BK/NY – Tuesday, September 15th– Letter-Writing for Russell Maroon Shoatz

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
WHEN: 7pm sharp, Tuesday, September 15th, 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

It has been great to be apart of and to attend so many inspiring events this September, and we are just barely through half of it.  From the amazing turnout and response to this years Running Down the Walls, to the wonderful vibes at the Dead Prez, Rah Digga, Rebel Diaz and Tef Poe show, to the discussion and call to action with the No New Animal Lab campaign, to the Party Against Prisons, and the upcoming The Promise Of Anarchism: An International Panel Discussion.  We have certainly kept ourselves busy, but could not feel better doing so.  We want to keep this momentum going in this week’s letter writing night for activist, author, and soldier Russell Maroon Shoatz.

Russell is a dedicated community activist and founding member of the Philadelphia based organization Black Unity Council, which eventually merged with the Black Panther Party (1969). 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 expect 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 244
Graterford, Pennsylvania 19426-0244

27-30 April – Call and Fax in for Robert Seth Hayes

Robert Seth Hayes is one of the longest held political prisoners in the United States. He is 66 years old and suffers from multiple chronic and concerning medical problems. As you may know, the Medical Justice Project for Prisoners of War and Political Prisoners waged a medical campaign for Seth a few months ago regarding rapid and concerning weight loss as well as poorly controlled diabetes. Neither of these concerns have been addressed to date. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYS DOCCS) states on its website that denial of adequate medical care is a violation of a person’s eighth amendment constitutional rights, so please help demand that Seth be provided with proper care.

Please join the phone and fax campaign!
Talking points and sample letter below.

THINGS YOU CAN DO:
1) On Monday, 4/27 and Tuesday, 4/28 please call:

• Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci, NYS Department of Corrections at 518.457.8134
• Dr. Carl J. Koenigsmann, Chief Medical Officer, DOCCS Division of Health Services at 518.457.7073
• Nancy A. Lyng, MS, Director of Health Services, at 518.445.6176

2) On Wednesday, 4/29 and Thursday 4/30, please fax (you can use a free online fax service like faxzero.com if needed):

• Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci at Fax: 518.457.0076
• Dr. Carl J. Koenigsmann M.D. at Fax: 518.457.2115
• Nancy A. Lyng, MS at Fax: 518.445.6157

Suggested talking points:

• State who you are calling about and include his prisoner number: Robert Seth Hayes,  #74-A- 2280 at Sullivan Correctional Facility;
• Say that you are requesting:
  nnn1) an assessment and modification of his insulin treatment,
  nnn2) that he is given a full work-up to have potential malignancies been ruled out considering his weight loss, and,
  nnn3) that he is finally prescribed a diabetic diet.

Please email nycjericho@gmail.com and let them know what response you receive.

Thank You From Recently Released Antifa Prisoner John Tucker (Tinley Park Five)

After twenty months of imprisonment, antifascist political prisoner John Tucker is free. John is the second of the Tinley Park Five to be released and he’s written a thank you letter to his supporters. The letter reads:
“These past 20 months have been an ordeal to say the least. From court drama to safety issues to just the woes of incarceration itself, this has been a trying process. Yet, even within the darkness of a cell, cut off from the world, some light could still be seen.  Your letters, donation,s and noisy solidarity were things of beauty to eyes forced to view the despair of a broken system day after day and eyes that could not help but watch as any glimmer of hope faded from so many youths as they were dehumanized by the tortuous conditions in which they were forced to dwell. Your zines brought much needed and often obscured information into a citadel of ignorance and fear, your books lifted the weight of monotonous oppression, and your donations aided in the welfare of so many with nothing but the state to care for them. A parcel of food here or some cosmetics there so often mean the difference between another night spent hungry or unclean and a good night’s rest, and never doubt the weight of one’s spirit in a time of need. Sadness, loneliness, and a lack of basic human needs often crush that vital spark necessary for a meaningful, productive, life and sadly press those “corrected” into a self-defeating cycle of unchecked violence or harsh drug use.

For so much I am thankful for the supporters, but of greatest importance was the solidarity. Your constant stream of letters and cards not only kept myself sane, but also gave tangible, physical proof of solidarity which revealed the tremendous weight of the conviction of people from the real world who likewise are willing to make a stand against the far too often accepted evils of the world, to an incarcerated populace who had often not heard of such people before. The attention brought by the constant stream of mail peaked curiosity and drove many to question what was going on. This in turn lead to discussions, which in turn lead to some longer discussions that I hope have made a difference in at least a few lives over the course of my stint of incarceration.

Now that I am free I am no less thankful for everything I have received from our amazing support network, which is in itself a testament to the will of a people willing to sacrifice to make a change. A support network populated by good hearted, noble people who have often suffered first hand under the weight of unchecked and unopposed malice. Thank you once again for everything you have done and continue to do; you are indeed an amazing people.

In Solidarity,
John Tucker”

While John is now out of prison, he undoubtedly needs the kind of support that those nearest to him can provide. At the same time, three of the Tinley Park Five remain imprisoned. Please take this time to write to them. Their addresses are:

Cody Sutherlin M34021
Robinson Correctional Center
13423 East 1150th Avenue
Robinson, Illinois 62454

Dylan Sutherlin M34022
Centralia Correctional Center
Post Office Box 7711
Centralia, Illinois 62801

Jason Sutherlin M34023
East Moline Correctional Center
100 Hillcrest Road
East Moline, Illinois 61244

NYCABC – We Have Prepared

First, a luxury automobile manufacturer recuperates revolutionary language and aesthetics. Then NYC ABC reclaims the footage in the name of the anarchist project.

NYC – Tuesday, September 17th – Letter-Writing for Tyler Lang and Kevin Olliff

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
WHEN: 7pm sharp, Tuesday, September 17th, 2013
WHERE: CAGE – 83A Hester Street (UPSTAIRS) New York, New York 10002 (directions below)
COST: Free

It’s been a busy couple of weeks since our last political prisoner letter-writing dinner. We hosted Running Down the Walls 2013 and folks from our collective attended a North American Anarchist Black Cross conference in Colorado. Meanwhile, Raytheon the United States government continues to try and convince the world that plans to bomb Syria are justified and desirable. In this same period of time, two Los Angeles animal rights activists were arrested in rural Illinois for “possession of burglary tools.” And it is on these two NYC ABC focuses our next dinner.

After a traffic stop in which they refused consent to a police search, Tyler Lang and Kevin Olliff‘s car was searched anyway. Inside, police allege they found bolt cutters, wire cutters, muriatic acid, ski masks, and camouflage clothing.

Police believed these items were “burglary tools” intended to be used in a crime, and arrested Kevin and Tyler. The two are held on felony charges which carry up to 3 years in prison. They have remained in jail since their arrest on August 14th.

There is no evidence linking them to any crime or intended crime, nor were they arrested on anyone’s property, and their history as animal advocates is the only basis for these serious felony charges. A recent call-in campaign on their behalf resulted in threats of further punishments.

If for some nutty reason you can’t make it out, but still want to support Tyler and Kevin, you can write to them at:
Tyler Lang #4564
Woodford County Jail
111 East Court Street
Eureka, Illinois 61530

Kevin Johnson* #4565
Woodford County Jail
111 East Court Street
Eureka, Illinois 61530
*Kevin Olliff. Address envelope to Kevin Johnson

For more information, check out http://supportkevinandtyler.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 – 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
blog
facebook
twitter
myspace
website

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