Illustrated Guide Version 10.4 Now 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 as well as removes the Transform Now Plowshares prisoners (reduced sentence!) and the last of the 2010 Toronto G20 protest prisoners, Kevin Chianella (time served!).

Welcome home fund for Kevin Chianella

Kevin Chianella received a 2 year prison sentence for his participation in the G20 protests in Toronto in 2010. Chianella, 18 at the time, got a heftier sentence because he attacked a cop car with a canvas bag full of rocks. He is also presumed to have fueled and sustained a fire set on another cop car. Chianella, from Queens, was supported in court by his family, among them, his 90-year-old grandmother.

Now, we are nearing Kevin’s release. Not only will Kevin face the same financial hardships many face once released from prison, but he also owes friends and family members who took on significant financial burdens throughout his trial and imprisonment. With that, NYC ABC has organized an online fund raiser. To donate, visit youcaring.com/Chianella

Please remember that prisoner support doesn’t end when a comrade is released. Through halfway houses, supervised release, parole, or probation, there is usually state supervision beyond the initial sentence. Also, prison is traumatic. And of course there is the stigma of being a former prisoner that effects nearly every aspect of one’s life. All of this adds up to the less obvious, but equally necessary, support needed when our loved ones come home.

For more information on Kevin and his case, visit notorontog20extradition.wordpress.com

Illustrated Guide Version 9.7 Now 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 as well as removing Joel Bitar (TIME SERVED!) and Jason Sutherlin (TIME SERVED!). Unfortunately, this version also includes the addition of Eric King, an anarchist awaiting trial for alleged politically motivated property destruction in Kansas City.

Illustrated Guide Version 9.6 Now 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 address changes for a few prisoners as well as removing Dylan Sutherlin (TIME SERVED!). Unfortunately, this version also includes the addition of two new folks– Luke O’Donovan, a queer, anarchist radical self defense prisoner, and George Horton, a 2010 Toronto G20 protest prisoner who was out of prison pending an appeal that was denied.

Illustrated Guide Version 9.5 Now 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 revised mini-bios for several prisoners and address changes for a few prisoners. Additionally,  we removed Sekou Kambui (PAROLED!), Cecily McMillan (TIME SERVED!), and Richard Morano (TIME SERVED!).

BK/NY – Tuesday, July 15th – They Flew Me to Canada, and Boy Are My Arms Tired!

WHAT: Discussion with Dane Rossman and local G20 extraditee prisoner supporters
WHEN: 7:00pm, Tuesday, July 15th
WHERE: The Base – 1302 Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11221 (directions below)
COST: Free, but donations are appreciated.

On Tuesday, July 15th, NYC ABC is excited to host our comrade Dane Rossman and the discussion of his experience being extradited to Canada for actions during the 2010 G20 Summit in Toronto. This discussion will also include updates on the remaining G20 extraditee prisoners— Joel Bitar and Kevin Chianella, with members of their local support crew.

Dane Rossman is an anarchist living on occupied Tohono O’odham land in Tucson, Arizona.

He’s been involved for several years in anti-colonial, No Borders, and prison/police abolition movements, and will try to situate his experience of incarceration and extradition within that history, with an emphasis on ongoing struggles in Arizona.

Dane hopes to use this opportunity to raise funds for the other G20 extraditees still being held by the Canadian state, so bring cash if you can.

For more info on those cases and struggles in Arizona, see the following:
notorontog20extradition.wordpress.com
guelphabc.noblogs.org
supportjoel.com
lockedupyetliberated.noblogs.org
tucsonabc.wordpress.com
indigenousaction.org
nomoredeathsvolunteers.org
pronetaction.org

NYC – Tuesday, February 18th – Letter-Writing Dinner For Recently Imprisoned Comrades

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
WHEN: 7pm sharp, Tuesday, February 18th, 2014
WHERE: CAGE – 83A Hester Street (UPSTAIRS) New York, New York 10002 (directions below)
COST: Free
So, who wants to talk about the weather? Great, neither do we. We will note that it doesn’t always bring out the best in people. We’ll also say that, despite the winter cold, we had an amazing turnout for Punk Rock Karaoke that benefited NYC ABC. Money raised from the event helps fund projects such as our every-other-week political prisoner letter-writing dinners, which we’ve been consistently hosting for nearly seven years.

This Tuesday we continue the project, writing to three folks from the northeast recently sentenced to prison for taking part in protests against the G20 in Toronto way back in 2010. On February 3rd, Richard Morano was sentenced to seven months in jail, whereas the prosecution was seeking 12-15 months. Ten days later, Joel Bitar and Kevin Chianella, both New Yorkers, were sentenced to 20 and 24 months, respectively. You can read Joel’s statement to the court here.

Kevin Chianella received a 2 year prison sentence for his participation in the G20 protests in Toronto in 2010. Chianella, 18 at the time, got a heftier sentence because he attacked a cop car with a canvas bag full of rocks. He is also stated to have fueled and helped sustain the fire that was set upon another cop car. Chianella, from Queens, was supported in court by his family, among them, his 90-year-old grandmother.

Come find out more about Joel, Kevin, and Richard, and other political prisoner news, and enjoy a meal with friends (new or old).

In the unthinkable event that you are not able to attend, but still want to support the prisoners, you can write to them at:
Joel Bitar / Kevin Chianella / Richard Morano
Toronto West Detention Center
111 Disco Road Box 4950
Rexdale, Ontario
M9W 5L6
Canada

For more information and updates, go to:
supportjoel.com
notorontog20extradition.wordpress.com

NYC – 2 Apr – Letter-writing for Dane Rossman

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
WHEN: 7pm sharp, Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013
WHERE: CAGE – 83A Hester Street New York, New York 10002 (directions below)
COST: Free
To be honest, anarchists have taken it on the chin over the past few weeks. The state is actively monitoring and repressing comrades in Buffalo, New York. The challenge to the charges against the NATO 3 were denied by the judge. Activists had their lawsuit against the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act dismissed. And yet another Canadian comrade was sent to prison on charges related to the 2010 Toronto G20 summit protests. In one bit of good news, the last of the G20 “main conspiracy” prisoners, Alex Hundert, has been released.

Speaking of the 2010 Toronto G20 summit, the Canadian government seems relentless in dragging out their persecution prosecution of alleged protesters. They’re now targeting Americans, blaming five for a significant percentage of all property damage caused during days of protests. Keep in mind, these protests took place nearly three years ago. And right now, one of the five sits in a detention center in Arizona, awaiting extradition. That’s where we come in. You. Us. We. This week, as part of NYC ABC’s every-other-week letter-writing dinner, we’ll be sending letters to Dane Rossman.

Early on the morning of Thursday, February 21st, United States Marshals arrested Dane Rossman at his home in Tucson, Arizona on a provisional arrest warrant issued by the United States Attorney’s office, acting on a Canadian extradition request. Dane was arrested along with over 1,100 other protesters in the largest mass arrest in Canada’s history.  He was processed and released without charges.

If, for whatever reason, you can’t make it to dinner, please take the time to write Dane a letter:
Dane Rossman #88252308
Central Arizona Detention Center
Post Office Box 6300
Florence, Arizona 85132

For more information, check out:
supportdanerossman.blogspot.com

A Letter from Alex Hundert

Not long after he was remanded to prison, NYC ABC focused one of our letter-writing dinners on G20 “main conspiracy” prisoner Alex Hundert. Recently, we received a reply that we’d like to share with you. If you haven’t been reading his blog, you should; it’s great. It’s at alexhundert.wordpress.com.

Without further ado…

Dear New York,

Thanks so much for your card and well wishes! Solidarity, especially across borders, is so important for all of our struggles. I got letters from NYC ABC while I was in jail for pre-trial custody in 2010, and it was so nice to hear from y’all again, now that I’ve been sentenced.

I’m doing well in here. I spend almost all my time reading and writing (my blog is at alexhundert.wordpress.com), which keeps me both relaxed and sustained. Also, Canadian prisons aren’t as bad as ones in the states (though, on the other hand, not as good as ones in Scandinavia). I’m not sure if people south of the imaginary (but militarized) line (aka, the border) know that. But yeah, I’m good.

I’m working on setting up a pen pal program with one of the womens’ prisons in the province, among other projects.

Anyway, I wanted to thank you all, and send the solidarity right back to you.

Solidarity, Love, + Respect,
Alex

BK/NY – Tuesday, January 17th – Letter-Writing to Jordan Halliday and Mandy Hiscocks

What: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
When: 7pm sharp, Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
Where: 885 Park Avenue, Brooklyn, New York (see below for directions)
Cost: Free

And so comes 2012. Last time, we wrote about carrying energy and momentum into the new year, and here in NYC, it appears folks have answered that call. As the city builds toward a May Day General Strike, there is a lot of work to put in, including how to stay safe, especially in light of the machinations that put six comrades in prison following the 2010 Toronto G20. Speaking of…one of these comrades was remanded on January 13th. For this week’s political prisoner letter-writing night, we’ll be writing to her and to grand jury resister Jordan Hallliday, who was arrested and forced to start a ten month sentence well before his expected report date.

On January 10th, Federal Marshalls took Jordan to the Davis County jail for supposedly violating his parole by allegedly associating with folks who are vegan and straight edge– yes, a condition of his bail was that he could not associate with people who abstain from drugs and alcohol and are also vegan. After a successful call-in campaign, Jordan was finally given food he can eat and is now serving ten months for criminal contempt of a grand jury. He has already served time for civil contempt in regards to the same grand jury inquisition.

We are also writing to another of the 2010 Toronto G20 “Main Conspiracy” prisoners, Mandy Hiscocks. As we wrote when the first of these folks began their sentences, this case shows both the potential strength of revolutionaries working together and the depths of depravity to which the state will go to maintain itself and the economic system to which it remains beholden. For more information, watch this interview and continue to follow up by visiting Conspire to Resist and Guelph Anarchist Black Cross.

If for some insane reason you can’t make it out, but still want to support the prisoners, you can write to them at:
Jordan Halliday #201200256
Davis County Correctional Facility
Post Office Box 130
Farmington, Utah 84025

Mandy Hiscocks
Vanier Centre for Women
655 Martin Street
Box 1040
Milton, Ontario
L9T 5E6
Canada

Stay updated by visiting:
supportjordan.tumblr.com
conspiretoresist.wordpress.com