Once again, just to plug that the only unaffiliated national prison abolitionist newspaper needs donations to keep getting its print edition into the hands of people behind bars.
Some kind-of positive news in Mumia Abu-Jamal's case, the DA's office are withdrawing their appeal against his appeal. Legal stuff is complex and messy but that's a step in the right direction.
Phonezap on Tuesday to Support Alabama Hungerstriker, Kenneth Traywick
"Our friend and fellow soldier in struggle Kenneth Traywick (#177252) has been on a hunger strike since April 11, 2019 when he was placed in solitary for bogus reasons and no disciplinary. The Alabama Department of Corrections has been “force feeding” him via I.V. He has made it clear that he will continue to hunger strike once off of the I.V. until a set of five demands are met (see below or here: https://tinyurl.com/yy362gab)
WE SUPPORT TRAYWICK AND PROMISE THERE WILL BE NO BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR ADOC OFFICIALS AND LIMESTONE STAFF UNTIL HIS DEMANDS ARE MET.
Suggested Call Script:
Hello, my name is…and I’m calling from… I am calling in support of Kenneth Traywick AIS#177252 who has been and will continue to stay on hunger strike until his demands are met. I am very concerned about his safety at Limestone and the pattern of retaliation staff and officials continue to use against him. I demand that his voice be heard, that his five demands be met immediately, among them that he be transferred and ADOC refrain from further retaliatory action.
When does ADOC plan on recognizing and acting on these demands? Who else may I speak to about this? I will keep calling until these demands are met!"
Contact details in link
Jailhouse Lawyers Speak: One Year Since Seven Fell in South Carolina
Vaughn 17 defendant Roman Shankaras just beat his charges, only about two defendants left to go now: https://eu.delawareonline.com/story/news/2019/05/23/another-inmate-beats...
Anyone interested in the subject might want to check the new issue of Field Notes, which is a prison labo(u)r special: https://brooklynrail.org/2019/6/field-notes
Ramsey Orta, the person who filmed the death of Eric Garner, is coming up before the parole board and could use some help: http://wit.to/Orta-Parole http://wecopwatch.org/ramsey-orta-support-letter-form/
North Carolina hunger strike to begin on July 31st: https://incarceratedworkers.org/phone-zaps/july-31-nc-hunger-strike-begi...
The SF Bay View is desperately asking for donations to get their Black August issue out: https://www.gofundme.com/keep-the-bayview-newspaper-in-print
More here:
Today, October 23, human rights activist in New York City, Washington DC, London, U.K., and Kingston, Jamaica are delivering a request for humanitarian intervention to the United Nations drafted by US prisoners in South Carolina.
For years, prisoners and their families have been decrying the notoriously bad conditions within South Carolina prisons, as the US Department of Justice has demonstrated through reports and consent decrees with states in violation of basic human rights protections. However, this process has not produced notable improvements in prison conditions.
The UN has been many steps ahead of the United States in its recognition of human rights globally, and prisoner’s rights in particular. The UN recognizes that solitary confinement is torture after 15 days, even though long-term solitary confinement remains common in the US. A recent study has suggested that any period of time in “restrictive housing,” increases the likelihood of a former prisoner’s death following their release. These are common conditions throughout US prisons that have an impact on the brains of prisoners and impair their ability to survive.
After the deadliest day in US prisons in a quarter century at Lee Correctional Institution in South Carolina in 2018, prisoners led a call for a national prison strike against their repressive conditions. They issued ten demands, none of which have been met to date.
Beyond their national demands, there are certain conditions specific to South Carolina that are particularly repressive. The blocking of sunlight with metal plates, has been one of the key conditions that prisoners have decried in recent years. This practice combined with long lockdowns, the adding of meal slots in general population cell doors, denial of outdoor recreation, and limited access to showers, has produced solitary-like conditions across the whole of the general population at high security prisons in the state.
These practices deny the basic humanity of prisoners by the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC). These are the conditions that produced the violence at Lee Correctional Institution in 2018. They are reflected in this NBC News report about South Carolina prisoner Allen “AJ” Capers, which shows Capers being dragged out on to the yard and left to die by two SCDC guards. SCDC have produced a record high suicide rate. They led to the drowning of Sinetra Geter-Johnson’s baby in her prison cell, as guards neglected to help. In 2014, a Judge found that SCDC routinely violates basic rights of prisoners to mental health care.
Prisoners have attempted to find support through the legislature, they’ve sought lawyers willing to sue over the conditions, and they’ve organized national protests. None of their calls have been heard. The conditions within South Carolina prisons continue to get progressively worse and hopelessness has set in, as reflected by the record numbers of deaths and suicides in recent years. In Alabama, another state that has had similarly horrendous conditions, even a DOJ report and major coverage in national newspapers have not improved the conditions for prisoners. There is no reliable process for redress for human rights violations within the US system.
When incarcerated people can no longer find a basis for hope they struggle to see a path forward. South Carolina’s prison system has reached a breaking point, and right now it is breaking the mind, bodies, and spirits of human beings. Today, these prisoners have reached out to the world to urge international humanitarian intervention by the UN, in an attempt to ease the harsh conditions in South Carolina prisons. They take this step because they see no other path of redress.
Media Contact- Campaign to Fight Toxic Prisons
Just to add another individual American prisoner deserving of our solidarity World Socialist Party of the United States member, Joe Hopkins.
Joe has been incarcerated in a Florida prison for the past 15 years or so, serving a life sentence. The sentence bears no relation to the crime he committed in my view and reflects the cruelty and inhumanity of the legal system there. Stephen Shenfield, the GenSec of WSPUS, has set up a website dedicated to freeing Joe (see below). It contains some useful information about Joe including an account by Joe himself of his early upbringing and the horrendous experiences he went through.
Thanks for sharing that! I would strongly recommend that you or Stephen get in touch with Gainesville Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee, who will be able to help provide some level of support to Joe and help connect him to other politicised/class conscious prisoners: gainesvilleiwoc@gmail.com I believe Fight Toxic Prisons are also Florida-based, you can contact them at FightToxicPrisons@gmail.com
Oh, and while I remember, it looks like Mumia Abu-Jamal might be on the verge of winning his freedom: https://mailchi.mp/prisonradio/the-next-step-freedom-april-161517
Have now passed Joe's details on to Florida comrades who should hopefully be in touch with him soon.
Also, wanted to plug this excellent site that's been set up for a NY antifascist who's set to do 18 months for a fight with alt-righters - notable features include an online form so you can write to him without having to mess about with stamps and stuff, a list of his interests to help people write to him, and this reading list - if you feel like sending him something from the list, you can order it to be delivered to
David Campbell #3101900657
Eric M. Taylor Center
10-10 Hazen Street
East Elmhurst, NY 11370
and drop them a line at contact@freedavidcampbell.com so they know to remove it from the list.
Very much appreciated. If only we could all show as much solidarity on other aspects of our politics
Phone Zap for Comrade Keith Malik Washington
Comrade Malik is currently being held in solitary confinement after being attacked at USP Beaumont. Other prisoners had previously warned that he was in danger at Beaumont and it is clear that he is being targeted because of his activism.
Malik urgently needs to get out of this dangerous environment, and to get moved to an institution in California so it will be be easier for him to start work at the Bay View right away when he gets released. There is no reason for him to be at Beaumont, given his security status and his upcoming parole status in California. A show of public solidarity and support is crucial in letting the prison officials know that we are watching out for him and they can’t get away with any more dirty tricks.
Please take a few minutes to help make sure our comrade gets transferred safely:
Who to Call:
USP Beaumont- 409-727-8188
(if you only have time to make 1 call, call USP Beaumont!)
When calling Beaumont, ask to speak with:
– Larry Schultz- Warden
– Mr. Tenner- Unit Manager ext.4551
– Mr. Odstrcil- Case Manager
Fax: 409-626-3700
BOP Director, Kathleen Hawk Sawyer- 202-307-3250
BOP South Central Regional Office, Grand Prairie- 972-730-8600
Important emails:
Designation and Computation: GRA-DSC/PolicyCorrespondence&AdminRemedies@bop.gov
Jay Tenner: Beaumont: BMP/ExecAssistant@bop.gov
Suggested Call Script:
“Hello, I am contacting you on behalf of Keith Washington (#34481037), a prisoner who was recently assaulted while being held at USP Beaumont. It is my understanding that Mr. Washington is hurt and being held in the SHU with restricted access to the outside world and that an investigation is currently underway. I demand that you expedite this investigation as swiftly as possible, that Keith Washington be transferred to a lower security facility in California (where he will be living and working upon release) and that no further disciplinary measures are taken against Mr. Washington, a man who has no history of violence other than what he has been exposed to in your institution.
Can you confirm who the specific Designator currently working on Mr. Washington’s case is? Please be advised that we are currently seeking to pursue legal action to redress the harm that Mr. Washington has suffered as a result of your negligence, and will continue to contact you until he is transferred.”
Hunger Strike Day 11: Support Kinetik Justice!
Our Comrade Kinetik Justice is still at Limestone Correctional Facility, one of the most repressive prisons in Alabama. Kinetik was sent to solitary confinement after drugs were planted in his cell, and has been on a hunger strike since October 29th 2019. He is currently housed in the infirmary at Limestone CF, (the same infirmary where a nurse told him she hoped he would drop dead last time he was on a hunger strike).
Kinetik is a founder of the Free Alabama Movement. He was also instrumental to the founding of the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee and George Jackson University, and the 2016 and 2018 National Prison Strikes. He has put his life on the line to support fellow incarcerated people countless times. For that reason he’s continually targeted and it’s important that we show the system that we have his back.
We ask that you take a moment out of your day to support this incredible human-
Who To Call:
Limestone CF, Warden Estes: (256) 233-4600
ADOC Commissioner Jeff Dunn: 334-353-3883
ADOC Intelligence & Investigations, Arnaldo Mercado: 334-353-3883
ADOC Fax #: 334 353 8922
(Faxing is extremely effective! Here is a 100 page pdf to fax to ADOC: Tinyurl.com/FreeKinetikPDF )
Call Script:
“Hello, I’m calling about Robert Earl Council (AIS#181418). I understand he is on hunger strike and being sentenced to segregation on trumped up charges as retaliation for exposing corruption going on at Limestone. I demand his immediate transfer to another facility, the removal of his fraudulent disciplinary charge, and to know what you are doing about the illegal gambling and extortion being promoted by Captain McKinsey and Mr. Pelzer. I will keep calling until we have answers.
Been really neglecting this of late, but two really important fundraisers for the legal costs of two US comrades:
https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/support-michael-kimble
"Michael Kimble is a passionate freedom fighter who has been held captive by the Alabama Department of Corrections for nearly 33 years. After defending himself during a homophobic attack by a known white supremacist in 1987, Michael was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. His trial was typical of what could be expected from a racist criminal justice system in Jefferson County, Alabama.
Since his conviction, Michael has been fervently involved in efforts to free himself and others, assisting in legal defense for fellow inmates, organizing reading groups and Black History events, speaking up for queer folks behind bars, and helping to organize and agitate alongside the Free Alabama Movement for the historic national prison strike of September 2016.
The Alabama prison system has recently come under fire from the federal government for its abhorrent conditions, and Holman Prison, where Michael is incarcerated, is being decommissioned and largely shut down. In this context, many Alabama prisoners have been successfully challenging the length of their original sentences. A group of Michael’s supporters on the outside have recently joined forces to hire a new legal team to help him push for a sentence reduction. Given the amount of time already served, we are hoping this could result in his release."
"Eric King is an imprisoned parent, artist, poet, and partner who needs support defending himself as he faces serious federal charges from the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
Eric is currently serving a ten year sentence in BOP for Use of Explosive Materials to Commit Arson. On September 11, 2014, Eric threw two molotov cocktails and a hammer through a window of an unoccupied Kansas City congressional building. Eric was charged in the federal court in Kansas City; in 2016 he accepted a non-cooperating guilty plea and a mandatory minimum 10-year federal sentence for the case. As part of his plea and sentencing Eric publicly and proudly acknowledged that his intent was to take direct political action in solidarity with the community of Ferguson, Missouri following the August 2014 police killing of Michael Brown, Jr. He has been in BOP custody since he was sentenced in 2016.
Even in prison, Eric is committed to using his poetry, art, and writing for liberation and a world free from domination and oppression.
Learn more about Eric, read his writing, share his struggle here: http://www.supportericking.org
Follow Eric's support team on twitter: @SupportEricKing
August 17, 2018
In 2017 Eric was transferred to FCI Florence, part of the notorious federal prison complex in Florence, Colorado. On August 17, 2018 an Administrative Lieutenant from FCI Florence ordered Eric to attend a private "interview" in a prison storage room. BOP officers who removed Eric from the storage room heard him say that the Administrative Lieutenant attacked him and that Eric was defending himself. Officers took Eric out of the storage room and to the Special Housing Unit (SHU) where they stripped him, shackled him to a bed, and held him in isolation without ability to communicate with his loved ones or a lawyer for three days. Eric had visible injuries when he was transferred out of Florence to USP Leavenworth on August 20, 2018, and he has experienced tingling in his limbs, headaches, blurred vision, and nausea daily since August 17, 2018.
The New Federal Charge
In May 2019 Eric was indicted by a grand jury in the District Court of Colorado for a new federal felony charge of Assaulting a Federal Official. The charge is based on what the government says happened during the interview in the Florence storage room with the Administrative Lieutenant. Eric now faces up to 20 additional years in federal prison, and is fighting this charge while still in the custody of his accusers.
What will funds be used for?
All funds will be held in trust by the law office and used to pay legal costs and fees associated with defending Eric, his principles, and the rights Eric and every prisoner has to live without fear of harassment, abuse, and deprivation at the hands of the state."
A report on the spread of wildcat strikes in response to the coronavirus in the US. This article was first...
An investigation of the Zoot suit phenomenon in the United States in the 1930s and 40s.
Twitter today pointed out this horrific, unbelievably offensive article, titled 'Homeopathy for Domestic Violence and Abuse'. Hopefully, the title alone will be enough to fill you with...
Please read the posting guidelines before posting. If you see anything which falls outside them please use the down' button on the offending post to flag it for the moderators' attention, or in the case of spam, click the 'spam' button. Site admins are listed here, and feedback can be posted in the feedback forum.
Click here to register now. Logged in users:
▶ Can comment on articles and discussions
▶ Get 'recent posts' refreshed more regularly
▶ Bookmark articles to your own reading list
▶ Use the site private messaging system
▶ Start forum discussions, submit articles, and more...
Eric King Reports Brutality and Frame-Up at Hands of Guards
Grey suit protection: Ellis Unit guards admit assaulting prisoners, but aren't held accountable
Help Needed for Joe-Joe Bowen
Update on the Case of Anarchist Political Prisoner Luis Fernando Sotelo (Mexico City, Mexico)
Reports of ongoing hunger strikes at MCC in New York and Corcoran in California.