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.