FTTP #10 For Life. Not Survival.

Winter 2010-2011

“The tigers of wrath are wiser than the horses of instruction” contempt

$

does not mean we are jealous... DISCONTENT T.O.C The Fine Print

Disclaimer: What is the point? Fire to the Prisons is for informational and educational purposes Pg. 2 only. This magazine in no way encourages or supports any illegal behavior in any way, it looks only to provide a printed forum for Justice: A Dead Word conversation and news. Pg. 4 We are reporting not inciting. The entirety of the content in this pub- Insanity is Only Appropriate lication was found as public information, and later compiled or re- -A. Lunatic organized for this magazine. Nothing here is the original content of Pg. 11 those who may or may not be responsible for this literary project. Take your mark, get ready, ablate: The topics brought up in this magazine in no way reflect the perspec- 3 positions against prison tives of any specific person allegedly involved with this publication. -August O’Clairre They also do not reflect the perspectives or outlooks of any individual Pg. 18 or group mentioned in or receiving this publication. Chronology of Prisoner Generalize Distribution: Resistance This magazine is in NO-WAY a “for profit” publication nor is it in Pg. 25 any way a formal enterprise or business venture. We encourage the re-distribution and re-printing of this magazine by anyone with re- Anti-G20 Resistance in Toronto sources to do so. PDFs of this magazine are also available for read- -Zig-Zag ing and printing on our website. We encourage any and all feedback. Pg. 31 This magazine is free to people currently incarcerated by contacting Oakland Disgraced. Tensions the prisoner support groups mentioned at the end of the “repression” Re-Ignite: section. This magazine is pretty much free to everyone, except for An interview with a Bay Area Resident book stores and people buying this at for-profit literature events. Pg. 37 Dedication: Special thanks to our proof-readers. Special thanks to those who pro- Repression vided the resources, space, and patience needed for this publication Pg. 40 to exist. Special thanks to all those who helped to produce the content in this issue, both in writing and reality. Special thanks to the Big Barefoot Bandit Apple for your Nightlife. Without it we would never be able to go to Pg. 57 print.

Reundancy Equates Death Sending Solidarity and comfort to all those looking for something -Marat Reckham else. Pg. 59 Agitating till the grave, Discover More on your Own Pg. 63 Fire to the Prisons: www.firetotheprisons.com [email protected] c/o Shoelacetown ABC, P.O. Box 8085, Paramus, NJ, 07652, USA What is the point?

FTTP #10//2.0

his technically is the tenth issue of Fire to Neighborhoods battling the police, prisoners confronting the Prisons. It’s a sign of defeat, really, to their guards, civilians robbing banks, indigenous communi- have consistently published issue after is- ties disrupting colonization; our goal is to recognize that dis- sue. That’s because this publication is not content is in no way an isolated feeling, it is as global as the supposed to bolster our credentials in “the system that it is directed against. scene,” pass time because our lives are too T boring, or launch us into a career in pub- Our readers are as anonymous as our writers. We have dis- lishing. Our intentions with this magazine are to provide tributors and folks who consistently order each issue as it’s a source of printed matter that will continue to recognize a announced, but we rarely get any feedback. Many of our broader struggle against society as we know it. As an object readers are anarchists, who in most cases write critiques that in and of itself, this magazine poses no threat to the system appear to stem from associations they project on us with “so- we oppose. At the most it might give a police inspector a and-so” scene or political identity. This has been an issue for paper cut. But we hope the words on these pages can -- at us, and part of why we have been considering discontinuing the very least -- unify and stimulate multiple social tensions the publication. in today’s world by connecting them on paper to a common condition or enemy. The reason this issue is out is because of the unique emails and letters we got after our last issue announced we were re- We look to remind readers that there is a very conscious considering continuing to print FTTP. In response, we got a and active struggle going on every day and across the world chance to hear from unique people who discovered our mag- against the makeup of the modern era. Conflict with forces azine independent of any scene. We received messages from that act as the visible body of institutions that determine soci- individuals recently released from prison, teenagers inside ety today is an everyday occurrence. Our goal is to both pre- mental institutions, struggling artists, bored youth, and many vent these acts from becoming isolated by connecting them anonymous messages from the states and around the world to similar instances, and also provide an analysis of these mentioning the importance of our publication in their lives. events that examines how society itself provokes them and where there is potential for these actions to grow.

FTTP #10//What is the point?-Pg. 2 With our threat of discontinuing we also received this magazine is coming out, society has remained some constructive criticism. We chose to try and the same. It is incredibly sad to report on comrades prioritize content that is not as time sensitive. While behind bars or communities enduring harsh repres- we will continue our "repression" and "prisoner re- sion. While also reminding us of our defeat, it is al- sistance" news sections, because many of those who ways good to be reminded of our small victories in may find them interesting or inspiring may not have the everyday struggle against domination. as easy access to that information or a computer, we will try to focus on incidents of social revolt in a less We will always hope that this issue will be our last, "news clip" sort of way. With doing this we intend because for this magazine to become obsolete, the to provide a more in-depth analysis or description of conditions we face everyday in the world today must events. This will both allow us more time between be destroyed. publications, and also help us to save some cash on the extra pages. Yet, if you found our “revolt” and We want to be an exception in the literary world. We “action” news especially exciting please check out exist not to succeed as a commodity, novelty, or pe- our “links” section at the back of this issue. Web- riodical, but as only an appendage of a larger body of sites that are consistently updated with that sort of conflict and possibility. news are specifically cited on the links page. We are not frightened of having these conversations. We always save the introduction for last when it comes to articles we need to get done. Like we said The desire for drastic change and the desperation at the beginning of this, writing an introduction for a to express that, is on the tip of all our tounges, its new issue reminds us of our continued defeat as rev- simply a matter of biting down, overcoming the pain, olutionaries still living under the conditions we ac- and seeing what comes out. tively struggle against. This magazine will only con- tinue as long as we continue to have to survive the restrictions of the economy, government, and simply the totality of society as we know it. Meaning that if

We are not afraid to have these conversations.

FTTP #10//What is the point?-Pg. 3 Aiyana Jones’ Family

Aiyana Jones

Oscar Grant Justice: A Dead Word

“Our desire for revenge will never be satisfied in the halls of justice, revenge has to be taken in the streets.”

Lovelle Mixon

“Ashley”

John T. Williams e will never allow “justice” to ease What is justice though? our pain, our contempt, or our need for retaliation. “Justice concerns itself with the proper ordering of philosophy and people within a society.” This word is the foundation of pris- on, the ease for our vengeance, and According to acclaimed Harvard university professor John W the loss of our power. It is the word Rawls, “Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as of those trying to shift the conditions as opposed to truly truth is of systems of thought.” overcome them. It is the grin of disempowerment, and so many of us can only stand it for so long. Both definitions come from sources that in no way question the legitimacy of justice. Last night I was watching YouTube videos showing relatives of murdered family members at trial jumping the barrier We would define justice as an imposed social “morality” that wall and getting a swing at their offenders in the courtroom. acts as a regulation over all of our relations with each other. There is no follow up as to what happens in most of these It is the rationalization of a mediated society, where roles, cases, but we assume that such behavior in the courtroom consequences, and “common sense” are pre-determined by carries a hefty prison term or fine. These people instinctu- institutions that systematically perpetuate with or without the ally realize that justice will never quench their thirst for a real consent of the people in that society. sense of proper revenge. This display of complete disregard for the order of justice is a symptom of a larger feeling of It acts as the representative of our torment or desire for re- disempowerment. One can only assume that however many venge, with or without our say. It determines what our value years in prison (Or if the lawyer is talented, days in a men- is, and how we are to earn it. It is the standard for our be- tal institution) could not surpass the knowledge that you did havior, and our punishment for ever not reaching it. It is the everything in your own power to take things into your own invisible regulation of a mediated society, and the appointed hands, without concern for “the law.” rewards for some, and demise of others.

It is awful to research, but everyday police repression is best In more common everyday dialogue, justice is used most taught in the visual form. While searching for courtroom when referring to the “baby-sitting” of the state. There is fights, I was also looking for cases of police and neighbor- the police to remind us of it, and prisons and courts to help hood conflict. I watched for almost two hours something explain it to us. What is most important to understand about called “hood fights”1, which better portrays everyday life this filthy word is that those of us without political or eco- under the reign of justice than any civil rights or anti-police nomic power will never be able to determine how justice is “brutality” website does. In the video parents watch their both defined or brought out. Justice is inherently beyond children get thrown against police cars and beaten over the our reach, because it only exists in a society that measures head, then the parents themselves get arrested for scream- our reach. Justice is expropriated homes and savings for bail. ing at the officers or trying to save their loved ones from Justice is the quarter million a year salaries for the conver- further beating. In the next video police roll up undercover sations of marketing executives, and the six dollar an hour and smashing out windows of cars stopped at red lights, then standard wage for the illegal immigrant cleaning the clogged beat those within distance of them that looked concerned or toilet before returning to the kitchen to do the dishes. It is the shocked. In every precinct that the videos were filmed, ev- heroism seen in the cowards known as the police, while they eryone appeared to be a target, and onlookers were always beat and murder us into peace. It is what makes an unfair life subject to arrest or beating. Considering the tax-free income understood as fair, and simply something to never be trusted. the police get, and the neighborhoods they say the footage was from, we assume most arrested never were able to af- Some have spent much time compiling accounts of police re- ford a proper lawsuit, and were probably just happy to not pression in both the federal, political, and daily form. Intend- get prison time. ing to act as a voice that has no faith in justice. Its important as a revolutionary voice to act as a resource providing ex- 1. Hood Fights is actually a DVD or VHS series of compiled footage of amples of everyday struggle against the state. Considering fights in mostly poor and black neighborhoods in the US. It’s actually a that justice is the foundation of the state’s existence, we are bit offensive considering its marketed as popcorn friendly entertainment. going to provide some recent examples of individuals and It follows the “advertising” style of videos like Girls Gone Wild or other communities coping with the wrath of justice, and in some commercials that come on late at night. The specific segment I referred to appeared to be a video compilation of neighborhoods dealing with police. It cases, choosing to take its claims into their own hands. was a mixture of both police beatings and arrests, as well as individuals or groups responding to police attacks.

FTTP #10//Justice-Pg. 5 “It’s So Cold in the D.” Geoffrey Fieger announcing that he would represent the Jones’ family in two lawsuits that were filed that day against On May 15th, 2010, a seven year old girl named Aiyana the Detroit police: one against the “unlawful” murder of Ai- Jones, was set on fire and shot by the Detroit police depart- yana, and one for the “wrongful” arrest of Mertilla Jones. ment’s “Special Response Tactical” unit. The officer who Since then, the ground zero Mosque and upcoming mid-term shot Aiyana was Joseph Weekley2. elections have flooded the media. Other then occasional up- While shooting for the A&E reality show The First 48, De- dates from local Detroit news, it is very hard to find anything troit police were conducting a raid at the two-family home about this case, mostly because it seems that coverage has where Aiyana was sleeping. The raid was intended to ar- almost come to a halt. rest a man named Chauncey Owens for the alleged murder of a 17-year-old boy in Detroit’s east side the night before. After about 5 months of silence in the media, it was an- Chauncey has yet to have been convicted, while on the other nounced the first week of August that the FBI would also be- hand it is completely confirmed that Joseph Weekley fired gin conducting an independent investigation into police of- the bullet that killed Aiyana, yet Joseph is home on paid sus- ficer Joseph Weekley shooting 7-year-old Aiyana Jones, but pension. not stop or disregard the state investigation. Neither local nor federal police have communicated a deadline for the in- Chauncey was found after Aiyana was killed by police in a vestigation, and typically while the investigation continues, separate apartment on the second floor. The original story Aiyana grabs the attention of the news less and less. told by police was that before entering the house they threw a flash grenade through the front window, and then after enter- That is where information ends. ing the house Mertilla Jones (Aiyana’s grandmother) tried to grab the officer’s gun, in which it accidentally went off and What and when the outcome for Aiyana’s case will be brought shot 7-year-old Aiyana in the neck. forth is not determined. Before writing this I even wrote the email contact for the closest thing I saw to a support website Shortly after the murder made international news, lawyer for the Jones’ family. It was a Facebook page called “She Geoffrey Fieger (Who also defended Jack Kevorkian.) began Has a Name”. The page has 13,000 “fans” who we assume holding press conferences. are in support of the Jones family, but very little information is on the page at all. We wrote asking for an update other then The family’s story is different. The Jones family states that what we already found out, and they quickly responded that police threw a flash grenade through the window -(ignit they have none, and really do not know when they will ever ing Aiyana’s sleeping bag on fire), and began to open fire get one. The case is stagnant, possibly because it’s the only through the front window immediately after throwing it and thing the police can do to prevent Detroit from exploding. before even entering. Faith in justice is the only thing keeping Detroit patient. What makes this situation also unique is that is was recorded for a reality television show. The video not only supports the If the police were to have gone to the left apartment door in- story given by the Jones family, but it also exposes more de- stead of the right, and the bullet shot actually killed Chauncey tails. The video shows that immediately after throwing the Owens instead of Aiyana and before the “appropriate” legal flash grenade, and before entering the house, police officer process was carried through, would police practice ever have Weekley opened fire into the room Aiyana was sleeping in. come into question? Would justice have been served? If this It also shows that within seconds, before any real dispute wasn’t a child, and the circumstances weren’t so unusual, could possibly have taken place inside the house, a police of- would it have been anything out of the ordinary enough to ficer came out holding Aiyana’s dead body in one hand, and provoke a real response? If you call the media attention a real then immediately starts wrapping her up, then throws her in one at all anyway. the back of the police car. The grandmother claims that offi- cers immediately grabbed Aiyana before she could even grab While Aiyana’s tragically young age makes her specific her, then walked back into the apartment and arrested her. death more noticeable, this is common police practice. Like Days after the murder, a press conference was held by the frequently mentioned case of Oscar Grant, we only hear about this murder because the police simply had no way to 2. Joseph “Weak” Weekley is a man best known for shooting and killing cover it up. a 7-year-old girl. He is, of course, a police officer. He was a 14 year old veteran to his cause, and a star of The First 48. He is currently facing In the last few months alone we can easily discover similar another lawsuit for a raid in 2007 where he killed two dogs and held a gun stories of “justice”. to children.

FTTP #10//Justice-Pg. 6 War Continues in much the Washington police have been to be our kids or relatives that need to Washington in national news. get beaten and sent to jail for all of us to wipe that stupid fucking look of shock Washington has been an almost subtle On August 30th at 4:15pm police of- off our faces, the next time a Maurice battleground between citizens and po- ficer Ian Birk saw a Native-American or Christopher choose to take things lice. Fire to the Prisons had in issue man named John T. Williams crossing into their own hands? 8 an in-depth description of Maurice the street holding a 3 inch blade and a Clemmons and Christopher Monfort. piece of wood. According to the only Philly Maurice Clemmons was victim to lo- witness nearby the officer approached cal police harassment for almost his John and from 9 to 10 feet away began Philadelphia, like New York City, has whole life, until deciding that enough screaming at him to drop the knife. By an incredibly notorious police depart- was enough, and fear must be struck the third request, police officer Ian Birk ment, that unless dropping bombs on shot and killed John T. Williams by fir- into the hearts of police across Wash- homes3, or shooting people 50 times4, ington state, by shooting 4 cops in a ing four gun shots into his body. John generally stays pretty clear of the na- coffee shop. Christopher Monfort felt was a wood carver and partially deaf. tional headlines. This could have the same in response to the police beat- He was using the knife he had to carve something to do with the fact that in ing of a 15 year old girl caught on tape. wood, and he literally couldn’t actu- both of these cities, many police offi- He shot an off-duty cop, and blew up 3 ally hear the officer speaking. The of- cers are not white, and it is hard to put a police cruisers. ficer claims that John was beginning to racial spin on a lot of the police beating, lunge at him with the knife. This is a harassment, or murder that goes down. One Seattle native told us that becom- knife that is legal to carry in the city of But Askia Sabur got a beating by West ing a police officer is not commonly Seattle, not that it seems to matter. Philadelphia police that was caught on supported in Seattle the way it might be video, and simply could not be ignored. in other parts of the country. He also They also just before this had a contro- told me that this has a lot to do with versy about police officer Shady Co- On September 10th, Askia was stand- the aftermath of police conduct during bane and company stopping a random ing on a corner outside of what we think the 1999 Seattle WTO demonstrations. Latino man on the sidewalk, throwing was a Chinese food restaurant waiting Many police officers either had their him to the ground, and then stomping for his food. Police officers told him badges removed due to lawsuits, or his head in while also screaming “I’m to clear the corner, but he just finished left the department due to sheer embar- going to beat the Mexican piss out of paying for his food. We can’t quite rassment. With little time the city had you.” The video was put on YouTube. figure out why the officers asked him to quickly import police replacements The officer offered his deepest apology to move, but when asked to move he who were comfortable to face a city with a tearless weep. The Latino man told them he was waiting for his food, where many of its residents had a very is happy to not be in jail. Not that it where the officers then asked him for visible disdain for their position. matters, but we do want to point out his ID. When he went for his wallet, the that this officer was never charged. officers started to choke him. Askia, Maurice Clemmons and Christopher with his cousin at the time, was then Monfort are simply two rare accounts The first week of September left two thrown to the ground and piled on by of individuals standing up against jus- tasered to death by police in Seattle multiple officers. Someone was film- tice. Both cases were almost incred- alone. ing the incident from this point. Askia ibly hard to get information on, espe- sat on the ground and refused to toler- cially considering Maurice is dead and The fifteen year old girl caught on tape ate the attack, but by refuse we mean he Christopher is paralyzed and in custody being beaten by police that provoked sat there and did nothing, just repeated with little media help for his voice to the actions of Christopher Monfort over and over again, that he did noth- be heard. Both of their conditions were was not an isolated incident. Just this ing. He did not fight back but simply due to police bullets shot before trial. last June, another young black girl was refused to acknowledge the legitimacy The civilian offensive on police equates caught on tape getting punched in the to only a mere fraction of police vio- face and further beaten for questioning 3. Referring to the 1985 raid on the “MOVE” or- lence. When an individual or group has an officer ticketing her for jaywalking ganization’s house in Philly, when police dropped near her school. a military-grade C-4 plastic explosive bomb on had enough and chooses to attack the the house with multiple people including children police it is always international head- inside. This is also resulted in 65 houses on the lines, on the other hand the police of- While these officers get paid suspen- block going up in flames. fensive is everyday, and only on occa- sion and wait for the headlines to die 4. Refers to Sean Bell, who was an unarmed man down, relatives and residents sit pa- shot 50 times in NYC in 2008 the night before sion, or in its most tragic form does it his wedding. ever grab the media’s attention. With tiently for justice to serve in its court. Who needs to die next, or does it have that said, it is interesting as to how FTTP #10//Justice-Pg. 7 of the police claims, and sat there sur- riving early to court, Tony brought Ash- Whether or not anyone is, it is quite rounded by on-lookers and got just ley who was in handcuffs at the time to obvious why someone like Tony would straight beaten! the elevator, allegedly to go up to the get the job he worked. It is also quite courtroom. While she was expecting to obvious that Tony was probably re- It was an almost Ghandi-like beating, go up, Tony pressed the basement but- sponsible for multiple other rapes and where multiple officers held him down, ton in the elevator and then held it in on assaults on girls who were under his and one specific greasy fat one kept the floor while he proceeded to pull her “care”. billy clubbing him to the back, head, pants down and rape her with what the arms, and face for doing nothing at all. Daily News describes as “practiced and While weed possession in many parts At certain points in the video, officers careful precision.” of the country could carry larger conse- pull a gun, pepper spray, or billy club quences than this, why did Tony, a ser- onto onlookers for their pleas to stop When she was finally brought to the vant of the law only receive probation beating him. Askia was eventually courtroom’s floor, Tony released her for such vile acts? tackled by 9 officers and hand cuffed. just after gesturing with a finger over He walked away with a broken arm, 5 his mouth that she not say anything These are everyday tales that are only staples in the back of his head, and a about it. After being violated, the judge unique in their ability to catch the head- charge for resisting arrest. We don’t sentenced Ashley to 12 months in juve- lines. In Los Angeles, a community know what to expect from this case, the nile detention. refused to rely on media hype or the officers explain that it was appropriate process of “justice,” and chose to com- conduct for insubordination, and that Ashley’s stay in juvenile detention ac- municate their frustrations collectively, nothing was done wrong. The issue for tually ended up exceeding two years for and directly. most protesting the incident was that it “inappropriate” or “hostile” behavior. was really messed up, and that they saw We can imagine that being sentenced Pico-Union, L.A., California it happen on video. The police respond to 12 months for “filing a fake police that this is their job, and “people don’t report” after a 42 year old man who On September 5th, Los Angeles police always walk away with a smile after we works as a court appointed counselor shot and killed in broad daylight a fa- arrest them”. But in this case there is just raped you, could bring one to lash ther of 3, and Guatemalan day laborer, no racial aspect, so its hard to get the out. Manual Jamines. According to police, edginess needed for “justice” to calm it Manual was shot because he lunged at down. Over his decade as a juvenile justice them with a knife after being stopped as counselor Tony had no problems do- he was crossing the street. Since it was Juvenile Detention ing his job, until 2008 when he was mid-afternoon, hundreds witnessed Counselor indicted on three counts of sexual as- the shooting. All witnesses claim that sault. While even New York’s assistant Manual had no knife, and in no way It’s not just murder or beatings that cap- D.A. claims that the three cases were posed a threat to the officer. But with- tures the headlines. In New York City most likely “just the tip of the iceberg” in 40 seconds of dialogue police shot a man named Tony Simmons, or “Ty- for Tony, only two other girls came out Manual twice, and he was lost forever. son” to some, was recently given pro- against him. One girl was a 15 year old In a neighborhood that is not foreign to bation for raping and sexually assault- who said Tony sodomized her in the police murder or conflict, outrage by ing three minors. Tony Simmons was a locker room at a girl’s detention hold- witnesses and the neighborhood to this juvenile justice counselor who worked ing area. He did this behind a locker specific shooting by the police clearly with youth facing juvenile detention that she claims he kept in there to store marks the fact that the police are lying time. The three minors have chosen to condoms and cookies. The third case through their teeth. remain nameless due to a fear of Tony was a 13 year old girl in 2000. She was finding them and hurting them again, also raped in the same holding area. This happened in the Pico-Union but one girl courageously revealed her neighborhood of Los Angeles, which first name to the “Daily News” paper in Two years after the indictment Tony was recognized as one of the most dam- NYC and chose to speak out after his pleaded guilty to all 3 accounts of sex- aged neighborhoods after the Rodney recent sentencing. ual assault on minors. He was given King riots of 1992. This neighborhood 10 years of probation, and was legally is known for its tension with police; in In 2005 a girl named Ashley was at- obliged to register as a sex offender. 1999 the entire district was claiming a tending juvenile court for allegedly fil- Although this article made it into the common lawsuit against police abuse. ing a “fake police report”. Tony was headlines of a few media outlets, there Roughly 50% of residents in the Pico- responsible for escorting her to the is no update as to whether or not any- Union district of L.A are living there courtroom the day of her trial. After ar- one is truly challenging the sentence. illegally. Assuming police are aware

FTTP #10//Justice-Pg. 8 of this fact, it wouldn’t come as a sur- Justice: A Dead Word have anything to do with what we un- prise if they found this to be the perfect derstand as justice today. If any of the neighborhood to test their guns and ba- Our desire for revenge will never be police who killed or raped any of the tons. satisfied in the halls of justice, revenge victims mentioned in this article re- has to be taken in the streets. The idea ceived even life in prison, would we Police were forced to hold public meet- of justice is the rationale that allows the feel comfortable going to sleep at night ings about the murder due to media police and courts to beat and imprison knowing the spirits of lost friends and attention, they stuck to their story that us. It will never be able to heal our loved ones were properly avenged? Manual, a man who probably tried to wounds, because it is what originally avoid police confrontation as much as gave them to us. We see victories in Could those responsible for the every- possible considering his complicated moments where we refuse to accept the day torment and abuse of law and order immigration status, lunged towards beatings, as well as the social order that ever really punish themselves to our the officer. Whether or not this was enforces justice. We see a potential for satisfaction? the case, you could observe footage of a sense of empowerment among domi- the audience having no interest in the nated people in the 1992 L.A riots after By losing faith in “justice”, we restore claims and excuses provided by “jus- Rodney King’s beating was caught on a faith in ourselves. tice”. It was essential for people of the camera. Or the 2008 Greek riots after Pico-Union to communicate a contempt 16 year old Alexis Gregoropoulos was It’s important that we begin to come to- for the police in their neighborhood. killed by police. Or the Oakland 2009 gether and rid our communities of the and on-going tension after Oscar Grant patience “justice” demands of us. It is Knowing the police would most likely was murdered by officer Johannes not one bad cop, not whether or not a get away with the murder of Manual, Mehserle. Or in Cincinnati 2001 when prison is up to code, or whether or not hundreds of Pico-Union residents came police officer Steven Roach killed 19 a jury is non-bias, the issue is that an together to confront the police directly year old Timothy Thomas. In every entire social system pre-determines the in the streets. Over two nights, hun- moment that we come together and dis- way we deal with each other, and even dreds of legal and illegal immigrants cover that justice will only grant us de- it’s presence upon us. roamed the streets together before a feat, and only the fiery manifestations very L.A-style riot police force. Out of of our collective discontent for it will Until the police are gone, until the the arrested, a few are now being held ever give us any taste of true satisfac- courts lose our respect, and until the by ICE and awaiting deportation. All tion. prisons are eliminated forever, we will those involved faced further police re- never be truly free and experiencing pression either with batons, tear gas, or Is the life of 7-year-old Aiyana Jones our lives, on our terms. Until we move rubber bullets. only worthy of a lawsuit or suspension? away from the logic of justice, we will Could our feelings of disgust and shock continue to survive a society of punish- The Pico-Union neighborhood clearly when we watched Oscar Grant being ment. recognizes that justice will never serve shot from behind really ever be ap- them. LA was not in flames, but hun- peased by justice putting his killer be- Until “justice” is cleared from our dreds of community members came hind bars longer? plate of goals, the murderers will al- together and threw bottles at police, ways win, and we will remain defeated. walked through the streets creating bar- Can justice really put a price to the riers of burning trash cans and news- constant torment of surviving the sys- paper boxes, attacked outsider cars, tem that determines/enforces it? degraded police and wealthy onlook- ers, and voiced their solidarity with a Most importantly, and in all of these murdered resident of their neighbor- cases, how can we continue to ignore hood. Enough was clearly enough, and the fact that in uniform or not, nice or the risk of deportation did not match mean, guilty or innocent, justice will the yearning for avenging the murder only maintain the society we endure of Manual. everyday. The problem will never be solved only systematically prolonged.

Knowing there is nothing we can do to bring back those who have died before the barrel of justice, what will quench our thirst for “justice” per se will never

FTTP #10//Justice-Pg. 9 Oakland 2010

Greece 2008

Cincinnati 2001

By losing faith L.A. Riots 1992 in “justice” we restore faith in ourselves.

Cincinnati 2001

Oakland 2009 Insanity Is Only Appropriate

-A. Lunatic

Have you had trouble finding motivation to I strongly believe as someone considered part of the “insane” get out of bed in the morning? that these are the results of surviving our current society and Have you ever felt contempt for authority the individualized environments we endure in the process. figures in your life? Saying that, I want to search for solutions that don’t come Have you ever felt bored or dissatisfied? with prescriptions or bills, but carry a conscious desire to transform one’s environment and confront a society that f you answered yes to any of these questions, you forces us to accept these dissatisified feelings as normal or are very likely taught to believe that these feel- inevitable. ings are symptoms of a “chemical imbalance” or “disorder” that could very easily be medicated or It is not just the facilitation of therapy, analysis of a shrink, “worked through” with the “appropriate” help. or prescriptions of psychiatry that prevent us from fully con- necting with our feelings of discontent, sadly many of us I This understanding of our “discomforts” is taught who don’t have access to conventional “therapy” run to the to us by the same institutions or fields that exist to deter- streets for a cheaper cure. Theres weed for anxiety, coke, mine what is and is not sane. It is also the same institutions meth, or adderall for our motivation, heroin for our pain, or fields of thought that exist as part of a larger system that or mushrooms and acid for our reality. Drugs or alcohol are drives us to feel such discomforts in the first place. certainly the easiest opportunities for that feeling of escape we all long for, but using these substances in this way can This article was written to confront the institutions produced only fail our desires in the long run. Just like prescription to mediate common thought. based drugs, when the effects wear off we are still there, in a

FTTP #10//Insanity-Pg. 11 place where we are bored, dissatisfied, dom that awaits us once we have to re- survive capitalism. We have no choice and not wanting to get out from under turn to the “reality” of our lives? on the matter. Of course we don’t want the sheets in the morning. No challenge to be homeless, of course we want to has been posed by us against the dis- Is to find “sanity” in this world to give be able to help friends and family, and comforts we have with our environ- up the desire to escape it? of course we want to eat. But while we ment, we have just even more intensely may like our co-workers, most of us de- deepened our sense of isolation (Not to Unless imprisoned I have no intention spise our bosses, and they are the ones be confused with independence.) from of attending therapy before turning to a getting the profits of our labor. This is it. friend, and while drinking or drugs can one example of something that leads certainly be a fun part of life, I choose us to not only feel bored or sad when There is also an entire world of “ther- to answer my feelings of discomfort working, but also disempowered and ay” out there. In prisons and juvenile by trying to understand what it is that weak. facilities, in schools and workplaces, makes me uncomfortable. both court-ordered, and voluntary. In my case, I also struggle with a lot What is it that we are all struggling so of anxiety regarding the police. I am While most of us interested in gaining hard to understand? not a straight-laced type person, both in control over our everyday lives would my line of work and just simply how I actually appreciate people of similar What is it that we are so desperately in think. I am always anxious about being experiences coming together and dis- search of? arrested or confronted by the police. cussing their shared frustrations, what is different about “therapy” is the logic Why is it that we reach out for help This feeling of anxiety goes far enough of compromise, defeat, and self-blame from those that suggest nothing more that I second guess trusting people I that is encouraged by these groups, spe- than coping and compromising with the meet, given that thousands of police cifically from the suggestions of those wounds of our everyday lives? who I have nothing but contempt for moderating them. surround me every day. This fear pre- Why is it that we are taught to believe vents me from exploring my creativity, We are taught shame for our mistakes that the origins of our discomforts are being more ambitious with projects in or discomforts, and either pitied or of our own doing, or easily solved with my life, or standing up to the things I ridiculed depending on the context. mind-altering drugs? am against. The same feeling of weak- Therapy also encourages us to lose our ness that comes with work is provoked faith or trust in friends or family, and Psychiatric or psychological therapy, by the police. I hate them. place all trust in the group, as if trust whether in dialogue or pill form, will is only something available in reserved, only continue to push us to become I hate what is inherent to their job: de- legally protected, or mediated spaces. more and more distracted from under- termining the possibilities of our lives standing the origins of our discomforts. and protecting the stability of the same The conclusions drawn in these discus- society that forces me to work. I re- sions encourage a perspective that “I” With refusing to compromise our sense fuse to even talk to some of the people am wrong, or “I” am the issue. In some of dissatisfaction with the world around I know that I don’t like, but I hate the cases, like Alcoholics or Narcotics us, I find it essential to stop blaming police unconditionally, and am told that Anonymous, individuals are encour- ourselves. I refuse to accept responsi- if I am stopped by them, I not only have aged to go a step further by losing all bility for my misery, boredom, and con- to probably talk to them, but I legally faith in oneself, and handing over one’s tempt. I proudly “blame others.” have to show them respect. But does personal power to “god” or a “higher this mean I’m a crazy paranoid person power” (god 2.0.) I am in no way suggesting that you with anger problems, or is it reasonable blame a specific person, but larger to hate them and feel what I do as a re- Are the experiences leading us to a forces beyond your control. By forces, sult of their behavior? point of feeling self-contempt or com- I mean social institutions that strip us plete disempowerment really of our of a sense of control over our lives and It is not just work or the police that lead own doing? destiny, and turns us against ourselves me to this discomfort or sense of void. when we become uncomfortable with These are just two specific parts of a Does our shame really stem from our the situation. larger system that enforces the condi- own self-hatred or a morality beyond tions that surround me. our determination? Boredom and depression stem from the monotonous society that surrounds us. I feel weak, small, and uncomfortable How is it that blaming ourselves makes Our common issues stem from the fact with this world, but I refuse to accept it easier to continue enduring the bore- that everyday, we spend hours trying to it, and in the process, I’m driven to what FTTP #10//Insanity-Pg. 12 doctor’s call “insanity.” But these feelings I don’t thing are is too much, or the torment is not worth living through any specific to me, I am assuming and hoping that considering longer. Being patient with our circumstances our whole lives we are part of the same world, others could possibly relate. and finally realizing you are living in a society where you have no control over them could carry some pretty drastic Psychology is not so different from the logic of police. If feelings of rage. you violate their expectations of your behavior or thinking you are a “lunatic” to the psychologists, as you are a “crimi- Before you get to that point, I think one thing we all need to nal” to police. understand is that we are not alone. The Wall Street Journal’s numbers for psychiatric medication sales could certainly I would like to call out to anyone who can actually take provide evidence to that. something from this criticism of what I would call an institu- tion that quite formally dominates thinking in society today. According to polls in 2009, anxiety and depression account- I am trying to reach out to other “lunatics,” exhausted with ed for 9 of the 10 biggest reasons for prescribing psychiatric being exhausted. drugs. ADHD and Bi-Polar disorder are the only other men- tal “illnesses” mentioned in the top 25 reasons for psychiatric At any moment though, one could snap. Occasionally we prescriptions according to health care statistic records. It’s will hear about someone who shot a bunch of police, or took interesting that all of these “mental illnesses” are provoked their boss hostage, or walked into the post office and shot a by one’s environment. It’s also interesting how much both bunch of people. These acts are usually brushed off as sheer a mediated society and billion dollar industry rely on these insanity, well if its not possible to connect them to some form prescriptions. of terrorism or another. Its never pleasant to hear about some of the more severe breakdowns of people who are simply fed It’s important to stop calling ourselves crazy. It’s important up. At the same time, it is important to understand why all of that we stop apologizing. a sudden someone would just come out and say (or violently show) that they “can’t take it anymore!” In most cases these Our feelings stem from a set of conditions that are beyond individuals will have no concern for the consequences, and any of our doing. By refusing to dismiss our “insanity”, we will be shot by the police. Andres Raya(1) is one example of are choosing to confront the norms and measures that deter- this, and Lovelle Mixon(2) another. Sometimes the anxiety mine sanity to begin with.

I feel weak and small, and uncomfortable with this world, but I refuse to accept it, and in the process, I’m driven to what doctor’s call “insanity.”

FTTP #10//Insanity-Pg. 13 In the last few months alone, we have One passenger on the plane put it prop- ducer, and the headquarters’ security seen multiple examples in the main- erly when they said: “It’s something we guard. While 3 people were taken hos- stream news of individuals lashing out all fantasize about, but we have kids tage, other employees hid in a nearby against what they see as the origins of and a mortgage or are just too chicken - closet to avoid James. The situation did their discomfort. or sane - to go through with it.” not last long though. Just four hours after James entered the building, the A less severe example of this was by Is it not interesting that the most consis- three hostages made a run for it. Once Jetblue employee Steven Slater. Af- tent theme in mainstream news articles they were out the SWAT team moved ter arriving to the JFK airport in NYC is to question Steven’s sanity, while at in, and in an alleged “exchange” of gun from Pittsburgh, Steve Slater got hit the same time, his behavior is envied fire, killed James. James was known in the head with a bag by an impatient by workers across the world enough to by employees at the building for his passenger on the flight afer arriving. make him the host of his own reality campaign against the company, and Steven asked the passenger to please television show? his occasional visits to voice his pro- apologize, but not only did they refuse test against the channel. James was op- to, they in response told him to “fuck Are we not all jealous of his awesome posed to the channel’s firm advocacy off.” Slater was appalled, and in quick meltdown at work? Do we ignore those of science over nature. Before this response, went to the back of Flight feelings by dismissing it as insane, or event he began a campaign against the 1052 and announced do we maybe only stop ourselves from network called “savetheplanetprotest. on the loud speaker: “To the fucking doing the same thing due to a fear of the com.” As of writing this, the website is asshole who told me to fuck off, it’s bills not getting paid? still up somehow. His website just says been a great 28 years.” After the an- “my demands” at the top, and lists 11 nouncement he opened up a beer on the From Joe Stack(3) flying planes into demands against not just the Discovery flight, then walked to the emergency IRS buildings, to Christopher Mon- Channel but civilization as we know it exit, and left the flight down the emer- fort(4) blowing up Seattle police cruis- in its entirety. gency slide with one beer in his hand. ers and killing a detective after witness- He actually made it all the way back to ing the video of a 15 year old black girl For example, demand #4 writes: his home in Queens, where he claims being beaten by two police in a cell, to to have slept with his boyfriend upon Robert Morales(5) shooting his parole “4. Civilization must be exposed for finishing his catharsis. officer and proudly going to prison af- the filth it is. That, and all its disgust- ter the abuse and anxiety was too much; ing religious-cultural roots and greed. Shortly after, his house was raided by there is a breaking point for our human- Broadcast this message until the pol- Port Authority police, where he and his ity, and it is different for all of us. lution in the planet is reversed and the boyfriend were arrested. He is now be- human population goes down! ing charged with 2nd and 4th-degree Of course these emotional breakdowns criminal mischief, 1st and 2nd-degree aren’t always worthy of a reality televi- This is your obligation. If you think reckless endangerment, and criminal sion show. Sometimes folks freak out it isn’t, then get hell off the planet! trespass in the 3rd degree. According and it’s simply not pretty. While we Breathe Oil! It is the moral obligation to the Queens D.A., if Slater is con- don’t always support the way people do of everyone living otherwise what good victed he could face up to 7 years in this, we should try to understand why are they??” prison. It was interesting to see the me- someone would make such choices. dia’s response to the events. While the Demand #3 states: conservative or liberal media dismisses Recently a man named James J. Lee his behavior due to his homosexuality occupied the Discovery Channel head- “3. All programs promoting War and or alleged “insanity,” Steven has also quarters in Maryland. By occupy we the technology behind those must been made into a “working-class hero” mean stormed the building armed and cease. There is no sense in advertis- of sorts. Possibly in response to the took multiple hostages as a statement ing weapons of mass-destruction any- hardship of demonizing Slater because against the channel, and as an oppor- more. Instead, talk about ways to dis- so many people can relate or envy his tunity to have his voice heard. On assemble civilization and concentrate “criminal act,” Steve is now being of- Wednesday September 1st, 2010 at the message in finding SOLUTIONS fered a reality television show that re- around 1pm, James stormed the Dis- to solving global military mechanized cords accounts of employees quitting covery Channel headquarters strapped conflict. Again, solutions instead of just their jobs in sensational ways. This with explosives, holding a hand gun, repeating the same old wars with newer very much recognizes the envy most of and wearing a headset connected to a weapons. Also, keep out the fraudu- us have for Steven. speaker of sorts. He immediately took lent peace movements. They are liars three individuals hostage: a Discovery and fakes and had no real intention of channel marketing executive and pro- ending the wars. ALL OF THEM ARE FTTP #10//Insanity-Pg. 14 FAKE! On one hand, they claim they Stories of the “insane” tattoo on his arm. Casey was in and out want the wars to end, on the other, they going “crazy” appear to of mental institutions a few years back are demanding the human population happen every day. according to certain sources. increase. World War II had 2 Billion humans and after that war, the people While killing one politician will de- There’s also Miguel Balderos, a 52 year decided that tripling the population finately not destroy the state in its en- old homeless man in Santa Cruz, CA, would assure peace. WTF??? STU- tirety, and we can’t help but feel a bit who is currently in jail facing arson PIDITY! MORE HUMANS EQUALS awkward that he didn’t take the time to charges for setting a 50,000 dollar fire MORE WAR!” check and see who he was stabbing, but against the city’s attorney office after one could understand why he might do they passed a bill banning all public We can’t relate to the very obvious mis- this. If you are disgusted enough with camping in the city. Miguel claimed anthropic tendencies James’ politics the state of things to spit in the face of the arson, and has said that his reason seem to stem from, and are a bit dis- an officer at one of the most patrolled for it was the obvious attack on the San- gusted and confused by his 5th demand events in the world, would one not ex- ta Cruz homeless population posed by regarding immigration(6), but we want pect the individual to escalate the state- the new bill. Apparently being home- to understand where he could possibly ment against someone with even more less was not a hardship enough, as the be coming from. power? It’s important to not dismiss city of Santa Cruz thought it was im- Casey, but to understand why he would portant to almost formally criminalize Of course the Discovery Channel is one do something like this. Is he paranoid, homelessness completely. It seems that of thousands of institutions in society or exhausted with the fear that is inher- Miguel just couldn’t take it anymore. that encourage the continuance of hu- ent to authority? Was his behavior an man industry over the earth and ani- alter-personality, or was it a manifesta- Michael John Fenter is now serving ten mals, and furthers the perspective that tion of rage over those with political years for robbing banks in Seattle, San sees both the earth and non-human spe- power over his life? Francisco, Sacramento, and Tacoma, cies as objects or commodities. While WA. the Discovery Channel is just one thing I boldly state that an act that defies promoting this morality, it was clearly normalcy can not be dismissed due to He was arrested at his last attempted something Lee witnessed in his daily claims of it being “insane”. bank robbery in Tacoma a few blocks life as a key perpetrator promoting this from the bank. He successfully stole outlook. What is similar in all of these incidents 86,200 dollars before being arrested. of “insanity” is a consistent inability to He claimed to be a struggling farmer Whether or not we agree with all of his hold back emotion once someone has who was expropriating money from demands or tactics, we have to point had enough with what is driving their banks to give to fellow poor people. out his intentions and frustrations. frustration. What is also similar here is Sounds crazy right? But does it not also the response by the mainstream to com- sound a bit understandable? James’ clearly had a contempt for hu- pletely dismiss the individuals commit- manity, but in response to human soci- ting these acts due to “insanity.” Casey Brezik of Raytown, Missouri ety as we know it. This was also moti- was another one of the “crazies.” He is vated by a deep-seeded appreciation he We recommend that we begin to look at being charged for “attempted murder had for animals and the environment, our discomforts whether it be depres- with a deadly weapon” against the dean and a contempt for human domination sion, anxiety, boredom, or any of the of his community college. He actually over both. other feelings that come with the reality thought he attacked the governor who of our everyday lives. We recommend was supposed to speak at his school It isn’t hard to relate. Would it surprise trying to look at the origins of our feel- that day, and was disappointed when anyone if someone walked into FOX ings, and understand on a larger level during interrogation police told him it news or CNN and did the same thing? why so much of our humanity shares was not the governor. Following the these feelings, and constantly struggles attack, the police claimed Casey was Both witnessing a channel that 24 to overcome them using delegated on “drugs” (marijuana), and multiple hours a day degrades the only life that methods that help us to form absolutely folks at the school referred to him as comforts you, and also knowing that no real bond over them. It’s important crazy. Casey has a prior charge for spit- millions of other people are watching that we learn from the breakdowns of ting in the face of a police officer at a this, could lead someone to go a little others who are unique in how they ex- G-20 demonstration, and for drug pos- “crazy.” press their sense of rage or dissatisfac- session in 2007. He is called a “para- tion. noid schizophrenic” usually before it’s mentioned that he has an “Anarchy”

FTTP #10//Insanity-Pg. 15 We as a lost humanity suffer many of ment normalcy could be shattered ton that he was tired of killing inno- the same wounds in our minds and with the deviancy of something new. cent civilians. hearts. These accounts of “insan- Sometimes this is beautiful, some- ity” are not intended to encourage times this is ugly. What is essential On January 9th Andres went to a necessarily the same behavior, but is that we start to question the meth- local convenient store in his home- to help understand the world around ods delegated to us to cope with our town and shot a gun in the air, al- us, to understand the parts we like emotions, avoid the distractions, and most demanding that the clerk call and don’t like, and understand how begin to come together to under- the police. As soon as police arrived to begin confronting what keeps us stand how it is we plan to push over he strategically opened fired on the “down” without becoming another the “imbalance”. both of them like the trained marine suicide statistic or police kill. he was. One of the police who ar- END NOTES: rived was actually a police officer It’s time to stop feeling through the Andres knew and was tormented by mediums provided to us by society, 1)Andres Raya was a 19 year old his whole life. He actually managed whether that be a paid person who Marine made famous after killing to escape that same night. Shortly listens, or a prescription to well- one officer and wounding another after, a police stakeout found where butrin (common anti-depressant). on January 9th, 2005 in Ceres, CA. Andres was hiding, and following On the other hand it is time to start Andres Raya was a trained marine a 3 hour shootout (literally) be- feeling all of our feelings, and not of Mexican descent who was sent to tween Andres and dozens of street blame ourselves for having them. fight Iraqis in Fallujah. He returned and SWAT police officers, Andres to the States in September of 2004, was killed after being shot eigh- Our sensitivities to the limitations where he communicated to family teen times. Andres was seen as dis- we experience everyday can only re- and other soldiers at Camp Pendle- traught when coming back from the main petty for so long. At any mo- war by family and friends.

“On the other hand it is time to start feeling all of our feelings, and not blame ourselves for having them.”

FTTP #10//Insanity-Pg. 16 Shortly before the shootout, Andres also broke into a local 4)Christopher Monfort is mentioned in our “Justice” article school and tore up some American flags and wrote “fuck this issue, and “When the Tables are Turned” in issue eight. Bush” with the stripes. 5)Robert Morales shot but did not kill his Brooklyn parole News of what happened holds trauma and emotional imbal- officer after claiming that he put him under constant stress ance responsible for Andres’ lash out at local symbols of au- and anxiety. What was different about Robert is that he re- thority, but some would say that he may very well have seen fused to denounce what he did. He told media that it was similarities between the patrolling and abuse of Iraqi civil- worth it, and he’s sad that his parole officer is not dead. The ians and police in his own town. full story can be read in issue 9 of Fire to the Prisons.

2)Lovelle Mixon was a 26 year old man from Oakland, CA 6) Lee’s fifth demand stated that national borders must be who was killed after a shootout that left him and 4 police permanently shut to prevent North America from becoming officers dead. A warrant was out for Lovelle, but the police overpopulated. This specific demand we not only see as of- who pulled him over for a basic traffic violation did not know fensive, but also in conflict with the rest of James’ logic. Na- who they were about to fuck with. In response, Lovelle pro- tions, as well as the governments that regulate them are part ceeded to fire, and killed four police officers before being of the same logic behind civilization as we know it. Media- shot to death by multiple others. This shooting came shortly tion of bordered lands on such a mass level could only be after a video tape showed a man named Oscar Grant getting possible with the equipment, resources, or society that pro- shot in the back and killed by Oakland police. While au- duce the industries that plunder nature. thorities saw this as a tragedy, many locals saw it as a harsh reality of tension between police and Oakland residents.

Media worked with the police to help demonize Lovelle, calling him insane and a criminal, but local groups and orga- nizations struggled to voice themselves against such claims, communicating that under the Oakland police, such an act is completely understandable.

3)Joe Stack was a software consultant in Austin, TX. On February 18th, 2008 he burnt his $230,000 dollar home down, and flew a small jet he owned into an IRS building in Austin. In 1998, Joe declared bankruptcy after the IRS audited Joe for not filing a tax return, leading to a $126,000 fine, as well as his wife coincidentally leaving him a year lat- er. In 2004, Joe started his own software company that was later suspended for not properly filing a state tax recently added to his company by new IRS measures. The day Joe died he posted a suicide note that included a manifesto stat- ing his reasons for the attack.

While you would typically expect the media to demonize someone for something that resembles “terrorism” so much, it was interesting to see the lack of ability even mainstream media had to do so. CNN and FOX news had to hold group debates over Joe’s sanity. Considering the harsh economic times, and Joe’s obvious reasoning (capitalism) communicat- ed by his manifesto, many responded to his desperate attack as something understandable, or motivated by an everyday struggle that many others are beginning to have intensified during these more “harsh economic times”. Whether or not we agree with Joe, burning your house before flying a plane into an IRS building so they couldn’t even get your assets easily shows that his contempt for business as usual under capitalism was very obviously targeted and stemming from “blame real life experiences, as opposed to a voice in his head. others.” Take your mark, get ready, ablate:

3 positions against prison

August O’Clairre

revolutionaries are a threat to the law as it exists, and the law imprisons them out of its own self-interest. This understand- ing is most applicable to prisoners who are clearly innocent-- Leonard Peltier, Mumia Abu Jamal; in the United States, the list is not long. 1.There are no political prisoners, But while the image of innocence is appealing to those who only prisoners of war. love the law, and although the air of innocence is routinely deployed in campaigns to defend comrades who have com- "I am not a crook." -- Richard M. Nixon mitted crimes, this notion of innocence makes no stab at the law which decides innocence and guilt. The law not only Between the realm of criminality and that of the political acts in its own defense, it also ensures that revolutionaries there is a wide chasm. Politicians make the law, criminals commit crime. So revolutionaries outline a theory of illegal break it. In this context, the idea of the political prisoner morality--in order to change the law, one must break the law. emerges as a contradiction in terms. In fact, the contradic- Criminality, then, is not an inherent desire of the revolution- tion is so fundamental that it forms the basis for many ap- ary, but a condition placed upon her by the state. Political peals for the liberation of political prisoners. The argument prisoners are not only composed of the innocent, but also of is made that political prisoners are a special class of prisoner people who broke the law for the "right" reasons. They are who are not criminals at all, but people who engaged in legal prisoners of war. Defined in this way, the list of prisoners political action. of war remains small--one hundred prisoners in the United States, give or take. One half of one hundredth of one per- This is one understanding of a political class of prisoners-- cent of the incarcerated population. they have not infringed upon the law, but rather the law has been wielded against them in order to prevent their politi- The categorization of political prisoners as revolutionaries cal activity. The reason political prisoners exist is because who have committed moral crimes does not appeal to those FTTP #10//3 Positions Against Prisons- Pg.18 who love the law, but it resonates with "Al Sharpton... You're... a little more remains within the context of a negotia- individuals who take sides in a war to political, and that just means you’re a tion with power. Indeed, the political change the law. The demand for the little more unhuman, than us humans. dialogue between parties that makes up release of a prisoner of war cannot be Ha!" -- 'Lil Wayne the social order could hardly exist with- based on innocence, and so it is based out some fringe groups planting bombs, on amnesty. Amnesty is the process of 'Lil Wayne said it best--to be political is so close are negotiation and violence to releasing of prisoners who have been to be a little unhuman. That is nothing its heart. The fringe group does not taken hostage during a war between to be particularly ashamed of, for it is a have access to the political spectacle states, after the war has ended. It is re- pervasive condition in society. Capital- enough to proliferate its messages that markable how easily the practice of am- ism makes us all unhuman, to be a man way, and so it makes a spectacle of it- nesty can be translated to prisoners of is to be a little unhuman, to be a woman self. It is unable to stand within the a war within a state, particularly when is to be a little unhuman, to be white, to halls where formal negotiation takes the prisoners considered themselves be a worker, to be a homosexual. The place and routine violence is deployed, a different nation or sought through social order is constructed so that we so it deploys spectacular violence as revolution to establish a new govern- each have our place, our roles, identi- informal negotiation. Its demands may ment. Although the revolutionary war ties. These are political formations. be wildly improbable and far too radi- is a civil war, it is fought between two It is a political formation that the an- cal for the platforms of government, states--one established, and the other in archist exists as an identity and, there- and yet it has "made its voice heard." attempted uprising. fore, as a tiny segment of society. The tactics we employ, from discussion to bombing, are irrelevant compared to Political conflict is always fought be- Politics is the discourse of power. Per- a question of what they aim towards- tween states that are either existent or spectives and tactics vary widely, but -the restructuring of power or its dis- revolutionary. A conflict in which the it is the same discourse that contains solution? insurgents are not a government-in-ris- them. The political individual, then, is ing themselves--if we can imagine such a person with a plan for society. Plans On the one hand, there is the ques- a conflict--would not be called political and programmes may threaten the ex- tion of power and how it ought to be conflict, but social war. Social war is isting power form, but they are not a se- structured and maintained, and on the the expanded form of class war; class rious threat to power itself. In the event other there is the question of whether it no longer marks the limits of social of social upheaval, the politicos can be ought to be structured and maintained struggle, if it ever did. counted upon for a platform, leader- at all. Political individuals engage in ship, and ultimately the restoration or the former question--the discourse of Amnesty is an inherently defeatist posi- maintenance of state and capital. When power and political struggle. Everyone tion to take, one that is contingent upon the existing politicians are unpopular, is involved in the latter question--the surrender. In order for prisoners of war different ones are on hand, and if the discourse of Biopower and social war. to be released, the war must be over, social upheaval is radical enough, there the prisoners no longer combatants, and will be some radical politicians who Biopower is the intersection of power they must be released into a climate of become well-positioned for a grasp at with our bodies, resulting in their sub- social peace, a peace their comrades power as the vanguard or representa- jugation, management, and control. Its will maintain. tive of the people. From the perspec- discourse, then, is not of the kind heard tive of the social order--which is to say, in the halls of Congress, but that be- The approaches of innocence and am- not the specific forms of power that tween ourselves and police, politicians, nesty shouldn't draw a knee-jerk criti- come in and out of dominance, but of activists, managers, lawyers, judges. cism, but rather should be placed in the power itself--the revolutionary politi- Also in the spaces between our bod- context of the politics from which they cian is a last line of defense, a fail-safe ies, our bodies and machines, our bod- are derived--a politics that appeals to in upheavals that would otherwise be ies and the school, hospital, prison and those who love the law, and a politics of most devastating. workplace. war between different forms of govern- ment. Without passing judgment on the Discourse. A bomb is placed at a build- "All prisoners are political." - Various former approaches, let us say that they ing of the Federal Bureau of Investiga- fit their positions, and then consider our tions, but its blast does not speak for There exists a third definition of po- own position. Specifically, we should itself, because its engineers also crafted litical prisoners. As the movement for look again at the distinction between a message and sent it to the media out- prison abolition has grown on the Left, political conflict and social war. lets, denouncing the evils of the agency there has been a tendency to radically and making demands. As an action, expand the bounds of who are designat- one might say, nothing could be more ed as political prisoners. And a radical radical than a bombing; yet the action new phrasing has been inscribed in the FTTP #10//3 Positions Against Prisons- Pg.19 pages of the Leftist Bible: "All prison- of "political" prisoners is an urge that support networks of the Nazis and the ers are political." It is a kind gesture, is human and natural--the urge to sup- mafia, everyone supports their family, but only because it is made by people port our imprisoned comrades, as well their nation, their army. for whom the label 'political' is a com- as the recognition that they are often pliment. Perhaps we should have first treated more harshly by the state be- Some of us, however, are fighting a dif- asked the prisoners if they wanted to be cause of their position in war. We have ferent kind of war. One in which we are political. What, and stop saying 'bitch'? no shit to sling at solidarity, only at the not fighting for a nation, an ideology, or What word could be more degrading hordes who have wrung that word dry political power, but in a struggle to de- than 'political' to apply to people with- of every drop of meaning it once had, stroy all of those. A war that is qualita- out their consent? and at the idea that this practice is in- tively distinct. The only war that could herently radical. not only free our own prisoners of war, This tendency seems to overlook that but destroy the prisons. the original reason for describing some In fact, solidarity has nothing to do with prisoners as political was to illuminate what side one is on, and everything to In the war against all that, we do not our bonds of affinity--to identify pris- do with the understanding that one is on perceive criminality as the infringe- oners of a war that we are fighting on a side--that is, at war. For anyone who ment of just law, nor as a necessary the same side of. There are Nazis be- comes to life as in a state of war, there and just means to revolution. Crime hind those walls. Let them free, cer- is nothing more natural than to sup- is anti-political desire, our engagement tainly--the better to crack their skulls- port their comrades in prison. While in rediscovering our bodies and living -but surely we can express our desires some anarchists are regrettably devoid energy. Insurrection will never be the without expressing solidarity with our of a practice of solidarity with their political activity of revolutionaries, for enemies. imprisoned comrades, that serves as a it is the criminal activity of becoming reasonable indication of their position human. "Any movement that does not support toward war as well as friendship. Ei- their political internees ... is a sham ther they witness no war, or they do not movement" see themselves in it, or they do not see -Ojore N. Lutalo, prisoners as their comrades. So it goes. anarchist and former prisoner There are many prisoners of war, and And now we come to the crux of it. their nations have their backs as a mat- The recognition that prison is bad for ter of course. From the POW/MIA our friends, the disgust and anger we flags one sees flying at veterans' posts feel at the incarceration of people we across this nation, to the revolution- 2.There is no prison, care about, is the grounding for any ary solidarity with prisoners of the only imprisonment. desire to do away with prisons entirely. Irish Republican Army, to the Cuban Underlying the various classifications Five freedom campaign, to the prison "Disneyland is there to conceal the fact that it is the 'real' ercise, work, religious practice. These have become familiar country, all of 'real America', which is Disneyland (just as to 'free' individuals. We do not need to rely on experts and prisons are there to conceal the fact that it is the social in its research, for we know prison all too well. entirety, in its banal omnipresence, which is carceral)." -Jean Baudrillard After a recent prison riot, the experts published a study de- claring the prison food was the cause. We know that it is not "Is it surprising that prisons resemble factories, schools, food, but hunger that causes prison riots. barracks, hospitals, which all resemble prisons?" -Foucault, Discipline and Punish There are other names for the pervasive condition of incar- ceration. Capitalism: a system of social relationships through Prison is not a discrete place; its force and logic are distrib- which life is reproduced into deadness, or non-life. On the uted across the metropolis. Put another way, there is a place physical level it produces commodities from living beings that is prison, and then there is a tendency, a way of manag- and the earth; temporally, it turns life into labor ("Capital is ing life, that is prison. The place and the tendency are not dead labor" - Karl Marx); on the level of relationship it cre- two, but one. Macrocosm, microcosm. To speak of prisons ates the spectacle from the 'unity-of-life' ("The spectacle in as if they were separate from the rest of society is to equivo- its generality is a concrete inversion of life; and, as such, the cate. What we call prisons are a node in the prison-metrop- autonomous movement of non-life." - Guy Debord). Poli- olis that are indicative of how the metropolis functions as a tics: the discourse of power that makes us less than human. whole, and without which the rest could not function. Prison is a totality--something that one cannot escape from, but only Politics, prison, and capital: agents in the production of shift positions within. deadness.

One's position in society corresponds to vastly different de- grees of freedom. There is the difference between being in prison or being free. Differences in probation and parole status, differences in citizenship and documentation, social class, gender, race. Meanwhile inside the prison there are power relationships between inmates, guards and other au- thorities, there are hierarchies of every sort, and there is the "prison within the prison"--solitary confinement, the hole. 3.Prison cannot be abolished, No matter where one is located in free society, with some only destroyed. rare exceptions made for the powerful, one exists under the threat of prison. Prison is a Judgment Day which, like the "Burn, baby, burn" trumpet of the archangel, could be sounded at any time, but -Rioters in Warkworth Canada shouting as their former pris- feels nearest during acts of sin. We are controlled through on went up in flames the existence of prisons because we are not in them. With the threat of incarceration comes a sense of the precarity of one's Without resorting to prophecy, it is arguable that the state freedom, which can invoke the desire to carpe diem. And so could abolish prisons in a way that would not only continue the escaped convict lives wildly in freedom while her risk its existence but restore its health. of imprisonment is highest; and so the prisoner with a life sentence feels he has nothing left to lose. But the majority Let it not be said that what follows is a critique of abolition as occupy a space that is neither the heaven of being on the lam reformist; the thrust is something altogether different. Here nor the hell of being condemned, but a pale grey limbo in is what can be said of the old dichotomy between reform which the desire for somebody to do something is constantly and revolution. In place of the claim that reform prevents felt and constantly deferred. This is the total incarceration of revolution, it would be more accurate to propose that there the population. is normality, and then there are cracks that appear across its surface. In each insurrection we know of, the so-called revo- The mechanisms of prison creep across the metropolis. lutionaries did as much to contain, police, squash, or seek to Through architecture, psychology, and technological force, lead the insurrection as any reformist. That is not to say that prison has perfected the control of movement, the man- individuals who desire insurrection cannot open spaces of agement of time, the neutralization of threats, the univer- insurrection, but that in the process, we must confront 'revo- salization of surveillance, the separation of public and pri- lutionaries' along with 'reformists'. vate space, the breaking up of life into a series of functions deemed essential--sleep, consumption of food, physical ex-

FTTP #10//3 Positions Against Prisons- Pg. 21 It is said, "shit happens"; well, reform so-neatly includes a loophole allowing away with prisons, but in actuality the happens. Let us be clear: if the state for the enslavement of prisoners ("ex- foundation is being laid for a betrayal. offers the abolition of prisons, or the cept as a punishment for crime whereof If to abolitionists prison is only a place, release of a few thousand prisoners, no the party shall have been duly convict- then prisons can indeed be abolished one is going to lock himself back up ed"). Moreover, the economic system separately from the rest, like slavery, at in his cell. To do so would be stupid. of chattel slavery was replaced with in- least in name. We'll take what we can get. Shorter dentured servitude and industrial wage sentences, longer chains, food that al- labor--which the Northern capitalists If the abolition movement succeeds we most resembles food. Lovely. Only a were struggling to proliferate. So to- may see a world without prisons, in fool would reject reforms. day, we have slavery, although slavery which we are still locked up. Imprison- has been abolished. The structures of ment will have changed form, changed But we would reject prisons. We do society that required slaves have re- name; like slavery, we will say that it not intend to spend our lives asking for mained intact. And in one hundred does not exist anymore, but control things from the ones who took every- years, prisons may be abolished, but we must be established nevertheless. How thing from us. It is not only against the will still have prisons as long as capital- could this be managed? Social control interest of our jailers, it is not even in ism remains intact. would be deployed through advance- their power to give us what we want, ments in surveillance, policing and because we want our lives back. We So if we learn a lesson from this, we architecture--essentially, the mecha- will get what we can take. Only a fool should not struggle for another Eman- nisms of the prison diffused through would accept reformism. cipation Proclamation, for abolition all sectors of the metropolis--while the granted by the state. Many abolition- prison population would be drastically The social order changes things as it ists would deny that that is what their reduced by decriminalizing certain sees fit. Free a few thousand prison- struggle aims for; others would openly crimes and instituting alternative sen- ers to reduce the overcrowding that admit it is--they say, "I am not an an- tencing. People who had spent the last can lead to riots. Build a new jail. The archist, but an abolitionist." The rep- ten or twenty years behind bars would budget is tight, though, and it is expen- etition of old gestures is executed with be released into the streets, only to find sive to maintain prisons. There will precision. that the world outside appears and feels be a focus on rehabilitation and resto- more like prison than it used to. Ee- ration more than punishment; mean- "Even if prisons were transformed from rily, George Orwell's 1984 describes a while, prisoners will be transferred to human storerooms into luxury hotels, society without prisons--that is to say, a privately-owned facilities, because the even if the prisoners of all prisons are society existing as a single large prison. government can pay a corporation less satisfied with 'reduced sentences,' even per head than they do to run their own if the everyday beatings of prisoners And yet, even the subjugated popula- prisons, while the prison owners still are replaced by sly agreements and as- tion has its outliers. The main char- turn a profit. Certain substances will similated by correctional policies in ac- acter of Orwell's narrative is arrested, be decriminalized. The sentencing for cordance with the 'human rights' mod- and instead of imprisonment he faces ghetto drugs will remain harsher than el, even if the 'white cells' turn 'pink,' a process of politicization. So it must for their white suburban forms. These and heroin gives way to methadone be with the 'abolition' of prison. As the are games to them. They are playing we will remain forever enemies of any general population comes under greater with our lives, moving us around like structure that denies us our freedom." control and decriminalization, overseen pieces on a chess board. They carefully -- anonymous by nicer police and friendlier govern- consider every move, not because they ment bodies that facilitate a restorative care, but because they want to win the The argument has been made that justice process between parties, there game. prison cannot be abolished without the will still be a sector of humanity who abolition of the entire system of law, make war on society and refuse to par- One and a half centuries ago, slavery production, control, and so forth. If ticipate in systems of social control. was abolished by the United States we define prison in its totality, the ar- When populations of sex workers, government. This followed an enor- gument stands not only as true but as people of color, and drug users are de- mous social struggle over abolition-- a truism, since prison includes all of criminalized, with assault and property wars were fought between pro-slavery those. But the abolition movement de- crimes managed through restorative elements and abolitionist elements. fines the prison as if it was a blot on the justice, the true criminals would come There were slave revolts and armed perfect society, a cancerous tumor that out in starker contrast--the outlaws, uprisings. The government intervened. could be cut away. We seem to come the rebels, the pirates. They must be And the Thirteenth Amendment ever- together on the common urge to do dealt with. So prison can be abolished

FTTP #10//3 Positions Against Prisons- Pg. 22 in such a way that the troublemakers are still They are right that there will still be prisons. locked away in an institution that isn't called But for what reasons do prisons persist? Is it prison, or undergo 'treatment' and are reinte- because prisoners set fire to them, or because grated into society, while the rest of us live in a insurrection is not sufficiently generalized? different kind of prison. The prisons are being destroyed, right now. The "prison abolition movement" that is Prisoners around the world are taking every viewed as a radical social movement today, is available opportunity to make holes and set set to become the establishment of tomorrow, fires, to sabotage cameras and take guards hos- to the extent that the Left is able mobilize its tage. Of course there is also stillness, inertia, forces more effectively than the Right and if falling-into-line, but beneath the sound of feet such changes are in the interest of maintain- falling in rhythm are the odd sounds of scratch- ing or increasing production and social con- ing of a knife, the turning of pages, and the trol. The project is already under way, from tinkering of wire against an electrical socket; the house arrest and ankle GPS monitor to the following that, the distinct sound of an electri- Breathalyzer in the automobile, to the decrimi- cal spark is heard, and the scent of something nalization of marijuana in some states and that burning wafts through the air... drug's establishment in legitimate markets, to the reductions in prison populations under the It is not enough--and what's more, it is not a joy- stress of budget shortfalls and prison riots. The ful approach--to gradually empty the prisons of abolitionist argument, "look how the prison the prisoners through new social programs and population has grown in the past thirty or forty campaigns, letting their shells stand hollow. years" has already become obsolete as states The silhouettes of empty prisons would stand begin to cut back their prison populations to as reminders of a grave mistake, but we would balance their budgets. It is one thing to resist never be free. Let us seek the feeling of a pris- “Let us seek the growth of prisons; it is another to desire oner taking a sledgehammer to her cell. the feeling their destruction even while they are shrinking. There is a story that comes from the occupa- of a prisoner Abolition is framed, like all social movements, tion of the abandoned Alcatraz prison island taking a by quantitative goals--capacity building, prison by the Indians of All Tribes between 1969 and sledgehammer reduction campaigns, and the abolition of pris- 1971. We do not know where this story came to her cell.” on as achievable in so many years. Campaign from or if it 'really' happened, only that it has goals include decreased sentences, early release taken root in our minds. According to the leg- programs, decriminalization, alternative justice end, one of the people involved in the occupa- models. Steps in the right direction. Small tion had been imprisoned at Alcaltraz in his changes that reduce total prison populations. earlier years. When he arrived on the island, The logic is that we can numerically reduce he searched through the prison for some time prisons out of existence, or on the flip side, that and eventually came to the cell in which he'd we can numerically build a movement that is been locked up. Taking up a sledgehammer, the large and efficient enough to abolish them. man destroyed the walls of the cell, block by cement block. It was hard work, and he was The same quantity-driven movement would many years in age, and by the time he was done claim that the destruction of a prison by fire he was exhausted. He put down the sledge- is not effective. The prisoners will be trans- hammer and sank to the ground, with the ruins ferred, the dormitories rebuilt, there will still of the old cage around him. be prisons. Instead of creating concrete soli- darity through outside revolt, activists would willingly use the prisoners' riots as a means to an end. They say, see, this riot shows that the prisons are overcrowded and we demand some inmates be released early. It is unfortunate that such a thing had to happen, they reason, but it is worth getting our message into the media, because that will get us closer to our goals, which we know are in the prisoners' and soci- ety's best interests. FTTP #10//3 Positions Against Prisons- Pg. 23 Chino, CA State Prison 2009

Chino, CA State Prison 2009

FTTP #10//3 Positions Against Prisons- Pg. 24 Chronology of North American Prisoner Resistance aturally, the pro- Note: liferation of the prison has been Every issue of met with signifi- “FTTP” reports cant resistance on prisoner from those most resistance and N affected by it. struggle. This may be best understood as a simple conflict of interests: the inter- “All actions which The reports ests of prisoners against the interests impede prison’s aim of always stem of the prison itself, which does ev- back to the last erything necessary to maintain their social control can be issue. In this confinement. considered tangible case, our last issue came out Riots, escapes, inmate fights, staff resistance.” in May. assaults, refusal of orders, and dis- turbances of all kinds are some ways Sadly due to in which the tension of this conflict space, we have is manifested. Each time the prison to prioritize cannot proceed with routine opera- reports on tions it loses control of itself; each resistance in the time the prison loses control, its in- United States, habitants are able to act outside of its Mexico, and constraints, in accordance with their Canada. own interests.

All actions which impede prison’s aim of social control can be consid- ered tangible resistance.

With only media reports as our sourc- es, it is impossible to document every 15 April – Akron, Ohio – single case. While reading this list it An inmate at Summit County's Community Based Correction- is important to keep in mind that the al Facility tried unsuccessfully to escape via an air duct. As inmate is always living in resistance paperwork was being prepared, staff members went to retrieve to prison, regardless of whether or the inmate and escort him to the deputy. The inmate, however, not a newspaper article is published refused to cooperate and climbed into the drop ceiling, ignor- about it. ing commands to come out. The inmate remained crawling around in the air ducts until he was located and apprehended The actions reported here are only by the Akron Fire Department. to serve as examples of those who - even up against the grandeur of the 16 April – LaPorte, Indiana – prison and its near-insurmountable An Indiana State Prison inmate walked away from a prison walls – manage to act out despite the road crew at the Summit Farm Operation. dismal reality of the situation. 18 April – East Meadow, New York – Three Nassau County Jail guards were injured in a scuffle. Injuries included a sprained ankle, hyper extended knee and cuts and bruises. One officer was also treated for respiratory problems.

19 April – Saint Louis, Missouri - Just after being taken to the St. Louis Justice Center, a soon to be inmate slipped out of their cuffs and took off through the north door after it was opened by departing employees.

FTTP #10//Prisoner Resistance-Pg. 26 20 April – Cranston, Rhode Island – 12 May – Mason, Tennessee – A 60 year old corrections officer was punched in the face and Approximately 35 West Tennessee Detention Facility in- knocked unconscious by an inmate at the Adult Correctional mates refused to enter their cells and began destroying fur- Instituion. niture. The facility is run by the Nashville-based Corrections Corporation of America, which operates 65 facilities in 20 24 April – Burlington, North Carolina - states. A Dan River Prison Work Farm inmate scaled the exterior fence and ran off. 13 May – Truth or Consequences, New Mexico – An inmate managed to escape from the 25 April – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Sierra County Detention Center by slamming a door on a Canada – A Saskatoon Correctional Centre inmate ran detention officer while being transported between buildings away from corrections workers while they were taking out and running off. the facility's garbage. 16 May – Victorville, California – 26 April – Columbia, South Carolina – Several fights broke out between numerous inmates at the An inmate on work assignment from the Campbell Pre-Re- United States Penitentiary's outdoor recreation area. lease Center walked off. 17 May – Rogers, Arkansas – 28 April – Castaic, California – A Benton County Juvenile Jail inmate almost immediately Two Pitchess Detention Center inmates escaped while work- began choking the corrections officer after he was released ing at a kitchen loading dock. from his seat belt and then started banging the officer's head into the security cage of the vehicle they were riding in. The 30 April – Hogden, Oklahoma – juvenile, still in handcuffs and ankle restraints, then ran off An inmate walked away from the Jim E. Hamilton Correc- into a field only to be caught by a good citizen. tional Center. 18 May – Scottsboro, Alabama – 2 May – Mitchellville, Iowa – An inmate who was given a two day leave from the Scotts- An inmate at the Correctional Institute for Women kicked boro City Jail to take care of personal business failed to re- and punched two correctional officers and spat on a third turn. who tried to restrain her. 19 May – Cumming, Georgia – 3 May – Headingley, Manitoba, Canada – A Forsyth Jail inmate climbed up through a hole in the roof All nine inmates in the segregated Block 10 at Headingley between some wire and got on top of the roof. Jumping from Correctional Centre rioted for several hours and smashed all there, they made their escape on foot. the furniture ultimately causing $26,000 in damages. 21 May – Wichita, Kansas – 5 May – Los Angeles, California – A Sedgwick County Jail inmate set fire to the transport van Four Metropolitan Detention Center guards were injured as they were being transferred in and tried to escape after be- they tried to intervene in an inmate disturbance. Two of them ing removed from the burning vehicle. The van sustained an were hospitalized. estimated $25,000 in damages.

7 May – Lawton, Oklahoma – 22 May – Morristown, Tennessee – An attack at the Lawton Correctional Facility sent a prison Three inmates assaulted a Hamblen County Jail officer in an guard to the hospital. An inmate at the facility, run by the escape attempt. They then fought three more who came to GEO Group, packed a blanket or pillowcase with rocks and the aid of the first before being subdued. hit the officer over the head with it. 24 May – Livingston, Texas – 11 May – Lake Wales, Florida – A Polk County Jail inmate escaped from their work crew. An inmate receiving medical treatment at the Lake Wales Hospital told the detention deputy on duty he had to use the 25 May – Versailles, Kentucky – bathroom. As he left the room he hit the deputy over the head For the second time in a month, an inmate escaped from the and overpowered him. His hospital gown was torn off in the Woodford County Jail. process and he escaped wearing only his socks and ankle shackles. FTTP #10//Prisoner Resistance-Pg. 27 26 May – Merced, California – 16 June – Fairfield, California – Two John Latorraca Correctional Facility inmates attacked a Two inmates escaped the Fout Springs Youth Facility. guard over food portions. 17 June – Portsmouth, Virginia – 28 May – Coquille, Oregon – An inmate being transferred from court was able to escape An inmate working with a crew from the Shutter Creek Cor- from the transport van by breaking out the rivets on the in- rectional at the Coquille Masonic Cemetary walked away. mate cage, unlocking the door and jumping out.

29 May – Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico – 18 June – Lovelady, Texas – A prison warden arriving to work was kidnapped by armed A Eastham State Prison guard sustained serious facial inju- gunmen. The body was found later that day, dismembered ries when an inmate attacked him with a homemade knife. and scattered about the city in four locations. The knife was 2.5 inches long and was fashioned from three razor blades attached to a pen casing. 30 May – Albuquerque, New Mexico – A 16 year old inmate at the Youth Diagnostic and Develop- 19 June – Springfield, Missouri – ment Center punched a guard in the face. The staff claims the Two Greene County Jail officers were injured in a scuffle facility is too dangerous and they are afraid to go to work. with an uncooperative inmate. Besides pain from punches to the faces and heads of the officers, one of them suffered a 3 June – Charleston, West Virginia – broken ankle. An inmate assaulted correctional officers by kicking at them when they tried to stop him from spitting at them. 20 June – Laurel, Maryland – Many of the inmates at the New Beginnings Youth Correc- 6 June – Lexington, Kentucky – tional Facility refused to enter their cells and fought off the Five Fayette County Detention Center inmates refused to en- corrections officers who tried to regain control. Several staff ter their cells after a basketball game. Covering their faces members were injured including the shift supervisor, who with shirts and armed with phones, batteries and a shower suffered a broken jaw. The inmates also managed to steal the door, they taunted officials in riot gear and fought them as electronic master key. When response units from the Metro- they tried to restore order. politan Police Department and other local agencies respond- ed to the incident, they found some of the youths wandering 7 June – Walla Walla, Washington – through the facility at will while others climbed to the roofs A Washington State Penitentiary corrections officer was of two “living units.” stabbed in the neck with a sharpened toothbrush. 24 June – Meridian, Mississippi – 8 June – Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico – An inmate escaped from the Simpson County Community Inmates rioted at the Cereso Prison. Work Center.

9 June – Headingley, Mantioba, Canada – 25 June – Cassville, Missouri – Approximately 25 Headingley Correctional Centre inmates An inmate managed to escape the Barry County Jail by scal- refused to enter their cells and barricaded themselves in the ing the perimeter fence. He climbed on the shoulder's of common room for more than 10 hours. another inmate above security cameras and used a camera bracket to get up on the chain link fence. From there, he pried 13 June – Junction, Texas – at the chain link, which is affixed by heavy duty clamps, until they created a small hole through which he crawled out. An inmate stole a Kimble County Jail truck and drove off. 26 June – Modesto, California – 14 June – Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico – An inmate escaped from the Stanislaus County Honor Farm A prison riot left 3 officers wounded. during a fire. The two deputies watched the inmate scale the fence, but could not pursue as they had 86 other inmates to 15 June – Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada – evacuate. Approximately 17 Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility inmates rioted when corrections officers tried to put the fa- 27 June – Warner Robins, Georgia – cility on lockdown. The masked inmates refused to leave the A Houston County Jail inmate threw a cleaning agent that day room in the west unit and covered security cameras and contained bleach into the eyes of two correctional officers. broke sprinklers, windows and recreation equipment for two hours until guards were able to restore order. FTTP #10//Prisoner Resistance-Pg. 28 30 June – Troy, Alabama – 21 July – Montreal, Quebec, Canada – An inmate lit a roll of toilet paper on fire, filling the Troy City A fight between inmates escalated at the Quebec Detention Jail with smoke: forcing an evacuation and causing smoke Centre when authorities tried to intervene. More than 14 in- damage. mates rioted and set fire to mattresses and clothes.

3 July – Youngstown, Ohio – 28 July – Stony Mountain, Manitoba, An Ohio State Penitentiary inmate's hunger strike began over Canada – 20 Stony Mountain Penitentiary inmates re- demands for medical care. fused to be locked into their cells and instead barricaded themselves inside the unit and destroyed prison property. 4 July – Rock Forest, Quebec, Canada – A spokesman was quoted as saying, “negotiations were at- Three inmates housed at the Val-du-Lac building of the Est- tempted, but the inmates refused to communicate.” rie Youth Centre refused to return to their cells after curfew. Armed with wooden bats, they began hitting things and yell- 30 July – Franklin, Wisconsin – ing for other inmates to come out and join them. A Milwaukee County Correctional Facility corrections of- ficer was attacked by an inmate. 8 July – Fort Madison, Iowa – An Iowa State Penitentiary corrections officer suffered facial 1 August – Eureka, California – abrasions after an inmate assault. Two correctional officers at the Humboldt County Juvenile Hall were hospitalized after being assaulted by an inmate. 10 July – Corcoran, California – The attack occurred as the two officers entered the inmates Inmates at Facility-A of the Corcoran State Prison Califor- cell. Once the cell door was open, the inmate gouged the eyes nia Substance Abuse Treatment Facility refused to eat their of one officer and knocked the other to the ground, kicking meals or perform their kitchen, clerical and janitorial duties and stomping him in the face numerous times. as part of a hunger strike and work stoppage in response to a lockdown imposed on the unit. 2 August – Jacksonville, Florida – In an escape attempt from the Pre-Trial Detention Facility, 11 July – Concord, New Hampshire – four inmates jumped a corrections officer and took his taser. Approximately 30 inmates at the State Prison for Men went The inmates took control of the room and tried to let other on a hunger strike over the temperature of their cells after the inmates out by pushing buttons on the control panel. Unfor- prison confiscated their fans just before a heatwave. tunately, more correctional officers arrived on the scene and regained control. 13 July – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – A Youth Study Center inmate escaped from the radiology 4 August – Doylestown, Pennsylvania – center where they were taken for x-rays. An inmate ran out of the Men's Community Center while waiting to take a urine test. 15 July – Kincheloe, Michigan – Three Kinross Correctional Facility inmates overpowered a 6 August – Montgomery, Alabama – truck driver at a food service delivery loading dock and tried A city jail inmate caused more than $9,000 in damages at to escape by driving through the double chain link fence. The the Montgomery Municipal Court building while awaiting a truck made it about 100 yards past the fence when one in- court appearance. The inmate damaged a bathroom sink and mate took off running and was fatally shot by a guard. the adjoining pipes, causing water damage in the Montgom- ery Police Department's supply and evidence rooms. 18 July – Augusta, Georgia – A Charles B. Webster Dentention Center inmate cut a hole in 8 August – Atlanta, Georgia – the fence near the recreation yard and escaped. A Fulton County Jail inmate stabbed a corrections officer in the back with a homemade knife. When the officer tried to 19 July – Pikeville, Tennessee – subdue the inmate, another inmate jumped in and tried to For the second time in two weeks, the same inmate had es- stop him. caped from the Bledsoe County Jail.

20 July – Saint Johns, Newfoundland, Canada – An inmate used a television set as a weapon and assaulted four guards at Her Majesty's Penitentiary.

FTTP #10//Prisoner Resistance-Pg. 29 12 August – Fort Leavenworth, Kansas – 17 September – Michigan City, Indiana – Four inmates assaulted a corrections officer at the U.S. Dis- A Indiana State Prison inmate assaulted a corrections officer ciplinary Barracks and took his keys. They locked the officer and took another hostage. Unfortunately, the situation was in the shower area and used the keys to open the cells of 10 resolved peacefully. additional prisoners where they enjoyed the 24 cell tier for three hours before staff was able to regain control. 18 September – Jacksonville, Florida – A Duval County Jail inmate grabbed a security guard's gun 16 August – Lancaster, Ohio – and beat him with it at the hospital where they were receiving Fairfield County Jail inmates rioted over movement restric- medical care. tions within the facility. The inmates set mattresses on fire and “threw things.” 25 September – Hamilton, Montana – A Ravalli County Detention Center inmate beat a corrections 19 August – Davenport, Iowa – officer with a 14 inch long wooden cribbage board. A Scott County Jail corrections officer was beat over the head with a chair. 28 September – Newport, Oregon – Six of the twelve inmates in a cell block escaped by burning 21 August – Spokane, Washington – out a third story plexiglass window. 20 to 30 Spokane County Jail inmates flooded their cells in a coordinated effort. 1 October – Santa Barbara, California – A Santa Barbara County Jail inmate punched a corrections 22 August – Sterling, Colorado – officer in the face, knocking him to the ground, and then An inmate who has escaped Colorado law enforcement four stomped on him. times in the past, made the first successful escape in the his- tory of the Sterling Correctional Facility, which is the largest prison facility in Colorado.

23 August – Castaic, California – For two hours nearly 200 inmates from six barracks threw rocks at deputies and armed themselves with shanks. Immigrants rioting at an I.C.E. detention center in CA. 1 September – Monterey, California – 166 inmates at the Monterey County jail went on hunger strike after the jail administration decreased their allotment of soap from four bars a week to one.

6 September – Santa Clarita, California – An inmate tried to escape Los Angeles County Jail by climb- ing into the ceiling of jail interview room while waiting for burglary victims to provide an identification. Unfortunately, authorities discovered a “chalky powder on the floor” from “Passing where the inmates had removed and replaced the ceiling tiles the time...” and they were found.

9 September – Kingman, Arizona – Inmates in Mohave County Jail's C Pod caused severe water damage by breaking off sprinkler heads.

10 September - Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico – 85 inmates used ladders to scale the state pris- on's 20 foot tall walls and then disappeared.

FTTP #10//Prisoner Resistance-Pg. 30 Report on Anti-G20 Resistance in Toronto

-By Zig-Zag

Introduction The final total of arrests would be nearly 1,100—the largest rom June 25-27, 2010, Canada hosted both mass arrests in Canadian history. the G8 and G20 Summits. The G8 Summit was held on June 25 in Huntsville, Ontario, Some detractors of resistance, including conspiracy theorists a small rural community. The G20 Summit and reformsits, claim the militant attacks were “allowed” to was held in downtown Toronto from June happen, or were the work of agent provocateurs. The reality 26-27. The security operation, involving is that a few hundred militants were able to outmanuever an F some 19,000 security personnel (10,000 army of riot cops and carry out extensive property destruc- cops, 4,000 military, and 5,000 security guards), was billed tion. as the largest in Canadian history (costing approximately $1 billion). Just a day prior to the G8 Summit, an earthquake The damage inflicted, even with thousands of riot cops in the struck nearby while a ‘freak’ tornado tore through another streets, and the arson of four police cars in particular, shows region in southern Ontario. The G20 Summit itself opened the vulnerability of the “all-powerful” state and its repressive and closed with torrential storms. apparatus. That some dared to challenge this illusion and lit- erally smash it to pieces appears impossible to those already After nearly a week of ‘peaceful’ and heavily policed pro- defeated in their hearts and minds. tests, Saturday, June 26, saw widespread property destruc- tion and the arson of four Toronto police cars in downtown The austerity measures agreed upon by the G20, with its fo- streets, including two in the financial district. In response to cus on reducing deficits by 2013, amidst worsening socio- this humiliation, police went on a rampage later that evening economic conditions, ensures that not only will millions of and throughout the next day, violently attacking passive pro- people experience even greater poverty and oppression, but testers, journalists, and bystanders. By the evening of Mon- that the state will increasingly resort to violent repression to day June 28, some 900 people had been arrested. counter the inevitable social conflict that will arise. FTTP #10//G20 Resistance Report-Pg. 31 Organizing Initially, police stopped each person ar- protesters. The bike cops grouped up riving and searched them. Bags were and raised their front tires up to use in Most of the grassroots organizing was checked and any banners or flag poles, a defensive position. Some bike cops carried out by the Toronto Commu- as well as protective gear (i.e., gog- left their bikes on the side of the street nity Mobilization Network (TCMN), gles), was being seized. In at least two as they rushed in to aid their comrades; comprised largely of groups in the city cases, groups began challenging the these were knocked over and jumped including No One Is Illegal (NOII), searches as they attempted to enter the on, while others had their tires slashed. Ontario Coalition Against Poverty park. One group’s refusal (SOS from After days of pigs power-tripping on (OCAP), and many others. SOAR Kitchener-Waterloo and Guelph) at- us, it was good to see some fear among was also a member of TCMN but was tracted a large mob of reporters, while their ranks and to feel our collective made up of cities and towns across in another members of No One Is Il- power. Southern Ontario (including Kitchener- legal (NOII) broke through the police Waterloo, Guelph, London, Hamilton, lines instead of being searched. Shortly We marched around for a while lon- etc.). Another organizing group which after these incidents, police stopped ger in a more or less symbolic effort was not a member of the TCMN was searching people. to reach an undisclosed park or facility the Anti-Capitalist Convergence 2010 near the security perimeter. We eventu- from Montreal (CLAC in its French This was the biggest rally to date, ally were blocked by lines of riot cops acrnoym), which helped organized hun- with several thousand people, perhaps and horses (where at one point a police dreds to travel to Toronto from Quebec. 3,000-4,000 or more. There was a wide truck had its tires slashed), and returned variety of groups and movements, in- to the park where we originally started. Days of Action, June 25-27 cluding unions, students, seniors, com- There a large party was held and scores munists, anarchists, Indigenous people, of tents pitched as a temporary ‘tent vil- The DOAs were preceeded by daily Haiti solidarity, Ontario Coalition lage’ (it was ended in the morning). rallies focused on certain themes (com- Against Poverty (OCAP, one of the ral- munity justice, healthcare, environ- ly’s organizing groups), NOII, TCMN, Saturday, June 26 ment, Indigenous), beginning Monday etc. While there were numerous people June 21. Beginning with two hundred wearing masks of some kind (bandan- The big labour/NGO parade was set to at the first one, the rallies grew each as, etc.) there was a small Black Bloc begin at 1PM at Queen’s Park, located day. The Indigenous rally on June 25 of approximately 50 persons. near College and University Ave. It was the largest, with over 1,000. was entitled “People First—We De- This was not only the largest but also serve Better.” There are reports of from With the exception of the Indigenous the best organized of the protests to 20,000-40,000 persons participating. day, each rally saw large police deploy- date. Good food was served at the rally ments and attempts at intimidation, ha- point in the park. Organizers had a big The route of the march, worked out in rassment, and arrests. The size of the loud sound system, and a speaker ex- coordination with police, was to pro- Indigenous rally, along with organizers plained the significance of the park, the ceed south down University Ave. to close collaboration with police prior to plan for the day, etc. Queen St., then west to Spadina Ave., and during the protest, as well as the north to College, then east to Queen’s public profile of Indigenous struggles, When we moved into the street, the Park (a big circle). It would approach led to a less confrontational police ap- size of the march took some time to no more than six blocks from the secu- proach. form up. Because they wanted to pro- rity fence and then turn back. mote these issues, women and disabled Friday, June 25 persons formed the front of the march. A ‘break-away’ contingent had been or- Unlike the previous day’s peaceful ganized by the Southern Ontario Anar- parades, the June 25 protest had a far The slogan for this DOA was “Justice chist Resistance (SOAR) entitled “Get more radical vibe. There was also a lot for Our Communities,” billed as a com- Off the Fence,” billed as a “militant and more police, who once again acted ag- munity action with a rally/march, block confrontational” action to march to the gressively towards protesters (unlike party and tent city. It began at Allan security fence. the previous day). Garden Park in downtown Toronto at 12 noon. A police cordon of bike cops At Queen and Spadina, the Get Off the By the time we reached the downtown and uniformed officers was established Fence contingent stopped while the core, police had put on their riot hel- around the park. At this time hundreds main parade continued on. At this time mets. Just past Yonge and College of protesters were arriving by the hour there were 1,200 or so in the breakaway streets, police made an arrest. They on buses from towns and cities in On- group. After a short period of inactiv- bunched together and deployed their tario and Quebec. ity, the militant bloc reversed direc- batons, punching and striking some FTTP #10//G20 Resistance Report-Pg. 32 tion and began heading east on Queen. glass shards sprayed in. I heard some- only a few dozen stragglers in various One of the first targets was a police car one yelling “There’s workers in there,” groups in the park, leftovers from the with a cop trapped inside it. Other cops while others were telling staff to get People First parade, as well as numer- ran in to rescue the officer, then with- away from windows that were going to ous media. drew. This vehicle was then completely be smashed. smashed up, as was another. One of Shortly after the cops encircled the peo- them was also set on fire (and another People used sticks, stones and bricks ple left at Queen’s Park and assaulted would be later in the afternoon). Fol- found on the street, chairs, construction them with fists, kicks, batons, and pep- lowing this, property destruction began signage, anything that could be used to per spray, before forcing them to dis- to occur all along Queen St. At Bay St., smash windows. When a window was perse. The park had been the officially the rally turned south, towards the se- broken with an object, others would run designated ‘free speech zone.’ curity fence. up and retrieve it to use again on an- other window. Some people used golf Since all the transit was closed, I was At Bay and King St. (now one block balls, but these were mostly ineffective unable to go back to the apartment I was from the fence) a massive window and bounced wildly back into the bloc, staying at and wanted to avoid walking complex of a Bank of Montreal was with some calling for others to stop us- through the downtown core. As I ap- attacked, starting first with a hammer ing them. proached Spadina Ave. and Queen St., thrown through the air that stuck into I saw a plume of black smoke billow- the pane, like a hatchet thrown into As the bloc proceeded north on Yonge, ing up into the sky and a large crowd a wall (but splintering the glass). A people became bolder and began step- gathered. The first police car was still black-clad fighter ran up and pulled it ping into the smashed storefronts, re- burning. out, ready to use it again. moving furniture and looting another Bell Canada outlet of cell phones. An By this time, a large crowd of mostly At the intersection, two police cars American Apparel shop was attacked citizen bystanders had gathered at Spa- were abandoned by retreating pigs. One and its mannequins taken out, dis- dina Ave. and Queen St. to watch the immediately had its windows smashed membered and used as projectiles. At first burning cop car. Just as I arrived, out. This attack seemed to slow the College and Yonge another Starbucks, the OPP riot squad was marching in to march, as most stopped to observe Second Cup and CIBC bank were secure the ‘scene’. They formed lines the destruction. There was now a gap smashed. As we passed the Toronto on either side of the two damaged vehi- between the forward section that had Police Headquarters, rocks and bricks cles while firefighters extinguished the passed through the cars in the intersec- were thrown at the riot cops deployed one on fire. After a firefighter vehicle tion, and a much larger group still on out in front of it (the only cops we saw was escorted out through the crowd by the other side. since leaving Bay and King Streets). At the riot cops, they formed a line and least one window was smashed, but the began advancing, forcing people back Then another police car roared towards mob didn’t linger too long here. onto Spadina. This aggravated the peo- the intersection of Bay and King, with ple and created a crowd control situ- four cops jumping out and running to- As we marched west on College Street ation where before there wasn’t one. wards the mob. They quickly fled, how- and neared Queen’s Park (where the Some bottles were thrown at the cops, ever. The second abandoned car then big parade had originally started) a who advanced to clear the intersection had its windows smashed out, while the police rental mini-van was found at and then began pushing the crowd fur- first one was now engulfed in flames. the intersection and smashed up, while ther down Queen St. Shortly after, the second cop car was across the street a platoon of riot cops torched as well. advanced, their gunners moving up to After an hour of this, the OPP retreated counter anyone who approached them. and left the area, marching out as they We began running east on King and then They shot several ‘muzzle blasts’ that had come in, in columns of two. The turned north at the next intersection, on sprayed a large cloud of smoke (talc crowd surged back across Spadina and Yonge Street, the main consumer strip with tear gas) and a small ‘wafer’-like into the block where the damaged cars for which Toronto is renowned. Now projectile. were. Then the second police car was many more windows were smashed— set on fire to cheers from the crowd every bank (including Toronto Domin- At this point the Black Bloc dispersed, (most of whom weren’t protesters). Af- ion, CIBC, Bank of Montreal, etc.), an forming a circle inside which members ter fifteen minutes of the cop car burn- Adidas store, Bell Canada, a jewellery removed their black clothing and pro- ing, the OPP returned. Then more cops, store, a leather shop, a porn theatre, Piz- tective gear, including shin pads, knee including horse-mounted pigs and bus- za Pizza, Starbucks, a McDonalds, sur- and elbow pads, etc. Some protesters es of RCMP and Newfoundland Con- veillance cameras. Inside some stores, began mingling in the park as more riot stabulary arrived, all dressed in full riot staff and customers ran to find cover as cops arrived. At this time there were gear (a truly national effort). FTTP #10//G20 Resistance Report-Pg. 33 The police repeated their earlier actions, pushing the crowds the area where the two cop cars had been arsoned on Satur- back and then charging. A horse charge was used to chase day, riot cops confronted another crowd at around 6PM (a down an ‘agitator’ and escort him back for arrest. The horse rally that had begun around 5PM). By 7PM they ‘kettled’ a charge terrified the citizens caught up in it, and most ran crowd of 200 or so by blocking the front with vehicles, then wildly at any advance made by the riot cops (even though moving in on the sides and rear with platoons of riot cops. they would only charge 20 feet or so, then stop to reform A torrential rain then began, just as the G20 Summit ended their line). (and as it had began, prompting some conspiracy theorists to assert that the government was ‘seeding’ clouds to cause At one point, a person suggested the crowd sing ‘Oh Canada’ them to rain!). (the national anthem), as if the spirit of patriotism would endear them to the line of riot cops facing them. Another No one was permitted to leave the kettle, and cops began walked to the front and sat on the street, with his back to searching and arresting anyone wearing black clothing or the cops, and persuaded others to join him. As soon as they with a black back pack, people they recognized from pre- finished singing the anthem, the riot cops charge, trampling vious day’s protests, etc. Snatch squads were used to grab several. people. Although there were some who had attended pro- tests, there were also many bystander citizens, residents, and Sunday, June 27 journalists in the crowd.

The day began with a raid at the University of Toronto, The heavy downpour lasted for the duration of the kettle and where some seventy people from Quebec were staying. Po- drenched everyone. People were wet and cold and would be lice claimed to have found discarded black clothing, gear, held for over three hours, most being arrested and loaded and weapons in the grounds around the building (including onto buses. Among those who experienced this were report- bricks and rocks). Some 50 people were arrested. ers for the National Post and CTV News. Police would later claim they had seen evidence of Black Bloc tactics in the At around 10AM a jail solidarity rally gathered at a park near crowd, including some wearing masks (although none were the temporary prison on Eastern Avenue. By this time several dressed in all-black clothing). hundred people had been arrested. Police were out in force for this rally, and only after negotiations were the protesters By the end of the night, some 900 people had been arrested allowed to walk to the jail. during Saturday and Sunday, the largest mass arrests in Ca- nadian history. The total would eventually be some 1,100 ar- After the protest arrived at the temporary jail, riot cops were rests. Police had acquired an old movie studio to use as a deployed and snatch squads began grabbing people from temporary prison facility, located in east Toronto, where the among the crowd, throwing them into their rented min-vans. prisoners were taken and processed. Violent assaults were carried out in many of these arrests, and an ARWEN was fired into the crowd several times (muz- Beginning Sunday afternoon, prisoners were released, some zle blasts with tear gas). without shoes and others without their belongings (including cameras). All described having been held in cold, cramped, At 3:30PM, police stopped a bus with Quebec license plates. wire cages, some overcrowded, with toilets having no doors. They detained fifty people and arrested ten. A bomb squad Some cells were contaminated with pepper spray (and vom- was also called in during the search of the bus. Throughout it). Many women reported threats of rape and sexual harass- the day, police also continued to board transit vehicles in the ment, while others were forced to strip-search in front of downtown area searching for anyone wearing black or who male pigs. Prisoners were threatened with further violence, appeared to be a protester. and some who resisted arrest were reportedly kept zip-tied for up to ten hours. In the late afternoon, police surrounded the convergence space located off of Queen St. (but quite a distance from the The Black Bloc Actions downtown area). Scores of mostly bike cops kept a crowd back, although it was unclear what their intentions were. Af- There is no question the Black Bloc and militant attacks ter an hour and a half or so they departed, having arrested ‘stole the thunder’ from both the liberal reformists as well several people during that time. Many feared they would raid as the G20 Summit itself. As an act of ‘armed propaganda’ it the space, and perhaps this was their plan. But by then an- was highly successful, with widespread media coverage and other crowd control situation was developing further east on public attention focused on militant resistance. Even if many Queen St. citizens aren’t aware of what the G20 is or its policies, they know there is determined resistance against it. They also now In the downtown area, again near Queen and Spadina, and have an example of successful militant attacks in the face

FTTP #10//G20 Resistance Report-Pg. 34 of a massive security operation, in the (“Behind the Black Bloc,” by Jesse Rather, what Mike Webster sees are downtown financial district of the larg- McLean, Toronto Star, June 27, 2010) ‘very thoughtful people’... est city in Canada. Despite the overall demonization of the “The vast majority of people in that Despite the usual condemnations re- Black Bloc, there is also a significant crowd are not bad people,’ Webster told garding ‘mindless violence’, the over- appreciation of their audacity and ef- the Georgia Straight in a phone inter- whelming majority of attacks were fectiveness among the general popula- view... ‘They’ve got the same values against state or corporate targets. Many tion: that most of the rest of us have. If they journalists noted that property destruc- didn’t, they’d be in jail, locked up in jail tion was limited almost exclusively to “‘They’re very organized—it’s almost for murder.’ banks and corporations. Despite To- like a cat-and-mouse game,’ one ob- ronto police chief Blair’s assertions server said. They are picking the few “A BC-based crisis-management ex- of ‘mindless’ destruction, it was obvi- weaknesses they can find in the cops pert who has consulted with the RCMP, ous that the attacks were targeted and and targeting them and then quickly the FBI, and many other police forces avoided violence against persons (even dispersing so they don’t get caught.” inside and outside of Canada, Webster against police for the most part): went as far as arguing that black bloc (“Organized anarchy,” Toronto Sun, activists aren’t much different from “On Queen Street West, the scene of June 27, 2010) ‘well-socialized young individuals’ burning police cars Saturday, mer- who go off to fight a war believing it’s chants surveyed the damage yesterday “After bringing in thousands of rein- an honourable thing to do.” and noted there was method to the mad- forcements, police still managed to be ness of rioters. They targeted the icons outwitted and outrun by a determined (“Anarchist actions have complicat- of consumerism and financing. group of anarchists bent on destruc- ed motives,” Carlito Pablo, Georgia tion.” Straight, July 1-8, 2010) “The list of battered stores in the strip between University and Spadina in- (“Police burned by protesters,” by Mi- Damages cludes Starbucks, Foot Locker, Nike chelle Shephard, Toronto Star, Sunday and Gap. Every bank branch along the June 27, 2010) The total amount of damages inflicted strip also had windows smashed. during the Toronto G20 Summit has The mystique of the Black Bloc, itself yet to be determined. It is surely over “Independent shop owners were a powerful propaganda image, was a million dollars. According to Tim By- spared—at least by the rioters. These strengthened by media accounts of the rne, manager of Stadia Industries Ltd., merchants instead complained of a ‘mysterious,’ ‘sinister’ and ‘elusive’ his company alone had replaced about sharp drop in business due to the G20 militants, with headlines such as “Vio- $750,000 in broken windows by Sun- security lockdown.” lent protesters who never were,” “Cat day night (June 27). Each police ve- and mouse game,” “In black and run- hicle was reported to cost $30,000, and (“Cat and mouse game,” Metro (Toron- ning wild,” all of which described the with four utterly destroyed by arson to), June 28, 2010) tactics of the Black Bloc and its intent. would total some $120,000. Along with Most of these reports contained a sur- this numerous other police vehicles had “We were spared... I do have a feeling prisingly good understanding of the windows smashed and tires slashed. that all these places were targeted. I tactics and intention of the Black Bloc, There was also extensive graffiti on think because we’re an independent noting its origin in West Germany dur- buildings, including “Fuck the Rich,” business, they left us alone.” ing the 1980s and its subsequent emer- “Bomb the Banks,” “Fuck the Police,” gence in North America at the Seattle etc. (Glen Cameron, manager of Sunrise anti-WTO mobilization in 1999. Records, quoted in “It was a mess, Legal Fallout there was glass everywhere,” Katherine One of the more interesting media re- Laidlaw, National Post, June 28, 2010) ports of the Black Bloc was published The majority of those arrested were re- in Vancouver’s Georgia Straight: leased by June 28, with only 320 or so “For the most part, their targets are being charged. Some of these charges specific and symbolic: As the crowd “Neither thugs nor criminals lurk be- include the arson of the cop cars, as- tore across Queen St., they hammered hind the masks of black bloc protesters, sault police, carrying weapons, mis- police cruisers, attacked banks and a renowned police psychologist sug- chief, etc. Those that remained in jail other corporate companies. Yet they left gests. were primarily the 18 or so ‘ringlead- a record store, a local tavern and an in- ers’ charged with multiple counts of dependent hardware shop untouched.” FTTP #10//G20 Resistance Report-Pg. 35 ‘conspiracy to commit mischief over $5,000.’ In the crimes’ in an effort to punish her. The most recent arrest Canadian Criminal Code, mischief is a vague and all- occurred September 29 when a member of the Chilean inclusive charge for any damage to property. Despite Women’s Coordinating Committee (Mapuche women its trivial sounding title, mischief over $5,000 carries a from Chile) was charged with conspiracy. maximum 10 year sentence (if it is an indictable offense, if it is a summary charge the maximum sentence is 2 On August 23, 2010, some 306 defendants appeared in a years in jail). Conspiracy charges for indictable offenses mass court appearance in Toronto. 104 had their charges (such as mischief) have the same sentences. dropped, while some 33 others plea bargained for diver- sion (in which there is no criminal record and a fine is Most of those charged with conspiracy were members paid). The remainder, approximately 235 (including the of SOAR. Alex Hundert and Leah Henderson, among 18 or so facing more serious conspiracy charges) still the last to remain in jail of the conspiracy charges, were await court dates and trials. released on July 19. Eric Rankin, also charged with con- spiracy, was not released until September and spent three Further Information on Ways to Help: months in prison after being repeatedly denied bail. The bail conditions of many defendants include provisions Toronto Community Mobilization Network that many of them live with their parents, not to have www.g20.torontomobilize.org/support contact with other defendants, not to participate in pro- Toronto Movement Defence Committee: tests, not to use cell phones or internet, etc. On Sept. http://movementdefence.org 18, Alex Hundert was re-arrested by police, who accused him of violating his bail conditions after speaking at a FTTP NOTE: public forum earlier that night.

A couple of weeks after the protests, Toronto police be- This article originally appeared in a pamphlet called gan publishing ‘wanted’ posters with photos of people “Fire and Flames.” It was edited by the author for participating in the protests. Many were identified in this this magazine. manner and/or turned themselves in. Additional arrests occurred through August and into September, primarily Additional writing by the author can be read at: in Ontario but also in Quebec. One of those later identifed www.warriorpublications.com through photographic evidence was Kelly Pflug-Black of Guelph, charged with five counts of causing mischief over $5,000. As one of the few charged for actual Black Bloc actions, police have elevated her charges to ‘hate

“...black bloc activists aren’t much different from ‘well- socialized young individuals’ who go off to fight a war believing it’s an honourable thing to do.” Oakland Disgraced. Tensions Re-Ignite:

An interview regarding recent events in the Bay.

Interview Key: FTTP: Fire to the Prisons FTTP: Since our last issue, Johannes’ trial that was moved BAR: Bay Area Resident to a “less bias” L.A county court, was concluded, leaving Jo- hannes with an almost “711 robbery” equivalent conviction for shooting a young black man in his back while he was on FTTP: The murder of Oscar Grant by Bart (Bay Area Rap- his stomach on the ground. Could you describe some of the id Transit) police officer Johannes Mehserle in Oakland, CA, responses by frustrated Bay Area communities that followed is something we have reported on multiple times in this pub- these events? lication, could you provide a brief description of the back- ground of these events for new readers? BAR: People were pissed, and disgusted, and large numbers of Bay Area residents understood this verdict as the blatant BAR: On January 1st, 2009. Oscar Grant, a young black racism that it was. Large segments of the Bay Area popula- man from nearby Hayward, California, was detained by tran- tions felt that there needed to be some kind of response if he sit police officer Johannes Mehserle. As Grant was laying wasn’t convicted of murder – given how incontrovertible the on his back, prone and unarmed, Mehserle shot him once murder was. But, as the question below indicates, the City in the back, killing him. The murder set off weeks of oc- of Oakland, in conjunction with the police departments and casional rioting and demonstrations in the SF Bay Area. On sectors of the non-profit industrial complex which the police January 8th, 2009 over 120 people were arrested in down- essentially deputized, ran an extraordinarily effective cam- town Oakland after participating in hours of rioting. All of paign in the weeks leading up to the verdict – attempting these charges were eventually dropped. With the “Oakland to split the anti-police violence movement along race lines: Rebellion” having forced the government’s hands, Johannes “White” or “professional” anarchists from “outside the com- Mehserle was eventually arrested and charged with the mur- munity” would riot in the event of a verdict of manslaughter der of Oscar Grant. FTTP #10//Oakland Disgraced-Pg. 37 or lower. Tip lines were established to overwhelmingly on the side of police. identities, stopping photographers, etc. report on “anarchist activities” and the Reports indicate that different police local media featured daily stories about and sheriff’s departments would slowly Dozens of people were arrested on military-style staging operations at the secure intersection after intersection the 8th, although most have had their Port of Oakland, National Guard units where there were reports of rioting charges dropped as of late. To our great on standby, etc. This was reminiscent – they would pull up in the cars and misfortune, several people were con- of Iraq/Afghanistan war “psychologi- line-up on two corners. But the crowd victed of parole violations and sen- cal operations”, and I think it was farily moved faster than this response. (On tenced in single-year terms in county effective in keeping people home. I one building the words “cops are slow” jail. It is expected that they will serve don’t think that the lessons from this appeared in red paint). What eventually 6-8 months of their actual term. One have been fully integrated. ended it, apparently, was the combina- older man, Art Jackson, was wrong- tion of surveillance teams and snatch fully arrested later that night under the But, of course, nothing could truly stop squads which would first identify and pretense of possession of stolen proper- the popular outrage once the invol- then grab individuals who were wear- ty that he supposedly looted earlier that untary manslaughter verdict was an- ing distinctive clothing. Reports in- day from Foot Locker. After spending nounced. A crowd of close to a 1000 dicate that this was very effective in 45 days in county jail, he was bonded people gathered downtown, and despite scattering the rioters, and things were out of jail by the magnificent and hard- speaker after speaker parroting the non- largely over before midnight, even as working anarchists of the Oakland 100 profits’ line about outside agitators, long lines of hundreds of police cars Support Committee. and the importance of a “peaceful” from neighboring counties were still response, as night fell and the police driving into the city center. Many people are still facing charges, began to move upon the crowd, sponta- ranging from misdemeanor charges neous looting and smashing and graffiti Almost immediately, even before things of “Remaining at the Scene of a Riot” began very quickly, first with the loot- had really developed, local newspapers to more serious felony arson charges. ing of Footlocker –fitteds and running and TV outlets began running stories Any monetary donations are appreci- shoes and t-shirts flying through the air with headlines blaming the rioting on ated and should be directed through the – and graffiti like “involuntary property “white anarchists,” below which there Oakland 100 Support Committee, who destruction” appearing on the walls. would be a picture of largely black and are working directly with the defen- Police were unable to do anything at brown youth. The cognitive dissonance dants and their lawyers. first, due to the numbers, even though was unbelievable, and this script con- they had the crowd effectively kettled. tinued playing the next day, and the For information on donating as well As people broke out of the kettle, riot- day after that, with the District Attor- as up to date legal information please ing moved northward up Broadway ney even talking about suing “outside check their website at and Telegraph where, as some media agitators” for damages and issuing “re- www.supporttheoakland100. outlets reported, close to 100 business straining orders” to keep them out of wordpress.com were targeted. Despite the media’s Oakland – as if the fact that the people typical focus on the very few “small lived in Berkeley or San Francisco (all Or you could aso join the businesses” – a sushi bar (gentrifica- served by BART) made one bit of dif- Oakland100 Facebook page. tion outpost) and a pawnshop (preda- ference. But of course, once the scores tory instrument) – walking through the of people arrested began appearing FTTP: Police murder, especially of district the next day, one could see that for their arraignments the Justice sys- young black men is obviously not an the targeted were, for the most part, tem revealed that, despite blaming the isolated incident. With that said, do corporate stores, banks and commercial whole thing on “white anarchists”, they you feel that if the shooting was not real-estate. One report says that as the would continue with the racist, differ- caught on camera, Oscar Grant’s mur- crowd moved up the street smashing ential treatment of black and brown der would have gone unnoticed? and burning, voices would cry out, “not people, repeatedly denying bail for that one, that’s a mom and pop.”. Dis- people on probation or parole (usu- BAR: Unfortunately, yes. It is the role plays were dragged out of store win- ally non-white) who had been swept of the police to control, intimidate, sup- dows and burned in the streets; burn- up during the riots. Many people are press, and murder, and especially young ing dumpsters were used as barricades; still facing charges, and some remain people of color. This should come as no Whole Foods was nearly looted. in jail. Photographs were used – in of- news to any aware person. The police, ten ridiculous ways – to arrest people even in a supposedly “progressive” Police departments from all over the after the fact, further emphasizing the area like the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Bay Area were called in to importance of practical solidarity in the kill and injure young black and brown quell the rioting, and the numbers were form of helping people to conceal their people on a regular basis. Even since

FTTP #10//Oakland Disgraced-Pg. 38 the Oakland Rebellion occurred and the Justice BAR: The intentions behind the rhetoric of “out- for Oscar Grant movement swelled, the police side agitators” was clearly to divide the move- have continued to murder people in Oakland with ment. Local Non-Profits such as Youth Uprising near impunity. 10 days after the rioting in re- (who received a $1.5 million dollar grant from the sponse to the Mehserle verdict, on July 17, 2010, City of Oakland) directly colluded with The City Oakland and BART police officers shot and killed of Oakland, the Mayors Office, and the Oakland Fred Collins right outside the very same BART Police Department to try and deflate the move- station in which Oscar Grant was murdered. Cop- ment for Oscar Grant by dividing it along race and watching, both formally as a group or informally geographic lines, implying that “white anarchists as a dispersed practice is a key way to track police from Berkeley and San Francisco” were behind violence and should be widely encouraged, prac- the rioting. This paternalistic line of argument ticed, and disseminated. is an exact copy of the type of rhetoric directed against the civil rights movements by southern FTTP: When reading reports from leftist orga- law enforcement when they stated that white, nizations or mainstream media sources about the outside agitators were brainwashing their “good rioting and unrest that came both after Oscar’s southern Negroes”. Fortunately, this propaganda original murder, and Johannes’ recent convic- was not able to completely quash the movement tion, it appears that there is a trend of blaming and steal people’s anger, though its damaging ef- “outside agitators”. We continue to see activists fects do continue to be felt in Oakland, being a and police using the same rhetoric to almost de- possible reason why a more sustained urban re- liberately disempower the community response bellion never took hold after Mehserle’s paltry to Oscar’s death and weaken tensions between conviction. Radicals in other areas should take people and police in the area. What do you think note of this fact and mercilessly critique any ac- the intentions behind these allegations are? Also tivity of the Non-Profit Industrial Complex. how do you feel about the similarities in rhetoric and approach shared by Leftists NGOs and police spokespeople?

“The actions of the living is the only thing that will maintain the memories of those who died.”

FTTP #10//Oakland Disgraced-Pg. 39 REPRESSION

News on the obstacles before revolt. Solidarity Prisoner Letters Eric McDavid’s Being Closely Appeal Denied Supporting Monitored by the FBI eachother. From Sacramento Prisoner Support:

After having filed a Freedom of Informa- Dear friends, Learning tion Act (FOIA) request, Eric McDavid’s It is with heavy hearts that we write to tell from eachother. support group has come across a troubling you that Tuesday, September 21st, the 9th -- if not surprising -- revelation: The FBI has circuit court denied Eric’s appeal of his con- been keeping track of who has been writing viction and sentencing. Given all that has Standing Eric. The support group has sorted through strong together. happened these past 4+ years, this news isn’t hundreds of pages documenting Eric’s cor- shocking so much as it is maddening and respondence with people around the world, upsetting. The state has, from the beginning, and has found that not only have those peo- used dirty tricks and lies to hold Eric cap- ple been placed on lists, but the FBI has sent This section is reserved tive. As many have said, they wished to make out alerts to the nearest field offices to those an example of him... for updates and news clips who have been writing Eric. regarding state repression And in that, at least, they have been suc- of individuals or com- The alerts included language warning the munities in active revolt cessful. But not in the way that they might FBI in other cities of a “possible environ- have wished. Because for us, Eric has been against society as we mental/animal rights extremist” or “a pos- know it. a constant example of strength, courage and sible anarchist extremist” in their commu- integrity. Of staying the course, even when nity. Later reports also included a statement Due to space issues we the deck is totally stacked against him. And which read, in part: “this information has of not losing one’s Self in the midst of poten- have chosen to prioritize been determined to be of such a nature that mostly cases that have tially crushing adversity. This is a very diffi- some follow-up as to the possibility of crim- cult time for Eric and his loved ones. Please happened or are on-going inal activity is warranted...” Eric’s support in North America. send Eric a note of support to let him know group wants to make clear however, that he is not forgotten. For more info on how to “We are not sharing this information to raise Although we have a few write Eric, you can visit his website at: alarm or spread fear. We have every inten- www.supporteric.org international articles, we tion of continuing to write political prison- apologize for missing ers, and we urge others to do the same. That others that we would have Yours, said, we hope to expose the FBI’s politically Sacramento Prisoner Support liked to include here. motivated investigations and, unlike the FBI, we believe people have a right to know when PS: Eric’s lawyer is pursuing a petition for Struggle is a constant they have been spied on.” occurrence. It’s indispens- a rehearing. This is not quite the end of the able that we stay informed road as far as appeals are concerned. We If you wish to see the documents for your- will keep you updated on any progress. of what others are going self, visit: supporteric.org through as a result of their opposition to our common FTTP Note: FTTP Note: Eric is in jail for 20 years for a crime that conditions. This is what When writing prisoners, when getting a allows our communities never took place. His case marks the dawn phone (Metro PCS, Boost, or no contract of a new era of federal policing and premed- in revolt to set a precedent phones?), or when using your fucking face- for one another: that when itated “conspiracy” based arrests. Eric’s book (Maybe famous Spanish celebrities situation is quite noticeably one of the most times are tough, and the as your name), Unless you have to, there state is on the offensive, harsh and frightening that we have had to should be no reason for ever identifying report on. Although he has been starved, no one will ever have to yourself with your real name, Although now endure it alone. framed, betrayed, and imprisoned, Eric has it has been proven that the state acts the way remained a committed member of a larger we worry about, when writing a comrade in movement, and his courage is something to prison it should be assumed that the state is be admired. going to use that as an opportunity to gain more information on the movement the indi- Please find out more at: vidual is being imprisoned for. www.supporteric.org

FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 41 An update on the we do not support this kind of activity.” We do not believe that methods Conversely, we found support in unex- shouldn’t be questioned, or that in the Asheville 11 pected places – friends and comrades heat of struggle mistakes are not made. came out of the woodwork to offer help On the contrary, we believe that one’s From Anonymous author: and solidarity, material and otherwise. practices should always be refined and This article was not written by any We found, delightfully, that we had elaborated, questioned, and if neces- member of the Asheville 11, and does misjudged some of the people we now sary discarded. However, we under- not necessarily reflect their views. It is know to be our comrades. stand that the price of revolutionary the position of the authors of this ar- practice is inevitably state repression. ticle that the 11 have not committed any Our dreams are always haunted by the Learning how to deal with it is an es- crimes. spectre of state repression, but facing it sential part of that practice... but being in waking life was a shock to our sys- disappointed by the reactions of our We have found that conflict, whether its tems. To feel the terror of the outside friends shouldn’t be. immediate repercussions are for good world bearing down in the pit of your or ill, is always clarifying. No previous stomach, to see enemies real or imag- The dominant feeling around all of this, lesson has taught us this so well as the ined in a passing car, a security cam- however, is not sadness as much as it is events of May 1st, 2010 in downtown era, a helicopter overhead, even in the shame. We feel shame at our weakness- Asheville, NC. As the sun glinted off odd behavior of a friend... it was and -that we can’t protect our comrades, or the broken glass that littered the streets continues to be a deeply unpleasant ex- were deluded as to what was at stake. of this mountain tourist town on the perience. However, it valuably clarified We are ashamed of the weakness of morning of May 2nd, while the eleven for us the role of repression in the revo- our milieu, and of its cowardice. We individuals rounded up haphazardly in lutionary project, and, as importantly, are ashamed of not being able to mo- the streets after the torrent of vandalism who is and isn’t capable of dealing with bilize the resources necessary to be a took place sat in jail waiting for their it in a manner befitting a comrade. Dur- force and stand up for ourselves. When first court appearance, lines of solidar- ing the weeks following May Day, we we tell international comrades about ity and betrayal were already being saw many of Asheville’s radicals, anti- our situation, they can barely believe drawn and darkened across anarchist authoritarians, anarchists, and fellow us--it’s simply inconceivable that one networks in the US. And so it happened travelers reveal their cowardice–when would not support those accused of that this hard lesson was etched in our forced to stare down the gun barrel that vandalism. It is a fucking shame to see hearts as former friends and comrades is the power of the state, they fled, de- anarchists cry over broken glass. responded with a resounding apathy: nounced us, did whatever they could to “No, we do not support you, because save their skins.

FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 42 In this bitter taste of shame we have found a new resolve: Watch What You Say we shall not be so weak again. Connecticut police say they arrested a man at a management The situation company after he mentioned the shooting rampage across the state that killed nine people and said he understood the killer's After weeks of constant news coverage and internet dia- mind set. Fifty-eight-year-old Francis Laskowski of Derby tribes from outraged citizens, the scandal gradually died was charged with breach of peace Wednesday after making down and most of the participants in Asheville’s down- the comments while working at Fusco Management Co. in town tourist economy resumed normalcy—a quiet, inof- New Haven. fensive hum of exchanging money for sweat and tears, and things less tangible than those. While service workers Nine people died in the shooting Tuesday at Hartford Distribu- busy themselves trying to please yuppies in restaurants and tors in Manchester, including gunman Omar Thornton. Thorn- cafes, tourists from Florida comment about how “unique” ton told police in a 911 call that he wanted to avenge racial Asheville is, with all of its artists and local shops. They discrimination, allegations that company officials denied. speculate about buying a second home. Meanwhile the defendants wait, holding their breath, anxious to find out Laskowski told The Associated Press on Friday that his com- what the future holds for them. ments were blown out of proportion. He says his arrest was "ridiculous" and he didn't make any threats. Laskowski posted The 11 are each being charged with ten misdemeanors and bail and is due in New Haven Superior Court on Tuesday. three felonies and are facing a potential total of five years of jail time. They are accused of $20,000 worth of prop- erty damage, and their combined bail totaled $715,000. Another NYPD Cop Gets Away Their case has been highly politicized. Tried by the me- With Being A Cop dia in the court of public opinion, the 11 were repeatedly referred to in the news as anarchists and vandals before A former New York police officer accused of covering up after they were even bailed out of jail, based only on specious he shoved a Critical Mass protester from his bike – an incident internet searches and the desire to find someone guilty for that was caught on video and viewed by millions of people so many tourists’ discomfort. on YouTube – has walked free from court. Earlier this year, Patrick Pogan was cleared of assault and harassment after he Supporting these arrestees is as delicate and difficult as claimed he acted in self defence. However, he was convicted holding water in your hand. There is no coherent body of falsifying police records. On his return to New York State represented by the title we’ve been using, “the Asheville Supreme Court in Manhattan for sentencing yesterday, he 11” – their only common thread is being embroiled in the faced up to four years in prison. But Justice Maxwell Wiley same ludicrous legal situation. As such, there is also no handed him a conditional discharge and released him without explicit group running their support campaign. Anything punishment. Representatives of the counter-revolutionary or that has been done on their behalf – raising money, tabling issue based group Critical Mass (a “movement” that tries to events , sending postcards to the District Attorney – has radicalize the idea of a more prominent and sanctioned urban been from the initiative of individuals. The defendants can bike culture) movement assured the public that in spite of this, only do what defendants can do—wait for their trials, hold they would continue to cooperate with the police as usual. fast, hope for the future, love their friends. Our role as comrades, friends–as anarchists–is to imagine what else Note: can be done and act accordingly. We included this article simply because the video was so in- tense. We recommend watching it to understand why we would Today we wait anxiously for the next movements of the report on just another cop “getting away with murder”. While justice system’s bureaucratic machinery. It is hard to say the group Critical Mass is well known by revolutionaries for certain at this point what we can expect. All we can around the world as a group that usurps revolutionary ener- say is this: the cruelty of the state has not yet destroyed us. gies and transform them into single issued based “political” angst, it is interesting to see how even if you are practicing We have decided not to die. “free speech” or “exercising your rights”, the state is always entitled to revoke them from you. FTTP Note: The Picture at the top of this article on the prior page was View the video of the bicyclist attacked on YouTube at: a flyer found online at amoryresistencia.blogspot.com www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUkiyBVytRQ

FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 43 Support David Japenga

A Statement from Friends of David: The Anarchist Black Cross Pittsburgh organized three let- David Japenga is a 23 year old Anarchist living in Pitts- ter writings days in support of David. burgh who was convicted on August 25th, 2010 of Felo- ny Criminal Mischief and 4 Misdemeanors for attacking A Communique was read over "What's Really Good Ra- banks and capitalist institutions during the 2009 G-20 in dio" and the show was dedicated to him. Pittsburgh, PA. His $15,000 bond was revoked upon con- viction and he was remanded into the custody of the Al- The 2010 G20 Legal Reportback covering the recent ar- legheny County Jail until his November 26th, 2010 Court rests in Toronto was also dedicated to David. date where the judge will "then" impose sentencing. Ever since the time of his initial arrest approximately one year Graffiti expressing solidarity was painted on the Polytech- ago he has been locked down on house arrest. nic School in Athens, Greece.

The state hates when people get out of line and we love it. Continued support for David is needed. And since his conviction, there have been a number of ac- tions in support of our friend and comrade that we would Letters, books, puzzles can be mailed to him: like to take a minute and put up a shout out to those who David Japenga 153760 came and made it successful. 950 Second Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Immediately after his sentencing around 40 people vis- ited the jail with flares, rocks, drums, a ghetto blaster and More information: screams in support of him and all those taken captive by Facebook.com/SupportDavidJapenga the state. [email protected]

A week later when the judge denied without hearing his For the destruction of jails and in solidarity with all those motion for reconsideration of judgement another demo oc- who attack the system, curred at the jail with around 35 people. This time shoot- ing fireworks at the jail, throwing rocks, banging on drums -Some pissed off friends of David. and guard rails, while inmates flickered their lights in sup- port. FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 44 Marilyn 1971

“A chilly sunday morning burns into brightness Marilyn Buck, the sun’s relentless radiance restrained Committed Revolutionary, by a breeze Passes Away surely touched by the sea

I lie on dry From the NYC Anarchist Black Cross: not-knowing-if-it-is-yet-time-to-die grass We in the New York City chapter of the Anarchist Black Cross Federation are looking up through deeply saddened to write that August 3, 2010 marked an incredible loss for our anti-helicopter wires communities with the death of Marilyn Buck, who for decades has stood as punctuated by garish orange globes an inspiration to radicals and revolutionaries for her militant struggle against against the chalked crystal sky the imperialism and racism of the US government. Known for her role in the liberation of Assata Shakur, Marilyn had been involved in liberation struggles a glider appears for many years (some of which is mentioned below), an involvement that con- above restricted air space tinued through her 25 years of imprisonment. without raising alarm a silver breath In the spirit of the way in which Marilyn lived her life, never giving up her ded- looping beyond confinement ication to the struggles of oppressed peoples, it is important that we increase our efforts to free Marilyn’s comrades who remain behind bars for participat- a being ing in the same struggles. It must be remembered that her death came at the unseeable hands of the state, and we cannot sit by idly while the government continues hangs down to kill our comrades. face to Earth I wave While nothing will be able to fill the space left by Marilyn, our only hope is an illegal spatial contact that the continued work of our movements will do justice to her memory. immured defiance” In Solidarity, The Anarchist Black Cross Federation, NYC Chapter -Marilyn Buck// October 1991

FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 45 More about Marilyn: “Autographia“ clandestine war 1973 In the ‘60s Marilyn participated Post-war 1947 captured by the killers in protests against racism and the born on the white spirit killers nationkillers Vietnam war. In 1967 she became side of the tracks a political prisoner part of Students for a Democratic Texas segregation enemy of the state Society. Marilyn became part of a civil rights preacher’s child terrorist and traitor radical filmmaking and propaganda fled Texas with honor’s diploma white woman dangerous collective, showing the films as an for UC Berkeley and free speech to white Amerika organizing aid at community meet- though I did not know then condemned to years ings, high school groups, workers’ that’s why I left and years of absence committees and in the streets. She a lifetime also participated in international Vietnam war 1965 solidarity groups supporting the what war warmakers Vietnamese, Palestinians and the are you fighting for wait for its prisoners to die Iranian struggle against the Shah. make love not war or go crazy She worked in solidarity with Na- college books tossed into a trunk in or simply wither away into insignifi- tive Americans, Mexicano and some room cance Black liberation struggles. I’ve never seen since fires of internationalism called me I rest, a grain of sand As a direct result of all of this activ- a girl significant on the beach head that ity, she became a target of COIN- to enlist meets the sea TELPRO. In 1973, she was ar- in the anti-war to face the storm rested and convicted of buying two I wage resistance boxes of bullets. Accused of being war against Amerikka to stay alive a member of the BLA [Black Lib- my own women’s liberation on the line I learn to search out freedom in the eration Army], she was sentenced war in Amerikka breath to 10 years, the longest sentence war against the warmakers my cells send out dendrites ever given for such an offense at white-skinned haters to absorb the world and its offerings the time. In 1977 she was granted capitalist consumers of human I offer back a furlough and never returned, lives poems joining the revolutionary clandes- following the tradition and occasional grains of sand tine movement. In 1985 she was Nat Turner John Brown mixed into clay and fired captured and faced four separate Wobblies subversives into sturdiness court trials. She was charged with resistance in the belly of the beast conspiracy to support and free PP/ -Marilyn Buck//Autumn 1999 POWs [political prisoners and pris- oners of war] and to support the New Afrikan Independence strug- gle through expropriations. In 1988 she was indicted for conspiracy to protest and alter government poli- cies through use of violence against government and military buildings and received an additional 10 years for conspiracy to bomb the Capitol.

“I keep taking shapes congenial or not depends on circumstance” Marilyn Marilyn -Marilyn Buck//Oct. 2002 1988 1998

FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 46 Update on Bureau of Prisons released Charges Against proposed rules for the CMU, Daniel opening a 60-day comment Belgrade Anarchists Dropped period for the public (BoP McGowan Docket # 1148-P, Communi- In August of 2009, the Greek embassy in Belgrade was fire- cation Management Units). bombed, in solidarity with Greek anarchists who at the time From Daniel: The unfortunate part of this were bringing the Greek state to near-collapse. In the wake proposal is that they repre- of the attack, 6 prominant anarchists were arrested, in spite ‘After three years in prison sent a huge reduction in com- of the lack of evidence tying them to the firebombing. and hundreds (thousands, munication for prisoners. The even) of letters mailed out, new rules would set the fol- In a welcomed good turn of events, the Belgrade High I have gotten to the point lowing standards: Court acquitted them, because the prosecution’s charge where there is little to write could not be proven. "The basis for acquittal is the legal, about. Prison life is remark- 1) Only one phone call per not political. It is not proven that the accused committed the ably static—so unchanging month (to immediate family). crime," said the judge Dragomir Gerasimovic. in its daily routine—that 2) Only one hour, non-con- news resonates here in a pro- tact, visit per month (with Some of those arrested had this to say: nounced way. The early part immediate family). of April brought some major 3) Only one, 3 page letter, to "The trial has confirmed what we already knew, that this announcements that will pro- and from a single recipient country kidnapped us for political reasons and kept us in foundly affect my life here in per week. ‘ jail for 6 months. For total of six of us we have been in the Bureau of Prison’s Com- prison more than 1,000 days," said Tadej Kurepa. munication Management These regulations, if passed, Unit (CMU). Finally, my would greatly diminish Dan- "They showed us now 'we can keep you 6 months without friends will be saved from the iel’s quality of life, and so it any evidence', which is seen in court, the only thing they endless litany of letters about is important that these issues were not allowed to do because it is so clear that there are what TV shows I watch, be made very public, and no grounds. They didn't dare at the end to condemn us, but Prison drama, my workouts not hidden behind typical they did what they wanted - they kept us 6 months in jail and books I have read that bureaucratic red tape. This with no contact with friends. What they didn't achieve is to week!... battle is just a small part of break our organization," said Trivunac. the larger struggle against On March 30th, the Center prisons, so it’s important for for Constitutional Rights everyone to find ways to be (CCR) filed suit on my be- involved. half against the BoP regard- Pie-thrower ing this unit (Aref v. Holder, Stay updated at: Facing Serious Charges D.C. Circuit)....Just one week http://www.supportdaniel.org after the lawsuit was filed, the Ahlam Mohsen, a 22-year-old student at Michigan State University, is facing years in prison after throwing a pie in the face of Senator Carl Levin, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, at a press conference he was giving.

As another protestor finished reading a statement implicat- ing the senator in war crimes, Mohsen threw an apple pie at the senator. She reportedly told the Big Rapids Pioneer newspaper that she wanted to “send a message that liberals and Democrats are just as implicated in the violence of war as the Republicans.”

Shortly after the incident, Mohsen was arrested by police and taken to Mecosta County Jail, where she awaits arraign- ment on felony charges of assault and stalking. Kantar was Daniel arrested Aug. 18 for his involvement in the incident and is also facing felony charges of stalking, but was released Mcgowan Aug. 20 on a $10,000 bond. Mohsen remains in custody.

FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 47 Post-mortem for RBC Branch in Ottawa

Three arrested in In response, cops arrested 3 ottowa men, and charged connection with them with the following: Roger Clement, of Ottawa, charged with arson causing damage, possession of in- Royal Bank of Canada cendiary material, using explosives with intent to cause Arson Attack property damage, and mischief; Mathew Morgan-Brown, of Ottawa, charged with arson, arson causing damage, In response to the Vancouver olympics and the continuing possession of incendiary material, using explosives with destruction of the ‘tar sands’ portion of Alberta, a group intent to cause property damage, and mischief; Claude of militants firebombed a branch of the Royal Bank of Haridge, of Ottawa, charged with arson, careless storage Canada, which had been bankrolling both projects. The and handling of ammunition, and mischief. blast, which occurred at 3:30 a.m. on May 18 in the RBC branch in the Glebe neighbourhood of Ottawa, was first The case is still developing, and questions about sup- reported as a suspicious fire. But a day later, a video of port can be directed to: the bank-front erupting into flames appeared on a local [email protected] website, posted by an activist group calling itself FFFC- Ottawa. The video of the firebombing, filmed from across Past news reports and most likely future updates as the street, appeared with a statement of protest against well can be read on the following web site: RBC, which the group said was a strong sponsor of the www.ottawa.indymedia.org 2010 Vancouver Olympics that had taken place on “sto- len indigenous land.” The bank suffered about $500,000 in damage, he said, far more than originally reported. The branch is still closed. FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 48 Repression in Russia and Belarus

In recent weeks, the Russian and Belarussian states have been ramping up efforts to round up anarchists and other radicals, in connection to a number of acts of resistance. Those acts of resistance include a huge campaign, led by anarchists and antifascists, against the destruction of forests in Khimki, Rus- sia; an attack against a government controlled union building; an attack against a Russian embassy in solidarity with those arrested in the Khimki cam- paign; and an attack against a bank. The last three of those actions took place in Belarus.

For the past 3 years, many Russians have been in- volved in a movement to stop the construction of a highway that would destroy much of the forest in Ice: Immigrations and Khimki, an area near Moscow. On July 28, 2010, Customs Enforcement more than two hundred young antifascists and anar- chists carried out a spontaneous demonstration out- side the town administration building in Khimki, a suburb of Moscow. They demonstrated in defence of the Khimki Forest, which was at that time in ICE in Practice charges of unlawful restraint oc- the process of being cut down for the needs of big curred when Mr. Dunn took the business. The demonstration, during which several Working quickly and quietly, the victims to the above location windows were broken, received a great deal of pub- US government has been wag- against their will. One victim told lic attention. The police responded with a wave of ing a constant war against un- officers she thought she would be repressions. documented people under the either “killed or violated.” auspices of the Immigration and The day after the demonstration, two well-known Customs Enforcement agency, or These charges are not unique to social activists, Alexei Gaskarov and Maxim So- ICE. Running into homes usu- this one guard or detention cen- lopov, were arrested. They are now threatened with ally under cover of darkness, ICE ter. The ACLU has listed a num- up to seven years in prison for disorderly conduct, will grab as many so-called ‘ille- ber of other sexual abuse cases in although there is no evidence of their complicity in gal immigrants’ as possible, and other locations in the gulag-like illegal activities. leave their neighbors wondering detention system. It should be what happened. What happens to clear, however, that we are not in The repression in Belarus has come as a result of a those rounded up? Usually they favor of reforming these institu- molotov cocktail attack on the Russian embassy in are taken to detention centers, tions. The only way to prevent Minsk, done in solidarity with the Khimki arrestees, like the T. Don Hutto Residen- futher abuses from occurring is as well as other militant actions. So far, 11 people tial Center in Texas, a detention through the complete destruction have been arrested, many of them anarchists, and center where it has recently come of the detention system and all the police in Belarus have the ability to hold them to light that at least one of the other prisons. for a number of months without pressing charges. guards had been sexually abusing the detainees in the women-only Information on how to support the Khimki arrestees facility. can be found at www.khimkibattle.org.

Three women that were inter- For information on supporting those affected by viewed told detectives that they the Belarussian repression, email: were inappropriately touched [email protected] outside of their clothing. Two of the three victims said they were unlawfully restrained. The two

FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 49 Update on Rod Coronado

Rod Coronado is well known throughout anarchist circles for his uncompromising militancy in defense of the natural world. Rod helped to sink half the Icelandic whaling fleet, has freed thousands of mink, attacked research facilities that torture animals, has helped to sabotage mountain lion hunts, and continues to be an advocate for revolutionary change. As a result of his unwavering commitment, Rod has been sen- tenced to prison a number of times, most recently for dem- onstrating how to construct a ‘destructive device’ at a talk he gave. Since 2005, he has been on ‘supervised release’, which is similar to federal parole, for his actions is disrupting moun- tain lion hunts.

Regarding repression On August 3, 2010, Rod Coronado was sentenced to four of those acting for the months in federal prison for allegedly violating the terms liberation of non-human of his probation, i.e., for “associating” with Earth First! species from domination cofounder and former Greenpeace U.S.A. Director Mike Roselle, by accepting his “friendship” on Facebook, and for accessing an unauthorized computer outside his home. Un- fortunately, upon his release, a new 3 year term of supervised Alex Hall Moved release will begin. Alex Hall, who was convicted of liberating mink from one farm and attempting to liberate more mink from a second Regarding Scott and Carrie farm, has now been moved from a local jail to a federal pris- on. On Monday, September 13, 2010, Scott DeMuth pled guilty to one count of misdemeanor conspiracy to commit animal This is his new address; enterprise terrorism under the Animal Enterprise Protection make sure to write him to show support. Act for his role in the April 29, 2006 ALF raid on Lakeside Alex Hall Ferrets, Inc., in Howard Lake, Minnesota. The plea was to 15908-081 a lesser included charge of the second superseding indict- FCI Englewood ment (available here: http://davenportgrandjury.files.word- Federal Correctional Institution press.com/2010/02/10-0413second-superceding-indictment. 9595 West Quincy Avenue pdf) for an action causing less than $10,000 in damage, and Littleton, CO 80123 USA carries a maximum of six months in prison and a period of supervised release. As a condition of Scott’s plea, the govern- He has been told he will be released to a halfway house in De- ment has agreed to ask for a sentence of the full six months cember. Meanwhile, the BOP has decided his co-defendant, in prison, but not to ask for the imposition of any fine. This is William Viehl, will be released in September. NOT a cooperating plea agreement; Scott has not been asked to testify against anyone else, nor would he do so. Though the action in question was committed in a different federal dis- FBI visit trict and, according to Judge Jarvey, lacked any connection to the Southern District of Iowa, Scott also agreed to waive his The FBI reportedly visited a former east coast activist to- right to contest the venue in which it was prosecuted. Scott’s wards the end of August 2010, inquiring about an animal sentencing has been scheduled for December 15, 2010, with rights activist in Utah. The questioning appears to be related a surrender date likely to be set for early 2011. In the mean- to the recent raid of an activist house in Salt Lake City. time, the government raised no objection to his continued re- lease, and agreed to the removal of his electronic monitoring, Another FBI Visit stating that he “poses no flight risk.”

An activist in Minneapolis was approached by two FBI agents The plea agreement is available at: at a gas station August 16th. The report does not specify www.davenportgrandjury.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/09- what the agents were investigating, or what information was 13plea-agreement.pdf sought. The person refused to speak to them, and drove away. FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 50 Scott Carrie

Though Scott has accepted respon- not only his own possible convic- lead to some sort of prosecution. sibility for the Lakeside Ferrets tion and imprisonment, but also that raid, we fundamentally disagree of two friends and comrades. Apparently, the only office that bit with the government’s position was Cronk’s, and he began a zeal- that such acts of liberation warrant We also think it is important to re- ous effort to inject new life into the punishment, and we do not believe mind everyone of the way this case case around the 2004 UI raid. In the that the resolution of this case is a began, as it reveals much more fall of 2009, he subpoenaed Carrie simple matter of guilt versus inno- about the system than does the reso- and Scott to a federal grand jury, of- cence. Despite the nominal right to lution. In August of 2008, a multi- fering them immunity in exchange a jury trial in US courts, the legal agency investigation into anti-RNC for their testimony. They refused to system functions in a manner that protest activity in the Twin Cities cooperate and were jailed in Iowa deprives defendants of just options. culminated in raids, arrests and con- on civil contempt, where Carrie As happened with Scott, people spiracy charges against eight anar- stayed for four months before be- are routinely threatened with over- chist organizers. As Special Agent ing released with no real explana- blown charges and disproportion- Maureen Mazzola testified to on tion. On the other hand, after only ate sentencing should they exercise the stand in Scott’s pre-trial hear- a few days in jail Scott was indicted their right to a trial in order to co- ing, the FBI used the pretext of this for conspiracy to commit “animal erce guilty pleas. Prosecutors often raid as a fishing expedition, search- enterprise terrorism” and accused take things a step further, ensnar- ing Scott’s room for anything link- of having some involvement in the ing the friends and family of the ing him to “criminal activities” that 2004 UI raid. Likely due to the fact accused. In this case, Assistant US fell well outside of the scope of the that Scott was not guilty of this, the Attorney Cliff Cronk subpoenaed search warrant being executed. In original indictment (and, later, the Carrie Feldman and Sonja Silver- this process, Mazzola came across a first superseding indictment) failed nail to testify at Scott’s trial. Both journal that she mistakenly believed to establish what Scott was actually Carrie and Sonja decided that they linked him to the 2004 ALF raid at alleged to have done to conspire. would refuse to testify, meaning the University of Iowa. FBI agents Cronk deftly avoided dealing with that they would almost certainly later reviewed this and other seized the problem by issuing supersed- have been held in contempt of court materials, including his computer, ing indictments each time Scott’s and could have been incarcerated and we believe that at some point in attorneys filed motions to dismiss, for months or even years (there is the year after the RNC, they began rendering the arguments moot. But no maximum sentence for criminal communicating with US Attorney’s at some point in all of this, Cronk contempt). Thus, the risks associat- offices throughout the Midwest in became aware of evidence linking ed with Scott going to trial included hopes that the items taken would Scott to the 2006 Lakeside Ferrets

FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 51 raid, and in the second superseding While we’re of course glad that Scott Jordan Holliday indictment, he tacked this action on is no longer facing the possibility of to the alleged conspiracy, hoping that three years in prison, those of us who A Utah animal rights activist who re- Scott’s involvement in it could be have supported him throughout this sisted a federal grand jury is now facing used to finally convict someone for process find little cause for celebra- even more prison time than those he was the UI raid. In the end, Cronk has had tion at this moment. Nonetheless, we brought to testify against. to settle for a guilty plea to a lesser support Scott in his decision, we urge offense, one that occurred outside of others to do the same, and we are Jordan Halliday, who was the founder of his district and which had no connec- proud to stand in solidarity with him a local animal rights group, The Animal tion to the case he wanted to build. and all those who take radical action Defense League of Salt Lake City, was The raid on the University of Iowa in defense of animals and against brought before the federal grand jury un- remains unsolved, and it is clearer systems of exploitation. der suspicions he might know informa- than ever that the case Cronk origi- tion regarding recent underground animal nally brought against Scott was abu- Although the courtroom portion of liberation activity. He refused to talk and sive, vindictive and lacking in any Scott’s ordeal is almost over, his was placed in federal custody for nearly 4 factual basis. struggle is not. He still faces large months under civil contempt of court, to legal expenses, for which we need try and compel him to testify. In an era where “fighting terrorism” to raise another $5000 as quickly as is the justification of choice for all possible. And there will be additional Alex Hall and William Viehl were both manner of racist, xenophobic and support needed for his commissary indicted, convicted and sentenced to 24 COINTELPRO-type assaults on when he’s taken into custody in Janu- months and 21 months respectively for marginalized communities, the real- ary. their roles in releasing mink from a South ity we face as radicals is that we are Jordan, Utah mink farm. all terrorists in the eyes of the state. We ask all (who are able) to help Evidence linking Scott to the Lake- us meet this need. Donations can Upon being released Halliday was side Ferrets raid had apparently ex- be made online at: charged with federal criminal contempt isted for several years, but the fact www.davenportgrandjury.wordpress. of court. that this wasn’t important enough com for the government to pursue until Halliday is the first dissident in decades four years later demonstrates how Checks or money orders can be (with only 2 other radicals prior in the little his misdemeanor activity in and made out to Coldsnap Legal 1970’s) to be charged with criminal of itself really mattered at all. The Collective with “EWOK!” in the contempt after already serving time for more significant truth in this case is memo line and sent to: civil contempt for the same act of recalci- that the state criminalizes political EWOK! c/o Coldsnap, trance, and faces a maximum penalty of 2 dissent and targets individuals and P.O. Box 50514, Minneapolis, MN years for this latest charge. communities because of their politi- 55405. cal beliefs and associations, with a The government has openly stated that single-minded dedication to locking Lastly, we would like to say thank Halliday is not a suspect in the Animal people up and little concern for the you to everyone who has shown sup- Liberation case, yet he is still facing even truth. And in their dedication to de- port for Scott, Carrie, and Sonja over more time than those who were convicted. stroying any movement that threat- the months since the initial subpoe- ens their hegemony, law enforcement nas. We hope that the work done on His sentencing is set for November 3rd, and prosecutors collaborate in throw- this case so far has contributed posi- 2010. ing mountains of shit at the wall just tively to our movement’s ability to to see what sticks. The mere fact of deal with state repression, and that as For more information go to: Scott’s vocal support for radical ac- we face situations such as this in the supportjordan.com tions and ideas made him a target of future, we continue to come together the FBI several years ago, and he was and build stronger communities of swept up in a case that he had nothing resistance. to do with simply because he lived in a house with other anarchists, who In solidarity, themselves have been singled out by the Scott & Carrie the state for their politics. Support Committee (SCSC)

FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 52 29 Arrested in Support Alfredo Olympia and Christos

Back in April, a group of people The date for the trial of Alfredo in Olympia took to the streets M. Bonanno and Christos Strati- in reaction to yet another mur- gopoulos, arrested on October der at the hands of the police. 1st, 2009 in Greece on charges The group was militant, and of robbery, has been set for proceeded to throw bottles and November 22, 2010. rocks at buildings, break win- dows, spray-paint the slogan The current account for contri- ‘kill cops’ in a number of places butions to support the two com- and drag trash containers into rades in detention is as follows: the streets. The group eventually came into direct confrontation Mail: with the cops, and 29 people A. Medeot, CP 3431, 34128 were arrested. Trieste, Italy.

Two of those arrested have E.mail: faced more serious repression. edizionianarchismo@gmail. Noah Weiss Margaret Belknap, 23 was con- com. victed of ‘third-degree felony assault on a police officer’, and Postal account: sentenced to a month in jail, but No. 23852353, payable to could be out in as little as 15 A. Medeot - c.p. 3431 - Trieste, Charges dropped days with good time. During the Italy, stating “subscription for trial, jurors heard evidence that arrests in Greece”. in Denmark Belknap kicked Olympia Police Officer Chuck Gassett in the Paypal money to them for groin and knee as she was being their legal difficulties via: In late 2009, 100,000 people converged on Cope- arrested. Belknap testified that [email protected] henagen, Denmark to protests the COP15 summit. she did not intentionally kick (Specify in subject that it is for COP15 was meant to bring industrialists and politi- or strike any officers. She said them) cians from around the world together to create poli- she might have had inadvertent cies that would allow production to go unchecked physical contact with an offi- To write to the comrades: while shifting the burden of climate change to those cer. Gassett testified at trial that Alfredo Maria Bonanno ‘less developed’ countries. In a way similar to the Belknap “was making direct Filakes Solomou 3-5 WTO and other multinational summits, COP15 eye contact with me when she 18110 - Korydallos sought to make decisions that will end up negatively was kicking.” Athens (Greece) impacting everyone but the rich, without any kind of transparency or accountability. The protestors sought Paul French was also convicted Christos Stratigopoulos to shut down this charade. of felony assault on an officer, Filakes Solomou 3-5 and was given a sentence of 3 18110 - Korydallos In the street battles that ensued, the police arrested months. He is having difficulty Athens (Greece) over 2000 people, but dropped the charges against raising money for his commis- almost all of them. Noah Weiss (an american) and sary, and so donations are great- Or visit: Natasha Verco, however, were charged with ‘orga- ly appreciated. To send funds, aftertrikala.blogspot.com nizing illegal activities’ and took the charges to trial. just mail him a postal money Unsuprisingly, these charges were found to be with- order. Note: out merit, and both Weiss and Verco were found not This case has been mentioned guilty. Two more people, Tannie and Stine, will be He can be written at: multiple times in FTTP since it going to court in October for the same charges, and Paul Joseph French C/O originally began. Please take will hopefully be acquitted as well. Thurston County Corrections the time to either visit their sup- 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW port website, or cite prior issues For more information, contact the people at: Olympia, WA 98502 to understand the history behind climatecollective.org this case. Solidarity with Chilean Prisoners in London

Raids and Repression These raids are the work of the new State’s Attorney Alejan- dro Pena, who has summoned the specter of an international in Recent Chile anarchy terrorist conspiracy. The media has seized on the sensationalized raids, and court appearances of the arrested Over the past few years a series of bombings has rocked the comrades and continue to parrot the government line about Chilean city of Santiago. It became clear that the attacks anarchist terror cells, and “anarchist centers of power” aka were the works of an insurrectionary segment of the anar- infoshops and social centers. Chilean authorities have alleg- chist movement in chile. Over 100 attacks in the past few edly been working with the German Intelligence Service in years have targeted banks, multi national corporations, em- an attempt to find an Italian anarchist Chilean police believe bassies, police stations, and government offices in Santiago is responsible for sending money to chilean anarchists to buy and throughout the chilean state. These attacks combined bomb making materials. The persecution of the chilean anar- with an equally tenacious above ground movement including chist movement has become an international affair. squatted social centers , occupations, and mass rioting dur- ing popular demonstrations have in the past years given the This new wave of repression has reached astonishing levels. chilean anarchist movement notoriety both within chile and Supporters of the accused conspirators were arrested for the internationally. mere act of distributing fliers outside of a metro station, the court where the anarchist prisoners were brought for their The struggle of the indigenous Mapuche people has also first appearance was surrounded by police. A security perim- added to the escalation of conflict within the Chilean state. eter including water cannons, and armored cars. While 6 of Recently a group of imprisoned Mapuche political prisoners the comrades arrested on August 14th have been released on took part in a hunger strike that lasted 90 days. In this context bail due to lack of evidence, the state’s attempt to frame the of increasing social conflict in Chile the right wing politi- remaining 8 continue. Those in jail continue to release com- cian and millionaire Sebastian Piñera was elected president, muniques speaking of their determination to make it through promising to bring a law and order agenda to Chile. Though this ordeal and their solidarity with the Mapuche hunger his repression of social movements follows in the tradition strikers. There have been reports that some of the prison- of the outgoing Socialist administration, repression in Chile ers have been beaten by guards who have declared “In this has peaked, and the hammer of the state has fallen on the prison the cops are in control!”, in response to these aggres- anarchists of Chile. sions an arson attack was carried out on a Police precinct. The communique read: Early in the morning of Saturday, August 14, agents of the Chilean state took part in a coordinated multi city operation, This was an act of vengeance raiding the self-organized social centre Jonny Cariqueo and the squatted social center and library Sacco and Vanzetti in Last week we received news that our comrades incarcerated Santiago, permanently vacating the latter. Several private for the ‘Bombing Case’ were arbitrarily transferred to Pe- residences were also raided, and 14 comrades taken into cus- nal 1 in Santiago, about their hunger strike and how they tody, with charges of illicit association and placing bombs. got punished for it for a month, about the battering that our

FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 54 friend, comrade and brother ‘Grand- pa’ Camilo received, that’s why we decided to arm ourselves with home made materials to begin our revenge.

“In this jail, the cops rule” that’s what the prison guard who beat up our com- rade said…today we respond: “In jail and in the streets, anyone can rule, is just about having conviction and will power”.

Mr. Guard, fucking despicable jailers: YOU CAN’T TOUCH ANARCHIST POLITICAL PRISONERS. Learn this very well, we will not accept another aggression, not towards our comrades kidnapped by the state nor the people who visit them in jail. Tag

And to you, State Attorney Alejandro "get up," shattering the notion of what Peña, stop fucking around, you know Free Hert! was once thought impossible They are very well that anarchists DON’T HAVE an inspiration to those who yearn for LEADERS, so having, AN ILLICIT AS- On September 7th, 2010 Ian Debeer a different world. In this glory they SOCIATION IS IMPOSSIBLE. There- was sentenced to 1-3 years in a state have also been vilified and banished fore Chilean Law Enforcement…you penitentiary for the crime of writing as notorious outlaws by politicians and have been warned. graffiti. He plead guilty to 73 counts of "Criminal Mischief" and 1 count of cops. Repression has taken a number of forms and comes from many out- END THE ANTI TERRORIST LAW "Possession of an Instrument of Crime lets, including the state, media, and FREEDOM TO THE ACCUSED OF with intent to employ it criminally". so called "community" organizations. THE “BOMBING CASE” For which, after his prison term, he will serve 2-5 years probation and be Seemingly they have banded together to be a continual element of cruelty in As the International media is drawn required to pay $46,000 in restitution. the writers life. As with all rebellion, to the spectacle of 33 miners being repression is inevitable. " rescued from the depths of a cave in In the words of HERT's support crew: the Chilean desert and the nation cel- "Pittsburgh has been home to some ebrates in an orgy of patriotism, it is of the worlds most talented writers. Write to HERT at : important for us to act in international They have made our streets burst with Ian DeBeer JS3127 solidarity with our comrades held hos- energy and subtly re-arrange the land- SCI Camp Hill tage by the chilean state. Sabotage, scape into an urban canvass. They scale P.O. Box 200 attacks and solidarity demonstrations bridges, buildings, and police cars to Camp Hill, PA 17001 have already taken place throughout the world. Our solidarity will be as in- ternational as their attempts to repress RNC8 Update (Most Likely Our Final One) us.

They can try but they can never extin- After two years of harassment, intimidation, and financial sabotage to the 8 indi- guish our fire. viduals arrested for allegedly conspiring to riot at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN, the case has more or less come to an end. At first we Free the A14 prisoners! heard that they were facing 8-10 years in jail for conspiracy charges based on an event that the 8 were arrested for before actually happening. There is a very long Visit these web sites for english and in-depth press release from the eight’s support group describing the outcome translations of updates on this case: of the case and highlighting the experiences and struggles they have had to endure www.thisisourjob.wordpress.com since the beginning. But unfortunately due to a lack of space, we can really only or describe the legal outcome of the event. www.sysiphus-angrynewsfrom aroundtheworld.blogspot.com FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 55 None of the eight are cooperat- Briana Waters Released on Bail ing, and only one of the eight are serving any jail time. The From Earth First! News: legal outcome is as follows. The 9th Circuit Cout of Appeals reversed the conviction of Briana Waters on September 14th, 2010, based on their findings that her conviction was improper because important Erik Oseland was sentenced to rulings by the trial court deprived her of a fair trial. 91 days in a prison “workhouse” After serving 2 and a half years, she was released from prison today, October 14, 2010, and a $100 fine for pleading pending a re-trial. guilty to “conspiracy to throw news paper boxes in the street”. She is ecstatic about being reunited with her daughter, Kalliope.

You can write Eric at: To stay up to date on Briana’s case visit: Erik Oseland www. supportbriana.org Ramsey County Correctional Facility 297 Century Ave S. Stay up to date: Legal Information Maplewood, MN 55119 Break the Chains www.breakthechains.info + Security Tips To find out more on Eric you Denver Anarchist Black Cross Security, Privacy, and can write or visit: denverabc.wordpress.com Anonymity [email protected] www.security.resist.ca supporterik.wordpress.com Civil Liberties Defense Center Anti-Prison Groups: www.cldc.org The other seven’s charges These projects provide free literature and Midnight Special Law were as follows: support for people currently incarcerated Collective or facing jail time. The postal information www.midnightspecial.net Max Specktor and Rob Czernik is provided so that prisoners without ac- pled guilty to gross misdemean- cess to the internet will be able to get in Prisoner Address or Conspiracy to Riot. Both contact and request support. We apolo- were sentenced to 100 hours gize for only including projects based in Lists of community service over ten the United States; we only have so much Denver ABC Prisoner Database months, a $200 fine, and 1 year space. Those who distribute this magazine http://denverabc.wordpress.com/ probation. for free into prisons are specified with a political-prisoners-database “+” sign next to the name. Spirit of Freedom Garrett Fitzgerald and Nathana- http://www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk/ad- el Secor pled guilty to gross Shoelacetown ABC + dresses.html misdemeanor Conspiracy to Prison distributor for this magazine. Damage Property. They were P.O BOX 8085, Paramus, NJ, 07652, also sentenced to the same com- Central Georgia ABC + munity hours and fine, but given P.O Box 610, Roberta, GA 31078 two years probation. New York City ABC + P.O Box 110034, Brooklyn, NY, 11211 Luce Guillen-Givins, Monica Houston ABC Bicking, and Eryn Trimmer had P.O Box 667614, Houston, TX all the charges dropped a few 77266-7614 weeks earlier then the others. Modesto Anarcho + PO Box 3027, Modesto, CA, 95353 Please learn more about the Unchained Books + history and outcome of this PO Box 784, Fort Collins, CO 80522 case by visiting their support [email protected] website: unchainedbooks.wordpress.com www. rnc8.org Boston ABC + PO Box 230182, Boston, MA 02123 [email protected] Pittsburgh ABC + PO Box 9272, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 FTTP #10//Repression-Pg. 56 The Barefoot Bandit: Colton Harris Moore

olton Harris-Moore is a young alleged vision goggles, bear mace, and important flight manuals as genius and thief from Washington State well as other supplies, which he then returned to pick up in who has already become a folk hero. He empty houses. Having no experience flying, Colt allegedly escaped from jail, evaded sheriffs, the stole a $500,000 Cessna and flew 300 miles crash landing on Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and an Indian reservation walking away unharmed. His mother the FBI, for two years and two months. later stated “I hope to hell he stole those planes. I’d be so C He is only 19 and suspected to have sto- proud. But next time I want him to wear a parachute.” len numerous airplanes, cars, and boats essentially playing as one reporter put it “Grand theft auto: the reality version” Even among the cops that were chasing him he is legend- until being caught on July 11th in the Bahamas. The same ary for his ability to escape and evade. On July 17, 2008 he reporter stated “Hell yeah this looks like the birth of an out- lost the police on Camano Island by leaping from a stolen law legend.” Mercedes and running into the woods. In one run in with the cops Harris-Moore kicked off his shoes to better evade Born into a working class family and raised in a mobile home police chasing him through the forest. Earning the nickname on Camano Island he ran into trouble with the law at an early some of his fans call him “the barefoot burglar.” Supposedly age. He was caught after breaking into his middle school he also broke into a sheriff’s vehicle and stole an assault ri- with friends and was given the nickname Klepto Colt by his fle. Cops on numerous occasions say Colt “vaporized” “van- schoolmates. Soon he skipped out on a court date and lived ished” and “ran like lightning.” On September 13, 2009, Or- on the lam in the woods of Camano Island. Artfully using cas deputies identified Colton and in hot pursuit claimed “We survival skills (which he is considered to be a natural in) and could hear him laughing.” Colt ran through a churchyard and breaking into empty vacation homes. These homes he used eventually circled around to a dock where he stole a boat and as a way to obtain supplies, credit cards, and the occasional rode off into the sunrise. Escaping to Point Roberts, on the shower. Colt was eventually apprehended and spent a year mainland. On another occasion of pursuit police mobilized in a maximum-security juvenile prison only to escape upon two counties’ worth of SWAT in armored personnel carri- being transferred to a lower security lock up. Since then he ers, canine units, a sheriff’s helicopter, and a Department lived on the run in the northwest. of Homeland Security Blackhawk helicopter, only to have Colton once again disappear into the woods. Still another in- Police allege Harris-Moore is responsible for more than 100 cident led to the police finding one of Harris-Moore’s camps burglaries in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Indiana, Canada, in the woods including his dog. This prompted Colt to leave and the Bahamas. He ordered, with stolen credit cards, night a letter for his mother, stating “Cops wanna play huh!? Well FTTP #10//Barefoot Bandit-Pg. 57 its no lil game....It’s war! & tell them that.” Sadly Colton the current order should help quiet the critique of those who was caught in the Bahamas in true outlaw fashion after a boat say that in the U.S. the time is not ripe for class conflict and chase where the police had to shoot out the engine. confrontation with the state. Besides, his actions themselves and the extensive approval so many people have of them Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the ballad of Colton should in the very least embolden our own projects. Harris-Moore is the popular support he has garnered. One fan even made lucid statements about his support on network Support Colt TV, proclaiming “He could either learn how to fly from the internet and go on a crime spree or go get a job at McDon- Feel free to write to Colt because as his mother Pam Kohler alds. I think he made a good decision.” There are support has said “Now, there’s not a break-in or a theft in the entire websites, t-shirts, stickers, and tens of thousands of mem- Northwest that the media or law enforcement doesn’t rush to bers in his facebook pin on Colt... fan club. One support t-shirt says “fly Colton Colt will have to fight fly” below a stencil of for his freedom against his face, another pro- the full force of the le- claims “momma tried, gal system.” momma tried” and yet another has an image Write Colt at: of billy club wielding Colton Harris- cop chasing a running Moore Colton with the word #83421-004 “owned” stamped on FDC SeaTac top of the cop. The resi- PO Box 13900 dents of the Washing- Seattle, WA 98198 ton islands that are his stomping ground seem Also visit Colt’s Fan divided. Some cheered Page at: him on stating roughly coltonharrismoore that during hard eco- fanclub.com nomic times why not support a working class To learn more about kid who steals from Colt and others like the islands’ vacation him you can visit: homes of Seattle’s mil- amiableoutlaws. lionaires. Another pro- wordpress.com claimed “I’m glad he’s sticking it to the cops.” Other locals wanted to help the powers that be by forming a search party to catch him. Al- though he has always had the full support of his mother who, when he was still on the run, even wanted to buy him a bullet proof vest saying “I don’t care if he wants it or not. I’m getting him one and he’s going to wear it. Sometimes a mother has to put her foot down.” “Well it’s no lil game....

Although the acts of individual rebels like Harris-Moore ob- viously aren’t enough to spark the social uprising many of us want, they are nonetheless inspirational. No matter the lack It’s war!” of revolutionary aims, in fact little is known about Coltons idea’s, the widespread support for such brazen acts against FTTP #10//Barefoot Bandit-Pg. 58 Redundancy Equates Death

-Marat Rackham

or revolutionary struggles, redundancy to a certain degree we have witnessed the continuation of, equates death. To avoid such an outcome, what can only be described as a perpetual image; an identity; participants in struggle must pay the utmost a representation in itself. attention to communicability and personal rituals. For a brief reflection, participants in These suggestions are hardly new in any sense, but I think it the 2008 St. Paul riot stated that they were may be a good time for reflection. A recent article declared F using the event “as a springboard… to man- that, “Our theory is as impotent as our action.” I want to ifest such conflict outside of the context of mass mobiliza- question, amongst other things, the accuracy of this state- tions.” Participants declared that the goal was to “purpose- ment. In doing so, I will argue that the current impasse is fully disrupt the chain of messaging that is embodied in the not really due to impotence, at least not specifically, but is protest-media-audience script… Their message was a code rather rooted in a lack of communicability, and what may be hidden within their form, pressed against the media itself… called our rituals of refusal. Without addressing these notions having neither deeds to be represented, only representations I think we may keep chasing our tails in the dark, and hope- themselves to be corrupted.” fully a greater discussion will ensue.

In short, this declaration marked a compelling juncture Maybe it would help if I began with a story. against revolutionary redundancy in the United States. Pre- ceding discussions were commensurating and there were at- Earlier this year, at the NYC anarchist book fair people tempts at addressing revolutionary form and means of com- were passing out flyers for a “Take Back the Night March.” municability. The student occupations, Pandamonium, the There was, noticeably, a bit less excitement about this action expansion of covert affinity-based actions, etc., could all be in comparison to the Catastrophe action the previous year; viewed in this vein. Furthermore, the dissemination of con- however, I decided I might as well go check it out regard- temporary and neglected discourse has generated greater less. That night I met up with a friend I hadn’t seen in quite conversation. However, these actions and discussions have some time, and I ended up arriving a bit late to the action. not managed to expand beyond the milieu, and unfortunately, While practically running out of the subway station I heard FTTP #10//Redundancy Equates Death-Pg. 59 the familiar sound of glass shattering, board to manifest conflict outside of resonance there needs to be compre- and immediately got that euphoric feel- mass mobilizations. Since then, we hension of what Dauvé defines as “the ing that had been absent for quite some have seen numerous actions outside of nature of the change,” and what I have time. mass mobilizations; some clearly with defined as the rituals of [our] refusal. greater success than others. I think the I looked up the street and saw the fa- “Take Back the Night” march could be Resonance can be rather easily ob- miliar black clad milieu marching in viewed in this vein. There was, obvi- served. The reproduction of actions the distance. But there was something ously, no mass mobilization present, is one example. In Greece, during the a little different this time. The normal and the participants, marched against December insurrection, much has been jubilant ambiance was noticeably ab- capitalism, patriarchy, and the violence made of the fact that people outside of sent. Instead of donning the mask, that that enforces gender designations. So, the milieu began to appropriate actions has become all too familiar as well, I in effect, there were clearly actions that were previously the domain of the decided, for the first time in my life, to growing outside of the mass mobiliza- anarchists. In describing the Greek situ- actually sit back and observe. As the tion model. (There, as stated, have been ation one participant in the insurrection black mass neared closer the first thing a multitude of other actions one could stated: I noticed was a somewhat flaccid “Take also discuss from different parts of the Back the Night” chant. The chant was country, which were very compelling.) “It is only in the past few years that we then obscured by the familiar sound of have succeeded in expanding beyond glass shattering; but at second glance I But what was communicated? The the limitations of the anti-police strat- noticed that it was a cheap car that had communiqué said they were “not ask- egy that had characterized our efforts just been attacked. Throughout the ac- ing for rights,” they were “demand- for 25 years. According to that strategy, tion, I noticed that onlookers couldn’t ing something entirely else.” They we attack the police, they arrest people, make heads or tails of what they were marched “to refuse the violence that and we do solidarity actions, over and witnessing. A young group of guys continues to force us to be housewives over again. It took us 25 years to es- walking by, laughing, exclaimed to me, and fuck-toys and mothers and daddy’s cape from this routine. Of course, the “These white people are crazy,” with girls, to refuse to understand women’s anti-police attacks and fights continue, obvious confusion about what they oppression in the private sphere as a and the prisoner solidarity movement is were witnessing. simple cultural or ideological matter.” stronger than ever, but the anti-social So the question is: was this communi- element inside the anarchist movement The march, then turned a corner, and cated through the action or the form? is under conscious self-control and we focused attention on attacking, exclu- I think the answer is a resounding no. can speak, care, and act for the benefit sively, parked cars. There were a few The communiqué states that during the of the whole society now, using actions heroes following the march, threaten- action a woman asked one of the par- and plans that can be comprehended ing violence, and a lot of baffled upper- ticipants why they are taking such ac- much more clearly by at least a part of middle class people who, obviously, tion. Upon getting what could only be the society. had no idea what they were seeing ei- assumed was an inadequate answer to ther. Within minutes, sirens could be the questioner, the woman responded, Many actions, like the attacks on super- heard approaching, and the “ninjas” as “Just get drunk and get laid – deal with markets and the free distribution of sto- they were described on local blogs, dis- it.” While this probably wouldn’t have len products to the people, became very appeared into the night. been a typical answer to an action deal- popular and well-accepted. The attacks ing with gender violence, it is illustra- on banks, especially now following I write this, not as a condemnation of tive of a problem. As an onlooker my- the economic crisis, are well-accepted the participants or even as a critique in self, if I hadn’t known beforehand what also, and the attacks on police stations the typical sense. What I find interest- the action was about, I would have been have been adapted and utilized by high- ing in this affair was the communicabil- utterly clueless. school students around the country.” ity of the action, and what I believe is the larger issues at hand. I should also Gilles Dauvé wrote “No act is sufficient I quote this in length not to state that note that it may not be fair to single in itself, nor is its meaning so obvious it is “correct” or “wrong,” but rather to out this particular action, because one that it would require no expression at demonstrate that there are differences could assume that there have been doz- all.” The notion of the act and its com- and similarities. What is clear is that ens of other actions that have had a lot municability is of utmost importance. there is resonance. People in Greece of similar effects and outcomes. Through the act one shapes the social know why attacks are occurring, and terrain into desired or obnoxious forms; students are adapting the same actions. As previously noted, participants in the which are never predetermined. But, as That is a far cry from our situation. But, 2008 St. Paul action stated that they has been stressed time and time again, as stated, it took 25 years for this to oc- wanted to use that action as a spring- what matters here is resonance. For cur, and the description of the previous FTTP #10//Redundancy Equates Death-Pg. 60 routine seems remarkably similar to the American formula. mediation, and still unambiguous. In comparison, during Attack, arrest, solidarity. The description of the past few the 2010 march, we see a group donning the characteristic years in Greece is apt as well. black mask with black clothing, with little to or no clarifica- tion about the action to, what could have been, supportive “Over the past few years, anarchists have created a network observers; and the result was utter confusion for onlookers. of communities, groups, organizations, squats, and social The clearest expression of the action was the communiqué centers in almost all the major cities in Greece. Many don’t released on anarchist sites; not in the streets of the neighbor- like each other, as there exist many significant differences hood and adjacent neighborhoods of the action. among the groups and individuals. This helps the movement, though, as the movement now can cover a great variety of In effect, the same rituals from the mass mobilizations have subjects. Many different kinds of people find their comrades been repackaged into different social arenas. Hence, we have in different anarchist movements and, all together, push each entered a period of revolutionary redundant activity, and as other—in a positive, if antagonistic, way—to communicate should be reiterated, this specific march should hardly be the with society. This communication includes creating neigh- scapegoat. We can see this from the Asheville action to New borhood assemblies, participating in social struggles, and York’s Catastrophe, even though these were all clearly well planning actions that have a meaning for the general soci- meaning attempts at upheaval. So the question remains: why ety.” have our rituals remained enveloped in the same unsatisfac- tory form? This also is rather familiar. There are many anarchist tenden- cies in the states today, which are extremely antagonistic to I suspect that the problem lies in familiarity, self-policing, each other. However, this antagonism has not led to anar- and to a degree, subcultural socialization. Anarchists have chists pushing each other to communicate, rather it has led become comfortable with conventional modes of attack. to internal squabbles that have not gone anywhere, and are Nothing could be more detrimental. In actuality, creative actually unknown to the vast majority of people. If our dis- actions should be an area where anarchists excel. A brief cussions are unknown to people who occupy our daily lives glimpse at the striking banners, the poetic communiqués, outside of the milieu, and our actions generate essentially imaginative street defense equipment, bloc tactics, and cre- stares of confusion from bystanders, with no discernible ative street parties demonstrates that anarchists have a re- explanation from the participants in revolt, than we should markable capacity for innovative creative capabilities and expect a complete lack of resonance outside of the minority. organizational forms. It just seems at this current juncture there is a deficiency. Returning back to the “Take Back the Night” march, our ritu- als of refusal must be addressed as well. In this action, and If there is one element of the mass mobilization/protest script many others, while abandoning the context of mass mobili- that I have always found impressive is the, albeit, brief trans- zations and representative mediation, one could argue that formation of the social terrain. Often, with remarkable agil- the milieu has sustained the same rituals and social form. The ity, anti-authoritarians manage to set up a diverse array of communiqué coupled with the action enforces this argument. infrastructure, elaborate forms of differing affinity groups It states that Take Back the Night has its roots in widespread and actions, and a dizzying assortment of forms of artistic social unrest in Italy. The communiqué defines the Italian ac- expression. In essence, the cities are transformed very brief- tion as follows: ly, and then drift back into “normalization.” But if such an atmosphere can, so often, be created for mass mobilizations, “In 1976, a seventeen-year-old was gang-raped in Rome. A with such creativity, why do we find such difficulty in alter- year later, when her case went to trial, she was gang-raped ing the model, and importing creativity we have all displayed again by the same men: and this time, her whole body was elsewhere into different forms, and in fairly more important slashed with razors in an attempt to keep her silent. Within social terrains? hours, fifteen thousand women mobilized, uniformly dressed like the sex workers common to the district; “NO MORE Our rituals of refusal from the mass mobilization mode are MOTHERS, WIVES AND DAUGHTERS: LET’S DESTROY still hanging over our heads. Until we look at our ingrained THE FAMILIES!” was the cry heard in the street. They came rituals of refusal, of resistance, and our lack of communica- just short of burning the neighborhood to the ground.” bility to others outside of the milieu we are going to keep marching in circles. Since our form remains almost identi- The original action was in response to an obscenity, but the cal to previous modes, and our actions are done without any picture painted in the action is profound and effective. In re- genuine social engagement, then we will continue to be un- sponse to widespread rape, and a specific rape case, women able to generalize revolt. We must reach for the day when dressed in a specific way to express solidarity and common- an action is taken and onlookers don’t question but already ality. One could imagine, as an onlooker the message was understand. conveyed clearly – breaking the normal chains of social FTTP #10//Redundancy Equates Death-Pg. 61 Black Bloc Rioters at the Toronto G20

Rioters after L.A. Lakers Big Win

FTTP #10//Redundancy Equates Death-Pg. 62 Links:

Discover more on your Own.

Books Web Sites: Bite Back: This is Our Job These web sites have all Defense of animals. “Insurrectionary helped us to stay up to directaction.info missives from the Anything Can Happen date with insurrectionary Spanish-speaking By Fredy Perlman struggles and resistance NAELFPO: world.” across the world. Defense of the earth. thisisourjob.wordpress. At Daggers Drawn elfpressoffice.org com Available from Eberhardt Press. LIBCOM libcom.org Intercontinental Cry: Bash Back News: The Theory of the Bloom Indigenous struggle “Not Gay as in happy. By the Invisible Committee Social War in Greece intercontinentalcry.org But queer as in fuck greeceriots.blogspot.com you”. Society of the Spectacle Survival International : bashbacknews. By Guy Debord Our War: For Tribal Peoples wordpress.com Insurrectionary News survivalinternational.org The Coming Insurrection from South America 325: By The Invisible Committee ourwar.org The Anarchist Library Insurgent News + Print theanarchistlibrary.org 325.nostate.net Grassroots Political Whenua Fenua Enua Militants Vanua: Modesto Anarcho: Social Rupture From “Mute” Magazine Anti-Colonialism modestoanarcho.org socialrupture.blogspot. uriohau.blogspot.com com Fires Never ‘Til It Breaks: Extinguished Denver Social War firesneverextinguished. itbreaks.wordpress.com blogspot.com

FTTP #10//Links-Pg. 63 Whoever you vote for government wins. Whatever you purchase capitalism wins. There is a world of possibility that opens up when we seriously confront the world of restriction that surrounds us now. Coming to terms with this re- ality is a good start, but until we begin to grasp the totality of what controls our everyday lives, we will remain lost and confused in the dust of domination. We are not interested in working with or as part of the system, only against it. THE ISSUES ARE NOT THE ISSUE

With this we will only see potential in strategies that act in defiance with the methods of change suggested to us and condoned by the politics of the same system we are trying to destroy and overcome. Our actions must surpass all laws, show no mercy, and generalize as awesomely as the global order we are fighting so violently against.W e won’t find warmth in this cold world until those of us discontent with our conditions set it in flames. U ntil we are ques- tioning and challenging everything that makes up this system, and act ac- cordingly with such realizations, we are questioning and doing nothing at all! Contempt

Contrary to popular belief:

can also carry our ambitions. We already know that we own everything— the task is to exclude the intrusions of capital and power.

“Insurrection will never be the political activity of revolutionaries, for it is the criminal activity of becoming human.”