Author Archives: dmcg

NYC ABC Illustrated Guide Version 14.7 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 at https://nycabc.files.wordpress.com/2021/09/nycabc_polprisonerlisting_sept2021.pdf.

This update includes updated mini-bios, photos, and address changes for several prisoners. We are thankful to remove Kings Bay Plowshares 7 prisoners Patrick O’Neill and Mark Colville!

Call to Action for Leonard Peltier

A petition has been filed with the US Department of Justice seeking clemency for Leonard Peltier, as required procedurally for the case to come to the attention of President Biden. In the meantime, a congressional “Dear Colleague” letter in support of Leonard’s release is circulating in the House of Representatives, generated by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), who co-signed the letter sent by then-Congresswoman and now Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland to the Trump administration in April 2020.

Now is the time to let your congressional representatives know the strength of public support for Leonard and urge them to sign on to the letter to the Biden administration.

Contact your U.S. Congress, House Representative by Phone, Online Form or Mail.

Simply request that they:
— Support freedom for Leonard Peltier.
— Stand with Rep. R. Grijalva and former Rep. Deb Haaland, and sign-on to Rep. Grijalva’s new letter and efforts to gain Leonard’s release.

Contact your U.S. Congress, House Representative by Phone, Online Form or Mail:
“Dear Representative… , as your constituent I request that you support immediate Relief and Release for Leonard Peltier, and Sign-on to Representative Grijalva’s “Dear Colleague- Support Letter for Clemency for Leonard Peltier”

Find your Representative (in your US Congressional District)

For info email [email protected]
For more on Leonard Peltier visit www.whoisleonardpeltier.info

NYC ABC Political Prisoner Updates 9.7.21

Here’s the latest compilation of every other week updates:
https://nycabc.files.wordpress.com/2021/09/updates-7-sept-2021.pdf

NYC ABC, along with several other individuals and prisoner support
crews, now send hard copies to all political prisoners and prisoners of
war we support.

If you consistently mail the latest updates to a specific prisoner,
please let us know so we can insure there’s no overlap. The goal is to
have copies sent to all of the prisoners we list.

We’ve also been told that some prisoners are not receiving the copies
sent in, yet we aren’t getting rejection notices. If you are in steady
contact with a prisoner, please ask them whether or not they are
receiving the updates and let us know.

Ray Luc Levasseur on ‘Millennials Are Killing Capitalism’ podcast

Former political prisoner Ray Luc Levasseur On Vietnam, Prison, Principles and Anti-Imperialist Resistance. Listen to the episode at https://millennialsarekillingcapitalism.libsyn.com/i-took-those-deaths-personally-ray-luc-levasseur-on-vietnam-prison-and-anti-imperialist-resistance

In this episode we interview Ray Luc Levasseur. During his time underground Levasseur was a purported member of the United Freedom Front, and the Sam Melville Jonathan Jackson Unit. Prior to that Levasseur organized in several above ground formations, including the Southern Student Organizing Committee (SSOC), Vietnam Veterans Against The War, and SCAR.

We talk to Ray about his early life, and the influence of his experience in Vietnam on the development of anti-imperialist politics and commitments. He also shares his first incarcerated organizing experiences in Tennessee. And we have brief discussions of his time in SSOC, Vietnam Veterans Against The War, and SCAR.

After that we discuss Ray’s time underground, and the claimed activities the Sam Melville Jonathan Jackson Unit and the United Freedom Front. Specifically he discusses IBM’s involvement in Apartheid, and the targeting of the military and prison industrial complexes by those underground groups.

We end with a discussion of Ray’s time in Marion and the refusal there by Levasseur and other political prisoners to build weapons for the federal government. Ray also shares thoughts on his experiences during 13 years of solitary confinement at Marion and later at ADX. And discusses why small acts of generosity and care on the outside can mean a great deal to people experiencing extreme repression.

He leaves the discussion with several ways folks can get involved in supporting political prisoners. We will include links in the show notes for folks who want to get involved in that necessary work.

New Oso Blanco mural in Brooklyn!

New #mural in #bushwick featuring the #artwork of #politicalprisoner #osoblanco from our set of #indigenous #greetingcards which benefit the #childrensartproject in #chiapas

Order the cards at https://burningbooks.com/collections/greeting-cards-and-postcards/products/oso-blanco-greeting-cards

David Gilbert needs parole letters ASAP

They are due September 8th.
All the info is at https://friendsofdavidgilbert.org/parole-letter-guidelines/

Last week, on his final day in office, Gov. Andrew Cuomo commuted David Gilbert’s sentence, making him eligible for parole. Since then, a parole hearing for David has been scheduled for later this month. The Parole Board needs to hear that there is widespread support for his immediate release.

Once again David needs your help. Personal letters to the Parole Board are the best way to show your interest in this case. Time is short. We have only one week to collect letters for the Parole Board members to grant David parole at this hearing. Letters must be submitted by 6pm on September 8th.

If you wrote a letter supporting clemency for David, thank you! Please also consider reworking the letter to urge the Parole Board to grant him parole at this upcoming hearing. Every letter helps!

See below for guidelines for the letters. Note that a hard copy of the letter must be mailed to David’s counsellor and a digital copy should be submitted to https://friendsofdavidgilbert.org/parole/

NYCABC’s Merch Store

Order at https://nycabc.wordpress.com/merch/

NOTE: When making a purchase, click on the appropriate button and in the notes/comments (depending on PayPal or Venmo), make sure to include:
• the item name
• size (if applicable)
• mailing address

Also, make sure to enter the correct purchase amount. PayPal does not require you to have an account and you can pay with a credit card through them.

ACAB T-shirt – $25

Looking for a smart shirt that let’s everyone know ACAB? Here’s the answer. We have a few of these left and won’t be printing this design again. Scoop one up before they’re gone. Shipping within the continental United States is included in the price of this t-shirt (include size–extra small, medium, large, extra large, or double extra large, and your address in the notes for the sale).

I Am Anarchist T-shirt – $25

Negate ambiguity with this fetching garment. With every politician looking to scapegoat anarchists, here’s a practical way to show some love. Shipping within the continental United States is included in the price of this shirt (include size, small through extra large, and your address in the notes for the sale).

Sugar Skull T-shirt – $25

“Solidarity is the heart of fighting the power.” This shirt was designed by comrades in CNA-DF (Cruz Negra Anarquista – Mexico City) and funds raised go to political prisoners they support. Shipping within the continental United States is included in the price of this shirt (include size, small through extra large, and your address in the notes for the sale).

Palang Hitam T-shirt – $25

NYC ABC printed these shirts in solidarity with anarchists in Indonesia, facing continued, intense state repression. Prisons are for BURNING! Shipping within the continental United States is included in the price of this shirt (include size and your address in the notes for the sale). Only small and medium sizes remain.

Black Flag Enamel Pin – $8

Nothing tells the world “no nations, no borders, fuck the state, law, and order” like a black flag enamel pin. Wear it on your lapel at court support or anywhere else. Shipping within the continental United States is included in the price of this pin (include your address in the notes for the sale).

Anarchist Black Cross Enamel Pin – $10

Show your solidarity with political prisoners with one of these enamel pins. Perfect for your cap, jacket, or…balaclava (no, not really–stay away from identifying details). Shipping within the continental United States is included in the price of this pin (include your address in the notes for the sale).

War On the Panthers Infographic Poster – $25

This poster is a marvel in screen-printing on paper—intricate, precise, and outstanding. This poster is a graphic reproduction from the book “Edible Secrets” by Mia Partlow and Michael Hoerger, measures 9 1/2″ by 21″ and is shipped in a poster tube. The history of state repression against the Black Panther Party in this infographic will have you revisiting it over and over. Shipping within the continental United States is included in the price of this poster (include your address in the notes for the sale).

Abolition Not Reform Poster – $20

It’s no secret that we deplore prisons and the bootlicking that goes into trying to make reforms to them. These amazing posters are letter-pressed, in a print run limited to 131 (2 proofs were also printed), each numbered. The white variation is limited to 96 pieces and will not be reprinted. Due to the inherent nature of letter-press, the color of the text is uniform, though opacity varies from poster to poster. Thanks to Wasp Print for the layout and help with printing that made these possible, and to The Base and NYC Anarchist Action, with whom funds raised from these posters will be split. The poster measures 13″ by 20″ and will ship in a poster tube. Shipping within the continental United States is included in the price of this poster (include your address in the notes for the sale).

Leave, Take Kill poster – $13

Leave, Take, Kill is a poster is from photographer Kelly Sena’s 2005 two-person exhibition “International Geographic.” The poster is printed on glossy poster stock, measures 7″ by 30 1/4,” and is mailed in a poster tube. Shipping within the continental United States is included in the price of this poster (include your address in the notes for the sale).

Running Down the Walls 2021 is September 12th!

Since 1999, prisoners and supporters throughout North America have participated in the annual event known as Running Down the Walls (RDTW) often running or walking simultaneously in many cities and prisons at once. This is a 5k non-competitive run/jog/walk/roll in order to raise awareness and funds for the numerous political prisoners currently held in North American prisons. The 2021 event is scheduled for Sunday, September 12th.

Every year, prisoners and supporters of political prisoners organize solidarity events with Running Down the Walls. In previous years, we’ve had runs in Albuquerque (NM), Arcata (CA), Ashland (OR), Bellefonte (PA), Boston (MA), Buffalo (NY), Chico (CA), Denver (CO), Elmore (AL), Inez (KY), Los Angeles (CA), Lowell (MA), Marion (IL), Minneapolis (MN) New York (NY), USP Navosta (TX), Pelican Bay (CA), Phoenix (AZ), Tucson (AZ), Seattle (WA), and Toronto, Ontario.

This annual event is also one of the primary fundraisers for the ABCF Warchest Program – a fund designed to assist political prisoners who normally received little or no financial support with monthly checks. Other funds raised should be used to support local groups of your choosing, whether that is your own organization or another group you’d like to support. The choice is yours. Warchest video.

List of Running Down the Walls events for 2021 (alphabetically, by city)

Austin Running Down the Walls
5K run/walk/roll
September 11, 2021, 6pm
Southern Walnut Creek Trail- Govalle Neighborhood Park, 5200 Bolm Road,
Austin, TX 78721
Register at https://www.cognitoforms.com/RDTW1/AustinRDTW2021Registration
Sliding scale fee of $20-100 ($40 strongly recommended). Each paid and registered participant will get a t-shirt (design available here).
Pay online via PayPal to [email protected] or you can bring cash/check/money order to the event.

Chicago Running Down the Walls
We will run/walk/caravan around Cook County Jail in solidarity with political prisoners and the movement to abolish prisons.
Gather at 2pm at Cook County Jail Complex
5k starts at 3pm
That evening we are having a show at the Orphanage. 643 W. 31st Street in Bridgeport. The show starts at 8pm.

Los Angeles Running Down the Walls

LA ABCF will be hosting a virtual event on September 12th from 11am – 1pm PST. We will be hosting a Twitter Storm (as well as Instagram, and facebook) . Please join us and participate in both the exercising portion and in tweeting out support for political prisoners. Feel free to make noise all day for those imprisoned.

Donate at https://fundrazr.com/rdtw2021laabcf
Facebook event

Lowell/Lawrence Running Down the Walls
5K run/walk/roll
September 12, 2021
Boarding House Park, 40 French Street, Lowell.
Follow Pandemic Safety.
11am check in

NYC Running Down the Walls
5k Run/Walk/Jog/Bike/Hang
WHEN: 2:00-7:00pm, Sunday, September 12th, 2021
WHERE: Prospect Park– Lincoln Road/East Lake Drive, east of the Terrace Bridge. Map.
COST: $10 registration (if COVID permits, will include food/drink afterwards. TBD)
You can donate online by going to paypal.me/nycabc or venmo: @nycabc

After making the difficult decision to not hold last year’s event in person, we are very much looking forward to gathering as a community for the first time in a long time. Please stay tuned to our website, sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on twitter (@nycabc) for updates.

This year we hope to expand the amount of runs in prisons and other cities, as well as increase the amount of funds raised for community projects. NYC ABC‘s goal with this year’s run is $4,000.

Philly Running Down the Walls
Sunday, September 12, 2021
11 am sharp (Yoga warm-up at 10am)
FDR Park
Check out promo video!

Philadelphia Anarchist Black Cross invites you to our fourth annual Running Down The Walls (RDTW)! Join us for another revolutionary 5K run/walk/roll and day of solidarity amplifying the voices of our comrades behind bars, lifting them up in their struggles, and maintaining material support. If you would like to participate in light yoga and warm-up stretches before, please arrive by 10am and bring a mat if you can.

Running is not required! You can also walk or roll. 5K is two loops around the park and at a walking pace will take about 45-60 minutes. Light refreshments and socializing will take place in the park afterward.

This year’s event is in honor of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Join us as we once again raise energy and funds for the freedom struggle of another Philly comrade and long-term Black liberation prisoner. This year marks the 40th year that Mumia has been behind bars as a voice for the voiceless. Due to multiple health issues from medical neglect, he needs our support now more than ever.

Pittsburgh Running Down the Walls
Run/Walk/Bike/Skate
Sunday, September 12^th
1pm
Friendship Park (Bloomfield)
$5-20+ Sliding scale donation

Last day to register for Philly’s Running Down the Walls

Today is the **last day** to register for Philly #runningdownthewalls! –> Don’t miss this meaningful 5K to raise funds & support for Mumia Abu-Jamal and 18 other #politicalprisoners.

Running is not required. We welcome all forms of participation, remote or in-person.

Mumia needs us more than ever. He suffers from coronary artery disease, diabetes, liver cirrhosis from years of untreated Hepatitis C, and Psoriasis. Incarceration is going to kill him, and that is why #FreedomIsTheOnlyTreatment. We HAVE to bring him home this year.

Your participation in #rdtw also supports the ABCF Warchest – a fund that sends monthly stipends to Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War who have insufficient, little, or no financial support. Since initiation in November 1994, the program has dispersed more than $140,000.

So let’s come together, inside and outside prison walls. Let’s run/walk/roll for revolution, for Mumia Abu-Jamal, and the freedom of all Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War!

NYC ABC PP/POW Updates 8.24.21

Here’s the latest compilation of every other week updates:
https://nycabc.files.wordpress.com/2021/08/updates-24-aug-2021.pdf