Anarchist Black Cross Federation Update 45
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![The Anarchist Black Cross (ABC) began shortly after the 1905 Russian Revolution. It formed aftr breaking from the Political Red Cross, due to the group’s refusal 1o support Anarchist and Social Revolutionary Politcal Prisoners. The new group, naming itself the Anarchist Red Cross (ARC), began o pro- Vide aid o those Politcal Prisoners who were the PRC. refused support b In the carly de a chapters. throughout Europe and North America. These chapters worked together to provide assistance 1o prisoners only in Russia. Soon other groups, such as the provide support to those who were suffering because of thei political belicfs. In 1919, the organization’s name changed tothe Anarchist Black Cross 1o avoid confu- sion with the_International Red Cross. Through the 1920s and unil 1958, the organ- ization worked under various ofher names but provided the same level of support as the other groups working as Anarchist Black Cross. After 1936, the ABC expanded is aid to places such as Greece, laly and Spain. In_ 1958, the organization collapsed but reemerged in 1967 in London, England. out Latvian Anarchist Red Cross, emerged to provide aid in other Eastern Etropean coun- tries. Armed with the ideas of mutual aid and solidarity, these groups worked frelessly to Once again ABC chapters spread throug! the globe providing support for imprisoned comrades. Sadly, by the end of the 19705 only a handful of ABC chapters il existed. Introduction: “Crucally important to maintaining the anarchist integrity of this organization s the fact that Branch Groups and Support Groups are freely autonomous to take on whatever initiatives they can to further the Unity of Purpose of the ABCF. So long as these initiatives do not contradict any preexisting agree- ments (Tactical Unity) that have been made by the ABCF, it is not necessary for all groups to approve of and/or agree with programs, projects or work of other ABCF collectives.” [from the ABCF Constitution and Structure] The following definitions are used to describe the below terms whenever they appear in the ABCF Update or any other ABCF literature. Political Prisoner (PP): A person incarcerated for actions carried out in support of legitimate struggles for self determination or for opposing the illegal policies of the government andor its political subdivisions. [Special International Tribunal on the Violation of Human Rights of PPPOW’S in US. Prisons and Jails, Dec. ’90] Prisoner of War (POW): Those combatants struggling against colonial and alien domination and racist regimes captured as prisoners are to be accorded the status of prisoner of war and their treatment should be in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva Conventions Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of 12 August, 1949 (General Assembly resolution 3103) T the 80s however, the ABC began to gain popularity again in the US and Europe. For years, the ABC’s name was kept alive by a ‘humber of completely autonomous groups scattered throughout the globe and support- ing a wide variety of prison issucs. In May of 1995, a small group of ABC collectives merged into a federation whose aim was to focus on the overall support and defense of Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War. Various groups have since merged in numerous. networks throughout the globe working on various prison issues. The Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF) has continued is mission to focus on the aid and support of Political Prisoners. We take the position that PP/POW’s demand our top priority. We strive to continue with the same dedication and solidariy to our fallen com- rades as those before us have shown. The ABCF is: PRISONER’S COMMITTEE OJORELUTALO BILL DUNNE #5860 /Box 861 10916086 Trenton, NJ 08625 Box 019001 sKoUKamBUI | Atwaler, CA9S301 113058 /BOX 56 HANIF BEY scc (B1-21) ELMORE, AL 36025 295933 Box 759 Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 JAAN LAAMAN Wai514 /Box 100 ‘South Walpole, MA 02071 ABCF GROUPS Ny ABC PHILLY ABC Now Address PO Box 42129 Coming Soon! Phiadelphia, PA Jax ABC i PO Box 380392 WINNIPEG ABC Jacksonvle, FL Jacksonvis 30.91 Abert St Winnipeg, Manioba, MONTREALABC OB 165, Canada P05 42053 SUCC Joamne Mance Monireal OC H2W 273 Canada LAABC PO BOX 11223 Whiter, CA 90603 Petition for Sekou Kambui New Afrikan political prisoner Sekou Kambui had a parole hearing scheduled for this past June, The hearing date has assed; but the hearing still has nat faken place. Sekou and s Supporters believe that it will be held In December. We are asking supporters to sign the web petition that can be found at the address below. Thank you’ for your continued support. Write to Sekou: Sekoy Kambui (William Turk) #113058 Box 56, 8CC (B1:21 Elmore] AL 360250056 www.pet iononline.com/sekou/petition.html SEKOU KAMBUI AT $ www.abcf.net](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-45-fall-2006 2.png)
![Longtime Revolutionary Passes On Long after other revolutionaries of his day had retired or found less-confronta- tional ways of fighting the system, former Black Panther member Michacl Zinzun was still on the front line, doing battle with police. In frequent clashes — some on the streets, others in the courtroom — Zinzun challenged the practices of law enforce- ment agencics in Southern California. ‘Those battles won him the respect of some, the scorn of others, and led to changes in the Los Angeles Police Department. In_ 1986, Zinzun lost the sight in one eye in a confrontation with Pasadena police. He later won a $1.2-mil- lion settlement. "I’d rather lose an eye fighting against injustice than live as 2 quiet slave," he told a Times reporter in 1986. "1 just can’t see myself standing back." Zinzun, who protested police brutality, worked with atrisk youth and was the host of a cable television program, died Sunday in his sleep at his home in Pasadena, said his wife, Florence. He was 57. The cause of death has not been deter- mined. "Michael became an icon [because of] an uncompromising commitment to doing this work, the courage to follow his con- victions, and being unafaid to challenge power and authority — at times at dra- matic personal costs,” said Anthony ‘Thigpenn, a longtime friend and president of Strategic Concepts In Organizing and Policy Education, a social justice organi- zation in South Los Angeles that teaches fesidents 10 understand and participate in public policy formulation and decision- making. "There’s a real question who will carry on that work now that Michacl’s gone.” Zinzun came of age in the highly politicized days of the late 1960s. The beginning of his radicalization came when he was an auto mechanic, operating his own small repair shop behind a gas station in Altadena. A large oil company purchased the station and evicted Zinzun, putting an end to his entreprencurial endeavor. In 1970, he joined the Black Panther Party, found it politically stifling, and left less than two years later. He later referred to his time in the party as "an educational experience,” one that clearly influenced his Iif’s path. By the mid-1970s, there was "almost an epidemic of cither shootings or beat- ings” of African Americans by police, said Thigpenn, who was director of cam: paign field operations for Antonio Villaraigosa during the 2005 L.A. may- oral race. Zinzun was working on issues in Pasadena, Kwaku Duren in Long Beach and Thigpenn on a case in Pacoima. The three men came together in the Coalition Against Police Abuse, Thigpenn said. When an allegation of abuse arose, coalition members would meet with the victim’s family and the community and search for ways to achieve justice, Thigpenn said. The coalition also docu. ‘mented incidents of abuse and sometimes accompanied community members o the police stations to file complaints. "I’d rather lose an eye fight - ing against injustice than live as a quiet slave” -Michael Zinzun A key clement of the aganization’s platform was the call for the creation of a civilian police review board in cities throughout Los Angeles County, a call that reached its height after the controver- sial 1979 police shooting of an African American woman, Eula Love, outside her home in South Los Angeles. The coalition collected thousands of signatures but failed to obtain enough support 1o place the issue on the ballot By the late 19705, Zinzun’s omganiza- tion had attracted the attention of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Public Disorder Intelligence Division, which infiltrated the group with undercover agents. The coalition joined with other oranizations and sued the police. In the fallout surrounding the lawsuit, the LAPD disbanded the division. The coalition received part of a monetary settlement. Sometimes, instead of observing and documenting police actions, Zinzun was in the middle of the fray. In 1982 he was present when Pasadena police officers attempted to arrest a man for public drunkenness and another for allegedly striking a police officer. Police later arrested Zinzun, accusing him of ‘making threats against five officers at the scene, an allegation he denied. “Ibeen around police long enough to know what you can and cant say to the police.” he told a Times reporter in 1952. The case was later dropped The 1986 incident, in which Zinzun lost his sight, began when he heard the shouts of 2 man being arrested by police. A crowd gathered and in the commotion that followed, police said Zinzun punched an officer. He injured his eye, they said, when he fell while being chased by police. Zinzun denicd striking an officer. He said that he was pushed down on the pavement and that officers had beaten him with a flash- light. ‘After Zinzun lost an election for a seat on what is now the Pasadena City Council, he successiully sued the city of Los Angeles and an assistant police chief for defamation. A lawyer for Zinzun argued that during the campaign the city and the assistant chief disseminated infor- mation in a way that wrongly suggested that Zinzun was the subject ofa file in the Police Department’s anti-terrorist_divi- sion. A jury awarded Zinzun $3.8 million, but in 1991 a judge overturned the award Interest. in’ Zinzun’s efforts to combat police abuse increased after the beating of Rodney King and the 1992 riots. Mainsiream leaders were much more accessible to members of the coalition. “Before you could’t even get them on the. phone,” he told The Times in 1992 Zinzan was born Feb. 14, 1949, in Chicago and spent part of his childhood in the Cabrini-Gircen housing projects His father died when he was 8, and his moth- er sent him to Pasadena fo live with an aunt, In addition to his wife, Florence, whom he married in 1982 after his divoree from his first wife, Zinzun is survived by his mother, four sisters, two brothers and six children and stepchildren. ‘Though he continued to work on police issues in recent months, Zinzun had turned his attention to the kitchen. He was enrolled in a Pasadena culinary school, studying to be a chef. "He just wanted 0 learn everything," his wife said (Article was originally published in the LA Times)](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-45-fall-2006 6.png)
![Statement by Seth Hayes on Parole Denial Greetings, L’am writing 1o thank you for your support, love and concern in my bid for release at my fifth parole board appearance. Sadly, release was ’t granted. Instead I’ve reccived, once again, an additional two-year hit for the fifth time. "Due 0 the seriousness of the crime, release at this time would undermine respect for the lav. “This is a standard, pat answer based upon political views (the gov- ernor continually insists that violent felony offenders should not receive Parle) rathe tan th appliction ofth low. We are going 10 appeal sl har i p th e o Yo comiried suppen Y6u s e Srons o m ot hs HeuICperod and sk you 1o support and_commitment a while longer. | have already submitted my appeal papers. | now await the transcripts from the parole board hear- ing. It is from those transcripts and our strategy that | hope to secure release. As things develop, 1 will update everyone through mail and the web page www.sethhayes.org 1t is hoped that the court will agree that the decision of the parole commissioner was unreasonable and opt for another hearing that follows the guidelines of parole law rather than the implicit political stance of the governor. Again, thank you for your con- [LA-ABCF’s Statement on the Death of M. Zinzun ‘We would like to take a moment to express our sorrow in| the recent death of Michael Zinzun. We hope his family can lbe comforted by the knowledge that Michael was loved and jadmired by many who had the oy to cross paths with him, i lonly for a flecting moment. To those who may be unaware of Zinzun’s impact in ou] lcommunity; he was a former member of the Black Panther| [Party in Los Angeles, co-founder of the Coalition Agains| IPolice Abuse (CAPA) and a founding member of the National [Black United Front. Most notably, he was a founding member lof the organization Community in Support of the Gang Truce| that achieved a truce between the Crips and the Bloods in Watts. In a statement regarding his death, LA Panther, Talibah| Shakir, stated that “Michael’s passion did not have social or] [zcographical boundaries. He possessed the orator skills of [Malcolm, the fearlessness of Steve Biko, the determination of (Che. He welcomed a battle as Crazy Horse did. He was and will always be the example for gencrations 1o follow. We in LA ABCF would like to state for the record that Michael Zinzun was one of those who inspired us to move tinued show of love and support. in the vanguard of the future. We are correct, and we will win. In struggle, Robert Seth Hayes Please address all correspondence to: Robert Seth Hayes #74A2280 Wende Correctional_ Facility PO. Box 1187, 3622 Wende Road Alden, New York 14004-1187 USA For more info: www.sethhayes.org Llook forward to sceing your efforts forward in the revolutionary struggle. It was his orator skills| described by Shakir which lified our hearts and spirits into the Jair It was his determination and fearlessness that allowed us| to think that anything was possible. Only a few people in his-| tory move beyond the point of inspiration to that of aspira- ftion- Zinzun is one of those few. Our sorrow in his death is only overshadowed by thel Kknowledge that he now rests among those spirits mentioned in these previous words. This is the rightful place for man like| Michael Zinzun, ‘We wish his family strength in this moment of sorrow. Amandla, Los Angeles Chapter Anarchist Black Cross Federation A Personal App eal by Jaan Laaman - Ohio 7 Political Prisoner Allow me to update my legal situation from carlier this year. | am still in Walpole - Massachusetts state prison. As | explained before, | have been locked up for over 21 years now. While | expected to finish my state sentence in March and then be taken to the federal system (0 begin a 53 year, sentence, Massachusetts "found” an additional 3 to 5 year séntence they claim | sill must complete. 1’am the last Ohio 7 person with a release date who is sill in captivity. My Ohio 7 comrade Tom Manning is also still in prison, doing a lfe sentence without a real parole date Last year | discovered a possibility of reopening and challeng- ing my Mass case. 1f I can overturn this, | would be overdue for release on federal parole. OF course any legal effort i an uphill bat- tle, particularly for political prisoners. This is a realistic possibili- ty though, and the first appeal | am hopeful about as well s deter- mined to win. | need good and committed legal repre-sentation to fight this appeal. Because of the war and the present repressive cli- mate in this country, I have to hire and assemble my own legal team. Just weeks ago, I lost my last chance to get a legal aid/state appointed and paid-for appeal attorney. No government agency wanis to assist me in gaining justice and freedom, especially if there is some real chance of my winning. My defense is totally in my hands and the hands of the people now. Some months ago | established a Legal Freedom Fund and began raising funds for my fight for justice and freedom. Thankfully some people have stepped forward and supported me, especially family and close associates, but | am still in REAL need of at least many thousands of dollars tore and | am asking for your help now. This is the first time in my life | have tried 10 raise money for my own legal defense. I do admit, | feel awkward asking for your help like this, but it is S0 necessary. The only way I can launch; and wage this legal batle is with your support now. My Freedom Fund is staffed by a few sincere volunteers and all proceeds go dircctly towards paying for defense fees and lawyers. This is a one time legal effort which will be resolved one way or another in the next year or so. Of course my hope and intention is to overtum my case, prove my innocence and finally join my now 24 year old son and family and all of you outside again. I’need your help to do this now. Make checks out to: Jaan Laaman Legal Freedom Fund, and send them to- Jaan Laaman Legal Freedom Fund PO. Box 681 East Boston, MA 02128 1 am encouraging groups and organizations to hold fundrais- ers, parties or other events to support my fight for freedom. You can contact the Freedom Fund P.O. Box or me to discuss such efforts. Seriously consider helping me now, and thank you for your sup- port FREEDOM IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE! Jaan Laaman (W§7237) PO. Box 100 South Walpole, MA 02071](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-45-fall-2006 7.png)
![Omaha 2 Transfer and Update in Case Ed Poindexter has been trans ferred back 10 the Nebraska State Penitentiary from the Minnesota Pen. According 1o io his co- defendent, Mondo we Langa [formerly, David Rice], the transfer was made 10 save the state of Minnesota the cost of caring for Ed’s medical needs. He is in a wheelchair now, suffering primarily from complica- tions of diabetes. G EEN SCAR, In & recent develpment, 2 ruling by Douglas County District Court Judge Richard Spethman has effectively reopencd the 35 year old wrongful conviction of the two’ former panthers, convicted of the killing of a police officer. Documents dis- covered under the FOIA. have shown that 3 911 call from the night of the killing had been supressed as part of an atiempt to frame the two men. Those who have heard the tapes indicate that it does not sound like Duane Peak, the ‘man who, when 15-years old implicated Ed and Mondo. Ed’s new address is: Ed Poindexter 27767 P_0. Box 2500, Lincoln, NE 68542 McGowan and Friends May Get Break Ann Aiken, a federal judge in Eugene, OR, wants to know whether the government used warrantless wiretaps to investigate the present group of activists accused of more than a dozen acts of sabotage in Oregon and the West between 1996 and 2001 This issue could ultimately unravel the high-profile charges against a_group of activists accused of being part of the Earth Liberation Front, which the governmen has portrayed as one of the most serious “ter- rorist* threats to domestic tranquiliy, “It’s going to be embarrassing... for the ‘government if they find out they ve used warraniless. surveillance,” says Lewis & Clark Law School professor John Parry, who specializes in criminal and constitu- tional law. “They’re going to have some explaining to do.” Facing Aiken’s Sept. 12 deadline, the ‘government may simply refuse to respond, most likely citing something called the state secre privilegea tactic Aiken may or may not buy. I the government does testify that it used. wartantless surveillance, the judge will have: a chance to rule on the big question: whether the wiretaps, approved with nothing more than the president’s OK, violate Fourth Amendment_guarantees to_freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. If the judge rules that investigators’ methods broke the law, then the resulting evidence could be excluded. Depending on how much evidence was gathered—directly or indirectly—through the use of warras less wiretaps or other clectronic surveil- lance, prosecutors may have a difficult time: continuing their case. The eriminal case in Eugene presents an advantage to the defense not offered to the civil trial: If warrantless surveillance was. indeed used, the government, not the defen- dants, bears the burden of proof. The prose- cutors must show that illegal means were not used to gather evidence. In motions before Aiken, defense attor- neys have asserted that the government’s repeated references to errorism are a srong sign that warrantless surveillance played a ole in the investigation. In addition, one of those accused. Daniel McGowan, received word that Judge Aiken had signed off on the motion, which allowed his clectronic monitoring. device to be removed. Other restrictions still apply. Rod Coronado in Prison Again! Former Earth Liberation Political Prisoner, Rod Coronado has been sentenced to cight months in prison and could be look- ing at more indictments against him. The present sentence is related o a 2004 indict- ment for an environmental action in Arizon. On December 2, 2004, Coronado was indicted on three charges related to Earth First! hunt saboteur actions 1o disrupt a hunt of mountain lions in Sabino Canyon, near Tucson, by dismantling a lion trap and spreading feline urine, On December 13, 2005, he and co-defen- dant Matthew Crozier, 33, were found guilty of felony conspiracy o’ interfere with or injure a government official, misdemeanor interference with or injury to 2 forest officer, and misdemeanor depredation (thefl or destruction, or the attempt 10 do 50) of gov- emment property: Coronado was re-artested in February on a felony charge of demonstrating the use of a destructive device. The indictment indirectly relates o an August 1, 2003 fire in San Diego that destroyed an apartment complex causing an estimated $30 million worth of damage. A banner was found at the scene inscribed with the initials of the ELF. Coronado, a self- described "unofficial ELF spokesman,” gave a talk on militant environmental activism in San Diego 15 hours later, where he explained how to make incendiary devices. He denies any role in the incident, and investigators do not consider him a suspéct in starting the fre. Coronado’s atest arrest s associated with the FBI’ Operation Backfre, a sweep of erand jury indictments against alleged ALF and ELF members, termed the "Green Scare"” by activist. Some altemative media sources have critcized these arrests, calling them a “witch hunt” and voicing concern that Coronado was simply exercising his consi- tutional right to freedom of specch when he “responded 1o a question from an audience member ... and explained how he had con- structed a non-explosive, incendiary device out of a plastic jug filled with gasoline to commit a past arson for which he had long since been sentenced and done his time.” I found guilty of the charges, Coronado faces a ‘maxinum penalty of 20 years in prison. In September 2006, Coronado sent an open letter to supporters from his prison cell in Florence, Arizona, in which he announced his commitment to social change through non-destructive means. Citing his desire to raise his young son without teaching him that "violence is a necessary evil", Coronado expressed hope that others in the carth and animal liberation movements would consider more "peaceful” methods: In my years past | have argued that eco- nomie sabotage was an appropriate tactic for our time. Like all straegists | have also been Torced to recognize that times have changed and it is now my belief that the movements to protect carth and animals have achieved enough with this strategy to now consider an approach that does not compromise objec- tives, but increases the likelihood of real social change. Let our opposition who believe in violence carry the burden for its justification, but let those who believe in peace and love practice a way of lifethat our Society sorely needs now more than ever. Rod can be reached at: Rodney Coronado #03895000 PO Bok 6900 Florence, AZ 85232](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-45-fall-2006 9.png)
![Hogg Infested by Rats Federal Judge Michael Hogan refused 0 release Jefirey Hogg, an environmen- tal activist and 32-year-old nursing stu- dent, who has spen the last three months in jail without charge. Hogg has been jailed for refusing to testily before Grand Jury which is investigating a series of direet actions which occured in Oregon bewtween the mid-1990s and 2001 Six members of the alleged cell pled guilty last month to numerous counts of arson. All six, Kendall Tankersley, Darren Thurston, Kevin Tubbs, Stanislas Meyerhoff, Chelsea Gerlach, and Suzanne Savoie, signed plea agreements which requires them to assist the prose- cution’s efforts to arrest and conviet other activists. At least three other unin- dicted co-conspirators Jacob Ferguson, Jennifer Kolar and Lacey Phillabaum are also assisting the prosecution. A number of the cooperating witnesses named Hoge as someone who had attended ELF planning meetings dubbed "book club meetings” by the participants. Hogg was jailed by the court last May in order to coerce him into testifying before a grand jury. According to the law he may be required to stay in jail a total of 18 months or until the térm of the grand jury has expired, but only if the court believes to do so may coerce him into testifying. Hogg has missed his final exams and his grandfather’s funeral while imprisoned. He testified under oath on August 15th that he will never testify at a grand jury proceeding. During the hearing a group of activists held a demonstration of support for Hoge outside the courthouse. Josh Wolf Released and Jailed Agaln San Fransisco, California, US - Freelance journalist and grand jury resister Josh Wolf was granted bail on September 1, 2006, after spending nearly a month behind bars. Wolf was arrested afer refusing to share unedited footage he shot of an anar- chist protest against the G summit in July 2005, with a grand jury. During the demon- Straion a police officer suffered a serious head injury and demonstrators allegedly vandalized and attempted to set fire to 3 police car Wolf claims that he did not see the altercation that left the officer injured nor did he capture it on video. He has so far refused to surrender the footage, claiming his journalistic right to withhold unpub- lished material and keep his sources con- fidential. A number of organizations have been supporting Wolf’s effort to maintain_his journalistic integrity including the ACLU, the National Lawyers Guild, Reporters Without Borders, and the Society of Professional Journalists, which contributed $31,000 to defiay his legal expenses. In Wolf’s own words, cooperating with the grand jury would turn him into "a sur- veillance “camera for the government.” Many corporate news organizations are believed 1o willingly share footage with police and so are alréady made unwelcome at many protests. Josh was ordered to return to prison on September 22nd pending a hearing before the entire 9ih Circuit Court of Appeals. For more information, check out: https/ifrecjosh.pbwiki.com/ Italian Anarchist Face Repression Pisa, laly - On July Tth, six members of 1 Silvesire collective who published the areen anarchist magazine Terra Selvaggia (Wild Earth) were convicted of activities associated with the Marxist group COR (Revolutionary Offensive Cells). Five of their co-defendants were found not guilty. The defendants were arrested in the sum- mer of 2004 afler a COR communiqué was published in their Terra Selvaggia maga- zine. During a police raid on their Via del Cuore (House of the Heart) home, an orig- inal copy of the communiqué was discov- ered. William Frediani, Francesco Gioia Costantino Ragusa, Alessio Peronds Benedetta Galante, and Leonardo_ Land] were cach sentenced to between 3 1/2 and 6 years in prison ‘Supporters who attended the trial have called it a farce and an act of “state cen- sorship." The sole evidence the govern- ment was able to provide was the original copy of the COR communiqué, which the defendants claim was sent to them anony- mously through the mail. That same letter was also sent to two other newspapers Additionally, prosecutors pointed to the group’s radical insurectionary publication Terra Selvaggia and their support of jailed Swiss environmental saboteur Marco Camenisch, who served a 12-year sentence in laly for destroying elecrricity pylons. COR _claimed _responsibility for between 20 and 30 bombings and arsons in mid-2003. The group targeted ltaly’s major union_headquarters, as well as members of 3 major political parties: the National Alliance (AN), Forza ltala, and ltalia dei Valorias. The group also atiacked_newspapers, temporary _job agencies, and the barracks of the Carabinieri, a military police force whose jurisdiction includes civilians. Following the arrests. COR issued a statement say- ing that I Silvestre had nothing to do with their actions and said that they planned to continue attacks in ltaly. COR’s politics seem to be an amalga- mation of anarchism, Marxism and environmentalism, and the language found in its communiqués is laced with Communist overtones. 11 Silvestre is a green anarchistgroup that had little more than a limited affinity with COR, and whose ideology is starkly different COR aims to "act 45 a link between var. fous fighting Communist revolutionary components, and insurrectional anar- chist and anfi-imperialist groups" across the world.](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-45-fall-2006 10.png)
![1 was given two securiy toothbrushes, a small tbe of toothpaste, a bar of soap and one dirty cotton spread. so thin you could see through it. | was also given four paper wash cloths. They would not give me any paper sheets or 4 clean blanket. | was not allowed to shower. Nor was | given a clean change of clothes. Ustayed in 1-C overflow until 8:30 am Tuesday morning, October 18th. Tuesday ‘moming of the 15th at 12:40 am, five guards came into the cage with a nurse. The ser- ‘zeant told me that the nurse wanted to take my vitals. | thought this was a strange request since | had not requested any med- ical assistance and it was 12:40 am with five ‘guards standing there. | reluctantly consent- . The nurse only took my blood pressure and left the cage without taking my temper- ature, pulse or heart rate, or asking any ques- tions about my medical history, which | thought were all par of taking one’s vitals. The Sequel Around 8:30 am on Tuesday October 181h, 2005, three securty guards showed up atthe cage door in 1-C overflow.The ser- ‘eant told me that | was being moved to the Management Control Unit (MCU). | got my few items together and was handeuffed and escorted o the MCU. I ntered MCU on the tight side, 4B-Righi, and cell #6 opened up, The handeufls were removed. and | stepped into the cage to discover that the cage was another "close watch" one, with another dirty foam mattress on the floor and a close watch camera mounted in the ceiling by the door. The stool and cage- shelves had been removed, and the light switch and wall sock- ets had steel plates over them. Again, the this a democracy? If they came for me this way on the inside, they can come for you the same way on the outside. All in the Rame of democra. ey! Do you sill call this a democracy? Inecd outside legal help to get a transfer 102 prison out of stae. lights were constantly glaring and every- thing was filthy! I requested cleaning equipment and a telephone call. Both requests were denied by the guards in the control booth. | used toi- et paper to clean the floor and the sink as best I could!! This MCU close watch cage was smaller than the close waich cages down in the boom-boom rooms, 1-C. so my eyes were hurting more from the glare of the twenty- four-hour lights! You call this 2 democracy? Today is Thursday, October 20th, 2005, and Istill do not know why I was placed on R0 contact status on September 12h, 2005 or why | was placed in the boom-boom oom 1-C on Thursday October 13th, 2005, or why I was re-interned in the Management Control Unit on Tuesday October 18th, 2005. You call this a democracy? Per orders of the warden, I was placed on R0 contact status. Per orders the warden, | was illegally interned in the prison’s so- called mental health unit; per orders of the warden, | was intemed in the Management Control Unit. All of this without ever "BREAKING A SINGLE RULE!" You call New Issue of 4strugglemag Issue #7 Out Now! Writings by Political Prisoners and edited by Bill Dunne. Available online at: wwwdstrugglemag.org. Aticles by Jaan Laaman, Rene Gonzale Sehwerert, Kevin “Rashid” Johnson, Kenneth Haramia Foster, Dan Berger, Doc Holiday, Nuh Washington, Kenneth Lee Broussard, Sara Falconer, Marilyn Buck, Shaka and Sankofa Zulu dstrugglemag, PO. Box 42053 Suce. Jeanne Mance Montreal QC_H2W 2T3 Canada The Anarchist Subsistence Program = Stamp Schedule October- Philadelphia November- Jacksonville December- Los Angeles January- Philadelphia Send a check or money order to ABCF made out to Tim Fasnacht for forty 39 cent stamps in the last week of the month before the month) Philadelpl you are responsible for. Philadelphia ABCF P.0 Box 42129 Philadelphia, PA 19101 The Anarchist Subsistence Program sceks 1o provide material aid to those PP/POWs who come from our own anar- chist/anti-authoritarian community. Presenly, we are aware of less than ten ‘Class War’ PP/POWs in North America who identify themselves as part of the anarchist or antiauthoritarian com.- munity. From information provided to us by these political prisoners, we realize that Ojore Lutalo is in more financial need than most. Because of this and because Ojore has provided an immeas- urable smount of time, guidance and focus to the collectives that make up the ABCE, the organization has made Ojore the focus of our first subsistence support campaign. The two functions of this support campaign include a monthly check and Torty .39 cent postage stamps per month. Supporters of the Anarchist Subsistence| Program send whatever funds they can| to Philadelphia ABC (who faciliates thel program) who in tum sends the total amount from all supporters to- Ojore| monthly. All U.S. supporters also take| twms sending the stamps directly. tol Philadelphia ABC. Listed here are the monthly check| documentation and rotation of groups| sending stamps. If you want 10 suppor] this important program and help us| expand the number of Anarchisi Subsistence Program campaigns we run,| contact Philadelphia ABC. Make checks| or money orders out only to: TIM FAS. NACHT. Funds should be sent in the last week of the month before the month thel funds will be used (ie; send March| funds in the 3rd week of February). JAN FEB_MAR _APR _MAY JUN JUL AUG PHILLY 0 0 0 0 15 0 0 0 NJ/HAYES 0 0 10 0 10 10 0 0 LA 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 RYANJALSKA 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 TOTAL 0 0 110 0 25 20 0 0 ¢](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-45-fall-2006 13.png)
![“Thanks much for the support you’ve been organizing. I really appreciate it. After not having any or very little support for so long, it now seems like people have all of a sudden realized that I am alive.” ~ Sekou Odmga (New Afnkan Pnsoner of War) | Name: | Street Address: | City/State/Zip: | ONE TIME DONATION [ ] MONTHLY SUPPORTER ] | Monthly supporters, please check one of the follow | P committo 6 mos [] 1l committo 1 year Ph](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-45-fall-2006 14.png)
![SUPPORT THE ABCF WARCHEST ‘The ABCF has initiated a program designed to send monthly checks to PP/POWSs who have been receiving insufficient, little, or no financial support during their imprisonment. PP/POWS requesting funds complete an application of financial questions. When the ABCF has collected sufficient funds to send out another monthly check, the applications are reviewed by a rotating body of PP/POWS called the Prisoner Committee, who make a judgement on which applicant s in the most financial need. There is also an emergency fund designed to immediately send checks to those PP/POWs in need of one-time or emergency assistance. Founded in 1994, the Warchest has provided consistent and reliable financial aid, serving a much neglected comradely function. Since its inception the ABCF has raised nearly $43,000 with just this one program. Al funds raised go directly to the political prisoners for which the program is designed. Despite our success, our comrades are still in dire needs of funds. Endorse this program by giving a monthly or one-time donation to increase the number of prisoners being supported monthly. A financial report is published that documents all money received and the prisoner it was sent to. The prisoners addresses are also printed so that endorsers may write and hold us accountable. Send cash,checks or mos made to TIM FASNACHT to: Philly ABCF o P.O Box 42129 e Philadelphia, PA 19101 e timABCF@aol.com WARCHEST REPORT 2006 FUNDS IN FUNDSIN JAN FEB_MAR APR_MAY JUN JUL _AUG —loese0 LA ABCF 0 0 200 0 0 0 625 0 1996 4143 MTL ABCF 0 0 0 0 0 0 378 0 1997 3544 PHL ABCF 55 55 0 40 25 0 0 25 1998 7643 JAX ABCF 120 0 0 0 0 0 0o o P NJ ABCF 20 20 20 20 0 0 0o 5001 5250 CHRIS/NJ 0 0 0 0 20 20 00 2002 2873 EZE/NJ 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 100 2003 1785 RYAN/ALSKA 0 0 0 0 0 25 25 25 2004 UNACC* PROPAGANDI 113 0 1] 1] 0o o 1] 2005 4439 SMF 40 0 0 0 0 0o 2006 1802 ANON 0 0 0 120 0 o0 o o TOTAL 45058 TOTAL 349 75 220 180 45 45 737.89 150 FUNDS OUT FUNDS OUT __ JAN FEB MAR APRIL MAY JUN JUL AUG T SEKOU KAMBUL 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 1996 4308 RUSSELL SHOATZ 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 1997 4588 JOSEPH BOWEN 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 1998 6412 HANIFF BEY 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 199 5191 HERMAN BELL 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 - 2000 4534 SEKOU ODINGA 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 2000237 RUCHELL MAGEE 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 2005 1305 ALVARO HERNANDEZ 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 5004 UNACCH TOTAL 240 240 240 240 240 240 240 240 2005 2620 2006 1920 REMAINING: $1800.45 TOTAL ayee (“Funds unaccounted for due to unreported funds from Jacksonville ABCF) &](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-45-fall-2006 15.png)
ABCF
UPDATE
QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE ABCF
Fall 2006 "Any movement that does not support their pol ces is a sha ), Lutalo Tssue #45
The Anarchist Black Cross (ABC) began
shortly after the 1905 Russian Revolution. It
formed aftr breaking from the Political Red
Cross, due to the group’s refusal 1o support
Anarchist and Social Revolutionary Politcal
Prisoners. The new group, naming itself the
Anarchist Red Cross (ARC), began o pro-
Vide aid o those Politcal Prisoners who were
the PRC.
refused support b
In the carly de a
chapters. throughout Europe and North
America. These chapters worked together to
provide assistance 1o prisoners only in
Russia. Soon other groups, such as the
provide support to those who were suffering
because of thei political belicfs.
In 1919, the organization’s name changed
tothe Anarchist Black Cross 1o avoid confu-
sion with the_International Red Cross.
Through the 1920s and unil 1958, the organ-
ization worked under various ofher names
but provided the same level of support as the
other groups working as Anarchist Black
Cross.
After 1936, the ABC expanded is aid to
places such as Greece, laly and Spain.
In_ 1958, the organization collapsed but
reemerged in 1967 in London, England.
out
Latvian Anarchist Red Cross, emerged to
provide aid in other Eastern Etropean coun-
tries. Armed with the ideas of mutual aid and
solidarity, these groups worked frelessly to
Once again ABC chapters spread throug!
the globe providing support for imprisoned
comrades. Sadly, by the end of the 19705
only a handful of ABC chapters il existed.
Introduction:
“Crucally important to maintaining the anarchist integrity of this organization
s the fact that Branch Groups and Support Groups are freely autonomous to
take on whatever initiatives they can to further the Unity of Purpose of the
ABCF. So long as these initiatives do not contradict any preexisting agree-
ments (Tactical Unity) that have been made by the ABCF, it is not necessary
for all groups to approve of and/or agree with programs, projects or work of
other ABCF collectives.” [from the ABCF Constitution and Structure]
The following definitions are used to describe the below terms whenever
they appear in the ABCF Update or any other ABCF literature.
Political Prisoner (PP): A person incarcerated for actions carried out in
support of legitimate struggles for self determination or for opposing the
illegal policies of the government andor its political subdivisions. [Special
International Tribunal on the Violation of Human Rights of PPPOW'S in
US. Prisons and Jails, Dec. '90]
Prisoner of War (POW): Those combatants struggling against colonial and
alien domination and racist regimes captured as prisoners are to be accorded
the status of prisoner of war and their treatment should be in accordance with
the provisions of the Geneva Conventions Relative to the Treatment of
Prisoners of War of 12 August, 1949 (General Assembly resolution 3103)
T the 80s however, the ABC began to gain
popularity again in the US and Europe. For
years, the ABC’s name was kept alive by a
‘humber of completely autonomous groups
scattered throughout the globe and support-
ing a wide variety of prison issucs.
In May of 1995, a small group of ABC
collectives merged into a federation whose
aim was to focus on the overall support and
defense of Political Prisoners and Prisoners
of War.
Various groups have since merged in
numerous. networks throughout the globe
working on various prison issues. The
Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF)
has continued is mission to focus on the aid
and support of Political Prisoners. We take
the position that PP/POW's demand our top
priority. We strive to continue with the same
dedication and solidariy to our fallen com-
rades as those before us have shown.
The ABCF is:
PRISONER'S COMMITTEE
OJORELUTALO BILL DUNNE
#5860 /Box 861 10916086
Trenton, NJ 08625 Box 019001
sKoUKamBUI | Atwaler, CA9S301
113058 /BOX 56 HANIF BEY
scc (B1-21)
ELMORE, AL 36025
295933 Box 759
Big Stone Gap, VA
24219
JAAN LAAMAN
Wai514 /Box 100
‘South Walpole, MA
02071
ABCF GROUPS
Ny ABC PHILLY ABC
Now Address PO Box 42129
Coming Soon! Phiadelphia, PA
Jax ABC i
PO Box 380392 WINNIPEG ABC
Jacksonvle, FL
Jacksonvis 30.91 Abert St
Winnipeg, Manioba,
MONTREALABC OB 165, Canada
P05 42053 SUCC
Joamne Mance
Monireal OC
H2W 273 Canada
LAABC
PO BOX 11223
Whiter, CA 90603
Petition for Sekou Kambui
New Afrikan political prisoner Sekou Kambui had a parole
hearing scheduled for this past June, The hearing date has
assed; but the hearing still has nat faken place. Sekou and
s Supporters believe that it will be held In December. We
are asking supporters to sign the web petition that can be
found at the address below. Thank you' for your continued
support.
Write to Sekou:
Sekoy Kambui (William Turk) #113058
Box 56, 8CC (B1:21
Elmore] AL 360250056
www.pet
iononline.com/sekou/petition.html
SEKOU KAMBUI
AT
$
www.abcf.net
NEWS FROM THE FRONT
Harold Thompson Attacked
Anarchist prisoner Harold Thompson
has been attacked by a gang of white fas-
cists. He was placed in the hole and was
transforred. He faces permanent disability
due to 5 months of denied medical trea
ment.
He is looking to file a lawsuit but needs
10 replace his law books and other things he
lost during the attack and transfer.
“To contact Harold, write to him at:
Harod H. Thompson
793092
PO. Box 1150
Henning, Tennessee
380411150
Jalil Denied Parole
On August 1, 2006, Jalil Muntagim was
denied parole for the third time since his
imprisonment. The parole board enforced
Pataki’s unwritten policy to deny parole to
anyone convicted of a violent crime. This.
unwritien policy has been enforced since
the parole of Kathy Boudin.
Jalilis currently preparing an appeal of
the'parole denial.” He is asking people to
write to Robert Dennison at the NYS
Division of Parole to request that a Full
Board Review be conducted regarding his
August 1, 2006 parole denial.
Robert Dennison
NYS Division of Parole.
97 Central Avene
Albany, New York 12206
15 Black Riders Arrested
Fifleen members of the Black Riders
Liberation Party were arrested, as part of
the continued harassment o the azaniza-
tion. On June 6ih, LA Sheriff arrested the
‘members and chrged them with robbing
their own van,
Eight of the men have been transferred
to one of the county jails, possibly the Twin
Towers. Six womén are being held at
another jail in Lynvood. One sistr is in
juvenile custody.
Since its split from the New Panther
Vanguard Movement, the leader of the
Black Riders have dealt with serious
harassment by police in Los Angeles. The
Party is known in LA for its militancy, its
high percentage of young members and its
attempts to build unity within the prison
system.
Hameed on Lockdown
On 528 we spoke with Bashir’s sister
and family, and they wanted to thank every-
one who has called the prison on his behaf.
His mom and brother saw him on Friday,
5/26106, and said that he is not in the hole
but rather his unit is on lockdown due to an
incident in the mess hall
During the Lockdown, Bashir's cell was
ransacked by prison authorities, who later
claimed that "he had contraband books in
his cell” All the books that Bashir had
received had been sent through the prison
and had been approved.
Also due to the lockdown, Bashir is in a
cell that has a lot of traffic in front of it,
which makes it difficult for him to get any
rest
“There is also a serious concern about
Bashir's health. Because of a heart condi-
tion there is a concern that the noise and
lack of sleep may cause needless stress.
Also, the food provided him usually con-
Sists of a bagged lunch, which will be espe-
cially hard on Bashir due to his diabetes.
His family has asked that people call or
write to the Warden at Great Meadow -
518-639-5516 (Comstock) - asking him to
better Bashir's living conditions as well as
his food and medical care:
Bashir Hameed/York
#2-A6313
Great Meadow Correctional Facility
Box 51
Comstock, New York 12§21
Warden clo
Great Meadow Correctional Facility
Box 51
Comstock, New York 12821
5186395516
John Bowman Medical Crisis
John Bowman, a former Black Panther
and recent SF Grand Jury resister, has just
been diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer.
This news came as 2 shock to all of us. We.
are trying 1o raise $5-10,000 in the next two.
weeks to help him scek additional medical
care in the hope of extending his life. This
brother is a wonderful human being and has
given the best part of his ife to his com.-
munity and the original principles of the
Black Panther Party. We are asking that
people respect his privacy in this difficult
and painful period by not contacting him
until he is ready to respond to messages and
supporters.
Please make donations out to:
Committee for the
Defense of Human Rights
PO Box 90221
Pasadena, CA 91109
Bill Dunne Transferred
Afier three months of being in “the
hole” and facing considerable harassment,
including threats of being transferred to
Marion or ADX Florence, Bill was unex-
pectedly taken from USP Atwater. He has
been sent to USP Big Sandy in Kentucky.
We are sking for people to send him a ltier
and let him know that he is in our thoughts.
Bill Dunne #10916-086
PO. Box 2068
Inez, KY 4122
Camacho Negron is Free
On September 2. 2006 Aatonio
Philadelphia FDC, He immediately con-
tacted ProLibertad with the good news.
vefused torecogn 2 the uthority ofthe US
Lefty is Recoverin,
from surgery from an arterial blockage.
Cards and well- wishes can be sent to:
William “Lefty’ Gilday
#W33537
PO Box 1218
MCI Shirley
Shirley, MA 01464-1218
Letter Received 1 Year Later
In late June, LA-ABCF received a
response from Romaine ‘Chip’ Fitzgerald
t0 2 letter sent him almost a year prior.
Since then, letiers have been sent in
response to Chip’s lette, but there has been
R response back from him. Such “delays”
are part of an attempt 1o undermine support
to Chip and his comrades- so please contin-
ue the support!
Lynne Stewart Gets 2+ Years
Lynne F. Stewart, the radical defense
s Tolowers in Egypt
Stewart was facing up to thirty years
allcged terroriss and lying to the govern-
ment. The bogus alegations was an attempt
Been a lawyer for members the UFF and the
Black Liberation Anmy. She is presenly
free while she appeas the conviction that
You Call This Democracy? -Ojore Lutalo, New Afvikan POW
1 was held incommunicado for six days
in New Jersey Trenton State Prison's dra-
conian and nightmarish mental health unit,
called 1-C by prison workers, and the boom:
boom room by many prisoners. | was not
allowed to shower, change my clothing, or
have soap, a_toothbrush, wash cloth or
towel. T was not allowed o make telephone
calls o send out or receive personal or legal
mail. | was also not allowed to receive per-
sonal or legal visits or ake part n any inside
or ouside recreational activites.
Here's my Story:
New Jersey State Prison Administrative
Segregation Unit (AD-SEG) 7-Wing-7-
Right-6-Tier-Cell #22.
On Monday, September 121h, 2005, 6-
tier was slated for afternoon yard. |
approached 6-tier gate to be strip-scarched
and was told by the security guard conduct-
ing the strip searches that I could not partake
in yard movement because | was on “NO
CONTACT STATUS." which meant that 1
could not go to the yard or visit any other
prisoners in AD-SEG.
Tasked the security guard why [ was on
NO CONTACT STATUS and who had
placed me on it. He told me that he did not
know. 1 was not allowed t0 goto the yard or
receive visits by myself cither! [ was only
allowed out of the cell once a day for ten
minutes to take a shower!
I addressed this repressive situation by
way of the administrative_remedy form
dated September 11th, 2005. The person
who responded said: "the write will attempt
to address this situation.” My thoughts
were: things could not get any worse! Little
did 1 know, the worst was yet to con.
Atound 1:30am on Thursday, Ociober
131h, 2005, the following events transpired:
Lock Up, Lock Down
"The lock up and lock down started
around 1:30 am, when acel extracton team
of severalsecuriy guards dressed i combat
gear woke me up. The extracton team ser-
geant called out my name and said: "Per
ondersofthe warden, you are to be moved 1o
1:C (e so-called mental health uni)
without teling me why! So I tarted think-
ing, why the boom-boom room, since it is
well known that 1 do ot suffer from any
psychological decompensations
" got up and started to feel around i the
darkness of the cell for my clothing to get
ressed they tumed the power off, or some
teason). The sergeant old me (o turm the cell
Tight on. 1 told him that | couldn't because
the power was off. He asked for a flashight,
but hey dida't have one among themselves,
1 fnally got dressed for the unexpected,
but I could not fnd any thermal underwear
in'the dark, which | would need curing what
would become my six day stay n the cold of
the boom-boom room. | moved to the front
of the cell to have my hands cuffed behind
my back through the bars. The sergeant told
me to back out of the cell when the cell door
opened and face the wall,
‘s I backed out of the cell, I looked to
my right and saw an agent from the prison's
Special Investization Division (SID) squad
recording the action. One of the extraction
team members placed a hand between by
cuffed hands, and [ was escorted off the tier.
ENTERING THE LIVING NIGHT-
MARE OF 1-C, THE BOOM-BOOM
ROOM. TO WHICH NO LIVING PER-
SON SHOULD EVER BE SUBJECTED!
As Tentered 1-C, I noticed that it has four
or five cells located behind 2 long floor-to-
ceiling fence, with cach cell fully enclosed.
They put me in the frst cell and asked if |
was going to comply with their orders once
they removed the hand cuffs. | said yeah.
‘They uncuffed my right hand and told me 1o
place my hand behind my head. They did
the same with my left hand and then told me
to tum around and strip. | went through the
strip search motions: raised my. hands.
‘opened my mouth, stuck out my tongue, lfl
ed my private parts, tumed around, raised
up each foot, and then spread my buit
cheeks. Then they told me to turn around
‘and face the wall until they lef
“They left, and I turmed around to put my
clothing on, only o find out that they took
my clothing with them! There I stood, butt
naked in 4 cold cell standing next to a pud-
dle of water!
Isurveyed the rest of my repressive sur-
roundings. The cage was twenty feet tall,
twenty feet long and fifteen feet wide, with
two ceiling-mounted observation cameras!
It dawned on me that | was in a "close watch
cell!” One camera was over the dirty, bare
foam matress on the floor, which was also
dirty. The other camera was located over the
door. The cell light was located high against
the wall. This burning light stayed on at all
hours, making sieep difficult and your eyes
start fecling like they have sand undemneath
their lds. Foeusing soon became difficult
Back to the cage. The cage had built into
the wall a stainless steel toilet and a sink.
‘The window in the cage, which was seven
feet long and six iches wide, was situated
eight feet high in the back. The vent in the
cage was located high up against the wal. It
blew ou freezing cold ai twenty four hours
aday.
“The cage floor was painted gray. The
bottom half of the walls were gray. and the
upper walls were white, with a window in
the door. I moved towards the door window,
bae footed, to check it out. What I found
were two white, paper-thin sheets, six foet
Long and twelve feet wide. 1 tore up a sheet
to cover up the puddle of water on the floor,
0 keep my bare feet dry, and wrapped the.
other sheet around my body.
1 started pacing up and down the cage to
generate some body heat. When I grew
weary of this, | sat atop the stainless steel
sink, hugging my body with the sheet and
thinking, "The way that 1 am now being
treated i illegal.”
“The coldness of the cage was setting in
again because | could feel my body starting.
to shake like a pair of loaded dice in a crap
game, so | got off the sink and started pac-
ing the floor again.
1 entered the woes of the boom-boom
room at 1:30 am, and at 9:30 am they gave
me back my clothing! The telephone was
ringing off the hook. Calls were coming in
from other prison security guards wanting to
know if Lutalo had bugged out, gone crazy
Around 9:30 pm on the 13th, I covered
up the dirty foam mattress with a paper
sheet and laid down fully dressed 1o doze
off. Shortly afier, I woke up 1o the sound of
splashing water, o see water leaking from
the ceiling and running down the wall, seep-
ing under the mattres.
1 jumped up and tore up the other paper
sheel to soak up the water. | called the
guard, who was watching me on the camera.
Trom his desk. He opened the gate and came
o the cage door. I pointed to the problem
and asked for some more paper shets. He
told me they didn' have any more. | asked
him if could he move me to another cage,
and he replied that he would check with the
sergan. Now the Water was rumning
underneath the cage door. Eventually the
sergeant came and saw the problem. Two
hours later they transferred me to cage #2,
which did not have the twenty-four hour
camera watch. Cage #2 had another dirty
Toam matiress with two paper sheets atop it
Cage #2 was just as cold as cage #1, 50 |
started pacing the floor to generate Some
body heat.
Justlike 1 was ilegally placed in 1-C, the
boom-boom room, it was illegal for the war-
den 1o have placed me in a cage that had
been condemned. I stayed in cage #2 uniil
Saturday afternoon of October 15th. That
afternoon a sergeant came 1o the cage and
told me [ was being moved to 1-C overllo.
I'would at lst have a bed to sleep in. 1 rolled
up my paper sheets, got handcuffed and was.
escarted to 1-C overflow,
1-C overflow was on the left side of 1-C.
They put me in cage 1 there. I entered to
find a steel bed frame bolied to the wall and
floor, covered with a dirty foam mattress
The cage also had two wall-mounted close-
watch cameras. Expectedly, this cage was
as cold as any other in the boom-boom
Continue on page 12—
Clemency Campaign for Virgin Island 5
Hanif and his comrades were notified by a team
of attorneys from the islands that they were put-
ting together a campaign for clemency. The out-
going governor has made it public that he will
The "Virgin Island Five" are a group of
activists aceused of murdering eight people
in the US. Virgin Islands. The murders
took place during a turbulent period _of
sebellion on the Islands. During the 19705,
as with much of the world, amovement 0
resist colonial rule began to grow in the
US. occupied Virgin lslands.
From 1971 10 1973, there was a small
scale Mau Mau rebellion taking place on
the islands. This activity was downplayed
by the media, for fear it would damage the
tourist indusiry, on which the island's sur-
vival depends. Then on September Gth,
1972, eight American tourists were gunned
down at the Rockefeller-owned golf
course on the island of St.Croix. Quickly
the colonial authorities picked up over one.
hundred blacks for interrogations, and the
US. colonial troops carried out a series of
repressive acts of violence against the
black community. The E.B.L and the
United States Army troops led a 300-man
invasion force into the islands and used
strong-armtactics to conduct house to
house searches of the low-income areas.
The istand was put under virtual martial
law, and eventually five men, Ismail Ali,
Warren (Asiz) Ballantine, Meral (Malik)
Smith, Raphael (Kwesi) Joseph, and Hanif
Shabazz Bey were apprehended and then
hargd with the attack. All the men were
known supporters of the Virgin Island inde-
pendence movement.
The five were charged after being sub-
jected to vicious torture in order 1o extract
confssions. They were beaten, hung from
their feet and necks from trees, subject o
electric shocks with “cattle prods”, had
plastic bags tied over their heads and water
forced up their noses by the "defenders of
the law.” The judge (Warren Young) over-
Iooking the case prior to being placed on
the federal bench had worked as
Rockefellers private attorney and had even
handled legal matters for the Fountain
Valley Golf Course.
Eventually, the five went to trial in
what became known as the "Fountain
Valley” murder trial. This was an obvious
Kangaroo Court and 2 mockery of any
sense of a fair trial. On August 13, 1973,
each of the five men were convicted and
Sentenced to cight consecutive life erms. A
look at the incredible conduct of the trial
will ll anyone wiy
Laura Torres, former wife of detective Jorge.
Torres, one of the arresting officers.
+ Nine jurors testified that during the delib-
erations they were threatened with EBL
investigations on themselves and members
of their families, and_also threats of prose-
cution.
+ Thejury deliberated for nine days, and
told the judge that they were "hopelessly
deadlocked, et he still refused to dismiss
them and call a mistrial, which worked o
compel a guilty verdict.
+ Four jurors, including the jury foreman,
signed statements that they had been forced
into a guily verdict by the judge, police, and
EBL One juror whose daughter was
charged with bank robbery several years
grant clemency to prisoners before his departure
in Novemeber. Hanif and the attorneys believe,
with enough public support, that they have a
chance at clemency from Governor Tumbull.
before was told that those charges could be
brought up again if she did not find the
accused guily.
+The court refused to throw out the “fake
confessions", even after it was proven that
they were obiained through torture.
+Even the Assistant District Attorney Joel
Sacks and several police officers tesified
and admitted that they knew the defendants
had been tortured, and that the “confes-
sions” extracted had been obtained by such
methods.
Today, Warren (Aziz) Ballantine, Meral
(Malik) Smith, and Hanif Shabazz Bey are
all confined in federal prisons. Ismail Ali
was liberated to Cuba via an airplane
hijacking in 1984. Raphael (Kwesi) Joseph
was granted a pardon by the V.I. governor
in 1992. Six years later Kwesi was myste-
riously found dead of poison-laced drug.
overdose, after it was said that he was
about to reveal evidence that would have
exonerated at least one more defendant,
Please address all letters of support for
clemency to:
Governor Charles Tumbull
Office of the Governor
212 Kongens Road St.
Thomas, US V.1 00802
Wite to_Hanif:
Hanif Shabazz Bey
(B. Gereau) # 295933
Wallensridge State Prison
P.OBox 759 Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Former Sinn Fein Informant Found Dead
Last issue of the Update, we reported
about Denis Donaldson, a Sinn Fein Party
member who had been discovered as a
British informant. On April dth,
Donaldson was found dead due to several
shotgun blasts to the chest. He was
dressed for bed when he died.
The first two shots were fired through
the front door; apparently s he attempted
0 boltit, and the second two hit him as he
retreated into the cottage. His right hand
was also badly damaged by gunshot.
Donaldson had been hiding in 4 run-
down cabin near Glenties village in
County Donegal. He had been living there
since the news broke about him being an
informant.
Donaldson was the cause of the collapse
of the power-sharing administration at
Stormont in 2002, when he and two others
were accused of running an IRA spy ring at
the heart of the government. All three men
were arrested due to the allogations
However, charges against him over what
became known as "Stormontgate” were
dropped by the UK authorities without
explanation last year. ~ Shortly afler came
the bombshell that he had in fact been a
British spy for more than two decades.
No group claimed responsibility, but
both sides, Republican and Loyalist, arc
pointing fingers. Republicans claim
Loyalists did it to undermine the peace
process, while Loyalists claim it was a
standard assassination by the Irish
Republican Army. The IRA has disavowed
any involvement, but some have suggested
that this could be the act of one of the break.
way groups. such as the Real IRA or
Continuous [RA.
Longtime Revolutionary Passes On
Long after other revolutionaries of his
day had retired or found less-confronta-
tional ways of fighting the system, former
Black Panther member Michacl Zinzun
was still on the front line, doing battle
with police.
In frequent clashes — some on the
streets, others in the courtroom — Zinzun
challenged the practices of law enforce-
ment agencics in Southern California.
‘Those battles won him the respect of
some, the scorn of others, and led to
changes in the Los Angeles Police
Department. In_ 1986, Zinzun lost the
sight in one eye in a confrontation with
Pasadena police. He later won a $1.2-mil-
lion settlement.
"I'd rather lose an eye fighting against
injustice than live as 2 quiet slave," he
told a Times reporter in 1986. "1 just can't
see myself standing back."
Zinzun, who protested police brutality,
worked with atrisk youth and was the
host of a cable television program, died
Sunday in his sleep at his home in
Pasadena, said his wife, Florence. He was
57. The cause of death has not been deter-
mined.
"Michael became an icon [because of]
an uncompromising commitment to doing
this work, the courage to follow his con-
victions, and being unafaid to challenge
power and authority — at times at dra-
matic personal costs,” said Anthony
‘Thigpenn, a longtime friend and president
of Strategic Concepts In Organizing and
Policy Education, a social justice organi-
zation in South Los Angeles that teaches
fesidents 10 understand and participate in
public policy formulation and decision-
making. "There's a real question who will
carry on that work now that Michacl's
gone.”
Zinzun came of age in the highly
politicized days of the late 1960s.
The beginning of his radicalization
came when he was an auto mechanic,
operating his own small repair shop
behind a gas station in Altadena. A large
oil company purchased the station and
evicted Zinzun, putting an end to his
entreprencurial endeavor.
In 1970, he joined the Black Panther
Party, found it politically stifling, and left
less than two years later. He later referred
to his time in the party as "an educational
experience,” one that clearly influenced
his Iif's path.
By the mid-1970s, there was "almost
an epidemic of cither shootings or beat-
ings” of African Americans by police,
said Thigpenn, who was director of cam:
paign field operations for Antonio
Villaraigosa during the 2005 L.A. may-
oral race.
Zinzun was working on issues in
Pasadena, Kwaku Duren in Long Beach
and Thigpenn on a case in Pacoima. The
three men came together in the Coalition
Against Police Abuse, Thigpenn said.
When an allegation of abuse arose,
coalition members would meet with the
victim's family and the community and
search for ways to achieve justice,
Thigpenn said. The coalition also docu.
‘mented incidents of abuse and sometimes
accompanied community members o the
police stations to file complaints.
"I'd rather lose an eye fight -
ing against injustice than live
as a quiet slave”
-Michael Zinzun
A key clement of the aganization's
platform was the call for the creation of a
civilian police review board in cities
throughout Los Angeles County, a call
that reached its height after the controver-
sial 1979 police shooting of an African
American woman, Eula Love, outside her
home in South Los Angeles. The coalition
collected thousands of signatures but
failed to obtain enough support 1o place
the issue on the ballot
By the late 19705, Zinzun's omganiza-
tion had attracted the attention of the Los
Angeles Police Department's Public
Disorder Intelligence Division, which
infiltrated the group with undercover
agents. The coalition joined with other
oranizations and sued the police. In the
fallout surrounding the lawsuit, the LAPD
disbanded the division. The coalition
received part of a monetary settlement.
Sometimes, instead of observing and
documenting police actions, Zinzun was
in the middle of the fray.
In 1982 he was present when Pasadena
police officers attempted to arrest a man
for public drunkenness and another for
allegedly striking a police officer. Police
later arrested Zinzun, accusing him of
‘making threats against five officers at the
scene, an allegation he denied.
“Ibeen around police long enough to
know what you can and cant say to the
police.” he told a Times reporter in 1952.
The case was later dropped
The 1986 incident, in which Zinzun
lost his sight, began when he heard the
shouts of 2 man being arrested by police.
A crowd gathered and in the commotion
that followed, police said Zinzun punched
an officer.
He injured his eye, they said, when he
fell while being chased by police. Zinzun
denicd striking an officer. He said that he
was pushed down on the pavement and
that officers had beaten him with a flash-
light.
‘After Zinzun lost an election for a seat
on what is now the Pasadena City
Council, he successiully sued the city of
Los Angeles and an assistant police chief
for defamation. A lawyer for Zinzun
argued that during the campaign the city
and the assistant chief disseminated infor-
mation in a way that wrongly suggested
that Zinzun was the subject ofa file in the
Police Department's anti-terrorist_divi-
sion. A jury awarded Zinzun $3.8 million,
but in 1991 a judge overturned the award
Interest. in’ Zinzun's efforts to combat
police abuse increased after the beating of
Rodney King and the 1992 riots.
Mainsiream leaders were much more
accessible to members of the coalition.
“Before you could't even get them on the.
phone,” he told The Times in 1992
Zinzan was born Feb. 14, 1949, in
Chicago and spent part of his childhood in
the Cabrini-Gircen housing projects His
father died when he was 8, and his moth-
er sent him to Pasadena fo live with an
aunt,
In addition to his wife, Florence,
whom he married in 1982 after his divoree
from his first wife, Zinzun is survived by
his mother, four sisters, two brothers and
six children and stepchildren.
‘Though he continued to work on police
issues in recent months, Zinzun had
turned his attention to the kitchen. He was
enrolled in a Pasadena culinary school,
studying to be a chef. "He just wanted 0
learn everything," his wife said
(Article was originally published in the
LA Times)
Statement by Seth Hayes on Parole Denial
Greetings,
L'am writing 1o thank you for your support, love and concern in my
bid for release at my fifth parole board appearance. Sadly, release was
't granted. Instead I've reccived, once again, an additional two-year hit
for the fifth time. "Due 0 the seriousness of the crime, release at this
time would undermine respect for the lav.
“This is a standard, pat answer based upon political views (the gov-
ernor continually insists that violent felony offenders should not receive
Parle) rathe tan th appliction ofth low. We are going 10 appeal
sl har i p th e o Yo comiried suppen Y6u
s e Srons o m ot hs HeuICperod and sk you 1o
support and_commitment a while longer. | have already submitted my
appeal papers. | now await the transcripts from the parole board hear-
ing. It is from those transcripts and our strategy that | hope to secure
release.
As things develop, 1 will update everyone through mail and the web
page www.sethhayes.org 1t is hoped that the court will agree that the
decision of the parole commissioner was unreasonable and opt for
another hearing that follows the guidelines of parole law rather than the
implicit political stance of the governor. Again, thank you for your con-
[LA-ABCF's Statement on the Death of M. Zinzun
‘We would like to take a moment to express our sorrow in|
the recent death of Michael Zinzun. We hope his family can
lbe comforted by the knowledge that Michael was loved and
jadmired by many who had the oy to cross paths with him, i
lonly for a flecting moment.
To those who may be unaware of Zinzun's impact in ou]
lcommunity; he was a former member of the Black Panther|
[Party in Los Angeles, co-founder of the Coalition Agains|
IPolice Abuse (CAPA) and a founding member of the National
[Black United Front. Most notably, he was a founding member
lof the organization Community in Support of the Gang Truce|
that achieved a truce between the Crips and the Bloods in
Watts.
In a statement regarding his death, LA Panther, Talibah|
Shakir, stated that “Michael's passion did not have social or]
[zcographical boundaries. He possessed the orator skills of
[Malcolm, the fearlessness of Steve Biko, the determination of
(Che. He welcomed a battle as Crazy Horse did. He was and
will always be the example for gencrations 1o follow.
We in LA ABCF would like to state for the record that
Michael Zinzun was one of those who inspired us to move
tinued show of love and support.
in the vanguard of the future. We are correct, and we will win.
In struggle,
Robert Seth Hayes
Please address all correspondence to:
Robert Seth Hayes #74A2280
Wende Correctional_ Facility
PO. Box 1187, 3622 Wende Road
Alden, New York 14004-1187 USA
For more info: www.sethhayes.org
Llook forward to sceing your efforts
forward in the revolutionary struggle. It was his orator skills|
described by Shakir which lified our hearts and spirits into the
Jair It was his determination and fearlessness that allowed us|
to think that anything was possible. Only a few people in his-|
tory move beyond the point of inspiration to that of aspira-
ftion- Zinzun is one of those few.
Our sorrow in his death is only overshadowed by thel
Kknowledge that he now rests among those spirits mentioned in
these previous words. This is the rightful place for man like|
Michael Zinzun,
‘We wish his family strength in this moment of sorrow.
Amandla,
Los Angeles Chapter Anarchist Black Cross Federation
A Personal App eal by Jaan Laaman - Ohio 7 Political Prisoner
Allow me to update my legal situation from carlier this year. |
am still in Walpole - Massachusetts state prison. As | explained
before, | have been locked up for over 21 years now. While |
expected to finish my state sentence in March and then be taken to
the federal system (0 begin a 53 year, sentence, Massachusetts
"found” an additional 3 to 5 year séntence they claim | sill must
complete.
1'am the last Ohio 7 person with a release date who is sill in
captivity. My Ohio 7 comrade Tom Manning is also still in prison,
doing a lfe sentence without a real parole date
Last year | discovered a possibility of reopening and challeng-
ing my Mass case. 1f I can overturn this, | would be overdue for
release on federal parole. OF course any legal effort i an uphill bat-
tle, particularly for political prisoners. This is a realistic possibili-
ty though, and the first appeal | am hopeful about as well s deter-
mined to win. | need good and committed legal repre-sentation to
fight this appeal. Because of the war and the present repressive cli-
mate in this country, I have to hire and assemble my own legal
team. Just weeks ago, I lost my last chance to get a legal aid/state
appointed and paid-for appeal attorney. No government agency
wanis to assist me in gaining justice and freedom, especially if
there is some real chance of my winning. My defense is totally in
my hands and the hands of the people now.
Some months ago | established a Legal Freedom Fund and
began raising funds for my fight for justice and freedom.
Thankfully some people have stepped forward and supported me,
especially family and close associates, but | am still in REAL need
of at least many thousands of dollars tore and | am asking for your
help now.
This is the first time in my life | have tried 10 raise money for
my own legal defense. I do admit, | feel awkward asking for your
help like this, but it is S0 necessary. The only way I can launch; and
wage this legal batle is with your support now. My Freedom Fund
is staffed by a few sincere volunteers and all proceeds go dircctly
towards paying for defense fees and lawyers. This is a one time
legal effort which will be resolved one way or another in the next
year or so. Of course my hope and intention is to overtum my case,
prove my innocence and finally join my now 24 year old son and
family and all of you outside again.
I'need your help to do this now. Make checks out to: Jaan
Laaman Legal Freedom Fund, and send them to-
Jaan Laaman Legal Freedom Fund
PO. Box 681
East Boston, MA 02128
1 am encouraging groups and organizations to hold fundrais-
ers, parties or other events to support my fight for freedom. You
can contact the Freedom Fund P.O. Box or me to discuss such
efforts.
Seriously consider helping me now, and thank you for your sup-
port
FREEDOM IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE!
Jaan Laaman (W§7237)
PO. Box 100
South Walpole, MA 02071
Update on the Case of the Cuban §
by Rene Gonzale Sehwerert - Cuban 5 Political Prisoner
Although it is @ hard task to write an
update on something that doesn't change.
Il atiempt 1o do so through these words. in
the hopes of giving you, the reader, an idea
of how our legal case stands now.
Let’s go back to May of last year, 2005
A decision was reached then by the
Committee on Arbitrary Detentions of the
UN Human Rights Commission, stating
that our trial had been held in violation of
the intemational standards of due process,
as well as American law. The Committec
called on the US Government to remedy
such an injustice. No matter, the call fol on
deaf cars. It was the first time some light
was shed on our case.
‘Thiee months after another victory was
won, when the three-judge panel from the
111k’ Circuit of Appeals in Atlanta decided
in our favor by ordering a new trial. The
unanimity of the decision and the thorough-
ness of is 93 pages raised the hopes that an
appeal by the prosecutors to the full twelve-
judge panel wouldn't prosper. History then
proved logic wrong when the Court of
Appeals accepted a rehearing en-banc,
vacating the previous decision by the direct
appeals pancl
More papers were again exchanged back
and forth untl everything was ready for the
hearing on the 14th of last February.
‘According to all accounts the’ hearing
went as well as expected. The defense was
able to make its case as t0 the denial of due
process by holding the trial on Miami. It
was a test that the defense attorneys passed
by answering every question posed by the
judges. The prosccuters were unable or
unwilling to do the same. Again, the hopes
were raised that the court would uphold the
decision by the three judges, and this time
e expect that both Iogic and law will pre-
vail; though history will decide.
Four months have elapsed since the
hearing and no word from the Court of
Appeals have been heard. There is no time
limit for them to rule and all that can be
done is to wait..and keep up the fight!!!
Raising awar eness on the case continues
10 be a priority. It s imperative to break the
wall of silence erected around the case by
the media until everybody knows of this
history of twisted, vindictive “justice.”
On the 3rd of last June a lttle ray of|
hope broke out when the Washington Post
published an article on its front page. The
writer did a fine job, and the article gave us
hope that inthe case of a new trial, the gov-
ernment won't be able to keep the proce-
dures hidden from the public as before.
As for the five of us, we are ready for the
fightlt
Abig hug,
Rene Gonzale Sehwerert
HS8T38.004
FCI Marianna
PO, Box 7007
Marianna, FL 32447-7007 USA
Peltier's Statement on Ireland Hunger Strike, 81
Ihave to acknowledge that another year has passed since my
illegal imprisonment; thirty years have gone by while I, Leonard
Pelier, remain incarcerated. It seems that this year is one for
reflection. Relatives from struggles around the world are stopping
toreflect on the lives of friends, comrades, and loved ones who are
now gone. During the past thirty years | have scen many people
leave my ife and journey to the spirit world. I have learned from
the many people that have come into my life the true meaning of
friendship and solidarity. With that, | must salute and address my
friends, brothers and comrades in Ireland. 1 especially want to
express my condolences to the families of the Hunger Strikers
from a quarter-century ago. | want to send my warmest greetings to
my friend Gerry Adams. | also want to salute cach of my friends
throughout lreland that have supported me for so many years. |
pray that you will continue to lend me your support and consider
me your friend,
At this time, my friends and relatives in Ireland are sufering
loss, but also are celebrating the memories of those from their co
murities who have now gone to the spirit world. Twenty five years
ago you lost ten young men in the prime of their lives: men who
would have been starting families o graduating from university if
they'd been born into a mare Just society suffered in the most inhu-
mane way possible. When Bobby Sands died on May Sth, 1981,
millions of people from around the world joined their voices
together to condemn the British govement ihat allowed him to
perish. I joined my voice to theirs. 1 fasted in solidarity with the
Hunger Strikers for forty days during that dreadful year. Fasting is
something that I have done many times, when | was a free man,
while participating in our sacred Sun Dance. The sufferings of our
relatives in Ireland are pains that we as Indian people know all too
well. Our suffering, our fasting and our struggling links us togeth-
er with a common bond. That s why I say t0 you, there in Ireland,
you are my relatives. As your relative, let me join my thoughts,
tears and prayers with yours as you commemorate your fallen,
especially those who dicd on Hunger Strike in 1981, My family
and your familis, my pain and your pains, my people’s struggle
and the struggles of your people are all connected. We truly are all
related.
Thirty-one years ago the Lakota elders asked for help and pro-
tection from the GOON squad that was terrorizing the Lakota
Nation. I, along with many others, responded 10 that call. I simply
responded to a call 1o help others protect our lands, culture and ra-
ditions.
Task that you not lose focus on the real issue, which is that peo-
ple suffering extreme hardships do not need to be. Even today we
see children, women and elders being murdered in Pine Ridge and
Belfast, on Big Mountain in Navajo country and in Basque country
in Spain; all in the name of justice. From Chiapas to EI Salvador
andall around this Mother Earth lands are being taken, cultures are
being robbed of their languages; and the extermination of raditions
are occurring on a daily basis.
T must share with you that, as the years have passed, every day
1 routinely hear the sounds of my cell door opening in the morning
and closing at night. Yet | have not forzotten what I considered my
duty when asked to respond 10 the call our Elders sent- a cry for
help. Now I once again must call on you for your help. | ask you to
join your voices and efforts with mine. A young Cheyenne man by
the tiame of Dave Bailey is our Leonard Peltir Defense Commitice
representative for Ireland and England. 1 ask that you help him in
his efforts to highlight my case, and search for solutions in that part
of the world that will eventually mean | never again have to hear
the sounds of cell doors opening and closing. I ask you to do all
you can 1o support his efforts, my efforts, and the efforts of all
Indian people. I humbly thank you for the warmih, hospitaliy, and
support that you have shown our people over the Years when they
have come into your community. As you commemorate your fallen
and your dead, remember that our suffering is linked to yours. We
mourn with you and pray for you. as relatives.
Mitakuye Oyasin (We are all related)
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse
Leonard Peltier
Omaha 2 Transfer and Update in Case
Ed Poindexter has been trans ferred back
10 the Nebraska State Penitentiary from the
Minnesota Pen. According 1o io his co-
defendent, Mondo we Langa [formerly,
David Rice], the transfer was made 10 save
the state of Minnesota the cost of caring for
Ed's medical needs. He is in a wheelchair
now, suffering primarily from complica-
tions of diabetes.
G
EEN SCAR,
In & recent develpment, 2 ruling by
Douglas County District Court Judge
Richard Spethman has effectively reopencd
the 35 year old wrongful conviction of the
two' former panthers, convicted of the
killing of a police officer. Documents dis-
covered under the FOIA. have shown that 3
911 call from the night of the killing had
been supressed as part of an atiempt to
frame the two men.
Those who have heard the tapes indicate
that it does not sound like Duane Peak, the
‘man who, when 15-years old implicated Ed
and Mondo. Ed's new address is:
Ed Poindexter 27767
P_0. Box 2500,
Lincoln, NE 68542
McGowan and Friends May Get Break
Ann Aiken, a federal judge in Eugene,
OR, wants to know whether the government
used warrantless wiretaps to investigate the
present group of activists accused of more
than a dozen acts of sabotage in Oregon and
the West between 1996 and 2001
This issue could ultimately unravel the
high-profile charges against a_group of
activists accused of being part of the Earth
Liberation Front, which the governmen has
portrayed as one of the most serious “ter-
rorist* threats to domestic tranquiliy,
“It's going to be embarrassing... for the
‘government if they find out they ve used
warraniless. surveillance,” says Lewis &
Clark Law School professor John Parry,
who specializes in criminal and constitu-
tional law. “They're going to have some
explaining to do.”
Facing Aiken's Sept. 12 deadline, the
‘government may simply refuse to respond,
most likely citing something called the state
secre privilegea tactic Aiken may or may
not buy.
I the government does testify that it used.
wartantless surveillance, the judge will have:
a chance to rule on the big question: whether
the wiretaps, approved with nothing more
than the president’s OK, violate Fourth
Amendment_guarantees to_freedom from
unreasonable searches and seizures.
If the judge rules that investigators’
methods broke the law, then the resulting
evidence could be excluded. Depending on
how much evidence was gathered—directly
or indirectly—through the use of warras
less wiretaps or other clectronic surveil-
lance, prosecutors may have a difficult time:
continuing their case.
The eriminal case in Eugene presents an
advantage to the defense not offered to the
civil trial: If warrantless surveillance was.
indeed used, the government, not the defen-
dants, bears the burden of proof. The prose-
cutors must show that illegal means were
not used to gather evidence.
In motions before Aiken, defense attor-
neys have asserted that the government's
repeated references to errorism are a srong
sign that warrantless surveillance played a
ole in the investigation.
In addition, one of those accused.
Daniel McGowan, received word that
Judge Aiken had signed off on the motion,
which allowed his clectronic monitoring.
device to be removed. Other restrictions
still apply.
Rod Coronado in Prison Again!
Former Earth Liberation Political
Prisoner, Rod Coronado has been sentenced
to cight months in prison and could be look-
ing at more indictments against him. The
present sentence is related o a 2004 indict-
ment for an environmental action in Arizon.
On December 2, 2004, Coronado was
indicted on three charges related to Earth
First! hunt saboteur actions 1o disrupt a hunt
of mountain lions in Sabino Canyon, near
Tucson, by dismantling a lion trap and
spreading feline urine,
On December 13, 2005, he and co-defen-
dant Matthew Crozier, 33, were found guilty
of felony conspiracy o’ interfere with or
injure a government official, misdemeanor
interference with or injury to 2 forest officer,
and misdemeanor depredation (thefl or
destruction, or the attempt 10 do 50) of gov-
emment property:
Coronado was re-artested in February on
a felony charge of demonstrating the use of a
destructive device. The indictment indirectly
relates o an August 1, 2003 fire in San Diego
that destroyed an apartment complex causing
an estimated $30 million worth of damage. A
banner was found at the scene inscribed with
the initials of the ELF. Coronado, a self-
described "unofficial ELF spokesman,” gave
a talk on militant environmental activism in
San Diego 15 hours later, where he explained
how to make incendiary devices. He denies
any role in the incident, and investigators do
not consider him a suspéct in starting the fre.
Coronado’s atest arrest s associated with
the FBI' Operation Backfre, a sweep of
erand jury indictments against alleged ALF
and ELF members, termed the "Green Scare"”
by activist. Some altemative media sources
have critcized these arrests, calling them a
“witch hunt” and voicing concern that
Coronado was simply exercising his consi-
tutional right to freedom of specch when he
“responded 1o a question from an audience
member ... and explained how he had con-
structed a non-explosive, incendiary device
out of a plastic jug filled with gasoline to
commit a past arson for which he had long
since been sentenced and done his time.” I
found guilty of the charges, Coronado faces a
‘maxinum penalty of 20 years in prison.
In September 2006, Coronado sent an
open letter to supporters from his prison cell
in Florence, Arizona, in which he announced
his commitment to social change through
non-destructive means. Citing his desire to
raise his young son without teaching him that
"violence is a necessary evil", Coronado
expressed hope that others in the carth and
animal liberation movements would consider
more "peaceful” methods:
In my years past | have argued that eco-
nomie sabotage was an appropriate tactic for
our time. Like all straegists | have also been
Torced to recognize that times have changed
and it is now my belief that the movements to
protect carth and animals have achieved
enough with this strategy to now consider an
approach that does not compromise objec-
tives, but increases the likelihood of real
social change. Let our opposition who
believe in violence carry the burden for its
justification, but let those who believe in
peace and love practice a way of lifethat our
Society sorely needs now more than ever.
Rod can be reached at:
Rodney Coronado #03895000
PO Bok 6900
Florence, AZ 85232
Hogg Infested by Rats
Federal Judge Michael Hogan refused
0 release Jefirey Hogg, an environmen-
tal activist and 32-year-old nursing stu-
dent, who has spen the last three months
in jail without charge. Hogg has been
jailed for refusing to testily before
Grand Jury which is investigating a
series of direet actions which occured in
Oregon bewtween the mid-1990s and
2001
Six members of the alleged cell pled
guilty last month to numerous counts of
arson. All six, Kendall Tankersley,
Darren Thurston, Kevin Tubbs, Stanislas
Meyerhoff, Chelsea Gerlach, and
Suzanne Savoie, signed plea agreements
which requires them to assist the prose-
cution's efforts to arrest and conviet
other activists. At least three other unin-
dicted co-conspirators Jacob Ferguson,
Jennifer Kolar and Lacey Phillabaum are
also assisting the prosecution. A number
of the cooperating witnesses named
Hoge as someone who had attended ELF
planning meetings dubbed "book club
meetings” by the participants.
Hogg was jailed by the court last May
in order to coerce him into testifying
before a grand jury. According to the law
he may be required to stay in jail a total
of 18 months or until the térm of the
grand jury has expired, but only if the
court believes to do so may coerce him
into testifying. Hogg has missed his final
exams and his grandfather's funeral
while imprisoned. He testified under
oath on August 15th that he will never
testify at a grand jury proceeding.
During the hearing a group of activists
held a demonstration of support for
Hoge outside the courthouse.
Josh Wolf Released and Jailed Agaln
San Fransisco, California, US -
Freelance journalist and grand jury resister
Josh Wolf was granted bail on September 1,
2006, after spending nearly a month behind
bars. Wolf was arrested afer refusing to
share unedited footage he shot of an anar-
chist protest against the G summit in July
2005, with a grand jury. During the demon-
Straion a police officer suffered a serious
head injury and demonstrators allegedly
vandalized and attempted to set fire to 3
police car
Wolf claims that he did not see the
altercation that left the officer injured nor
did he capture it on video. He has so far
refused to surrender the footage, claiming
his journalistic right to withhold unpub-
lished material and keep his sources con-
fidential.
A number of organizations have been
supporting Wolf's effort to maintain_his
journalistic integrity including the ACLU,
the National Lawyers Guild, Reporters
Without Borders, and the Society of
Professional Journalists, which contributed
$31,000 to defiay his legal expenses.
In Wolf's own words, cooperating with
the grand jury would turn him into "a sur-
veillance “camera for the government.”
Many corporate news organizations are
believed 1o willingly share footage with
police and so are alréady made unwelcome
at many protests.
Josh was ordered to return to prison on
September 22nd pending a hearing before
the entire 9ih Circuit Court of Appeals.
For more information, check out:
https/ifrecjosh.pbwiki.com/
Italian Anarchist Face Repression
Pisa, laly - On July Tth, six members of
1 Silvesire collective who published the
areen anarchist magazine Terra Selvaggia
(Wild Earth) were convicted of activities
associated with the Marxist group COR
(Revolutionary Offensive Cells). Five of
their co-defendants were found not guilty.
The defendants were arrested in the sum-
mer of 2004 afler a COR communiqué was
published in their Terra Selvaggia maga-
zine. During a police raid on their Via del
Cuore (House of the Heart) home, an orig-
inal copy of the communiqué was discov-
ered. William Frediani, Francesco Gioia
Costantino Ragusa, Alessio Peronds
Benedetta Galante, and Leonardo_ Land]
were cach sentenced to between 3 1/2 and
6 years in prison
‘Supporters who attended the trial have
called it a farce and an act of “state cen-
sorship." The sole evidence the govern-
ment was able to provide was the original
copy of the COR communiqué, which the
defendants claim was sent to them anony-
mously through the mail. That same letter
was also sent to two other newspapers
Additionally, prosecutors pointed to the
group's radical insurectionary publication
Terra Selvaggia and their support of jailed
Swiss environmental saboteur Marco
Camenisch, who served a 12-year sentence
in laly for destroying elecrricity pylons.
COR _claimed _responsibility for
between 20 and 30 bombings and arsons
in mid-2003. The group targeted ltaly's
major union_headquarters, as well as
members of 3 major political parties: the
National Alliance (AN), Forza ltala, and
ltalia dei Valorias. The group also
atiacked_newspapers, temporary _job
agencies, and the barracks of the
Carabinieri, a military police force whose
jurisdiction includes civilians. Following
the arrests. COR issued a statement say-
ing that I Silvestre had nothing to do
with their actions and said that they
planned to continue attacks in ltaly.
COR's politics seem to be an amalga-
mation of anarchism, Marxism and
environmentalism, and the language
found in its communiqués is laced with
Communist overtones. 11 Silvestre is a
green anarchistgroup that had little
more than a limited affinity with COR,
and whose ideology is starkly different
COR aims to "act 45 a link between var.
fous fighting Communist revolutionary
components, and insurrectional anar-
chist and anfi-imperialist groups" across
the world.
Ji
ERNATIC
AL NEW
Finnish Anarchist Jailed
Finnish anarchist Henrik Rosenberg was
sentenced to 195 days in prison for refusing
to participate in the military conscription.
His sentence began on March 20 and is not
schedule for release until the fal,
While the Finnish conseription provides
for an_altemative service, there is an
increasing amount of people who are
objecting to both the conseription and the
alternati
Rosenberg who is also an MC, has per-
formed for ABC benefits and has helped
raise money for Joff Luers. There is an
online peition for Rosenbers at
wriirg.org/co/alerts 200603254 html
Group Targets Oil Executive
Intiatve de Resistance Interationaliste
(IR1) has claimed credit for an explosion
that destroyed a car that belonged to Carol
Montreuil, an oil industry executive. An e-
mail from the group claimed the action was
performed due to the oil company’s record
profits and damage to the enviroment.
Shell Apology to Rossport 5
n May 2006, the Shell Oil company
Jailed for 94 days for blocking Shell Oil
madein handling the affar and that € wish-
Three Arrested in Greece
ok police in late July announced the
arrest of three suspected members of the
urban _guerrilla - group "Anti-Fascist
Action’, 2 group believed to be responsi-
ble for a series of arsonist attacks since
1994,
The three were caught in Omonia,
downtown Athens, after a man s fire t0 3
National Bank of Greece ATM.
The fire was set by a 32-year-old man
on a moped, who doused the ATM with a
‘ammable liquid and set it on fire. Police
investigating the attack caught up with the
three, aged 27, 30 and 31, in a delivery van
in Omonia.” They admitied their involve-
ment under questioning. Two of the thrce
arrested also have previous arrests for
arson and other charges.
A search is on for the man that caused
the ATM fire and the female owner of the
moped he was riding.
The fingerprints of the 32-year-old were
also found on a canister of flammable lig-
uid used in a fire set at the Royalist
National Organization two days before.
‘Anti-Fascist Action” claimed responsi-
bty for both attacks as well as several
other arsonist attacks in the past 10 years
Polish Antifa Denied Release
The parole board in Poland denied the
release for Anti-Fascist Tomek
Wilkoszewski without any legitimate rea-
son. The reason was simply, “the time is
not yet ready.” Tom ena 15-year
sentence due to a fight with several neo-
Nazi's that loft one dead. Since his impris-
onment Tomek has maintain that he his
actions were done in self-defense. His Next
hearing for parole will be in six months.
FREQUENTLY USED
Acronyms/ Terms
'ABCF: Anarchist Black Cross Federation - anti-authoriarian _ fed-
eration of ABC groups who support and defend PPPOWs.
roup - ABCF group with more responsibilites
upport Group - ABCF group with fower responsibilties
erican Indian Movement - above ground revolutionary
organization of Native Americans.
Anarchism; Free or libertarian socialism. Anarchists are opposed
10 government, the state, and capitalism. Therefore, simply speak-
ing, anarchism is a no government form of socialism. Types of
anarchists include: Anarcho-Conmunist, Anarcho-Syndicalist,
Autonomist, Colleetivst, Individualists, and Mutualists.
BLA: Black Liberation Army - revolutionary Black clandestine
formation formed 1o defend the Black community and the BPP,
inactive sinc the "80.
BPE: Black Panther Party - above ground Black revolutionary
‘group seking Black political power, isbanded in the mid-'70s.
FALN: english translarion: Armed Forces of National Liberation -
revolutionary clandestine group fighting for Puerto Rican inde-
pendence.
EC: Federation Council - decision making body of the ABCE.
MOVE: Not an acronym, the name of an organization based in
Philadelphis who are committed o the teachings of John Africa. Their
belief s n “lfe."
BC: Prisoner's Committee - rotating body of 5 PPPOWs an the
ABCF's FC.
PRIPOWS: Politcal Prisoners and/or Prisoners of War
(See page 1)
Self-Defense: The legal act of protecting one’s life or the ife
‘another with the idea/purpose of self determination and independ-
ence. Armed self-defense is rlative to the ABCF, specifically in the
USS., in that as the organization grows, 50 100 grows the need to
protect ourselves from the armed aggressor of the state,right wing,
and other ideological opponents. (Firearms training 2s preparation
for self-defense are legal actvities within the confines of the U.S.)
Af Determination: The right by virtue of which all peoples are
entitled freely to determine their political status and pursue their
economic, social, and cultural development. All peoples may, for
their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources
without prejudice 10 any obligations arising out of intemational
economic cooperation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit
and intemational law. In no case may a people be deprived of their
own means of subsistence.
‘SDS: Students for a Democratic Society - Lef student group found-
edin the '60s.
The Update: This is a quarterly publication of the ABCE.
WUO: Weather Underground Organization - first the
Weathermen, later known as the WUO, evolved out of the SDS as
an underground formation of primarily white anti-imperialist rev-
olutionaries from the student movement,
(The Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCE) produces the
Revolutionary Political Dictionary with these and other espanded
definitions of political erms. Available from Jacksomville ABC for 1
and o 37 cents stamps.)
Herman Wallace Gets Another Day in Court
‘There has been a break in the case for
Herman Wallace of the Angola 3. The Fifth
Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans has.
ordered a_ lower court (date set for
September 19th) to hear evidence about the
testimony of Hezekiah Brown, a prison
inmate who alleged he saw Wallace and
Woodfox kill prison guard Brent Miller
Afer the trial, it was discovered that Brown
was provided a pardon, a transfer to mini-
‘mum security confinement and a carton-per-
week cigarette ration in exchange for his
false testimony. The bribery was illegally
withheld from defense lawyers during
Wallace's tial.
If the court finds that Brown reccived
these favors, that they were not disclosed to
the defense or the jury and that the state’s
suppression of them could have contributed
to Wallace's conviction, then Wallace's con-
viction will be overturned. Given the over-
whelming evidence that Wallace and his co-
defendant, Albert Woodfox, are innocent,
Supporters are optimistic of a positive ot
‘The Angola 3 civil rights sui, alleges
that their 34+ years as well as Robert King.
Wilkerson's 29 years in solitary confine-
ment is a violation of the right 1o due
process and amounts to cruel and unusual
punishment. The suit, which the Supreme
Court of the United States has ruled has
meritto proceed, is moving forward in fed-
eral court and could go 1o rial in the fall of
this year.
Facts about the Angola 3 Case
Albert Woodfox and Herman Wallace
have spent the past 34 years in solitary
confinement at the Louisiana State
Penitentiary at Angola. They are serving
Sentences of life without parole as a result
of wrongful convictions for the 1972 mur-
der of a prison guard. Robert Wilkerson,
the third member of the Angola 3, proved
his innocence and was released in 2001
after spending 29 years in solitary confine-
ment
+ Woodfox and Wallace were activist
prisoners who risked their lives by stand-
ing up against racism, prison rape, and vio-
lence at Angola, Louisiana’s slave planta-
tion-tumed-prison farm. In 1972, the
prison was racially segregated (80 percent
of the prisoners were - and still are
African- American), had an all-white staff,
and was known for terrible brutali
Between 1972 and 1975, 40 Angola pris-
oners were stabbed to death and 350 more.
were seriously injured in an epidemic of
violence.
+ Woodfox and Wallace, along with
many other prisoners, responded 1o these
conditions by organizing _themselves,
establishing political education programs.
among prisoners and organizing civil dis-
obedience, such as work stoppages and
dining hall strikes. Woodfox and Wallace
founded a chapter of the Black Panther
Party inside the prison.
* When 2 prison guard was found
stabbed 1o death in 1972, Woodfox and
Wallace were immediately placed in soli-
tary confinement and charged with the
murder. The prison administration
unleashed a reign of terror on the black
prisoner_population, including beatings,
forced shaving of Afro haircuts and mass
solitary confinement
+ The state prosecuted Woodfox and
Wallace by using the testimony of prison
saitches, a notoriously unreliable form of
evidence. At their separate trals, different
snitches — telling different stories - testi-
fied against the two men. Since the trials,
new evidence has emerged that these wit.
nesses were coerced or bribed with par-
dons, carly releases, and free cigarette
rations.
+ Three of the state’s withesses have
now admitted that they lied under oath and
have recanted their testimony against
Woodfox and Wallace. Others have come
forward to identify the prisoner - now dead
who actually committed the murder. The
courts in Louisiana have yet to rule on this
evidence.
+ While they wait for the courts to grant
them the justice for which they have wait-
ed 34 years, Woodfox and Wallace contin-
ue 1o Spend at least 23 hours of every day
alone in 6-by-9 foot cells. The un-air-con-
ditioned concrete block cells are excruciat-
ingly hot during the summer months. The
ACLU has filed a federal civil rights law-
Suit alleging that these conditions are cruel
and unusual punishment.
+ Wallace has been wrongfully held in
isolation for 34 years because of his
involvement with the Black Panther Party
at Angola Penitentiary. The Louisiana
Court of Appeals ordered the evidentiary
hearing into Wallace’s claim that the state
failed o disclose to him that prison offi-
cials paid the chief prosecution witness at
his 1974 tral with cartons of cigarettes and
a pardon of his life sentence for testifying
against Wallace,
For more information, visi:
www.angola3 org,
Former IRA POW Arrested in SoCal
Friday, September 1, 2006- Former Irish
Republican prisoner, Sean O'Cealleagh
(also known as Sean O'Kelly), was arrest-
ed by agents of ICE (Immigration Control
and Enforcement) at his home in
Westminster , CA.
OCealleagh’s arrest was related to his
previous conviction and life sentence for
the killing of two British soldiers in
Northern Ireland. The killings took place
shortly after the Milltown murders- when a
member of the Loyalist paramilitary group,
Ulster Defence Association, attacked a
Republican funeral with hand grenades and
o pistols. The UDA man. Michael Stone,
Kkilled three people, with the whole event
being recorded by television news cameras
It was_during the funeral of one of
Stone’s victims, IRA man Kevin Brady,
that two soldiers drove into the funeral pro-
cession and were discovered. Members of
the crowd immediately responded - with
the recent incident still in the minds- by
pulling the soldiers out of their cars, strip-
ping and then shooting them. O'Ceallcagh
was aceused of being involved in the
killings but_has always maintained his
innocence. He was finally released from
prison due to the Good Friday Agreement
in 1998,
OCealleagh has since moved to the
United States but has continued to face
harassment for the incident. In February
2004, he was arrested at Los Angeles
International Airport when he returned
from a visit o the North. He was released a
few months later, pending the US
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s
appeal of the lower immigration court’s
decision.
n 2004, the courts ruled that his arrest
and imprisonment were “political in
nature” and that he had a right to stay in the
country. The US Immigration and Customs
Enforcement appealed the decision, which
has led us to this point.
O"Cealleagh has recently made the deci-
sion to go back to lIreland on his own
accord rather than spend any more time
behind the prison bars. His family has sold
their home and has moved back to lreland.
1 was given two securiy toothbrushes, a
small tbe of toothpaste, a bar of soap and
one dirty cotton spread. so thin you could
see through it. | was also given four paper
wash cloths. They would not give me any
paper sheets or 4 clean blanket. | was not
allowed to shower. Nor was | given a clean
change of clothes.
Ustayed in 1-C overflow until 8:30 am
Tuesday morning, October 18th. Tuesday
‘moming of the 15th at 12:40 am, five guards
came into the cage with a nurse. The ser-
‘zeant told me that the nurse wanted to take
my vitals. | thought this was a strange
request since | had not requested any med-
ical assistance and it was 12:40 am with five
‘guards standing there. | reluctantly consent-
. The nurse only took my blood pressure
and left the cage without taking my temper-
ature, pulse or heart rate, or asking any ques-
tions about my medical history, which |
thought were all par of taking one's vitals.
The Sequel
Around 8:30 am on Tuesday October
181h, 2005, three securty guards showed up
atthe cage door in 1-C overflow.The ser-
‘eant told me that | was being moved to the
Management Control Unit (MCU). | got my
few items together and was handeuffed and
escorted o the MCU. I ntered MCU on the
tight side, 4B-Righi, and cell #6 opened up,
The handeufls were removed. and | stepped
into the cage to discover that the cage was
another "close watch" one, with another
dirty foam mattress on the floor and a close
watch camera mounted in the ceiling by the
door. The stool and cage- shelves had been
removed, and the light switch and wall sock-
ets had steel plates over them. Again, the
this a democracy?
If they came for me this way on the
inside, they can come for you the same way
on the outside. All in the Rame of democra.
ey! Do you sill call this a democracy?
Inecd outside legal help to get a transfer
102 prison out of stae.
lights were constantly glaring and every-
thing was filthy!
I requested cleaning equipment and a
telephone call. Both requests were denied
by the guards in the control booth. | used toi-
et paper to clean the floor and the sink as
best I could!!
This MCU close watch cage was smaller
than the close waich cages down in the
boom-boom rooms, 1-C. so my eyes were
hurting more from the glare of the twenty-
four-hour lights! You call this 2 democracy?
Today is Thursday, October 20th, 2005,
and Istill do not know why I was placed on
R0 contact status on September 12h, 2005
or why | was placed in the boom-boom oom
1-C on Thursday October 13th, 2005, or
why I was re-interned in the Management
Control Unit on Tuesday October 18th,
2005. You call this a democracy?
Per orders of the warden, I was placed on
R0 contact status. Per orders the warden, |
was illegally interned in the prison's so-
called mental health unit; per orders of the
warden, | was intemed in the Management
Control Unit. All of this without ever
"BREAKING A SINGLE RULE!" You call
New Issue of 4strugglemag
Issue #7 Out Now! Writings by
Political Prisoners and edited by
Bill Dunne. Available online at:
wwwdstrugglemag.org.
Aticles by Jaan Laaman, Rene
Gonzale Sehwerert, Kevin “Rashid”
Johnson, Kenneth Haramia Foster,
Dan Berger, Doc Holiday, Nuh
Washington, Kenneth Lee
Broussard, Sara Falconer, Marilyn
Buck, Shaka and Sankofa Zulu
dstrugglemag,
PO. Box 42053
Suce. Jeanne Mance
Montreal QC_H2W 2T3 Canada
The Anarchist Subsistence Program
=
Stamp
Schedule
October- Philadelphia
November- Jacksonville
December- Los Angeles
January- Philadelphia
Send a check or money order to
ABCF made out to Tim
Fasnacht for forty 39 cent stamps in the
last week of the month before the month)
Philadelpl
you are responsible for.
Philadelphia ABCF
P.0 Box 42129
Philadelphia, PA 19101
The Anarchist Subsistence Program
sceks 1o provide material aid to those
PP/POWs who come from our own anar-
chist/anti-authoritarian community.
Presenly, we are aware of less than
ten ‘Class War' PP/POWs in North
America who identify themselves as part
of the anarchist or antiauthoritarian com.-
munity. From information provided to us
by these political prisoners, we realize
that Ojore Lutalo is in more financial
need than most. Because of this and
because Ojore has provided an immeas-
urable smount of time, guidance and
focus to the collectives that make up the
ABCE, the organization has made Ojore
the focus of our first subsistence support
campaign.
The two functions of this support
campaign include a monthly check and
Torty .39 cent postage stamps per month.
Supporters of the Anarchist Subsistence|
Program send whatever funds they can|
to Philadelphia ABC (who faciliates thel
program) who in tum sends the total
amount from all supporters to- Ojore|
monthly. All U.S. supporters also take|
twms sending the stamps directly. tol
Philadelphia ABC.
Listed here are the monthly check|
documentation and rotation of groups|
sending stamps. If you want 10 suppor]
this important program and help us|
expand the number of Anarchisi
Subsistence Program campaigns we run,|
contact Philadelphia ABC. Make checks|
or money orders out only to: TIM FAS.
NACHT. Funds should be sent in the last
week of the month before the month thel
funds will be used (ie; send March|
funds in the 3rd week of February).
JAN FEB_MAR _APR _MAY JUN JUL AUG
PHILLY 0 0 0 0 15 0 0 0
NJ/HAYES 0 0 10 0 10 10 0 0
LA 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0
RYANJALSKA 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0
TOTAL 0 0 110 0 25 20 0 0
¢
“Thanks much for the support you've been
organizing. I really appreciate it. After not
having any or very little support for so
long, it now seems like people have all of a
sudden realized that I am alive.”
~ Sekou Odmga (New Afnkan Pnsoner of War)
| Name:
| Street Address:
| City/State/Zip:
| ONE TIME DONATION [ ] MONTHLY SUPPORTER ]
| Monthly supporters, please check one of the follow
| P committo 6 mos [] 1l committo 1 year
Ph
SUPPORT THE ABCF WARCHEST
‘The ABCF has initiated a program designed to send monthly checks to
PP/POWSs who have been receiving insufficient, little, or no financial support
during their imprisonment. PP/POWS requesting funds complete an application
of financial questions. When the ABCF has collected sufficient funds to send
out another monthly check, the applications are reviewed by a rotating body of
PP/POWS called the Prisoner Committee, who make a judgement on which
applicant s in the most financial need. There is also an emergency fund
designed to immediately send checks to those PP/POWs in need of one-time
or emergency assistance.
Founded in 1994, the Warchest has provided consistent and reliable financial aid, serving a much neglected comradely
function. Since its inception the ABCF has raised nearly $43,000 with just this one program. Al funds raised go
directly to the political prisoners for which the program is designed. Despite our success, our comrades are still in dire
needs of funds. Endorse this program by giving a monthly or one-time donation to increase the number of prisoners
being supported monthly. A financial report is published that documents all money received and the prisoner it was
sent to. The prisoners addresses are also printed so that endorsers may write and hold us accountable.
Send cash,checks or mos made to TIM FASNACHT to:
Philly ABCF o P.O Box 42129 e Philadelphia, PA 19101 e timABCF@aol.com
WARCHEST REPORT 2006 FUNDS IN
FUNDSIN JAN FEB_MAR APR_MAY JUN JUL _AUG —loese0
LA ABCF 0 0 200 0 0 0 625 0 1996 4143
MTL ABCF 0 0 0 0 0 0 378 0 1997 3544
PHL ABCF 55 55 0 40 25 0 0 25 1998 7643
JAX ABCF 120 0 0 0 0 0 0o o P
NJ ABCF 20 20 20 20 0 0 0o 5001 5250
CHRIS/NJ 0 0 0 0 20 20 00 2002 2873
EZE/NJ 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 100 2003 1785
RYAN/ALSKA 0 0 0 0 0 25 25 25 2004 UNACC*
PROPAGANDI 113 0 1] 1] 0o o 1] 2005 4439
SMF 40 0 0 0 0 0o 2006 1802
ANON 0 0 0 120 0 o0 o o TOTAL 45058
TOTAL 349 75 220 180 45 45 737.89 150 FUNDS OUT
FUNDS OUT __ JAN FEB MAR APRIL MAY JUN JUL AUG T
SEKOU KAMBUL 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 1996 4308
RUSSELL SHOATZ 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 1997 4588
JOSEPH BOWEN 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 1998 6412
HANIFF BEY 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 199 5191
HERMAN BELL 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 - 2000 4534
SEKOU ODINGA 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 2000237
RUCHELL MAGEE 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 2005 1305
ALVARO HERNANDEZ 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 5004 UNACCH
TOTAL 240 240 240 240 240 240 240 240 2005 2620
2006 1920
REMAINING: $1800.45 TOTAL ayee
(“Funds unaccounted for due to unreported funds from Jacksonville ABCF)
&
“Your ABCF Guide to PP/POW Support is great, PERIOD!"
- New Afikan POW Sundiata Acoli
“You can see many of our concerns addressed in this pam -
phiet.”
- former Puerto Rican POW Carmen Valentin
“Itis extremely well thought out and put together.”
- Anti-Imperialist PP Tom Manning
Wihat's the ABC? What's the ABCF? Who are Political Prisoners? Who
are Prisoners of War? Where are they? Why make a criteria? What do
you mean by “documentation”and how do 1 get it? What kinds of sup -
‘por do Polltical Prisoners need? How should 1 o about my work?
What can PPIPOWS gt in prison? What do I need o know if I wans -
ed 10 visit? Can I bring them food packages? What abour clothes?
Wit do you mean' by ‘principled support”? How do I get involved?
This is a practical guide compiled by Political Prisoners and
Prisoners of War themselves, based on concrete history and work
experience. 1t will help answer all of the above questions and more.
The ABCF guide to PPPOW includes definitions that were demo-
cratically agreed upon at an international tribunal, spet
dures ini
" proce-
ob ‘documentation on PP/POW's. information on
visiting, phone contact, food/clothing packages, and the working
policies of the ABCF in our work to support PPPOW's. Send $1
‘and two stamps to
ABCF-LA « PO Box 11223 « Whittier, CA + 90603
LA-ABCF
Branch Group
PO Box 11223
Whittier, CA 90603
“This work is not done for glory, but because we believe in mutual aid.”