Tuesday, February 7th – Letter Writing for Forest Defenders

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing
WHEN: Tuesday, February 7th, 2023
WHERE: from wherever you happen to be
COST: Free

As everyone reading this likely knows, several folks have been arrested and are facing ludicrous terrorism charges for putting their bodies on the line to protect Weelaunee forest land in and around Atlanta from being cleared and turned into a counter-insurgency police training facility and movie studio. These arrests happened in the weeks before and soon after forest defender Tortuguita was murdered by cops firing at least a dozen bullets at their body during a raid of a forest defenders’ camp on January 18, 2023.

This drastic increase of the level of repression is not unknown historically in these so-called ‘united states’–think about COINTELPRO and the murders of Black liberation activists in the 1960’s-1970’s, or the Green Scare that began in the late 1990’s which targeted Earth and animal defenders with terrorism enhancements–but it does point to an alarming ramping up of recent state and federal attacks against those practicing effective direct action. It seems the intersection of eco-defense, environmental justice, anti-police-state, and corporate accountability movements, is a frightening portent for the forces of reaction. As has been said many times, we can tell we’re onto something when they show how frightened they are. Unfortunately the powers that be show their fear through incarceration and police violence aimed at activists, often with devastating effects on the lives of our comrades and their loved ones.

So this week, NYC ABC is joining the call to show some of the recently arrested Forest Defenders our love and solidarity. Write them letters!

Names and current addresses of some of the imprisoned comrades are below; we will update here if and when these addresses change.

Please remember that these folks are pre-trial, and your letters will be monitored; don’t write anything that could get them–or yourself or our communities–into trouble. Also note that jails and prisons have various draconian rules, so it’s easiest to stick to writing in black ink with nothing from a grade school art class–glitter, stickers, crayon, et cetera–inside or on the envelope. As always, please refer to the “Write a Letter” section if it’s your first time writing someone inside.

Emily Murphy #2300000841
5NE Room 213
Atlanta City Detention Center
254 Peachtree Street SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Nadja Geier #2300000842
5FE Room 207
Atlanta City Detention Center
254 Peachtree Street SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Christopher Reynolds
X2204380
Dekalb County Jail
4415 Memorial Drive
Decatur, Georgia 30032
(Pre-metered postcards only, blue or black ballpoint ink)

Three additional forest defenders whose names are withheld at their request can be written to c/o:
Atlanta Books to Prisoners
Post Office Box 5390
Atlanta, Georgia 30307

For more info on this important struggle, check out defendtheatlantaforest.org and stopcopcitysolidarity.org

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