With the weather cooperating, we are back to in-person events! Our next letter-writing will be at Clark Park on Tuesday, May 31st at 6:30 pm. Snacks and letter-writing supplies will be provided.

Jessica Reznicek is a land and water defender who has worked with and lived in the Des Moines Catholic Worker Community for the last 10 years. In 2016, Jessica took a stand against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in Iowa. Jessica attended public comment hearings, gathered signatures for valid requests for Environmental Impact Statements, and participated in civil disobedience, hunger strikes, marches and rallies, boycotts and encampments.

When the process failed, she concluded the system was broken, and it was up to individuals to take action and protect the water. She and a fellow Catholic Worker then spent the next couple of months disabling construction machinery along the pipeline route. No one was injured by their actions, and the land was protected from the flow of oil for an additional six months. In 2021, Jessica pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to damage an energy facility, was designated a domestic terrorist by the court and then sentenced to 8 years in prison, followed by 3 years supervised probation, and restitution of $3,198,512.70 paid to Energy Transfer LLC.

On May 13th, her legal team presented oral arguments to appeal her sentence and the use of the terrorism enhancement. The verdict may take a few weeks, but if successful the enhancement would be removed she would be re-sentenced. Jessica has a deep love for nature, camping, swimming, hiking, theology, music, gardening, laughter and eco-sustainability, as well as a commitment to self-discovery and intentional community living. Join us while we send her notes of encouragement in this time of uncertainty while waiting on the results of the appeal.

If you are unable to make it, please drop Jessica a line at:

Jessica Reznicek #19293-030
FCI Waseca
P.O. Box 1731
Waseca, MN 56093

June 11: “Like Mercury” – Open Letter for Dan Baker, aka Alishare

13/05/2022

Alishare, I heard your message of solidarity, thank you, it gave me
strength. I would turn the energy with this open letter, and I hope to
kick a brick from the walls. One more time. In a flurry of black
feathers and lunar wisdom, a murder of crows delivered your statement
and those wily crows told me about your situation in FCI Memphis.
I want to add on to this dialogue and talk about three anarchist
comrades imprisoned in Italy.

The first is Anna Beniamino who is serving a 17 year sentence for the Scripta Manent case in a high security regime in Rebibbia prison (Rome). The Scripta Manent case involved the arrest of 7 anarchists accused of subversive association with terrorist intent and a series of direct actions claimed by the Informal Anarchist organization. An absurd farce with obscene conclusions.

The second comrade I want to mention is Alfredo Cospito who has been locked up
since 2012 for the Adinolfi case for which he was sentenced for nearly
11 years and is now waiting for the confirmation of another sentence of
20 years for the Scripta Manent case. Alfredo was recently struck with
the legislature 41 bis, special security regime. Each month, he can only
receive either one phone call (10 minutes) or one visit strictly with
family members with glass and recorded; he can only walk in the yard
with maximum 3 other prisoners previously approved by prison security;
he cannot receive books, censorship is applied to his correspondence
(number of letters per month is extremely limited), and he has a very
limited amount of items which he can keep in his cell. Several
international agencies have continuously condemned the 41bis prison
regime as torture.

The third comrade I want to mention is Juan Sorroche.
On the date of the international day of with long-term anarchist
prisoners, June the 11th , Juan will face a court hearing in Treviso.
Juan is on trial accused of an attack against an office of the Lega Nord
political party claimed by the “Cell Haris Hatzimihelakis/Black
International (1881/2018)” that happened in August 2018. Juan who was
already serving time for other judgements, is now facing a long sentence
in this other political trial. Like all the imprisoned anarchists around
the world, these three comrades deserve the support and solidarity that
the international anarchist movement can give them.

The repression we face is evidence that our struggle has validity, and
the enemy is threatened and reactive. Even though we are locked up, our
lives continue. Our inner world is still infinitely rich and diverse as
we confront our experience. We are part of the same lost continent, and
we discover freedom – in our indestructible hearts. Alishare, with our
letters, we create an Atlantic bridge where all of us can meet and learn
from each other. We anarchists tread the same yards, we hear the same
keys and slamming doors, but we discuss, and plan and we don’t give up.
Dialogues between us are important, as needed as those we have with
those outside.

I tell you of some of my news. Maybe it is because of the solidarity
efforts of comrades outside, but I was able to receive a few letters,
postcards, and a book: “Sara – Prison Memoirs of a Kurdish
Revolutionary” by Sakine Cansiz. I don’t know who sent me the book but
they have my sincere thanks. I received a few letters from Philadelphia
ABC sent in the last two months, and a couple of cards from Brighton
ABC, and a parcel from NFA ABC in London. That as well as a few other
letters, all arrived in the last few days. I still have a lot of
correspondence that I have not been given, as well as books. G4S are
lying in the face of all this by claiming I have “no mail”, and saying
that books are not permitted. In Bristol prison, I was able to receive a
copy of “My Pestiferous Life” by Claudio Lavazza before the
administration censored my mail. I recommend Claudio’s book, reading it,
is like getting a big hug from a dear friend who helped you to escape.
Whilst I was in Bristol, comrades from Italy sent me a lunar calendar
which was forbidden to me. All anarchists should come to know the
pleasure of the Dark Moon. For an alphabet in flames, let the pen reach
into the void.
Free Eric King. Free everyone
Toby Shone

“We, the family and community of Baba Kamau Sadiki are renewing our efforts to support and free him. Today we ask that you read up about Kamau and follow our social media accounts to stay up to date on ways you can support him. Check out our new updated website! https://freekamau.com/ #FreeKamauSadiki #FreeThemAll“

https://freekamau.com/
https://www.facebook.com/FreeKamauSadiki
https://twitter.com/FreeKamauSadiki
https://linktr.ee/FreeKamauSadiki

Two new writings by Chicano Political Prisoner Xinachtli are posted at
https://mongoosedistro.com/2022/05/09/cinco-de-mayo-message-from-xinachtli/

https://mongoosedistro.com/2022/05/19/message-from-xinachtli-may-12-2022/

On May 16, 2022, Dr. Mutulu Shakur was denied mandatory parole by the U.S. Parole Commission.

This is the ninth time Dr. Shakur has been denied parole by the USPC, and the second time he has been denied mandatory parole.

Dr. Shakur received support for his parole from former Bureau of Prison staff, sitting Members of Congress, and religious and community leaders. Despite this extensive support for his release and his dire medical condition, the USPC determined that:

“After consideration of all factors and information presented, at this time, the Commission is denying your release under the standards at 18 U.S.C. §4206(d) for the following reasons: The Commission finds that there is a reasonable probability that you will commit a Federal, State, or local crime if released.”

Dr. Shakur’s legal team will be appealing this decision, and along with Dr. Shakur Families and Friends of Mutulu Shakur will be exploring all possible next steps in the struggle for his immediate release. This is a protracted effort and we will continue to work for his release until we win.

The Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF) initiated the Warchest program in November 1994 to send monthly donations to Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War who have been receiving insufficient, little, or no financial support during their imprisonment. Its purpose is to collect funds from groups and individual supporters and send that money directly to commissary accounts of vetted Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War (PP/POW) monthly. From inception to date, we have distributed over $158,000 in funds.

Ways to Donate:
1-Venmo: TimFasnachtABCF
2- CashApp: $timabcf
3-PayPal: www.paypal.me/abcfwarchest (or send your donation to [email protected])
4-Check or money order: made out to Tim Fasnacht and send to Tim Fasnacht, P.O. Box 8682, Lancaster, PA 17604.
5-Tax-deductible: We now have a 501c3 fiscal sponsor for tax deductible gifts of over $500. For this option, make check out to GLACTS and mail to Philly ABC, P.O. Box 8643, Philadelphia, PA 19101.

The current Warchest recipients are:
Xinachtli (Alvaro Hernandez)
Joe-Joe Bowen
Oso Blanco
Malik Bey
Hanif Shabazz Bey
Ruchell Cinque Magee
Veronza Bowers
Mutulu Shakur
Eric King
Abdul Azeez
Ed Poindexter
Kamau Sadiki
Ronald Reed
Leonard Peltier
Jamil Al-Amin
Fidencio Aldama
Dan Baker

Check out the ABCF warchest video

WHAT: Political Prisoner Letter-Writing
WHEN: Tuesday, May 17th, 2022
WHERE: YOUR HOME
COST: Free

Within the past couple weeks the community of folks engaged in prison abolition and political prisoner solidarity work have experienced both incredible highs and devastating lows:

Longtime organizer, educator, and former political prisoner Kathy Boudin passed away, a huge loss to the movement and of course personally painful to her family, friends, and comrades.

While still reeling from Kathy’s loss, the incredible news came down that the New Jersey Supreme Court overruled the denial of parole for Sundiata Acoli, a huge victory for Sundiata and all of those who have worked so hard for his freedom. At 85, and after 49 years inside, it is better late than never, and we are overjoyed that Sundiata will soon be home!

And just before this writing we were notified that an elder comrade close to us has also just passed. This was one of those people that did the work of organizing and attending events, writing to prisoners to see what they need, and advocating for them in any way possible; year after year, decade after decade, courageously and joyfully doing the work, and cheering on her comrades and their efforts. We salute her memory and honor the struggles she spent her life engaged in.

Of course we are all mourning the 10 people murdered in Buffalo just a few days ago in yet another white supremacist massacre stoked by increasingly main-streamed fascist conspiracy theories, just one in a string of racist attacks nationwide.

With these victories and pains fresh, we are asking you all to join us as we write to Chicano political prisoner Xinachtli, one of those people who has been in the struggle for years, through highs and lows, and kept their faith throughout in the power of radical solidarity.

Xinachtli (Nahuatl, meaning “seed”) is an anarchist communist community organizer and Chicano movement revolutionary, currently imprisoned in Texas. Formerly known as Alvaro Luna Hernandez, he worked diligently in the barrio on civil and human rights issues, known widely for his legal skills. Gaining international recognition as the national coordinator of the Ricardo Aldape Guerra Defense Committee, Xinachtli was instrumental in helping to free Mexican national Aldape Guerra from Texas’ death row, where he had been framed for the murder of a police officer.

In July 1996 Xinachtli was arrested after disarming a County Sheriff who was attempting to shoot him. After defending himself at trial, Xinachtli was sentenced to 50 years in prison for aggravated assault, a charge he vehemently denies. While imprisoned, Xinachtli continues to write frequently, create beautiful visual art, has helped to organize multiple prison strikes, and has been held in solitary confinement for the last 19 years and counting. Xinachtli is a prolific jailhouse lawyer, as referenced by Mumia Abu Jamal in his book Jailhouse Lawyers: Prisoners Defending Prisoners v the USA. Xinachtli assists many prisoners in seeking new trials, and filing suits against the repressive, inhumane Texas prison system. In September 2021 his parole review was denied. More information at https://freealvaro.net.

Alvaro Luna Hernandez #255735
McConnell Unit
3001 Emily Drive,
Beeville, TX 78102
*Address envelopes to Alvaro Luna Hernández, cards/letters to Xinachtli.

Tuesday, May 17
6-8pm
Lamplighter 116 S Addison St, Richmond, VA 23220
This month marks two years since George Floyd’s murder and the beginning of the wave of uprising that swept through the US and the world in 2020. Remembering the anniversary of these recent but historic times, we will be focusing on political prisoners who are locked up for their participation in the uprisings.
Supplies provided!
Contact: [email protected]

NYC ABC has finished the latest version of the “Illustrated Guide to
Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War” and it’s available for viewing
(and download).. This update includes updated mini-bios, photos, and address changes for several prisoners.
NYC ABC
nycabc[at]riseup[dot]net
https://nycabc.wordpress.com

TRENTON, NEW JERSEY –  The New Jersey Supreme Court correctly upheld the law today, granting the release of 85-year-old Sundiata Acoli after serving more than 49 years in prison. The Supreme Court ruled that the parole board unlawfully denied Mr. Acoli’s petition for release by claiming that he was a risk to public safety and noted that he has shown no substantial risk of recidivism or a risk to public safety. 

Read the full decision here. 

“The Parole Board’s decision to deny Acoli parole is not supported by substantial evidence in the record or by a reasonable weighing of the relevant factors in N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.11(b) that govern parole. 

“Even under the most deferential standard of review, the Board has failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that there is a substantial likelihood that, if released on parole, Acoli will commit a crime. Acoli must be released because the statutory standards for granting parole have been met, without regard to extraneous factors like sympathy or passion or public opinion. (pp. 53-55) REVERSED.”

“We applaud the New Jersey Supreme Court in granting Mr. Acoli’s freedom and correcting the parole board’s improper application of the law by denying his petition for release after serving more than 49 years in prison,” said Soffiyah Elijah, Civil Rights attorney and one of the primary advocates for Acoli. “It’s time now for Mr. Acoli to live the rest of his life in the loving care of his family and community,” Elijah added. 

“We appreciate and thank his thousands of supporters from the attorneys, individuals, and community organizations to those who submitted amicus briefs on his behalf to champion his freedom; freedom that is rightfully his. We strongly hope that Mr. Acoli’s freedom will bring attention to the thousands of elders like him trapped in the New Jersey prison system,” Elijah concluded.