Monthly Archives: January 2023

Fundraiser film event with Dr. Mutulu Shakur 

FRI, FEB 3, 2023 / in-person and online / 6pm ET

On December 16, 2022, Dr. Mutulu Shakur was released from being imprisoned for over 36 years. Dr. Shakur has dedicated his life to the struggle of ‘Black’ liberation since the age of 16 years old. He is a 72 year old grandfather, father, respected healer, and movement elder and is in need of our support to continue to live the rest of his life in dignity.

Join us at the Historic King Solomon Church located at 6100 14th St, Detroit, MI 48208 on Friday, February 3, 6-9pm — the same church where Malcolm X delivered two of his most remembered speeches, “Message to the Grassroots” and “Ballot or the Bullet” — where We will be screening the film “Dope is Death”, and be privileged to talk with Dr. Mutulu Shakur via Zoom following the screening.

ZOOM VIEWING OF THE SCREENING AND DISCUSSION WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR EVENTBRITE TICKET PURCHASERS ONLY !!!

“DOPE IS DEATH” is a 2020 film dedicated to Dr. Mutulu Shakur. It tells a fascinating and inspirational true story, full of drama and commitment to human well-being. And it is being screened to raise funds to support this elder who has sacrificed much in the service of freedom and healing others.

Dr. Shakur was at the forefront of healing amerika’s first opioid epidemic in the 1970s, as heroin swept thru ‘black’ and poor communities. When Black Panthers and Young Lords in New York took over a Bronx hospital towards getting better healthcare for the community, Dr. Shakur brought leadership to this new dignified, revolutionary healthcare system, in particular, developing methods of using acupressure and acupuncture to detoxify and treat people addicted to drugs. Dr. Shakur had learned of the innovative practice of acupuncture to address a variety of human ailments and jumped in head first to learn the art and bring this holistic practice to successfully treat heroin addiction, trauma, and other ailments.

The detoxifying success of acupuncture, in contrast to the government’s choice of methadone (another addictive narcotic only slightly weaker than heroin), led to the establishment of the Lincoln Detox Center. Dr. Shakur traveled to Canada to advance his knowledge of acupuncture, and was certified in 1976. The success of the Lincoln Detox Center led him around the world to help spread this revolutionary approach to the scourge of drugs.

Film tickets are only $15. We also have new MUTULU IS HOME t-shirts for sale as part of the fundraiser for $20. Get a film ticket and t-shirt together for only $25! !

Buy tickets on Eventbrite (below) or by calling–

Eastside: (313) 285-8450
Westside: (313)  244-9909 or (313) 284-6941
Downtown: (313) 819-2757

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fundraiser-film-screening-discussion-wmutulu-tickets-519925600467

Statement from Anarchist Prisoner Dan Baker on State Execution of “Tortuguita”

I just learned today that my friend Manny was murdered by cops in the Atlanta Forest.

I send my love, sympathetic outrage and condolences to everyone who knew Manny and loves them. I send their parents all my love, outrage, admiration and respect for raising this person who became a hero who put into practice the values which make human life meaningful. We need to come together as a community to take care of Manny’s family from now on. In Rojava, the families of the martyrs are shown special reverence and provided for for the rest of their lives.

As a community we need to uphold this revolutionary practice of gratitude and respect, which even this corrupt and murderous government fails to show the fallen of its own in any meaningful way. I have spent time with the parents of martyrs and if Manny’s parents are willing I will spend time with them one day and try unsuccessfully to materially repay them for their contribution to the betterment of the world in the way they raised Manny. But we owe them a debt that can never be repaid, because the life of a single martyr like Manny is worth more than all the wealth in the world combined.

I won’t pretend that I knew Manny well but I will tell you what I do know. I know that Manny heard about me, my case and what the cops and feds did to me, and that Manny was moved to tears for my sake and came to my trial. This means a lot to me. We live in a world where less than 2% of the world’s water is drinkable and Manny shed precious tears for my sake. Now It’s my turn to do the same. While I’ve been in prison Manny sent me money, wrote to me and we spoke on the phone. These simple gestures mean the world to political prisoners and to me personally.

Manny completed higher education at Florida State University, which is more than I can claim to have accomplished.

They studied a field which explored compassionate treatment for traumatized peoples. This speaks to the high quality of Their character. I am told they were a very compassionate person who felt deeply moved enough to take altruistic action to defend people, plants and animals from fascist death squads. They put themselves between those killers and what remains of the living world and they lived and died defending that worthy cause. This is a hero’s death. This is what it means to give your life for a cause and for those who are precious to you. Manny is a martyr of this revolutionary struggle for liberation for all beings.

10,000 Manny’s will take their place, people will name their children after them, dedicate their activism to their memory and organizations bearing their name will liberate more beings than we can measure. I will personally make sure of this for the rest of my life. Please send me everything you can about Manny’s life and about this tragic murder, including their picture.

We must remember Manny. We must say their name, share their face, hang up their picture in homes all over the world, and spread their memory far and wide on every platform available.

In Rojava, when a friend is martyred by the enemy tens of thousands of people line the roads from the hospital morgue to the burial ground and chant their names, carry their pictures and celebrate the life and memories of the martyred friend with gratitude and determination to make sure their sacrifice is not forgotten, not in vain. They chant SHEHID NEMARIN – THE MARTYRS NEVER DIE. Manny lives on in our works, in our hearts and the fire in our eyes. The blood of the martyrs cries out from the soil of the Atlanta forest.

Remember Manny. Say their name.

Their name was Manny. 

Remember Manny!

Their name was Manny! 

REMEMBER MANNY! 

SAY Their NAME! 

Their NAME WAS MANNY!”

Daniel Baker #25765-509
FCI Memphis
P.O. Box 34550
Memphis, TN 38184

Illustrated Guide to Political Prisoners v.16

via NYC ABC

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 link at the top of this email. This
update includes updated mini-bios, photos, and address changes for
several prisoners. Unfortunately, we are adding a prisoner to the guide
this month–anti-racist Alex Stokes.

Download at nycabc.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/nycabc_polprisonerlisting_latestjan2023.pdf

Marius Mason’s birthday is Thursday

Thursday January 26th is Marius Mason’s birthday.

Marius Mason is a transgender anarchist, environmentalist, and animal rights prisoner. He was convicted of sabotage and arson as part of the struggle against environmental destruction and all forms of domination in 2009. Marius was arrested during a period of targeted repression known as the Green Scare and is serving a 22 year sentence.

Marius Mason #04672-061
FCI Danbury
Route 37
Danbury, CT 06811

supportmariusmason.org
instagram.com/supportmariusmason
facebook.com/supportmariusmason
twitter.com/supportmarius

About the case
About his transition
Marius’ art

More political prisoner birthdays can be found at https://nycabc.wordpress.com/pppow-birthday-calendar/


Eric King release raffle is on!

4 prizes up for grabs with 100% of funds raised going to Eric’s release fundraiser.

Entry Info:
-Tickets are $2 each, each ticket purchased is an entry.
-Each item purchased on our website is an entry with 10% of purchase donated
-Each digital release purchased is an entry with 100% of Bandcamp digital sales donated

https://www.instagram.com/mutualaidrecords/
https://mutualaidrecords.square.site/

To purchase tickets:
Venmo/CashApp: painchain
Please include your IG handle in the notes
If purchasing on the website, message or email us your IG handle.
Raffle closes and winners will be announced January 20.


James River ABC Letter Writing- January 17th

James River ABC Political Prisoner Letter Writing

Tuesday January 17th
6-8pm

This month we will be focusing on writing to trans prisoners. Come join and bring a friend! All supplies provided, no experience necessary. We will also have Certain Days calendars for $15. All proceeds go to running this project.

Afterglow Coffee
1719 Summit Avenue
Richmond, VA

Contact: [email protected]

“Just some sad Xmas poems” by Eric King

More than coffee or peanut butter
Or Big Bang returns all night through
more than a warm shower
or 100 laps in a loop
more than some decent toothpaste
or a couple of great books to read
would be for someone to say
“hey how are you doing,
are you OK? “
Merry Xmas

My inside bars are green 
 so I pretend to be in the forest 
 there’s predators lurking 
 big &small, gotta keep your wits about you 
 the climate is unpredictable 
 it just takes one miscalculation 
 and your ass is lost  
I scrounge what I can find to eat 
 keep my shadows close to me 
 the jungle is an unforgiving place 
 such is the BOP 

Dope is Death film screening- Brooklyn, January 21st

WHEN: Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 8pm
WHERE: P.I.T. Brooklyn – 411 South 5th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11211 (Directions below)
COST: Free, but we will have information to donate to Mutulu Shakur’s release campaign

Join NYC Anarchist Black Cross for our first installment of a winter film series. We’re starting off with a screening of Dope is Death, the 2020 documentary.

From IMDB: In 1973, Dr. Mutulu Shakur, along with fellow Black Panthers and the Young Lords, combined community health with radical politics to create the first acupuncture detoxification program in America. This form of radical harm reduction was a revolutionary act toward the government programs that transfixed the lives of black and brown communities throughout the South Bronx. Dope is Death utilizes an abundant archive while giving us insight into how the acupuncture clinic rose to prominence and, despite funding challenges, still functions to this day. Some of those who benefited from the program became acupuncturists themselves. Dr. Mutulu’s legacy is cemented within this profound story of community healing and activism.

This event comes on the heels of Dr. Shakur’s release December 16, 2022 from federal prison after serving 37 years. From Family & Friends of Mutulu Shakur:
Today, the morning of December 16th, 2022, Dr. Mutulu Shakur was released from prison on parole! The decision to grant parole is based on federal law guidelines for “old law” prisoners, finding that Dr. Shakur poses no threat to the community, taking into consideration his exemplary conduct in prison, his medical condition and how much time he has served. Mutulu is now with his family. This victory was secured by the steadfast support of his legal team, his family and his community comprised of all of you.

Family & Friends of Mutulu Shakur (FFMS) is greatly appreciative of everyone’s support over the course of Mutulu’s decades in prison. We ask that everyone respect Dr. Shakur’s privacy while he spends the holidays with his family and concentrates on his health and healing.

Support Dr. Mutulu as he adjusts to life on the outside by donating to his support crew directly.

Letters and packages may be sent to:
Dr. Mutulu Shakur c/o
Hirano Acupuncture Clinic
1139 North Brand Boulevard, Unit B
Glendale, California 91202

Getting to P.I.T.:
J/M Train – Get off at the Hewes stop walk south on Broadway for ~half a block, turn left on Hewes Street. It will be on the corner of South 5th Street and Hewes.

G Train – Get off at the Broadway stop and walk north on Union Street to South 5th Street, take a left on South 5th Street and it will be at the end of the block on the right.

Things I wish I knew 9 years ago by Eric King

Donate to Eric’s release fundraiser at https://www.gofundme.com/f/release-funds-for-political-prisoner-eric-king

  1. It can always get worse… at CCA I thought nine months segregation pre-trial was wretched and surely illegal torture.. at Englewood low, I was stunned by the harassment that SIS would engage in and the bullshit they put my family through… At Florence medium I was enraged by how long it took emails and books to get through… since I’ve gone YEARS without visits, calls, mail, radios, I’ve been hospitalized by staff, been deprived basics like clothes, food and mail… They can always turn up the heat… And they will in accordance to your spirit and resistance
  2. Most people you meet won’t be anti government, anti cop, or even anti prison… they will hate these institutions in relation to how they oppress them, but not the wider spectrum… This is why radicalization inside is so important and difficult; convincing someone who thinks Michael Brown “deserved it” that they are wrong and misguided is infuriating, yet necessary work. 
  3. No matter what custody level you’re at being respectful and having a routine is VITAL. Eric McDavid hipped me to this at Englewood, but because I was surrounded by creeps, narcs and old folk, it didn’t seem relevant. I would learn though. Having the routine gives you a day structure and a bit of purpose, it gives meaning to a life that at times can feel meaningless. Being active keeps your brain up also… with respect, it’s just a good idea in prison and in life really. About 80% of my issues implied can come from reckless talk and could have been avoided.  
  4. You’ll meet some really good people. People who will look out for you, fight for you, celebrate and mourn with you. You will not always agree on ethical or political issues, but if you push away everyone you will be wildly isolated and that is dangerous … You need people to have your back from other prisoners and from staff… Accept the friendship and use it to try to open minds and hearts. 
  5. People who “support” you can be real friends, keep yourself open and don’t worry about posturing to impressed… To feel as if you “deserve” support or friendship… Some will stick around, some will fall off, neither is an implication of your worth… it’s OK to be you… To love Taylor, to feel for Ted, to have a complicated relationship with the church, to love English football while hating the English empire… be yourself and to be open to love and friendship. 
  6. You don’t have to accept support from people or groups that make you feel conflicted… there’s no obligations… you can speak up and say “no thanks” without feeling guilty or self sabotaging. Trust yourself. 
  7. Grow out your hair. Having long hair is fun, though also being a pain in the ass to dry. 
  8. ASK For the help you want, trust the people who love you to back you. Be proactive with projects you want to start, believe in yourself and your ideas I took too long and people had to tell me it was OK to have wants and needs and to voice them. Prison is more enjoyable when you’re involved in things that make you feel good. 
  9. Being anti fascist, anti racist, or a political prisoner does not remove you from the bullshit inside. You still live in this realm and have to follow basic guidelines… feeling outside it all will cause issues early on… you gotta find ways to walk the line while maintaining your ethics… you have to eat with potentially hateful people, but you don’t have to laugh at their nastiness. Be creative, you’ll find ways… like you can’t work out with other races, but you can teach and take classes with them… there are ways, but be safe. You are not above it all. 
  10. Don’t let people try to buddy hustle you for drug money under the guise of mutual aid… folks will try to use your ethics against you… manipulation is real and so is scheming. People will pretend to share radical ideology, pretend to be interested… then use solidarity to scheme, steal addresses, steal phone minutes ect. Fuck them. There are trash people inside, just like outside. 
  11. Never, ever, let yourself be a victim. 
  12. Feel the hurt, be vulnerable with those you love and trust, let yourself stay human, not an institutionalized robot. You’re in this world, but it isn’t your world, there’s so much more to your life an existence than your captivity. 
  13. Fight to win. 

Eric’s release fundriser is LIVE and can be found here https://www.gofundme.com/f/release-funds-for-political-prisoner-eric-king