Illustrated Guide Version 10 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 the remaining Cuban Five prisoners (PRISONER EXCHANGE!), Norberto González Claudio (TIME SERVED!), George Horton (TIME SERVED!), Eric McDavid (TIME SERVED!), and Tsutomu Shirosaki (TIME SERVED!). Sadly, we must also remove Phil Africa, who recently died in prison. R.I.P., Phil– you will not be forgotten.

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!).

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