BK/NY – Tuesday, October 10th – Letter-Writing for Russell Maroon Shoatz

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
WHEN: 7pm sharp, Tuesday, October 10th, 2017
WHERE: The Base – 1302 Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11221 (directions below)
NOTE: The Base is on the ground floor, is wheelchair accessible, and has a gender neutral toilet.
COST: Free

The last month on this Earth has felt pretty treacherous – major natural disasters in Texas, Mexico, Florida, and Puerto Rico, the acquittal of murderous pig Jason Stockley, and violent attacks by scores of Spanish and Catalan police in an attempt to prevent a referendum on Catalan independence… the list goes on.  However, as David Gilbert aptly reminded us recently: where there is oppression, there is struggle, and where there is struggle there is hope.

Anarchists and anti-authoritarians have sprung into action in response to all of the above mentioned and more. Between autonomous relief efforts happening in Florida, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Texas, the anti-police rebellion in St. Louis, and the response to police brutality in Catalan we can’t help but feel that while at times it seems like the world is crumbling down around us, it is quite incredible to experience the resistance.

Speaking of all cops being bastards, join NYC ABC this Tuesday to write Russell Maroon Shoatz, a dedicated community activist, founding member of the Black Unity Council, former member of the Black Panther Party and soldier in the Black Liberation Army.

In 1970, along with 5 others, Maroon was accused of attacking a police station, which resulted in an officer being killed. This attack was said to have been carried out in response to the rampant police brutality in the Black community. For 18 months Maroon functioned underground as a soldier in the Black Liberation Army. In 1972 he was captured. Twice he escaped—once in 1977 and again 1980, but both times he was recaptured and today he is held in Pennsylvania where he is serving multiple life sentences.

We hope to see you on Tuesday. If you can’t make it, please take the time to write a letter to Russell at:
Russell Maroon Shoatz #AF3855
SCI Graterford
Post Office Box 246 Route 29
Graterford, Pennsylvania 19426-0244

BK/NY – Tuesday, June 21st – Letter Writing Dinner for Janye Waller

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
WHEN: 7pm sharp, Tuesday, June 21st, 2016
WHERE: The Base – 1302 Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11221 (directions below)
NOTE: The Base is on the ground floor, is wheelchair accessible, and has a gender neutral toilet.
COST: Free

In this time of immense and unbelievable sorrow it is important that we not lose sight of our goals to create a better world that strives to dismantle the kind of hatred that comes from authority, whether systemic or societal. One of the many ways to continue this process is to strengthen our communities despite those oppressive forces. With that in mind, we hope you will join us as we write to Janye Waller, a recently incarcerated comrade who fought against the State’s war to maintain white supremacy.

After the police murders of Mike Brown and Eric Garner in 2014, thousands of people took to the streets in protest. Janye was one of those folks and was recently sentenced to two years for incidents related to those actions. From Janye’s support crew: “He lives and works in Oakland, providing financial support to his mother, his two younger brothers, and his cousin. He attended Berkeley Community College where he planned to major in Accounting, but had to take leave in order to help support his family, and he hopes to return to college soon. Janye also volunteers at a social center in West Oakland that works to empower Black and indigenous people living in the Bay Area through education and mutual aid. Within this space Janye works tirelessly, helping coordinate and administer programs focusing on skills like urban farming, which foster both community and individual autonomy.” There is an ongoing campaign to raise funds for Janye’s commissary and legal fees: https://rally.org/supportjanye

Janye can use a constant flow of solidarity going his way. If you will not be joining us for dinner on Tuesday, please write to him at:

Janye Waller BA2719
San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin, California 94974

ACAB FTP

Running Down the Walls 2015 – A Reportback

Running Down the Walls (RDTW) 2015 was a success in building relationships, feeling the solidarity of running as our imprisoned comrades did the same, and raising funds for the ABCF Warchest and Family and Friends of Maliki Shakur Latine (Maliki is a New York state held political prisoner whose support crew is currently raising funds for his parole campaign). We arrived early, to avoid getting beaten to a sweet spot in Prospect Park (Brooklyn), which gave us time to set up our hand-painted RDTW banner, tables of literature and food, and mark turns along the route of the run. The route is commonly known as “The Inner Loop” by local runners and two laps around equals almost exactly 3.1 miles, or 5 kilometers.

Given that this was also a picnic– outdoors, breezy, and mildly unpredictable, we set up a scaled down version of our literature table. This meant our ubiquitous red wire rack of free literature, including copies of the recently published Battle Tested, After Prison, the NYC ABC Illustrated Guide to Political Prisoner and Prisoners of War, and all of the tri-fold pamphlets about many of the prisoners we support. We also sold our ASL All Cops Are Bastards (ACAB) t-shirts.

We had printed bib numbers for the participants. The flipside of the bib numbers had information about NYC ABC and guidelines for writing to prisoners, making it both a memento and a useful reminder to write to folks.

A few serious runners arrived as early as 1:30pm, though the announced time of the event was 2:00-7:00pm and we typically use the first half hour to register folks and take sponsor forms from those who hustled to get sponsors. Even with this schedule in mind, anarchist time prevailed and the run actually started closer to 2:45, following a group photo around the RDTW banner.

Before the run, an NYC ABC collective member went over some basics, while also kicking facts about political prisoners and state repression. We then played a greeting from Jaan Laaman, recorded specifically for the event. Jaan recommended we dedicate RDTW 2015 to the memory of our fallen comrade Hugo “Yogi Bear” Pinell. As a special treat, Dequi Kioni-Sadiki started the race with the drop of a red bandana.

At this point, it’s impossible to write about the event without mentioning that squarely in the middle of the Inner Loop, our run path, sat the inaugural installation of a foodie event that shall not be named. Our participants had to run through a sea of yuppies, starving for local micro-butchery, artisanal ice cubes, and whatever other contrived bullshit passes for authenticity to the ruling class. On the upside, this drove a lot of folks to our literature table and put us in the position to talk to individuals who would likely never otherwise approach us. Of course anarchists won’t be happy until the last capitalist is hung with the guts of the last bacon-infused mustache wax-wearing yuccie, but until then it was good practice to talk to strangers about our political prisoners. A fair number of park guests stopped at the table to get information about the prisoners, Running Down the Walls, and NYC ABC.

Of the 60-70 folks who came to RDTW 2015, about 45 participated in the 5k. The age range was 3-71 years old. Hashtag multi-generational. Several runners were serious, several were fast, and the venn diagram of those two categories resulted in the same person running the fastest laps this year as last.

After running, bronchial passages fully dilated, through clouds of meat smoke and whatever cologne investment bankers wear, what sounds better than a plate of barbecue and potato salad? Chorizo tofu empanadas? You’re right.

The picnic consisted of Texas style barbecued jackfruit sandwiches with fresh pickles; potato salad; pasta salad; empanadas; chocolate-coconut cream layer cake; and plum-peach lemon almond polenta cake. Yes, a lot of folks came just for the food.

Before we got too deep into socializing, we read a statement written for the event by Maliki Shakur Latine, and then gave prizes. Oh yeah, RDTW had prizes this year. Friends from AK Press and Combustion Books donated prizes that were given for the three folks who raised the most money in sponsorships as well as for the person who made the single largest donation at the event. We also had a laser cut acrylic “ACAB” plaque for the runner who completed the 5k in the least amount of time.

One participant garnered over $1,300 in sponsors, and several others raised hundreds of dollars each. All told, between the event and what was sold through our table, we raised a respectable amount of loot.

Folks sitting around, talking, having just shared the run, felt good. The group consisted of folks from diverse backgrounds, many of whom were new faces to our collective. Twitter followers brought IRL friends and comrades & allies turned up as well. South Brooklyn ABCF, Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP), NYC Jericho Movement, International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, Malcolm X Commemoration Committee, Family and Friends of Maliki Shakur Latine, the campaign the Bring Mumia Home, Marius Mason’s support crew, and the campaign the Free the MOVE 9 prisoners were among the represented organizations that explicitly work on political prisoner support. We were also thankful for the presence of Sekou Odinga, former political prisoner and consistent example of solidarity through action.

Most folks had left by 6:30 and those who stayed did so to help clean up and transfer everything to the cars. So the event went as scheduled, almost to the minute.

Knowing the history of the run and the imprisoned comrades with whom we ran in solidarity elevated Running Down the Walls 2015 to an even more inspiring level.

And that’s how we get down (the walls).

NYC ABC

NYC – 7:00pm, Friday, June 12th – Punk Rock Karaoke for Marius Mason and Longterm Anarchist Political Prisoners!

WHAT: Punk Rock Karaoke
WHEN: 7:00pm, Friday, June 12th
WHERE: ABC No Rio – 156 Rivington Street New York, New York 10002
COST: $5-20, sliding scale (it’s a benefit y’all).

Every year in New York City, founding members of Marius Mason‘s support group and NYC Anarchist Black Cross have hosted an event for the Day of Solidarity with Marius Mason, Eric McDavid, and All Longterm Anarchist Prisoners, and this year Punk Rock Karaoke NORTHEAST is getting in on the action!

We once again will storm the venerable punk halls of ABC No Rio for a night of punk rock sing-a-longs! All money raised will benefit Marius Mason and Eric McDavid.

This event is BYOB. We will be selling set-ups (cups, ice, and mixers) so all you have to do is bring a bottle — we’ll handle the rest. We will also be selling incredible vegan baked goods — sweet and savory.

Tell your friends and come ready to have an awesome time!

More info on the benefit:
Marius Mason is serving a 22-year sentence for acts of environmentally motivated property destruction and is fighting to gain access to gender-affirming health care after announcing his transition last year.

Eric McDavid was originally sentenced to almost 20 years in prison after being entrapped by an agent provocateur, and after a surprise ruling by the federal courts, was released this year after almost a decade of incarceration. Building a new life for himself is the next phase of struggle for Eric, and we are committed to continuing our solidarity with him post-release.

Short talks from:
Lawyers who represent Marius Mason
Members of his support group
Former political prisoners on what support means to people on the inside

For more information on June 11: June11.org
For more information on Marius Mason: supportmariusmason.org
For more information on Eric McDavid: supporteric.org

Punk Rock Karaoke is a DIY, fund-raising event that benefits a different community group each time.

Featuring songs from:
Against Me!, Bikini Kill, Black Flag, Bratmobile, Buzzcocks, Choking Victim, The Clash, Circle Jerks, Crass, Dead Kennedys, Descendents, Devo, Flogging Molly, Fugazi, Gogol Bordello, Gorilla Biscuits, Jawbreaker, Joy Division, Minor Threat, The Misfits, NOFX, Operation Ivy, Pixies, The Pogues, Ramones, Rancid, Screeching Weasel, Sex Pistols, Sham 69, Sleater-Kinney, The Smiths, The Specials, Stiff Little Fingers, Wire, X, X-Ray Spex + More!!!

BK/NY – Tuesday, April 14 – Letter-writing to Seth Hayes and Abdul Majid

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
WHEN: 7pm sharp, Tuesday, April 14th, 2015
WHERE: The Base – 1302 Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11221 (directions below)
NOTE: The Base is on the ground floor, is wheelchair accessible, and has a gender neutral toilet.
COST: Free
In the announcements for our every-other-week political prisoner letter-writing dinners, NYC ABC typically tries to draw attention to something not directly tied to our work in supporting political prisoners. Maybe it’s a commentary on something trending in corporate media or the ridiculousness of pop culture. However, with the consistent attack on Black folks by cops, direct or indirect, we are unable to focus on much else. Whether it is a murder and attempted cover up by cops in South Carolina or the attempted murder by medical negligence of our comrade Mumia Abu-Jamal, the system and institutions of white supremacy are as strong now as they were seven years ago, seventy years ago, and since the inception of this country. With that in mind, we are writing to prisoners who resisted white supremacy as it bore down upon them– Robert “Seth” Hayes and Abdul Majid.

You won’t want to miss this letter-writing– we have the Jericho Movement‘s Mogadishu as a guest speaker.

In 1973, following a shootout with police, Seth Hayes was arrested and convicted of the murder of a New York City police officer, and, while maintaining his innocence to this day, sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Imprisoned for nearly forty years, Seth has long since served his sentence. Seth has ongoing health issues, including diabetes, that continue to be poorly managed by the Department of Corrections.

On April 16th, 1981 a van was pulled over by NYPD. Two occupants exited the van and fired upon the cops—one was killed, the other injured. Despite claims by the police that the van was pulled over for connections to burglaries, the folder of “suspects” circulated by the cops exclusively consisted of former Panthers, not burglary suspects. Abdul Majid and his co-defendant, Bashir Hameed were arrested and tried three times. The first trial ended in a hung jury. The second trial was declared a mistrial by the judge immediately after the jury rendered a decision that acquitted Bashir on the murder charge. At a third trial, the state finally got its way—Abdul was convicted of murder and sentenced to 33 years to life. Abdul is expected to go before the parole board for the first time later this month.

We expect to see you on Tuesday. If you can’t make it, please take the time to write letters (and send books) to the prisoners:
Robert Seth Hayes #74-A-2280
Sullivan Correctional Facility
Post Office Box 116
Fallsburg, New York 12733-0116

Abdul Majid #83-A-0483
Five Points Correctional Facility
6600 State Route 96
Caller Box 119
Romulus, New York 14541

NYC – Tuesday, August 19th – Solidarity With International Anarchist Political Prisoners

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
WHEN: 7pm sharp, Tuesday, August 19, 2014
WHERE: CAGE – 83A Hester Street (UPSTAIRS) New York, New York 10002 (directions below)
COST: Free

Rebels are getting wild in the streets, fed up with the abuse and brutality regularly meted out by cops. We in NYC ABC say up the rebels, including those comrades behind bars. And how do we support those imprisoned revolutionaries? One way is through our every-other-week political prisoner letter-writing dinners. This week we are a little early in answering the call for solidarity with international anarchist political prisoners.

Many imprisoned anarchists will never be acknowledged as ‘political prisoners’ by formal human-rights organizations, because their sense of social justice is strictly limited to the capitalist laws which are designed to defend the State and prevent any real social change. At the same time, even within our individual communities, we know so little about the repression that exists in other countries.

Here in the states, folks are being persecuted for possibly even associating with anarchists or animal liberationists. Around the globe, the state and capital collude in much the same way, and as a result rebels are imprisoned for acting on their desire for a free world. Please join us in sending cards to these imprisoned comrades. We’ll see you at supper!

NYC – Tuesday, February 19th – Letter-writing for the Nebraska 2

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
WHEN: 7pm sharp, Tuesday, February 19th, 2013
WHERE: CAGE – 83A Hester Street New York, New York 10002 (directions below)
COST: Free
If there is one known shared value in our overlapping communities, it’s that folks do not like cops. These days, even cops don’t like cops. And while they are snooping on us, comrades return the favor in kind. Meanwhile, we in NYC ABC continue apace, supporting prisoners with our every-other-week political prisoner letter-writing dinner. This week we are writing to the Nebraska 2– former Black Panthers framed for the bombing death of a cop in 1970.

The Two were charged and convicted of the murder of an Omaha cop who died when a suitcase containing dynamite exploded in a North Omaha home on August 17, 1970. A second cop was also injured in the explosion.

Ed Poindexter and Mondo we Langa (formerly David Rice) were members of the Black Panther Party, and their case was, and continues to be, controversial. The Omaha Police withheld exculpatory evidence at trial. The two men had been targeted by the FBI’s COINTELPRO (Counter Intelligence Program), that operated against and infiltrated anti-war and Civil Rights groups, including the Omaha Black Panthers. The US section of Amnesty International recognizes we Langa and Poindexter as political prisoners. The state’s parole board have recommended the men for release, but political leaders have not acted on these recommendations. For more information, visit n2pp.info

If, for whatever reason, you can’t make it to dinner, please take the time to write the Two a letter:
David Rice* #27768
Nebraska State Penitentiary
Post Office Box 2500
Lincoln, Nebraska 68542-2500
*Address card to Mondo Eyen we Langa

Ed Poindexter #27767
Nebraska State Penitentiary
Post Office Box 2500
Lincoln, Nebraska 68542

BK/NY – Tuesday, April 24th – May Day Card-Writing for Imprisoned Comrades

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
WHEN: 7pm sharp, Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
WHERE: 885 Park Avenue, Brooklyn, New York (see below for directions)
COST: Free

Red and Black, Class Attack

We’re closing in on May Day, and the cops in NYC are on edge. After being outmaneuvered by 150 anarchists during an anti-cop street demonstration, the cops decided to crack some skulls. When threatened, they attack. We’re expect plenty of attacks in the next ten days.

Maybe you’ve probably been working too many hours a week to even notice the full-blown war being waged against you by cops and the ruling class. It is real and it is continuing. And of course there is another war– the war against folks imprisoned for their political beliefs and actions. And here’s where we bridge the two. This week, NYC ABC will be hosting our fifth annual May Day card-writing night. We will be sending greeting cards to anarchist political prisoners and there’s an easy (too easy? POSSIBLY!) way for you to help. Just come by, eat some food, sign some cards, maybe meet folks you don’t already know, and show some base level solidarity with those behind bars.