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

chance to interview you, and maybe pick your brain a little. I
think this would be a great opportunity to raise a few questions
in rogards 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.

First of all, let 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 .ne, in your opinion, what the difference between a
communist and an anarchist is?

Anthony: Thanks, Brother for the kind words and I love and respect you,
too! 1 appreciate the opportunity to engage in discussion with you. I'll
give theoe questions some serious thought!

It's seems like these days, the government tries to label their critics.
and real enemies as “terrrists” o “anarchists” or more recently minted,
“Ialamic fascista.” The Castro brothers are still “communists” and Hugo
Chavez is a distained “loftiat.” When a society deacends into barbarity,
ita called “anarchy.”

So, 1 guess I['d say there are two sets of definitions of these buzzwords,
the ones the U.S. government uses and what they want us to believe 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
version of the “Big Lie” parroted rather faithfully by n sycophantic press,
meant to keep people ignorant and fearful and the other is a more
complicated, but more honest look at these rival ideologies.

Governmenta always look to hide their own criminality by raising the
spectre of “enemies” whether they are Vietcong “guerillas,” or Chinese
“Communists” or Sandinista “rebels” or Iraqi “insurgents.” At home,
we're suppoaed to be warried about “gang bangers” “anarchista” “eco-
terrorista” “sleeper cella” and so forth. Their thing is herding the sheeple
into fear pens and acquiescence towards the repressing of those who
challenge authority. s fasciat repression-think. I think it was Acsop
who said centuries ago, something like “Government violence is called
‘law’ and individual violence is called ‘crime.” 1t's the difference between
the truth (anarchism) and lies.

. z

As for the differences in, you mentioned “communists” “leftists” and
“anarchists,” I'l ay this. There are actually several flavors of each!
There are Maoist communists, Marxist-Leninists, Stalinist, Trotakyists,
Castro Communists, other types in South and Central America, Africa
and Asian communists and Europeanized Communist “parties.” There is
even a thing called anarcho-communism, which Alexander Berkman
considered himelf to be, among many others.

Communista believe in the overthrowing of the capitalist system to be
replaced by “socialism” and eventually, “communism.” After a successful
revolution, a vanguard party, with a central committee and politburo
decidea the course of how the revolution should go, by way of “demoeratic
centraliem.” They talk of worker control (‘soviets") 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 countriee have been so brutal and repressive.
‘There ia no freedom. It is an imposed “liberation.” The peaple have no
say-20 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. Ien't that
what they already do in the U.5.? So what good s revolution, if you're
just going to replace one dictatorship with another?

‘There are other Marxists — Marxist-Humanists, various kinds of
“socialists” and eo forth. Karl Marx is the father of “scientific” socialism,
just as Mikhail Bakunin, his contemporary, was the father of anarchism.
Bakunin 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
“communist” regimes.

Many millions of valiant people fell under the banner of communism
fighting againet capitalism, (imperialism, fasciam, Nazism, “democracy”)
but the gains they won were inevitably betrayed by their communist
“leaders” who ran the communist parties which grabbed power, once the
capitalista were routed.

Unlke the anarchist concept of genuine autonomy, worker's control of
the work place, voluntary association, consensus decision-making and so
forth, all decisions, economic, political, even social, were top down
decisions handed down by a “communist party” and forced upon the
‘people, albeit accompanied by anti-capitalist and “revolutionary” rhetoric.

The economy of a communist country can more accurately be described
a8 “state capitaliam.” Instead of corporations manipulating the economy
nndpdniudnmn&y,nmn{m&dmmn’ppfimdlnd
directed “planners” orchestrate the ‘economy, without any real input from
regular working people.

Anarchists want to abolish prisons, slavery, predation, coercion and all
hideous institations that infringe upon liberty and freedom and

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communista build secret police, gulag archipelagos, “re-education”
indoctrination camps, and other creepy repreasive, not froe, lis-based
forces of oppression.

Anarchists also have a “class analysis” and realize what a capitalist
sconomy is all about, like a learned “Marxist.” We don't believe in
‘dictatorship” at all or any other kind of suppression. These are
fundamental differences. But they are anti-capitalist revolutionaries!

Saying all that, there are many Marxists and communista who I foel
omfortable working with and many anarchists who I feel do little or
nothing to push the common struggle forward. I believe in the anarchist
enet of solidarity very strongly and work with those who are also
eriously into fighting this beast, here in the belly. It scems even with
heir beliefs (vanguardism) communists often deal in real issus and
truggles that people are concerned about, while anarchist are buay
worrying about some esoteric bullshit or being self-centered hedonists,
naccountable for their actions. Maybe I'm just kinda pissed right now!

1 respect communista for their level of effort and the seriousneas they
ring to their work, whereas I can't say the same for anarchists. I'm
ite disappointed in anarchists, generally, although there are some who
greatly admire. I beliove that people want to live unfettered by any
ind of oppreseor o lie-based belief system. They want the truth and to
e left o live their Lives as they see fit — as long as they don't hurt
omebody and in turn, aren't being hurt by somebody else.

8o, T e the logic and principlea of anarchism, because they are based
n freedom above all else, will win the hearta and minds of people, when
ip comea to tuck, but anarchists got to get off their asses and jack up
heir intensity many, many notches before thia will become a reality. In
pain, they lived and struggled (and were killed!) for many decades
eading up to the Spanish Revolution of 1936. Anarchists need to give a
otal effort!

As for “loftists” it can mean corporatist democrats to serious
evolutionaries. It depends on the context and the political landscape of
he region involved. In Amerika, a “leftist” is but a mild reform-minded

utonomous zone. Their religious beliefa vary wildly, as well!

As for Alexander Berkman, he called himself an anarcho-communist.
ho Haymarket anarchists called themselves “socialists” too. This is
ecause the goal of communism is the “withering away of the state” and
n equal sharing of goods “to each according to his needs.” Anarchists
elieve resources and goods should be shared equitably and thero should
be no state, an inherently oppressive and criminal monstrosity.

1 believe folks can become “conscious” through various revolutionary
avenues and that's to be respected, as 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” becomea policy of
& new government — and if it isn't an anarchist situation, anarchists and
other revolutionaries will be repressed. So, that's my concern with
communists. After victory, their track record on freedom is bad. They
only go after oppressors, not normal people and other revolutionaries.
‘That's the main difference, in my opinion.

‘Something 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.”
All to0 often, so-called “anarchists” are nothing but punks!

COYOTE: It seems that the government can easily come together
and oppress us, attack us and divide us on all levels and fronts.
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 spend, 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
was gather up all the top German Nazis and put them to work for the
U.S. government. They didn't care about all the horrible murdering and
gruesome experiments they did. They had propaganda skills and
how to develop high-tech policing. This was known as “Operation
Paperclip.” The moat.vile idea readily and routinely put into practice!
Anarchists, have no source of funding, have been demonized and
criminalized, and our literature is very hard to find for those who may b
interested in learning the truth. People have been beat down and cookie
cut into an order following mode of behavior since early childhood. Most
folks never develop a 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 so hidden for so long. These are very powerful
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btacles to confront and overcome. Fear plays a tremendous role, as the
ruth is “scary” and a person feels thrown out into a vast void of
vilderness, once outside mainstream-think. The connections to serious
ruth are tenuous and subject to constant disruption by the authorities.

Al the “legal” avenues for revenue are tied up in the capitalist systom.
o attain money, you must sell your labor to a capitalist. Housing,
medical care, food — none of these are provided for our people, even
hough a nation with 4.5% of the world's people usurpe 30% of the world's
satural resourcss. It's a struggle to survive in this country and if you try
o fashion a life — a mate, children, ete. it pretty much takes all of your
ime and effort, just to make ends meet.

Meanwhile, the government is ever vigilant looking for more bodies to
ram into their enormous (and growing!) gulag system. A million laws
nsures that every single person s constantly breaking the law all day
ong, every day. So, the chance of getting arrested is ever present. If
hey want you, they can conjure up chargea and have no fear of any
eprisals coming their way because of it. I read an article a couple of days
go that documented that 99.8% of bad cops never have any kind of
iscipline because of their predatory and criminal behavior. They are
mmune from the laws they s zealously chase down others about.

How does this translate in “anarchists” being such dip shits and not
vorking on the same page? Well, we're people too, who have been
lostroyed by this eystem, like everybody else. Even so-called “white
eople” have had to live a really messed up, regulated and stultified lifo,
umidst racists and cops and horrible “education.” They've been taught to
ot have it together in zillions of ways!

This self-hating behavior and this inability to build genuine
ommunity amongst people facing the same problems is a deliberate
olicy of government. I's the old “divide & conquer” being used on a
ubliminal, highly advanced manner. Young people are zombified by
iolent video games. Teens are plugged into bad-ass gangsta hip-hop.
any are strung out on various drugs — crack, television, sports, money,
ox, bling, whatever! Anything to forget about dealing what is staring us
1l in the face! It drives me wild how catatonic everybody is. It's like the
et to a Rod Serling Twilight Zone episode!

“Anarchists” are mostly similar victims, who have stumbled across
ome anarchist literature and maybe anarcho-punk culture. They're still
arrying around a lifstime full of bad upbringing. They have a long-aseed
vay to go to purge all this garbage within and develop a serious anarchist
onsciousness and purposefulness that will facilitate them being able to
vork closely (and effoctively) with other serious-minded people. They're
uman like everybody else. Its a very difficult, complicated series of
urdles to overcome. Prisoners are the same way. They may develop a
consciousness” and be rarin’ to go, once released into “minimal security”

(the outa) But, once out there, the struggles of the real world, finding a
job, a place to live, food to eat, a person to love, people to relate to, become
‘almost impossible. Becoming a serious activist / organizer on top of all
this, s like climbing Mount Everest naked! Not easy. ¢

There's s0 much noise, it hard to hear the truth and listen to the few
who are doing the serious educational work required to attain these
various levels of development. I 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’s like an affront to their
personhood to take advice from someone who's “been there and done
that.” It goes back to the self-destructive conditioning that has been
wired into our brains from early childhood, to prevent s from realizing
our genuine potential. It takes effort to get off the dime, overcome inertia
‘and wake the fuck up!

Anyways, to got back to your question, anarchists need to call each
other on the telephone, write letters to each other, g to each other's
bouse or apartment, meetings, arrange for meetings, develop projects and
work dilligently on them befors during and after them, do serious
outreach constantly 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 epite of
this profane and insane, spiritually polluted social environment we're
stuck in. Its in there, somewhere and people can access it practice it,
develop it and become their real effective anarchist selves. It's vitally
necessary for everyone who wants to live a real life and I'm telling you,

i'a possible!

COYOTE: As an anarchist, you are very intelligent and seem to
have a true sense of the issues that prisoners are faced with. Tell
me, where did you get your education from, as an anarchist?

Anthony: Again, I appreciate your kind words, but don't get gushy, now!
(smile*) There's lota of good insight out there — most all f it, in my not &
humble opinion, s flooding out of the gulags! I'm deluged with it, myself
and I know many other people that are receiving brilliant political
analysis, incredible artwork, poetry, collage work, etc., etc. that in fact, is
‘becoming the basis for a whole new concentrated “culture of resistance!”
T truly believe that the level of awareness and connectedness to people,
‘who are groovin’ on their IPods is gonna have to be actualized. Maybe it
in Podcasting. Maybe it’s in these dynamite zines I churn out, will take
fire, and people will get off their asses and reprint them copiously and
spread them around to everybody with urgency.

Some of the heat anarchist thinkers today are anarchist prisoners. T
single out people like Harold Thompson, Jerome White-Bey, James Scott
Al Khalid Abdullah, Ojore Lutalo. There are many, many, many others.
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“There are also other brilliant revolutionaries who don't consider

themselves anarchists. These include, Muslims, New Afrikans,
Communiste, Indigenists, all kinds of folks. Although, as an anarchist, I
don't agree with some of the things they believe in, I'l still edit and.
publish their work because I decided that they do have useful and
valusble insight, none-the-less. I don’t just print anything so prisoners
tend to send their best efforts for my consideration. 1 make my project
very clear. I'm looking for the strongest in revolutionary thinking that
connects with the most people. The material is strong, but the solidarity
shown to help spread this insight 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 seriousnesa and effectiveness of anarchist solidarity work and helps
educate people. People can compare this particular line of thinking with,
say, my opinion of anarchist type thinking and make a judgment for
themselves on who's opinions more closely jibes with their own. 1 have
every confidence that an anarchist mindset will stand strongly against
these sorts of rival philosophies and in fact, we can learn from the best of
each philosophy and blend it into our own belief syat
arguments of non-anarchists on certain avenues of thinking and taken
them on as my own. Its developing my own thinking!

Prisoners have been my main educator, in all truthfulness! Over the
last ten years, I've been fortunate to develop serious working
relationships with many important prisoner thinkers. Even the every
day prisoner letter is a reality check on real life conditions. It cuts
through the cacophony and insights are developed and shared. That's
why the authorities keep trying to squelch our work and menace these
particular prisoners. The truth s revolutionary and they run slave
kampe.

1 was lucky coming up in the sixties. My father was an active
progressive guy and at a young age I saw and experienced a lot of
incredible social activity. 1 always was attracted to the ideas of the
groups, underground commis, history, literature and so forth. I read
voraciously throughout my life. Early on (I think I was 14) I decided I
wanted to become a “free thinker.” I didn't even know what that meant,
but I knew that's where I wanted to go was. I was in this class with
adulta. They were talking about the great philosophers, focusing on those
from nazi concentration camps. So, I guess I've come full circle! Now I
study the groat philosopher's in Amerika’s concentration kampa!

Growing up in Chicagoland, I also always loved the mystical story of
the Haymarket Martyrs. And when the Yippies & anarchists came to the
“Festival of Life” in August 1968 for the Democratic Convention, it was
something! There was a weeklong pitched battle with the piga. My old
man was a delegate and he got tear gassed! My mom marched with a

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bunch of other mothers for peace. It was heady stuff. My good friends
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
like a sponge!

Later, I felt closely tutored by Emma Goldman and Lucy Parsons. I
consider myself a “Chicago School” anarchist, which the Haymarket
‘anarchista developed. 1t solid agitation for working clase social
revolution — pure anarchism! 1 love it! I suppose I'l have to articalate 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, evon though 'm probably
twenty years older than he is! Sam Mbah of the Nigerian Awareness
League is a pure joy to listen to answer questions. Lorenzo Komboa
Ervin i the father of modern day ABC thinking and doing. He's been
enormously impactful.

‘But I also have non-specifically “anarchist” influences to my thinking.
I consider myself a “raco traitor” abolitionist. I can't stand slavery and
racism! 1 love John Brown and Illineis’ very own, Elijah P. Lovejoy! Noel
Ignatiev is definitely onto something important to contributa! I respect
‘many of the New Afrikan thinkers, such as Zolo Agona Azania, Khalfani
Khaldun, Ali Khalid Abdullah, Abdul Olugbala Shakur and others. But,
T don't believe in nationalism. Ali is a New Afrikan anarchist and also
shares my internationalist viewpoint. 1 am a big fan of Talib Y. Rashid
and his peychological analyeis of self-hate and criminalization and
spiritual humanism and Rashid is brilliant, both as an artist and ae a
thinker/analyst. I don't agroe with his communist model, though. These
peaple are serious revolutionary thinkers that I feel people should be
studying. We're not going to agree on everything, but we must learn the
nuts and bolts of the issues involved. We must go to the source — the
most 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 b activated into doing useful and productive work.

1¢'s mostly a lifelong belief 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 acenes and timelines and specifics,
but it never changes that basic fact of government-led mass murder all
the time. As a person who cares about the welfare of myself and others,
this is a drop everything shomination 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
u8 to get with it, big time! C'mon, y'all! Ita fun as hell doin’all this stuff
too! No, it's not! Sometimes it is, anyway. Usually, it’s a atressful as
hell, Lot of hard work, often frustrating hassle. But, I wouldn't ever stop
doing it, any day, ever!

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JOYOTE: A lot of prisoners are inspired by the likes of Malcolm
, George Jackson and Dennis Banks, because these are people
vho transformed themselves intellectually, while in prison and
vho took action to do something valuable for their people. You
nce mentioned that you were destined to become a professional
- doctor, professor or a lawyer, or something along those lines.
3ut you dropped out of college and hitoh-hiked around the
ountry for 2 years. I sense your story is very similar to Che
Juevara's. Other than your father, who are your influences?

\nthony: I guess your question is how does one.become a serious
evolutionary activist regardless of their background? Those
evolutionary brothers you mentioned, did indeed, become important
hinkers and doers, while in prison. They transformed themeelves from
eing unknowing and criminalized into a slave situation, into
inderstanding social forces. Malcolm X got a chance to go out in the
vorld and demonateate what a brave black man can do, say, arganize
nd grow into — before he was gunned down. Gearge Jackson became an
ncredible writer and thinker, all while still heavily imprisoned — until he
vas gunned down on the yard. Dennis Banks was incarcerated for his
ctivism and involvement with AIM. He was a strong soldier before his
ncarceration! They are aweeome examples of what a person can
ransform themselvea into, regardless of the most oppressive living
obditions. Malcolm showed what a prisoner can do, once he or she is
oleased. Goorgo demonstrated bravery even at the time of his murder,
while a prisoner. Dennis is like Leonard Peltier, a lifelong fighter for his
eople.

Che Guevara put his lifs on the line many times, preparing for
ovolution, fighting revolutions, and also gave his lifs fighting the US..
rained Bolivian army, in 1967. He fought to liberate Cuba and fought in
\frica, before going down in Bolivia trying to ignite a revolution there.
fo was from Argentina. He's a selfless example of real lfe on the line
olidarity with other oppreased people.

T'm no Che Guevara! Although, he came from a somewhat well-to-do
amily, Like myself, 'm a product of Amerika. 1 did “drop out” for a couple
oars and disengage myself from the track I was unwillingly on
ollege degree. But, I didn't train to be a revolutionary fighter, like Che!
studied the ideas of revolution, not the learning how to use a gun part.
fo was a communist and I am an anarchist. He was an almost mythical
iguro. I'm just a brain worker. Che was both a thinker and a soldier in
he field — serious strategist under revolutionary warfare conditions.
he people of the world willforever love him for it — despite some of the
hitty things he did along the way —to Cuban anarchists and others. He
pitomized sacrificing for the love of humanity! It was a huge anti-
American phenomenon that the revolutionaries in South America today,

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still revere and draw strength from ~ like Haymarket still is to many.

1id believe that I had to disengage myself from this bourgeois track I
was put on. 1 wanted to live a working-class ife, 0 I would actually
think like and actually be a working class person and not a petty
bourgeois one. 1 sensed early on, that not doing so would turn my
thinking into mush and I would sell out somehow and not legitimately
develop my thinking and writing.

So, 1 would become an “intentionsl peasant.” 1 was kind of Like the
narodniks of Russia, who decided to go back o the village and become one
with the peasants to help foment revolution in the 1800's.

It was a vague fecling I had, but I think it has been borne out. My
siblings are liberals who chase after material things — cars, boats,
vacations, ete. I pour my wage-slave monies into serious literature,
‘which I spread freely to societies’ most oppresed. 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.

T always say, the two best decisions | made in my lfe (other than the
obvious personsl ones) were — not going into the military and dropping
out of college in 1972. I would insist on a self-educated “degree.” Later,
at my second wife's insistence, I returned to college and became that
achools valedictorian. 1 used the occasion of my peech to blast the
government and the school's administration!

T won a writing contest to be the valedictorian. My essay was entitled:
“Learn To Think* Then I dropped out of school again (dida't go on)
‘because we had a seven year old and a one year old. I kept my job. I
tayed with the idea of switching joba and becoming an educator. But, I
kmew if got a job as a teacher, I'd be fired the first day. So, I developed
into this free akool educator. It's another real good decision I made!

COYOTE: We are all aware with the struggles that prisoners face
across the country, 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
‘something that happehed to you while you were doing your work
as a prison abolitionist, or maybe a “success story” of a former
prisoner, or 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 acream to be told! But, I also write some personal stuff
and have my own personal ine, Thought Bombs, Sometimes I tell

‘personal staries 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 lows, circa 1972, Greg Dzurny, committed suicide. He was one of my
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st friends. His sister, who I went out with years ago, killed herself too,
fow yoars ago! Another friend, Eddie Hutchins, a great drummer, killed
maelf a couple three years ago because he didn't want to go back to
ison (parole violation) He was a heroin addict. He loft a three-year old
aughter. Me and some other guys got a college trust fund up for her.

Good, fun things happen! The recent conference to kick-start our new
oup ~ Midwest Coalition To Abolish Control Unit Prisons — was cool!
e brainstormed for eight straight hours (about 25 of us) and then had
n ase-kicking show — reggae, hip-hop and punk bands! That made me
el good - laughing and joking with good friends — who double as serious
narchists! That’s fun stuffl A high octane publication is a source of
tisfaction — at least for a little while. One can never get anywhere near
at nasty place - complacency! Life is to be moved on with,

1 guess I'm kinda on cruiss control. I've lived a fairly long life. T'm 53.
m not as anxious to go do stuff, like 1 once was. 1 want to get things
one! I want to focus on making things better! T want to go where I'm
seded the most! Lately, it has to do with trying to procure justice” in
is horrible nightmare situation where my son's best friend was killed
y an offduty cop. I think about it a lot. I have a lot of plans to do
riting projects. 1 have a few montha left to my wage-slave job and then
retire with a modest penion. I hope to do more presentations and so
xth. Hey, you college folks! Get me some gigs!

As for “success stories” Andy (John Two-Names) Riendeau comes to
ind. He was married a few months before his rather miraculous parole
Alabama. He was working with Sekou Kambui, the long railroaded
anther prisoner, He was paroled and was able to actually start a life
ith his wife. They went to help organize a protest against the building
a rural prison down there. The liars doing it first claimed they were
uilding a strip malll Jeremiah Vansice is another one. He got out of
rison in lowa and has been continuing his activiem in support of
risoners and tries to help educate those around him. We keep in touch.

There are other stories, good and bad. The idea is to give every single
erson a8 fair a shake as possible, see how they do, and help them along
he way, as they need and deserve. We have to know that this truth is
he key to getting it together, but we are faced with powerful enemies and.
ocial forces that are hampering our work. Our job i to transcend those
batacles.

“There are some really cool activists out here, like my good friend,
jonel. He's a serious environmentalist and ie always doing really cool
tuff, like suing the police, exposing toxic dangers and taking his kids out
> the woods to enjoy nature. He's got a long beard and kind of reminda
ay wife of Jesus Christ. He's a gentle loving soul with a heart that
ounds out every single beat, screaming “Justice!” Guys like him make
his work something to really look forward to every day.

COYOTE: It must be hard for you as a wage-slave, father, |2-
‘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 helll Not! s very easy for me to do this, as
Tve discovered the perpetual motion machine of getting off your dead ass!
T've willed myself to be in this position. Its a project that I spent a ton of
time and effort o to be this developed. Now, people know about me and
know how to contact me. T've developed good working habits, efficiency
and oo forth. The problem ia 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 sleep, work, being with my family, etc., etc. 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, Id be busy
‘28 hell, 6o while 1 was young, I could afford to be a slacker! And, I was, &
a certain extent. 1 did drop out of college and bum around, although I gof
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 as hell. But,
knew this would happen and I encouraged it to happen. I have a
tremendous capacity for work and this best maximizes my contribution ¢
the struggle, being this sort of awitch man on the underground.
information highway.

T don't buy the argument ¢ that ite so “hard!” What is hard is getting
rid of those do-nothing self-defeating attitudes and modes of behavior.
People can become anything. Ita a matter of will - mind over matter.
Usually, starting a project is the hardest part of actually seeing it
through completion. Lok up the word “alacrity” and strive to have it
lota of it!

‘As for my family, they have indeed been made to suffer, as 1 am s0
immersed in this work. 1 can't be two places at once! They resent that I
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! [ doa
Iot of work out of our house and only go out, to meetings or demos or
whatever when I feel I must. So, I'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. I float in and out of my work, as time
allows and opportunities present themelves. I use all my break time at
work doing support work. I don’t watch much T.V. or read books for fun

1 don't go to the bars or hardly see friends much. Everything is rush,
13
sh, rush! Sometimes, I take a couple three hours and spend it with my
others.

Every day, I prioritize my time and plan out what all I want to get
complished. Sometimes, I have to drop everything and switch gears, so
nust be flexible. I'm sort of inward and not a real “relationship” type of
reon. I need and want people around me, but I don't want to be all that
ngaged” if you know what I mean. I'm not perfect, like everybody else.
vant to do and think about what I want and am not the best father or
sband. T try to be good, but realize I have inadequacies in that regard.
n none-the-less very helpful around the house and an integral part of
e family. 1 feel needed and wanted, if “always busy.”

‘We all have deficiencies as human beings as well as strong points.

e of my deficiencies is a difficulty in “getting into” close personal
lationshipe on an every day basis. One of my strong points is my
lentless dedication to this type of support work and knack for it. It
puld be nice to be great at everything and somehow have time to do
erything, but that's not how life goes down.

OYOTE: It must be very overwhelming as an activist, fighting
ainst great odds and against powerful enemies. Is there

ything you'd like to say to offer encouragement to fellow
tivists? And could you tell people why they should get involved
ith the struggle of prisoners?

athony: For me, fighting these monsters is not really “overwhelming”
t it can be frustrating. They're not killing me or bombing my
ighborhood, like they are with some other people. P'm not being.
undndupindmdllm,lhat.lurh.nuedmldlflyblli.. Idon't
e in a miserable cage. I do suffer seeing other people suffer and die
ough because of these arch criminals who run Amerika.

The “doing” of struggling is important. It's a chance to meet other
ople, develop relationships, network, learn of other struggles and
velop as an activist. Sometimes an action does some good and
metimes it may seem like a waste of time. So, it's frustrating seeing a
nall turn-out at a lengthily organized event, say. We can never be
tisfied with our efforts. We can always try harder and speak more
arly and in such a way as people naturally listen to us and understand
at what we are saying is the plain truth!

Yeah, back in the day, when I was coming up, it seemed like everybody
8 into it and nowadays, people are oblivious. Our job is to get back to
thlldnmnfimmdptmrlhabp—di&.nd!hi‘m‘u
npire and start society afresh. Is the task daunting? Of course! It's the
sestion of life or death. The very future rides on our ability to be
ccessful, because Earth herself is being dragged down, too!
)

With stakes these uniquely ascronomical, it really doesn't matter ko
the task is difficult. It has always been difficult! We just must accept
that fact as a given and deal with it, without it bumming us out of the
important, urgent work we must constantly do. Besides, doing this work,
is the revolution —especially while working closely with brilliant and
‘courageous prisoners. Thi is where the battle is being waged. On one
‘side you have the most oppressed revolutionaries of Amerika, pitted
against the SS Amerikan Republican Guards!

This in the main battleground in Amerika. The Constitution calls
pflnw-d.'el*mlhildummilmmmfin[lhahinw! It
opens the whole, horrible Pandora's box of endless genocide and world-
‘Wide slaving that has defined Amerika from the get go. Prisoners are
tortured and die like flies in these tombs and dungeons! HIV & Hepatitis
C are pandemic, as is vape. Abuse, assault, gassing, shackling, sensory.
deprivation, all manner of sadism ia practiced on these 2.3 million people,
every singlo 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
‘many important tasks, ike arranging things, speaking,
facilitating discussions and events, knowing who to contact for all kinds
of things, what to o in an emergency situation, and so forth. The slills
you learn are applicable to every day life. It's a flowering of a person. It
Goesn't have to bum you out or bog you down — even when you're busy as

hellt You just figure out how to handle it, forge abead, no fear and not
wasting time procrastinating. Most people waste so much time *getting
Teady” to do something, they could have done it twice! Get right on it! D
it because it needs to be done and you will do the beat jobofit! Have
confidence in yourself! Life is a series of accomplishmenta that took a lot
of hard work to make happen! And it can all be done on an ongoing, ever
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
languish, “guilty” of laws that don't exist in other places. In other words
they're “guilty” of non-crimes! Yet, the endless mass crime of governmen
isn't even up for consideration in their rigged courts. Prisoners comprise
‘ very important number of our best revolutionary thinkers and are in
the perfect position to monitor the crimes of government. ‘We must lister
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 skill. I¢s a lost art
this country, but it really helps you focus your attention on what you are
thinking and how you want to say it. Tt helps you craft arguments, writ

1S

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 —no
laziness! Develop a “rapid response mode” for everything!

COYOTE: There are many naysayers who think anarchy could
never exist because there are too many people in the world who
want power 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 already
exists in our lives all around us and in our homes. It's not just societal
arrangement of autonomy and free exchange, but a moral way of living.
Youlive anarchist principles all day long. So, i's not like all or nothing
and it depends on transforming jerks into thinking, caring human beings.
Some people will always be jerks, no doubt! Avoid those people 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 themselvea and others. Not exactly the perfect
type of upbringing to develop a legitimate anarchist social setting. 1¥s
not about waiting for people to get their act togother for an anarchist

ety! Its about actualizing our own lives, learning and teaching each
other - struggling amidst a sick society and keeping it from all going
down the drain. Can anarchy be achieved some day? Hopefully! 1¥s one
belluva goal, so why not have that as a long term goal? In the meantime,
we've loads of thing to do!

As for the naysayers — screw them! Saying “nay” and doing nothing is
shameful behavior on their part. They sound like they have surrendered
their souls to these pigs! For what?! Show some self-respect, develop
resolve and let's see what you got! What is your legacy supposed to be?
“Well, he pooh-poohed everything in life and then he died. Ho Hum!"
Screw that! Life is meant to be lived like there is no tomorrow, because
there may very well not be, you turkeys! Sheesh! Get a fuckin’ life!

COYOTE: Describe to me, in your opinion, the difference
between “self-empowerment” and “having power over others,”
and explain how and when anarchists should apply each one in
their lives.

Anthony: Self-empowerment is just that. It is educating yourself,
developing insights and acting upon them in a positive manner. We are
all reaponible for our own behavior. The more aware we are, the better
choices we can make, the more effective we can be in our work and the
more positive impact towards others we'll have, by our example and the
things we do with and even for other people. 1f we accept anarchist
tenets as guides for our lives, we will look to learn many things to
improve our ability to extend solidarity to others, or develop mutually
positive relations with others. We'llinclude everybody in decision-
Taeking, have respect for other people and live a more positive, caring and
‘oeful life. These are things we do for ourselves, as being this way is the
most rewarding and satiafying, regardless of what others think or do!
The bonefita of anarchism aren't dependent on some power-hungry jerk.
Our safety might be, but not our anarchism. Its a real shame that
violence and intimidation works to inhibit a person’s natural (anarchistic)
development. h‘lmmw-l‘munthmmhn—mknu.lim
intimidation, threats.

“Having power over others” ia a fascist idea. It's horrible and leads to
corruption, sadism, suffering, oppression, racism, sexism, bomophobia —
2l thinga wrong in the world, A master-slave relationship is what
internationsl capitalism is all about! I¥'s not something we should strive
for, nor tolerate! That's why I agree with Bakunin about the communists!
1f they got in, they'd want to lord over the rest.of s in the name” of the
proletariat, whoever they arel The hell with thatl 1t just like the creeps
Jording over our poor planet nowadays — the Rumafelds & Cheneys of this
world. It's the opposite of what we want to see happen!

s there occasion to “take matters into our own hands” and stop
someone from doing something? Yes! If that person is hurting someone
eloe ~ then you intervene and stop him! Its pretty simple. You do what
You want as long s it doesn't hurt someone else. 1f it does, you will be
“topped! But, other than that, its a bad approach. Its how this slave
.ymmwuth—'h-y'rhahlllndnmmdwywnlhmitmm
sedistic and often deadly punishments.

“They kill and steal land and hire cops (from money they extorted from
us) to protect their stolen wealth! The “criminal justice eystem” only
targets the poor, so there is no “justice.” It is just a governmental agency
that is a criminal system! Instead of voluntary cooperation and figuring
out what is best and most fair for people, it is based on coercion, lies and

‘what the already rich decide to do to protect and expand their ill-gotten
riches.

COYOTE: There are a lot of people in this world who take a
disliking to things they don't understand. There are a lot of
people who would feel threatened by the “presence” of an
anarchist. Is there anything that you would like to say in defense
of the compassion and kind-heartedness of true anarchists?

Anthony: 1 see no reason why anyone should feel “threatened” by an
‘anarchist, unless he is a no-good oppressor himself! Anarchists are not
what they are portrayed as ~ punks bent on stealing your stuff, “fucking
shit up” or otherwise menacing normal citizens. That's the lying
‘portrayal of us by the government, the police and the media. I'm a 53-
year old, middle-aged so-called “white” guy. I threaten nobody! Nor do
‘people feel threatened by my mere presence.

1 find many, many people share our views on a lot of things. Most
folks hate the government and feel they are nothing but a bunch of lying,
thieving bastards! Sounds about right to me, too! Anarchists aren't out
to menace anybody. Punks who like to pretend to be “anarchists” and
steal stuff or whatever aren't really “anarchists” to me — real anarchists!
They're just thieving punks! People who don't respect “normal” people
are the assholes, not these “normal people” they're dissing!

‘See, most people are pretty real. If you approach them with respect
and an openness, they'll respond in kind. They're surprising radical in
their beliefs, too! Coming at them all dressed up in “attitude” and being.
Joud and obnoxious is offensive to anybody. Why so-called “anarchists’
‘sometimes insist on being assholes, is a very irritating thing! Wait until
these “rebels” get older. Most probably, they will have long since sold out
and buckled to their corporate molds. Screw that! Get real and treat
people with respect! I'm no saint and sometimes I'm an asshole, too! But,
‘we can think about it, apologize and try to keep ourselves from doing that
again! No one likes being disrespected! Save your vitriol for the real
monsters!

Then, of course, there are times when you run acroes a nazi jagoff bent
on giving you a hard time. Stand your ground and defend yourself, if
necessary. You don't deserve to be hassled by a jerk, either! Most of the
time, you can argue persuasively — as an anarchist — without ever even
‘mentioning the dreaded “A” word! You simply tell the truth with passion
‘and conviction. Case closed, argument won!
always busy being compassionate and kind-hearted! Its like mother's
love — comes right in on time and means the world! T know a bunch of
kind-hearted, compasionate (and seriously active) anarchists and these
are the types of people I gravitate towards and endeavor to work with the
‘most! 1 love ‘em and so does everybody else who is delighted by their
consideration 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 you
been doing to see to this?

Anthony: 1 did write an essay entitled: ABC's In Every City. I'm sure
you being a prisoner would love to see this happent! I try to encourage
people to join ABC Network all the time. 1 send ABC literature far and
wldeinnidtlmont,mkmfiuml'uwlylfilflvmwfitm
other distros - any interested individualor group. leave zinea at | §
storefront activist Offices, bring them wherever I go. I offer free zines in
‘various other publications to folks that aren't aware of us. I write articles
xndhfl&lfinmrbuhfiflmwhmufi)finmpmmn
nlw‘ylbfirdn(minl(hfhlhnndinpmfl.mbdulnalm
propagandist. I give zines to people at CopyMax, at work — wherever!

Dmmmtmwmmufiulmpmdwmpfimm
more involved with ABC. ‘We agreed to begin a sort of pilot program for
prisoners. Prisoners can affiliate with a chapter of their choice, and
bmmummmmbnflmdhmmrfimlnlnhg. A
fellow in Florida became our first prisoner ABC contact person, how
about you being #2? You can affiliate with South Chicago ABC &
brother, I'll vouch for you! You can contribute a report for our quarterly
ABC Network newsletter, etc.

Cleveland ABC came with serious questions and concerns about how
‘to make their chapter more viable and effective. 1 agreed to go to visit L
‘with them, put on a clinic and help mentor them in their work. I'll ..
answer all their questions, give them advice, instructional materials, etc.

T'll go visit them in early November, 2006. I'm open for any and all of
these outreach situations. 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 so few take this exciting line of anarchist agitation to
hnr!,b\lt'emv!rywfi:fl'flcinmduinhahflpwhdnfhiltypeol
work. But, we can't place the desire in their hearts. That must come
from within themselves.

COYOTE: IfI wanted to start a chapter of ABC out here in
Nevada, what would I have to do and how much support can I
expect from the affiliated chapters of ABC? “

Anthony: If you wanted to start a chapter, you'd need a fow things we
sort of insist upon — a P.0. Box, an email address and a phone number.
These are not possible for prisoners. That's why we came up with this
new arrangement for prisoners. If you want an ABC in Nevada, you have
to outreach and convince “free world” Nevadans to start one up! You can
‘advocate for it, get their newspapers and so forth. I know there are
anarchists in Nevada! The guy Johnson in Reno, Nevada does a nice
anarchist zine entitled, Imagine. Write him a lotter and ask him why he
doesn't do any serious anarchist prisoner support! You live out west. T
don't! I write to a lot of prisoners out west, but it seems like for all the so-
called “anarchists” out there, very few do the nose-to-the-grindstone

|
support work. Shame on that! Rmnuy,mnmmecmmu.?u
and CAPS (Oakland) went belly up without 80 much as an adequate
explanation. What are the people out west doing, anyways??? also
heard that Ed Mead (although not an anarchist) was fired and no longer
does support work, either. C'mon “out West!” Get it together and
support your brothers and sisters in those terrible Californis, Oregon,
Nevada, Washington ete., etc. gulags! Don't make the Children of
‘Haymarket do all the work! Get off your various trips and set. to work!
Soon enough, it will be you who will be looking for some serious support!

‘As for how much support you can expect to receive from other
chapters, I don't know. You'l have to ask them. Each chapter is
‘autonomous and they make their own decisions on what work they do,
‘who they are willing and able to support and so on. Usually, those
serious about this work wil try to help a comrade somehow.

‘We are avalanchod with requests for support and there are shamefull
400 fow of us doing this type of work. I for one, try like hell every day -1
write letters, make calls, write, edit, publish, mail, strategize, attend
‘meetings - I do all kinds of things, as time and energy allows. This is m
though, and I can't speak for other people and the difficulties they have
deal with to free their time up. I'm lucky to be in this position to be of
such usefulness. It's taken me a lifetime of struggle and adaptation to t
in this position, and I dow't expect others to be able to be o focused all
the time.

COYOTE: In Nevada, there is a lack of activism and no sign of
unity amongst anarchists, There are so many struggles we face
out here, especially prisoners. I have been looking hard - again
great odds - to try to establish a network for Nevada prisoners,
but I still haven't been able to get my feet off the ground. Do yo
have any ideas on what I can do and who I can turn to for
support?

Anthony: Well, Nevada is a big state. You almost certainly haven't
contacted all those who may be willing to work with you. So, I say, try
harder. eep trying and don't get discouraged. Prisoners have it the
worst, you're a prisoner and there are many prisoners around you. Sta
there. Talk to your brothers, organize study circles, work up ideas,
projects and get writers to write and artists to draw. Put publications
together and get back with me and T'l find time to spread them around
It took me several years before I found a single comrade who was
willing to work clogely with me and do this serious work. Years! And |
ive near big, bad Chicago — supposedly the home of many “anarchists!
‘begged and pleaded, cajoled and went off on people, over and over.
Nothing! All the while, I kept at it and developed this work. If1 could
get a “collective” of serious people, d just do the work of ten peaple! A
20
thave to “rely” on other people, deal with their nuances, excuses,
te. My work is dynamite because I answer to myself —and I have
ing standards!
ow have a great comrade and 'm grateful for him. But, not having
people should not slow you down in the least! Its all a matter of
over matter - sheer will to do the job. Once you develop a body of
others will come forward. One person, so inspired, is capable of an
lible amount of work! All the great work of history, almost
iably, has a single person focused on the idea that generates the
1§ of mountaina. Don't sell yourself short!
+no punk. I came up before the punks arrived. 1 guess you could
s hippie. But, I was political, so maybe I was a Yippie!
ays, the anarcho-punks have one major beliof that I really love. It's
Do It Yourselfl) When you do things yourself, you don’t have to
‘about somebody else sabotaging a project. You just do it!

OTE: It is true that some of the most intelligent minds can
und in these prisons far and wide. Nevertheless, the

ivism rates in America are still profoundly high. There are
activists out there who do volunteer work in bookstores
provide free books to prisoners. Some of these activists have
e that they often wonder what impact those books have on
ners and whether or not they are really making a difference.
7 that you are a distributor yourself, do you think that

ing the prisons with books and literature has had an impact
forming prisoners?

wmy: First, I'l talk about recidivism. Lot face it. Prisons aren't
1ed to “reform” their captives! They are meant to punish them,
‘their spirit all while generating a hefty profit from the profiteers —
1ard unions, the builders and suppliers, the politicians, the police,
3, prosecutors, lawyers and shareholders of prison stock. Some
s are “privae” and ran ko any other rip-off businem. Thei gl is
ximize profits directly.
108 there are very few re-entry programs and prisoners have not had
education while in prison (other than learning how to be a better
2al and what it foels like to be abused and embittered) they are set
failure. They are pariahs in the community, can't find housing,
‘od, etc. So, they face astronomical odds in not returning to prison
me flimsy “parole violation” or some new “crime” they allegedly
it. 1¢s all so arbitrary. Cops and the rich get off, poor blacks don't!
turning prisoners are easier to procesa back into the gulage, saving
profit-seekers the bother of the sham of court proceedings. Since
arisouer is worth from $20,000 o $40,000 to the various interested
s, and all these profits are guaranteed as they are extorted from the

PEE T =)

coR BR AT EETE >

Y E Y
taxpayers, the system wants these people in prison! They get nothing i
they get out and become “model citizens!” e

Talib Rashid wrote two superior zines about this. The Anti-Recidivii
Handbook for the 214 Century and The Final Release. They explain the
‘peychology of the criminalization process and how the system instills s¢
‘hate, which is transferred onto the community. It's another weapon (i
divids & conquer, racism, otc.) that the system seo to keep people fron
‘becoming educated and learning how to organize their community to fiy
‘back and make a functioning socio-economic system that isn't under th'
‘boot heel of this sick racist and predatory society. He also shows the w:
o overcome these negative mind sets. These are very good zines, whicl
recommend to any prisoner.

As for Books to Prisoner programs, I'll say this. They do help
prisoners. Many prisoners have little or no education, so reading and
learning things is an important first step. I have little patience for pul
fiction or escapist nonsense that prisoners often want. 1 don't send
anything but the most informative and conscious material. It's difficul
to acquire strong political books that can be sent to prisoners. The peo:
‘who provide grants are very stingy when it comes to truly educating
prisoners.

‘You'd have to ask those who do these Books to Prisoner Programe
what they think. Personally, I stick to the most serious material. I
sometimes take a book and reduce it into a zine and make it available.
T'm talking about work by George Jackson or Noam Chomasky or Ward
Churchill. Sometimes, Il just take a chapter and make it into a zine.
Soft covered zines are easier to get into prison than books, even soft
covered ones. They are cheaper because they are lighter and cost less |
print and mail. It's still quite expensive to do and takes a lot of
commitment. Because, all my money goes into printing and mailing, &
‘have to scrimp and save and do without on many others things, as doet
‘my family. You have to prioritize your assets in service to the cause.

1 hear every day, how impactful my publications are for prisoners a1
1know it is true. Like I eaid before, I only send the most serious shit.
‘prisoners know this (usually) when they send in their requests. For, t}
‘may be repressed because of their involvement with my program. Ofte
‘these publications are censored, denied, disappeared and those involve
are transferred, beaten, ete. Oh, I forgot! This is a “free” country and
don't have any censorship! Stop believing the lies, people!

T'm not out just to educate prisoners so they can come out and not.
ruffle any capitalist pig feathers. I aim to revolutionize prisoners, so t}
‘when they come out, they are a positive asset to their communities anc
ot some gelf-important “banger.” I can't live their lives. I can help po
them in the right direction and offer advice and friendship along the w
But, there comes a time for each and every one of us to make that step
to the next level, and the levels beyond that. Malcolm X did it! Are yo:
22—
10, or will you remain a shit talker, only? This is a question, every
© person should grapple with. Of course, moat people ignare their
destiny and live a truncated life of frustration and escapism. When
we dead and gone and al is said and done, who the hell is gonna give
un about that - or want to emulate that lifestyle???
2at's a huge problem — the willingly criminalized youth. With guns
Irugs and sex the end all, destruction, random killings, drug
ion, endless incarceration, or death awaits many “players.” This
Iful “gang” mentality poisons the atmosphere inside prison, which
1s'use to their advantage, as a way to keep them down and
ranized. Its a huge challenge ~ helping bangers transcend that dead
aentality and reroute it into a genuine — no hustle — service to the
e. Without reliable, honest, dedicated and sincere people, this will
o able to come to fruition. We need a moral revolution, tool

OTE: Can you give a list of “10” books that you think
»mers should read?

ony: Ten books, eh? OK. First off, let me talk about books. Many
ant men and women have written glorious books throughout the last
7 conturies. Read them! Classic literature, in any language is
‘about the culture and history of our world and all the worlds'

les! Otherwise, your mind is mush, a victim of the endless barrage of
propaganda spewing out of countlesa idiot boxes, newspapers,
wzines, radios, et etc. So, read voracioualy the classic novels,

7, analyses, of all societies. Look in libraries, bookeases everywhere,
. etc. ote. Libraries regularly give away huge numbers of books, that
1 gleaned through can reveal an awesome amount of genuine culture,
<and beauty. Your mind and body and spirit yearn for this eo-far

d basic education! Access it!

i will help you learn to think cogently and gather your self-esteem
her. Keep a dictionary at the handy s0 you can look up words you
know the meanings of. A Thesaurus, too! Learn about all the other
« that sort of mean the same thing, s you can be colorful and

ate when you describe what you are thinking sbout.

ylan Drapeau, my son's best friend, would have been 18 on December
006. He was killed by an off-duty pig on July 20, 2006. You know
he wanted for his 18 birthday? An $800.00 dictionary! So, off the
nake a dictionary book #1!

read a lot of Russia writers, when I was a pup. Dostoyevaky,

enev, Gogol, Pushkin, Tolatoy. These guys showed me the ropes —
sally Dostoyevsky. The Brothers K — The Possessed, WOW! This
new how to write/ His were long, gripping paragraphs that came to
aplicated seriea of creacendos! You knew what drove his characters!

B e ek de 5w D

e & e R

P
23

Reading great literature about revolutionary times is thrilling and
‘awesome. Gorky was impressive (until Stalin ruined him.) Uncle Tom's
Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe is a must read. 1 loved Mark Twain, too
Reading i incredible! Too bad schooling ruins it. And here, the poor
teachers are trying to encourage kids to read and flower and this hideous
system makes them be a part of them hating everything!

For a long whilo, I studied the riso and fall of Nazi Germany. I read a
‘million books about it all. It came in handy, as the comparisons between
Germany and America are so sumerous! Hitler didn't study “How the
‘West Was Won” for nothing! God, how he envied the Western
slave system! Erich Maria Remarque is best known for his book about
‘WWI, entitled All Quiet On The Western Front. That book was good, bu
1 liked his 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 anarchism must be
Lusemborg, Lucy Parsons, Emma Goldman — these are people who need
to be listened to! Revolutionaries! I'm just finishing the autobiography «
Assata Shakur! 1 hate to see it end! Alexander Berkman wrote
beautifully. 1 used to read and reread Khalil Gibran from Lebanon, all
the time. Such gorgeous phrasing! Voline wrote an amazing history of
the Russian Revolution, entitled, The Unknown Revolution. Fantastic!
thought Claude McKay, a black American communit, was a beautiful
writer.

‘Here's a foursome of books, I picked off my shelf. Killing Hope, by
William Blum. On the Justice of Roosting Chickens, by Ward Churchill

Frans Fanon's The Wretched of the Eaxth is important stuff. There'
‘whole world of information out there to read. Again, like everything els
in life, it only works if you actually go through with doing it. You compc
yourself o read, you read more, get wiser, it gets easier, you learn more
You can share more, be more content and knowledgeable, ikable and
useful.

Write to AK Press. Located at:

674 — A 23 Street / Oakland, CA 94612-1163. They have a catalog tha
Tooks like & phone book! You can learn anything you want, but you hav
to straggle for it — just like everything elsel

Td be remiss if I didn't mention the explosively important writers of
today. T'm talking about black anarchist prisoner writers, like James
Scott, Ojore Lutalo, Jerome White-Bey, Ali Khalid Abdullah and others
‘Tremendous thinkers who aren't anarchists include Rashid, (who is als
the world's strongest political artist) Talib Rashid, Khalfani Malik
Khaldun, Abdul Olugbala Shakur and many others. Tom Big Warrior,
29
»ugh aleo not an anarchist, does tremendous work deconstructing the
iy of Native America, the endless genocide as well as U.S. history
srotandably. Their work is available through my distro. Harold H.
‘mpeon, an Irish anarchist, does an excellent zine. My zines and
y® are seriously on point! And these babies are freely available!! Not
1e, but definitely for you! It's free skool education!
» August Spies ~ I love reading their work. The Russian anarchists
some powerful writers, as did the Spanish. These days, I don't know
is more impressive — Sam Mbah of the Nigerian Awareness League
rchist) or Lorenzo Komboa Ervin, a longtime Panther anarchist, now
ing out of Nashville, Tennessee — his native state. Both are
med with articulation and insight on the issues that matter the

bat's one of my goals. I want to help spawn a whole culture of
tance ~ as popular as hip-hop and a hundred times more conscious!
wssible! I feel people can attain & self-sustaining level of

ciousness from various revolutionary tributaries. Anarchism is
iitely one of those flows. It provides endless opportunities to act!

‘e can all learn and broaden our outlooks by serious undertaking of
¥ of the other revolutionary positions, tool We have to be open and
with all of it. Being anarchists, and taking the time and effort to
ulate our beliefs and do serious work, while also not shying away
other modea of thinking, gives anarchism a strength and logitimacy,
ean't have otherwiss. We should not foar any kind of challenge, as
sideas go. We're after the truth and if the truth is that most

chista are just half-assing around, then that’s the truth! Work with
@ who aren't afraid to get on with it! Whatever provea most effective
alotof! Let it be known, that I understend that most all people half-
t, not just anarchists. But I have such high hopes for anarchists, it
¥ disappoints me when I don't see much serious explosive positive

- Ikmow they are capable of doing being done, and they are not being
rtaken because for whatever reason, they refuse to give forth the
‘honest effort that all this work that needs to be done, takes.

‘OTE: As a prison abolitionist, it must be devastating to see
and more prisons being built across the country. I have
Lliterature that was written ten years ago, talking about the
© struggles we otill face today. What changes and
smplishments have you seen in 10 years?

1ony: Yeah, I hate it, all this kidnapping, harassing, incarcerating,
re, death, suffering — all of it! Its totally disgusting. What's also
EXY
terrible 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 less
prisoners were locked up. The conditions have steadily gotten worse —
lulprovln-.l-ul‘wd.h-umhl.wliburin,viniu,phomafll.
‘human contact of any sort, more beatings, more hopeles and

down, like all evil empires must, the repression of the black and poor
increases. Wealth is more polarized. I heard yesterday, that there are

Theard today, at a meeting of a group I'm with (CCOS) — Concerned
Citizens of the Southland — that in the poor black south suburban
‘schools, cops are coming into the grade schools and “tagging” students
over their fights. These mostly young men are then being tracked - for
‘prison! This fellow esid 70% of these boys are thus tracked at the acho.
ho spoke about! He esid the schools are run like prisons, with the
toachers mare like guards. Even the school courtyard, is modeled after
the prison yard!l! They're all fenced in and they look like prisons!

So, things have deteriorated rapidly in the prisons. With these neo-
con Bushie nasis in power, more draconian laws, more evil big shot
judges, more reactionary legialators, harsher laws, more police
being introduced and expanded. The police are being militarized and
funneled back and forth to Irag. So, killers of Iraqis are now in police
uniforms when they get back here. Citizens are under endless suspici
‘about anything and everything, especially in the heavily videotaped a:
“under-cover” rogue cop patrolled (read: black) neighborhoods.

1t's all more and more sinister as even “white folks” are being aske:
snitch on their parents and neighbors, and everyone is in Stalinist fea
‘mode. Nobody talks to each other in the stores out of some weird fear

Look at Dylan — a brilliant “gifted” white kid had his life snuffed o1
‘and he was just treated by the pigs assigned to look into it as if he we
road kill! They have zero respect for the truth and zero for life.

And if you're a prisoner, it's less than zero! Its a vile harribleness
the sickest things happen every day, as people play out their mindles:
‘social dementia. Just yesterday, another woman cut open a womb, ki
young kids, etc. Meanwhile, “hundreds” of “suspected militants” are
‘bombed into oblivion — by NATO soldiers in Afghanistan, and if anytt
peaple assume ‘good thing.” The U.S. threatens Iran, a nation ¢
‘mavbe 60,010,000 people! Yet all neople can muster up concern for ie
‘some NFL team! This is a society wandering aimlesely on a wicked
thorazine bender, and every one of us is not safe and life is getting w

This sordid reality brings me back to the squalid dungeons. Like
cockroaches, the prisonkrats do not like the spotlight put on their mo

vities. So, when we publicize the endless abuse they inflict, it usually
38 curb some of the more egregious abuse. But, the insane system of
ing people to live in cages continues on, aa if it was natural and
timate. The running of prisons is a major social crime on humanity

t pours gas on the problems. 2L

In the other hand, anarchist ideas (and other revolutionary positions)
gaining a much wider acceptance, as people realize the government
s nothing but lie and make their lives miserable and threatened. So,
have a big opportunity to help get recruita. Ita a race against time, a8
s monsters don't even care if their own children have a viable planet
ubsist on in the near future!

1ave there been any victories? Well, a few prisons were shut down,
uding a women's prison twenty miles south of me that I helped
wnize against. But, did fewer peoplo stay in prison because of it? No.
© and more keep coming in. Occasionally, a prisoner we supported
+paroled and gets a foothold and begins to put his or her prison
cation (political consciouanes) to work and becomes @ community
nizer. I's a tough, difficult struggle. For, there's no “community” to
& back tol Every one is on their own facing a stacked deck — no job,
‘matized, no education, no place to live, etc. So, having a serious
erstanding of reality is pretty much mandatory, if one is to avoid the
divist kidnappers. This is the preparation we try to give.

YOTE: We are six years into the new millennium. It seems

1 there is crisis and turmoil in every part of the world right

v. But for some reason, people feel a sense of something “new”
taround the corner. Change is in the air. As a prison
litionist, what new approaches do you think activists should
© in the struggle to abolish prisons?

bony: There's tremendous “turmoil” and many crises. After all, the
has declared nuclear war on Afghanistan and Iraq and threatens to
he same to North Korea, Iran, and elsewhere. Many people are

ting and dying every day in many countries. The U.S. is everywhere
ding the situation much worse!

Seeing this (and experiencing their own oppression at the hands of the
- and their puppets) places like Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil
elsewhere in South America, have experienced a tremendous growth
seople power” community organizations, worker-run factories, serious
nizing and empowerment is being accomplished. So, people back in
belly can see it is possible! Millions of people demonstrated even in
locked-down country for the rights of immigrants. Every one knows
Irag war was bullshit and hates Bush (outside the hardcore American
ists) but feels powerless and atomized to do anything seriously about
They saw Katrina wipe out New Orleans and the government didn't
do a thing - just like on 9-11! But they do have a seriously dangerous
police and military. Our chances go way up, when the police and army
mmnflhn.nmwfllin(h:fnlhw‘hlirudmhminuhkiflmfl
repress people. 27

‘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 is 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 h:
‘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 off inertia, they can become very active and valuable. Theis
‘real life will truly begin. For, like Assata Shakur says, life is most

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 ser
‘what works, But to really try something “new” what they should try i
actually tr-y! That would be new! I'd love to eee it and I'll be glad to
‘mentor anybody into it! I'm tired of seeing people get enthused and t!
flake off. Show some self-respect and reapect for othere! Thisisn'ta
goddam game — its life and death! It's not just some goddam joke!

COYOTE: It seems like any fool with a typewriter can create :
zine, but your zine, “Thought Bombs” is one of a kind. Not onl
there a lot of intelligence and truth put into them, but you giv
people off all different nationalities, creeds and beliefs an
opportunity to let their voice bo heard! I¢s good to see people
working along the same lines, towards the same objectives.
That's something that ABC does well. Can you explain how yo
put your zinos together and then what you do with them, onx
you're finished?

Anthony: Thank you! It's nice of you to notice. Usually my zine gots
crappy reviews because the mainstream underground is only interest
in the “navel-gazing” zines. From the very beginning, with Thought
Bombs #1, 1 explained what 1 was going to do — look for the best
revolutionary literature out there to help push the struggle forward.
organize a lot of events — talks, actions, conferences and eo forth. I 1
prepare a statement for these to concentrate my arguments and have
written record of these issues and events for later publication. 1 writ

ssays about all sorts of things, in the back of my mind, Il ues in a p
cither my own or a different one I'l work up.

2y
‘think it's important to get other peoples’ viewpoints, uncensored or
»d by me, so readers can make their own determinations on the issues
beliefs presented, compare ideas, synthesize them, add them to their
, discard and ridicule or whatever. I have confidence that my work
ds up and has its due influence. People tell me all the time it means
to them. Others tell me I suck! Whatever, I'm gonna keep doing it
T'm gonna jack up the level of argumentation more and more, the
srtance of the issues, the strength of the writing — everything! . Is
1 game or a novelty with me — it's part of a social upheaval. To me,
zine, and the many others I work on, are part of a vital aspect of this
aral revolution we so desperately need to develop from.
oI care that my work is s0 ignored and pilloried? Not really, because
# sycophants and timid ones aren't gonna get down and dirty,
way! They avoid the issues! So, I'l go with people who aren't afraid
@ brutal truth and who “get it” you know? 1 feel very comfortable
conscious prisoners and hopefully, they feel comfortable with me.
3, I have many, many useful and excellent collaborators to work with.
umnth-nlunhlndll.nl'mmmnnpin(nwndwiflhuxhh(
», like 80 many. T'm busy as hell every day and busier the next day!
78 good because my old man was a workaholic and so the hell am I
1e*)
iow do I doit? Simple. I have simple tools, like box cutter knife, an
|inmylrd.fix:kfil~ihhlflill\nm'd-,plnl,m.-hmp.,
eout and a tape player. I spread all kinds of papers, envelopes,
s, zines, etc. on a ping pong table. I've developed a painstakingly
ted “network” whereas folks (mostly prisoners) can find out about me
my work, through ads in other publications, articles I've written, the
‘sands upon thousands of zines I've sent out, listings in resource
8, others support groups’ newsletters, ads in ine review zines, other
3, word of mouth, tons of hand-written letters, etc. I told you this
< isn't easy — but it is relatively “simple!”
don't have a website or use the computer much, except to check email
transcribe or write. I find a lot of people are “computer activists”
and don't call, visit or write. That's lazy! Prisoners don't have
nwmm-nqutbmmmmtkhhhopthm
¥ alaves) ignorant, uneducated and thus, impotent as revolutionaries,
sthing Assata Shakur said comes to mind, here. She wrote: “to
me free, you have to be acutely aware of being a slave.”
like to make digest-sized booklets, usually from regular 8 % x 11
r, which is the quickest and easiest to make copies from. Sometimes,
ks better to use 8 % x 14 paper. You give yourself enough margin
sut and paste that bad dog together. You make an ariginal, then a
g0 over it with a fine tooth comb (and a bottle of white out) and
fou have a master copy ready for reprinting! Then you make

27
copies, collate them, fold them and staple them. Then you file them anc
w\umflmemmnmmhmh.m-lmdwpu. Thave
several huge bookcases, shelves, boxes full of zincs. I save the masters
for reprinting later. When people ask for it by name o by subject, you
t0end it to them ~ whatever they want, as best you can. Sometimes,
people send stamps or a little cash. It is a drag when prisoners send
checks addressed to my istro. 1 can't cash them, folks! Please send al
checks made out to me, Anthony Rayson, send cash or stamps. Thank

'
1t takes constant, daily work because you are constantly running ou
of titles, working up new ones and so forth. So, you have many zines it
i i hand-written beginnings to

(and is by me) done anywhere, with a minimal amount of “stuff” you ne
to do them with. Like everything else, the biggest obstacle and hassle
doing them is gotting off your ase and setting to work. Protty simple!
gladly give workshopa on zinemaking or anything else, but people “dor
know and don't want to know.” Its 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 straight?

Anthony: Well, “anarchists” are supposed to be violent, thieving, craz:
dangerous, anti-social, terrorists, hedonists, who want to unleash
criminals upon everybody, who despise “organization” blah, blah, yads
yada, yada.

‘While there are some real losers who call themselves “anarchists” r
genuine anarchista (of which there are precious fow) are rarely any of
those repulsive things! Anarchists are logitimate and responsible, car
about other people, don't take things that aren't theirs, are quite socia
and do not want criminals menacing society. That's why they hate
government so much!

Criminals run government and do bad things to people like kill anc
encage them! They steal from people and lie and cheat and force a
borrible “education” upon them, and cater to a hideous corporate-
dominated “culture” of conspicuous consumption, the glorying of offici

Anarchists believe incarceration is a crime. People often have beer
ruined who are then incarcerated (and made worse.) We don't want
predators menacing our communitice. We don't want pedophiles,
politicians, thieves, policemen, murderers, judges, extortionists, lawye
or any other type of criminal to menace us. Problem is, most crimes
(state crime, crimes of the polic, the courts, etc.,) are not even consid:
30
prosecution as crimes. Landlords aren't charged for their crimes, not
factory owners who rip off workers. So, the whole “criminal justice
m'wm-mwwmm-mmmmm&-,
stly. Afllhnduimil‘l‘.plh.wanim.lnd'mhindividlu]
ne rates never go down, because the society is buay “criminalizing”
80 young, mostly black people.
!t’-n:rinumhhnbod.dnfllin:.‘h.hr.mfidjdmmnml
‘ation, job prospects and so forth, but once again, these aren't
sidered crimes, just what the desperate do because of them. What a
rible reality it is!
:mw‘w'm&m,mm.wmu
rchism on the computer, sit down and learn what the hell an -
fil.mfi.hmn(pundllwmmmw.whm
\ddhwvilyin(,hunn\h.ylhlbvut"mfihiud.fl Once
im, get off the couch and learn for yourself! 1 have several zines that
Ililuunl:nymelnmilwrifin(!qmmilmimlmfldl
den. Em-wunmbullh.wh-dmpuzup-flhlhh
mm.wmimfiuhh,hmwlmfidm
!(lufim-mxchmulvuyinpmthinlioh,mnm
whdth-pau—-nnbyvh-penpl-whn'mnldmh_fitflmm
K

YOTE: ABC has been in existence for 105 years. WOW! Is
ro anything you would like to say in honor of ABC? And, is
ro anything that yowd like to say for the future of ABC?

hony: Well, ABC came to be out of the Revolution of 1005, in Rusaia.
s formed to support anarchist prisoners being repreased by the Tear.
srent groups from around the world popped up here and there to
»ort anarchist prisoners and other political prisoners. There's a group
*d ABCF (Anarchist Black Cross Federation.) They've been around
:0-12 yoars and their main focus is in supporting “official” political
oners in America. They also support “social” prisoners, although the
+ & POW's (prisoners of war) get the monetary support from them.
118 a very good group and they do important work. There are various
groups in Europe and South America, Canada, ete.

‘he Network came into existence in 2002. We wanted to generalize
support for prisoners. We believe all prisoners are political prisoners,
1carceration is a driving force of this repreasive regime. It's very
icall Prison defines Amarical Like Malcolm X "America means
on!” 1ts “ground zero” of the struggle here at home. Prisoners are

e according to the 13% Amendment. They know they are slaves!
¥'re shackled, gassed, beat, encaged, forced to work for nothing — they

o e s
21
know! As slavea yearning for liberation, they are the best group of people
for us to work with, because we are striving for anti-slave revolt, too! -
Theso folks - the anes who've stopped banging and haven't been driven
crazy yet, are thirsting for radical, revolutionary and yes, anarchist
insight and empowerment!

Unfl-lb-nbfiflmhfingmmm'omiwhmin&iflbnm
o repulsed by seriously revolutionary zines, prisoners love them!
Prisoners start atudy circlos aud pass them around. They suffer assault,
abuse, 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 tol

As for ABC and those who do ABC-type work, I love them Its hard
‘work, but very rewarding and the few who know this and stick with it
mmfl'flmw.ndmm If ever a group of anarchists
deserved respect, it ia thess people! Without a serious ABC presence,
“anarchists” wouldn't have much going for them, as far as normal poople
are concerned. All too often, anarchists are involved in esoteric, self-
contered stuff that has little or no solidarity component to i, let alone
relates to what regular working &/or poor people have to deal with.

As for the future of ABC, I am trying to help it grow. We do constant
outreach, inside and out. We make it simple as hell! All you have to do
o sccess this information ia contact us! 1t costs nothing/! Wo are being
infiltrated and otherwise menaced by the police, FBL, etc. so that tells me
we are having effect. We tio up a lot of prison censor trolls and cost
gulags money, which they hate. We got the truth out of the gulage and in
turn, got it back in. This is exactly what George Jackson besoeched
outaide supporters to do — flood the prisons with insurrectionary ideas!
So, the ABC Network has done a lot of really important work. T1l

WE MUST FIGHT FOR OUR CHILDRENS’ FUTURE'
'YOTE: Well, my thought-bombing comrade, that about wraps
srything up. It is always refreshing to be able to converse with
u.”Alot of your answers were very deep and very thought-
>voking. I admire your intellect and I am grateful for this
portunity to pick your brain, thanks! Before I close, please foel
@ to leave your readers with one last, refreshing thought!

thony: Thanks to you, my Coyote howlin' friend! I'm always happy to
1 across serious prisoner anarchists to collaborate with. 1 just ran
098 an address for you, out in Nevada! Write to: K. Friedman, Sta. 8,
x 241, 2875 E. Tropicana Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89119. She's a prisoner
Carson City, who wrote the Free Self-Help Litigation Manual and
vice. It's for lesbian &lor feminist prisoners. Maybe she knows some
ks 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
m, a middle-aged, “white” dude, with a job, a wife, two kids, etc., etc.
don't have time to do anything!” Do I? Besides, I've been conditioned
a lifetime of television and other lies, 8o what do I know, right?

-ong! Even an old geezer like with my little-aseed “white skin
vilege" knows this whole thing is a monumental charade, and even
sugh I have next to nobody helping me, I still manage to have a strong
archist-driven effect on many peoples’ lives! What does that tell you!
tells me, anyone can be effective, especially those surrounded by young
d oppressed people! So, if I can do it — Joo Normal in the middle of

m fuck — then so the hell can you or anybody else! Long live the
archists who live as anarchists and love every minute of it!

TE:

Coyote is a politically conscious prisoner, who is currently
afined to an isolation cell in a maximum security prison in
wada. He is an activist and a writer, who has built a study
oup inside the confinement of Ely State Prison. Not only does
1 create beautiful literature of his own, but he makes copies of
hatever literature he gets his hands on, through outside
ntacts, and then passes them around to fellow prisoners and
slds discussions on them over the tier. Right now, Coyote is
orking against great odds to build a network for NV prisoners
1d has suffered from acts of retaliation from the administration
r his efforts to organixze and becausa of his activism.
svertheloss, he still does what needs to be done, putting his
20le heart into it. You can contact him at:

oyote Sheff#65671 South Chicago ABC Zine Distro
.0. Box 1989 P.0. Box 721
Iy, Nevada 89301-1989 Homewood, IL 60430