#JUNE11 2023!
WHAT: Letter Writing and Card Signing Party
WHEN: 1:00-4:00pm, Sunday, June 11th
WHERE: Woodbine (585 Woodward Avenue, Queens)
COST: FREE (Donations to cover the cost of stamps greatly appreciated)
Join NYC Anarchist Black Cross for a June 11th card signing and letter-writing party for Earth and animal liberation and anarchist political prisoners! For more on June 11th, check out the following excerpt from this year’s call and listen to this podcast!
Against Oblivion, Against Despair: A Call for June 11th
Another year passes, and another June 11th is upon us. Once again we’re appreciating all that has unfolded in anarchist struggle over this period, both triumphs and hardships, outside the prison walls, and within. We’re appreciating the beauty in fighting back, and the strength that can be fostered when we refuse to succumb to both oblivion, and despair.
Against oblivion: we refuse to let the state disappear rebels, to erase their sweet or sharp words from our discussions, or to remove or obfuscate their contributions to our shared struggles. Instead, we remember them. Their actions, words, laughter, potential, and humanity. We can act as conduit for each other through prison walls and among generations. They can be kept involved as our struggles shift and change, and we can keep them connected to the outside world, and too the outside connected to them.
Against despair: up against the power of the state, it can feel as if nothing can be done. Despair is a very particular space to inhabit. Despair is not hopelessness, as hopelessness can be a fair assessment of circumstances. One can see and acknowledge hopelessness with a full heart and strong spirit. But despair, despair destroys courage. What is despair, but to value the knowing of suffering without acting against it. We refuse to wallow in the realm of despair, indefinitely. We refuse to let despair destroy our courage.
Instead, we will offer hope to one another. Not a naive or misguided hope that offers false solutions. But instead, an impassioned belief in our capacities as individuals, and capabilities together, to continue on. We can learn from people, like prisoners, who face the full power of the state in isolation and maintain their principles, their humor, their courage, and their resolve. We will act not just based on what’s possible or “strategic,” but on what we know to have value and meaning both out of care and love for each other and in an acting for our own selves, our own aliveness and spirit. Imprisoned comrades are often an incredible example of persevering in the face of hopelessness. Of coming out on the other side of it to the fierce activity of nothing to lose, and nothing worse to be feared.
Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 – Letter-writing to Xinachtli
WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing
WHEN: Tuesday, May 30th, 2023
WHERE: YOUR HOME
COST: Free
This week, as state and federal politicians vie to be the foulest and furthest right, attacking the queer and trans folx for existing, denying the humanity of our un-housed or precariously housed neighbors, and restricting ‘migrant’ workers from working–though more often than not these ‘migrants’ are more indigenous to this continent than the wanna-be fascist yt’s seeking to exclude them–we are asking you to write to a long serving political prisoner Xinachtli.
Xinachtli (Nahuatl, meaning “seed”) is an anarchist communist community organizer and Chicano movement revolutionary, currently imprisoned in Texas. Also known as Alvaro Luna Hernández, he worked diligently in the barrio on civil and human rights issues, known widely for his legal skills. Gaining international recognition as the national coordinator of the Ricardo Aldape Guerra Defense Committee, Xinachtli was instrumental in helping to free Mexican national Aldape Guerra from Texas’ death row, where he had been framed for the murder of a police officer.
In July 1996 Xinachtli was arrested after disarming a County Sheriff who was attempting to shoot him. After defending himself at trial, Xinachtli was sentenced to 50 years in prison for aggravated assault, a charge he vehemently denies. While imprisoned, Xinachtli continues to write frequently, create beautiful visual art, has helped to organize multiple prison strikes, and has been held in solitary confinement for the last 19 years and counting. Xinachtli is a prolific jailhouse lawyer, as referenced by Mumia Abu Jamal in his book Jailhouse Lawyers: Prisoners Defending Prisoners v the USA. Xinachtli assists many prisoners in seeking new trials, and filing suits against the repressive, inhumane Texas prison system. In September 2021 his parole review was denied. More information at freealvaro.net.
Please join NYC ABC from wherever you are as we write letters to Xinachtli:
Alvaro Luna Hernández* #255735
W.G. McConnell Unit
3001 Emily Drive
Beeville, Texas 78102
*Address envelopes to Alvaro Luna Hernández, cards/letters to Xinachtli.
Tuesday, May 16th- Letter Writing to Ed Poindexter
WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing
WHEN: Tuesday, May 16th, 2023
WHERE: YOUR HOME
COST: Free
Once again, we are asking to send some love to a political prisoner in a time of exacerbated need. Prisons don’t treat Black people or political prisoners well, and they certainly don’t treat Black political prisoners well.
Ed Poindexter‘s left leg was amputated below the knee earlier this month due to lack of proper medical care; this was done without notifying his family or supporters. Ed has diabetes and receives dialysis three days a week; he underwent triple bypass heart surgery in 2016. Here is a call in campaign that is active until the end of the month.
Ed Poindexter and Mondo we Langa are commonly known as the “Omaha Two.” They were leaders of the Black Panther Party in Omaha in the late 1960s and, like others, were targeted both by the Omaha police and the FBI under its notorious COINTELPRO spying and disruption program.
In August 1970, the Two were framed on charges of killing an Omaha police officer, who died after being lured into a home where a suitcase bomb exploded. They were subsequently imprisoned. After a long illness, we Langa died in 2016 after 45 years in prison, while Ed Poindexter remains locked up.
Ed has a cataract in one eye that makes it difficult for him to read, so please type your letter in 18 point or larger font. The Nebraska Department of Corrections does not plan to allow Ed to have surgery for the cataract because “he has one good eye.”
Please join NYC ABC in supporting Ed by sending him a letter of encouragement.
This is the current address where he is still recovering, as far as we know as of this posting:
Ed Poindexter #27767
Reception and Treatment Center
P.O. Box 22800
Lincoln, NE 68542-2800
Or to what has been address and will presumably be again once he is well enough (below).
Though we would of course prefer that he be allowed to go home, and are hoping that happens soon!
Ed Poindexter #27767
Nebraska State Penitentiary
Post Office Box 22500
Lincoln, Nebraska 68542
Anarchist Political Prisoner Dan Baker Needs Support!
“Your efforts to shine a light of awareness on our situations as political prisoners is all that keeps the cops from murdering us with impunity.“-Dan Baker
Daniel Baker is an anti-fascist activist who was arrested on January 15, 2021 for social media posts that called for defense against possible far-right attacks in the wake of the January 6th riots. Daniel was facing up to 10 years for two counts of transmitting a communication in interstate commerce containing a threat to kidnap or injure. On October 12th, 2021 he was sentenced to 44 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.
Recently, Dan has been going through an exceptionally hard time, and began a hunger strike in March to protest his conditions. He is currently in the SHU, has been attacked by a right wing bigot, and is being denied his right of a timely transfer to a halfway house, and contact with his lawyer has been limited. Here is a call for letters to let the BOP know Dan has people on his side on the outside, and that we want him to be treated humanely, and released soon.
Please check out Dan’s Book list here and sending him something read.
Supporting political prisoners such as Dan is vital, especially in moments such as this. In Dan’s own words:
“…please don’t be overwhelmed by the number of comrades in prison. Instead, take 5 minutes every day to write to a different political prisoner and reply when they write back. Your efforts to shine a light of awareness on our situations as political prisoners is all that keeps the cops from murdering us with impunity.“
NYC ABC is asking you to join us in writing to political prisoner Daniel Baker. Send him books. Pay attention to his campaign. Send him some love and show your support for a comrade!
Daniel Baker #25765-509
FCI Memphis
Post Office Box 34550
Memphis, Tennessee 38184
May 1st – May Day letter-writing for Anarchist Prisoners
WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing
WHEN: May 1st, 2023
WHERE: your home (or wherever you happen to be)
COST: Free
“Give flowers to the rebels who failed,
Their sight fixed upon the break of dawn,
To the bold rebel who fights and works
To the far-seeing poet who sings and dies”
from Primo Maggio (The First of May),
by Pietro Gori, 1890
May Day is historically an anarchist holiday, which honors the date called for a nation-wide general strike for the 8 hour day work day in 1886. The tumultuous days that followed in the mid-western states resulted in multiple skirmishes and several casualties on both sides, and ultimately led to the railroaded conviction of 8 known anarchists from the Chicago scene. On November 11th, 1887, four anarchists were hanged—Albert Parsons, August Spies, George Engel, Adolph Fischer; Louis Lingg took his own life the night before to deny the state the satisfaction. Their sacrifice became symbolic of the sacrifices, struggles, and victories of anarchists the world over who have given their time, energy, and risked their lived and freedom for the Beautiful Ideal.
So this May Day NYC ABC is asking you to write letters to some anarchists and comrades currently held in U.S. prisons. Please drop them a line or send a card to let them know you are thinking of them. (Note: the addresses below are correct to the best of our knowledge as of the time of this posting, though in some cases links to info about their cases does not reflect this; ie, Casey’s address has changed due to new digitized mail protocols.)
Gage Halupowski #21894460
South Fork Forest Camp
48300 Wilson River Highway
Tillamook, Oregon 97141-9799
Alexander Contompasis 22-B-5028
Upstate Correctional Facility
Post Office Box 2001
Malone, New York 12953
Benjamin Varela #434577
Stafford Creek Corrections Center
191 Constantine Way
Aberdeen, Washington 98520
Eric King #27090-045
USP Florence ADMAX
Post Office Box 8500
Florence, Colorado 81226
Daniel Baker #25765-509
FCI Memphis
Post Office Box 34550
Memphis, Tennessee 38184
Marius Mason* #04672-061
FCI Danbury
Route 37
Danbury, Connecticut 06811
*Address envelope to Marie (Marius) Mason.
Xinachtli* #255735
W.G. McConnell Unit
3001 Emily Drive
Beeville, Texas 78102
*Address envelope to Alvaro Hernández
Casey Brezik #1154765
c/o Digital Mail Center- Missouri DOC
Post Office Box 25678
Tampa, Florida 33622-5678
Bill Dunne #10916-086
FCI Victorville Medium I
Post Office Box 3725
Adelanto, California 92301
Tuesday, April 18th – Letter Writing To Mumia Abu-Jamal
WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing
WHEN: Tuesday, April 18th, 2023
WHERE: from wherever you happen to be
COST: Free
Our work, as always, is to continue to do what we can to show up for those targeted by the capitalist/state apparatus for working towards liberation. This week NYC ABC invites you to write to one of the most well known u.s.-held political prisoners: Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Mumia Abu-Jamal is an African-American writer and journalist, author of six books and hundreds of columns and articles, who has spent the last 30 years on Pennsylvania’s death row and now general population. Mumia was wrongfully convicted and sentenced for the murder of a Philadelphia cop. The demand for a new trial and freedom is supported by heads of state, Nobel laureates, distinguished human rights organizations, scholars, religious leaders, artists, scientists and, as important, millions of folks like you and us. For more information, be sure to visit bringmumiahome.com.
Please take the time to write a letter to Mumia Abu-Jamal:
Smart Communications/PA DOC
Mumia Abu-Jamal #AM8335
SCI Mahanoy
Post Office Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733
May Day card signing party!
WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter Writing
WHEN: 2:00-5:00pm, Saturday, April 29th
WHERE: Woodbine (585 Woodward Avenue, Queens)
COST: FREE (Donations to cover the cost of stamps greatly appreciated)
Join NYC Anarchist Black Cross for a May Day card signing party for U.S. held political prisoners!
May Day is an anarchist holiday, for over 150 years it has been a day to celebrate the struggle against capitalism–which logically extends to active resistance against all forms of oppression–and to honor those who struggle. We want to both honor our political prisoners and to help them celebrate by sending our love through the walls.
Tuesday, April 4 – Letter Writing to Joe-Joe Bowen
WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing
WHEN: 7pm, Tuesday, April 4, 2023
WHERE: YOUR HOME
COST: Free
“I ain’t no angel, I’ll do my time. All we want is to be recognized as what we are, human beings.”
These are words of long-term U.S.-held political prisoner Joe-Joe Bowen. What the carceral system consistently seeks to do to political prisoners is deny their humanity. This applies to veterans of Black Liberation movements such as Joe-Joe, as well as to more recently incarcerated Forest Defenders or defenders against right-wing violence, or anyone else caught up for their part in struggles in defense of our communities and our planet. As always, NYC ABC continues our dedication to supporting and asserting the humanity of those imprisoned for their active association with anti-oppression movements in a country that claims to have no political prisoners. This week we ask you to write Black Liberation prisoner Joe-Joe Bowen.
A native of Philadelphia, Joe-Joe was a young member of the “30th and Norris” street gang before his incarceration politicized him. Released in 1971, his outside activism was cut short a week following his release when Joe-Joe was confronted by an officer of the notoriously brutal Philadelphia police department. The police officer was killed in the confrontation, and Bowen fled. After his capture and incarceration, Bowen became a Black Liberation Army combatant, defiant to authorities at every turn. In 1973, Joe-Joe assassinated Holmesberg prison’s warden and deputy warden as well as wounded the guard commander in retaliation for intense repression against Muslim prisoners in the facility. In 1981, Bowen led a six-day standoff with authorities when he and six other captives took 39 hostages at Graterford Prison as a freedom attempt and protest of the prison conditions. More information here.
Please take the time to write a letter to Joe-Joe!
Smart Communications/PA DOC
Joseph Bowen AM4272
SCI Fayette
Post Office Box 33028
Saint Petersburg, Florida 33733
*Address cards/letters to Joe-Joe.
Illustrated Guide Version 16.2 Uploaded!
We’ve finished the latest version of the NYC ABC “Illustrated Guide to Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War” and it’s available for viewing (and download) by clicking on the tab at the top of this page. This update includes updated mini-bios, photos, and address changes for several prisoners.
Tuesday, March 21st– Letter Writing for Bill Dunne
WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing
WHEN: 7pm, Tuesday, March 21st, 2023
WHERE: YOUR HOME
COST: Free
The situation remains dire in Atlanta as at least 25 people remain incarcerated for opposing Cop City and Defending the Atlanta Forest. For a list of folks who have given their permission to publicize their names and addresses, check out this new zine by our friends at Page One Collective. Use this guide to support these folks during their time behind bars. Print it out, hand it to your friends, leave a stack at the grocery store. A simple note of solidarity is all that’s needed to let people know they are not alone and to show the state that this is unacceptable.
Speaking of supporting people behind the walls, this week we turn our attention to one of the longest held anarchist prisoners in the so called united states, Bill Dunne.
Bill Dunne is an anti-authoritarian sentenced to 90 years for the attempted liberation of comrades from Seattle’s King County Jail in 1979 and for attempting to break himself out of Leavenworth Penitentiary in 1983. Dunne was charged with possession of an automatic weapon, auto theft, and with aiding & abetting the escape. Charges further alleged the operation was financed by bank expropriations and facilitated by illegal acquisition of weapons and explosives. Bill went before the parole board in the winter of 2014, was rejected and given a 15 year “hit” (meaning he cannot go back to the board for that time period).
Please take the time to write a letter to Bill:
Bill Dunne #10916-086
FCI Victorville Medium I
Post Office Box 3725
Adelanto, California 92301
NYC Anarchist Black Cross 