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

BK/NY – Tuesday, April 29th – May Day Pizza Party + Card-Writing for Anarchist Political Prisoners

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
WHEN: 7pm sharp, Tuesday, April 29th, 2014
WHERE: The Base – 1302 Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11221 (directions below)
COST: Free

NOTE: This week, letter-writing will be in Brooklyn, at our favorite anarchist space– The Base. For more information, visit thebasebk.org.

You’ve probably been working too many hours a week to even notice the full-blown war being waged against you by the ruling class. It is real and it is continuing. And of course there is another war– the war against folks imprisoned for their political beliefs and actions. And here’s where we bridge the two. This week, NYC ABC will be hosting our seventh annual May Day card-writing night. We will be sending greeting cards to anarchist political prisoners and there’s an easy (too easy? POSSIBLY!) way for you to help. Just come by, eat some food, sign some cards, maybe meet folks you don’t already know, and show some base level solidarity with those behind bars.

If there’s absolutely no way you can come eat a ton of pizza and sign a lot of May Day cards, but still want to support political prisoners, please consider sending some books from their wish lists.

NYC – Tuesday, April 30th – May Day Card-Writing for Anarchist Political Prisoners

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
WHEN: 7pm sharp, Tuesday, April 30th, 2013
WHERE: CAGE – 83A Hester Street (UPSTAIRS) New York, New York 10002 (directions below)
COST: Free

You’ve probably been working too many hours a week to even notice the full-blown war being waged against you by the ruling class. It is real and it is continuing. And of course there is another war– the war against folks imprisoned for their political beliefs and actions. And here’s where we bridge the two. This week, NYC ABC will be hosting our sixth annual May Day card-writing night. We will be sending greeting cards to anarchist political prisoners and there’s an easy (too easy? POSSIBLY!) way for you to help. Just come by, eat some food, sign some cards, maybe meet folks you don’t already know, and show some base level solidarity with those behind bars.

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
blog
facebook
twitter
myspace
website

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!

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!

BK/NY – Tuesday, August 16th – Support Recently Transferred New York State Political Prisoners

What: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner
When: 7pm (sharp), Tuesday, August 16th, 2011
Where: 885 Park Avenue, Brooklyn, New York (see below for directions)
Cost: Free

In the words of The Clash, London’s burning. Folks there have had enough of being bullied and murdered by cops and they are fighting back. It’s incredible to see how they’ve come together to drive out the police who have all of the crown’s resources and training at  their disposal. There is plenty to be learned from what is happening there, not to mention the uprisings that continue around the world. During times like this, it serves us to reflect upon those in the United States who have similarly struggled and, in turn, have been captured. With that, NYC ABC brings another of our political prisoner letter-writing dinners. This week we are writing to three folks in our own state, all recently transferred to other prisons. Please join us in writing to Herman Bell, David Gilbert, Seth Hayes, and Jalil Muntaqim.

While we expect to see you on Tuesday, if you can’t make it, please take the time to write letters to Herman, David, Seth, and Jalil:

Herman Bell #79-C-0262
Great Meadow Correctional Facility
11739 State Route 22
Post Office Box 51
Comstock, New York 12821-0051

David Gilbert #83-A-6158
Auburn Correctional Facility
Post Office Box 618
Auburn, New York 13021

Robert Seth Hayes #74A2280
Sullivan Correctional Facility
Post Office Box 116
Fallsburg, New York 12733-0116

Jalil Muntaqim* (Anthony Jalil Bottom) #77-A-4283
Attica Correctional Facility
Post Office Box 149
Attica, New York 14011-0149
*Note: Make sure to address the envelope to Anthony Bottom and the letter to Jalil.

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 Running Down the Walls 2011 – A Reportback

Running Down the Walls 2011 in NYC went amazingly well. The bird of good omen flew overhead as we arrived at Prospect Park and found parking in the slot closest to the entrance. Those who have tried to park in any of the five boroughs know what that means. We took to transferring everything from the car to the start/finish/picnic spot, while one of us walked and marked the run’s route. The route is commonly known as “The Inner Loop” by local runners and two laps around equals almost exactly 3.1 miles, or 5 kilometers.

Given that this was also a picnic– outdoors, breezy, and mildly unpredictable, we set up a scaled down version of our literature table. This meant selling only buttons and water-bottles and copies of “Fire to the Prisons” magazine, which were donated to us as a fundraiser. Free literature included tri-folds about the New York State political prisoners and prisoners of war; a palm card that addresses the existence of political prisoners and prisoners of war in the United States on one side and information about NYC ABC as well as a list of our Political Prisoner Letter-Writing Dinner dates for the remainder of the year on the other side; and sign-up/sponsor sheets for the event.

We also had printed number plates for the participants. The flipside of the plates had information about NYC ABC and guidelines for writing to prisoners, making it both a memento and a useful reminder to write to folks.

RDTW 2011 was an inside job. Not really, you fucking wingnuts!

Participants started arriving about 1:50 and it was clear that they were excited about Running Down the Walls and serious about their sponsorships and running.

We planned on having registration from 2:00-2:30, with a race start at 2:30. However, after a few comrades called to let us know they were on their way, we decided to wait. And while some showed up as much as an hour later and ran or walked the course, folks were stretched, warmed up, and ready to run down some damned walls! That those who showed up really late didn’t just kick down money, but also wanted to do the damned thing is a testament to the power of the event.

One NYC ABC collective member had been talking all this shit about winning last year and to expect the same for 2011. Unfortunately for that comrade, some folks brought serious running to the table. One of the participants actually got their college paid for on a track scholarship! So as a note to those looking to run down the walls in New York City– you better start training, because you WILL have real competition. A lot of folks had specialized road running shoes and a few had running shorts. And that gear was worn in and not for show.

By about 2:40, late-comers showed up and the run was on. Having the run consist of two laps gave folks an idea of the course, so they could strategize their second lap after finishing the first. The person who first crossed the finish line did so in under twenty minutes. It was the person who went to college on a track scholarship and hadn’t trained in years. The next person, maybe a minute or less off the lead, was from NYC ABC. For someone who hasn’t trained for a run since last year’s Running Down the Walls, that’s pretty impressive. Second place is FIRST runner-up, right? We’re all winners, it’s just for fun, this wasn’t a competition, et cetera– whatever it takes to make a comrade feel better, right?

The turnout was strong, with between twenty-five and thirty folks participating throughout the day and plenty of others who came to show their support. A fair number of park guests stopped at the table to get information about the prisoners, Running Down the Walls, and NYC ABC. A few runners garnered over $100 each in sponsors, and several others raised almost as much. All told, between the event and what was sold through our table, we raised a respectable amount of loot. Half of the funds will go the the ABCF Warchest Program, the remainder to the Safe OUTside the System Collective (SOS is an anti-violence program led by and for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans, and Gender Non Conforming people of color. They are devoted to challenging hate and police violence by using community based strategies rather than relying on the police.)

After folks cooled down and had group photos taken by Dequi (recently married to Sekou Odinga), we ate. It’s a good thing Rolling Down the Walls 2011 wasn’t a competition in regards to either the run (though the first five or eight runners certainly treated it as such) or the food. Hurt feelings are certain if anyone tried to compete with one collective member’s vegan pulled pork sandwiches. With thinly-sliced white onion and tomato on a bun…holy shit. We had sweet tea, lemonade, root beer, and ice cold water to keep us hydrated.

Folks sitting around, talking, having just shared the run, felt good. The group consisted of folks from diverse backgrounds, many of whom were new faces to our collective. Facebook friends brought IRL friends and comrades & allies turned up as well. South Brooklyn ABCF, Family and Friends of Daniel McGowan, NYC Jericho Movement, Leonard Peltier Defense/Offense Committee, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, and the Sekou Odinga Defense Committee were among the represented organizations that explicitly work on political prisoner support.

Most folks had left by 6:30 and those who stayed did so to help clean up and transfer everything to the car. So the event went as scheduled, almost to the minute.

Knowing the history of the run and the imprisoned comrades with whom we ran in solidarity elevated Running Down the Walls 2011 to an even more inspiring level.

And that’s how we get down (the walls).

NYC ABC