Sign on to a Statement of Solidarity with #DisruptJ20 Defendants

NOTE: Here in NYC, we have over two dozen defendants in this case and financial support for them can be made at youcaring.com/nycdisruptj20codefendants-750321

The following statement was drafted by supporters of those arrested at Inauguration protests in DC on January 20th, with the intent of providing a public platform for organizations around North America to express their collective opposition to these charges. The list of signees will be posted and continually updated at defendJ20resistance.org and several other sites.

To have your group or crew sign on, send an email to J20endorsements@protonmail.com.

On January 20, 2017, tens of thousands of people converged in Washington, D.C. for the #DisruptJ20 protests to oppose the inauguration of Donald Trump. A combination of blockades, marches, and festive demonstrations shattered the spectacle of a peaceful transition of power, and made it clear around the world that people do not recognize Trump’s authority. What could have been a day signaling resignation and defeat became a moment of defiance and resistance. As such, the protests on J20 set a tone and precedent for the events that unfolded shortly after, including the notably successful, mass direct actions at airports against Trump’s Muslim ban, as well as ongoing resistance to deportations. While Trump and his alt-right footsoldiers have encountered few meaningful obstacles from liberal politicians in the halls of power, grassroots resistance has continued to prove a substantial force.

Unfortunately, however, with resistance comes repression. In addition to shooting pepper spray and concussion grenades indiscriminately at protesters, including children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, DC police cordoned off an entire block and mass arrested more than 230 people in an attempt to stop an anti-capitalist and anti-fascist march. While mass arrests are not unheard of, in this case arrestees were originally charged with felony riot, a charge that potentially carries ten years in prison. On April 27, the prosecution announced additional felony charges against the entire group — inciting to riot, rioting, conspiracy to riot, and five counts of property destruction.

With these heightened charges the state is trying to set a precedent for harsh crackdowns of disruptive protest in the future, so that Trump can proceed with his agenda unimpeded by anything but symbolic hand-wringing. This strategy corresponds with a broader wave of repression and reaction, from the arrests and grand jury investigations of Indigenous water protectors at #StandingRock to backlash against #BlackLivesMatter and black-led uprisings against police. The arrests at J20 also inform local strategies for repression, including anti-protest laws that have been proposed in 18 different state legislatures, which further criminalize commonly used tactics like highway takeovers and in some cases make it legal for drivers to knowingly hit protesters marching in roadways.

The charges against J20 defendants are an experiment. If the courts are able to successfully prosecute those arrested at J20, this will send a green light to the forces of repression seeking to contain, control, and eliminate social movements around the country. Just as all of our struggles are connected, we understand these arrests to represent a real threat to all efforts towards true freedom, dignity, and autonomy. We call for the immediate dropping of all charges, and express our sincere solidarity with and support for those arrested, and encourage others to do so as well.

NYC – Tuesday, July 8th – Letter-writing to Alvaro Luna Hernández

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
WHEN: 7pm sharp, Tuesday, July 8th, 2014
WHERE: CAGE – 83A Hester Street (UPSTAIRS) New York, New York 10002 (directions below)
COST: Free
NYC ABC has been very fortunate lately. We’ve been invited to table at some great events and have hosted talks by close comrades. This kind of community building really gives us the momentum to work on our core projects, including the upcoming every-other-week letter-writing dinners.

This week we are focusing on Alvaro Luna Hernández. Alvaro Luna Hernández is a Chicano-Mexicano political prisoner sentenced to 50 years in prison for aggravated assault on a cop when he disarmed a sheriff attempting to shoot him.

Deeply effected by witnessing the murder of one of his friends by a known racist cop (yes, it’s redundant), Alvaro dedicated his life to fighting police brutality, especially as it was manifest against the Chicano community. From 1976 through 1990, Alvaro was falsely accused of murder (and after public outcry eventually released) and severely beaten by police, all the result of his work to end police brutality in Houston, Texas.

In 1996, Brewster County Sheriff Jack McDaniel came to Alvaro’s house, allegedly to arrest him for robbery (side note: the robbery charge was summarily dismissed). The cop didn’t have an arrest warrant and when Alvaro, unarmed, questioned the cop’s abuse of power, the cop pulled his gun. Before he could shoot, Alvaro disarmed the cop without injuring him, and fled.

Upon his capture, Alvaro was found guilty and sentenced to an unbelievable 50 years in prison. Since his imprisonment, he has been denied access to library materials, faced increasing censorship of his mail, and had to deal with retaliation from prison staff over his filing of grievances.

If for some bizarre reason you can’t make it to dinner, please write to Alvaro from home. His address is:

Alvaro Luna Hernández #255735
James V Allred Unit
2101 FM 369 North
Iowa Park, Texas 76367

For more information, visit freealvaronow.blogspot.com

Jaan Laaman’s Message to Running Down The Walls 2013

Long-term anti-imperialist prisoner Jaan Laaman has always been a great promoter and participant in Running Down the Walls. This year is no different and he’s given us an audio address for the event. Via prisonradio.org:

Jaan Laaman’s Message to Running Down The Walls 2013

UPDATE: We’ve also received, via Los Angeles ABCF, a report from Jaan on Running Down the Walls that happened in the prison that currently holds him captive:

Hello everybody – hope this has been/is being a good running day for all of you.  About 30 of us in here – young and old, Black, white and Latino, did a real nice RDTW this morning.  We got together before taking off, had some words about the meaning of Running Down the Walls and it’s origin and ongoing reality.  Then we took off and got a real decent 5k – some walked some laps, but most ran all the miles.  Afterwards we all drank a cold soda and talked about people running in other cities and towns, in other kamps too, some at that very moment.  So it was a positive morning and a good run and we hope and expect that all of you and many many others, even in Switzerland! I hope they had a good run today too.  Now let’s hope Obama does NOT launch a new war in the mid-east, in Syria and, of course, I know we will all do what we can — Freedom Is A Constant Struggle !  jaan

Jaan Laaman’s Organizing Announcement for Running Down the Walls 2013

It’s time to lace up those running shoes for Running Down The Walls 2013. Political Prisoner Jaan Laaman explains the history of the event and implores listeners to get organized for 2013’s run. Thanks go out to Prison Radio for recording this.

Jaan Laaman Organizing Announcement

Runners, walkers, Human Rights supporters and people of positive consciousness, it’s time to lace up your running shoes and get ready to participate in the 2013 Running Down The Walls.   Hello, this is Jaan Laaman, your political prisoner voice coming to you from the u.s. prison in Tucson, Arizona.  Let me tell you about this annual 5k run, that takes place in dozens of cities  and  towns, and behind   state and federal prison walls across the usa and in some Canadian cities too.

Running Down The Walls was started 14 years ago in Los Angeles by the ABC Federation, to support and bring attention to the reality of political prisoners in the United States.  More broadly this run helps to publicize the denial of Human Rights and abusive conditions, that so many men, women, and children locked up in american prisons, face daily.

In addition to the runs held in cities around the country, prisoners organize solidarity runs in prison yards, also across the country.  These solidarity runs allow us to join with and show our support for the folks running outside.  Also, this shows unity among ourselves, old, young, Black, white, Latino, Native and all prisoners, running together for a positive goal of justice and freedom.

This year Running Down The Walls will take place on Sunday, September 1st.

If there is no run in your area yet, why not pull one together yourself? Join in, with the thousands of runners — inside and out on September 1st.  We might be separated by miles and bars,  but we are united in our goals of Justice, Human Rights, and Freedom!

Until next time, remember, Freedom Is A Constant Struggle.

BK/NY – 8 May – No Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner this Week

Due to an unforeseen circumstance, NYC ABC will not be having our every-other-week Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner this week. We found out last minute that the space that has hosted us for the past two and a half years will no longer be able to do so. We will be back in two weeks in a new space, ready to continue a tradition of over five years.

In the meantime, we are anxious to find a long-term public space in which to organize our letter-writing nights. If you or any of your friends or comrades have a connection to a space that you think would work well for what we do, please be in touch.

Love,
NYC Anarchist Black Cross

BK/NY – Tuesday, October 11th – Commemorate the Legacy of the Black Panthers

What: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
When: 7pm (sharp), Tuesday, October 11th, 2011
Where: 885 Park Avenue, Brooklyn, New York (see below for directions)
Cost: Free

It could very well be that folks in the United States are fed up. Fed up with the state and capitalism, fed up with the authorities in their lives that keep pushing and pushing and pushing, fed up with bosses, with landlords, with cops, wardens, and commanding officers. While far from flawless, Occupy Wall Street and its successors have given form to the anger and potential we share. At the same time, over 12,000 prisoners in California continue to protest the inhumane conditions and fucked up policies under which many of them are imprisoned. And their hunger strike is spreading.

In this same month, we must acknowledge a significant anniversary. It was in October, 1966 that the Black Panther Party was founded. Much of the movement we see today, in the streets on in prisons, has a direct lineage to the Panthers. It is with that in mind that we focus our every-other-week political prisoner letter-writing dinner.

This time around, we’ll be focusing on current political prisoners and prisoners of war who were members of the original Black Panther Party. As there are currently twenty Panther political prisoners or prisoners of war, we will be hosting a card-signing, with additional information available for those able to write a separate letter or begin a correspondence.

BK/NY – Tuesday, September 27th – Come Support A.L.F. Lone Wolf Walter Bond

What: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
When: 7pm (sharp), Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
Where: 885 Park Avenue, Brooklyn, New York (see below for directions)
Cost: Free

Here we are, not a full week into Autumn, and the streets are brimming with dissent. The state murdered Troy Davis; prisoners in California, facing severe repression, are planning to resume a hunger strike; and, locally, comrades have been arrested and brutalized by the NYPD.The pendulum is swinging and we in NYC ABC are having another letter-writing dinner to support those who continue to push that motherfucker until the string snaps. This week, we need you to come and write letters to the judge getting ready to sentence a warrior named Walter Bond.

In 1998, Bond was convicted of burning down the home and meth operation of a multi-million dollar drug dealer that was selling poison to his family and friends. In the Summer of 2010, based on information provided to the FBI by his brother, Walter was arrested for the “ALF Lonewolf” arsons of the Sheepskin Factory in Denver, Colorado, the Tandy Leather Factory in Salt Lake City, Utah and the Tiburon Restaurant, which sold Foie Gras in Sandy, Utah. Walter was sentenced to five years in federal prison for the first of these actions and now awaits sentencing for the remaining two.

Walter has written extensively about his history and philosophy and we encourage folks to take the time to read him.

Sentencing is set for Thursday, October 13th, 2011 and we are requesting you write a letter to Judge Ted Stewart, requesting the minimum sentence for Walter. Your letter will help to give a three dimensional and personal perspective on the positive character attributes Walter possesses and how highly he is valued by his friends and associates. The judge who presided over Walter’s case in Denver made a point to say that she read over 50 letters sent from people like you before handing down the minimum penalty.

If you are unable to join us, please write a letter to the judge and mail it to:

Nathan Crane, Esq.
Stirba & Associates
215 South State Street, Suite 750
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

IMPORTANT: DO NOT MAIL THE LETTER DIRECTLY TO JUDGE STEWART.

Address a formal business letter to:
The Honorable Judge Ted Stewart
United States District Court
District Of Utah
Chamber #148
350 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

Include your address and the date. The salutation is, “Dear Judge Stewart:” and the reference is “United States of America v. Walter Bond.” Tell Judge Stewart why you think Walter Bond deserves his leniency. By doing this, you will actually increase Walter’s chances of a receiving the minimum.

Keep Walter informed by sending him a copy of your letter. Walter’s mailing address is:

Walter Bond #2011-03339
Davis County Jail
Post Office Box 130
Farmington, Utah 84025-0130

The deal, as always, is that you come bringing only yourself (and your friendsand comrades), and we provide you with a delicious vegan meal, information aboutthe prisoners as well as all of the letter-writing materials and prisoner-letter-writing info you could ever want to use in one evening. In return, you write a thoughtful letter to a political prisoner or prisoner of war of your choosing or, better yet, keep up a long-term correspondence. We’ll also provide some brief updates and pass around birthday cards for the PP/POWs whose birthdays fall in the next two weeks thanks to the Anarchist Birthday Brigade.

DIRECTIONS:
Getting to 885 Park Avenue is simple:
From the J/M/Z:
Flushing Stop: Walk southeast on Broadway (toward Sumner Place, away from Thornton Street) and make a right on Park Avenue. We’re halfway down the block, on your right.
Myrtle Stop: Walk northwest on Broadway (toward Melrose Street, away from Troutman Street) and make a left on Park Avenue. We’re halfway down the block on the right.

From the G Train:
Flushing Avenue Stop: Walk south on Marcy Avenue (toward Hopkins Street, away from Wallabout Street) and turn left on Park Avenue. We’re three and a half blocks down on the left.
Myrtle-Willoughby Avenues Stop: Walk north on Marcy Avenue (toward Stockton Street, away from Vernon Avenue) and turn right on Park Avenue. We’re three and a half blocks down on your left.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch. Otherwise, we’ll see you at supper.

This event is brought to you by your friendly neighborhood Anarchist Black Cross.–

NYC ABC
Post Office Box 110034
Brooklyn, New York 11211

nycabc[at]riseup[dot]net
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Free all Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War!
For the Abolition of State Repression and Domination!

BK/NY – Tuesday, September 13th – Come Support the Cuban Five!

What: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
When: 7pm (sharp), Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
Where: 885 Park Avenue, Brooklyn, New York (see below for directions)
Cost: Free

If you pay attention to the corporate media, it’s hard not to think the sky is falling. And yet to talk with neighbors and co-workers, it’s clear that we’re living the same lives we’ve been dealing with for a long time– bosses find excuses for not paying us anywhere near what we’re worth (as if they ever could), and the state keeps trying to scare us into accepting whatever bullshit they send down the pike. None of this is news to you, but that’s where we are.

Never ones to be brought down by the hyperbolic rhetoric of the state and its corporate media mouthpiece, NYC ABC again brings you great food and camaraderie with our every-other-week  political prisoner letter-writing dinner. This Tuesday will mark the second day of Freedom Month for the Cuban 5 and in solidarity, we will be focusing our letter-writing on them.

The Cuban Five are five Cuban men who are in U.S. prison, serving four life sentences and 75 years collectively, after being wrongly convicted in U.S. federal court in Miami, on June 8, 2001.

The Five were falsely accused by the U.S. government of committing espionage conspiracy against the United States, and other related charges.

But the Five pointed out vigorously in their defense that they were involved in monitoring the actions of Miami-based terrorist groups, in order to prevent terrorist attacks on their country of Cuba.

The Five’s actions were never directed at the U.S. government. They never harmed anyone nor ever possessed nor used any weapons while in the United States.

While we expect to see you on Tuesday, if you can’t make it, please take the time to write a letter to the Five:
Fernando Gonzalez #58733-004
FCI Terre Haute
Post Office Box 33
Terre Haute, Indiana 47808
Address envelope to Ruben Campa and letter to Fernando

Antonio Guerrero #58741-004
FCI Florence
Post Office Box 6000
Florence, Colorado 81226

René González #58738-004
FCI Marianna
Post Office Box 7007
Marianna, Florida 32447-7007

Gerardo Hernandez #58739-004
USP Victorville
Post Office Box 5500
Adelanto, California 92301

Ramón Labañino Salazar #58734-004
FCI Jesup
2680 301 South
Jesup, Georgia 31599
Address envelope to Luís Medina III and letter to Ramón

The deal, as always, is that you come bringing only yourself (and your friends and comrades), and we provide you with a delicious vegan meal, information about the prisoners as well as all of the letter-writing materials and prisoner-letter-writing info you could ever want to use in one evening. In return, you write a thoughtful letter to a political prisoner or prisoner of war of your choosing or, better yet, keep up a long-term correspondence. We’ll also provide some brief updates and pass around birthday cards for the PP/POWs whose birthdays fall in the next two weeks thanks to the Anarchist Birthday Brigade.

DIRECTIONS:
Getting to 885 Park Avenue is simple:
From the J/M/Z:
Flushing Stop: Walk southeast on Broadway (toward Sumner Place, away from Thornton Street) and make a right on Park Avenue. We’re halfway down the block, on your right.
Myrtle Stop: Walk northwest on Broadway (toward Melrose Street, away from Troutman Street) and make a left on Park Avenue. We’re halfway down the block on the right.

From the G Train:
Flushing Avenue Stop: Walk south on Marcy Avenue (toward Hopkins Street, away from Wallabout Street) and turn left on Park Avenue. We’re three and a half blocks down on the left.
Myrtle-Willoughby Avenues Stop: Walk north on Marcy Avenue (toward Stockton Street, away from Vernon Avenue) and turn right on Park Avenue. We’re three and a half blocks down on your left.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch. Otherwise, we’ll see you at supper.

This event is brought to you by your friendly neighborhood Anarchist Black Cross.–

NYC ABC
Post Office Box 110034
Brooklyn, New York 11211

nycabc[at]riseup[dot]net
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Free all Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War!
For the Abolition of State Repression and Domination!

BK/NY – Tuesday, August 30th – Come Support Black August Prisoner Cinque Magee

What: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
When: 7pm (sharp), Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
Where: 885 Park Avenue, Brooklyn, New York (see below for directions)
Cost: Free

So everyone survived the hurricane of the century rain storm that hit over the weekend? Good. If nothing else, the impending disaster confirmed a couple of things: the rich and their government do not give a fuck about the rest of us, especially those of us in prison; and folks on the ground are better able to take care of one another than some bullshit NGO.

NYC ABC dealt with the inconvenience of water falling from the sky by preparing for another every-other-week Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner. As we near the end of Black August, it’s only fitting that we focus on and honor Ruchell “Cinque” Magee.

On August 7th, 1970, Jonathan Jackson was gunned down outside the Marin County California courthouse as he attempted to liberate three imprisoned Black liberation fighters: James McClain, William Christmas and Cinque. Cinque is the sole survivor of that armed rebellion, the former co-defendant of Angela Davis, and has been imprisoned for over 40 years, most of it in solitary confinement.

While we expect to see you on Tuesday, if you can’t make it, please take the time to write a letter to Cinque at:

Ruchell Magee #A92051
CSP Corcoran 3A-02-131L
Box 3461
Corcoran, California 93212

The deal, as always, is that you come bringing only yourself (and your friends and comrades), and we provide you with a delicious vegan meal, information about the prisoners as well as all of the letter-writing materials and prisoner-letter-writing info you could ever want to use in one evening. In return, you write a thoughtful letter to a political prisoner or prisoner of war of your choosing or, better yet, keep up a long-term correspondence. We’ll also provide some brief updates and pass around birthday cards for the PP/POWs whose birthdays fall in the next two weeks thanks to the Anarchist Birthday Brigade.

DIRECTIONS:
Getting to 885 Park Avenue is simple:
From the J/M/Z:
Flushing Stop: Walk southeast on Broadway (toward Sumner Place, away from Thornton Street) and make a right on Park Avenue. We’re halfway down the block, on your right.
Myrtle Stop: Walk northwest on Broadway (toward Melrose Street, away from Troutman Street) and make a left on Park Avenue. We’re halfway down the block on the right.

From the G Train:
Flushing Avenue Stop: Walk south on Marcy Avenue (toward Hopkins Street, away from Wallabout Street) and turn left on Park Avenue. We’re three and a half blocks down on the left.
Myrtle-Willoughby Avenues Stop: Walk north on Marcy Avenue (toward Stockton Street, away from Vernon Avenue) and turn right on Park Avenue. We’re three and a half blocks down on your left.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch. Otherwise, we’ll see you at supper.

This event is brought to you by your friendly neighborhood Anarchist Black Cross.–

NYC ABC
Post Office Box 110034
Brooklyn, New York 11211

nycabc[at]riseup[dot]net
blog
facebook
twitter
myspace
website

Free all Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War!
For the Abolition of State Repression and Domination!

NYC – Sunday, September 18th – 2011 Benefit Book Sale for Daniel McGowan

WHAT: 6th Annual Benefit Book Sale for Daniel McGowan
WHEN: 11am to 7pm, Sunday, September 18th, 2011 [rain date: TBA]
WHERE: Bedford Avenue at North 6th Street in Brooklyn
COST: There will be books priced for any budget

It’s that time of year again. With so many folks going back to school, books are on our minds. And what better way to get some great books than to also financially aid a political prisoner? We’ve had great success and good times with these book sales in the past and this year will be no different.

Why a fundraiser now? While you may not realize it, life in prison can actually be really expensive. From making overpriced phone calls and e-mail access, to having to buy basic necessities from the commissary at prices many times that of retail, Daniel’s living costs have add up. For that reason, even if you can’t make it to the book sale, please consider donating to Daniel today. Without donations from friends and supporters, Daniel would be unable to buy the minimal goods that provide a small amount of comfort while he is imprisoned. Not to mention the staggering amount of money he still owes for the legal representation during his trial.

On Sunday, September 18th, Book Thug Nation and Family & Friends of Daniel McGowan will be having an all-day book sale to raise money for Daniel’s legal defense and commissary fund. The sale will be held at the Book Thug Nation book tables on Bedford Avenue and North 6th Street in Williamsburg Brooklyn.  Along with great books at inexpensive prices, there will be music, a table with Daniel t-shirts, merchandise and literature and maybe even some free food!

To make the sale happen we NEED your book donations– preferably ahead of time.  Please see the list of guidelines below for what to donate. The best way to donate is to bring your books to the Book Thug Nation storefront at 100 North 3rd Street (between Berry and Wythe Streets) from 12-9pm any day before the sale. Please be sure to tell whoever is working that the books are specifically for the Daniel McGowan Benefit Sale. You can also bring books to North 6th Street and Bedford Avenue the morning of September18th or contact krazdale@gmail.com to make specific arrangements for donating.

DONATION GUIDELINES
BOOKS WE WANT:
-Contemporary and Classic Literary Fiction (e.g. Murakami, Nabokov, Plath, Safran Foer, Hemingway, Didion, Poe, Bolano, et cetera)
-Non Fiction on topics such as:
History
Sociology
Women’s Studies
African American
Latino/a
Art
Eastern Religion
Alternative Health/Nutrition
-Dictionaries and Thesauruses (these books will be donated directly to NYC Books Through Bars)

Books we DON’T want:
-Pulp fiction (a.k.a drug store paperbacks, best-sellers, e.g. Danielle Steele, Michael Crichton, Anne Rice, Tom Clancy, et cetera)
-Cook Books
-Self Help

Books that aren’t sold on the day of the sale will be held for future benefits or donated to NYC Books Through Bars.

Brought to you by Book Thug Nation

Thanks for your continued support of Daniel!