4strugglemagIssue 21: Fall 2012 from the hearts and minds of north american political prisoners and friends www.4strugglemag.org IN THIS ISSUE: The Occupy Movement Prison Struggle 4strugglemag P.O. Box 97048 Letters Poetry Updates & Actions and more! RPO Roncesvalles Ave. Toronto, Ontario M6R 3B3 Canada Welcome to 4strugglemag Call for contributors You have just come upon a dynamic and unique publica- tion, where Truth (real and raw) speaks to power. This 4strugglemag is looking for quality writing that con- magazine focuses on the insights and experiences of north tributes to critical, revolutionary thought and refl ec- american political prisoners on major issues of the day. tion. In particular, we are interested in the following: While a lot of the writing is by political prisoners, other ac- To the Man-Child, Tall, evil, graceful, brighteyed, black man-child ¬ Jonathan Peter Jackson tivists, allies, revolutionaries and insightful outside voices Feature articles: In-depth, analytical articles that ¬ who died on August 7, 1970, courage in one hand, assault rifl e in the other; my brother, are included. We publish three issues a year and all back critically examine a particular issue, historical occur- comrade, friend ¬ the true revolutionary, the black communist guerrilla in the highest state of issues remain posted on the website (4strugglemag.org). rence, political idea, or current event. development, he died on the trigger, scourge of the unrighteous, soldier of the people; to this 4strugglemag is an independent non-sectarian revolution- Book reviews: Is there a book you’d like to review terrible man-child and his wonderful mother Georgia Bea, to Angela Y. Davis, my tender experi- ary voice. We are unapologetically anti-imperialist and for 4strugglemag? Let us know. ence, I dedicate this collection of letters; to the destruction of their enemies I dedicate my life. solidly in support of progressive national liberation, espe- cially the struggles of New African/Black, Mexicano/Chi- Letters: We love to hear from you. Please let us George L. Jackson cano, Puerto Rican and Native American Nations presently know if we have permission to print your letter. controlled by U.S. imperialism. Refl ecting on the work and principles of political prisoners held by the United States, 4strugglemag advocates for justice, equality, freedom, so- cialism, protection of our Earth, human rights and peace. Moving? Don’t forget to send us www.4strugglemag.org is primarily an e-magazine, but your new address! hard copies are available (see sidebar for subscription de- tails). We encourage readers to respond, critique and carry on discussions in the magazine. We value and encourage Subscriptions feedback and discussion. The address of each political prisoner is posted with his/her article so people can direct- Support 4strugglemag’s commitment to providing ly communicate with them (few political prisoners have free prisoner subscriptions by subscribing or donat- access to the internet). ing. We publish 3 issues a year. We like dialogue, but we are not going to print racist or pro-imperialist messages, so you government agents and Prisoner subscriptions: free klansmen don’t bother wasting your time. 1 year standard subscription: $15 1 year solidarity subscription: $30 Each issue of 4strugglemag focuses on at least 3 main top- (Solidarity subscription covers 1 year for yourself ics. Additional poems, graphics, essays, announcements and subsidizes a free prisoner subscription). and more are included. Unsolicited writings and graphics are accepted and welcomed. We won’t guarantee printing, To subscribe by credit card or paypal, check out our but we’d like to see your work. This and other correspon- website: www.4strugglemag.org dence should be sent via regular mail to the following ad- dress (remember it costs 75 cents to send a letter to Canada If you wish to pay by cheque or money order, please from the U.S.). get in touch fi rst. We cannot cash cheques made out to 4strugglemag. August 7, 1970, just a few days after George Jackson was transferred to San Quentin, the case 4strugglemag P.O. Box 97048 was catapulted to the forefront of national news when his brother, Jonathan, a seventeen-year- If you are one of our 500+ subscribers with a free old high school student in Pasadena, staged a raid on the Marin County courthouse with a RPO Roncesvalles Ave. prisoner subscription, one way to contribute is to Toronto, Ontario send us stamps, which help off-set our huge mailing satchelful of handguns, an assault rifl e, and a shotgun hidden under his coat. Educated into a M6R 3B3 Canada costs. political revolutionary by George, Jonathan invaded the court during a hearing for three black San Quentin inmates, not including his brother, and handed them weapons. As he left with the or via email to: [email protected] inmates and fi ve hostages, including the judge, Jonathan demanded that the Soledad Brothers be Jaan Laaman, editor Back issues released within thirty minutes. In the shootout that ensued, Jonathan was gunned down. Of Jona- anti-imperialist political prisoner than, George wrote, “He was free for a while. I guess that’s more than most of us can expect.” Unfortunately, we lack the funds and resources to send back issues. You can print articles from our website, or have a friend do so, if you don’t have internet access: 4strugglemag.org 4strugglemag skills in video production for people in these poverty stricken Cover image: POETRY AND REVIEWS United Struggle Project areas. I also noticed a wealth of talent and wisdom. prisoners in the Attica rebellion 31 Gaza Talks by Anonymous Giving a voice to displaced people globally through music. I met a Rwandan refugee in Nairobi who got me to fi lm a mu- United Struggle Project aims to produce CDs/DVDs of songs, sic video for his song One Nation Africa. He told me of many 36 ‘Panther Baby’: The Journey of Jamal music videos, and documentaries recorded in remote communi- other artists like himself but who were still trapped in refugee OCCUPY Joseph ties slums refugee camps, and prisons in Africa, Palestine, Af- camps. After the success and popularity of the music videos in by Mumia Abu-Jamal ghanistan, Cambodia and Australia. Help us bring these voices the slums I thought why not try and reach artists in these camps 2 Collected Updates from the Occupy to the world. and give them the opportunity to record music and communi- Movement and More... 43 Clipped Wings cate their issues through video. I had a very strong feeling that compiled by Roger Drew by Jalil Muntaqim I want to produce 1000 audio CDs and DVDs containing the there was some incredible talent and insight hidden in these iso- best musical and video elements of my project United Struggle. lated places of limbo. 4 March on the RNC It will consist of songs, music videos and mini documentaries that I have recorded and fi lmed over the past 2 years of United An example of uniting artists and struggles is the song ‘Bow 5 August 26th Day of Action Struggle tours in slums, refugee camps, war zones and prisons Down No Way,’ a collaborative track between Shoeshine Boy PRISON in Africa, Palestine, Afghanistan, Cambodia and remote aborig- A Memory or 3 of OWS from Mukurru slum and Adel from Star Studios in Nairobi with 6 Solitary Confi nement: Torture Cham- inal communities in Australia. I am currently trying to source Monkeymarc (Combat Wombat) and myself. The video clip was by Alozie 23 funding to produce these DVDs and CDs and send them to the bers for Black Revolutionaries shot in Nairobi, Melbourne and Alice Springs. It has had a good On #S17, Follow the Money artists involved as well as unleash to the world this unheard tal- response and draws parallels between the poverty of indigenous 7 25 One Year After Historic Hunger Strike, ent and stories of survival. people in Australia and Africa and unites their struggles. Isolated California Prisoners Report Statements from People in Prisons LIttle Change My name is Isabella Brown, founder of the no profi t collective Palm Island was a prison island made up of 65 different tribes 8 – United Struggle Project, rapper in Melbourne hip-hop band displaced from their traditional lands. The people from Palm for February 20th: National Occupy by Sal Rodriguez Day in Support of Prisoners Combat Wombat and co founder of the Lab Rat Solar sound Island are dealing with similar social issues as the displaced Short Corridor Collective Announces system. I’m a lyricist, performer and fi lm maker. My latest fi lm people in the camps in Africa, Palestine and Cambodia, includ- 26 “Ghettomoto” premiered at the London International Docu- 17 Occupy Oakland is Dead. Long Agreement to End Hostilities ing overcrowding, poor health and tribal tensions. Today they Live Occupy Oakland Commune. mentary Film Festival. I presently live in Melbourne but have are still suffering the effects of colonisation. 27 Suicide in Solitary: The Death of Alex spent the last few years on tour with United Struggle project. It Didn’t Start with Occupy, and it Machado “I feel like a refugee in my own country,” Uncle Chappy, Ab- 21 Donate a Beat Won’t End wiht the Student Strike! by Sal Rodriguez original Tent Embassy. by CRAC Central Prisoners Vote to End Hunger Table of Contents Table 29 Producers from around the world delved deep into their hard I have been working in remote Aboriginal communities all over Strike drives to donate beats to host unheard voices of displaced peo- Australia since 2000. I have seen a very positive response from ples. I then took the donated beats to those artists in places with the kids and the community to the music and video workshops.