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Home , Anarchist Black Cross, Angola Three, Boris Yelensky, What More Can I Say

"/ advocate revolutionary changes...an end to capitalist exploitation, the abolition of racist policies, the eradication of sexism and the elimination of political repression. If that is a crime, then lam totally guilty." - NETWORK BULLETIN OF THE ANARCHIST BLACK CROSS NETWORK/#2, SUMMER 2003

BREAK THE CHAINS NEWSLETTER OF THE BREAK THE CHAINS COLLECTIVE/#16, SUMMER 2003 Opening Comments This publication is issue #2 of the Anarchist Black Cross Network publication, and Editorial issue #16 of the Break The Chains collective news letter. Break the Chains has been busy. What more can I say? The Anarchist Black Cross Network Our primary focus in the last six months has been to publication has thus far been produced on a organize for the Break the Chains/Anarchist Black Cross yearly basis, though hopefully it will be published Conference, but we've continued to take action on many fronts, more consistently in the near future. The Break building upon past projects and taking steps to build a movement The Chains newsletter is typically produced on a to support radical & progressive prisoners and defend the quarterly basis, and it will resume its regular movement from state repression. Our collective has been growing pattern after the conference. stronger each day, and we are very excited about the involvement We produced this issue just in time of our wonderful new members. for the Break The Chains Conference, held in Our involvement with women at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility is developing positively, as we attempt to conjunction with the second annual Anarchist connect women on the inside with women on the outside. Black Cross Network convergence. By the time Additionally, we are fighting medical neglect at this women's you read this publication, the conference will be penitentiary and organizing with other folks in the Oregon area and going on, or it will have passed. Future issues of beyond around this issue. the Anarchist Black Cross & Break The Chains Break The Chains has taken action in solidarity with publications will feature reports and analysis revolutionary social prisoner Brian McCarvill, whose lawsuit against about the conference. the Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) recently ended We have tried to make this with a contractual agreement with the Oregon Dept of Corrections publication as comprehensive as possible, but it (ODOC), forcing them to concede to several of the demands made is likely that we have failed to address important by McCarvill in his suit. Unfortunately, the ODOC retaliated by issues related to , repression, and social immediately transferring him to the notoriously corrupt Two Rivers control. This reflects our ow:i biases and CorrecScr.c! Institute [TRCI], where he is unable to have his shortcomings as an organization, as well as the medical needs met. In response to Brian's lawsuit, ODOC has inability of any single group to address the made minor changes to the way ft handles anarchist publications. totality of the truly horrific situation we're in. There have been some post-settlement reports of radical Feedback and constructive criticism is greatly publications being censored; however, whether these publications appreciated from our readers and your will be now censored less, or simply differently, has yet to be commentary is greatly appreciated. determined. The incompetence and corruption of ODOC officials We also apologize for the fact that will only flan the flames of our resistance against tyranny in this issue is so completely USA-centric. We Oregon and abroad. Speaking of TRCI, after many months of applying found ourselves dealing with a wealth of pressure on the ODOC demanding that they transfer the Children pertinent information regarding prisons & of the River (a group of three activist prisoners who have been the repression here at home, and it was simply not target of harassment by the prison authority for their effective practical or feasible to have an internationalist resistance) out of TRCI and to a safer facility, we were finally focus. Inter-nationalism is essential. But we need successful in forcing the TRCI administration to transfer two to learn to effectively deal with issues here at members of the Children of the River to "less" oppressive home before we attempt to broaden our focus. institutions in Oregon. However, one of the Children of the River Submissions to future issues of the remains confined in TRCI, and his situation worsens everyday as Anarchist Black Cross Network should be sent to prison guards and boneheaded prisoners alike collaborate in an the ABCN group nearest you (see the directory attempt to break his rebellious spirit. He will not be broken - not if of active ABCN groups in the column the next we can help it! page over). Submissions to the Break The Chains In March, we hosted longtime militant activist, and newsletter should be sent to the Break The former Earth Liberation Front spokesperson, Craig Rosebraugh for Chains collective. The criteria for submissions to a lecture "On the Legitimacy of Revolutionary Violence," which both publications, is minimal: your submission attracted approximately 125 people. Craig effectively made his should deal with issues related to prisons, case for building a revolutionary movement in the US, and the repression, and resistance. We do not accept any lecture was followed by a meaningful discussion of the role of fascist, racist, sexist, homophobic, pro- violent and non-violent activism in the struggle against oppression. imperialist, pro-capitalist, or completely bizarre This event was a benefit for prisoners and we raised approximately $150 for political prisoners in Oregon. article submissions. The Break The Chains In April, we hosted Chrystos, a queer American Indian collective is presently only accepting submissions author & activist, for speaking engagements in Eugene & from political prisoners and prisoners of war, as Springfield. Chrystos is a popular poet in anarchist and feminist recognized by our PP/POW directory, women communities, and it was truly wonderful to have the chance to prisoners, and prisoners in California, Idaho, spend time with her and collaborate with her on these events. Oregon, and Washington. Chrystos' poems depict the harsh realities faced by poor women, Thank you, and enjoy. prisoners, and indigenous peoples. Her words are powerful and Editor, Break The Chains collective. impacting. In Eugene, Chrystos was joined by Lora Wetzel of Women Embracing Freedom Together [WEFT], a highly effective mutual aid program for women leaving prison; and former Eugene resident & Native activist/poet, Queksta took part in both events. Laura spoke of life in prison and on the streets, and the need for WEFT-style programs to support struggling women and pose real alternatives to ANARCHIST BLACK imprisonment. Queksta read poetry and spoke about the repression against the Native Youth Movement [NYM] in Canada, which has CROSS NETWORK become far more severe since the Native struggle has been gaining http://www.anarchistblackcross.org ground, and as the Canadian and US governments become more heavy- handed in their response to dissent. Both of the events with Chrystos were benefits for prisoner-support groups such as Break The Chains and Austin ABC WEFT, and for the Native Youth Movement. P.O. Box 684261 In early May, we planned a concert/forum with Tucson, AZ's Austin, TX 78768 fabulous Native punk band Black Fire, and former & [email protected] seasoned Native activist John Hill, AKA Splitting the Sky. After a beautiful opening performance by Portland's intertribal drum group, Northwest Connection, Splitting the Sky gave a fiery presentation. After Boston ABC discussing his participation in the legendary rebellion's at Attica state PMB 258 prison in 1970, and his role in the recent First Nations standoff at 198 Tremont Street Gustafsen Lake, British Columbia, Splitting the Sky pumped up the Boston, MA 02116 crowd with an urgent plea for all-out, non-stop resistance to all forms of [email protected] oppression in these dark days. Black Fire rocked the crowd with their brand of "After-Native," which was so impressive to some that another group in Eugene will be hosting them for a gig this August. Unfortunately, ABC we were not able to raise money from this event beyond paying our P.O. Box 721 speakers and performers for their time & energy, but the event was Homewood, IL 60430 successful nonetheless. The Black Fire/Splitting the Sky event marked the first day of Houston ABC the second Break The Chains-sponsored Splitting the Sky west coast tour. Our readers will remember that we arranged a Splitting the Sky P.O. Box667614 speaking tour back in January, in which we covered Seattle, Portland, Houston, TX 77266-7614 Eugene, Ashland, and Berkeley. This time around we covered Eugene, [email protected] Santa Cruz, San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Berkeley. During this round of talks we made a special priority of promoting the Break The Lawrence ABC Chains Conference, before giving Splitting the Sky the floor to educate & PO Box 1483 inspire. In San Diego, Splitting the Sky spoke with another survivor of the Attica rebellion, which was very powerful. In Oakland, he shared his Lawrence, KS 66044 lecture with former political prisoner and longtime resister Linda Evans. http://www.kansasanarchist.net/ABC We met many great activists & organizers on this trip, raised a few bucks [email protected] to sustain our efforts, and overall this tour was a success. Also in May, Break The Chains hosted in Eugene a forum for the "Beyond Sex Work" tour; a tour which featured films and discussion FRIENDS OF ABCN around the issues of sex work, class, race and gender. While it may seem that the event was a little off subject, we see sex work as Anarchist Prisoner's intrinsically connected to the prison industrial complex and to the subject of patriarchy and power. Again, the event was a huge success and we Legal Aid Network appreciate the time and energy of all of our speakers and presenters - all 818 SW 3rd Ave. PMB #354 of whom offer us (and our community) invaluable insight and inspiration. Portland, OR 97204 In June, members of Break The Chains finalized a negotiation [email protected] with the Eugene Human Rights Commission [EHRC] around the issue of Oregon's increasingly popular political prisoner, Jeff Luers AKA "Free," who is serving a 22 year sentence for a non-violent offense involving Break The Chains setting fire to three sports utility vehicles to protest the destruction of the PO Box 11331 environment. After many months of negotiation, the EHRC finally Eugene, OR 97440 committed to writing a statement addressing the wrongness of Free's http://www.breakthechains.net sentence, and in support of his appeal process. We hope that this move [email protected] on behalf of the EHRC will help Free, who's presently seeking a commutation of sentence by Attorney General of Oregon, Hardy Meyers. Later in June, Free was placed in the hote for a letter he wrote to the Earth First! Journal encouraging direct actionists to be more thoughtful and calculated in their methods. This landed Free 140 days in the hole, and many days loss of privilege and loss of good time. We believe this repression is in direct retaliation for the increasing support for Free and the disgust many people have for the sinister bureaucrats who keep him locked up even though he belongs out here with his friends & family! Let's step up our support for Free now when he needs it most! These events have all been in preparation for the Break the Chains Conference in August of 2003. We are proud to say we have developed strong bonds with many of the groups & individuals we have been working with lately, and many of them will also be joining us for our conference. We hope this conference will be a wonderful organizing and agitating tool for the prison activist & prison abolitionist community. - Lily Report from Anarchist Prisoners' Legal Aid Network "Revolutionary solidarity is the secret that destroys all walls, expressing love and rage at the same time as ones own insurrection in the struggle against capital and the state."- Daniela Carmignani The Anarchist Prisoners' Legal Aid Network definitions of "guilty" and "innocent." The network however (APLAN) is a prisoner guided initiative that began four does not support sex offenders. years ago as a reaction and retaliation to state APLAN and BTC have been battling the repression against anarchists. It was started by oppression of American Indian prisoners in Two Rivers Correction Institution (TRCI) in Oregon. These prisoners, anarchist prisoner Rob "Los Ricos" Thaxton, a long Tewahnee Sahme (Simnasho and Hopi), David "Looks term anarchist activist currently serving 71/2 years Away" Scalera (Arapaho), and anarchist prisoner Thomas for throwing a rock at a cop on June 18, 1999, and Tripp are known as the Children of the River (COR). They, outside anarchist supporters in Portland, Oregon. along with other prisoners took over and destroyed a APLAN is made up of two components; an outside prison housing barracks in February of 2001. This was an support group and an inside prisoner network. We as act of insurrectionary defiance, against the lack of religious the outside support act in solidarity with these and educational programs at TRCI. For this act, they were prisoners and facilitate their needs and desires. sentenced to 15 months in solitary confinement, and since Since then the network has expanded as the then have received tremendous oppression. In response, repression towards anarchists has APLAN and BTC began a postcard campaign to have increased. Currently there are about 25 these individuals transferred to another higher-profile anarchist prisoners in the prison. At the lime of writing, two of the United States, a great many of these three Children of the River have been prisoners are in Oregon. In the past year, moved. APLAN outside support has collaborated Most recently a lawsuit against on some issues with another anarchist the Oregon Department of Corrections prisoner support group, Break the Chains was settled by anarchist prisoner, Brian in Eugene, Oregon. The aim of working McCarvill. The lawsuit was filed due to together is to form a stronger defense the censorship of anarchist publications against the state, as well as to become a and the classification of anarchists as a more effective and active support "security threat group." In conjunction network. with this lawsuit, APLAN started a Together APLAN and Break the postcard campaign that flooded the Chains have created a radical prisoner ODOC mail room. The authorities pen pal project. The goal was to establish reacted to this mild protest by sending continuous and dependable Brian and Rob Thaxton to solitary correspondence as well as to form confinement for 120 days. As of May connections between radicals both 15th, nearly a month after the lawsuit outside and inside prison. In conjunction was settled, Brian was transferred to with this, and in response to the lack of TRCI. This move was clearly an act of contact with women prisoners, APLAN retaliation by the state. Brian is now and ETC have started another radical unable to get the health care that he women's correspondence project. This needs and once received at his former project was formed for women prisoners prison. Also most of his property has come up "missing" during his transfer. at Coffee Creek prison, the only prison for women in Oregon. The aims are to increase solidarity Letters, actions, and support are needed on Brian's behalf. and support for incarcerated women, as well as to develop As the incarceration of our comrades grows, our friendships and connections between women inside and prisoner support movement must grow and expand. We outside of prison. can act in many ways. Imprisonment is one of the greatest APLAN has broadened its support to not only tools the state has against anarchists. We must not let them win by neglecting our comrades behind bars. include anarchist/political prisoners, but social prisoners as well. As an anarchist project, APLAN opposes all forms of Remember they are in there for us - we must be out here domination and control. We therefore neither support the for them. incarceration of any person, nor recognize the state's Until all are free, long live ! Anarchist Prisoners' Legal Aid Network 818 SW 3rd Ave. PMB 354 / Portland, OR 97204 (USA) [email protected] resident & Native activist/poet, Queksta took part in both events. Laura spoke of life in prison and on the streets, and the need for WEFT-style programs to support struggling women and pose real alternatives to ANARCHIST BLACK imprisonment. Queksta read poetry and spoke about the repression against the Native Youth Movement [NYM] in Canada, which has CROSS NETWORK become far more severe since the Native struggle has been gaining http://www.anarchistblackcross.org ground, and as the Canadian and US governments become more heavy- handed in their response to dissent. Both of the events with Chrystos were benefits for prisoner-support groups such as Break The Chains and Austin ABC WEFT, and for the Native Youth Movement. P.O. Box 684261 In early May, we planned a concert/forum with Tucson, AZ's Austin, TX 78768 fabulous Native punk band Black Fire, and former political prisoner & [email protected] seasoned Native activist John Hill, AKA Splitting the Sky. After a beautiful opening performance by Portland's intertribal drum group, Northwest Connection, Splitting the Sky gave a fiery presentation. After Boston ABC discussing his participation in the legendary rebellion's at Attica state PMB 258 prison in 1970, and his role in the recent First Nations standoff at 198 Tremont Street Gustafsen Lake, British Columbia, Splitting the Sky pumped up the Boston, MA 02116 crowd with an urgent plea for all-out, non-stop resistance to all forms of [email protected] oppression in these dark days. Black Fire rocked the crowd with their brand of "After-Native," which was so impressive to some that another group in Eugene will be hosting them for a gig this August. Unfortunately, Chicago ABC we were not able to raise money from this event beyond paying our P.O. Box 721 speakers and performers for their time & energy, but the event was Homewood, IL 60430 successful nonetheless. The Black Fire/Splitting the Sky event marked the first day of Houston ABC the second Break The Chains-sponsored Splitting the Sky west coast tour. Our readers will remember that we arranged a Splitting the Sky P.O. Box 667614 speaking tour back in January, in which we covered Seattle, Portland, Houston, TX 77266-7614 Eugene, Ashland, and Berkeley. This time around we covered Eugene, [email protected] Santa Cruz, San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Berkeley. During this round of talks we made a special priority of promoting the- Break The Lawrence ABC Chains Conference, before giving Splitting the Sky the floor to educate & inspire. In San Diego, Splitting the Sky spoke with another survivor of the PO Box 1483 Attica rebellion, which was very powerful. In Oakland, he shared his Lawrence, KS 66044 lecture with former political prisoner and longtime resister Linda Evans. http://www.kansasanarchist.net/ABC We met many great activists & organizers on this trip, raised a few bucks [email protected] to sustain our efforts, and overall this tour was a success. Also in May, Break The Chains hosted in Eugene a forum for the "Beyond Sex Work" tour; a tour which featured films and discussion FRIENDS OF ABCN around the issues of sex work, class, race and gender. While it may seem that the event was a little off subject, we see sex work as Anarchist Prisoner's intrinsically connected to the prison industrial complex and to the subject of patriarchy and power. Again, the event was a huge success and we Legal Aid Network appreciate the time and energy of all of our speakers and presenters - all 818 SW 3rd Ave. PMB #354 of whom offer us (and our community) invaluable insight and inspiration. Portland, OR 97204 In June, members of Break The Chains finalized a negotiation [email protected] with the Eugene Human Rights Commission [EHRC] around the issue of Oregon's increasingly popular political prisoner, Jeff Luers AKA "Free," who is serving a 22 year sentence for a non-violent offense involving Break The Chains setting fire to three sports utility vehicles to protest the destruction of the PO Box 11331 environment. After many months of negotiation, the EHRC finally Eugene, OR 97440 committed to writing a statement addressing the wrongness of Free's http://www.breakthechains.net sentence, and in support of his appeal process. We hope that this move [email protected] on behalf of the EHRC will help Free, who's presently seeking a commutation of sentence by Attorney General of Oregon, Hardy Meyers. Later in June, Free was placed in the hote for a letter he wrote to the Earth First! Journal encouraging direct actionists to be more thoughtful and calculated in their methods. This landed Free 140 days in the hole, and many days loss of privilege and loss of good time. We believe this repression is in direct retaliation for the increasing support for Free and the disgust many people have for the sinister bureaucrats who keep him locked up even though he belongs out here with his friends & family! Let's step up our support for Free now when he needs it most! These events have all been in preparation for the Break the Chains Conference in August of 2003. We are proud to say we have developed strong bonds with many of the groups & individuals we have been working with lately, and many of them will also be joining us for our conference. We hope this conference will be a wonderful organizing and agitating tool for the prison activist & prison abolitionist community. - Lily Report from Anarchist Prisoners' legal Aid Network "Revolutionary solidarity is the secret that destroys all walls, expressing love and rage at the same time as ones own insurrection in the struggle against capital and the state."- Daniela Carmignani The Anarchist Prisoners' Legal Aid Network definitions of "guilty" and "innocent." The network however (APLAN) is a prisoner guided initiative that began four does not support sex offenders. years ago as a reaction and retaliation to state APLAN and BTC have been battling the repression against anarchists. It was started by oppression of American Indian prisoners in Two Rivers Correction Institution (TRCI) in Oregon. These prisoners, anarchist prisoner Rob "Los Ricos" Thaxton, a long Tewahnee Sahme (Simnasho and Hopi), David "Looks term anarchist activist currently serving 71/2 years Away" Scalera (Arapaho), and anarchist prisoner Thomas for throwing a rock at a cop on June 18, 1999, and Tripp are known as the Children of the River (COR). They, outside anarchist supporters in Portland, Oregon. along with other prisoners took over and destroyed a APLAN is made up of two components; an outside prison housing barracks in February of 2001. This was an support group and an inside prisoner network. We as act of insurrectionary defiance, against the lack of religious the outside support act in solidarity with these and educational programs at TRCI. For this act, they were prisoners and facilitate their needs and desires. sentenced to 15 months in solitary confinement, and since Since then the network has expanded as the then have received tremendous oppression. In response, repression towards anarchists has APLAN and BTC began a postcard campaign to have increased. Currently there are about 25 these individuals transferred to another higher-profile anarchist prisoners in the prison. At the lime of writing, two of the United States, a great many of these three Children of the River have been prisoners are in Oregon. In the past year, moved. APLAN outside support has collaborated Most recently a lawsuit against on some issues with another anarchist the Oregon Department of Corrections prisoner support group, Break the Chains was settled by anarchist prisoner, Brian in Eugene, Oregon. The aim of working McCarvill. The lawsuit was filed due to together is to form a stronger defense the censorship of anarchist publications against the state, as well as to become a and the classification of anarchists as a more effective and active support "security threat group." In conjunction network. with this lawsuit, APLAN started a Together APLAN and Break the postcard campaign that flooded the Chains have created a radical prisoner ODOC mail room. The authorities pen pal project. The goal was to establish reacted to this mild protest by sending continuous and dependable Brian and Rob Thaxton to solitary correspondence as well as to form confinement for 120 days. As of May connections between radicals both 15th, nearly a month after the lawsuit outside and inside prison. In conjunction was settled, Brian was transferred to with this, and in response to the lack of TRCI. This move was clearly an act of contact with women prisoners, APLAN retaliation by the state. Brian is now and ETC have started another radical unable to get the health care that he women's correspondence project. This needs and once received at his former project was formed for women prisoners prison. Also most of his property has at Coffee Creek prison, the only prison come up "missing" during his transfer. for women in Oregon. The aims are to increase solidarity Letters, actions, and support are needed on Brian's behalf. and support for incarcerated women, as well as to develop As the incarceration of our comrades grows, our friendships and connections between women inside and prisoner support movement must grow and expand. We can act in many ways. Imprisonment is one of the greatest outside of prison. tools the state has against anarchists. We must not let APLAN has broadened its support to not only include anarchist/political prisoners, but social prisoners as them win by neglecting our comrades behind bars. well. As an anarchist project, APLAN opposes all forms of Remember they are in there for us - we must be out here domination and control. We therefore neither support the for them. incarceration of any person, nor recognize the state's Until all are free, long live Anarchy! Anarchist Prisoners' Legal Aid Network 818 SW 3rd Ave. PMB 354 / Portland, OR 97204 (USA) [email protected] Updates & Reports from Chapters of the Anarchist Black Cross Network

anarchist Pub with focuses on we think that we should be prisoner solidarity), Chain Reaction completely open arms to this Austin ABC (an anarchist Pub which focuses on individual in hopes that we prevent working class solidarity), Kwazulu any possible returns to prison- as Update/Report (an African studies Pub), and the the majority of those who get out do forth out of Michigan, Pink & have a stronger chance of going Purple. However, although one of back. ART SALE: the editors of Chain Reaction, Ron The initial discussions began Young, was released after a ten-year McCARVILL v. DeHAAN, et al December of 2002, on the 1st sentence and has since taken over Austin ABC was happy to finally Annual Prisoner Art & Poetry half of the distribution- as well as Exhibition and Benefit Sale, in see the results of much hard work the "publisher" status- we have also by committed anarchists, in cooperation with our co-organizers run into financial despair. Rendering cracking the Oregon Dept. of the Austin Inside Books Project, to us to drop one of our most recent Correction's mail rules barring plan for a March 22nd event, that publications. Pink & Purple, a Pub. incoming mail bearing anarchist was eventually held at the Monkey that we were very pleased to take Wrench Books. symbols. on as its focus is towards the Gay, Austin ABC is glad we were a part No ultimate count of art was Lesbian, Bi, and Transgender figured, but it was upwards of 50 to of this effort, in strengthening community, in prison and out, a . prisoner's civil rights and legal 60 framed pieces of art, with a live community that often lacks reading of the poetry and a networking effectiveness. attention. But unfortunately we did The case is never won until it is compiled book that went for sale of have to cancel it due to an won though, meaning, as in the the poetry/envelope art entries. overabundance of work and, again, 1972 Guajardo versus Estelle mail Three music groups that played in financial problems. We felt that correspondence case in Texas, a an outdoor evening garden settings, before P&P's.mailing list becomes with food and drinks, and door precedent in part, to McCarvill's completely overwhelming it would case in behalf of Oregon's raffles. be a good idea to halt it all together There may possibly be a joint art prisoners, that spanned an 11-year as we did have to compromise with period of appeals and decisions that show of the remaining collection, the editor on the page length (for with other prisoner art shows at the recently was thrown another curve postage purpose) and publication by ceasing all prisoner-to-prisoner Conference to be held in August, in intervals. Which we do appreciate correspondence, effective May 1st, Eugene, Oregon. his cooperation in. 2003. At present, until that becomes In despite of it all, all of the above more detailed, IBP and Austin ABC mentioned have been distributed. will be looking at other local venues AND FINALLY: to attempt to find art buyers. The usual ABC oriented work is PROPOSAL FOR AFTER of course always keeping us on ALVARO LUNA HERNANDE2, IMPRISONMENT SUPPORT: our toes, with regular This collective has recently correspondence, filling literature TX POLITICAL PRISONER: briefed the idea continuing support Alvaro Luna Hernandez, is a 56 requests (as well as helping folks after one has been released, though to build lending libraries at there year old political activist from the a difficult task to take on, we do feel SW Texas region where racism is a certain amount of obligation to unit which we are always more prevalent, and the minority white further the mutual aid we presently than happy to do, like currently power structure is dominant, and administer. in Elmore, AL), visitations with the majority Mexican-American/ The amount, time and money, close comrades and other Mexican population is pushed out of and mainly "to whom" said support related agendas. the economic picture and politics of would be extended to will ultimately With the Art Sale that we had the area. This is were rest upon the consistencies of our not too long ago we were able to Alvaro did his community activity (but will roughly work how advocacy work in Alpine, Texas, and work hands on with Inside Books we deal with our financial Project, being our first joint where he was framed on an endeavors, on a "priority" basis, aggravated assault charge June 9th, project we look forward to further meaning we obviously cannot fulfill Networking. Especially with the 1997, in Odessa, Texas, and has all needs, but to properly place it upcoming prisoner-to-prisoner been serving 6 years so far in the were it is most needed.) We Hughes Unit in Gatesville, Texas, currently do this work in a variety of communications ceasing, and the where he has developed his talent forms, but mainly through "Support After Imprisonment" for law as a pro se para legal emotional support, being there for project we hope to get started prisoner, who at present has a new those that we befriended while they soon, we are certain that our appeal being reviewed at the U.S. were in captivity. But, although solidarity building will continue 5"1 Circuit Court, in Midland, Texas. emotional support is greatly to grow with local affiliated Austin ABC hass helped him to needed, we would also like to be ale groups. And what better time organize a press conference June to administer clothing, have a than now with the August 9th, 2003, in Austin, Texas, on the handbook of needed resources like Conference on its way! 6"1 anniversary of that conviction. numbers, addresses, etc, to halfway Peace and Strength! houses (although not the best PRISONER PUBLICATIONS: solution, but we cannot house Austin ABC We have been fortunate enough to everyone ourselves), free food, and PO Box 684261 be able to publish and distribute a drug rehab centers. We believe that couple different prisoner we shouldn't merely forget about Austin, TX 78768 publications. Out of the four someone who has recently been [email protected] publications, three of which are out released and feel that they are ok, of the TX gulags, Captive Voices (an intense. He points out that the involved in fighting for these serious budget crunch in all the states is issues! We should go to their adversely affecting the conditions of meetings and conferences, push the Report From prisoners across the board. Many arguments further, distribute issues can be brought up and the powerful prisoner zines, learn from system attacked. The huge amount their material and incorporate new newly-formed of waste, graft and appalling ideas into our outlook, making our medical and other types of care argumentation more thorough. Boston ABC: should be analyzed and made an Hopefully, we can increase support issue! We could propose that the for prisoners we work with, The Boston section of the state can save money by freeing all establish personal relations with Anarchist Black Cross Network is the non-violent drug war prisoners. other "plugged in" people and now established. On the other hand, money should maybe, just maybe meet brand new Boston ABC was founded to be spent on useful programs wonderful comrades and engage in active defense against instead of more prisons and the collaborators. This broadens the means of repression. Does this respect and outreach of ABC, all threats to ourselves, our mean we're "reformist?" Hell, no! because that's who we claim to be! community, our jobs, and of We're revolutionaries, bringing up The overturning of Richard course our Earth. A local issues that concern peoples' lives! Flood's conviction by an appeals anarchist union known as BAAM! We must realize what level of board was successful because of a has already begun defensive struggle we are at and who needs to country-wide campaign that workshops, from ju-jitsu to be supported inside prison and out brought together divergent political protest skills and street tactics. in the mean streets. philosophies to work on a common Many ABC comrades are also These types of issue-oriented . goal - Richard's release. These were members of BAAM! and thus strategies can utilize the three-fold. To develop a defense these actions are likely to mainstream media. In Chicago, if fund to be able to hire a competent continue as a dual project. you get a letter printed in the lawyer (the radical Michael Deutsch Boston ABC has the iong-term Tribune or Sun-Times, 1,000,000 from the Peoples' Law Office in copies of that letter are printed! If Chicago) along with rallies, write- goal of the formation of a the writing is tight and clear, ups in publications, interviews, etc. community war chest for local usually not too much editing is to publicize the ongoing particulars activists and plans to begin done. There is a craft to writing a of the case. Also, a powerful letter- fundraising for this task are letter that a paper will print, but writing campaign to the judge was underway. More immediate plans which people can "read" between the embarked upon. This actually include the obtaining of a central lines and get a serious anti-state, caused the nazi judge to harden his mailing address and regular anti-prison message from. You position, so he said. The appeals letter writing parties to support relate it to everybody's everyday board saw some genuine merit in our imprisoned comrades. We life. It's ail connected. this outpouring of concern, affection send this message as an These things aren't easy to do. and argumentation (or at least, announcement of our presence They take an enormous amount of vague intimidation if this sort of time and effort to organize as thing caught fire!) and of our enthusiasm in everybody well knows. It all starts Consistent caring for prisoners becoming yet another local with daily connections with (letters, zines, visits, phone calls, chapter affiliated with the ever individuals. We should deal with it care packages, money etc.) is very growing Network. day ,to day and not expect the important. All during this time of We look forward to working world. Every day we can do introduction, getting to know each with the rest of the ABCN in the something to help somebody, learn other, building a relationship, global struggle against something new and spread the whether personal, working or both, capitalism, the State, and it's word. That's the solidarity-minded we, being serious anarchists, might vicious prison system. concept of ABC while we're living as well argue our anarchistic case Neither Master nor Slave, each day of our actual lives. None of and relate it to anything and us are angels and any one of us everything, because it is most Boston ABC could be living in a cage. We need applicable. PMB 258 to know we're all in this together! Hey! The communists argue their For, this is where we will gather our points. It's a battlefield of ideas, 198 Tremont St. strength from! across the board, especially Boston, MA 02116 Working on projects with other polluted by the fascists who control [email protected] groups - communist, socialist, New most media. A broad commitment Afrikan, even some church groups to solidarity is of the utmost is very important. The Death importance. Nitpicking at those on Penalty Moratorium, here in Illinois, basically the same side of the Observations as well as the last day pardon of barricades as us is counter- four death-row brothers was mostly productive. If and when we subdue the work of socialists (Campaign to the beast, we can worry about and Strategies End the Death Penalty.) Also, "authoritarian" this or "nationalism" college professors and students, that. It's gotta be "All hands on prison ministries and other non- deck!" The fascists have an for ABC(N) - radicals such as newspaper unprecedented upper hand and reporters, did the hard outreach until we successfully build genuine by Chicago ABC: and investigative type of work, people power, we must rely on along with incessant vocal pressure those of courage, regardless of their An anarchist prisoner 1 know that led Ryan to his partial long term goals. I think that we're makes a salient point. He says he epiphany. They saw obvious all complimentary strands in the sees punk prisoners complaining injustice and the momentum of that - at least to this point. about conditions, but not really led to the freedom of important People come to a "consciousness" organizing anything to deal with Brothers, here in Chicago. We can from many angles. Once a certain them. The fear factor is more learn a lot from people organically level of awareness develops, positive work can spread into the all, many activist prisoners have a Anyway, back to my diatribe. We hearts, souls, bodies and minds of network of people to plug into, as should also develop organic ties others. I'm an anarchist, make no well! Yeah, it's tedious nose-to-the- with ABC's overseas, too. Sure, the mistake about that! Naturally, I grindstone work, but it means the U.S. has % of all the world's think is capable of out- world to those putting their safety prisoners, but other countries have arguing all other belief systems. on the line getting it to us and can a horrific amount of them, as well. But, I respect those who disagree mean an incredible amount to those It's a global assault on the r°or. with me, yet do impressive, prisoners much of this information They need to know what is coming dedicated, positive, useful and and insight is intended for. We're down over here. The US government committed work! They have their lucky to be so close to such talent, is menacing the entire world. They beliefs! Colors and music aren't all insight and defiance! need the truth from ground zero! the same all the time! What will As for ABCN, I see it as an ABCN is free association. We convince and enthuse new people evolving idea. It lives in the hearts don't really have a set of rules. It's into the meat and potatoes of our and minds of those who want to an idea and it's a commitment each anarchist beliefs is the level of our fight where everything is on the line. person makes on their own terms. I commitment, consistency and It's a commitment to oneself to think a lot of useful ideas were dedication. Are we "for real" or are strive to maximize one's ability to articulated in the last year, a lot of not we? Are we trustworthy and revolt effectively! It beats every effort was made. Without struggle reliable??? second in countless dungeons! I there is no progress. Admittedly, this is not for the didn't do much of the huge amount Cruz Negra Anarquista! dilettantes who are not willing to do of groundwork necessary for it, but I hard work or who have a narrow still don't see any reason to put the Anthony Rayson conception of what genuine kibosh on it, nor do I at all solidarity and support work entails. understand anything anybody did Chicago ABC It's disciplined, selfless, expensive, that was so terrible. In the next year PO Box 721 monotony often! or two, many new people will help Homewood, IL 60430 Personality conflicts are always a us with new and cool work and problem and sometimes can't be enthuse us with youthful energy. I dealt with, without a nasty breach. ain't worried about it, personally. As I've been there, caused that. Maybe Todd (Hyung-Rae) Tarselli likes to Report From we can learn from it and be better finish his letters with - War On! for it next time. I don't begrudge On another note, I like the idea of anybody I met in Austin about regionalism, meaning that ABC's Houston ABC: anything! There's a lot of good in all should sort of feel responsible fc: As the Break The Chains of us! Like I said earlier, we all need the prisoners in their region, like conference comes together, an each other, but even if we can't say Chicago ABC deals with update and a critical evaluation of stand each other, the brothers & Midwestern or even Great Lakes the Anarchist Black Cross Network sisters in the goddamn cages need prisoners. It helps for them to know is in order. each and every one of us! These they have an ABC "home." Of As with any new initiative, there blow-ups and bummers can't be course, you may want to work are growing pains. Sometimes we allowed to derail our enthusiasm for closely with certain prisoners out of may even doubt our very this vitally important work. Wipe the your area, or not be able to handle foundations. But, make no mistake, blood off your nose, take it easy and all of them. This is where ABC's we are on a righteous path and live to kick pig ass, another day. need to contact each other. Some those challenges and how we There are people out there (and in support projects needs more than respond are how history will judge there) who can relate to where you just local support. We live and learn us. I wanted to drop a few lines in are coming from. Just re-connect. how best to live and work effectively hopes of fostering ideas and Everybody loses it and struggles with each other. It often takes discussion. with debilitating demons! We gotta taking the initiative and following One of the real success stories of know we'll bounce back, sometime. through in a timely and responsible the network initiative is a Like the prisoners say, "Stay manner. resurgence of interest in the Strong!" Anarchists are far and away in Anarchist Black Cross movement in This country's uniquely brain the forefront of not only zines, but the United States. We have seen dead and seemingly simple ideas explosive prisoner zines! This art of new ABC organizing in Boston, need to be repeated over and over crafting DIY cut and paste zines is Mass., Lawrence, Kan., Tucson, AZ, again. But some people are very about the only medium that and elsewhere. There has also been sophisticated politically as well, and prisoners haven't been denied yet. serious discussion about the ABC serious anarchists need to roll their These tracts empower and educate that just wasn't there a few years sleeves up and hop into the fray of prisoners like they are supposed to ago. People are interested in the the battlefield of ideas. Our educate and empower kids on the revolutionary anti-prison politics the arguments are us, being! "outs." This type of close ABC movement was sparked by in As the explosion of prisoner zines collaboration creates serious, the 1990s, and they are willing to attests, much is going on in prison dedicated, insightful, fearless and start new groups, offer support and that we, as ABC anarchists, need to invaluable, new comrades! just do something in this struggle to be directly involved in. Several of us Prisoners try hard to write clear, tear down the walls. More anarchist are to an extraordinary degree. But legibly and concisely. Respond in discussion relating the criminal then again, this type of work if often kind. Tailor your response to what justice system as a whole and how best kept slightly under the hat! Our they are specifically calling for. that system relates to poverty, efforts mean a reverberating lot to Send zines on subject matters that education, etc., is taking place. other people! they request to learn about and go Obviously, that is not all to the Working on these important from there. credit to the development of the publications and cultivating this I think we should work together ABC Network, but I believe its initiative of education and as if we are all prisoners, which to founding only helped that resistance should be a priority of an unavoidable degree, we are. We momentum. ABC. It is and always has been. It's should call, write and visit with One of the most difficult issues our awesome responsibility to take each other and not just shoot out has been follow-through on all the it to the next, explosive level! After emails. items we spoke of at the conference. Our first meeting was revolutionary and abolitionist ******************* ambitious; this was the first ABC politics that autonomous ABCs have * The stated purpose of the * conference in years and the energy in common. The objective of the and excitement was clear. We network was to help address those *. Anarchist Black Cross + wanted to do a lot, and more was problems, and, in some respects, * Network is to actively assist * taken on than we could ever it's been effective. However, I think £ prisoners in their fight to * accomplish in 10 years, let alone many would agree it was never the one. To new organizers from a goal to create an alternate ABCF or * obtain their civil and human * veterano, I encourage you to be even a similar structure, but * rights, and to aid them in * disciplined and pace yourself. We something to address some simple, •^ their struggle against the + have so much great work going, but perplexing, problems. prisoners with energy and ideas, I try to relate the network idea to * State/Class penal and * and the people who on the streets some folks this way - it is not about J judicial system. The prison ^ who know the deal. A lot of people how big we can make the tent for * system is the armed fist of the * will doubt our potential, but that is everyone, but the fact that we can to be expected. Have confidence in build it on our terms. We are all not i State, and