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![&t g g H g g8 i g% £ ] £ I | 1 s F £ gaa o i S i i | e TEENS AT THE WHEEL ™ The Tribune is suttinga s~ spotlight on the dangers of i teen driving. For the serles so far, ga 19 chicagotribune. com/tesndcivers. she said. The sesand o three children, he had hoped tottend either Northwesterp University - or the Universtty.of Chicago. Drapéau playedithe plano and Liked classical and jazz music, his auntsaid, adding that he composed some of his own mu- sle “Whatever he did, he did well," Botterman said. “He was just on of those:people. ... He Just gave us hope for the young- -ex generation,” Freelance reportar Dennis Sulli- van cantributed # this report. ‘hdardick@tribine.com NEw-M-PAC TRIPLE DO INITIATIVE THIS TRIPLE DOD INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED FOR AND DEDICATED TO ’DYLAN DREW DRAPEAU [DECAMAER 30, 1988-JULY 20, 2006] DYLAN WAS A FUN LOVING, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY- KIND-OF-A-GUY, THAT EVERYONE WHO CAME N DIRECF CONTACT WITH HIM, BENEFTTED FROM THE UNIQUE OPPORTONTTY OF SEEING AND/OR EXPHRIENCING SOMEONE LIVE THEIR LIFE TO IIS PULLEST.](Thought Bombs 27 Dedicated to Dylan Drew Drapeau 5.png)
![Srocioq G 7[A0]oE SRS Sfas/oe](Thought Bombs 27 Dedicated to Dylan Drew Drapeau 9.png)
![i Rally is set for teen who died in ear erash with off-duty cop By Hal Dardick Tribune staff reporter Friends and family of Dylan Drapeau, 17, of Crete, are plan- ning a memorial rally Sunday, the one-month anniversary of his death in a car crash. ‘Also part of the § p.m. vally in front of Crete-Monee High School isawalk to the police sta- tion, where participants plan to voice frustration with the ongo- ing crash investigation. Drapeau, an “A” student and talented musician, died July 20 at lllinois Highway 394 and Richton Road. He was driving west on Richton, trying to cross Ilinois 394 in a Ford Focus, when a northbound GMC pick- up truck hit the driver’s side of his car, police said. The teen was dead at the scene. Off-duty Lynwood Police Offi- cer Brian Dorian, who was driv- ing the pickup, was treated ata local hospital and released. ‘There were no immediate in- dicationa alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash, and no citations have been issued. An Illinois State Police accident reconstruction has yet to be completed, said Crete Police Chief Paul Van Deraa. Drapeau’s parents are suing Dorian in Cook County Circuit Court, alleging he did not keepa sufficient lookout, was driving too fastand “failed toequip [his] vehicle with adequate brakes.” ‘The suit is based, in part, on statements by witness Jeremy Davis, said attorney Nicholas J. Motherway. Drapeau stopped at a sign near the intersection, then pulled into llinois 394 tomake a left turn, Davis said in a tele- phone interview. Davis was headed south on [llinois 394 and believes Dorian hurried up his left turn, he said. “I just believe he was trying to make that turn before I got there and didn’t see Dylan coming,” Davis said. ‘Dorian could not be reached for comment. ‘hdardick@tribune.com](Thought Bombs 27 Dedicated to Dylan Drew Drapeau 11.png)
![17 CRETE CITIZEN DEMANDS 1. We want opea hearings oa the “acciden” that kllod Dylan Drapesu ca July 2%, 2006, 2. We alo wast Ciizen Hearings with IDOT concerning the dangers of 394 & Kichion Koud ‘2 other bad intrsecions i our ama. 3. Wo belevethis was vey srious crims — eckless bomicde, or wors - causd by Lyawaod Police Office Bian Dorias. Why were o witsescs igaored? Wy was i fshr of Dyl iold et tero wero a0 winesss? Why was it carked s fros corer mpact, when Dylan was broadsided? Why was Doriaa’s il addesslsed s being i Lagsiag? Why wasa’t Dorisa breahdesied s the scas? Whed was b testod??? Wo want saessets from th lab echiicians ‘conceming thes allogad tests. Wo waat serious investigasion of e roks of Offces Comejo & Polce Ciaf Ve de La, a0 why only Doriaa’s accout was accepid. Alotinvariably, be satements of the ithessesa a majo part of any uch polico report. Whero was Doriasborly before s acideat? Wo wast ll i apes aad 911 catls made public. We wastth obor ‘itoesses 0 b locaied sod tei sttements mads publc. We v the TRUTH! 4. Wo beleve tha the truthof the matie i thatthis was a serous crme, comaitied by Brisa ‘Dorian end he should b churged fo it We also belisv coveing up thiscrm s 8 crine that mast lso bo prosccued. Thi can i sill u there driving in o community without 50 much s 8 tcket] W fos teroriznd by this fuct aad the bond becwoen citizcas & police has beea ruined! 5. We beleve theroshould bo cizza oversight of policeactivity — especilly involviag police 6. We want complete drugesting o Brian Doria (o drugs that don’t ke just o fow hours 0 ass throagh body, such a sterods. 7. We want thorough aad Bosest investgation of Brian Dorian’s driviag rcord price 1o his: horeble wagedy. 8. Wo want Richton Road 0 bo closed s 394 i iop light o sign s erected, o the least ‘The laws must be chasged 1o make IDOT accountable fo these. happen itersections. We can 0o oager olerae thi soene of countles sccdeats d deas. 9. Wo want profesional grevance counselors nires (WOMEN) i inform s il of sucs s horrble eveat asd not s group of ruff men fom the Coroner’s Office. 10. Wo waat madalory. immedicie and complese drug-cstiog ofal drivers involved i ftal aceideats — especially i they aro the Policel ‘This borrible gy was knife 0 the beartofthe itizeas of ret, which s boca Owisiad by the Crta Polico Depanment. Everyons knows s if Dorin was ok 8 cop, be would have o tested, the witheses would have bees listcaed 10 3d he would have probebly boea aresied forthis crime. We will never forget Dylas. nor will we ever sl fo his shameful poice respoase. Tha family end the commnity deserve 10 koow every las detail (and they will) (CITIZENS SEEKING JUSTICE FOR THE DEATH OF DYLAN DRAPEAU](Thought Bombs 27 Dedicated to Dylan Drew Drapeau 17.png)
![24 5. We dow’t want any more of our children killeds by police - or anybody else - due to-grosy negligence by IDOT & locab officials: 6. We’ll never accept thiy awful response to-Dylan’y We know qmwbctofwevudelwfalflvm seeing it ally completely (and honestly) revealed: We know Dylawwuwnfitbmdzmuuou“ always. Bring onthe T-R-U-T-H! B rvrsssarensss (1) THERE IS A CLEAR & PRESENT DANGER, T0 OUR YOUTH, BECAUSE THERE’S NO STOP SIGNS AND/OR TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT 394 ARD RICHTON RORD, (DYLAN WAS SLATN HERE) (2) THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE NEED FOR A TRAFFIC APPARATUS AT INTERSECTION 394 & RICHTON ROAD AND OTHER DEADLY AREAS. ; THE COP FOR WRONGFUL DEATH AND THE POLICE DEPT FOR OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE. T ] THIS INTTIATIVE IS IN RESPONSE TO A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER! OUR YOUTH ARE BEING KILLED OFF AND THE MATTER IS BEING TAKEN LIGHTLY, BY THOSE CHARGED WITH AUTHORITY. THEREFORE, IT IS OUR BINDING DUTY TO SAFEGUARD AND PROTECT ALL OF OUR YOUNG DYLANS’ OF THE WORLD. THE LIVES WE SAVE, WILL BE OUR CHILDREN "FATLURE IS NO LONGER AN OPTTON"](Thought Bombs 27 Dedicated to Dylan Drew Drapeau 26.png)
![Lo With stakes these uniquely astronomical, it really docsa’t matter that the task is difficult. It has aluways been difficult! We just must accept that fact as a given and deal with it, without it bumming s out of the important, urgent work we must constantly do. Besides, doing this work is the revolution — especially while working closely with brilliant and couragoous prisoners. This is where the battle is being waged. On one side you have the most oppressed revolutionaries of Amerika, pitted againat the 8S Amerikan Republican Guards! ‘This ia the main battloground in Amerika. The Constitution calla prisoners slaves — to this day, there is no sugar-coating their intent! It opens the whole, horrible Pandora’s box of endless genocide and warld- wide slaving that has defined Amerika from the got go. Prisoners aro tortured and die like flies in these tombs and dungeons! HIV & Hepatitis € are pandemic, as ia rape. Abuse, assault, gassing, shackling, sensory deprivation, all mannor of sadism is practiced on these 2.3 million poople, every single day. If this realization doesn’t cajole you into getting with it, maybe you need one of those heart shocks, like Leno pretends to give Cheney all the time! The more active you become, the stronger you become. You become adept at many important tasks, like arranging things, speaking, facilitating discussions and events, knowing who to contact for all kinds of things, what to do in an emergency situation, and o forth. The skills You learn are applicable to every day life. It a flowering of a person. It doean’t have to bum you out or bog you down - even when you’re buay as hell! You just figure out how to handle it, forge ahead, no foar and not wasting time procrastinating. Most people waste so much time “gotting ready” to do something, they could have done it twice! Get right on it] Do it because it needs to be done and you will do the best job of it! Have confidence in yourselfl Life is a series of sccomplishments that took a lot of hard work to make happen! And it can all be done on an ongoing, every day, all the time basis, integrated into your normal life! Why not? Prisoners need and deserve our support, as they are physical, literal captives of our brutal enemies and are subjected to their evil designs. Many are innocent of the charges they were convicted of and many more lunguish, “guilty” of laws that don’t exist in other places. In other words, they’re “guilty” of non-crimesl Yet, the endloss mass crime of government isn’t even up for consideration in their riggod courts. Prisoners comprise a very important number of our best revolutionary thinkers and are in the perfoct position to monitor the crimes of government. We muat listen to them and work closely with them, to ever have a chance at real liberation. ‘They’ll also provide you with the best, education you can find. Another thing, letter writing is a very important akil. I¢s a lost art in this country, but it really helps you focus your attention on what you are thinking and how you want to say it. It helps you craft arguments, write](Thought Bombs 27 Dedicated to Dylan Drew Drapeau 60.png)
![62 tungs we do with and even for other people. 1f we acoept anarchiat tenets us guides for our lives, we will look to learn many things to improve our ability to extend solidarity t others, or develop mutually positive relations with others. We’llinclude everybod in decision- making, have respect for other people and live a more positive, caring and useful life. Theao are things we do for ourselves, as being this way is the wost rowarding and wutiafying, regardloss of what others think or do! The benefits of anarchism aren’t dependent on some power-hungry jerk. Our sufety might be, but not our anarchism. 1¥s a real shame that violence and intimidation works to inhibit Pperson’s natural (anarchistic) development. s the only argument fascism has — violence, lics, indmidation, threats, “Having power over others a fuscist idea. It’s horrible and leads to corruption, sadism, suffering, oppression, racism, sexiom, homophobia - ull things wrong in the world. A master-slave ‘relationship is what international capitalism is all about! It’s not something we should strive for, nor tolerate! That’s why I agree with Bakunin about the communiate! If they got in, they’d want to lord over the rest of us “in the name” of the proletariat, whoever they are! The hell with that! It’s just like the creepe lording over our poor planet nowadays — the Rumafelda & Chenieys of this ‘world. ’ the opposite of what we want to see happen! l.thenocumnlo‘nnmteninlowrmhud"mdnmp womeone from doing something? Yes! If that person is burting someone else then you intervene and stop hiun! Its pretty simple. You do what you want as long us it docsn’t hurt someone eloe. If it does, you will be stopped! But, other than that, its a bad approach. 1ts how this slave. systew works — they write laws and we must obey or subit to thelr sadistic and often deadly punishments, Thnyhllundnm]hndmdhinmpl(fiummuyflwyumd disliking to things they don’t understand. There are a lot of Ppeople who would feel threatened by the “presence” of an unarchist. Ls there anything that you would like to say in dofonse of the compussion and kind-heartedness of true anarchists? Authony: [ see o reason why anyone should feel “threatened” by an unarchist, unless he is & no-good oppressor himselfl Anarchists are not](Thought Bombs 27 Dedicated to Dylan Drew Drapeau 62.png)
![70 ulthough also not an anarchist, does Lremendous work deconstructing the history of Native America, the endless genocide as well as U.S. history wrldwide, and even world history. He breaks things down very understandably. Their work is available through my distro. Harold H. “Thompson, an Irish anarchist, does an excellent zine. My zines and esays are seriously on point! And theee babies are freely availuble!! Not for me, but definitely for you! 1t free skool education! 1 also love explosive anarchist writing. Guys like Luigi Galeani, Johan Most, August Spies — I love reading their wark. The Russian anarchists hud some powerful writers, as did the Spanish. These days, I don’t know who is more impressive ~ Sam Mbah of the Nigerian Awarences League (anarchiat) or Lorenzo Komboa Ervin, a longtime Panther anarchist, now working out of Nashville, Tenneasee — his native state. Both are crammed with articulation and insight on the issues that matter the most. ‘That’s one of my goals. T want to help spawn a whole culture of resistance - as popular as hip-hop and hundred times more conscious! 1t’s possible! 1 feel people can attain self-sustaining level of conuciousness from various revolutionary tributaries. Anarchism is definitely one of those flows. It provides endless opportunities to act] ‘We can all learn and broaden our outlooks by a serious undertaking of utudy of the other revalutionary positions, tool We have to be open and freo with all of it. Being anarchists, and taking the time and effort to articulate our beliefs and do serious wark, while also not shying away from other modes of thinking, gives anarchiam a strength and logitimacy, it doean’t have otherwiss. We should not fear any kind of challenge, as far as ideas go. We’re after the truth and if the truth is that most unarchists are just half-assing around, then that’s the truth! Work with others who aren’t afraid to got on with it! Whatever proves most effective ~doalotofl Let it be known, that I understand that most all people half- s it, not just anarchists. But I have such high hopes for anarchiata, it really disappoints me when I don’t see much serious explosive positive wark, I know they are capable of doing being done, and they are not being undertaken becauss for whatover reason, they refuse to give forth the full, honest effort that all this work that needs to be done, takes. COYOTAE: As a prison abolitionist, it must be devastatin to see more and more prisons being built across the country. I have read literature that was written ten years ago, talking about the same struggles we still face today. What changes and uccomplishments have you seen in 10 years? Anthony: Yeah, I hate it, all this kidnapping, harassing, incarcerating, torture, death, suffering - all of it! Its totally disgusting. What’s also](Thought Bombs 27 Dedicated to Dylan Drew Drapeau 70.png)
![wu. S0, whea we publicise the endless sbuse they inflict, it usually <urb e of the 1ore egregious abuse. But, the insane system of g peopl t live in cages continues on, as if it was natural and Logitumate. The running of prisons is a major social erime on bumanity Uit pours us on the problens 72 On the other hund, anarchist ideus (and other revolutionary posifions) are guining & much wider aceptance, s people realize the government s nothing but lie and mke their lives miserable und threatend. So, we Iiave u big opportunity to help get recruits. Its a race against time, s thowe wionsters doa’t even caro if their own children have a viable planet w wubsist on in the near future! Huve there been any victories? Well, a few prisons were shut down, sucluding u women’s prison twenty miles south of me that I helped orgunive uguinst. But, did fewer people stay in prison because of it? No. More und wors keep coming in. Occasionally, a prisoner we supported et paruled and gets a foothold and begins to put his or her prison wducation (political consciousness) to work and becomea a community orgunizer. 1€y a tough, difficult struggle. Far, there’s no “community” to como back 10! Every one is on their own facing stacked deck —no job, stigmutised, no education, no place to live, etc. So, having a serious understanding of reality is pretty much mandatary, if one is to avoid the rucidivist kidauppers. This is the preparation we try to give. COYOTSE: We are six years into the new millennium. It seems liko there is crisis and turmoil in every part of the world right now. But for some reason, people feel a sense of something “new” just uround the corner. Change is in the air. As a prison abolitionist, what new approaches do you think activists should tuke in the struggle to abolish prisons? Authiony: ‘There’s tremendous “turmoil” and many crises. After all, the U8, hus doclured nuclear war on Afghanistan and Iraq and threatens to o the same to North Kores, Iran, and elsewhere. Many people are tighting and dying every day in many countries. The U.S. is everywhere wuking the situation much worsel Seving this (and experiencing their own oppression at the hands of the U.8. und their puppets) places like Argentins, Balivia, Uruguay, Brazil and elsewhere in South America, have experienced a tremendous growth of “people power” community organizations, worker-run factories, serious wrguniding and empowerment is being accomplished. So, peaple back in ko belly can sea it ia poasiblel Millions of peoplo demonstrated even in this locked-down county for the rights of immigranta. Every one knows the Lrug wur was bullshit and hates Bush (outside the hardcore American (uncisio) but feols powerless and atomized to do anything seriously about. They saw Kutrina wipe out New Orleans and the government didn’t ]l.](Thought Bombs 27 Dedicated to Dylan Drew Drapeau 72.png)
Thought Bombs #27
CHICAGO—On a bitter cold Tuesday, December 6, asmall crowd
‘gathers for the National Day of Counter-Recr ion amidst
the dawntown holiday lights. Juan T ¥ activist who
speaks out inmemory of his son, Jua who was killsgl
in Afghanistan. (Photo by Ken Carl) ’
Dedicated to
Dylaw Drew Drapeow
(December 30, 1988 - July 20, 2006)
INTRODUCTION
Greetings! 11’ alrcady late September. Since issue #26, put out back in
Februsry, I've done several things and published dozens of zines. I1s been stressful.
as my workplace is an endless nightmare of construction congestion coupled with
hassle from management, 1 qualify for a modest pension in about two weeks, after
32 years of this miserable job. But, I don’t know if 'l retre at the end of the year as
T've been planning or not. 1 really don’t have an “exit plen.” 1 don’t know where
elee 1 would begin to look for another job. Being a rabble rouser isn't a very
marketable skill. Our sons are sill young and at home (18 and 12.) Stanton will
probably be going to the Universiy of Ilinois in Champaign next fal and Stephen is
eoing to need braces pretty soon. 1 may work a couple more years at the rock pile.
Everything came to a screeching halt as Soon as we leaned of Dylan's death. We
were up in Northern Wisconsin on vacation and Mike called to let us listen to @ cry
of pain phone message from Dylan’s girlfriend, Amber. Dylan was killed in a car
wreck! We all strted crying.
We got up early the next moning and drove straight through, stopped at home for
a few minutes and then went right to the Drapeau house in Crete, Everybody was
extremely distraught and we stayed several hours that afternoon and evening. Leslie
“was literaly holding up Sharrie and I ried to console Ken, who was wearing Dylan's
Shirt. T've never felt such searing pain. Ken, Dylan’s father, took me to the stll
fresh crash site. It didn't make any sense — especially that Dylan somehow had so
horribly misjudged the situation and basically, caused a dreadful collsion that took
i own life. At leas, his is what the Chief of Police of Crete and the Coroner were
saying to the family that terible night. ['l always remember these numbing days by
the piercing wal of sorrow from fis 13 year-old siser, Darcy. Dylan's 20 year-old
brother, Justin, could only pace around the yard —too hurtto talk.
| knéw right away, just as Ken had surmised, tht things just didn't add up. It
didn’t make any sense. Dylan was brilliant, clean as a whistle and extremely safety
conscious. He would never have placed himself in such a vulnerable position — ifhe
i any control over the situation. According to the Police Chief, there were no
witnesses. | came back the next day and took over 60 pictures of the scene. 1 called
he Police Chief and asked to see Dylan's smashed car. At firt, he wouldn't let me
<ee it because it was Sunday and he was off. On Monday, I couldn't see it for some
“iher bullshit reason. | had told him earlier that [ was going to fiyer the area seeking
itnesses. He said: “Don’t go there!” | asked if Dorian had been tested for alcohol
nd he wouldn't answer. 1 knew something was not right. The family was shattered
and sort of relying on me 1o get some real answers. They felt horrbly violated by
the police ~ led to and brusquely treated — abominsble! The pain and suffering was
hevond exerucinting!
Published on September 30", 2006 / free to prisoners
@ticopyright edited & (mostly) written by Anthony Rayson
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Teen illed in Colision
3. ln Memory of Dylan Drapeau
4. EYEWITNESSES WANTED
S, Drawing of Aceideat by Jeremy
6. Memorial Rally for Dylan Drapeau
7. MY SON DYLAN, by Kea Drapeau
8 DYLAN!
9. CRETE CITIZEN DEMANDS
10. A Life So True (Murder Mast Fouly”
11. WHEN COPS COMMIT CRIME
12. TOTALLY VIOLATED!
13, If Dorian Skates
14. Justice For Dylan Drapeau Comumittee
1S. Triple DDD Initiative (James Shelby)
16. ANARCHISM - The Advanced Studies of
“Giving a Dama!™ Antbony Rayson
17. Notes on My Talk o Anarchism 8-16-06
18. SDS/ Notes on Michuel Albert’s Talk
19. LABOR NOTES - Organizing From the
Ground Up
20. The Usleashed Thoughts of Ab Anarchist:
Another Interview With Antbony Rayson
By, COYOTE
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TEENS AT THE WHEEL
™ The Tribune is suttinga s~
spotlight on the dangers of
i teen driving. For the serles so
far, ga 19 chicagotribune.
com/tesndcivers.
she said. The sesand o three
children, he had hoped tottend
either Northwesterp University
- or the Universtty.of Chicago.
Drapéau
playedithe plano and
Liked classical and jazz music,
his auntsaid, adding that he
composed some of his own mu-
sle
“Whatever he did, he did
well," Botterman said. “He was
just on of those:people. ... He
Just gave us hope for the young-
-ex generation,”
Freelance reportar Dennis Sulli-
van cantributed # this report.
‘hdardick@tribine.com
NEw-M-PAC TRIPLE DO INITIATIVE
THIS TRIPLE DOD INITIATIVE
IS DESIGNED FOR AND DEDICATED TO
'DYLAN DREW DRAPEAU
[DECAMAER 30, 1988-JULY 20, 2006]
DYLAN WAS A FUN LOVING, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY-
KIND-OF-A-GUY, THAT EVERYONE WHO CAME
N DIRECF CONTACT WITH HIM, BENEFTTED
FROM THE UNIQUE OPPORTONTTY OF SEEING
AND/OR EXPHRIENCING SOMEONE LIVE THEIR
LIFE TO IIS PULLEST.
In Memory of Dylan Drapeau
The Southland of Chicago has experienced a loss of incalculable proportiors.
On Thorsday night, July 20th, Dylon Drapeau wes killed ina dreadful,
Ormecessary, senseless and fotally preventable occident. He was only 17 years
14, but olresdy he hod demonstrated his extroordinary sense of self and
‘enthralling musical and artistic flent fo many, many people.
ulsmmmmmmmmdaumwmu,
site of numerous accidents, injuries and other fatalities inrecent years.
Treanely, thia ntersection has o stop light or evena o signfor raffic lng
by on 394, There are numerous other things wrong with this intersection, as
wel.
ylan was o squeoky clean kid who never ook drugs or alcshol and was ¢ very
corupal drive, He did everything right in ife, yet Still i ife wes cut short this
Soreioe night. His okt was aftended by an oveflow crowd of friends and loved
madunmdmwdw,fmhy,h!yzi“. “The grief, pein and
oreow, these last several days has been almos? unbearable.
"o, whs o blame for this fragedy of tragedies? Is it the other driver? 15
507 ve bleme for thei foot-drogging these many years on this nd ther
. accident-waiting-to-happen intersections? s it the souped-up,
o peed demon culture we lve I? 1 it justan unavidable quirk of chance
1o delve inte these matters oficilly,os well as by the family and friends of
e olved. One fhing you can be sure of. We will ot rest unil ol the focts
e enown n an absolutely thorough and hanest investigation s completed. As
- oo fforts will focus on fast-fracking o genine soution o the consrt
danger of thig dreadful corer.
e v our complete and urelenting efforts i this regerd et ol fo Bylen
and s wonderful family, but o ony oher kid who may be inharmis wey due 10
Fra-droaging,negligene,indfference, bureaucrecy. o lack of sccountability. T
o arep cveny hing and devote my entire ottention o this very serioos mefter,
if that is what it wil foke.
R vave my own opinions as 10 where the blame should be lid, which T wil eep
1o myself at this time. T time, Tm confident all the focts will come out ond
o sortof clsure, hopefully,wil be ttained. In the mearfime, Twil ive
ev:rvdan'Mllfc,flrifibgmmmofmb\,mdnuwmm
Fomihy ond helpng 1o e ha thisdoy of reckoning s cctuaized, o o0n <2
humanly possible.
7
Atready, T can feel the power of his sweet heart pulsing in my own and guiding
me to be more loving and responsible: to my own fanily, friends, associates and
strangers, and for that, T am eternally grateful. T do regret it fook such an
unbelievabl tragedy for me to get my own act fogether. But, I made a life-long
promise to Dylan that I know I will keep. T whispered it into his ear ond kissed
his now cold forehead, at his wake.
‘Never believe that the *children of today” are the cause of the problems we
allsee. Adlts are supposed 10 look out for our children, teach them and guide
hem, and thisis where the real failure is 1o be found. Their welfare, safety and
proper development rests in ourhands. This is our responsibility and our sacred
duty, as it has always been. -
Dylan's e was cut shart, but in his brief seventeen years, he outpaced
almost every one of us in diligent study, dedication, occomplishment and a life
lved in the purest sense of love. He was also a hilarious chum, who left o
permanent smile on everybody's face. He could drive you nuts, but you could
never do anything but adore him. He was @ source of constant fascination.
Everybody would always ask, “What's Dylan up to?"
Rest in peace, ylan, and thank you for every second of every day that I, my
wife and our wo sons were extraardinarily fortunate enough o know you. We
will now huddle around your family from now on, because this is where your light
and wonder are the strongest. As Van Morrison wrote: “I's in the fiving that we.
find
Anthony Rayson
* Dylan was my son Stanton's best friend since fourth grade, They were going
1o have a life together in music. oyion was an amesingpare ployer - the bust T4
ever seen and I saw many, many professional concerts. He was broadsided on a
dangerous infersection by an of f-duty cop. Immediately, the police began o put
the fix in. Evidence was suppressed and falsified and witnesses were ignored. A
courageous witness, who was almost killed himself by this cop, came forward af
the wake. We ane now preparing legal action with a high-octane legal feam. It
was the mast heartbreaking week of my life, but rest assured, we will ot let
these pigs get away with this. He had a twenty year old brother and a thirteen
year old little sister. T meet with the parents and lwyers today at 4 pm.
EYEWITNESSES
WANTED
A terrible fatal accident
happened at Richton Road &
394 Thursday night, July 20
at around 8:30 pm. If you
have any information about
this, please call: Anthony
Rayson at: (708) — 534 -1334
anthonyrayson@hotmail.com
Loving family & friends of,
Dylan Drapeau, age 17, of
Crete, Illinois. Thank you.
Srocioq G 7[A0]oE SRS
Sfas/oe
MEMORIAL RALLY ~
For
DYLAN DRAPEAU
T Bomembronce
.
Sunday, August 20™ at 5 pm
Crete-Monee High School
760 W. Exchange Ave. Crete
Contact: Anthony Rayson
qflhonyroyfifl@fl:fmqil.com
(708) - 534 - 1334
We will never forget Dylan!
i
Rally is set for teen who died
in ear erash with off-duty cop
By Hal Dardick
Tribune staff reporter
Friends and family of Dylan
Drapeau, 17, of Crete, are plan-
ning a memorial rally Sunday,
the one-month anniversary of
his death in a car crash.
‘Also part of the § p.m. vally in
front of Crete-Monee High
School isawalk to the police sta-
tion, where participants plan to
voice frustration with the ongo-
ing crash investigation.
Drapeau, an “A” student and
talented musician, died July 20
at lllinois Highway 394 and
Richton Road. He was driving
west on Richton, trying to cross
Ilinois 394 in a Ford Focus,
when a northbound GMC pick-
up truck hit the driver’s side of
his car, police said. The teen was
dead at the scene.
Off-duty Lynwood Police Offi-
cer Brian Dorian, who was driv-
ing the pickup, was treated ata
local hospital and released.
‘There were no immediate in-
dicationa alcohol or drugs
played a role in the crash, and
no citations have been issued.
An Illinois State Police accident
reconstruction has yet to be
completed, said Crete Police
Chief Paul Van Deraa.
Drapeau’s parents are suing
Dorian in Cook County Circuit
Court, alleging he did not keepa
sufficient lookout, was driving
too fastand “failed toequip [his]
vehicle with adequate brakes.”
‘The suit is based, in part, on
statements by witness Jeremy
Davis, said attorney Nicholas J.
Motherway.
Drapeau stopped at a sign
near the intersection, then
pulled into llinois 394 tomake a
left turn, Davis said in a tele-
phone interview. Davis was
headed south on [llinois 394 and
believes Dorian hurried up his
left turn, he said. “I just believe
he was trying to make that turn
before I got there and didn't see
Dylan coming,” Davis said.
‘Dorian could not be reached
for comment.
‘hdardick@tribune.com
2
Dylan Drapeau Memorial Rally
‘We have gathered here todsy to honor and reminisce about an
extraordinary young man, Dylan Drapeau, whose life was tragically cut
<hort one month ago tonight. Dylan was every parent’s dream —a hard-
working, loving, dedicated, enormously talented - yet rascally fun, nomal
and humble kid. He was always helping people leam things that he had
discovered with his relentiess desire. He inspired many people to develop
{heir own talents, usually after lstening 1 his amazing piano playing. To
|iv=ywnnideubwmwhlmm‘swmnhew-lubvhix 18°
birthday - an $800.00 dictionary!
‘Our family was very close to Dylan and his family because our sons met
each other years ago, when they were both in the fourth grade gifted class.
“They became close friends and developed their music together. They
constantly challenged each other — and awed each other by what they had
learned. Tt was a source of huge pride and wonder to my wife and me.
When I saw Dylan's car in our driveway, [ was thrilled because [ knew [
would be able to coax him to play our pieno, which he really liked, because
{t had perfect pitch. He would play furiously for an hour or o, totally off
the top of his head - an incredible original concerto.
‘But yet he was as self-effacing a5 you could expect of a young man, who
Knew what he was about to be, For a lad of seventeen, he was light years
ahead of many adults in the qualities that usually take a lifetime to develop —
if they develop at all.
He cared about other people and wanted them to succeed also, and he
helped peaple in many ways, without looking for credit for doing so. He
received his praisel After all, his sheer talent and the effort he put into it
were absolutely stunning! He wasn'tjust a musician. He won several
\writing contests slong the way and I don’t know what ll else. I'm a very
difficult man to impress. | can honestly tell you, Dylan, when he was
playing his piano, was the ony person that [ knew, that [ was toally in awe
of.
Dylan was just beginning to become a man. He would have been a senior
this year, at Crete-Monee High School. He was at or near the top of his
class scholastically and participated in ‘various clubs and activities. With his
talent, drive and motivation to maximize his potential, his future was
limitless. The world was his oyster. In fact, in my opinion, the world may
very well have lost its modern day Mozart on this terrible night, one month
ago.
13
Dylan was aware of this and accordingly was very careiul with how he
handled himself. He was extremely safety-conscious, bordering on the
paranoid. He never ouched a drop of alcohol or did any drugs. On the
night of this tragedy, he also did nothing wrong. He obeyed the trattic luws,
had his seat belt on and so forth, yet he was still killed. He was the opposite
of the “reckless teen” that you hear so much about. He was the epitome of
the statement, “The child is father to the man.”
Dylan’s death was a watershed event for this community and he very well
might be the finest example of a young man ever to come out of Crete. A
decp, scaring pain and loss is sill very much being felt by all who knew
him. In fact, we will never forget him and I personally intend to writc
book detailing his ife, as well as the circumstances of his death. | want to
work with anyone willing to contribute a story or testimony about him, his
writings, his music, his delightful sense of humor and the adventures they
had with him. His brilliant example beats i every one of our hearts.
n time, all the facts of this tragedy will be known in full. | will assure
you of that, right now! Dylan'’s example of a life lived in the fullest sense of
fove and discovery is a beacon example for us all. [n all you do, in all the
relations you have, think 10 yourself, what would Dylun have liked mie to do
in this situation? For, if you do ask yourself that question, you'll know that
what Dylan would have wanted you 1o do, would be the very best thing you
could do for yourself, your family, your friends and every person you meet
He was that kind of guy ~ the best and the brighiest and the most
‘compassionate and caring, that humans are capable of being. He loved Bob
Dylan and did that name proud!
| suppose right now, Dylan is working closely with the other musicians in
heaven, beiny the perfectionist that he is. For, Dylan, no doubt, is now the
Conductor of God’s Symphony.
With, Love & Respect ALWAYS — Anthony Rayson
T Bermornbinnce
Dylan Drew Drapesu
December 0, 1958 uly 20, 200
4
MY SON DYLAN
As you already know, Dylan left this world, July
20th. This has devastated my family. We're in
shock, grief and everything else. You can't
possibly even imagine. Wa relive this nightmare
overy day, since July 20™.
here are a lot of inconsistencies in a lot of
these stori Such as the night they came to our
house with the coroner, the Crote Chief of Police
and a third parson, who I don't recall his name.
They mentioned that Dylan pulled out in front of
Prian Dorian's GMC pick-up truck, onto 394 from
Richton Road and that there Were no witnessas.
Thoy told me that no sobriety test was conducted on
Prian Dorian at that time. Not oven a ticket was
jesued. All this was told to us that sasme night.
T knew something was not right. Even the
Police Report, ssying that Brian Dorian was living
in Tansing, was fishy, as the subsequent report had
him living in Crete. Just the whole way the Police
Report was made out was highly suspicious.
Wall, lo and behold, during Dylan's wake, the
prine witnews cmme forward and said he too vas
Flmost involved in this accident. He said he saw
ovezything and that other witnesses were shooed
avay by the Crete Police. He also said that Dylan
3ia absolutely nothing wrong. Dylan was already in
the middle section of tha intersection, when Dorian
accelerated into a turn, without using his turn
Signal and crashed broadside into Dylan's car. He
probably didn't even see Dylan and thero wore no
brake marks bafore impact. The report had Dylan's
car boing hit on the corner and not broadsided,
another untruth in the report.
Prian Dorian was not injured. He is a police
officer for Lynwood, who was off duty at the time
Of this horrible tragedy. You wouldn't believe the
Fabrications Brian Dorian made up. This makes a
tragic situation all the worse! With your help,
let's get to the truth.
s
On a positive note: My sonm Dylan is in
Heaven. Hebrew 9:27 says
“"And as it is appointed for men
to die once, but after the Judgment."
This means the Lord took him, at such an arly
age. Everyone knows what a special person he is,
50 special that the Lord needed him.
And as well as I, Sherry, Justin, Darcy (ana
Lilly & Oreo, our cats) know him, he is a person
who loves God, with all his heart, mind and soul.
I guess what I'm trying to say to you people,
is when it comes to be your time to leave this
World, you want to be in Heaven. It's a very
special place. The Lord loves you. This is just a
sort of probationary period in our lives. You are
supposed to be doing God's will, here in Earth, and
not your own will. Read the Bible and follow its
instructions. I'm very serious. Pray every day
and ask the Lord with a sincere heart to show you
the way to knowledge and understanding.
My wife and our children thank you all for
coming out here today to share your sorrow and help
us celebrate Dylan's marvelous life. Thank you.
Dylan's Father, Ken Drapeau
DYLAN
Dylan Drew Deapeau
Ihscmber 30, 1955 — uly 2, X
It
DYLAN!
pmwwwmmwm
thishappers I wishI wau closer to- my cousing!
I WI%MWJHMMMWM
ool Twvt that what we should, be doing now?
Ohl\awh@bwdwdogmfimg/
I remember not long ago; afew months, we
mbvywwwwjmfuuwnwm
Toledo; Ohio: Wt’/gotwfiwpambtamd/
v owr asy into-the theatre. We missed the
furst two-or three songs; but - we made &1
All the dayy of Dyl I'Wiry hawd to-
remember and collect (and yap about!) We
can all dor this: Ity the best therapy
I want to-thank everyone for coming here,
. Thiy i for Dylan hig mother and hix
It's for wm-todaywdzfovwwmm’&!
17
CRETE CITIZEN DEMANDS
1. We want opea hearings oa the “acciden” that kllod Dylan Drapesu ca July 2%, 2006,
2. We alo wast Ciizen Hearings with IDOT concerning the dangers of 394 & Kichion Koud
‘2 other bad intrsecions i our ama.
3. Wo belevethis was vey srious crims — eckless bomicde, or wors - causd by Lyawaod
Police Office Bian Dorias. Why were o witsescs igaored? Wy was i fshr of Dyl iold
et tero wero a0 winesss? Why was it carked s fros corer mpact, when Dylan was
broadsided? Why was Doriaa's il addesslsed s being i Lagsiag? Why wasa't Dorisa
breahdesied s the scas? Whed was b testod??? Wo want saessets from th lab echiicians
‘conceming thes allogad tests. Wo waat serious investigasion of e roks of Offces Comejo &
Polce Ciaf Ve de La, a0 why only Doriaa's accout was accepid. Alotinvariably, be
satements of the ithessesa a majo part of any uch polico report. Whero was Doriasborly
before s acideat? Wo wast ll i apes aad 911 catls made public. We wastth obor
‘itoesses 0 b locaied sod tei sttements mads publc. We v the TRUTH!
4. Wo beleve tha the truthof the matie i thatthis was a serous crme, comaitied by Brisa
‘Dorian end he should b churged fo it We also belisv coveing up thiscrm s 8 crine that
mast lso bo prosccued. Thi can i sill u there driving in o community without 50 much s
8 tcket] W fos teroriznd by this fuct aad the bond becwoen citizcas & police has beea ruined!
5. We beleve theroshould bo cizza oversight of policeactivity — especilly involviag police
6. We want complete drugesting o Brian Doria (o drugs that don't ke just o fow hours 0
ass throagh body, such a sterods.
7. We want thorough aad Bosest investgation of Brian Dorian's driviag rcord price 1o his:
horeble wagedy.
8. Wo want Richton Road 0 bo closed s 394 i iop light o sign s erected, o the least
‘The laws must be chasged 1o make IDOT accountable fo these.
happen itersections. We can 0o oager olerae thi soene of countles sccdeats d deas.
9. Wo want profesional grevance counselors nires (WOMEN) i inform s il of sucs s
horrble eveat asd not s group of ruff men fom the Coroner's Office.
10. Wo waat madalory. immedicie and complese drug-cstiog ofal drivers involved i ftal
aceideats — especially i they aro the Policel
‘This borrible gy was knife 0 the beartofthe itizeas of ret, which s boca Owisiad
by the Crta Polico Depanment. Everyons knows s if Dorin was ok 8 cop, be would have
o tested, the witheses would have bees listcaed 10 3d he would have probebly boea aresied
forthis crime. We will never forget Dylas. nor will we ever sl fo his shameful poice
respoase. Tha family end the commnity deserve 10 koow every las detail (and they will)
(CITIZENS SEEKING JUSTICE FOR THE DEATH OF DYLAN DRAPEAU
1
A Life So True g
(Murder Most Foul)
Dylan wore an ahways smile. He burst into self-conscious nervous
subdued Isughter, almost every time he spoke, it scemed. He was a very
handsome boy — curly locks adorning a finely featured face, atop a fit,
coordinated body.
'My son, Stanton, met him when they both found themselves in the same
fourth grade gifted class, I'm thinking in the fall of '99.
‘Soon the boys became close friends and spent a lot of time together. One
night Stanton would stay over at Dylan's house and the next night, he'd be at
‘our house for the night. I'd get up early t0 g0 to work and take a peek at the
boys sprawled out on the couch or loor, after entertaining each other the
night before, until exhaustion overtook them. That always put & smile on my
Tace as | trudged off to my miserable job. Kids! You wouldn't catch me
sleeping on the floor!
Even early on, it was quite obvious that Dylan had a unique gift s a piano
player, coupled with a rare iligence and a sort of cocksure moxie fo get
Feally good ~ fast! 1 think this is how Stanton started to pursue his own
Tnterest in the piano, music in general, as well as other instrumerts.
Before long, it was understood by both sets of parents that this was an
exceptionsl duo and to watch them develop thir riendship always driving
ach other and stunming us in the process — was a marvel to behold.
Well. lots o kids tell thei parents, “Mom! [ want to be a rock star when I
upt™ O, they’ll blurt out some varition o this theme. Parents are
Faturally lecry of this, as 8 possible indicator of scholastic laziness of
Attraction to a dissolute lfe-style or whatever. But never id we have the
Slightest doubt that both boys, would indeed become enormously successful
e icians. After all. Dylan was #1 in his class and Stanton was close behind
Him. They studied music rligiously, quickly leamed how to read music,
faught themselves othet nstruments,languages, istor. philosophy, music
theory, etc., etc.
They composed complicated, multi-nstrument musical rrangernents,
practiced singing (in various languages) wrote Iyrics and stories and
Benerally made the most of teir time, tinking and analyzing the wide range
B music that they constantly listened to and learned how o plry, efficiently.
‘Dylan took up other instruments at Stanton’s urging. but he was really
honed in on the piano. He became extremely good at the piano - incredibly
good!
" can'tspenk for Stanton, but it scemed to me, that although Stanton was
{king pinno lessons and was becoming quite good himself at the pian. he
19
realized that Dylan was the master of the ivorics. So, Stanton started
branching out, taking guitar lessons, acquiring guitars — acoustic, eleciric,
bass, harmonicas, flutes, an accordion or two, amplifiers, mikes, drums, all
kinds of things, which he promptly taught himself how to play!
All during this time, Stanton was becoming a wizard with the computer.
Helped by his mother — a webmaster-reference librarian and his aunt and
uncle, who are likewise very computer savvy, he leamed how 1o wed his
music and the incredible technology available to those smart enough to learn
how to use it. He bent this technology to his creativity.
Other people 100, recognized his brilliance and gave him tips, software 10
use, etc. | assume a similar, although not quite as concentrated and mentored
situation was ongoing with Dylan.
Personally, I'm sort of a dumb ass as far as the computer is concemied. 1
never cven liked PAC MAN back in the day and only began using it kicking,
‘and screaming, to transcribe writings and impatiently check email. 1 dou’t
like being held hostage by a screen and a sometimes tied in knots computer
“brain.” That was another cool thing about Dylan. He never watched T.V.
I'd already become valedictorian in 1995 at Prairie Siate College, before |
even rried'to use a compuer, for an astronomy class. | had an astonished
professor show me the rudimeats, after class. 1 got something like 120%
‘grade in that class, as he had o lower the scale to insure that the rest of the
class didn’t flunk out. I liked the freedom of a picce of paper and a pen!
As diligent and relentless as Dylan was with his piano playing, Stanton
was with the computer, his other instruments and his myriad other studics.
‘These two had allthe bases covered!
T'd be remiss if I didn’t introduce a third member of this extraordinary
8r0up — a bonafide member of these three amigos — Ezra.
Ezra was a lttle younger, yet part of their class, also. He's from Mexico.
1 don’t think he plays an instrument ~ maybe I'm mistaken about that. But,
be 100 was brilliant, witty, cngaging and just plain delightful. Even all the
teachers loved Ezral He was the perfict complement to the edgy fireworks
that Dylan and Stanton created. He soothed everything. Any tenseness of
potential conflict was magically transformed into uproarious, continuous
hilarity — scemingly by his mere presence! I couldn’t figure it out! I tried 1o
ask myself: “What are the dynamics of this?” I couldn’t come up with an
answer. So, I just shrugged my shoulders and thanked my lucky stars that
these boys so loved cach other and reveled in each other's company. 1
thought T was “hip.” But, what the heck! 1 was assuaged by looking at iy
wife's beamingly happy face to the point of tearing up.
There were other amazing lads who hovered around this trio, kids like
Kyle and Josh and Sean and no doubt others. But, being Stanton’s dad, 1
figured they dido't need me around much,
20
1 remember when [ was a kid. I loved my Dad, but it was kinda awkward
w(mhimmwhmlhdmyfinmm.
‘o, although 1 was very curious about what they were saying and doing
and | had my ears pricked, I tried to give them their space. Besides, Lalways
had a fon of things to do, anyway, not the least of which was trying to keep.
Stephen, Stanton’s e brother by six years — out f thei hai. Stepher was
ko moth o 8 flood lght around these guys, and more often than ot they
knew he was part and parcel of the deal of coming over.
1 guess it's time. 1o talk a little bit about Stephen.
~ tobe continued... ~
WHEN COPS COMMIT CRIME
The police are entrusted with very grave
responsibilities. They are asked to interpret
complicated and sometimes vague and even
Contradictory “laws” out on the streets. If
Citizens did what the police are required to
o, it would be considered criminal behavior.
For example, “arrest” would be “armed
kidnapping” and “seizure of assets” would be
ealleq “robbery” or “burglary” or “theft.” The
Goath penalty would be known as pre-meditated
furder. TIf a cop shoots a “bad guy” to death,
he’s considered a hero and not a killer.
The police are the official armed wing of
business. It’s the official gang, with
uniforms and badges and paychecks.
With so many laws against so many common
behaviors, such as “illegal” drug use and
Yraffic violations, who gets arrested and why
‘e often just a policeman’s judgment call,
dependent on his prejudices, his attitude or
Just a quirk of circumstance, based on his
Jrotional response and his interpretation of
his “duty.”
often, police come from the ranks of the
military, where they are de-sensitized and
2.1
FS
trained how to kill people. For many cops,
their sub-culture is one of heavy substance
abuse themselves, such as alcohol and steroids.
They have high rates of spousal abuse and high
divorce rates. Some cops think of themselves
as “above the law” or just, “The Law.” We all
see manifestations of this, every day. Police
cars zip through traffic, blow red lights, make
turns without using signals, etc. - whether
they are on a call or not. It's an
uncomfortable experience, but it’s the price
we're made to feel we must pay in this country,
under the present system, such as it is.
But, what happens when a cop commits a
crime, and other cops, who are supposed to
investigate the situation, cover up for him,
instead?
This is what we believe has happened, down
in Crete, Illinois, on the terrible night of
July 20%", 2006. Off-duty Lynwood cop, Brian
Dorian, age 32, who was driving his GMC pick-up
truck (with a metal bar across the front end)
broadsided the Ford Focus, driven by 17-year
old Dylan Drapeau, in the middle of the
dangerous intersection of 394 and Richton Road.
Dorian was turning onto Richton Road West
from 394 North, as Dylan was waiting for the
southbound traffic to pass. The force of the
impact was so great that Dylan’s neck was
broken and his aorta was ripped from his heart
- even though he had his seat belt on. Dorian
was uninjured. There were no skid marks before
impact. Dorian either could not, would not or
did not attempt to brake.
A witness traveling southbound, who Dylan
was waiting for, but Dorian refused to wait
for, had to fishtail to avoid the collision,
stopped and had another carload of witnesses
call 911,
22
When the Crete police came to the scene, a
one Officer Cornejo, Dylan was dying or dead,
as the vehicles were locked together. Dorian
was telling everyone he was a cop and Dylan got
in his way.
However, the witness placed the blame for
this horrible tragedy, squarely on Dorian. The
officers shooed away the carload of (young
black) witnesses and told the main witness, his
testimony would be “unnecessary.” Cornejo told
him that the accident “couldn’t have happened”
the way he described it to him. No mention was
2 witness was put on the initial accident
‘eport. Also, the impact on Dylan’s car was
incorrectly put on the corner of the driver’s
front, instead of dead center. Dorian was
Jisted as living in Lansing, IL instead of
Crete, where he does live.
The Chief of Police of Crete, Paul Van
pelaa told Dylan’s parents that night that
there were no witnesses and that Dylan
basically caused his own death.
Dorian was not breath-tested at the scene,
although Dylan was autopsied. -Dylan, as we
knew, was squeaky clean. Dorian was treated
and released and not tested until the next day,
whan of course, any alcohol would have been
expunged by his liver.
These are all confirmable facts! Dorian
was not even ticketed! The Chief of Police
aid he was tested the next day. Days later,
he said he was tested that night.
The witness came forward at Dylan’s wake
three nights after this fatal collision and
provided a detailed testimony about the
Sccident, along with a sketch. This was the
basis of a wrongful death suit, filed against
Dorian, by the Drapeau family.
23
These are the bare bones facts of this
case. The details are much more chilling and
damning.
We strongly believe that Dorian committed
a very serious crime - vehicular homicide,
reckless homicide or the outright murder of
Dylan Drapeau, which the Crete police refused
to seriously investigate as such, due to the
fact that Dorian is a cop. Covering up a
homicide by the police is also a very serious
crine!
Dylan Drapeau was an extraordinary young
man, soon to be a senior at Crete-Monee High
School. He was at or near the top of his
class, scholastically, and was on the math
team. He was an incredibly talented and
dedicated piano player and writer. He was
uncommonly focused on a no doubt, brilliant
future.
Where do we turn for justice in this
watershed event in Crete? The trust between
citizens and the police has been shattered -
just as Dylan’s body was, this horrible night.
Whether the authorities, whose job it is
to “police the police” step up or not, will not
alter the truth of what happened to dear Dylan.
Nor will it affect how relentlessly we - the
friends and family and concerned citizens -
pursue the truth and seek justice from this day
forward.
We demand and deserve the truth! For
Dylan, quite probably, was the brightest star
Crete has ever produced, and as talented as he
was, his heart was even more impressive.
The more this crime is hidden, the more
luminosity we will shed on it.
To lose a child to tragedy is the most
hurtful things in the world. To have such a
24
magical child done to death by a cop - and have
other cops lie and treat him like roadkill - is
the most sick, terrible abomination in this
disgusting society.
We want the full, complete truth about
this to be publicly aired. We will never rest
until it is.
JUSTICE FOR DYLAN DRAPEAU COMMITTEE
TOTALLY VIOLATED!
This horrible nightmare is a direct assault by the police, on
the community, Cruel beyond comprehension or any shred of
compassion, this is an incredibly bitter lesson to learn. A
golicemun Xilled our precious boy and they all acted like he hita
eer!
“They lied into the face of the parents that night, horrifying
their 13-year old daughter. Vile beyond imagination —
remorseless and horrible!
"And, we're supposed to just accept it! This is a watershed
event — a mark in time — as to the amoral corruption and
criminality that defines modern-day government. Horrible!
This murder is the last straw! Iwill never stop talking about
it, as exhibit “A” of police terrorism!
“Murder Most Foul!” indeed! The truth! 1 will forever seek
and shout, the truth!
If Dorian Skates
If Dorian is not charged (and even if he is, really) by
not treating his crime as they would a non police
(wo)man, all arrests they have make or will make are
25
morally invalid! If they wink at inside crime, yet pursue
other so-called “law breakers” they are participants in the
worst kind of criminal conspiracy.
But then, the whole idea of the “state” is vile and
insanel Why allow for & nebulous monolithic entity to
have power of life and death, a living death (eternal prison
sentencing) or extermination (bombing, invading, etc.) if
deemed “necessary?” This killing contract is wielded by
ambitious and power-hungry bureaucrats. They're
delusional and have loyalty to the “state” like Beria had
loyalty to Stalin. Any abomination is in play - but only if
they unleash it. It trickles down to the local level in
corrupt and authoritarian police chiefs, politicians, cops,
etc.
Dylan's terrible death is a cloudburst of expose and
we'll get to the rainbow!
Justice For Dylan Drapeaw Conunittee
1. We want the truthi We believe Brian Dovian
Mbvdmm«iwufuhwvthflmwm
2. We want all witnesses located and their
testumonies made public:
3. We'want tapey of all 911 cally and police radio-
Dransmissions that night alio-made public. We
wwmwmnmuw
protected and not investigated; as he should be.
4. Dylan Drapeaw iy dead He was struck by what
we believe was horribly recklesy driving by Brian
Dorian: He iy still driving inour community. We
24
5. We dow't want any more of our children killeds
by police - or anybody else - due to-grosy
negligence by IDOT & locab officials:
6. We'll never accept thiy awful response to-Dylan'y
We know qmwbctofwevudelwfalflvm
seeing it ally completely (and honestly) revealed:
We know Dylawwuwnfitbmdzmuuou“ always.
Bring onthe T-R-U-T-H!
B rvrsssarensss
(1) THERE IS A CLEAR & PRESENT DANGER,
T0 OUR YOUTH, BECAUSE THERE'S NO STOP
SIGNS AND/OR TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT 394 ARD
RICHTON RORD, (DYLAN WAS SLATN HERE)
(2) THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE NEED FOR A
TRAFFIC APPARATUS AT INTERSECTION 394 &
RICHTON ROAD AND OTHER DEADLY AREAS.
; THE COP FOR WRONGFUL DEATH
AND THE POLICE DEPT FOR OBSTRUCTION OF
JUSTICE.
T ]
THIS INTTIATIVE IS IN RESPONSE TO A
CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER! OUR YOUTH ARE
BEING KILLED OFF AND THE MATTER IS
BEING TAKEN LIGHTLY, BY THOSE CHARGED
WITH AUTHORITY. THEREFORE, IT IS OUR
BINDING DUTY TO SAFEGUARD AND PROTECT
ALL OF OUR YOUNG DYLANS' OF THE WORLD.
THE LIVES WE SAVE, WILL BE OUR CHILDREN
"FATLURE IS NO LONGER AN OPTTON"
27
THIS DYLAN DREW DRAPEAU INITIATIVE
IS A VERY POWERFUL APPARATUS THAT CAN
AND/OR WILL TMMEDIATELY LINK EVERYONE
TOGETHER FOR PRIORITY ACTION,
e
‘THIS 3D INITIATIVE
SERVES AS A TRIBUTE TO DYLAN AND
THE BEACON OF ENLIGHTENMENT,
FOR WHICH HE ILLUMINATED.
DYLAN WAS STROCK DOWN IN HIS YOUTH,
YET HIS LIGHT SHALL CONTINUE TO SHINE
THROOGH THIS & OTHER INITTATIVES THAT
HAS BEEN DEDICATED IN HIS HONOR.
THIS (3D) PRIDRITY INITIATIVE SHALL
SERVE AS A FIRST ALERT SYSTEM, FOR
BRIORITY CONCERNS, AS WELL AS AN
IMYEDIATE CALL TO ACTION, FOR EVERYONE!
ONCE A MATTER RECEIVES (3D) STATUS,
THAT ISSUE SHALL BECOME TOP PRIORTTY
FOR ALL MEMBERS, AFFILIATES & FRIENDS.
‘THIS (3D) INITIATIVE WILL ALSO,
INSTANTLY BOAST MORAL, OUR UNITY,
OUR DMAGE, OUR PREPAREDNESS, OUR TRUST,
OUR SINCERTTY, OUR SECURITY AND EVEN
OUR BROTHERHOOD/COMRADERY -
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING
DYLAN DREW DRAPEAD
CONTACF: ANTHONY RAYSON
anthonyraysonghotmail.com
ANARCHISM 2y
The Advanced Studies of “Giving a Damn!”
The dictionary definition of narchy is chaos and violence 8 saciety descending
But, i also meass o highly artculate philosophy of mors living. OF
.m(a,m-wlafimmm-awwwnmm
e inencsts of wage-slave based corporations. t's massive, daiy, cndless stato
Teroriom violence, deprivation, deporttion, kidnapping, incaroeration,
‘surveillance, harassment, extortion (taxes) disinformation, ‘regimentation,
demonization, fear-mongering, ‘militarization, false education (ignoration) racism,
weaponry in placeslike Iraq, Afghanistan, Serbia nd elsewhere. “Depleled
o i & cuphemism, lke “frendly fir.” It is U-235, which most mined
o . I is nighly adioactive and cumulative in it offcts. Weapons grade
o i U-238, usod innuclear weapons. What America has done basically, has
e condera al of Irag's poople o aslow, horrible death. Another dreadful
e s monstrous regime has done is blow up the extensive chemical and
eapons Saddam hed stored i 1991, unleashing ol of theso horror, &
O anireds of housands of American troops are now suffering from “Gulf Wer
Syndrome" and millionsof Ireq’s (snd Afghani's ae immessursbly wors doomed
by these unspeakable and ongoing slow massacres. U-235 bas a halflifo of 4.5
o veas the samo lfespan estimted for our sun s tisisan eternal deah
Sentence to a whole civilization — the cradle of civilization.
‘Sor we have horrific chaos and violeace and terrorism, directed by the U5,
wm.mwwdmnmmuflsmpfl«aww
B are. So.n a very real way, we are dicctly responsiblo for the death of our
own planet!
D you part of a et tht llusraes the fact tha governmeat s the malo
Loures of tarorien inthis world. This was sent by an articulate prisoner, Dale
Dinmond, incarcerated in Amarillo, Texas.
Like they say, you can take a pig and put 8 dress and lipstic on it but that
doesn’t change it from belng 8 pig-
When Is It that people will begin to realize the price that must be paid in
having capitalism as an economi system?
29
1 have to wonder what they teach the kids in public school these days where
It concerns the Impact a capitlistsoclety has on the environment and at the
price that has been / s belng paid to preserve capitalism — the massacre of the
Innocents the world over.
From the Prisonhouse {9 the Slaughterhouse spells it outail very clearly.
“We know that for capltalism to survive, it must endlessly expand, as its whole
.—«;mhmbmmfimm(mmmmqm
world.
Our hard work s explolted for profits, then taxes, so that industry and
Rovernment can ruin our communities, force us into being their Jallors and
soldiers, and wreak devastation on our brothers and sisters across the globe.
“Democracy’ in bloodthirsty action!”
In closing, here are a few numbers - acts of atrocity that I gleaned from the
‘book, Terrorism and Tyranny: i i
the World of Evil, by James Bovard, 2003, ppgs. 233 & 235. “According 10 the
U.S. State Department, between 1980 and 2000, 7,745 people were killed in
international tervorit Incidents. During the same period, governments around the
plobe killed more than 10 million people.”
‘The carnage in recent dacades s typlcal of government atrocities in the
modern era. Professor R.1. Rummel, n his book, Death By Government
declared: “Almost 170 million men, women and children have been shor, beaten,
tortured, knifed, burned, starved, frozen, crushed, ovenworked to death, buried
alive. Drowned, hung, bombed, or killed In any other of the myriad ways
governments have inflicted death on unarmed, helpless citizens and foreigners,
during the twentleth century.”
Professor Irving Horowitz In a 1989 essay, entitled “Counting Bodies: The
Dismal Science of Authorized Terror”, observed: *...In raw numerical terms,
the source of the killing In this century tells the siory; governments have been
directly responsible for the deaths of roughly 120 million people, while war (both
international and civil) accounts for thirty-five million deaths. In other words, in
this century, really in the las forty-flve years, over three and a half times more
people have been killed by thelr own governments than by opposing states...”
Dale Diamond #782043
Neal Unit
9055 Spur 591
Amarillo, TX 79107-9696
‘This doesn’t even include all the horrible government genocides in Bosaia,
Rwanda, the Congo, Darfur, Colombia, etc. etc.!
OK. Anarchistsare differeat. We detestcrime and violence, coercion, predtion.
intimidation, indoctrination and all of that. ‘We believe in self-respect and a learned.
‘motivated engagement in society. This s natural mutual aid in action, for the
females and males of humanity are highly social creatures, are capable, deserving of
30
and longing for free and open dealings with anybody else and it be brutishly
‘mentally herded by the Julius Streichers of America, today.
‘We focus on Earthly truth, and what has to be done to rescue her and the future of
our children, Make no mistake, the Earth s being held hostnge by global capitalism
and its bloodthirsty governments with unbelievably dangerous weapons, which we
have just seen arc used mainly on their own people! In other words, people pay
faxes, so the government can get guns, bombs, planes, g, tesers -whatever - to kil
you and your fellow Americans. This i today, n the here-and- now, not the
‘zenocide of the Native Americans or the chatte slavery of not so long ago. Legally,
' the 2.3 prisoners who are classified as legal slaves.” Lawsuits fled by members
of the Missourt Prison Labor Union asking for justice from being used as slave
Inborers —no days off, no wages — nothing! The august Supreme Courtjustices ruled
that scconding to the 13 Amendment, an extremely important one, prisoners are
slaves and can be used as slave laborers.
This is the argument Hitler used to write up the Nuremberg Laws that led the way
10 the gas chambers! The U.S. Constitution. South African spartheid laws were
‘modeled ater it. Remember Plessy v. Furgeson? This was the “separate but equal™
ruling instiutionalizing Jim Crow discrimination for many decades. The
Constitution, is in fact, a fraidulent, unenforceable (by reason) document! Itis a
staver's document thax was never really agreed to by any of us, nor many people.
back in the day. Unlike, the Declaration of Independence, it wasn't even signed
except by John Hancock! We're supposed to believe, that because the public grade
‘Schools force the kids to stand and say the “Pledge of Allegiance™ every day before
Classes, that we thus have agreed to this thing, do you? That's child abuse, cult-like
‘behavior - which the stato insists upon. 1's not a valid sgreement. It's a coeroed
imposition, whose flowery language was taken from wise Native Americans they
then went and slaughtered and whose vague platitudes are interpreted by reactionary
“Supreme Court Justices” whose suthority is cut from the self-same, unagreed to
cloth.
"Here's a brilliant deconstruction of the validity of the Constiution, beautifully
written by an early American anerchist thinker, Lysander Spooner. It was writien in
18609 in the wake of the domestic, government directed, brotherly bloodbath, known
as the Civil War.
It was and is the most fraudulent document ever concocted by a group of pro-
Slavery higher-ups (landovmers, Governors etc.) Made to appear as a beacon of
freedom, it systematized human stavery, denied nearly everyone th
other rights, paved the way for the raw invasion and slaughter of the Indigenous
Nations, al the way to the west coast, ncluding half of Meicol The real ruth i the
factthat no govemment can “grant” rights or freedoms. These are all natural to
everybody! Governments can oniy take rights and freedoms away from people!
OK. Pl get back to what anarchists believe. Another hugely important tenet of
anarchism is solidarity. “This means we come to the aid of each other when we need
help. This means everybody! Anarchists worth their salt strive to lean sbout many,
‘many struggles throughout the world, how theyre related and put their heads
Logether to aticulate the issues involved and formulate some kind of action to
educate and hopefully, activate peopl to deal concretely sbout these issues. It's
‘“bout serious, constant free skool cducation and being there when some sifuntion
3
develops and your help is needeu. Everybody has certain ifls o contribute. We
ned to focus on developing our takeats and how best they can be uilized to further
‘our goal, which is a conscious and freely interucting citizenry, unhampered by
coercive authority or slave relations, which is the las thing any government wanis (o
see happen. When snarchism has briefly flourished, all siaes, whether they be:
“democratic™ or “fascist” or “communist” have wrked together to drown these:
examples of social freedom in oceans of blood.
We need 10 leam from each other and build boods of riendship and solidariy.
The New Afrikans have a slogan — “Each one, teach one!™ and “Free the Land!”
That’s what P'm talkin® about! More focus and atication nceds to be directed
towards making these revolatory analyses available to more working people. People
nced to learn sbout and implement the anarchist punk ethic of “D.LY. - Do It
Yourselfi” Self-publishing, photography, music, art, documentaries, preseatations,
‘confrences, open forums, all inds of opportunities o raise issucs and
consciousaess, arc available to those who are not bogged down by inertia, 1t's
ontest of your own will, your own sense of self, to maximize your effectiveness.
Anarchists, like myself, will be glad to put on teach-in type warkshops on how 1o do.
all kinds of things (sill sharing,) Just ask us. Also, the intermot s very helpful. It's
‘preat that kids (some, anyway) have access o computers and know how t0 use them.
‘There are many excellent websites about anarchists and contacts 10 got books, zines,
films, etc.
1 focus most of my attention on thy nation’s dungeons because that s ground 2670
ofthe oppression, here t home. There are many, many Brothers & Sisicrs in these
Pits who need our support, and solidarity. Sometimes, s a very real case oflf aad
death. To wit, Texas is tring to kill Hasan Shakur (again!) down in Texas, He's the
Minister of Human Rights of the New Afrikan Black Panther Party Prison Chapter.
He may very well be exccuted, ala Tookie Williams, in the next few weeks. It's
‘modern-day slavery and people who oppose it are killed or heavily incarcerated. The
horrible, beyond Mengele thing these days, s the Control Unit prisous. They are
clinical torture chembers — the ultimate in vicarious naz thrils.
Anarchists, imperfect like everybod else, are sort of activized by these sterling
xamples of moral principles to live by. Equality of all people, respect for the
animals and ecology of Earth, these are what drive us in our activitics, if we are not
at our wage-slave job. Even on the job, our minds are workin'l The Wobblies,
IWW, were the fist union to treat women and blacks as equal to othor workers and
onganized the most oppressed aud stood in the line of danger couragoously. Many
were anarchists!
“The Haymarket martyrs wero all anarchists! These amazing herocs were the
‘epitome of an auarchist, in my opinion. They published several dailies, weekly und
monthly papers and journals in several langusges, organized in defense of warkers'
rights constantly and electrified the entire world unto this day with their unbounded
anarchist courage on the scaffold! Their “Chicago Idea” school of dedicated
unarchist agitation i sill one of the wonders of buman schiovemeat.
They kicked off the whole 8-hour movemeat. On May 1, 1886, they led 80,000
people down Michigan Aveaue, a full 1/3 the population of Chicago at that time!
‘The next day, the police shot and killed two workers af intcmational Harvester, and
wounded many others. Two nights later, the Haymarket rally occurred and ll the
32
rest. Shorly after the bomb and ensuring massacre by police, a huge round-up of
thousands throughout Chicagoland, took place. That's how they operate, they st
things up. Johnson conjured up the Tonkin Gulf Incident, Bush had his “WMD"s™
‘and Hitler, ever the student of the U.S., in 1939, dressed up some prisoners s Polish
Soldiers, trucked them to the frontier, shot them, and them claimed Poland was
‘provoking them into war. ‘This is bow “World War II” became generalized, mass
government-led slaughtering of civilians and soldicrs (who aro erely civilians
Torced into fighting for “their” government) 1ts all sbout the “Big Lic” because
they can'tstand the truth, which is what anarchists look to find the most. So, they tic
about us and hide their crimes in huge buildings in Washington, which normal
people aren't allowed to read about. Justlike in chatte slavery times, lteracy and
polhkflemwivlmqmiafly‘unnbiwlamd.mhpwphwwfl
Giscover how horrible governmenis truly are, overcome their lothargy and fear and
begin to do something sbout it, instead of being atomized and fearful and bopeless,
allthe time.
OK. There's that rant} (smile¥) Disect Action means to deal with whatever
20d defend oneself, family and community and the et of humaaity from aay kind of
‘oppression! Aniuim'yhu-,llmh\'\.ym-lll 1 truly believe that and it urts me,
‘when people are murdered by the U.S. govemment every day. 1 can't stand injustice
to anyone!
Anarchism s tolerant of any religious belief, but necessarily wary. It's very
Barth-centered. Although some enarchists bold some religious beef or oher, I'd
‘say most are atheists. 1 sure am! 1 don’t believe any pie in the sky religion. They're
{nvarisbly anti-women nightmare, depressing institutions, generating intolerance and
Kliximhflimwhichnfinhfiwm. ‘It muddies the mind and debilitates
{he thinking processes. 1f you startbelieving a bunch of stuff based merely on
“faith,” you're much more suscepible 10 government manipulation, which in fact,is
all pervasive throughout allthe media. It takes 3 lot of conscious effort and
willpower to defy its penicious and ubiquitous oaslaught, which religious doctrine
plays into the hands of. “Good Christians” are a passive flock of sheep!
i s not to say, 1 don’t believe in Spiritualist. 1 think I'll call myself
piritual Humanist." Ahfll(myflm‘,cmmmlb Rasheed)
leh(.whnhflr"hwi-nlnllldiml.llicuhtdfiilmwmbu‘lmmy
satisfaction. He describes it like this:
«Spiritusl-Humaaism Is a free philosophy that embraces the essence of
‘humanity by transcending the reacrionary influences aod values of natiooalism
and culture, 1t accepts the concept that all people are originally derived from
the same proto-human, therefore, embody the same bio-sociological and psycho
spirimual meeds.
‘Spiritual-Humanism is mof a religlon. 1t bas as an objective the accoptance,
nurturing, development and spiritual love of human beings. It encourages the
evolution of morallty as free, individual choice, aithough It must be healtby from
33
a sociologieal analysis. (Do unio others) It does ot tolerate or condone to uny
degree the practical coatradiction of theory. It advocates, human-ceatered,
socially coustructive practices aad ethics, whereas religions bistorieally have
not.
Religions, In general, are god-centered, and these gods are created ia the
Images of the people who worship them. Rellgions are authoritarian and huve
historically lacorporated into their expressions the repression and patbologies
of the cultures In which they operate. These pathologles range from the least to
tbe worst of immoralities: The blind ladoctrination of people, sexism, racism,
classism, oppression, and genocide.”
Clarence Authony (Talib Rasheed) Taylor
13606/ 13-1E
Indiana Department of Corrections
Peadleton Correctional Facility
P.0. Box 30
Peadieton, lndiana 46064-0030
All 00 often, sructured religions like the Catholic Church, for example, have
worked hand in glove with the worst fascist monsters. Receatly Opus Dei, rightist
Catholic soct, that was heavily involved in the mass slaughter of snarchists and
others, during and years afterthe Spanish Civil War of the 30°s, was elevated to a
moro sanctimonious level, by the pope. And look at the rightwing “Bom Again”
nuts of today. Look how Jesus® message has been twisted to go afler gays, women,
other religions, etc. Remember, Jesus was victim — a wrongly accused, seatenced
‘and exscuted prisoner of the dominant imperialist bully government of his time
(Rome) just like the whole world is being bullied by Fortress Amerikkka today!
Many organizations have anarchists as volunteers. These may well have been
founded by anarchists. We believe in helping others to learn how to help themselves
and others. Education and empowermeat are everybody’s right. We can’t rely on
the hideous educational system. That Prussian developed monstrosity is a colossal
failure. Il talk more at length on educaion in a lttle while.
Anarchists today do things like “Food Not Bombs.” This is where anarchists,
‘acquiring the waste of society, through dumpster diving. doations and organic
farming, provide and cook food for homeless and hungry people in many cities.
Food co-ops, infoshops, housing co-ops, art collectives, musicians, writers, activisis,
often form collectives and other voluntary alliances, to show solidrity, work on
projects together, assist in housing guests for conferences, provide education and
space for meetings, or whatever. At demonstrations and other specific direct actions,
‘anarchists usually work in “affnity groups.” This is tight-knit group that makes
decisions on their own and looks out for each other directly. They can work with the
larger groups and other organizations and 5o forth, but for certain situstions, &
reliable, on the same pag, agrecment group (affinity group) comes in mighty handy!
‘Another important tenct of anarchism is prison abolition. Prison is sn
sbomination on the soul of humankind. Prisons were fist created to house slave.
laborers in England, and later slaves in America and other low class folks. The
prisons are a hug gulag archipelago slave plantation, where the prisoners are indeed,
34
contitutionally considered and treated as laves, Slavery is a hig part of the
Constitution and always was. What's more, the endless “Drug War” is a gns on
fire solution, similar though much more extensive than prohibition in the 20's. “The
devastation to the Black commanities in particular are of genocidal proportions. A
full /3 of young Black men in the citiesare in prison, on parole or probtion. ‘This
is sever times the incarceration rate of South Afrikan apartheid at its worst. With
2.5% of the world’s population, we incarcerate 25% of her prisoners. We usurp 30%
of the world's resources, condemning countless hundreds of millions to starvation
‘nd emaciation, yet tll, here in America, tens of millions are fungry, without
‘adequate health care, shelter and have a hapelessness that an oblivious “education”
could do nothing to improve!
“This is truly demented country. Atomized and zombified beyond a whisper of
compassion, Americans go about their lives in almost horrified ignorance? They
“don't know and they don't want to know!” The big vl s the psychological
surrendering forced upon us all, ke the once proud Bolsheviks denouncing
themselves in the most despicable ways, shartly before Stalin's assassins murdered
them in a ditch. 1'd like to quote Hugo Pinell a prisoner now for 42 years. He was
commde-in-arms with the legendary George Jackson.
“Our oppression and dehumantzation and our living conditions worldwide,
are worse than ever because we are denfing with the most viclous, mallclous and
inhumane forces n history. They control Just about every aspect of our
physical and social lives, and that Is a reality we can’t deny or ignore. But as
‘agonizingly painfal as this reality i, the bigeest damage these monster criminnls
have Inflicted upon our Humanity Is the one done to our mental faculties,
through a systematical and dogmatie process, generation to generation.”
Another principle is voluntary cooperation. Free association. People should not
be coerced into joining any group. 1fa collective is formed and some people don't
want to be involved, that is their prerogative. But, predation cannot be allowed.
People can do what they want as long as they don’t try to exploit or inringe upon
others or damage the environment. That's what separates anarchists from
lihertarians. They can't stand goverment interfercnce, cither. The problem with
themn, s that lthough they like iberty and not being hassled by goverment, they
il want to be able to exploit workers, and ignore the other injustices of capitalism.
“Anarchists refuse to be a party to any kind of master-slave relationship, plain and
simple!
Decisions are ideally come to, through 8 painstaking process of discussion and
consensus. “Democracy” especially as practiced in America, is another fraud. We
anly have two corporate partesto choose from, and their parts are nterchangeable.
They don'teven count the votes, a huge percentage of black men are incligible to
Vote (convicted of some sort of “felony") are arbitrarily taken offthe ballot, or
hatever, Over half the eligible people don't vote anyway, due to disgust, liention
or distrust of government and millions of so-called “illcgals” can't vot, either. The
Tws are all stacked in favor of stolen wealth and the pofice are supposed to protect it
from the poor - and round them up, in what even the incarcerafion cxperts arc calling
“an incarceration holocaust.”
38
Large corporations give buge sums t0 basically buy candidaics and ¢lections, suif
ll the lobbyists, and otherwise guide the politics of elected officials. Besides that,
dus 1 country-wide mass politcalsuplifcation, a “majority” decision by
dangerously ignorant “electors™ is no conscious decision atall, but one ready for
exploiation by the srin-pullers and spin doctors. 1’ a sham for show only! It's &
pathetic nothingness passes off as genuine participation in the social and politica lfe
of the country.
Ouly when people bave a real and direct say in what happeas 1o them and their
communities, will people-orieatcd solutions be created. Relying on mayors, the
police, the courts, stae reps or senators, eic, ec. s an endless exercise in being
scorned and ignorcd, alked down to, etc. It's 8 miserable perade of frusiration,
huilition, ineffectiveness and futiity! The system i tere o faciltate 8 profit-
driven, corporate cconomy, not o do what is right for peoplel
“The only real argument govemmeat can ultimately come up with for its existcuce.
is this: “We have a lot of police and miltary and we'll kill you if you don't do what
wo say." To bo cowed and go along with that, writes our own death seneace
anyway, as we wait our tum. | have children. | have self-respect und I'm not going
10 do that. Rather, I'll o the opposite of cheericading for genocide. I'll rumpet
wruth and life! Ill extend my hand for someone who's down! I'll efy this Death
Ship and stand up, like any righteous person should! It goes back 1o what Emma
suid about living your ideals. Our one and only life must be reul lifel Anything
less s capitulation and acquicscence 1 slavery and injustice. We are accountable for
our lives and actions.
“Ihank you.
Notes on My Talk on Anarchism on August 16, ‘06
As usual when I give a presentation, I like to read a prepared
statement to sort of concentrate my arguments, and then speak
xtemporaneously, answer questions and so forth. My read
statement s enclosed in this overall report, but I also wanted to
run down my notes that I drew from when I spoke after the
tatement. Here are my notes.
. Historical quotes — Percy Bysshe Shelley, Proudhon, Kropotkin,
Voltairyne de Cleyre, Bakunin.
. Ferrer Schools - Modern School Movement, which spawned
ndependent studies, increased home schooling, alternative
chools, zine distros, etc.
36
3. Anarchist influence in publishing - Murray Bookchin, Institute
for Anarchist Studies, countless neighborhood newspapers, Fifth
Estate, AK Press, Fred Woodworth, Anarchy, Green Anarchy, ete.
4. Important American Anarchists — Lysander Spooner, Johan
Most, Haymarket Martyrs, Luigi Galleani, Joe Hill - Wobblies,
Saveo & Vanzetti, Emma Goldman, Voltairyne de Cleyre, Lucy
Parsons, August Spies, Adolph Fischer, Albert Parsons, Alexander
Berkman, Yippies, Noam Chomsky, ABC Federation & Network,
Seattle 99, many wonderful anarchist speakers, writers,
organizers, etc. Always can & should do more.
5. The Punk Movement & Anarchism — D.LY. ethica, autonomous
zones, battling cops all the time, Earth/Animal Liberation, medics
at demos, housing co-ops, prison abolition. Food Not Bombe.
Tnternet websites, punk life-style — gateway to anarchist ideas.
6. All types of anarchists — it's an open-ended philosophy, with a
few basic humanistic principles — solidarity, mutual aid, voluntary
cooperation, no coercive authority, end to prisons & classObased
racist “punishment” consensus decision-making, direct action.
How is it implemented? Affinity groups, grass-roots organizing
always there to volunteer on efforts to demonatrate sustained &
useful to their needs solidarity & all kinds of support
Convergences, skill sharing workshops, bartering.
7. Anarchism & Religion. No bosses no gods. Christian
anarchists — Catholic workers, Leo Tolstoy, some also profess to be
Muslims or other religions. Personally, I'm an atheist, although I
also call myself a “Spiritual Humanist” as. described by Talib
Rashid, a brilliant prisoner in Indiana.
8. How anarchists work with other social justice groups & deal
with the relentless demonization we face in Amerika.
9. How to develop a serious, useful and effective anarchist social
mindset in a country of viciously brainwashed people.
37
10. What “The Idea” means for the future of our children &
Mother Earth horself.
Explain our work. What anarchism means to me. 1t's an
elevated way of comporting oneself. How I came to realize | was
ana anarchist, my epiphany & my journey from there. Summary
of my distro —a fow more recent titles — anarchist, Panthers, Now
Afrikan, others.
Believing that a selfloss, seriously solidarity-minded, free to
prisoners, anarchist distro could help blow the cover off this
tyrannical, nightmare regime. Think Communist Manifesto, The
(Conquest of Bread, Common Sense & Uncle Tom's Cabin. 1 aim to
continuously jack up the intensity & literary profundity,
eloquence, humor, stark truth, explosive prose, incredible analysis
& artwork in my distro’s publications, which are freely available.
See, I'm a “brain worker” anarchist! But, like music, there are
countless varieties.
CCOMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What do you do with all the “bud guys?”
2. “It's human nature (repression & ignorance) — Man is a beast.”
3. You'll never convince enough people.
4. Its all scripted by God.
5. T'm too afraid to relly think & do!
FEAR - STALINISM
Amerikan fascism - transcending it / overcoming the “fear line.”
Alternative media, neighborhood media, magazines, zins, books,
journals, videos, audios, films, theatre, puppetry, plays, all kinds of
interactive & artistic shows & conferences, etc. Children of the
internet, awesome anarchist websites. Future is now — podcasting.
It a war vs. the Truth! Organizing from the bottom up (prisons)
3%
FREE SCHOOL MOVEMENT
1) Max Stirner — “An education for freedom, not for subservience.”
The real purpose of education is to produce not “useful citizens”
but “frec men.” — autonomous, independent & self-sufficient.
2) Francisco Ferrer - Emma Goldman said of him —
“He believed that whatever part heredity may play, there are
other factors equally great, if not greater, that may and will
eradicate or minimize the so-colled first cause. Proper economic
and social environment, the breath and freedom of nature, healthy
exercise, love and sympathy and above all, a deep understanding
for the needs of the child - these would destroy the cruel and unjust
and criminal stigma imposed o the ignorant child.”
3) Leo Tolstoy —“I started my social activity with the school and
teaching and after 40 years, I am more convinced that only by
education, free education, can we ever manage to rid ourselves of
the existing horrible order of things and to replace it with a
rational organization.”
Freedom in education — what does it mean?
1. Do away with formality, discipline, restrictions, regulations
that suppress individual development and divided education from
play.
2. Cultivate physical & mental development with crafts, arts &
books.
3. Hontility to dogma & superstition.
1. Emphasized reason, observation, acience, independence,
autonomy and self-reliance.
5. Anti-coercive & anti-authoritarian
6. Stresses the dignity & rights of the child. Tolstoy encouraged
warmth, love, affection — instead of regimentation & conformity.
37
KEY WORDS
1) Freedom
2) Spontaneity
3) Creativity
4) Individuality
5) Self-realization
4) Mikhail Bakunin — Brilliant anarchist, contemporary of Marx,
foresaw Stalinism, etc.
Bakunin on education:
“Education must be founded wholly upon the scientific
development of reason and not upon faith - upon the development
of personal dignity and independence, not upon piety and
obedience; upon the cult of truth and justice at any cost and abouve
all, upon respect for humanity.
Francisco Ferrer was exiled to France where he started his
Modern School Movement. He received an inheritance from an
appreciative woman and moved back to Barcelona where his idcas
really took off. Many schools were started across Spain. He wis
shot to death at Montjuich Prison in 1909.
“Rulers have always taken care to control the education of Ui
people. They know better than anyone else that their power is bascd
almost entirely on the school, and they therefore insist on retaining
their monopoly on it. The true function of a teacher is to encourage
self-learning to allow each child to develop in his or her own way,
rather than force a pre-determined program of study on them.”
Rousseau had this to say: “No creature in human form will be
expected to learn anything but because he desires it and has son
conception of its utility and value.”
Froebel was the founder of kindergarten, He warned against
using a child as you would use a piece of wax - to be molded in a
shape that others desired. He called for a method of learning that
was “not directive and interfering” but that “would have each
human being develop from within, self-active and free, in
accordance with the eternal law."
Fourier insisted on “absolute liberty” as indispeneable for
growth and happiness.
Kropotkin argued that the “sterility of conventional education
produces superficiality, parrot-like repetition, slavishness and
inertia of mind.”
Tolatoy favored an “unconscious education” ~ a natural process
in which children are not even aware that they are being educated.
He taught that all aspects of education should be directed towards
the pupil's emancipation. “Let it be established that there s only
one criterion in teaching - freedom!”
Bakunin stated: “Children belong neither to their parents nor
to rociety. They belong to themselves and their future liberty.”
Stirner eaid that children should be treated with respect as
“creators” and not “creatures.”
These ideas are based on the belief in the essential goodness of
human nature. Free education rejects the notion of “original sin.”
Children are innocent at birth. Evil is rooted in a corrupt
environment and repressive institutions.
Free schools should be an environment of patience, affection, a
place where self-discipline is encouraged, kindness and
consideration. Arbitrary rules, rewards & punishments should be
abolished. There would be no marks or examinations which might
engender hypocrisy and dissimulation & arouse feelings of envy
among pupils.
Students should be free to learn without fear & pressure of
rivalry & competition. The student — teacher relationship should
he controlled by love.
The best atmosphere for studenta is one of full liberty where
thes are free to rettle disputes among themselves.
Education is a continuous, never-ending process of development
from cradle to grave.
Ferrer believed that “the whole value of education consists in
respect for the physical, intellectual & moral faculties of the child."
A child should have the opportunity to be placed in natural
settings, to visit factories & laboratories, which should be
demonstrated & explained. Children should go to museums, parks
‘and to the sea. Parents should be encouraged to continue their
child's education and learn themselves at night & on Sundays.
Lectures should be organized that are open to the general public.
We must teach the teachers to make the schools instruments of
self-development & also a lever of social regeneration.
Bakunin said: “The essence of all moral education is this:
inculeate children with respect for humanity and you will make
good men.”
Ferrer: “I love children above everything. I think I understand
them, 1 want my contribution to the cause of liberty to be a young
generation: ready to meet a new era”
Ferrer's work was destroyed by government repression and he
was murdered in 1909, His final words to the firing squad were:
“Aim well, my friends. You are not responsible. 1am innocent.
Long live the modern school”
For me, above all, anarchism means education and social
It means to live your ideals in action for freedom, for
social justice, against coercion, conformity and ignoration.
1 strive to help develop and nurture the spirit and potential of
humankind and fight its debasement, brutalization and
surrendering to hopelessness and acquiescence to genocide.
Anarchy is the heartbeat that drives many people to strive to
actualize their highest ideals into their daily lives. It's the
ultimate reality check humanizer.
Tve been lucky to have heard from many brilliant thinkers. But
one in particular I'd like to mention in closing.
Sam Mbah is from the Nigerian Awareness League. He's just
an amazing interpreter of political reality from the anarchist
perspective. Anarchism is truly a ‘world-wide gift of humanity for
humanity! Long Live the Modern School, indeed! For FREEDOM!
4%
Students for a
Democratic Society
NatioNaL CONVENTION AuGust 4-7, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO WWW.NEWSDS.0
13
Notes on Michael Albert's Talk at SDS - Chicago
Michael stressed the need for "vision.” We must combat cynicism
andlack of heart. People “don't want fo hear if" ~ the details of
worldwide oppression.
People, normal people, understand our message. but can't
process . They feel atomized and without hook-ups. We need 1o
Give them hope. a feeling of parficipating in something worthwhile.
“Movements against fyranny” are thought of as @ “war against
aging." Wiiters shouid write Gbout vision - how and where do we go?
Our strategy should be to struggle for “non-reform" reforms - push
ssues that maintain their legs and gain momentum and a broader
understonding.
As for organizing, we need recruits. This is what matters - growing
info lorger, more powerful groups and working more closely. Vision
can't be ftained without eor and we must fight elifism. Everybody
owns the "vision® (human fiberation) and it must come from the.
bottom up.
‘There's a fear of sectarianism as poiffics and one's identity become
100 intertwined. We must be flexible. “Identity" is justice. He claims
anarchists have no vision. He criicizes the primifivists as not being
compelling or coherent.
His vision asks s o identity the “institutions we like" as they involve:
our "values.” Do they further or hinder our values? He feels it
important o st visions as a funcfion of thinking through insfitutions that
deal with values.
His st of values s as follows:
1. solidarity, empathy, caring - relations among people. How shall
fhe sconomy be structured? What are our range of opfions?
2. Diversity
3. How are things shared? Equity.
4. What is our say in decisions? Sell-management. Decisions
should be in proportion to how one is affected by those situations.
e says consensus is not necessary for everything as far as
ailocation, distibufion and consumption. For example, workers and
Sonsumers could form councils fo organize these functions in
mutually beneficial way. with renumeration and bolanced job
complexes fo help make labor more equitably performed.
e says class is not just a funcfion of property relations. Capitaiists
don'tjust screw workers. They hire lawyers, doctors and judges fo do
. We must administer and define our own lives or we will have them
administered and defined for us. He called the capitalist class the
“coordinator class.” He mentions how the capitalists have demonized
“socialism" which is a system of worker's confrol as being the “enermy
of workers.” Spiro Agnew called leftisls “the nabobs of negaivty.
And US. “leftists” have often been eiifst and bourgeos. 49
He goes on 1o say Bush can't conceive the Afghan’s as human, He
said the “No Nukes" Movement didn't consider coal mines that
People worked in, as an altemative fo atomic energy and how
workers see them. He said our instifutions are run like G.M. Sociefies'
relafions are multideveled ond infer-related and mold each ofher,
We need a new vision of culture that's diverse, defends the weak,
demanstrates mutual respect and ks antipatiarchal. We need a
kinship vision for parenting (sharing of fasks, efc.) We need a political
Vision with the creation of worker's councik, assemblies. Venezuela
haslayers of such assemblies and the decisions come from below. If
200 people get fogether they are given a house.
As for Today's SDS he says It embodies the seeds of the future in the
present. We need participatory polifics and must organize groups,
such s SDS. We must be multissue and mulitactical and keep
building new movements. These movements must have a notion, by
taking “vision" seriously.
He says the activist of the sixlies, screwed up by thinking
apocalyplically and things have sucked until now. too, as for as mass
organizing. We shouldn't set ourselves apart from people. Sincere
oulreach s needed. We must have a ciiterion of values and set fo
reach more people. For, nifpicking on personal mistakes can destroy
amovement. He calsit the “stickiness problem." Folks don't stick
around. The left fumed people off. We must deal with vision. We
need o overcome sectarianism. It fakes painstaking organizing - one.
on one faking.
We must accept that sports and religion are part of American
workers consciousness and deal with it as such.
These are just fleshed out nofes | fook of Michael's talk. He makes
some good points. | thought he was kind of condescending and “Ivy
League." | didn't see his “vision" as anything uniquely insightful. |
resented his swipe at “anarchists” If seemed he must be obiivious fo a
ot of serious anarchist solidarity work. He probably got a nice sfipend,
while | was out there passing out free anarchist and prisoner zines out
of my own wage-siave pocket and efforts! He seemed fike he falked
100 much making his points - grandiose-style, again a product of
academic-think. | thought it was funny when that woman launched
info this august hallsetting (big portraifs of University of Chicago big
shots) and saying something about them masturbating. Allin all | got
much more from the Labor Nofes workshop on ground up organizing
at the workplace.
4
LABOR NOTES - Organizing From the Ground Up
He suggests we google the:
JLLINOIS EDITORIAL FORUM
4 Criteria
1. What problems affect everyone at that staion?
2. Which issue really rankles people?
3. Choose a winnable issue
4. Focus on a group with a natural leader, an arficulate voice
and make that person a steward.
Draw up a pefifion and work through the grievance process.
Chart your work area and give workers “grades’” as fo their
militancy and understanding.
Pair a strong supporter with @ waffier.
Have them eat lunch together, or whatever.
Make life miserable for the bosses!
Recruit new members for stewards.
Notify other workers of success.
Develop credibility and onfo a steward's council.
A shop can have more than | steward, if they want.
You need at least one steward for every 15-20 people.
Campaign around safety.
The facilitator was an SEIU organizer from Detroit. I'm a long-
time SEIU member. here in Chicagoland. We had @ good
discussion, although some students had problems with his 46
organizing model as it relates fo them being students,
T came just for one day (Saturday) and it reminded me of many
such gatherings - a lot of punks and students, workshops, tabling
and so forth. 1 didn't really know what they were trying to do as
3DS and it didn't scem they felt themselves to be particularly
SDS." But, I don’t know. I presume there were people intent on.
naking this a new and articulate movement thrust. | was just
here to table and check out a couple workshops. 1 passed out &
on of zines to a mostly unknowing parade of young people, moetly. .
T remember, when I was 16, I attended the SDS Conference in b
Vashington, D.C. in November, 1969. That was a raucous
ssembly-type shouting match. I think they were in the process of
plitting up between the Weathermen and the PL (Progreseive
abor/Maoist) factions. Those two, of course, scared or bummed
ut most all of the SDS members. It was about “vanguard”
ctionalism. But there certainly was a lot of passion aad enorgy,
omothing I saw littl of at the University of Chicago '06 DS
vene. I suppose I was an impreasionable kid back then and now
Tm a “grizaled veteran.” But, T don't beliove I've lost my
sensitivity to these things, as I pay closs attention,
~ Anthony Rayson ~
)
The Unleashed Thoughts of An Anarchist:
Another Interview With Anthony Rayson
BY: COYOTE
COYOTE: Anthony, my comrade and fellow anarchist, you have
been a good friend to me in my struggle and I was hoping to get
the chance to interview you, and maybe pick your brain a little. |
{hink this would be a great opportunity to raise a fow questions
in regards to ABC, ‘and maybe for you to add some insight on the
struggles of prisoners and of the struggles of people who work
with prisoners.
Ficst of all, lot me start by asking you, in an obvious attempt to
spread propaganda, the government likes to label anyone who
opposes their authority as “communists” or “leftists.” Can you
tell me, in your opinion, what the difference between a
communist and an anarchist is?
Anthony: Thanks, Brother for the kind worda and I love and respect you
ool 1 appreciate the opportunity to engage in discussion with you. U1l
give these questions some serious thought!
‘I aoeme like these days, the government tries to label their critica
and real enemies as “terrorists” or “anarchists” or more recently minted,
SJlamic fasciste.” The Castro brothers are atill “communists” and Hugo
Chavez is a distained “leftist.” When a society descends into barbarity.
its called “anarchy.”
So. 1 gues Id say there are two sets of definitions of these buzzwords.
tho ones the U.S. government uses and what they want us to beliove they
‘mean (what they want us to think) and what a serious student of political
reality understands about these philosophies. One is a simpleton's
Nersion of the “Big Lie” parroted rather faithfully by a sycophantic prese,
‘Tmoant to keep people ignorant and fearful and the other is a more
‘complicated, but more honest look at these rival ideologis
Governments always look to hide their own criminality by raising the
spectre of “enemies” whother they are Vietcong “guerillae.” or Chinei:
Eommunista” or Sandinista “rebels” or Iragi “insurgents.” At home,
we're supposed to be worried about “gang bangers” “anarchiste’ "eco-
Yerrorists” “sleeper cells” and so forth. Their thing is herding the sheeple
into fear pens and acquiescence towards the repressing of those who
challenge authority. Ita fascist repression-think. I think it was Aesop
“who anid centuries ago, something like “Government violence is called
Jaw’ and individual violence is called ‘crime.” It's the difference hotween
the truth (anarchism) and lies.
4%
A for the differences in, you mentioned “communists” “leftists” and
“anarchists,” I'l say this. There are actually several flavors of each!
Thero are Maoist communists, Marxist-Leniniste, Stalinists, Trotskyists,
Castro Communista, other types in South and Central America, Africa
and Asian communists and Europeanized Communist “parties.” There is
even a thing called anarcho-communiem, which Alexander Berkman
considered himself to be, among many others.
Communista beliove in the overthrowing of the capitalist aystem to be
veplaced by “socialism” and eventually, “communism.” After a succesaful
rovolution, vanguard party, with a contral committee and politburo
decides the course of how the revolution should go, by way of “democratic
contralism.” They talk of worker control (‘sovists") but the decisions will
be made by the Communist heavies. In other words, they advocate
dictatorship — in the name of the workers!
That's why communist countries have been so brutal and repressive.
‘There ia no freedom. It is an imposed “liberation.” The people have no
say-60 and if they try to have any, the KGB or the CHEKA or the
"Thought Police comes to get you and throws you into a gulag. Isn't that
what they ulready do in the U. Bo what good is a revolution, if you're
just going to replace one dictatorship with another?
‘There are other Marxists - Marxist-Humanists, various kinds of
“wociulists” and uo forth. Karl Mars is the father of “scientific’ socialism,
just as Mikhail Bakunin, his contemporary, was the father of anarchism.
Bukunin warned the world about the dangers of Karl Marx's
“dictatorship of the proletariat” and this horrible scenario was played out
in excruciating agony under Stalin and under other gruesome
Many millions of valiant people fell under the banner of communism
fighting against capitalism, (imperialism, fascism, Nazism, “democracy”)
but the gaine they won were inevitably betrayed by their communist
“leaders” who ran the commuist parties which grabbed power, once the
capitalists were routed.
Unlike the anarchist concept of genuine autonomy, worker's control of
the work place, voluntary association, consensus decision-making and so
forth, all decisions, economi, political, even social, wers top down
decisions handed down by a “communist party” and forced upon the
people, alboit accompanied by anti-capitalist and “revolutionary” rhetoric.
Tfianmnmynf.mmuni‘lwunkymmnmmkhld-lflihd
as “state capitaliom.” Instead of corporations manipulating the economy
and politics of a country, a group of central committee appointed and
directed “planners” orchestrate the economy, without any real input. from
regular working people.
Anarchists want to abolish prisons, slavery, predation, coercion and all
hideous institutions that infringe upon liberty and freedom and
11
communists build secret police, gulag archipelagos, “re-education”
fndoctrination camps, and other creepy repressive, not free, lie-basod
forces of oppression.
‘Anarchists also have a “class analysis’ and realize what capitalist
economy is all about, like a learned “Marxist.” We don't believe in
all or any other kind of suppression. These are
comfortable working with and many anarchists who I feel do little or
‘othing to push the common struggle forward. 1 believe in the anarchint
tenet of solidarity very strongly and work with those who are also
‘seriouly into fighting this beast, here in the belly. It seems even with
thnirbdhfi(vmmldilm)wmmunimofiendndinmdwund
struggles that people are concerned about, while anarchists are busy
‘worrying about some esoteric bullshit or being self-centered hedonists,
‘inaceountable for their actions. Maybe I'm just kinda pissed right now!
T respect communists for their level of effort and the seriousniees they
bring to their work, whereas I can't say the same for anarchists. I'm
‘quits disappointed in snarchists, generally, although there are some who
1 greatly admire. 1 believe that people want to live unfettered by any
I of eppressor o lie-based belief system. They want the truth and to
bo loft to live their lives as they see fit — as long as they don't hurt
‘somebody and in turn, aren't being hurt by somebody else.
S0, 1 see the logic and principles of anarchiem, because they are based
on freedom above all elee, will win the hearta and minds of people, when
‘ip comes to tuck, but anaxchists got to get off their assca and jack up
their intensity many, many notches beforo this will become a reality. In
Spain, they lived and struggled (and were killed!) for many decades
leading up to the Spanish Revolution of 1936. Anarchists need to give 1
total effort!
“As for “leftists” it can mean corporatist democrats to serious
revolutionaries. It depends on the context and the political landscape of
the region involved. Tn Amerika, a “lefist” ia but a mild reform-minded
eritic of endless government genocide, but in eay, Bolivia, a “leftist” may
Iines hurling dynamite! In Amerika, a ‘lefist” may participate in a "dic
in” and got “arrested” (arranged for before this timid ‘demonstration.”)
Tn Sri Lanka, this “leftist” may be carrying a rifle, defending part of an
autonomous zone. Their religious beliefa vary wildly, as welll
“As for Alexander Berkman, he called himself an anarcho-communist.
The Haymarket anarchista called themselves “socialists” too. This ie
‘ecause the goal of communism is the “withering away of the state” and
an equal sharing of goods “to each according to .
believe resources and goods should be shared equitably and there shouls
So
be no utate, an inherently oppressive and criminal monstrosity.
1 believe folks can become “conacious” through various revolutionary
avenues and that's to be respected, s long as they aren't racist, sexist,
homophobic, and so on. We all need to work closely together to defeat
this horrible system of oppression. But, “after the revolution” these
tendencies come to the fore and “revolutionary dogma” becomes policy of
@ new government and if it isn't an anarchist situation, anarchists and.
other revolutionaries will be represeed. So, that's my concern with
treat the people and other revolutionaries liko their enemy. Anarchiats
only go after oppressors, not normal people and other revolutionaries.
‘That's the main difference, in my opizion.
Somothing Assata Shakur wrote comes to mind. She said: “If you're
deaf, dumb and blind to what's happening in the world, you're under no
obligation to do anything. But if you know what's happening and you
don't do anything but sit on your ass, then you're nothing but a punk.”
Al too often, so-called “anarchists” are nothing but punks!
COYOTE: It seoms that the government can easily come together
and oppress us, attack us and divide us on all levels and fronta.
But when it comes to us coming together on all levels to defend
ourselves and to organize, there seems to be a lack of real unity.
Can you offer some ideas on how to establish a real'sense of unity
amongst anarchists?
Anthony: Well, this slave-based government has been in the saddle for
several centuries now. They've had hundreds of billions of dollars of
extorted tax monies to epend, control the media and all schooling of our
children and have this conditioning of our minds down to a sort of sick
science. Remember after World War I1, one of the first things they did
waa gather up all the top German Nazis and put them to work for the
USS. government, They didn't care about all the horrible murdering and
gruesome experiments they did. They had propaganda skills and
Anarchists, have no source of funding, have been demonized and
:nmindlnfl,mduullit-ulunilvmhndmfindhthnnwhm.yh
interested in earning the truth. People have boen beat down and aookie
folka never develop questioning mindset, or a self-driven form of
education. Each person first has to totally deconstruct their entire lives
to start fresh and build a genuine ability to think freely and understand
the reality that's been 6o hidden for so long. These are very powerful
<!
obetacles to confront and overcome. Fear plays a tremendous role, ns the
wfllil'nrj‘lndlpmfnllfluwnmmw-v!nvdflof
wilderness, once outside mainstream-think. The connections to serious
‘ruth are tenuous and subject to constant disruption by the authorities.
'All the “legal” avenues for revenue are tied up in the capitalist aystem.
To attain money, you must sell your labor to a capitalist. Housing,
‘medical care, food — none of these are provided for our people, even
though a nation with 4.5% of the world's peaple usurps 30% of the world's
natural resources. Its a struggle to survive in this country and if you try
o fashion a life — a mate, children, etc. it pretty much takes all of your
time and effort, just to make ends meet. .
anwhile, the government is ever vigilant looking for more bodies to
cram into their enormous (and growing!) gulag system. A million laws
{noures that every single person is constantly breaking the law all day
long, every day. So, the chance of getting arrested is ever present. If
they want you, they can conjure up charges and have no foar of any
reprisals coming their way because of it. I read an article & couple of days
‘a0 that documented that 99.8% of bad cops never have any kind of
discipline because of their predatory and criminal behavior. They are
mmuune from the laws they so zealously chase down others about.
‘How does this translate in “anarchists” being such dip shits and not
working on the same page? Well, we're people too, who have been
dostroyed by this system, like everybody else. Even so-alled “white
Decple” have had to live & really messed up, regulated and stultified lfe,
Amidt racists and cops and horrible “education.” Theyve been taught to
not have it together in zillions of ws
“This self-hating behavior and this inability to build genuine
community amongst people facing the same problema ia a deliberate
‘policy of government. It the old “divide & conquer” being used on.a
Bubliminal, highly advanced manner. Young people are zombified by
“iolent video games. Tesns are plugged into bad-ss gangsta hip-hop.
Many are strung out on various drugs — crack, television, sports, money,
sex, bling, whatever! Anything to forget about dealing what s stari
all in the facel It drives me wild how catatonic everybody is. It like the
set to a Rod Serling Tuwilight Zone episode!
“Anarchists” are mostly similar victims, ‘who have stumbled across
some anarchist literature and maybe anarcho-punk culture. They're etill
arrying around a lifetime full o bad upbringing. They have s long-aseed
‘way to go to purge all this garbage within and develop a serious anarchiat
‘oneciousness and purposefulness that will facilitate them being sble to
work closely (and effectively) with other serious-minded people. They're
‘human like everybody else. Ita a very difficult, complicated series of
‘hurdles to overcome. Prisoners are the same way. ‘They may develop a
“consciousnese” and be rarin’ to go, once released into “minimal security”
$:
(the outs) But, once out there, the struggles of the real world, finding &
job, a place to live, food to eat, a person to love, people to relate to, become
almost impossible. Becoming a serious activiat/ organizer on top of all
this, is like climbing Mount Everest naked! Not easy.
There's 80 much noise, it's hard to hear the truth and listen to the few
who are doing the serious educational work required to attain these
various lovels of development. 1 like to think I have a lot of useful
information to give. But it seems people are afraid or too lazy or
whatever, and don't want to listen to me. It like an affront to their
personhood to take advice from someono who'a “boon there and done
that." It goes back to the self-destructive conditioning that has been
wired into our brains from early childhood, to prevent us from realizing
our genuine potential. It takes effort to get off the dimo, overcome inertia
and wake the fuck up!
Anyways, to get back to your question, anarchists need to call each
other on the telephone, write letters to each other, go to each other's
house or apartment, meetings, arrange for meetings, develop projects and
work diligently on them before during and after them, do serious
outreach conatantly wherever they go, talk to everybody they meet and so
on. Its an every waking moment effort that people must figure out how
they can best perform. People must become their real selves, in spite of
this profane and insane, spiritually polluted social environment we're
stuck in. Its in there, somewhere and people can acossa it, practice it,
develop it and become their real effective anarchist selves. Its vitally
neceasary for everyone who wants to live a real life and I'm telling you,
ita possible!
COYOTE: As an anarchist, you are very intelligent and seem to
have a true sense of the issues that prisoners are faced with. Toll
me, where did you get your education from, as an anarchist?
Aathony: Again, I appreciate your kind words, but don't get gushy, now!
(smile*) There's lota of good insight out there —most all of it, in my not o
humble opinion, is flooding out of the gulags! I'm deluged with it, mysolf
and [ know many other people that are receiving brilliant political
analysis, incredible artwork, poetzy, collage work, etc., ete. that in fact, is
becoming the basia for a whole new concentrated “culture of resistancol”
1 truly believe that the level of awareness and connectedness to people,
‘who are groovin' on their IPods is gonna have to be actualized. Maybe
in Podcasting. Mlyhif-inmnd;mihfln-lfimml,'fllhka
fire, and people will got off their asses and reprint them copiovisly and
spread them around to everybody with urgency.
‘Some of the beat anarchist thinkers today are anarchist prisoners. 'l
single out people like Harold Thompeon, Jerome White-Bey, James Scott,
Ali Khalid Abdullah, Ojore Lutalo. There are many, many, many others.
S$3
There are also other brilliant revolutionaries who don't consider
themselves anarchists. These include, Muslims, New Afrikana,
Communists, Indigenists, all kinds of folks. Although, as an anarchist, |
don't agree with some of the things they believe in, I'l still edit and
Dublish their work because I decided that they do have useful and
valuable insight, none-the-less. 1 don't just print anything eo prisoners.
Yond to send their best efforta for my consideration. I make my project
very cloar. T'm looking for the strongest in revolutionary thinking that
connects with the most people. The materisl is strong, but the solidarity
‘shown to help spread this inaight is still weak.
This is the basic anarchist principle of solidarity. It gets important
information out, gives honest credit for whoever is talking, demonstrates
the seriousness and effectiveness of anarchist polidarity work and helps
educate people. People can compare this particular line of thinking with.
“ay, my opinion of anarchist type thinking and make s judgment for
‘hemselves on who's opiniona more closely jibea with their own. T have
every confidenco that an anarchist mindset will stand strongly egainst
those sorts of rival philosophies and in fact, we can learn from the beat of
ach philosophy and blend it into our own bolief system. I've accepted the
mmmafm;n.nflfifimunfinmnwoldflnfimmflwhn
them on as my own. It's developing my own thinking!
Prisoners have been my main educator, in all truthfulness! Over the
‘ay prisoner letter is a reality check on real life condition. It cuts
through the cacophony and insights are developed and shared. That's
why the authoritiea keep trying to squelch our work and menace there
particular prisoners. The truth is revolutionary and they run slave
kamps.
T was lucky coming up in the sixties. My father was an active
i ‘young age I saw and experienced a lot of
P rerdible socisl activity. 1 always was attracted to the ideas of the
groups, underground commix, history, literature and so forth. [ read
o atiously throughout my life. Barly on (I think I was 14)I decided I
‘wanted to become @ “free thinker.” 1 didn't even know what that meant,
but 1 knew that's where I wanted to go was. T was in this class with
‘adulta, They were talking about the great philosophers, focusing on tho
$rom nazi concentration campe. So, I guess I've come full circlel Now |
study the great philosophor's in Amerika's concentration kam;
‘Growing up in Chicagoland, I also always loved the mystical story of
the Haymarket Martyrs. And when the Yippies & anarchists came to li
“Festival of Life” in August 1968 for the Democratic Convention, it was
somothing! There was a weeklong pitched battle with the pigs. My old
‘Taan was o delegate and he got tear gassed! My mom marched with a
bunch of other mothers for peace. It was heady stuff, My good frionds
ran a grotto in Dekalb, IL home of Northern Illinois University. They
had all the latest underground culture and news from around the
country, and there was a lot of it for quite a while. I soaked that shit up
ke a sponge! &
Later, I felt closely tutored by Emma Goldman and Lucy Parsons. 1
‘consider myself a “Chicago School” anarchist, which the Haymarket
anarchists developed. Its solid agitation for working class social
revolution — pure anarchism! 1 love it! 1 suppose Il have to articulate it
pretty soon. But, mainly, I just have a flaming hatred for injustice and
bursting love for freedom! Those compel me more than anything!
Sean Lambert was a real mentor to me, even though I'm probably
twenty years older than he is! Sam Mbah of the Nigerian Awarencss
League is a pure joy to listen to answer questions. Lorenzo Komboa
Ervin ia the father of modern day ABC thinking and doing. He's been
enormously impactful.
But [ also have non-specifically “anarchist” influences to my thinking.
1 consider myself a “race traitor” abolitionist. I can't stand slavery and
racism! I love John Brown and Illinois' very own, Elijah P. Lovejoy! Noel
Ignatiev is definitely onto something important to contribute! I respect
many of the New Afrikan thinkers, such as Zolo Agona Azaia, Khalfani
Khaldun, Ali Khalid Abdullah, Abdul Olugbala Shakur and others. But,
1 don't believe in nationalism. Ali i a New Afrikan anarchist and also
sharee my internationalist viewpaint. 1 am & big fan of Talib Y. Rashid
and his peychological analysis of solf-hate and criminalization and
epiritual humanism and Rashid is brilliant, both as an artist and as a
thinker/analyst. 1 don't agree with his communist model, though. These
people are serious revolutionary thinkers that I feel people should be
studying. We're not going to agree on everything, but we must learn the
nuta and bolts of the issucs involved. We must go to the source —the
moat oppressed - who have made it their life work to study and
deconstruct it and offer it to the world. We owe them our attention and
hopefully, we will be activated into doing useful and productive work.
It's moatly a lifelong belisf for freedom and against governmental
oppression. I've seen murder by the U.S. every single day of my life!
Everything I've read has filled in the scencs and timelines and specifics,
but it never changes that basic fact of governmentled mass murder all
the time. As a person who cares about the welfare of myself and others,
this is a drop everything abomination upon the people of the world,
during the entire period of government! In light of this utter madness
that now immediately threatens the very existence of Earth, it behooves
s to get with it, big time! Cmon, y'alll Ita fun as hell doinall this stuff,
wol No, ita not! Sometimes it is, anyway. Usually, it’s a stressful as
hell, lot of hard work, often frustrating hassle. But, 1 wouldn't ever stop
doing it, any day, ever!
EXY
COYOTE: A lot of prisoners are inspired by the likes of Malcolm
X, George Jackson and Dennis Banks, because these are people
who transformed themselves intellectually, while in pris
who took action to do something valuable for their people. You
once mentioned that you were destined to become a professional
Z'a doctor, professor or a lawyer, or something along those lines.
But you dropped out of college and hitch-hiked around the
country for 3 years. 1 sense your story is very similar to Che
Guevara’s. Other than your father, who are your influences?
Anthony: 1 guess your question is how does one become a serious
revolutionary activist regardless of their background? Those
Tevolutionsry brothers you mentioned, did indeed, become important
thinkers and doers, while in prison. They transformed themeolves from
‘being unknowing and criminalized into a slave situation, into
ndorstanding social forces. Malcolm X got a chance to go out in the
world and demonstrate what a brave black man can do, say, organize
‘and grow into— before he was gunned down. George Jackson became an
inerodible writer and thinker, all while still heavily imprisoned - until he
was gunned down on the yard. Donnio Banks wan incarcerated for hia
‘ctiviem and involvement with AIM. He was a strong soldier before hin
incarceration! They are awesome examples of what a person can
transform themselves into, regardless of the most. oppressive living
conditions. Malcolm showed what a prisoner can do, once he or she is
‘eleased. George demonstrated bravery even at the time of his murder,
‘while a prisoner. Dennis is ike Leonard Peltier, n lifelong fighter for hin
‘people.
Che Guevara put his life on the line many times, preparing for
revolution, fighting revolutions, and also gave his life fighting the U.S.-
trained Bolivian army, in 1967. He fought to liberate Cuba and fought in
Africa, before going down in Bolivia trying to ignite a revolution there.
He was from Argentina. He's a selfless example of real lifo on the line
solidarity with other oppressed people.
Tm no Che Guevara! Although, he came from a somewhat well-to-do
family, ik myself, I'm a product of Amerika. Idid “drop out” for a couple
years and disengage myself from the track I was unwillingly on —
“ollege degree. But, 1 didn't train to be a revolutionary fighter, like Che!
[mndiudthnid-uufmolwfinn.mlthh-rninxhww\o\—n[unp"L
Ho was & communist and I am an anarchist. He was an almost myt}
figure. I'm just a brain worker. Che was both a thinker and a soldier in
the field - a serious strategist under revolutionary ‘warfare conditiona.
The people of the world will forever love him for it - despite some of the
shitty things he did along the way — to Cuban snarchists and others. He
epitomized sacrificing for the love of humanity! It was a huge anti-
American phenomenon that the revolutionaries in South America today,
till revere and draw strength from ~ like Haymarket still is to many.
1did believe that T had to disengage myself from this bourgeais track I
was put on. 1 wanted to live a working-clasa lfe, so I would actually
think like and actually be a working class porson and not a petty ¢°f,
bourgeois one. I sensed early on, that not doing so would turn my
thinking into mush and I would sell out somehow and not legitimately
dovelop my thinking and writing.
S0, 1 would become an “intentional peasant.” X was kind of like the
narodniks of Russia, who decided to go back to the village and become one
with the peasants to help foment revolution in the 1800's.
It was a vague feeling I had, but I think it has been borne out. My
wiblings are liberals who chase after material things — cars, boats,
vacations, etc. I pour my wage-slave monies into serious literature,
which I spread freely to societies’ most oppreased. So, I think I guessed
right! I could feel that the two years on the road were a serious
“education.” I learned more then than in school. I learned about reality
and poverty and suffering and injustice.
Talways say, the two best decisions I made in my life (other than the
obvious persanal ones) were — not going into the military and dropping
out of college in 1972. 1 would insist on self-educated “degree.” Later,
at my second wife's insistence, I returned to college and became that
school's valedictorian. I usod the occasion of my speech to blast the
government and the schools administration!
T won a writing contest to be the valedictorian. My cssay was entitled:
“Learn To Think." Then I dropped out of school again (didn't go on)
because we had a seven year old and a one year old. I kept my job. |
toyed with the idea of switching jobe and becoming an educator. But, I
knew if I got a job as a teacher, Id be fired the firat day. So, I developed
into this free skool educator. I's another real good decision I made!
COYOTE: We are all aware with the strugglos that prisoners face
across the count but nobody gets to hear the stories of the
activists out there who help prisoners with their struggles. Do
you have any personal stories that you'd like to share? Maybe
‘somathing that happeied to you while you were doing your work
a8 & prison abolitionist, or maybe a “success story” of a former
prisoner, o any other story that you'd like to share.
Anthony: Well, I do spend of lot of time and effort getting the stories of
prisoners out. After all, you guys are the most oppressed in this country
and your stories scream to be told! But, I also write some personal stuff
und have my own personal zine, Thought Bombs. Sometimes I tell
personal stories in their. I have tons of stories of my life and those I care
about. Recently, the guy who help jack me out of that stupid dorm room
in lown, cirea 1972, Greg Dzurny, committed suicide. He was one of my
> 7
bost friends. His sister, who I went out with years ago, killed herself too,
a fow years ago! mmmflmfim-mmmhu«i
Mlmflp‘atheeyufllpmunhuwtmtmpb-ckm
prison (parole violation.) He was a beroin addict. He loft a three-year old
3 mldmomrpmptlnflbpmmndwfmm.
'Good, fun things happen! The recent conference to kick-start our new
group - Midwest Coalition To Abolish Control Unit Prisona — was cool!
We brainstormed for eight straight hours (about 26 of us) and then had
an ase-kicking show — reggae, hip-hop and punk bands! That made me
done! 1 want to focus on making things better! 1 want to go where
oeded the most! Lately, it has to do with trying to procure Jjustice’ in
i horrible nightmare situstion where my don's beat friend was killed
by an offduty cop. 1 think about it a lot. T have a lot of plans to do
‘writing projects. Ih«.hmmh-ldtmmy-md-ummdm,\
T retire with a modest pension. 1 hope to do more presentations and s
forth. Hey, you college folks! Get me some gigs!
"As for “success stories” Andy (John Two-Names) Riendeau comes to
prison in Towa and has been continuing his activism in support of
P rinoners and tris to help educate those around him. We keep in touch.
There are other stories, good and bad. The idea is to give every single
poroon an faie a ohake as poseible,see how they do, and belp them Hon
B way. an they noed and deserve. We have to know that this truth in
mmmmnm&-,mummmmm-mm-m
a1 orces that are hampering our work. Our job i to transcend those
COYOTE: It must be hard for you a: & wage-slave, father, :x
husband, and an activist, doing what you do. Everybody knows
how hard it is for prisoners, but nobody gets to hear how hard it
is for the activists. How much of a struggle is it for you, to do
what you do as an activist while still having to maintain a job and
support a family?
Anthony: Oh, it's hard as hell! Not! It's very easy for me to do this, as
I've ditcovered the perpetual motion machine of getting off your dead ass!
I've willed myself to be in this position. It's a project that I spent a ton of
time and effort on to be this developed. Now, people know about me and
know how to contact me. I've developed good working habits, efficiency
and so forth. The problem is the enormity of the task at hand. I'm
simply one person and like everybody else have only 24 hours a day to
‘work with. Throw in aleep, work, being with my family, etc., ete. and it
can get frustrating as the work piles up and the opportunities seem too
far apart and short.
Once again, I'm going to pat myself self on the back for having
youthful foresight. Early on, I figured that when I got older, I'd be busy
s hell, 5o while I was young, I could afford to be a slacker! And, I was, to
a certain extent. 1 did drop out of college and bum around, although I got.
Jobe here and there. Even as a kid, I had several paper routes, so | was
never ‘lazy.” Sure enough, here I am, “older” and I'm busy s hell. But, T
knew this would happen and I encouraged it to happen. I have a
tremendous capacity for work and this best maximizes my contribution to
the struggle, being this sort of switch man on the underground
information highway.
T don't buy the argument ¢ that it's 60 “hard” What is hard is gotting
rid of those do-nothing self-defeating attitudes and modes of behavior.
People can become anything. It's a matter of will — mind over matter.
Usually, starting a project ia the hardest part of actually seeing it
through completion. Look up the word “alacrity” and strive to have it —
lots of it!
As for my family, they have indeed been made to suffer, as I am so
immersed in this work. T can't be two places at once! They resent that
put so much time and effort into this. But, they're still loving and
supportive of me. My wife is tremendous and my kids are great! I doa
lot of work out of our house and only go out to meetings or demos or
whatever when I foel I must. So, 'm around, but my mind is thinking
about something else all the time. Oh sure, I knock off and do stuff with
them, on a daily basis, usually. 1float in and out of my work, as time
allows und opportunities present themselves. I use all my break time at
work doing support work. I don't watch much T.V. or read books for fun.
Tdon’t o to the bars or hardly see friends much. Everything is rush,
S
rush, rush! Sometimes, I take a couple three hours and spend it with my
brothers.
‘Every day, I prioritize my time and plan out what all I want to get
accomplished. Sometimes, I have to drop everything and ewitch gears, 80
1 must be flexible. 'm sort of inward and not a real “relationship” type of
person. I need and want people around me, but T don't want to be all that
“engaged” if you know what I mean. I'm not perfect, like everybody else.
T want to do and think sbout what I want and am not the best father or
husband. I try to be good, but realize I have inadequacies in that regard.
T'm none.the-less very helpful around the house and an integral part of
the family. 1 feel needed and wanted, if “always busy.”
‘We all have deficiencies as human beings as well as strong points.
One of my deficiencies is a difficulty in “getting inta” close personal
relationships on an every day basis. One of my strong points js my
relentless dedication to this type of support work and knack for t. It
would be nice to be great at everything and somehow have time to do
everything, but that's not how life goes down.
COYOTE: It must be very overwhelming as an activist, fighting
against great odds and against powerful enemies. s there
‘youd like to say to offer encouragement to fellow
activists? And could you tell people why they should got involved
‘with the struggle of prisoners?
Anthony: For me, fighting theae monstors ia not really “overwhelming”
butit can be frustrating. They're not killing me or bombing my
i ike they are with some other people. I'm not being
Tounded up in drug dragnets, shot at or harassed on a daily basis. I don't
live in a miserable cage. 1 do suffer secing other people suffer and die
though because of these arch criminals who run Amerika.
The “doing” of struggling is important. Its a chance to meet other
people, develop relationships, network, learn of other struggles and
Qevelop 88 an activist. Sometimes an action does some good and
‘sometimes it may seem like a waste of time. So, its frustrating secing a
‘omall turn-out at a lengthily organized event, say. We can never be
satisfied with our efforta. We can always try ‘harder and speak more
‘oarly and in such a way as people naturally listen to us and understand
that what we are saying is the plain truth!
Yeah, back in the day, when 1 was coming up, it seemed like everybody
was into it and nowadays, people are oblivious. Our job is to get back to
that level of attentiveness and get over the top disband this rogue
empire and start society afresh. 1o the task daunting? Of course! Tte the
question of life or death. The very future rides on our ability to be
‘successful, because Earth herself is being dragged down, tool
Lo
With stakes these uniquely astronomical, it really docsa't matter that
the task is difficult. It has aluways been difficult! We just must accept
that fact as a given and deal with it, without it bumming s out of the
important, urgent work we must constantly do. Besides, doing this work
is the revolution — especially while working closely with brilliant and
couragoous prisoners. This is where the battle is being waged. On one
side you have the most oppressed revolutionaries of Amerika, pitted
againat the 8S Amerikan Republican Guards!
‘This ia the main battloground in Amerika. The Constitution calla
prisoners slaves — to this day, there is no sugar-coating their intent! It
opens the whole, horrible Pandora's box of endless genocide and warld-
wide slaving that has defined Amerika from the got go. Prisoners aro
tortured and die like flies in these tombs and dungeons! HIV & Hepatitis
€ are pandemic, as ia rape. Abuse, assault, gassing, shackling, sensory
deprivation, all mannor of sadism is practiced on these 2.3 million poople,
every single day. If this realization doesn't cajole you into getting with it,
maybe you need one of those heart shocks, like Leno pretends to give
Cheney all the time!
The more active you become, the stronger you become. You become
adept at many important tasks, like arranging things, speaking,
facilitating discussions and events, knowing who to contact for all kinds
of things, what to do in an emergency situation, and o forth. The skills
You learn are applicable to every day life. It a flowering of a person. It
doean't have to bum you out or bog you down - even when you're buay as
hell! You just figure out how to handle it, forge ahead, no foar and not
wasting time procrastinating. Most people waste so much time “gotting
ready” to do something, they could have done it twice! Get right on it] Do
it because it needs to be done and you will do the best job of it! Have
confidence in yourselfl Life is a series of sccomplishments that took a lot
of hard work to make happen! And it can all be done on an ongoing, every
day, all the time basis, integrated into your normal life! Why not?
Prisoners need and deserve our support, as they are physical, literal
captives of our brutal enemies and are subjected to their evil designs.
Many are innocent of the charges they were convicted of and many more
lunguish, “guilty” of laws that don't exist in other places. In other words,
they're “guilty” of non-crimesl Yet, the endloss mass crime of government
isn't even up for consideration in their riggod courts. Prisoners comprise
a very important number of our best revolutionary thinkers and are in
the perfoct position to monitor the crimes of government. We muat listen
to them and work closely with them, to ever have a chance at real
liberation. ‘They'll also provide you with the best, education you can find.
Another thing, letter writing is a very important akil. I¢s a lost art in
this country, but it really helps you focus your attention on what you are
thinking and how you want to say it. It helps you craft arguments, write
L1
better, and connect with your own mind and those of others more directly
Pen and paper are always good to have at the handy! Always jot down
thoughts and insights and flesh them out as soon &s you have time -~
laziness! Develop a “rapid responee mode” for everything!
(COYOTE: There are many naysayers who think anarchy could
ever exist because there are too many people in the world who
‘want powor and who want to be in control. How far do you think
we are from reaching total anarchy in this country?
Anthony: We will reach total anarchy by June of 2007! Anarchy alrendy
‘exists 1n our lives all around us and in our homes. IV not just n societal
arrangement of autonomy and free exchange, but a moral way of living.
You live anarchist principles all day long. So, its not like all or nothing
ai it depends on tranaforming jerks into thinking, caring human beingr.
Some people will always be jerks, no doubt! Avoid those peaple or if you
can't do that, defend yourself from them.
People are a product of their conditioning. In this demented society.
people are taught to hate themselves and othors, Not exactly the perfect
B of upbringing to develop a legitimate anarchist social setting. Ita
R about waiting for people to got their act togother for an anarchist
society! It's about actualizing our own lives, Jearning and teaching each
M—Mfllmfllfitfiwfl'mn‘d ‘keeping it from all going
Sown the dran. Can anarchy be achieved some day? Hopefully! [n one
Seiluva goal, 50 why not have that as a long term goal? In the meantime.
we've loads of things to do!
As for the naysayers — screw them! Saying “nay” and doing nothing is
hmmsaful behavior on their part, They sound like they have surrendered
et oule to these pigs! For what?! Show some self-rospect, develop
e ve and lot’s seo what you got! What is your legacy eupposed to be?
Tirel, e poohpoobed everything in life and then he died. Ho Hum!
Sererw that! Life s meant to be lived like there in no tomorrow, becruer
Shere may very well not be, you turkeys! Sheesh! Get a fockin’ lfe!
(COYOTE: Describe to me, in your opinion, the difforence
between “gelf-empowerment” and “having power over others,”
o axplain how and when anarchists should apply each one in
their lives.
Anthony: Self-empowerment is just that. It is educating youreelf,
‘developing inights and ncting upon them in a positive manner. W are
‘ll responsible for our own behavior. The more aware we are, the bettor
hoices we can make, the more effective we can be in our work and the
more positive impact townrds others we'l hnve, by our exnmple and the
62
tungs we do with and even for other people. 1f we acoept anarchiat
tenets us guides for our lives, we will look to learn many things to
improve our ability to extend solidarity t others, or develop mutually
positive relations with others. We'llinclude everybod in decision-
making, have respect for other people and live a more positive, caring and
useful life. Theao are things we do for ourselves, as being this way is the
wost rowarding and wutiafying, regardloss of what others think or do!
The benefits of anarchism aren't dependent on some power-hungry jerk.
Our sufety might be, but not our anarchism. 1¥s a real shame that
violence and intimidation works to inhibit Pperson’s natural (anarchistic)
development. s the only argument fascism has — violence, lics,
indmidation, threats,
“Having power over others a fuscist idea. It's horrible and leads to
corruption, sadism, suffering, oppression, racism, sexiom, homophobia -
ull things wrong in the world. A master-slave ‘relationship is what
international capitalism is all about! It's not something we should strive
for, nor tolerate! That's why I agree with Bakunin about the communiate!
If they got in, they'd want to lord over the rest of us “in the name” of the
proletariat, whoever they are! The hell with that! It's just like the creepe
lording over our poor planet nowadays — the Rumafelda & Chenieys of this
‘world. ' the opposite of what we want to see happen!
l.thenocumnlo‘nnmteninlowrmhud"mdnmp
womeone from doing something? Yes! If that person is burting someone
else then you intervene and stop hiun! Its pretty simple. You do what
you want as long us it docsn't hurt someone eloe. If it does, you will be
stopped! But, other than that, its a bad approach. 1ts how this slave.
systew works — they write laws and we must obey or subit to thelr
sadistic and often deadly punishments,
Thnyhllundnm]hndmdhinmpl(fiummuyflwyumd
disliking to things they don't understand. There are a lot of
Ppeople who would feel threatened by the “presence” of an
unarchist. Ls there anything that you would like to say in dofonse
of the compussion and kind-heartedness of true anarchists?
Authony: [ see o reason why anyone should feel “threatened” by an
unarchist, unless he is & no-good oppressor himselfl Anarchists are not
A3
what they are portrayed as — punks bent on stealing your stuff, “fucking
“hit up" or otherwise menacing normal citizens. That the lying
partrayal of us by the government, the police and the medin, T'm » £
Year o4, middie-aged so-called “white” guy. 1 threaten nobody! Nor do
‘people foel threatened by my mere prosonce.
T find many, many people share our views on & lot of things. Most
folks hate the government and feel they are nothing but a bunch of lyine.
thioving bastards! Sounds about right to mo, tool Anarchiets aren't out
o menace anybody. Punks who like to pretend to be “anarchists” and
“teal stuf or whatever aren't really “anarchieta” to me roal anarchits!
They're just thieving punks! People who don't respect “normal” peple
aro the assholes, not these “normal people” they're dissing!
Seo, most peaple are pretty real. Ifyou approach them with rempect
and i opennese, they'll espond in kind. They're surprising radical in
their boliefs, tool Coming at them all dressed up in “attitude” and heing.
Toud and obaoxious s offensive to anybody. Why so-called “anarchint="
sometimes insist on being assholes, 8 a very irritating thing! Wait until
these “rebels” get older. Most probably, they will have long since sold out
et buckled to their corporate molds. Screw that! Get real and treat
people with respect! I'm no saint and sometimes I'm an asshole, toc! But.
P ean think about it, apologize and try to keep ourselves from doin thnt
again! No one likes being disrespected! Save your vitriol for the roal
‘monsters!
‘Then, of course, there are times when you run across & nazi jagofl hent
on giving you & hard time, Stand your ground and defend youreelf if
aaary, You don't deserve to be hassled by a jerk, cither! Mot of the
Hme, you can argue persussively — as an anarchiet — without ever even
g the dreaded “A” word! You simply tell the truth with passion
‘and conviction. Case closed, argument won!
‘Compassion and kind-hearted anarchista are everywhere nnd they ar:
always busy being comprssionate and kind-hearted! 1t ke mother's
Tove . comes right in on time and means the world! T know a bunch of
Yind-hearted, compassionate (and seriously active) anarchists and theeo
e the types of people | gravitate towards and endeavor to work with
‘most! 1love ‘em and eo does everyhody else who in delighted by their
“onsideration and thoughtfulness. Sweet anarchists are the best!
COYOTE: In one of your zines, you said that it was one of your
ambitions to see a chapter of ABC in every state. What have vou
been doing to see to this?
Anthony: 1 did write an essay entitled: ARC’s In Every City. 'm cure
you being a prisoner would love to see this happent [ try to encnuraico
eople to join ABC Network all the time. T send ARC literaturs far and
134
wide wside and out, stock infoshops, supply study groups, coffee shops,
other distros - any interested individual or group. I leave zines at
storefront activist Offices, bring them wherever I go. I offer free zines in
varivus other publicazions to folks that aren’t aware of us. I write articles
and letters for otucr publications, go to mestings of other support groups,
ulways bringing ABC vines (for free!) and in general, am being an always
propugandist. I give zines to people at CopyMax, at work ~ wherever!
During our recent anaual ABCN meeting, I proposed to get prisoners
moro involved with ABC. We agreed to begin sort of pilot program for
prisoners. Prisoners can affiliate with a chapter of their choice, and
become our ABC correspondenticontact for that particular gulag, A
fellow in Florida became our firat prisoner ABC contact person, how
about you being #2? You can affiliate with South Chicago ABC &
brother, Il vouch for you! You can contribute a report for our quarterly
ABC Network newaletter, ote.
Cleveland ABC came with serious questions and concerns about how
to make their chapter more viable and effective. 1 agreed to go to visit
with them, put on a clinic and help mentor them in their work. I'll
unewer all their questions, give them advice, instructional materials, etc.
I'll go visit them in early November, 2006. I'm open for any and all of
those outreach wituations. People can call, email or write to me, if they
are interested. Whenever I get a letter of inquiry about ABC, I get back
with them with a lot of information, a letter and a willingness to pursue
their interest.
1t's sad that o few take this exciting line of anarchist agitation to
heurt, but we are very outgoing in our desire to help others do this type of
work. But, we can't place the desire in their hearts. That must come
trom within themselves.
(COYOTE: If I wanted to start a chapter of ABC out here in
Nevada, whut would I have to do and how much support can
expect from the affiliated chapters of ABC?
Anthony: If you wanted to start a chapter, you'd need a few things we
sort of inaist upon — a P.0. Bax, an email address and a phone number.
Thewe ure not possible for prisoners. That's ‘why we came up with this
Hew arrangement for prisoners. If you want an ABC in Nevada, you have
t outreuch and convince “free world” Nevadans to start one up! You can
advocate for it, get their newspapers and so forth. 1 know there are
anarchita in Nevadal The guy Johnaon in Reno, Nevada doss a nice
anarchit zins entitled, Imagine. Write him a lotter and ask him why he
toeun't do uny werious anarchist prisoner support! You live out west, 1
don't! Twrite to a lot of prisoners out weast, but it seems like for all the so-
called “snurchista” out there, very few do the nose-to-the-grindstone
53
support work, Shame on that! Recently, both Break the Chaine (furenc)
and CAPS (Oakland) went belly up without 8o much as an ndequte
“xplanation. What are the people out wost doing, anywaya??? { alro
onrd that E4 Mead (although not an anarchist) was fired and no loncer
doss support work, either. Cmon “out West!” Ciet it together and
support your brothers and sisters in those terrible Californin, Oregon.
Nevads, Washington etc.,etc. gulags! Don't make the Children of
Haymarket do al the work! Get off your various trips and set to work!
Seun enough, it will be you who will be looking for some serioue mupport!
N for how miuch support you can expect to receive from other
Tdon't know. Youll have to ask them. Ench chapter ix
S utonomous and they make their own decisions on what work they do.
‘who they are willing and able to support and e on. Usunlly, those
uml-lmthhwfllwmkywhb-wuhmehfll
W are avalanched with requesta for support and there are shamofully
400 few of us doing this type of work. 1 for one, try ke hell every day 1
weite otters, make calls, write, odit, publish, mai, strategizs, nttend
Treetings 1 do all kind of things, as time and energy allowa. This in me.
Though, and 1 can' speak for other peaple and the difficlties they hnve tr
Yoal with to freo their time wp. I'm hucky to be in this position to be of
oeh usefulness. I¢s taken me a lifetime of struggle and ndaptation to b
inthilpuflfimllulldun'lnwfivfllm‘mhu able to be Ao focused all
the time.
COYOTE: In Nevada, there is a lack of activism and no sign of
anity smongst anarchists. There are so many struggles we fce
oot Bete, especially prisoners. I have been looking hard - anintt
groat odds - to try to establish a network for Nevada priecners,
Bt 1 still haven't been able to get my foet off the ground. Do you
Tave any idoas on what I can do and who T can turn to for
support?
Anthony: Well, Nevada in a big state. You almost cortainly haven't
“ontacted all those who may be willing to work with you. So, [ eny. try
oo, Koep trying and don't get discouraged. Prisoners hrwe it the
e, you're a prinonier and there are many prisoners around yon. Sinrt
There, Talk to yout brothers, organize study circles, work up idenn,
projects and got writers to write and artists o draw. Put publicntions
together and get back with me and 1 find time to spread them arownd.
Tt took me several years before I found a single comrnde who wne
willing to wark closely with me and do thin serious work. Yeare! A |
Tive noar big, bad Chicago — supposedy the home of many “anarchistat” |
‘begged and pleaded, cajoled and went off on people, over and over.
Nothing! Al the while, 1 kept at it and developed thin work. {1 couldnt
pot a "cllectiva? of serious people, I'd just do the work of o peentt And
66
1ot liave w rely” on other people, deal with their nuances, excuses,
ete, et My work is dynamite because 1 answer to wyself - and I have
Chacting standards!
1 o have 6 great courude und ' grateful for b, But, not having
wtier people should not slow you down in the least! 1t ull a mater of
uaind over matter shoer will to do the job. Once you develop & body of
work, uihicrs wil come forward. One person, so inspired, is capable of an
tneredible amount of work! All the great work of history, almost
tuvariably, has u single person focused on the idea that generates the
wmoving of wountains. Don't sell yourself short!
+ut o punk. | came up before the punks arrived. | guess you could
! waw a hippic. But, I was political, so maybe I was & Yippie!
ways, the anarcho-punks have one mujor belief that I really love. It's
DLLY. (Do It Yoursel) When you do things yourself, you don't have to
wurey ubout sumcbody elue subotaging a project. You just do it!
VOYOTE: 1t is true that some of the most intelligent minds can
bo found in these prisons fur and wide. Nevertholess, the
rocidivism rutes in America are still profoundly high. There are
rowo uctivists out there who do volunteer work in bookstores
thut provide frow books to prisoners. Some of these activists have
twld yue that they often wonder what impuct those books have on
prisoners und whether or not they are really making a difference.
Lviug that you are a distributor yourself, do you think that
flovding the prisons with books and literature hus had an impact
ou roforming prisoners?
Authony: Fisst, 1l talk about recidivism. Let’s face it. Prisons arew't
desgned to “reform” their cuptives! They are meant to punish them,
bivukk treir spirit all while generating a hefty profit from the profitesrs —
the guard unions, the builders and suppliers, the politicians, the police,
Judyes, prosecutors, lawyers and shareholders of prison stock. Some
peisons ave “private” wnd run like any other rip-off business. Their goal is
aXimize profivs directly.
ince there are very few re-entey progruws und prisoners have not had
i wval cducation while in prison (other than learning how to be a better
criwminul und what it feels like to be ubused und embittored) they art ot
s for fuilure. They are pariahs in the community, can't find housing,
sobi food, ete. So, they face ustronomical odds in not returning o prison
ot o fisay “purols violation” or some new “crime” they allegedly
slait. 15 all s arbitrary. Cops and the rich get off, poor blacks don't!
Heturiig prisoners ure exsier to procsss buck into the gulags, saving
Hwew prufit-soekers the bother of the sham of court proceedings. Since
wuch prisoner is worth from $20,000 o $40,000 to the various interested
pastics, wnd ull thoeo profits ure guarateed as they are extorted from the
taxpayers, the aystem wande thoso peopls in priscn They et norhing if
they got out and become “model citizons!” 47
“Talib Rashid wrote two superior zines about this. The Anti-Recidivist
Wfirw"‘muflflawm They explain the
o the criminalization process and how the system inatills self.
Do, which is tranaferred onto the community. 1¢s another weapon (ke
i & conquer, racism, otc) that the system uses to keep people from
‘becoming educated and learning how to organize their community to fight
beck and make 8 functioning socio-economic system that jeu't under the
oot heel of this sick racist and predatory society. Hoe also shows the wny
to overcome these negative mind sets. These are very good 7ines, which 1
recommend to any prisoner.
"As for Books to Prisoner programs, I'l say this. They do help
prisoners. Many prisoners have littlo or no education, so reading and
Toarning things is an important first step. 1 have little patience for pulp
fiction or escapist nonsense that prisoners often want. I don't send
‘anything but the most informative and conacious material. I¥'s difficult
‘% acquire strong political books that can be sent to prisoners. The peaple
who provide grants are very stingy when it comes o truly educating
‘Soft covared zines are easier to get into prison than books, even eoft
covered ones. They are cheaper because they are lighter and cost lees to
print and mail. 1¢'s etill quits expenaive to do and takes a lot of
ommitment. Becauss, all my money goes into printing and mailing, eo 1
‘Bave to scrimp and save and do without on many others things, as does
my family. You have to prioritiss your asseta in servios to the cauee.
lhfimdfl.bvhp-fifilmwhfiufimlmfiupflmnmd
Iknow it is true. Like 1 snid before, I only send the most serious ehit. So
prisoners know this (usually) when they send in their requesta. For, they
Taay be repressed because of their iavolvement with my program. Oft~n.
thess publications are censored, denied, disappeared and thoee jnvolved
i i 2 “free” country and we
T not out just to educate prisoners so they can come out and not
ruffle any capitalist pig foathers. 1 aim to revolutionize prisoners, &0 tht
whon they come out, they are a positive asset to their communities and
‘ot some self-important “banger.” 1 can't live their live. 1 can belp poin'
them in the right direction and offer advico and friendship along the way
But, there comes a time for each and every one of s to make that step
4o the next level, and the levels heyond that. Malcolm X 4id it! Are yo
é8
okt @, or will you remain u shit talker, only? This is a question, every
single porson should grapple with. OF course, most people ignore their
true destiny and live a truncated life of frustration and escapiem. When
you ure dead and gone and all is said and done, who the hell is gonna give
4 duma ubout that - or want to emulate that lifestyle???
“That’s & huge problem — the willingly criminalized youth. With guns
und drugs und sex the end all, destruction, random killings, drug
addiction, endless incarceration, or death awaite many “players.” This
dreadful “gung” mentality poisons the atmosphere inside prison, which
suards use to their advantage, as & way to keep them down and
unorganized. s u huge challenge ~ helping bangers transcend that dead
¢nd mentality and reroute it into a genuine - no hustle — service to the
people. Without reliuble, honest, dedicated and sincere people, this will
not be uble to come to fruition. We need a moral revolution, too!
COYOTE: Cun you give u list of “10” books that you think
prisouers should read?
Anthony: Ten books, eh? OK. First off, let me talk about books. Many
brillint men and women have written glorious books throughout the last.
many centuries. Kead them! Classic literature, in any language is
invariably revolutionary and otherwise insightfull Learn the detailed
{ruth ubout the culture and history of our world and all the worlds’
peoplos! Othorwise, your mind is mush, a vietim of the endless barrage of
naad propuganda pewing out of countless idiot boxes, newspapers,
magazines, radios, etc., ete. So, read voraciously the classic novels,
puetry, analyses, of ull societics. Look in libraries, bookeases everywhere,
- ete. Libraries regularly give away huge numbers of books, that
denied basic education! Access it!
Lhis will help you learn to think cogently and gather your self-ssteem
tosther. Keop a dictionary ut the handy s0 you can ook up word you
don't know the meanings of. A Thesaurus, too! Learn about all the other
words that sort of mean the same thing, so you can be colorful and
uccurate when you describe what you are thinking about.
Dylan Drapeau, my son's best friend, would have been 18 on Decombor
30.2006. He was killed by an off-duty pig on July 20, 2006. You know
Whiat he wanted for hia 18 birthday? An $800.00 dictionary! So, off the
bat, make a dictionary book #1!
1 roud u lot of Russia writers, when 1 was a pup. Dostoyevky,
Iurgency, Gogol, Pushkin, Tolatoy. Thuse guys showed me the ropes —
ecially Dostoyeveky. The Brathers K - The Posscssed, WOW! This
sut knew hiow to write! His were long, gripping paragraphs that came to
+ complicated erica of creacondos! You knew what drove his characters!
£7
‘Reading great literature about revolutionary times in hrilling and
awesome. Gorky wes impressive (until Stalin ruined him.) Uncle Tom's
Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe is a must read. 1 loved Mark Twain, too!
Teading is incredible! Too bad schooling ruinait. And here, the poor
teachers are trying to encourage kids to read and flower and this hideous
aystem makes them bo a part of them hating everything!
For a long while, I studied the rise and fall of Nazi Germany. 1 rend a
million books about it all. It came in handy, ae the comparisons betwecn
Germany and America are so numerous! Hitler didn't study "How the
West Was Won” for nothing! God, how he envied the Western
‘hemisphere and their successful racialist, centuries-long genocide and
slave system! Erich Maria Remarque is best known for his book about
WWI, entitled All Quiet On The Western Fxont. That book was good, but
Tliked hin one about WWII better. It was called, A Time To Love and A
Time To Die. So horrible, so many millions killed!
‘Basic concepts like capitalism, communism and anarchiem must be
understood. Karl Marx, Mikhail Bakunin, Peter Kropotkin, Rosa
Luxemborg, Lucy Parsons, Emma Goldman — these are people who need
4o be listened tol Revolutionaries! I'm just finishing the autobiography of
Assata Shakur! T hato to seo it end! Alexander Berkman wrote
‘Deautifully. 1 used o read and reread Khalil Gibean from Lebanon, all
the time. Such gorgeous phrasing! Voline wrote an amazing history of
the Russian Revolution, entitled, The Unknown Revolution. Fantastic! 1
thought Claude McKay, a black American communist, was o beautiful
riter.
Here's a foursome of books, I picked off my shelf. Killing Hope, by
William Blum. On the Justice of Reosting Chickens, by Ward Churchill.
M Autobiography, by Emma Goldman. Anatchigm, by Peter Keopotkin.
‘Franz Fanon's The Wretched of the Earth is important stuff. There's 1
whole world of information out there to read. Again, like everything olse
in life, it only works if you actually go through with doing it. You corapel
yoursef to read, you read more, get wiser, it gets casier, you learn more,
You can share more, be more content and knowledgeable, likable and
useful.
‘Write to AK Press. Located at:
674 — A 23+ Street / Onkland, CA 94612-1163. They have a catalog that
Jooks like & phone book! You can learn anything you want, but yon have:
to struggle for it - just like everything else!
Td be remiss if 1 didn't mention the explosively important writers of
today. I'm talking about black anarchist prisoner writers, like James
Soott, Ojore Lutalo, Jerome White-Bey, Ali Khalid Abdullah and others.
Tremendous thinkers who aren't anarchists include Rashid, (who in nlxn
the world's strongest political artist) Talib Rashid, Khalfani Malik
‘Khaldun, Abdul Olughala Shakur and many others. Tom Big Warrior,
70
ulthough also not an anarchist, does Lremendous work deconstructing the
history of Native America, the endless genocide as well as U.S. history
wrldwide, and even world history. He breaks things down very
understandably. Their work is available through my distro. Harold H.
“Thompson, an Irish anarchist, does an excellent zine. My zines and
esays are seriously on point! And theee babies are freely availuble!! Not
for me, but definitely for you! 1t free skool education!
1 also love explosive anarchist writing. Guys like Luigi Galeani, Johan
Most, August Spies — I love reading their wark. The Russian anarchists
hud some powerful writers, as did the Spanish. These days, I don't know
who is more impressive ~ Sam Mbah of the Nigerian Awarences League
(anarchiat) or Lorenzo Komboa Ervin, a longtime Panther anarchist, now
working out of Nashville, Tenneasee — his native state. Both are
crammed with articulation and insight on the issues that matter the
most.
‘That's one of my goals. T want to help spawn a whole culture of
resistance - as popular as hip-hop and hundred times more conscious!
1t's possible! 1 feel people can attain self-sustaining level of
conuciousness from various revolutionary tributaries. Anarchism is
definitely one of those flows. It provides endless opportunities to act]
‘We can all learn and broaden our outlooks by a serious undertaking of
utudy of the other revalutionary positions, tool We have to be open and
freo with all of it. Being anarchists, and taking the time and effort to
articulate our beliefs and do serious wark, while also not shying away
from other modes of thinking, gives anarchiam a strength and logitimacy,
it doean't have otherwiss. We should not fear any kind of challenge, as
far as ideas go. We're after the truth and if the truth is that most
unarchists are just half-assing around, then that's the truth! Work with
others who aren't afraid to got on with it! Whatever proves most effective
~doalotofl Let it be known, that I understand that most all people half-
s it, not just anarchists. But I have such high hopes for anarchiata, it
really disappoints me when I don't see much serious explosive positive
wark, I know they are capable of doing being done, and they are not being
undertaken becauss for whatover reason, they refuse to give forth the
full, honest effort that all this work that needs to be done, takes.
COYOTAE: As a prison abolitionist, it must be devastatin to see
more and more prisons being built across the country. I have
read literature that was written ten years ago, talking about the
same struggles we still face today. What changes and
uccomplishments have you seen in 10 years?
Anthony: Yeah, I hate it, all this kidnapping, harassing, incarcerating,
torture, death, suffering - all of it! Its totally disgusting. What's also
torrible is the deaf, dumb and mute response of most. people who don't
want to genuinely deal with it. Ten years ago, maybe 1,000,000 loes
Drionera were locked up. The conditions have atendily potton woree
Tens programs, less food, lesn nccess to lnw libraries, visits, phone calle
‘human contact of any sort, more beatings, more. ‘hopelessnews and
despair, more violence and deprivation. Great aystem ain't it!
These probloms are part and parcel to capitaliam, especinlly thin
virulent, slave-rooted one here in Amerika. As Amerikn slowly goes
down, like all evil empires must, the repression of the black and poor
increnses. Wenlth ia more polarized. T heard yesterday. that. there arr
‘now 600 billionaires!
1 heard today, at a meeting of a group I'm ‘with (CCOS) - Concerned
Gitizens of the Southland — that in the poor black south euburbnn
achools, cops sre coming into the grade schools and “tagging” student=
ver their fights. These mostly young men are then boing tracked - for
prison! This follow snid 70% of these boya are thus tracked at the school
e spoke about! He ssid the schools are run like prisons, with the
tonchers more like guards. Even the school courtyard, in modeled ft
the prison yard!!! They're all fenced in and they look like prisona!
‘S, thinga have deteriorated rapidly in the pricons. With there neo.
con Bushie nazis in power, more draconian laws, more evil big ahot
judges, more reactionary legislators, harsher laws, more poliee
T reeiilnnce, dogs, tasers, guns, mobile lock-ups, otc.. ote. are constantly
being introduced and expanded. The police are being militarized an
funnoled back and forth to Traq. So, killers of Iragis are now in police
\niforme when they get back here. Citizens are under endloes suspicion
‘bout anything and everything, especially in the heavily videotnped and
“under-cover” rogue cop patrolled (read: ‘black) neighborhoods.
T8 all more and more sinister as even “white folks" are being asked fo
enitch on their parents and neighbors, and everyone is in Staliniat frar
mode. Nobody talks to each other in ‘the atores out of some weird fenr!
Look at Dylan —a brilliant “gifted” white kid had his life anuffod ont
and he was just treated by the pige anr igned to look into it, na if he wau
fond Killl They have 7ero respect for the truth and zero for life.
‘And if you're a prieoner, it's less. than zero! It'a a vile horriblencss
the sickest things happen every day, ae people play out their mindless
“ocinl dementia. Just yesterday, another woman cut open n womb, kille!
Joun kide, ete. Meanwhile, “hundreds” of “suspocted militants ar:
Tonmbed into oblivion — by NATO soldiers in Afghanistan, and if anyhin:
people assume it's & “good thing." The U.S. threatens Tran, a nation of
Travhe 60,000,000 people! Yet all people can muster up concern for &
come NFL, team! This is a society wandering nimlesaly on n wicked
thorazine bender, and every one of us is not. anfe and life ia getting wor
This sordid reality brings me hack to the squalid dungeens. Like
cockroaches, the prisonkrats do not like the apotlight put on their marhid
wu. S0, whea we publicise the endless sbuse they inflict, it usually
<urb e of the 1ore egregious abuse. But, the insane system of
g peopl t live in cages continues on, as if it was natural and
Logitumate. The running of prisons is a major social erime on bumanity
Uit pours us on the problens 72
On the other hund, anarchist ideus (and other revolutionary posifions)
are guining & much wider aceptance, s people realize the government
s nothing but lie and mke their lives miserable und threatend. So,
we Iiave u big opportunity to help get recruits. Its a race against time, s
thowe wionsters doa't even caro if their own children have a viable planet
w wubsist on in the near future!
Huve there been any victories? Well, a few prisons were shut down,
sucluding u women's prison twenty miles south of me that I helped
orgunive uguinst. But, did fewer people stay in prison because of it? No.
More und wors keep coming in. Occasionally, a prisoner we supported
et paruled and gets a foothold and begins to put his or her prison
wducation (political consciousness) to work and becomea a community
orgunizer. 1€y a tough, difficult struggle. Far, there's no “community” to
como back 10! Every one is on their own facing stacked deck —no job,
stigmutised, no education, no place to live, etc. So, having a serious
understanding of reality is pretty much mandatary, if one is to avoid the
rucidivist kidauppers. This is the preparation we try to give.
COYOTSE: We are six years into the new millennium. It seems
liko there is crisis and turmoil in every part of the world right
now. But for some reason, people feel a sense of something “new”
just uround the corner. Change is in the air. As a prison
abolitionist, what new approaches do you think activists should
tuke in the struggle to abolish prisons?
Authiony: ‘There's tremendous “turmoil” and many crises. After all, the
U8, hus doclured nuclear war on Afghanistan and Iraq and threatens to
o the same to North Kores, Iran, and elsewhere. Many people are
tighting and dying every day in many countries. The U.S. is everywhere
wuking the situation much worsel
Seving this (and experiencing their own oppression at the hands of the
U.8. und their puppets) places like Argentins, Balivia, Uruguay, Brazil
and elsewhere in South America, have experienced a tremendous growth
of “people power” community organizations, worker-run factories, serious
wrguniding and empowerment is being accomplished. So, peaple back in
ko belly can sea it ia poasiblel Millions of peoplo demonstrated even in
this locked-down county for the rights of immigranta. Every one knows
the Lrug wur was bullshit and hates Bush (outside the hardcore American
(uncisio) but feols powerless and atomized to do anything seriously about.
They saw Kutrina wipe out New Orleans and the government didn't
]l.
73
do a thing - just like on 9-11! But they do have a seriously dangeroua
police and military. Our chances go way up, when the police and army
‘men no longer are willing to follow their orders to continue to kill and
repress people.
‘Something big may happen, soon. Perhaps we'll see another major
hurricane, an earthquake, world war, a serious economic depression,
martial law — something “big!” We shall see.
In the meantime; people need to know what the deal ia to begin to
effectively deal with it. So, I see an extremely important task is one of
concentrated, focused education. People should do what I do — work hard!
Why can't others be doing this work? It's technically pretty simple!
There are copying machines practically everywhere! People must stop
‘being lazy and fearful ~ simple as that! Once they cross the “fear line
and shake offinertia, they can become very active and valuable. Their
real life will truly begin. For, like Assata Shakur says, life is most
exciting during the struggling!
All forms of media can be used to get the message out. People will
have to experiment and try all kinds of tactics — new and old — and see
what works. But to really try something “new” what they should try in to
actually t-r-y! That would be new! I'd love to see it and I'l be glad to
‘mentor anybody into it! I'm tired of seeing people get enthused and then
flake off. Show some self-respect and respect for others! Thisien't n
goddam game — ita life and death! I¢s not just some goddam joke!
COYOTE: It seoms like any fool with a typewriter can create a
zine, but your sine, “Thought Bombs” is one of a kind. Not only in
there a lot of intelligence and truth put into them, but you sive
people offall differont nationalities, creeds and beliefs an
opportunity to let their voice be heard! 1¢'s good to see peonle
working nlong the same lines, towards the same objectiv
That's something that ABC does well. Can you explain how you
put your zines together and then what you do with them, onee
you're finished?
Anthony: Thank you! Its nice of you to notice. Usually my sine geta
crappy reviews because the mainatream underground in only intereatrl
in the "navel-gazing” zines. From the very beginning, with Though!
Bombs #1, 1 explained what I was going to do — look for the beat,
revolutionary literature out there to help push the struggle forwnrd. 1
organize a lot of events talks, actions, conferences and eo forth. [ like to
prepare a statement for these to concentrate my argumenta and have »
written record of these issues and evente for later publication. I writo
essaye about al sorts of things, in the back of my mind, Il v in o pub.
either my own or a different one I'l work p.
¢
| think its importnt to got other peoples’ viewpoints, uncensored or
cditod by me, w0 reuders can make their own: detorminations on the issuea
und belieis presented, compare ideas, syntheaize them, add them to their
own, discurd und ridicule or whatever. I have confidence that my work
stands up and has its due influence. People tell me all the time it means
alot to them. Othurs tell me 1 suck! Whatever, I'm gonna keep doing it
wnd ' gonna juck up the level of argumentation mare and more, the
iportance of the issuos, the strength of the writing — everything! Its
1ot u game or & novelty with me — it’s part of a social upheaval. To me,
this uive, aod the many others I work on, are part of a vital aspect of this
cultural revolution we &0 desperately need to develop from.
Do care that wy work is 60 ignored and pilloried? Not really, becuuse
those sycophunte and timid onee aren't gonna get down and dirty,
anyway! They avoid the issues! So, Il go with people who aren't afraid
of the brutal truth and who “get it” you know? I feel very comfortable
with concious prisoners and hopefully, they feel comfortable with me.
Thus, T have many, many useful and excellent collaboratars to work with.
1 have more than I can handle, 60 I'm never moping around with nothing
t do, like vo muny. I'm busy as hell every day and busier the next day!
“That's good becuuss my old man was a workaholic and so the hell am I
(smile*)
How do I doit? Siuple. I have simple tools, like a box cutter knife, an
aluminum yardstick filed in half, glue sticks, pens, paper, stamps,
whiteout und a tape player. 1 spread all kinds of papers, envelopes,
letters, Zines, ew. o u ping pong table. I've developed a painstakingly
created “network” whereas folks (mostly prisoners) can find out about me
and my work, through ads in other publications, articles I've written, the
thousands upon thousunds of zines I've sent out, listings in resource
uides, others support groups' newaltters, ads in zine review zines, other
cins, word of mouth, tons of hand-written letters, ete. I told you this
work iun't easy ~ but it is relatively “simple!”
I don't have a website or use the computer much, except to check email
ud transeribe or write. I find a lot of people are “computer activists”
only und don't call, visit or write. That's lazy! Prisoners don't have
access 10 the internet, another way the government tries to keep them
(their slaves) ignorant, uneducated and thus, impotent as revolutionaries.
Sumething Assata Shukur said comes to mind, here. Sho wrote: “to
become frec, you have to be acutely aware of being a slave.”
1like to make digest-sized booklets, usually from regular 8 % x 11
puper, which s the quickest and easisst to make copies from. Sometimes,
it works better to use 8 % X 14 puper. You give yourself enough margin
und cut and paste thut bad dog together. You make an original, then a
smaster, go over it with a fine tooth comb (and a bottle of white out) and
voilu! You have u master copy ready for reprinting! Then you make
75
coptes cllate them, fold them and staple them. Then you filo them and
Tmaybe mal them out to certain people, sometimes lota of people. | have
‘soveral huge bookcases, shelves, boxen full of zines. 1 save the masters
for reprinting later. When poople ask for it by name or by subject, you try
% sond it to them - whatever they want, as best you can. Sometimes,
people send stamps or a litle cash. Itis a drag when prisoners send
Phecks addressed to my distro. 1 can't cash them, folks! Please send all
chocks made out to me, Anthony Rayson, send cash or stamps. Thank
you!
Tt takes constant, daily work because you are constantly running out
of titles, working up new ones and so forth. So, you have many zines in
‘various stages of production, from the raw, hand-written beginnings to
the finished products, But, it doesn't require anything epecial, can be
(and in by me) done anywhere, with a minimel amount of “stufl” you need
%o do them with. Like everything else, the biggest obstacle and hassle of
doing them is gotting off your ase and setting to work. Prtty simple! I
‘gladly give workshops on zinemaking or anything else, but people “don't
‘now and don't want to know.” I's maddening! It really is.
COYOTE: What are some of the most common myths you hear
‘about anarchists and would you like to say anything to set the
record stealght?
Anthony: Well, “anarchists” are supposed to be viclent, thieving, crazy,
‘dangerous, anti-socisl, terroriets, hedonista, who want to unleath
riminala upon everybody, who despise “organization” blah, blah, yada,
yada, yada.
‘While there are some real losers who call themeelves “anarchista” renl
gonuine anarchists (of which there are procious fow) are rarely any of
Those repulsive things! Anarchisto are legitimate and responsible, care
Sbout other people, don't take things that aren't theirs, are quite socinl,
‘and do not want criminals menacing society. That's why they hate
Criminals run government and do bed things to people like kill and
encage them! They stenl from pecple and lie and cheat and force n
‘orrible “education” upon them, and cater to a hideous corporate-
dominated "culture” of conspicuous consumption, the glorying of offcinl
Jiolence, and everything sickening. So, yeah! Stop the criminale!
Anarchista believe incarceration is & crime. People often have been
ruined who are then incarcerated (and made worse) We don't want
‘rodators menacing our communities. We don't want pedophiles,
Politicians, thieves, policemen, murderers, judges, extortionists, lawyers
o any other type of criminal to menace us. Problem is, most crimes
{state crime, crimos of the police, the courts, otc.) are not even considered
76
for prosacution as erimes. Landlords aren't charged for their crimes, not
sre factory owners who ip off workers. So, the whole “criminal justice
system” only goss after individual petty crime — in the poor communities,
mostly. All the real crimo just keeps happening, and even the individual
crime rates never go down, because the society is busy “eriminalizi
these young, moatly black people.
1t's a crime not to have food, clothing, shelter, medical caro or a val
education, job prospects and so forth, but once again, these aren't
considered crimes, just what the desperate do becauss of them. What a
horrible reality it ia!
1f people think “anarchista” are the problem, maybe they should google
anarchism on the computer, sit down and learn what the hell an
anarchist really belioves instead of belioving the liars in the mainstream
media, some rightwing pundit or some goverament mouthpisce, who they
work!
COYOTE: ABC hus been in existence for 106 years. WOW! Is
there unything you would like o say in honor of ABC? And, la
there anything that you'd like to say for the future of ABC?
Authony: Well, ABC came to be out of the Revolution of 1905, in Russia.
It was formed to suppart anarchist prisoners being repressed by the Tear.
Different groups from around the world popped up here and there t
suppart anarchist prisoners and other political prisoners. There's group
called ABCF (Anarchist Black Cross Federation.) They've been around
The N-lwalluminmwlnm We wanted to generalize
the support for prisonsra. We believe all prisonors are political
prison!” It's “ground 2ero” of the struggle here at home. Prisoners are
slaves aczording to the 13 Amendment. They know they are slavee!
They'ee saackled, gassed, beat, encaged, forced to work for nothing - they
77
Know! As slavea yearning for liberation, they are the best group of prople
for us to work with, because we are striving for anti-slave revolt, too!
These folks — the ones who'va stopped banging and haven't been driven
crazy yet, are thirsting for radical, revolutionary and yes, anarchist.
insight and empowerment!
‘Unlike the oblivious, floating ghosts on the “outs” who are indifferent
or repulsed by seriously revolutionary zines, prisoners love them!
Prisoners start study circles and pass them around. They auffer asault,
buse, all kinds of indignities, just for receiving them! So, of course, I'm
going to work closely with prisoners who know what the hell is going on!
Td be a fraud not to!
Ae for ABC and those who do ABC-type work, 1 love them! Tt hard
work, but very rewarding and the few ‘who know this and stick with it
‘have my everlasting respect and gratitude. If ever a group of anarchists
denerved respect, it in these people! Without a serious ABC prosence,
marchists” wouldrt have much going for them, as far aa normal people
are concerned. All too often, anarchists are involved in esoteric, self-
centered stuff that has little or no solidarity component to it, let alone
relates to what regular working &/or poor people have to deal with.
Amarchy is not some goofy-looking clothes and a slovenly attitude! IU's
serioun salt of the earth work! So, yeah, 'm proud to be a part of ABC
nd 1 don't lot the naysagers bother me too much. Show me something
more impressive than the worlc we are doing! If you can, I'll add it to my
distro!
"As for the future of ABC, L am trying to help it grow. We do constant
outreach, inside and out. We make it simple as helll All you have to do
to access this information is contact: us! Tt costs nothing!! We are being
infiltrated and otherwise menaced by the police, FBI, etc. so that tella me
‘wo are having effoct. We tie up a lot of prison censor trolla and cost
g5 money, which they hate. Wo get the truth out of the gulags and in
turn, get it back in. Thin is exactly what Georse Jackeon baseeched
outside supporters to do — flood the prisons with insurrectionary idens!
‘So, the ABC Network has done a lot of really important work. Il
continue to do this, at thin break neck speed, for as long as T live! So, at
Tonat an far as 'm concerned, I will be thriving and eoaring into the
hearts and minds of prisoners for many years to come. Hopefully, our
long term goals will be actunlized and we'll participate in the destruction
ofthe finel hideous prison and we can all celebrate with the brothers and
sisters who have been in chaine for a0 long. For freedom, not slavery!
WE MUST FIGHT FOR OUR CHILDRENS’ FUTURE!
v
COYOTE: Well, my thought-bombing conrade, that about wraps
everything up. It is always refreshing to be able to converse with
you. A lot of your answers were very deep and very thought-
provoking. I admire your intellect and I am grateful for
opportunity to pick your brain, thanks! Before I close, please feel
freo to leave your readers with one last, refreshing thought!
Anthony: Thanks to you, my Coyote howlin' friend! I'm always happy to
run acroes serious prisoner anarchists to collaborate with. I just ran
acroas an address for you, out in Nevadal Write to: K. Friedman, Ste. 8,
lox 241, 2376 E. Tropicana Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89119, She's a prisoner
in Carson City, who wrote the Free Self-Help Litigation Manual and
Advice. It's for lesbian &/or feminist prisoners. Maybe she knows some
folks who can help you get an ABC going out your way!
As for a “final thought” Hmmm...Let me see! OK! Here you go! Here
| am, a middle-aged, “white" dude, with a job, a wie, two kid, et., etc.
L don't have time to do anything!” Do1? Besides, I've been conditionsd
by a lifetime of television and other lies, so what do I know, right?
Wrong! Even an old geezer like me, with my little-assed “white skin
priviloge” knowa this whole thing is a monumental charade, and even
though 1 have next to nobody helping we, I atill manago to have a strong.
anarchist-driven effect on many peoples’ lives! What does that tell you!
1t tella me, anyone can be effective, especially those surrounded by young
and oppressed people! So, if I can do it — Joe Normal in the middle of
bum fuck — then s0 the hell can you or anybody else! Long live the
unarchists who live as anarchists and love every minute of it!
NOTE:
Coyote is a politically conscious prisoner, who is currently
confined to an isolation cell in & maximum seourity prison in
Nevada. He is an activist and a writer, who has bullt a.
group inside the confinement of Ely State Prison. Not only does
he create beautiful litorature of his own, but he makes copies of
Whatever literature he gets his hands on, through outside
contacts, and then passes them around to fellow prisoners and
holds discussions on them over the tier. Right now, Coyote is
working against great odds o build a network for NV prisoners
and has suffered from acts of retaliation from the administration
for his etforts to organize and becausa of his activism.
Nevortheloss, he atill does what needs to be done, putting his
whole heart into it. You can contact him at:
Coyote Shetf #55671 South Chicago ABC Zine Distro
P.0. Box 1989 P.0. Box 721
Bly, Nevuda 89301-1989 Homewood, IL 60430
Dylan died on Thursday night and the wake was on Monday. A e overflow
crowd came all during the several hours. T passed out the flyers, posted them at
churches and shops, and left a stack at the wake. After waiting an hor, I was able to
see Dylan directly. He had this incredibly disappointed and wronged look on his
fce. 1 whispered him a promrise and Kissed his forehead. It was beyond unbearnble
2s Dylan was the most talented and wonderful kid Crete had ever produced. It wa<
sadness and grief and sorrow beyond anything I'd ever been personally involed
with - including my own Dad's death. Seventeen years old and rendy to ignite the
world with his brilliance, Dylan was now gone -and for no apparent reason!
‘When I got home after a long day, I listened to the message on my machine. Sure
enought Tt was from the main witness to the accident, who had gone t0 the wake and
picked up a fiyer. He explained what had happened to Dylan. He said he had to
fishtal out of the way to avoid the collision himself and he saw everything. Aflcr
while, 1 said, “You mean Dylan was fotally blind-sided!™ Jeremny. the witness.
replied: “Exactly!”
T called an attomney who T hoped would be interested in taking the case. 1
arranged for him (James Gierach) o speak with Jeremy right afer I spoke with horh
Z that same night. James said that Jeremy was an “excellent witness” and agreed o
{ake the case. Jeremy met with James and presented a detailed drawing, of the
accident (on p. 9) and a lengthy statement. James hooked up with a high-octane Inop
Inwyer — Motherway, who specializes in these cases. Ken Drapenu, his sister and
myself met with the lawyers to alk things over. Ken's wife, Sharrie, was still way
t0o distraught to deal with this. The family agreed 1o hire these attomeys on a
contingency basis. The next day, suit was filed against Brian Dorinn, the off-duty
cop from Lynwood, who lives in Crete. The suit was filed in Cook County hecauee
on the iitial police report, Dorian listed a Lansing address.
We believe this i a case of reckless homicide on the part of Dorian (or worse)
coupled with an ugly cover-up by the Crete police. Jeremy spelled itall out. I want
‘go after the Crete police, with this suit, but the lawyers are not willing to do fhat. |
called Michael Deutsch from the Peoples’ Law Office in Chicago. He was busy
efending Muhammad Salah from a federal frame-up that he was recruiting and
fundraising for Hamas. He did, however, give me name of another lawyer who
might be inerested in going after Van Delaa and Comejo. 1 spoke with him and he
s wiling! We have a year to add Crete tothe suit. 1¢'s kind of a touehy sitution. n+
Dylan's mother does ot want to do anything “bad" against the local police. Ken
wants to do right for Dylan. | promised to write a book sbout the whole thine.
T told Jeremy 1 admired his courage. He said: “IF it had happened to me, | would
have wanted someone to do it for me.” He and his wife had 1 new haby i
weeks after the accident. Oh! Dylan — so yoing & brilliant!
L three
Anthony Rayson
South Chicago ABC Zine Distro
Agitation - Education
S top Outrageous
Torturing Unnecessary
American Terrible
M ined SOUTH CHICAGO ABG
: _ZINEDISTRO
P risoners POB721 HOMEWOOD L 60430