Anarchist Black Cross Federation Update 49
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![WHAT IS THI The Anarchist Black Cross (ABC) began shorly after the 1905 Russian Revolution. It formed afer breaking from the Poliical Red Cross, due to the group’s refusal to support Anarchist and Social Revolutionary Political Prisoners. The new group, naming itself the Anarchist Red Cross (ARC), began to pro- Vide aid to_those Politcal Prisoners who were refused support by the PRC In the carly decades, the organization had chapters. throughout Europe and North America. These chapters worked together to provide assistance o prisoners only in Russia. Soon other groups, such as the Latvian Anarchist Red Cross, emerg provide aid in other Eastem Etropean coun- tries. Armed with the ideas of mutual aid and solidarity, these groups worked tirelessly to provide support to those who were suffering because of thei political belicfs. In 1919, the organization’s name changed tothe Anarchist Black Cross to avoid confu- sion with the_International Red Cross. Through the 1920s and until 1958, the organ- ization worked under various ofher names but provided the same level of support a the other groups warking as Anarchist Black Cross, After 1936, the ABC expanded it aid to places such as Greece, laly and Spain. In 1958, the organization collapsed but reemerzed in 1967 in London, England. Once again ABC chapters spread throughout the globe providing support for imprisoned comrades. Sadly, by the end of the 1970 only a handful of ABC chapters still existed. T the 80, however, the ABC began (0 gain popularity again in the US and Europe. For years, the ABC’s name was kept alive by a Bumber of completely autonomous groups scattered throughout the globe and support- ing a wide varicty of prison issues. In May of 1995, a small group of ABC collectives merged into a federation whose aim was 1o focus on the averall support and defense of Politcal Prisoners and Prisoners of War. Various groups have since merged in numerous networks throughout the globe working on various prisonissues. The Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF) has continued its mission to focus on the aid and support of Political Prisoners. We take the position that PP/POWSs demand our top priority. We strive to continue with the same dedication and solidarity to our fallen com- rades as those before us have shown. Introduction: The ABCEF i “Crucially important to maintaining the anarchist integrity of this organiza- | | PPy prp—— tion is the fact that Branch Groups and Support Groups are fieely autonomous to take on whatever initiatives they can to further the Unity of || Q4ORE LUTALO BLL DUNNE Purpose of the ABCE. So long as these initiatives do not contradict any pre- || Tremon. N 08625 Box 2088 existing agreements (Tactical Unity) that have been made by the ABCE. itis || sexou kamul Inez, KY 41224 not necessary for all groups to approve of and/or agree with programs, proj- || 113056 /60X 56 5CC HANIF BEY (B1-21) Emore, AL 36025 296933 Box 759 ects or work of other ABCF collectives.” [from the ABCF Constitution and B Sione o UA Structure] 2219 JAAN LaaAN ‘The following definitions are used to describe the below terms whenever || 1415147 Box 160 they appear in the ABCF Update or any other ABCF literature. ooy reTan ABCF GROUPS Political Prisoner (PP): A person incarcerated for actions cardied outin | | K218 N ABC support of legitimate struggles for self determination or for opposing the illegal policies of the govemment and/or its political subdivisions. [Special International Tribunal on the Violation of Human Rights of PP/POWS in U.S. Prisons and Jails, Dec. *90] PO Box 350392 Jacksonville, FL 32235 No Current Address but group remains actie, LOS ANGELES ABC PO Box 11223 Whiter, CA 90603 NYC ABC 123 Tompkins Ave. Brookiyn, NY 11208 PHILLY ABC PO Box 42120 Phiadelphia, PA 19101 Prisoner of War (POW): Those combatants strugeling 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) Urgent Medical Report on Joe-Joe Bowen MONTREAL ABC P05 42053 SUCC Jeanne Mance Montreal GG W 273 Canada Philly ABC received news from Black Liberation Army (BLA) Prisoner of War, Joe Joe Bowen, that he was diagnosed with coro- nary heart discase. Doctors informed him main artery was blocked with plaque build up. The problem was discovered when Joe-Joe began to receive ehest pains. He was transferred 10 a hospital outside the prison here he took some tests. The doctors informed him that if he did Rt receive a heart operation he would die. However, there was serious danger with the surgery iself and he could also die because i there were any complications. Joe-Joe was transferred back to the prison, where he contacted the Philly ABCF to inform them of what had transpired. Several days later, Joe-Joe was again transported to the outside hospital where he had a stent inserted into the blocked artery. After the surgery Joe-Joe reported to the Philly chapter that he was doing okay and is recuperating from his sugery. We are asking for people to take a moment out of their day and send Joe-Joe a get well card. Let him know there are people that are rooting for him. Contact him at; Joseph Bowen AM4272 1 Kelley Drive Coal Township, PA 17866-1021](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-49-winter-2008 2.png)
![J. Edgar Hoover informed by Omaha FBI of cover-up of evidence in Black Panther case during COINTELPRO and took no action By Michael Richardson The Nebraska Supreme Court is hearing the appeal of Ed Poindexters 1971 convic- tion for the bombing murder of Omaha police officer Larry Minard. Poindexter was head of the Omaha chapter of the Black Panthers, called the National Commitiee to Combat Fascism, when Minard was killed in an ambush bombing while answering a call about a woman screaming A fifieen year-old, Duane Peak, con- fessed and was convicied of planting the bomb. However, in exchange for testimo- ny against Poindexter and his co-dfen- dant, Mondo we Langa (formerly David Rice), the young murderer was given a deal and sentenced as juvenile, walking free in 1974, At the time of the bombing, the Black Panthers wre the targets of a secret, and illegal, operation of the FBI ordered by Director J. Edgar Hoover to disrupt the group. COINTELPRO agents in the field, eager (o please Hoover, engaged in a wide variety of dirty ricks, including illegal acts, and dutifully notified Hoover Poindexter and Langa were already tar- gets of COINTELPRO when Peak commit. ted his crime and the Omaha Pol ice went o work to make a case against the two Panther leaders working closely with feder- al agents. Peaks testimony against Poindexter and Langa was critical to obtaining their con- viction, and his_credibility was crucial However, the police had one big problem: the voice on the emergency call that lured Minard to his death did not sound like Peak. If Peak had an accomplice who made the call then his testimony against Poindexter and Langa was suspect. In exhibits now before the Nebraska Supreme Court, the COINTELPRO com.- ‘muniqués are under review and tell a dis- turbing tale of withheld evidence and Hoover’s knowledge of the withheld infor- mation. On the day of the bombing, August 17, 1970, the Special Agent in Charg of the Omaha FBI office sent an Airtel message to Hoover. "Enclosed for the laboratory is one copy of a tape recording obtained from the Omaha Police Department.” "The enclosed tape was recorded from an existing tape (the original) recording used by the Omaha Police Department in their normal emergency telephone calls for the period of 8/17/70 between the hours of 12:00 Midnight and 9:00 a.m." "[Name redacted] inquired into the pos- sibility of voice analysis of the individual ‘making the call by the FBI Laboratory. He was advised the matter would be consid- ered and that if such analysis were made and if subsequent voice patierns were transmitted for comparison, such analysis would have to be strictly informal, as the FBI could not provide any testimony in the matter; also, only an oral report of the resuls of such examination would be made 1o the Police Department.” " Any assistance rendered along the lines. mentioned above would greatly enhance the prestige of the FBI among law enforce- ment representatives in this area, and 1 thus strongly recommend that the request be favorably considered.” “In view of the forgoing, it is requested that the FBI Laboratory examine enclosed tape recording and make the appropriate voice print 1o be retained for comparison against other tape recordings of suspects to be submitted at a later date.” Tio months later on October 13, 1970, after Peak’s preliminary hearing and testi- ‘mony that he made the emergency call, the Omaha Special Agent in Charge again noti- fied Hoover of developments in the case and passed along the request 1o ignore the tape, “Assistant COP_ GLENN GATES, Omaha PD, advised that he feels that any use of tapes of this call might be prejudicial to the police murder trial against two accomplices of PEAK and, therefore, has advised that he wishes no use of his tape unil after the murder tials of Peak and the two accomplices has been completed.” UACB, no further efforts are being made at this time to secure additional tape recordings of the original telephone call” The recording of the emergency call was withheld from defense lawyers and jurors in the case never got to hear the Voice that set the lethal trap. The original tape was destroyed in April 1978, Later, a copy made at the order of George Winkler, head of police communications in Omaha, surfaced. Poindexter’s ~ co-defendant, Mondo we Langa, raised the matter on appeal. In 1983 the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that there had been no "expert in voice analysis” to support the claim that Peak’s voice was not on the emergency call tape and denied Langa’s appeal. _In 2004, Poindester tried again and in 2006 a vocal expert, Tom Owens, subjected the fape to 3 series of scientific tésts concluding that 1o a high degree of certainty it was not Peak’s Voice on the withheld tape. Now, twenty-five years after Langa’s appeal about “the tape, the Nebraska Supreme Court will again review the mat- ter, this time considering both expert test- mony and with knowledge about J. Edgar Hoover’s role in the withholding of excul- patory evidence. A date for a decision has Rot been set. Greek Anarchists Rise Again Anarchists in Greece have been espe- cially active since the start of the New Year. An Athens-based anarchist group claims responsibility for the first attack against a capitalist institution of 2008, as recorded by the Athens police. At 4:43 am on January first, a branch of Geniki Bank, a subsidiary of the larger Kyprou Bank, was firebombed in the Kypsel area of central Athens. No one was injured, but the entrance to the building was damaged. Throughout the month of January and into February, actions continued. In the first week of January, anarchist roups in Gireece targeted police and police stations. On one occasion, police standing guard outside the Socialist Party headquar- ters were attacked. On another, ten hooded motoreyelists attacked the entrance of a police station with Molotovcockiails Chanting anarchist slogans, “perpetrators’ destroyed a total of 12 cars in the center of Athens in one night, On January 36, police station was attacked with firebombs. Multiple vehicles were destroyed. At the end of the month, various luxury cars in Athens were set aflame in apparently coordinated attacks across the capital. The Greek police’s anti- terrorism unit has taken up the case.](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-49-winter-2008 9.png)
![Anti-fascist Killed by About_one thousand people gathered on 19 January, 2008 in Pilsen, Czech Republic, to remen- ber the victims of nazi terror: 66 years ago, Jows from Pilsen were deported 1o concentration camps, butnobody knew that another victin of current ey Nazi violence was a the very same time fighting for his lfe n a hospital. On 18 January in Pribram, a town 50 km south- west of Prague, 20-year-old neo-nazi Jiri Fous stabbed 18-year-old Jan Kucera in the groin and backat 11 pm, Young local neo-Nazis were provoking a group of anti-fascists with Nazi salutes in a pub, A con- frontation broke out and reports claim that Jiri Fous- a known fascist- followed the group of ant-fascists when they left the pub. It was at this time when Jan was atiacked. Other reports claim the fascist was wearing a SS Nazi uniform when the attack took plac “Afer the attack, Jan’s friends tried fruitlessly to stop the bleeding from his femoral artery and c normal boy fascist O will s The Anarchist Subsistence Program The Anarchist Subsistence Program seeks o provide material aid to those PP/POWs who come from our own anarchist/anti-authoritarian community. As with the Warchest, this program is designed o aid PP/POWSs who receive little financial aid. However, it is unique because it exclusively assists those from the anar- chist/anti-authoritarian community Over the last few years there has been an incre anarchist/anti-authoritarian PP/POWSs. Most of these new prisoners have support committees who raise awareness and funds on their behalf. Long held anarchist/anti-author- itarian PP/POWS have had their support overshadowed by these new cases. This program is designed to ensure that support for them remains consistent The two functions of this support campaign include a monthly Hnancial assistance and forty 41¢ postage Stamps for an ambulance. Neither the paramedics nor Jan’s fiends realized that Jan had also been stabbed in the back. By the time they found the wound, it was too late. Jan had lost massive amounts of blood and fell unconscious. He was rushed 1o & nearby hospital, but even though he was in the hands of profession- al doctors, he died on Sunday morning. Jan Kicera was an anti-fascist skinhead from Pribram, and he was never afrid (o express his apinions. In his Internet profile, he wrote: nd I consider myself- head. I don’tcare who my friends are - don’tjudge peaple because of thei or the color of their skin. | judge people by what they do. Anybody can write io me. I hate nazis, the bourgeoisie, communisis and sinilar seum! Ani- He stood by his opinions uniil the very end. He forever in he hearts of his family, friends, and all people with similar anti led Honor to his memory. e of Neo-Nazi SHARP skin- musical tase, their clothes scist atttude. Photo of Jan Kucera ABC (who facilitates the program) who in tum distributes the funds among anarchist political prisoners who partici- pate in the program. All US. supporters also take turns Sending the Stamps directly to Philadelphia ABC. Listed here e the monthly check documentation and rotation of groups sending stamps. If you want to support i important program and help us cxpand the number of Anarchist Subsistence Program campaigns we run, contact Philadelphia ABC. Make checks or money orders out only to: TIM FASNACHT. Funds should be sent in the last week of the month before the month the funds will be used (i.e., send March funds in the 3rd week of February). (" Stamp Schedule per month. Supporters of the Anarchist Subsistence Jan- Philadelphia Program send whatever funds they can to Philadelphia Feb- Los Angeles Subsistence Report for 2007 March- Philadelphia AN FEB MAR APR WAV 3UN JUL AUG vy P ROTHAVES 10 o o0 0 0 0 o April- Los Angeles RVAWASGA 0 150 0 0 o 0 o Syais 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 0| Senda checkor money order to Philadelphia ABCF made S &8585 |outto Tim Fasnachtfor forty 41¢ stamps i the last week of Tonvis O 2 o ‘o o o o o |themonth before the month for which you are responsible. crris/n 0 ‘0 10 10 w0 o w0 o § RYAWAASKA 00 15 15 15 15 15 is Philadelphia ABCF | ANNE/JERICHO 00 [ [ 00 160 0 P.O Box 42129 TOTAL 0 50 25 45 45 115 185 15 _ Philadelphia, PA 19101 Name Ph Send cash.checks or mos | Streot Address made to TIM FASNACHT to: | City/State/Zip. Philly ABCF | ONE TIME DONATION [] Pl commit to 6 months || Tll committo 1 year || MONTHLY SUPPORTER [ ] Monthly supporters, please check one of the following: Amount:s Box 42129 PA 19101 Philadelphia imABCF@aol.com toll free (877) $](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-49-winter-2008 14.png)
ABCF
UPDATE
QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE ABCF
Winter 2008 "Any movement that does not support their political internees is a sham movement.”- O. Lutalo Tssue #49
WHAT IS THI
The Anarchist Black Cross (ABC) began
shorly after the 1905 Russian Revolution. It
formed afer breaking from the Poliical Red
Cross, due to the group's refusal to support
Anarchist and Social Revolutionary Political
Prisoners. The new group, naming itself the
Anarchist Red Cross (ARC), began to pro-
Vide aid to_those Politcal Prisoners who
were refused support by the PRC
In the carly decades, the organization had
chapters. throughout Europe and North
America. These chapters worked together to
provide assistance o prisoners only in
Russia. Soon other groups, such as the
Latvian Anarchist Red Cross, emerg
provide aid in other Eastem Etropean coun-
tries. Armed with the ideas of mutual aid and
solidarity, these groups worked tirelessly to
provide support to those who were suffering
because of thei political belicfs.
In 1919, the organization’s name changed
tothe Anarchist Black Cross to avoid confu-
sion with the_International Red Cross.
Through the 1920s and until 1958, the organ-
ization worked under various ofher names
but provided the same level of support a the
other groups warking as Anarchist Black
Cross,
After 1936, the ABC expanded it aid to
places such as Greece, laly and Spain.
In 1958, the organization collapsed but
reemerzed in 1967 in London, England.
Once again ABC chapters spread throughout
the globe providing support for imprisoned
comrades. Sadly, by the end of the 1970
only a handful of ABC chapters still existed.
T the 80, however, the ABC began (0 gain
popularity again in the US and Europe. For
years, the ABC's name was kept alive by a
Bumber of completely autonomous groups
scattered throughout the globe and support-
ing a wide varicty of prison issues.
In May of 1995, a small group of ABC
collectives merged into a federation whose
aim was 1o focus on the averall support and
defense of Politcal Prisoners and Prisoners
of War.
Various groups have since merged in
numerous networks throughout the globe
working on various prisonissues. The
Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF)
has continued its mission to focus on the aid
and support of Political Prisoners. We take
the position that PP/POWSs demand our top
priority. We strive to continue with the same
dedication and solidarity to our fallen com-
rades as those before us have shown.
Introduction: The ABCEF i
“Crucially important to maintaining the anarchist integrity of this organiza- | | PPy prp——
tion is the fact that Branch Groups and Support Groups are fieely
autonomous to take on whatever initiatives they can to further the Unity of || Q4ORE LUTALO BLL DUNNE
Purpose of the ABCE. So long as these initiatives do not contradict any pre- || Tremon. N 08625 Box 2088
existing agreements (Tactical Unity) that have been made by the ABCE. itis || sexou kamul Inez, KY 41224
not necessary for all groups to approve of and/or agree with programs, proj- || 113056 /60X 56 5CC HANIF BEY
(B1-21)
Emore, AL 36025
296933 Box 759
ects or work of other ABCF collectives.” [from the ABCF Constitution and B Sione o UA
Structure] 2219
JAAN LaaAN
‘The following definitions are used to describe the below terms whenever || 1415147 Box 160
they appear in the ABCF Update or any other ABCF literature. ooy
reTan ABCF GROUPS
Political Prisoner (PP): A person incarcerated for actions cardied outin | | K218 N ABC
support of legitimate struggles for self determination or for opposing the
illegal policies of the govemment and/or its political subdivisions.
[Special International Tribunal on the Violation of Human Rights of
PP/POWS in U.S. Prisons and Jails, Dec. *90]
PO Box 350392
Jacksonville, FL 32235
No Current Address
but group remains
actie,
LOS ANGELES ABC
PO Box 11223
Whiter, CA 90603
NYC ABC
123 Tompkins Ave.
Brookiyn, NY 11208
PHILLY ABC
PO Box 42120
Phiadelphia, PA 19101
Prisoner of War (POW): Those combatants strugeling 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)
Urgent Medical Report on Joe-Joe Bowen
MONTREAL ABC
P05 42053 SUCC
Jeanne Mance
Montreal GG
W 273 Canada
Philly ABC received news from Black Liberation Army (BLA)
Prisoner of War, Joe Joe Bowen, that he was diagnosed with coro-
nary heart discase. Doctors informed him main artery was
blocked with plaque build up.
The problem was discovered when Joe-Joe began to receive
ehest pains. He was transferred 10 a hospital outside the prison
here he took some tests. The doctors informed him that if he did
Rt receive a heart operation he would die. However, there was
serious danger with the surgery iself and he could also die because
i there were any complications.
Joe-Joe was transferred back to the prison, where he contacted
the Philly ABCF to inform them of what had transpired.
Several days later, Joe-Joe was again transported to the outside
hospital where he had a stent inserted into the blocked artery. After
the surgery Joe-Joe reported to the Philly chapter that he was doing
okay and is recuperating from his sugery.
We are asking for people to take a moment out of their day and
send Joe-Joe a get well card. Let him know there are people that
are rooting for him.
Contact him at;
Joseph Bowen
AM4272
1 Kelley Drive
Coal Township, PA
17866-1021
NEWS FR
M THE FRONT
Anti-Fascist Activist Jailed
German antifa activist, Andrea Nefr, has
been jailed for four months for merely hav-
ing pepperspray on her (something which
is actually LEGAL in Germany!) She now
faces additional prison time for breaching
probation conditions imposed on her after
she attended an anti-nazi rally with some
egas full of pepper.
Please send urgent leters of support to:
Andre Neff, Bar: 746/072
Justizvollzugsanstalt
Tur Frauen in Berlin
Arkonastrasse 56
13189 Berlin
Germany
Mexican Activists Freed
On Jan. 25 seven adherents of the
People's Front in Defense of the Land
(EPDT) from the central Mexican village
of San Salvador Atenco were liberated
from the Mexico State prison at Molino de.
Flores, after a federal judge cleared them
of charges of kidnapping and attacking
communications_infrastructure. They had
been in prison since their arrest in violent
confrontations with the police in May
2006. Charges were also dropped against
53 other FPDT followers who had been
Treed on bail. A collective of "Zapatista
lawyers" announced plans 1o bring criminal
chars against Judge Jaime Maldonado,
for having "arbitrarily” ordered the 164
FPDT followers imprisoned.
Fifteen of the 21 police officers facing
chanss in the May 2006 violence were
also exonerated. Spanish citizen Cristina
Valls, who was injured by police in the
confrontation, has announced that she will
bring suit charging the Mexican autharities.
with "orture.”
Veronza Bowers Transferred
eronza Bowers was snatched up from
ECI Coleman, FIL and shipped to
Atlanta, Ga. (Federal Prison Locator)on his
way to E.C.1 Bennettsville,So. Carolina. He
was able o get a call out but was not
allowed to return 1o his cell to pack up his
gear. Hopefully he will get his gear with in
60 10 90 days.
Bennettsville is about 70 miles West of
Myrtle Beach and 75 miles SE. of
Raleigh/Durham, No.Carolina. Veronza
has been kept illégally in prison since his
mandatory release date in April 2004
His new address will be:
Ve ronza Bowers 35316-136
PO.Box 52020
Bennettsville, So. Carolina 25912
Pannell Will Face Extradition
Former Black Panther, Joseph Pannell
(also known as Gary Freeman) has decided
10 end his appeal 1o stop extradition to the
USS. from Canada. He will soon return to
Chicago to face attempted murder charzes
for the incident.
In 1974, Pannell fled to Canada after
being accused of the 1969 shooting of a
Chicago police officer.
He has lived under the alias of Douglas
Gary Freeman. He married, started a fami-
Iy and worked 25 a library rescarch assis-
tant near Toronto.
He was arrested in 2004 after the
Chicago police cold-case squad, with the
help of the FBI and Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, tracked Pannell through
fingerprint records. His prints maiched
those of a man -- Freeman -- stopped at the
Canadian border in 1983 for smuggling a
He will be held in the Cook County Jail
uniil the legal process plays out
Court Sides with Al-Amin
On January Tth, a_ federal appellate
court has ruled Georgia prison officials
may have improperly opened convicted
Killer Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin's mail out-
side of his presence.
Al-Amin is the former 1960s militant
formerly known as H. Rap Brown, who
was once the chaimuan of the Siudent
Nonviolent Coordinating Commitice and
the justice minister of the Black Panther
Pary.
He is serving a lfe sentence for killing
Fulion County sheriff's deputy Ricky
Kinchen and_ wounding another, The
AtlantaJournal-Constitution reported
Monday.
In 2005, while incarcerated in Georgia
State Prison in Reidsville, Al-Amin sued
prison officials for opening mail from his
wife Karima, an attorney, without him
present.
In its decision Monday, the 11th US.
Circuit Court of Appeals found the prison's
mail practice interferes with protected
atiorney-client communications and
impinges on free-speech righs, the news-
paper reported.
Since filing the lawsuit, Al-Amin was
transferred to Supermay, the nation'’s most
secure federal prison in Florence, Colo.
Tom Manning Surgery
It has_been reported that in carly
Freedom Fron(UFF) had surgery on his
bip. His surgery took place in Boston but
e now back in Springheld: He is cumently
going through rehabiltation and is sing a
alker to get around. He is still awaiting
Surary on'his right knce. The surgery was
Schedul for January but has yet 10 happen
Yu Kikumura Free in Japan
LA ABCF members have received
information that Yu Kikumura was released
from prison in Japan on October 25th,
2007 Yu' contacted Mo Nashida from
Asians for Jericho soon after his release
with the great nows.
Kikumura, an alleged member of the
Japanese Red Army, was released from US
prison early last year and was extradited o
Japan, His fate in Japan was uncerain but
‘after 22-years in prison he is now a free
Coronado Takes Plea
On December 14th, 2007, Rod
Coronado entered a guilfy plea 1o one
count of distribution of information related
10 the assembly of explosives and weapons
of mass destruction.
Coronado has fought this case for near-
Iy two years. As part of the plea agreement,
the USS. government will ask for a one-
year prison sentence. They will drop pend.-
ing charges in Tucson for his possession of
raptor feathers as well as any possible
indictments for speech he made in D.C.
Arrest of Los Macheteros
On February 7, 2008, state agents cap-
tured Avelino Gonzalez Claudio, a member
of Los Macheteros. He was detained while
driving in the northern town of Manati in
Puerto Rico.
Los Macheteros were suspected of car-
rying out a series of bombings and attacks
in the 19705 and 19805 aimed at gaining
independence for Puerto Rico. In 1983, the
group engaged in the robbery of West
Hartford, CT Well's Fargo armored car
depot where they got away with more than
S7 million.
A federal warrant was issued for
Avelino Gonzalez Claudio for his connec-
tion with the robbery, which resulted in
Gonzalez Claudio going further under-
ground.
In September 2005, the US. govern-
ment assassinated Filiberto Ojeda Rios,
leader of the group.
Within the last month, U_S. government
has issued grand jury subpoenas against
Puerto Rican activists in New York, but
were postponed at the last minute.
It is believe the amrest of Gonzalez
Claudio and the recent harassment of the
Puerto Rican community are connccted.
The government is siill looking for
Norberto Gonzalez Claudio, Avilno’s
brother, and Victor Gerena, both accused of
being part of the Hartford robbery.
Reports are_coming out that Avelino
Gonzalez Claudio is being tortured by the
US. government in attempt o retrieve
information sbout the other two wanted
men and for additional informational about
Los Macheteros.
EPR Responds to Repression in Oaxaca
Oaxaca, Mexico - Prominent police offi-
cer Alejandro Barrita Ortiz was assassinated
yesterday morning. The incident appears 10
e linked to the fact that he played a key role
in the reptession of the Oaxacan anti-govern-
ment uprising of 2006 that saw control of the
sute capitol fall into the hands of the
Oaxacan People’s Popular _Assembly
(APPO). An anonymous phone caller claimed
responsibility for the killing on behalf of the
Marsist-Leninist guerrilla group the Popular
Revolutionary Aemy (EPR). The caller
explained that Barrta Ortiz was the first, and
that there were “two more left 1o g
Numerous activists were shot and killed
by paramilitary goon squads of plain clothed
palice, state employees and their supporters
including American journalist and anarchist
activist Brad Will. Once the uprising had
been violently put down, dozens of actvists
were dissppeared, brutalized and raped by
police forces.
Barrita Oriiz, director of the Auxiliary,
Industrial, Banking and Commercial Police.
had been’identified a5 having played a key
role in the police operations during and in the
aflermath of the 2006 uprising. He was
alleged to have been responsible for coordi-
nating illegal detention of activists, as well as
extra judicial paramiltary operations during
the uprising.
“The assassination took place in the “El
Tequio® sports park near the inernational air-
port. Accounts vary. One reports that the
asassins used a 3%0 and 9mm handguns
Another purports that AK-47s were the
Weapons of choice. According to the sccond
version, the assassins fled the scene in a red
pickeup and a black Dodge Stratus
Former Anarchist Political Prisoner has Case Dropped
A major victory ook place for former
political prisoner Matt' Lamont. Matt
received the news in court that his case
has been thrown out- officially erasing his
conviction. Matt Lamont was arrested on
April 20, 2002, aceused of trying to blow
up a whité power show in La Habra, CA
He was found guilty and sentencéd to
three years in prison. Since his release
Matt has faced constant harassment by
local police and federal agents- including
imprisonment for parole violations, raids
of his home and continued threats and
harassment.
As late as November, Matt was threat-
ened by FBI agents to either provide
information or face possible arrest for
parole violation. He refused to cooperate
despite not_having any information
regarding ‘criminal” activities
Last month, another case was thrown
6
out because of the illegal manner in which
the police searched the car. Because of the
decision in this case, evidence against
Matt was also thrown out. With no evi-
dence against Matt, his conviction fell
apart. Earlier this woek Matt was released
carly from his parole- this was a good
indicator that today’s court hearing was
going o go in Mart's favor.
Matt is extremely relicved about the
decision and looks forward to the oppor-
tunities he now has by no longer having &
criminal record. He has had hard time
finding and keeping jobs with a criminal
record and continued harassment by
police and the federal government. He no
longer has to live under the shadow of this
Matt will soon be joining the Los
Angeles chapter of the Anarchist Black
Cross Federation- working for the support
of political prisoners, something he has a
‘oreat deal of knowledge about. Thanks for
everyone that has helped Matt during his
on-going battle over the last six years
Without your support all this would not be
possible. Matts victory is a victory to all
of us in the Anarchist movement.
Free the Black Riders! The Black Movement is Under Attack!
By Nefertari Shakur, Black Riders Liberation Party
On November 26, 2007, the leader of
the Black Riders Liberation Party, General
TAC.O. (Taking All Capitalists Ou), was
armested in a roll-up raid on our Black
Power van by police officers in Pinole, CA
(a city near Oakland). When asked for the
cause of this illegal scarch and raid, Pinole
offcers claimed that, "Pinole doesn't have
any Black Panthers in the area.” General
TA.C.O. was then arrested and snatched
by local police based on a Los Angeles
arrest wartant on charges of “conspiracy to
possess a machine gun,” in an alleged plot
to'shoot up Los Angeles police stations. He
is now being held under a “keep away”
order in solitary confinement in the “high
power” security section of the L.A. men's
jail on $1.000.000 (one million dollars)
bail. BRLP Chief of Staff Nadia Shakur
was also arrested in Pinole, and sent t0 jail
in San Bernardino, CA. This was based on
a previously-dropped charge of illegal
weapons possession, (connected 10 an ille-
gal raid in August of a home in Highland,
CA, where San Bemardino County sher-
WS deputies, Los Angeles sherifl’s
deputies and federal agents showed up with
armored_personnel carriers, a_battering
ram, SWAT. (Special Weapons and
Tactics) team, ‘bomb squad and enough
cops to seal off four square blocks around
the house). She is now being held in San
Bernardino with bail set at $75,000, and
has a court date of January 9 for sentenc-
ing, on a plea bargain, to 180 days in San
Bernardino County Jail.
Simultaneously in Los Angeles,
Comrades Stress and Aryana Shakur were
also arrested on the Same charges as
General TA.CO., with bail also set at
$1,000,000 for Siress and $500.000 for
‘Aryand. Comrade Aryana, our Minister of
Information and a hard-line Black Rider
soldier who has served the people for the
past 11 years, has been through severe
repression over the years due to her com-
‘mitment to making revolution possible for
all people in the world. In-the illegal
August raid, her son Jacori was kidnapped
by the police and placed in foster care for
the second time in three years. Instead of
laughing innocently and freely playing like
Continues on page 12
Conspiracy Count Dropped against Five of the San Francisco Eight!
Eight former Black Panthers were arrested on January 23rd in California, New York and Florida on
charges related to the 1971 killing of a San Francisco police officer. Similar charges were thrown
out after it was revealed that police used torture to extract confessions when some of these same
men were arrested in New Orleans in 1973.Two of those charged are part of the New York Three.
On January 10, Judge Philip Moscone
offcially accepted an amended complaint
by the prosecution in the San Francisco §
trial — in effect completely dropping
chars against Richard O°Neal, who was
only charged with conspiracy. While he
faces no further legal prosecution in the
case, Richard was immediately served with
a subpoena to testify at the preliminary
hearing scheduled for April 21
Conspiracy charges dropped
Ray Boudreaux, Richard Brown, Hank
Jones, and Harold Taylor are now _only
accused of the alleged murder in 1971 of
SF Police Sergeant John Young. The con-
Spiracy counts were dropped against all
five brothers when defense motions cor-
rectly challenged the charges on the
‘rounds that the statute of limitations on
changs of conspiracy in California (three
years) had expired. The conspiracy allega-
fions include several acts alleged 1o have
taken place from 1968 to 1973.
Next court date February 7
A new court date was scheduled for
Thursday, February 7th when aguments
will be made to drop the remaining con-
spiracy charges against Herman Bell, Jalil
Muntagim_ (Anthony Botiom) ~and
Francisco Torres. The prosecution claims
that because the three men were not in
California, the statute of limitations does
not apply. “This is a ridiculous agument,”
according to_defense attorney Stuart
Hanlon, "as these men were forcefully
removed from the stae against their wil by
being imprisoned. Following his acquittal
on charges in New York State, Cisco Torres
was living in New York City. All three were
consistently available to Califomia State
proseutors.”
Formal pleas a year later
Almost a year after they were charged
and arrested, all eight of the brothers for-
‘mally entered NOT GUILTY pleas to all of
the charges.
‘This same case dropped in 1975
Former San Francisco District Attorney
‘Thomas Norman was not available to testi-
fy at this hearing due to health issues. He
was originally sought to explain why this
same case was dropped in 1975 when he
decided that there was insufficient evi-
dence 1o prosccute the case. So-called
“confessions” made when several brothers
were artested, tortured, and forced (o sign
police-scripted statements were deemed
Inadmissible in the 1970s. Attempts to
secure Norman's complete notes and files
will be made in time for the February 7th
hearing.
Harold Taylor remains frec on b
California. prosecutors resurrected a
request to increase bail for Harold Taylor.
Florida prosccutors filed charges in
December against Taylor for the alleged
purchase of a controlled substance. Judge
Moscone was clear that although this was
the case, the dropping of the conspiracy
chanss against him in San Francisco can-
celled out the seriousness of the Florida
matter - so bail will remain the same.
Growing support
Alarge crowd of San Francisco § sup-
porters had to wait outside in the hallway
of the San Francisco Courthouse today
after police officers were given carly
access to seats in Judge Moscone's court.
The courtroom was nevertheless over-
whelmingly packed with supporters and
high energy as this major unraveling of the
prosecution’s case unfolded. All of the
brothers felt positive about the legal devel-
opments and the growing level of public
support for them.
The government's case is falling apart
“This is a major victory in this case
which rests on statements coerced under
torture. "This s the first step in the govern-
ments case falling apart," Hanlon said.
Embassy Attack May be Related to Brad Will’s Death
At approimately 3:50 am on October
26h, 2007, two homemade explosive
devices were thrown at the Mexican
Consulate on East 39th Stweet in
Manhattan. Police found fragmens of the
explosive device and minor damage to the
exterior of the building- including three
broken windows. The devices were very
similar 1o the two_thrown at the British
Consulate on May 5, 2005
Police released the video footage of the
2005 incident, which showed a young man
in his 205 bicycling away from the con-
sulate after the grenade exploded. It also
showed the individual scoping out the loca-
tion before the aitack.
According to the media, similar devices
were used in both of the attacks. The 2005
attack used a plastic grenade filled with
unpowder and a fuse similar to those
found on M-80s.
“The recent attack used training grenades
or “dummy” grenades - perhaps purchased
from a novelty shop - that had been hol-
lowed out and filled with volatile black
powder and attached to a fuse or a charge.
One of the metal grenades was smooth on
its surfuce, to replicate those used by the
military in the Vietnam era. and the other
was scored, like a pineapple, and is more
common to the type used during the Second
World War.
Media_connected the attack to the
anniversary of the death of Brad Will, one
of those killed in the repression that took
place in Oaxaca. Will was in Oaxaca taking
Video and reporting on the state-wide pop-
ular uprising that the teacher strike that
fucled in June 2006. Three others were
Killed along with Will but there was an ou-
ery about bis death by the U.S. anarchist
movement because he was one of our own.
1t is important o note that while the
media drew a connection between the
recent attack and the anarchist community,
no anarchist group claimed responsibility
for the action. Until then, connecting the
two is nothing more than allegations.
International Campaign for Spanish Anarchists
In the months of September and October, the anarchist move-
ment came alive with a series of actions carried out in support of
the José Fernandez Delgado and Gabriel Pombo da Silva. Known,
as part of the Aachen 4, the two anarchists had a variety of
actions carried out in support of them from South America to
Switzerland.
‘These actions were carried out in response to a call put out by
International Anarchist Black Cross, making September 29th a
day in Solidarity of José Femandez Delgado and Gabricl Pombo
da Silva.
Jose and Gabriel are two Spanish anarchists who escaped from
Spanish prisons. Pombo da Silva spent 20 years in prison of
which 14 were spent in the infamous FIES isolation units. He
escaped in October 2003. Delgado escaped after serving 24 years
in prison.
The tivo men were arrested on June 28, 2004 along with
Begoia Pombo da Silva (Gabriel's sister) and Bart De Geeter, a
Belgian anarchist active in Gent Anarchist Black Cross. The four
were stopped in a car just beyond the German border at a gas sta-
tion on the way to Aachen. Police stopped them for a drug check
and insisted on searching the car
During the stop, one of the four in the car pulled out a gun and
shot in the air. In the next moments, the three men took a couple
with another car. Finally the three hid in a garage, where they
were surrounded by the police, and afler some time the three
gave in
“The three men were charged with attempted murder (9 times),
hostage taking (twice), armed robbery, planning of a robbery and
serious traffic violations.
On September 25th 2006, the Aachen 4 were convicted. Jose
Ferenadez Delgado was sentence to 14 years. Gabriel Pombo da
Silva was given 13 years. Bart de Geéter received only 3 112
years and was released in January 7, 2007. Begona Pombo da
Silva was sentenced to 10 months with delay (other repors state
13 months with 3 years probation) but was soon released
The German Siate refused to look at the evidence of torture
within the Spanish prison system, a clear motivating factor
behind Jose and Gabriel's actions. After they serve their time, it
is expected that Germany will return the prisoners to Spain, to
more torture, brutality and isolation.
"The anarchist community has dedicated themselves to a build
up of militancy in support of the two imprisoned anarchists.
We ask that anarchists and supporters of political prisoners to
support these comrades and take 2 moment to write them.
Gabriel Pombo Da
Jose Fernandez Delgado ha
as hostages and fled with a car; Bégoa was jumped upon and
arrested by the police.
A shootout took place while the police chased after the three
men. When their car broke down they let the hostages g0 and fled
International Communiques in Support of Jose and Gabriel
VA Rheinbach
Aachenerstrasse 47
53359 Rheinbach, Germany
JVA Aachen
Krefelderstrasse 251
52070 Aachen, Germany
This mormin, we demonsirated ur hared towards the German Stte that has
Stte and al the prsoners ofthe world
Revolionary Back Cell
Kurt Gusiay Wichens Brigade
Bunos Aies, A entina: October 9th 2007
"Windows of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC} af Hastings and Nanaimo werd|
elieved of theirstructural integrity by a small group of anarchists in the late evening
\with the help of fst-sized stones. This action was done in solidarity with anarchists
(Gabriel Pombo da Silka, Jose Femandez Delgado, Marcos Camenish, who were on|
hunger strike in European prisons. As well as to contribute o the actions taking|
place worldwide on this intemational day of action. REC was hit because it is 4|
bank. A fundamental institution which reproduces Capital. The very system (at the|
service and profit of a bunch of vultures) that exploits people world-wide and|
destroys life in general; as it simultaneously creates spectacular events of repres:|
sion. Such as the 2010 Olympics, which is conveniently sponsored by RBC.
(Capitalism, with its prisons and banks, like RBC, exist worldwide. Let the road tol
the Olympics be litered with the wreckage we leave in their place! Anarchists.”
Vancouver, Canada- September 29, 2007
“Today the 20th of Sepiember is an international day of solidarity with prisoners|
in struggle, and more particularly for Gabriel Pombo da Silva and Jose Fernandez,
Delgado, anarchist prisoners in Germany. (more info on
‘whew.escapeintorebellion.info). Prison is the clearest expression of this society|
lbased on money, collective stupidity and the imprisonment of deviance (psychiatic
isocial, sexual). W struggle from the inside and outside to conquer the freedom|
‘which is ours. NOR GUARDS NOR PRISONS WILL STOP OUR REBELLION!
INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY!"
Spanish F.LE.S. Units
The Spanish FLES. isolation units are a
method to control, isolate and torture prisoners
that resist or struggle against the prison authori-
ty. ELES. units are prison within the prison
where the prisoner is kept isolated with no con-
tact whatsoever with the rest of the prison popu-
lation, even exercise is done in complete soli-
tude, all visits are monitored and the number of|
letters received is strictly limited. The prisoner is
stripped of all his/her personal belongings and
kept in a bare cell where even the matiress is
taken out during the day. ELES. units are an
experiment of different degrees of psychological
torture and_dehumanization of the individual
together with regular and constant physical tor-
ture, beatings and insults. At least 20 prisoners
have died or been killed since 1991 in ELES
isolation units.
Prisoners and support groups are fighting for
1. Eficient/efietive medical attention
2. Free all prisoners with terminal illnesses
3. Abolition of these units and an end 1o the
Isolation units F.LE.S system
4. End of dispersion of prisoners (they should
stay near their place of origin)
5. End of slave labor in prisons
6. End to sexual abuse in prisons and sexism
7. End to psychological and physical torture
8 An independent investigation of every
death in prison
9. Against long term prison sentences (the
longest people can spend in prison is 40 years at
present)
Timeline for Actions in Support of Gabriel and Jose
September 16- Switzerland & Germany - Anarchist prisoners
Marco Camenisch (Switzerland), Gabriel Pombo da Silvaand Jose
Fernandez Delgado (Germany) start a hunger strike il 929
September 18- Zurich, Switzerland - A few persons occupy
Radio Lora and read 2 communique in solidarity with anarchist
prisoners Gabriel, Jose and Marco. Three persons go on hunger
strike in solidarity with Gabriel, Jose and Marco.
September 28- Castellon, Spain - The imprisoned anarchist
comrade Joaquin Garces Villacampa goes on hunger strike tll the
30th of September for the following reasons: "- As a protest against
the aberrant repressive practices against the anarchist comrades
Gabriel Pombo da Silva and Jose Femandez, prisoners of the
German State. - For the abolition of State-Capital, privilege and
domination in the broadest meaning of the word. LONG LIVE
FREEDOM - DESTROY PRISON - FREE ANARCHIST PRIS-
ONERS"
September 28- Leuven, Belgium - Several banners with slo-
gans like 'Against the jails of the State’ and "Freedom for All' were
hung at bridges around Leuven. Pupils put out a banner in solidar-
ity on ‘their’ school building where prisoners of Leuven can see it
September 28- Montevideo, Uruguay - Locks of the Goethe
Institute (German cultural nstitution) and Iberia (Spanish Airlines
Company) were sealed. On the side (of the building) ‘Solidarity
with Gabriel and Jose’ and an encircled A was written.
September 28 Bilbao, Euskadi - About thirty individuals gath-
er at the German Consulate and distribute pamphlets in solidarity
with Gabriel, Jose and all prisoners in struggle. Some enter the
Consulate to make them send a fax to the German Ambassador in
‘September 29- Ghent, Belgium - About 70 people take the
strects and demonstrate through the city centre in solidarity with
Gabriel, Jose and all prisoners in struggle. The demo ends in front
of the prison of Ghent. In Brussel several slogans of rage appeared
on building like ‘Death to prison and its world' at the Hallepoort,
“Let’s burn prison' at the Justice Tribunal. Two banners were hung.
on the big roads around the cenire of Brussels.
‘September 29- Madrid, Spain - Three real estate offices in the
neighborhood of Prosperidad get their locks scaled in solidarity
with Gabriel, Jose, Marco and all other prisoners in struggle.
September 29- Zurich, Switzerland - In front of the
Bezirksgericht sbout seventy persons gather in solidarity with
Marco, Gabriel, Jose and Mehmet Esiyok. Pamphlets are distrib-
uted.
‘September 29- Vancouver, Coast Salish Territory, (Canada)
Windows of the Royal Bank of Canada were smashed in solidarity
with Gabriel Pombo da Silva, Jose Femandez Delgado, Marcos
Camenish.
October 1- Brussels, Belgium - Attacks on German consulate
and BMW dealership. The German consulate in Brussels was
attacked with paint bombs in solidarity with Jose and Gabriel and
all the prisoners in struggle.
October 2- Brussels. Belgium - A BMW dealership in Brussels
was attacked with Molotov cocktails in solidarity with Gabriel and
Jose. At least two vehicles were consumed by flames.
October 9- Buenos Aires, Argentina- Kurt Gustav Wilckens
Brigade attacks Volkswagen dealership in support of Gabricl
Pombo Da Silva and Jose Fernandez Delgado.
Madrid and the German minister of Forcign Afairs.
American Anarchist Charged in Spain as Terrorist
On April 23rd, Virginia activist and
writer Peter Gelderloos was arested by
Spanish police at a demonstration on Las
Ramblas, Barcelona. Peter was acting as a
witness for the arrest of Xavier Mazas,
when he was detained by police under sus.
picion of setting off a petardo - a firework
used to scatter flyers into the air. Police
accused Peter of being a "terrorist” and
both Peter and Xavier were charged with
illegal demonstration and public disorder,
the later carrying a prison sentence of
between six and three years because it was.
allegedly commited with explosives.
Peter Gelderloos is an activist and
author from Virginia. He is active support-
ing prisoners and participating in the
movement for prison abolition. He works
with groups such as Copwatch, Anarchist
Black Cross, Food Not Bombs, and the
local infoshop. He has written a number of
articles and pamphlets, and two_ books.
How Nonviolence Protects the State, and
Consensus: A New Handbook for Politcal,
Environmental, and Social Groups.
On April 25th, Xavier was released
pending tial, and Peter was given 2 30,000
euro bail and sent to Modelo prison. Local
community activists raised the bail in only
o days and Peter was released. However,
Peter must remain in Spain, checking in ai
court every two weeks until his court date.
which could take up to two years. The gov-
ernment also nitiated deportation proceed-
ings against Peter, along with a 7-year ban
from Europe, on fulsified grounds, while
suppressing evidence that he had & legal
status in Spain. I they succeed, this would
separate Peter from several close friends.
On_June 26, 2007, friends in the US
o rganized a call-in day 1o let the Spanish
Embassy know that Peter has a large base
of support in the U.S. who will not sit silent
while the Government of Spain attempis o
push these charges against Peter. The
impact of this and similar actions altered
the tone the Barcelona police’s exaggerated
shetoric, no_longer describing Peter and
Xavier as terrorists.
Peter has attempted to appeal the depor-
tation case against him but has not had
much headway. Despite this he s continu-
ing the process.
On January 12, friends in Spain organ-
ized a benefit show for Peter. The event
raised enough money 1o pay the lawyers
with some exira money to 20 to the groups.
that put up his bail money.
Spain's economy i dependent on
tourism and thus on their public image.
Solidarity actions give hope to a movement
facing repression and let the repressive
government know there are consequences
Tor their attacks.
This is not the first such case of some-
e being framed by the Barcelona police.
As agents of a violent process of genirifi-
cation that is remaking the city of
Barcelona, the police have frequently false-
ly arested, beaten, and tortured immi-
grants, squatters, and anarchists. Amnesty
International repeatedly cites the Spanish
police for torture, and even the abuse-blind
European Union commission cites them for
systematically violating speedy-trial rights.
‘Continued pressure on the Embassy or
protests discouraging tourism or spreading
Information about the repression of anar-
chist and squatters movements in Spain
will help
Support is needed from U.S. based
activists to pressure the Spanish Embassy
10 let them know this injustice will not be
tolerated
For information on other Spanish politi-
cal prisoners see presosalacalle.net.
Writings by Political Prisoners
Available at: www dstrugglemag.org
‘email: montrealabof@gmail.com
also available at:
4strugglemag
PO. Box 42053
Suce. Jeanne Mance
Montreal QC H2W 2T3 Canada
Two of the Barcelona 4 Released Before Verdict
“Tw of the "Barcelona 4 February” pris-
oners charged with injuring a cop two years
ago were released on bail on January 15,
pending the verdict which will be delivered
at the end of the month. Unfortunately, the
third prisoner being chrged has not been
released.
Juan and Alex have been released fol-
Lowing their trial and the trial of Rodrigo
and 6 others (on lesser charges) which hap-
pened between the 7th and 11th of January.
None of the aceused has received a verdict
or sentencing ye.
The three facing the most serious
charges have been in pre-trial detention for
the last two years. The prosecution last
week demanded 11 years of prison for the
three detainees and 4 to 8 years for the other
6 comrades, despite medical opinion in
favar of the defense stating that there was
10 way the three could have been responsi-
ble for the injury sustained by the cop.
In the carly morning hours of February
4th, 2007, a group of young peaple left the
house of Some friends after a night of cel-
ebration. Some were on their way 1o the
metro, others to another party that was
being held in the closeby street of Sant
Pere Mes Baix.
Once in Sant Pere, they saw a group of
people having a discussion with the
Guardia Urbana (one of the many police
forces in this area) outside of the Anarko
Penya, the squat where the other party was
taking place. As the group approached this
discussion, the police charged without
warning, beating people severely,
The young people tried 1o leave the
area, but could not escape the police
blows. In the midst of this, all kinds of
abjects were being thrown from the bal-
conics of the Anarko Penya. When the ini-
tial chaos of the situation had passed,
seven people had been arrested and &
policeman was in a coma.
‘Two more people were arrested later in
the hospital. They had not been in Sant
Pere Mes Baix at all that night. They were
simply arrested due to their “squattarlike"
appearance and the fact that they had
injuries.
Allof the nine who were arrested were
beaten and tortured at the moment of their
arrest and continuously in the police sta-
tion, hospitals and police vans.They suf-
fered multiple injuris all over their bod-
ies, blows 1o the head, black eyes, and two
have broken arms.
‘The first "official” press release said a
flower pot, thrown from the balcony of the
Anarko Penya, had hit the policeman. It
also claims the three people stil in prison
had supposedly thrown stones at the
police from the street with the intention to
kill. We will report any further news as it
comes out
Raids Throughout Italy Target Anarchist Groups
‘The ltalian government has engaged in a series of repressive
measures against the anarchist community.
On October 23, 2007, lalian police arrested § anarchists they
claim were part of a lotter bomb campaign fargeting oficials
including Prim Minister Romano Prodi.
“The raids took place in a central town of Perugia. Police claim
the anarchists are members of a group called “Coop/FAI” an
acronym that stands for “Against all political order/Informal
Anarchist Federation.
Further allegations state they are responsible for letter bombs
sent 10 Prodi, then president of the European Commission, 1o the
president of the European Central Bank and other European Union
Institutions.
Apartments have been raided and computers confiscated by the
police. Allegedly, documents were found related to this FAI cell
indicating that there has been various talk about the struggle
against the TAV (high velocity train), as well as, other projecs,
which put the environment in danger, with a declaration "towards
the acceleration of the revolutionary guerilla and of the ecologi-
cal armed struggle in Umbri
On January 25th, 2008, 8 additional raids were ordered in the
cities of La Spezia, Livomo, Pisa and Roma
“The raids targeted mostly anarchists, who are being accused of
attempted murder with the aggravation of terrorism. During the
raids, materials useful to catalogue DNA were taken following
European directories intended to create a databank for prisoners
and social rebels. No names of those arrested have been reported.
“The raids are in response to an explosive attack against the
Folgore (military corpse) station of Via Vannucei in Livoro,
September 2006. This station hosts those who have partiipated in
the so-called “mission of peace” in Somalia, Yugoslavia,
Afghanistan and now in Iraq,
Here the addresses for those arrested in October 2007:
Michele Fabiani, Andrea Di Nucci, Dario Polinori, Damiano
Corrias and Fabrizio Reali Roscini
/o casa circondariale di Perugia
Capanne
strada Pievaiola km.11+800
06100 PERUGIA, ITALY.
Philadelphia ABC’s Chapter Report
2007 started off with an expansion of
membership when the local ABCN chapter
merged into the Federation bringing with it
several dedicated activists, who had put on
a successful and strong wibute to the late
New Afrikan anarchist, Kuwasi Balagoon
The event received positive coverage in &
local Philly newspaper and brought togeth-
er many veterans from BlackNewA frikan
Liberation strugle with younger activists
We soon established working relationships.
with Philly's PPIPOW activist community.
In August we hosted the Tom Manning art
show in West Philly, which also turned out
a mix of activists similar to the Kuwasi
event. Again we received a supportive
write up in the local press.
Philly ABCF continued to operate the
Warchest Program and was mildly success-
ful in raising funds for the Warchest. We
set up literature tables at many political
cultural events around Philadelphia
throughout the year. We had many pro-
ductive meetings where we_discussed
PP/POW history and current situations of
PP/POW along with other topics relevant
10 today's struggle. Members were able to
visit with Ojore N. Lutalo several times
and one visit with Maliki Shakur Latine
Unfortunately, as in the past with
many political groups, intemal contradic-
tions arose within the group which eventu-
ally lead to two of the core group members
departing. This situation was mainly due
to the inability of members to maintain
group_discipline and resolve conflict
through criticismiself criticism. We also
learned a hard lesson in accepting people
into the group without proper vetting
process. We allowed an activist with a long
history of mental instability and distuptive
behavior to continually tie up the group in
their personal/past group baggage leaving
the group in a constant state of tension
through the latter part of the year.
Despite this set back Philly ABCF con-
tinues to maintain good working relations
with Philly's broad PPPOW support com.
munity and will take these lessons learned
from 2007 into 2008
Solidarity and Struggle! Tim
J. Edgar Hoover informed by Omaha FBI of cover-up of evidence
in Black Panther case during COINTELPRO and took no action
By Michael Richardson
The Nebraska Supreme Court is hearing
the appeal of Ed Poindexters 1971 convic-
tion for the bombing murder of Omaha
police officer Larry Minard. Poindexter
was head of the Omaha chapter of the
Black Panthers, called the National
Commitiee to Combat Fascism, when
Minard was killed in an ambush bombing
while answering a call about a woman
screaming
A fifieen year-old, Duane Peak, con-
fessed and was convicied of planting the
bomb. However, in exchange for testimo-
ny against Poindexter and his co-dfen-
dant, Mondo we Langa (formerly David
Rice), the young murderer was given a deal
and sentenced as juvenile, walking free in
1974,
At the time of the bombing, the Black
Panthers wre the targets of a secret, and
illegal, operation of the FBI ordered by
Director J. Edgar Hoover to disrupt the
group. COINTELPRO agents in the field,
eager (o please Hoover, engaged in a wide
variety of dirty ricks, including illegal
acts, and dutifully notified Hoover
Poindexter and Langa were already tar-
gets of COINTELPRO when Peak commit.
ted his crime and the Omaha Pol ice went o
work to make a case against the two
Panther leaders working closely with feder-
al agents.
Peaks testimony against Poindexter and
Langa was critical to obtaining their con-
viction, and his_credibility was crucial
However, the police had one big problem:
the voice on the emergency call that lured
Minard to his death did not sound like
Peak. If Peak had an accomplice who
made the call then his testimony against
Poindexter and Langa was suspect.
In exhibits now before the Nebraska
Supreme Court, the COINTELPRO com.-
‘muniqués are under review and tell a dis-
turbing tale of withheld evidence and
Hoover's knowledge of the withheld infor-
mation. On the day of the bombing,
August 17, 1970, the Special Agent in
Charg of the Omaha FBI office sent an
Airtel message to Hoover.
"Enclosed for the laboratory is one copy
of a tape recording obtained from the
Omaha Police Department.”
"The enclosed tape was recorded from
an existing tape (the original) recording
used by the Omaha Police Department in
their normal emergency telephone calls for
the period of 8/17/70 between the hours of
12:00 Midnight and 9:00 a.m."
"[Name redacted] inquired into the pos-
sibility of voice analysis of the individual
‘making the call by the FBI Laboratory. He
was advised the matter would be consid-
ered and that if such analysis were made
and if subsequent voice patierns were
transmitted for comparison, such analysis
would have to be strictly informal, as the
FBI could not provide any testimony in the
matter; also, only an oral report of the
resuls of such examination would be made
1o the Police Department.”
" Any assistance rendered along the lines.
mentioned above would greatly enhance
the prestige of the FBI among law enforce-
ment representatives in this area, and 1 thus
strongly recommend that the request be
favorably considered.”
“In view of the forgoing, it is requested
that the FBI Laboratory examine enclosed
tape recording and make the appropriate
voice print 1o be retained for comparison
against other tape recordings of suspects to
be submitted at a later date.”
Tio months later on October 13, 1970,
after Peak's preliminary hearing and testi-
‘mony that he made the emergency call, the
Omaha Special Agent in Charge again noti-
fied Hoover of developments in the case
and passed along the request 1o ignore the
tape,
“Assistant COP_ GLENN GATES,
Omaha PD, advised that he feels that any
use of tapes of this call might be prejudicial
to the police murder trial against two
accomplices of PEAK and, therefore, has
advised that he wishes no use of his tape
unil after the murder tials of Peak and the
two accomplices has been completed.”
UACB, no further efforts are being
made at this time to secure additional tape
recordings of the original telephone call”
The recording of the emergency call
was withheld from defense lawyers and
jurors in the case never got to hear the
Voice that set the lethal trap. The original
tape was destroyed in April 1978, Later, a
copy made at the order of George Winkler,
head of police communications in Omaha,
surfaced. Poindexter’s ~ co-defendant,
Mondo we Langa, raised the matter on
appeal.
In 1983 the Nebraska Supreme Court
ruled that there had been no "expert in
voice analysis” to support the claim that
Peak's voice was not on the emergency call
tape and denied Langa's appeal. _In 2004,
Poindester tried again and in 2006 a vocal
expert, Tom Owens, subjected the fape to 3
series of scientific tésts concluding that 1o a
high degree of certainty it was not Peak's
Voice on the withheld tape.
Now, twenty-five years after Langa's
appeal about “the tape, the Nebraska
Supreme Court will again review the mat-
ter, this time considering both expert test-
mony and with knowledge about J. Edgar
Hoover's role in the withholding of excul-
patory evidence. A date for a decision has
Rot been set.
Greek Anarchists Rise Again
Anarchists in Greece have been espe-
cially active since the start of the New Year.
An Athens-based anarchist group claims
responsibility for the first attack against a
capitalist institution of 2008, as recorded
by the Athens police. At 4:43 am on
January first, a branch of Geniki Bank, a
subsidiary of the larger Kyprou Bank, was
firebombed in the Kypsel area of central
Athens. No one was injured, but the
entrance to the building was damaged.
Throughout the month of January and
into February, actions continued.
In the first week of January, anarchist
roups in Gireece targeted police and police
stations. On one occasion, police standing
guard outside the Socialist Party headquar-
ters were attacked. On another, ten hooded
motoreyelists attacked the entrance of a
police station with Molotovcockiails
Chanting anarchist slogans, “perpetrators’
destroyed a total of 12 cars in the center of
Athens in one night,
On January 36, police station was
attacked with firebombs. Multiple vehicles
were destroyed. At the end of the month,
various luxury cars in Athens were set
aflame in apparently coordinated attacks
across the capital. The Greek police’s anti-
terrorism unit has taken up the case.
Anarchism in Greece has a long and
vibrant tradition that began in 1860, when
the first libertarian documents were pub-
lished: the ideas were in accordance with
the beliefs of anarchist thinkers in Europe
at the time. Anarchist organizations like
the “Demotratic Association” maintained
libertarian socialist principles throughout
the rest of the 19th century and well into
the 20h,
In the years that followed, from about
1910 to 1945, at the close of World War I,
while_anarchists were not involved in
explicitly anarchist groups, they played a
role in various socialist and communist
Iabor unions, pushing those aganizations
to more libertarian positions. The Greek
anarchist movement was galvanized in
Continuing Trend,
Ricardo Palmera, a senior peace nego-
tiator for the Colombia Revolutionary
Armed Forces People’s Army (FARC) was
arrested in 2004 and extradited to the
United States to face trial for, among other
alleged offenses, responsibiliy in the kid-
napping of thrce American contractors held
by the FARC. The three American con-
tractors were flying over rebel territory
when their plane crashed and they were
taken prisoner by FARC forces.
Throughout the trial, Professor Palmera,
whose nom de guerre is Simon Trinidad,
maintained that his role was as negotiator
in prisoner exchange talks with the
Colombian government,
Dr. Palmera’s trial, which ended in
November, resulted in 4 hung jury on all
changs except “conspiracy 1o kidnap." of
which he was convicted. Jeremy Miller of
Students for a Democraic Society said,
“He is being punished simply for being
member of an organization fighting back
against the oppression in his country.”
On January 28, 2008, Simon Trinidad
was sentenced to'sixty years in federal
prison without possibility of parole.
While this case is of special signifi-
cance considering Palmera’s alleged high-
ranking status in FARC, the US govern-
ment has been actively involved in the dis-
integration of the movement for decades,
through the use of military aid to the
Colombian government s well as other
means, like infiltration of various cells of
FARC. As recently as December 9, three
Colombian nationals pleaded guilty to
“conspiring to support the FARC and Alien
Smuggling Charges.” Victor Daniel
Salamana, 64, Carmen Maria Ponton Caro,
38, and Edizon Ramirez Gamboa, 40, had
beén infiltrated by federal informants and
were subsequently brought to. trial in
Miani
In a case that serves as yet another
example of the consistency of American
1967, when the Greck military junta con-
solidated power. Students who considered
themselves autonomists and anarchists
played an instrumental role n resisting the
ppression of the military government
In 1980 the anarchist movement was
deflated when a socialist government —in
alliance with Greek communists —took
power and offered enough concessions to
the people to sway many away from the
dircet class war of the previous decades.
Small cadres of extremely militant anar-
chists continued the fight against the gov-
ernment until 1991, when new generation
of anarchists was bom. The 1991 high
school uprising saw resurgence in anar-
chist groups who spearheaded the occupa-
tion of about 1500 schools. In part this was
U.S. Sentences Key
attacks against the Colombian radical lefl,
Anayibe Valderrama, AKA Sonia, was
extradited to the United States in March of
2004 on drug charges. (She was arrested
by the Colombian military in & raid meant
1 root out the FARC members who had
participated in the kidnapping of the three
American contractors). She was success-
Rully prosccuted in the summer of 2007
and convicted of exporting cocaine 1o the
United States to finance the rebels
Presenly she is serving a sixteen and a half.
year sentence in a Texas penitentiary.
Without a sense of irony, President of
Colombia Alvaro Uribe said that the arrests
and convictions should serve as a warning
“that no young person should foin a terror -
st group:. that all_young people should
seek the right paih
The FARC is a loftist militant arganiza-
tion of about 12,000 members that has
been struggling for a just, peaceful
Colombia against ruling liberal and conser-
vative governments for more than four
decades. The US government considers
FARC 4 terrorist organization and a drug
cartel
In'his final words to the courtroom afier
the sentencing, Palmera was quoted as say-
ing:
“Latin America is a region of great eco-
nomic disparity. The FARC supporls the
basic human rights that everyone needs to
lead a dignified life, including access to
a result of the murder of the ultra-left
teacher Nikos Temponeras by members of
the ruling New Democracy Party. a right
wing political organization. In this decade,
‘many who honed ther politics in the stu.
dent uprisings took part in attacks against
police stations, banks and media conglom.-
erates.
Most recently, on February 2, a fa right
group called Golden Dawn in_ Athens
Staged a march through the city with about
sixty members. They were met by approx.-
imately four hundred anarchists, who
blocked the street and hurled stones at the
neo-fascist extremists.
A police officer sated, “The situation
has calmed down, but we are stil on alert
for any escalation.”
'ARC Negotiator
nutrition, education, potable water, clec-
wicity, dignified living conditions, recre-
ation and rest. Some 54 percent of
Colombians, or 24 million people, live
below the poverty line on just one o two
dollars a day.
“Avariely of fertile lands and climates
would permit the harvesting of crops in
Colombia 12 months a year, providing
enough for al Colombians as well as a sur-
plus for export. Colombia is also rich in
mineral resources, including gold. nickel,
coal, salt and oil. Colombia’s biodiversity,
in flora and fauna, the fish in is rivers, and
a wealth in human resources make
Colombia a very rich country able to pro-
vide for all of its inhabitanis.
“Nevertheless, a small group of people,
the petty governing class, has monopolized
these resources, taken the best lands, con-
trolled the economy, and kept the rést of
Colombia in poverty. Leaders of both
Liberal and Conservative parties have
legalized these monopolies for the benefit
of the rich, and by the same token, handed
over Colombia’s resources to foreign capi-
talsts for their own enrichment,
“The oligarchy’s policy of violence uti-
lizes murder, torture and disappearances as
tools against their opponents 10 keep them-
selves in power. Examples range from the
genocide of the Gaitanista movement in
the 19405 to the extermination of the
Union Patriotica in the late 1980s. The
three branches of power in the government
have granted themselves impunity for all
of their crimes, as well a5 those of the mil-
itary and paranilitaries.”™
Professor Palmera ended his speech
with a raised fist and the shouted Words:
“Long live Manuel Marulanda! Long live
the FARC! Love live Simon Bolivar,
whose sword of freedom continues 10
advance throughout Americal”
(No_ address has been
Palmera)
listed for
LA ABCEF: 10 Years of Solidarity and Resistance
January 2008 marks the tenth anniver-
sary of the Los Angeles chapter of the
Anarchist Black Cross. We are proud and
honored to be the longést running self-pro-
cd anarchist group in the Los Angeles.
7/
LAABC was formed by members of the
Black Sur Collective, Aliernative
Gathering Collective and Whittier Food
ears //)/y/)r Va4
strong relationships with current and for-
mer political prisoners, working day and
night on their support and freedom. We
have been honored to know some
rades, such as Rich Williams, who
enriched our lives prior to having
lives taken in struggle.
Members of LA ABC have also focused
on trying to rediscover the history of the
have
their
Not Bombs. The group was formed by sey-
eral anarchists who wanted to engage in
concrete work based on the ideas of mutu.
al aid and solidarity - two major tenets of
anarchism.
Many of the carlier contributors had
directly been affected by the prison system
‘and thus was a natural nterest in their pol-
iries. Afler a chance meeting with Lorenzo
Komboa Ervin (former anarchist political
prisoner) in San Francisco, it became clear
o the anarchists that politcal prisoner sup-
port was a necessary part of the anarchist
‘movement; we began to build the founda-
tion for the ABC chapter in LosAngeles.
During the firstyear, the strugle to stop
Anarchist Red/Black Cross movement
Over the years, we have created an archive
of the ABC, with some material dating as
far back as 1913,
We are proud to have reached this
benchmark and look forward to- another
decade of resistance and support. This
Statement about our 10th anniversary
would be meaningless if we did not ask in
closing for people to take 2 moment out of
their day to write at least one of our impris-
oned comrades. You can view their
addresses and short biographies on our site:
www.abefnetla.
straight into a campaign of utmost impor-
tance. In March of ‘98, members of the LA
ABC met with several Anarchist Black
Cross Federation chapiers during. the
Jericho march in Washington DC. Six
‘months after the march, LA ABC joined up
with the ABC Federation,
Since its inception, the LA ABC has
continued to work diligently for support of
political prisoners in Norih America. As
part of the ABCF, we have collectively
raised over $50,000 through the Warchest
program (a program designed 1o provide
Support to political prisoners in financial
need). We have developed campaigns for
several local political prisoners- including In Solidarity
Mumia Abu-Jamal's exceution was gaining
‘momentum, allowing for LA ABC to jump
FREQUENTLY U
Romaine Chip
ED
Fitzgerald
Lamont. More imporiani
and Matt
we have built
LAABCF
Acronyms/ Terms
ABCE: Anarchist Black Cross Federation - anti-authoritarian feder-
ation of ABC groups who support and defend PP/POWS.
ABC-BG: Branch Group - ABCF group with more responsibilities
than a SG.
ABC
than 3 BG.
AIM: American Indian Movement - above ground revolutionary
organization of Native Americans.
Anarchism Free o libertarian socialism. Anarchists are opposed to
‘government, the state, and capitalism. Therefore, simply speaking,
‘anarchism is a no government form of socialism. Types of anarchists
include: Anarcho-Communist, Anarcho-Syndicalist, Autonomist,
Collectvist, Individualiss, and Mutualiss,
'BLA: Black Liberation Army - revolutionary Black clandestine for-
mation formed to defend the Black community and the BPP, ina
tive since the "80s.
BRP: Black Panther Party - sbove ground Black revolutionary
‘group seeking Black politcal power, disbanded in the mid-'70s.
FALN: english translation: Armed Forces of National Liberation -
revolutionary clandestine group fighting for Puerto Rican independ-
FC: Federation Council - decision-making body of the ABCF.
MOVE: Not an actonym, the name of
Philadelphia whose members are commitied o the teachings of John
Aftica. Their belef is in “lfe.
BC: Prisoner’s Committee - rotating body of S PPPOWS on the
ABCF's FC
Support Group - ABCF group with fewer responsibilties
PRIPOWS: Politcal Prisoners and/or Prisoners of Wa.
(See page 1)
Self-Defense: The legal act of proteting one’s life or the life of
‘another with the idea/purpose of self-determination and independ-
ence. Armed self-defense is relative 1o the ABCF, specifically in the
USS. i that as the organization grows, 50 (00 grows the need o pro-
tect ourselves from the armed aggressor of the state, right wing, and
other ideological opponents. (Firearms training as preparation for
self-defense are legal activities within the confines of the U.S.)
Self Determination: The right by virtue of which all peoples are
entitled freely to determine their political status and pursue their
economie, social, and cultural development. All peoples may, for
their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources
without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international eco-
nomic cooperation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit and
international law. In no case may a people be deprived of their own
means of subsistence,
SDS: Students for a Democratic Socicty
ed in the 60s.
The Update: This is a quarterly publication of the ABCF.
WUO: Weather Underground Organization - first the Weathermer
Tater known as the WUO, evolved out of the SDS as an underground
formation of primarily white anti-imperialst revolutionaries from
the student movement,
(The Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF) produces. the
Revolutionanvlitcal Dictionary with these and other expanded def -
initions of poliical terms. Asailable from Los Angeles ABC for $1 and
o 41 cents stamps.)
e student group found-
New York City ABCF Application
Dear comrades,
We are the newly formed NYC
Anarchist Black Cross and we are interest-
ed in joining the Federation. Below is a
report on our progress as an ABC collec-
tive,
So far we are four members. We are
sceking more members as the needs and
apporunities for our work are great. Prior
to the formation of the ABC, three of us
were personal friends and comrades of
Daniel McGowan, so naturally at the fime
of his arrest in December 2005, we found
ourselves in_his core support commitice
and began to take our commitment to polit-
ical prisoner suppart more seriously. All of
us had some relationship to political pris-
oner support and had done secondary or
sporadic work prior to 2005. Our experi-
ence as anarchists is varied from
IWW/class-struggle organizing, to radical-
acceptance feminism, to military counter-
recruitment and community organizing,
ant-racist activity, and environmental and
animal rights struggles. The four of us
came together out of a shared interest in
making support and liberation of political
prisoners and prisoners of war 4 priority.
We also share an interest in bridging gener-
ation, movement, and tendency divides
between social justice communitis.
In February 2007 we began our work as
an ABC collective. We began holding
Poliical Prisoner Leter- Witing Dinners in
which we provide vegan dinner, followed
by 4 presentation about a featurcd pp/pow
or group. We educate and encourage people
on writing prisoners with the supplies we
provide. We continue 1o host such an event
every other Tuesday. Having began in peo-
ple’s houses, these nights are now hosted in
the 123 Community Space in Bed-Stuy
Brooklyn where we are a member agani-
zation involved to varying extents in other
mutual-aid and community-based pro-
grams,
This fall we began to assemble monthly
calendars of upcoming pp/pow and anti-
repression_events in New York Cily.
Through this and by cross-promoting
events among various communities we
have been able to publicize and encourage
virtually all of the pp/pow support activity
in the city in coalition with our alles.
This past summer we called for a sum-
mit of virtually all general pp/pow support
groups in NYC and we met in October to
share resources, encourage cooperation,
and assess what needs are going unmet o
that our work could become more focused.
We are working on a list o pp/pows held in
New York or New Jersey or from New York
or New Jersey and assessing the levels of
support each reccive. Through this process
we were able to identify Malik Shakur
Latine a5 not receiving local support and
have begun a correspondence and potential
support relationship with him. With help
from Matt Hart of LA ABCF we learned
about him and also his co-defendant Jose
Saldana who is not ya listed. We plan to
contact him and assess his sittion as well.
Our second summit was held in October,
and it focused on coordinating our cforts
for the San Francisco § benefit held on
November 30. This second meeting did &
‘2ood job of solidifying our connections to
‘one another as part of 4 single struggle.
The SF & benefit on November 30 that
S0 many groups worked on was a huge suc-
cess, bringing hundreds of supporters
together and raising thousands for the .
We, along with all of the other sponsoring
groups, provided money and were able to
bring 4 of the § out to New York for the
event. The event was sort of a test to see
how differing pp/pow groups can work
together. We feel very positive about the
results.
Much of our work so far as an ABC has
been in providing assistance to direct sup-
port_commitices such as those of Danicl
McGowan, Andy Stepanian, Eric
MeDavid, as well as small favors and cor-
respondence with Russell Maroon Shoats
and Sundiata Acoli. For the former three
we have organized fundraisers and for
Daniel McGowan in particular we have
experience in virtually every aspect of
pppow support. Further, we are now tak-
ing a leading role in Andy Stepanian’s sup-
port,and are hoping to bring more atiention
10 his case in the coming year
We sce greal need among some groups
of prisoners including the New Afrikan
prisoners who requite reinvigorated sup-
port movements so that they can hope not
10 live out the remainder of their lives in
prison, as well a the Green Scare prisoners
whose support is often sporadic and inex-
perienced. It is our hope that we can per-
sonally fill in the gaps left by existing
political prisoner support while also agitat-
ing and organizing for increased sirategic
efloets on the part of activist, social move-
ments, and concerned people toward free-
ing movement prisoners. Our vision
involves providing reliable support where
it is most needed and generally working in
coalitions to encourage social_justice
‘movements and communities to integrate
PP support into all of their goals and work.
We have spent a considerable amount of
time discussing whether or not we are
interested in affiliating with the ABCF. We
are interested in working toward the
Federation changing some of the language
in the materials. We think that the
Constiution Bylaw #7 should be changed,
as the Federation should not mandate indi.
vidual behavior. We would not want to be
expected to inform other Federation mem.-
bers if we suspected a Federation member
of using illegal drugs because such a com.
‘munication could unnecessarily make peo-
ple vulnerable to law enforcement. In addi-
tion, we think that the ABCF's definition of
political prisoners and prisoners of war can
be interpreted to include some Earth and
Animal prisoners. We believe that the
Federation should not exclude Earth and
Animal prisoners but rather, should consid-
er them for political prisoncr and prisoner
of war status using current definitions on a
case-by-case basis.
That said, we would much rather be part
of the Federation than not. We think that
the standards put forth in the ABCF Guide
are a very solid foundation for revolution-
ary work and we would be honored to be
part of the organization that lives by them.
We wan to be part of an organization that
is greater than the sum of its collectives
and we see this opportunity in the ABCF.
We want to contribute to the Warchest and
the Anarchist Subsistence Program. We
want to be accountable to the Prisoner
Committee and the Federation Council
And we want the opportunity to benefit
from and contribute to the efforts of the
Federation.
In Solidarity,
The NYC Anarchist Black Cross
(Editor’s Note: The Federation Council
of the ABCF met the monday afler the
application was sent out. The vote was
unanimous in favor of accepting the NYC
ABC into the Federation. We wish t0 wel-
come the NYC chapter 10 their new home.)
Montreal ABCF has been busy expanding our empire, with
Karen, Emily and Sara now living in Toronto. For the nex litle
while we'll continue 1o work as part of the Montreal group, but we
plan to form a separate Toronto branch group within 3 few months.
Our major project for the past few months has been the Certain
Days: 2008 Freedom for Political Prisoners Calendar (wwiw.certain-
days.org), in collaboration with PPs David Gilbert, Robert Seth
Hayes and Herman Bell. This year' edition, themed "The Legacy of
Black Riders article continued from page 7
Montreal ABCF Update
the Panthers," s a fundraiser for the SFS.
We're also proud to have just published Issue 10 of 4strugglemag
(www dstrugglemag org), our zine of writings by political prisoners
and their supporters. We are now warking with Vancouver's A
Poverty Committce to send hundreds of free copies 10 prisoners in
North America. Together with our editor, anti-imperialist PP Jaan
Laaman, we'l make it an even stronger voice in our movements in
2008,
other kids his age, Jacor has had (0 suffer
pounding on the door in the middle of the
night by the police, screams of terror, the
repeated arrest of his parents, not to men-
tion S.W.AT. team fircarms pointed at his
small seven-year-old_body. Although
Aryana’s motherhaod has been viciously
Stripped from her once again, she will
remain strong for her people and continue
to empower and defend all mothers and
children against this heartless enemy.
Al this has been done by the racist pig
power structure in order to try o stop our
organization’s revolutionary expansion and
influence in Amerikkka.
General TA.CO. is a former_gang
member who created the Black Riders
Liberation_Party in 1996 in the Youth
Training Service’s prison college class
along with other prisoners. He has worked
hard to bring about Black self-determina-
tion and African pride 1o people who have
been robbed of most of their dignity and
identity by racist white people and the pig
power structure. Because General
TACO. has successfully transformed
some of the most violent and self-destruc-
tive youth into full-blown revolutionary
consciousness under the teachings, values
and practices of African inter-communal-
ism, he has suffered numerous raids, llegal
searches and arrests, brutal confrontations,
time in prison and jail, and the kidnapping
of family members. This has all been in an
attempt to stop his revolutionary leadership
from resurrecting the spirit of the Black
community.
‘General T.A.C.0. has sarificed every-
thing to make revolution a possibility and
realty in the poverty-stricken gang injunc-
tions of Amerikkka. He alone has dared to
believe that he could offer the community a
permanent political vehicle, which would
serve their needs and advocate their inter-
ests. General TA.C.O's charge for con-
spiracy, or basically a “thought crime.” has
been 4 plot by this racist government’s
anti-human USA PATRIOT Act and fake
Homeland _Security counter-terrorism
plans, in order to silence the leader of the
Black Liberation Movement. This plot will
never suceeed.
‘Other comrades have also been trgeted
‘and arrested on trumped-up charges by the
LAPD. Comrade Kambui Sadiki, our
Minister of Defense, was brutally jumped
on by the LAPD. while politically edu-
cating the community on Rodeo and
Crenshay. He is now doing time for “tres-
passing.” Many other comrades are also
zoing to trial for numerous charges made
up by the pigs
‘The Black Riders have proven o be a
sign of Black empowerment in their will-
ingness to die defending the people against
police terrorism. The BRLP stands against
white racist laws and threats in the commu-
nity. In pushing our “Watch-A-Pig” pro-
ram, our soldiers and organization have
zone through severe repression. The pro-
‘zram consists of patrolling the police with
Taw booklets, video cameras, Black karate
skills, military uniforms and berets, and
other legal weapons, while educating the
people ontheir self-defense rights, and
o ffering our services to people who need a
witness against the police in a lawsuit
A Black Rider has to cope with the life-
threatening reality of being hunted and
spied upon by federal agents, and being
illegally threatened, searched and arrested
by racist police officers every day, in order
1o defend, politically educate, empower
and unite our community. Black revolu-
tionaries have always been the most
doomed men and women and have always.
received the most repression. Look at the
assassinations of Fred Hampton, Bobby
Hutton, Bunchy Carter and John Huggins,
10 name just a few. Look at the targeting of
the Black Panther Party as “the greatest
threat to the internal security of the U.S."
‘The whole idea of the Watch-A-Pig pro-
aram s to show the people that resistance
is possible. We patral the pigs at random
and link it with our other daily movements
doing other dangerous political work like
trying to educate and raise the Affican con-
sciousness of young Black people on the
street-corners. The goal is o stop trbalism
and black-on-black violence, and create a
Black commune where young brothers and
sisters can be fed, clothed, educated, mili-
tarily trained. There they can be surtound-
ed in a revolutionary African environment,
away from the brainwashing capitalisi
institutions that prey on our youth and trap
them into self-destructive mentalities,
behaviors and practices.
The racist LAPD. and media have
atempted 1o discredit our aganization's
efforts by labeling us as a “black terorist
gang,” and claiming that we promote vio-
lence and racism and disturb the “peace” of
the community. But they won't tell you that
the first black gangs were created in self-
defense against white racist violence in the
northern and western states that didn’t
want to aceept the new integration laws.
Update: The pre-trial hearing sched-
uled for January was pushed back for
February 15,
Anti-fascist Killed by
About_one thousand people gathered on 19
January, 2008 in Pilsen, Czech Republic, to remen-
ber the victims of nazi terror: 66 years ago, Jows
from Pilsen were deported 1o concentration camps,
butnobody knew that another victin of current ey
Nazi violence was a the very same time fighting for
his lfe n a hospital.
On 18 January in Pribram, a town 50 km south-
west of Prague, 20-year-old neo-nazi Jiri Fous
stabbed 18-year-old Jan Kucera in the groin and
backat 11 pm,
Young local neo-Nazis were provoking a group
of anti-fascists with Nazi salutes in a pub, A con-
frontation broke out and reports claim that Jiri Fous-
a known fascist- followed the group of ant-fascists
when they left the pub. It was at this time when Jan
was atiacked. Other reports claim the fascist was
wearing a SS Nazi uniform when the attack took
plac
“Afer the attack, Jan's friends tried fruitlessly to
stop the bleeding from his femoral artery and c
normal boy
fascist O
will s
The Anarchist Subsistence Program
The Anarchist Subsistence Program seeks o provide
material aid to those PP/POWs who come from our own
anarchist/anti-authoritarian community.
As with the Warchest, this program is designed o aid
PP/POWSs who receive little financial aid. However, it is
unique because it exclusively assists those from the anar-
chist/anti-authoritarian community
Over the last few years there has been an incre
anarchist/anti-authoritarian PP/POWSs. Most of these new
prisoners have support committees who raise awareness
and funds on their behalf. Long held anarchist/anti-author-
itarian PP/POWS have had their support overshadowed by
these new cases. This program is designed to ensure that
support for them remains consistent
The two functions of this support campaign include a
monthly Hnancial assistance and forty 41¢ postage Stamps
for an ambulance. Neither the paramedics nor Jan's
fiends realized that Jan had also been stabbed in the
back. By the time they found the wound, it was too
late. Jan had lost massive amounts of blood and fell
unconscious. He was rushed 1o & nearby hospital,
but even though he was in the hands of profession-
al doctors, he died on Sunday morning.
Jan Kicera was an anti-fascist skinhead from
Pribram, and he was never afrid (o express his
apinions. In his Internet profile, he wrote:
nd I consider myself-
head. I don’tcare who my friends are - don'tjudge
peaple because of thei
or the color of their skin. | judge people by what
they do. Anybody can write io me. I hate nazis, the
bourgeoisie, communisis and sinilar seum! Ani-
He stood by his opinions uniil the very end. He
forever in he hearts of his family, friends,
and all people with similar anti
led Honor to his memory.
e of
Neo-Nazi
SHARP skin-
musical tase, their clothes
scist atttude.
Photo of Jan Kucera
ABC (who facilitates the program) who in tum distributes
the funds among anarchist political prisoners who partici-
pate in the program. All US. supporters also take turns
Sending the Stamps directly to Philadelphia ABC.
Listed here e the monthly check documentation and
rotation of groups sending stamps. If you want to support
i important program and help us cxpand the number of
Anarchist Subsistence Program campaigns we run, contact
Philadelphia ABC. Make checks or money orders out only
to: TIM FASNACHT. Funds should be sent in the last
week of the month before the month the funds will be used
(i.e., send March funds in the 3rd week of February).
(" Stamp Schedule
per month. Supporters of the Anarchist Subsistence Jan- Philadelphia
Program send whatever funds they can to Philadelphia Feb- Los Angeles
Subsistence Report for 2007 March- Philadelphia
AN FEB MAR APR WAV 3UN JUL AUG vy P
ROTHAVES 10 o o0 0 0 0 o April- Los Angeles
RVAWASGA 0 150 0 0 o 0 o
Syais 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 0| Senda checkor money order to Philadelphia ABCF made
S &8585 |outto Tim Fasnachtfor forty 41¢ stamps i the last week of
Tonvis O 2 o ‘o o o o o |themonth before the month for which you are responsible.
crris/n 0 ‘0 10 10 w0 o w0 o §
RYAWAASKA 00 15 15 15 15 15 is Philadelphia ABCF
| ANNE/JERICHO 00 [ [ 00 160 0 P.O Box 42129
TOTAL 0 50 25 45 45 115 185 15 _ Philadelphia, PA 19101
Name Ph Send cash.checks or mos
| Streot Address made to TIM FASNACHT to:
| City/State/Zip.
Philly ABCF
| ONE TIME DONATION []
Pl commit to 6 months || Tll committo 1 year ||
MONTHLY SUPPORTER [ ]
Monthly supporters, please check one of the following:
Amount:s
Box 42129
PA 19101
Philadelphia
imABCF@aol.com
toll free (877)
$
$50,000 Raised Through the Warchest Program
SUPPORT THE ABCF WARCHEST
‘The ABCF has initiated a program designed to send monthly checks to PPPOWSs who
have been receiving insufficient, littl, or no financial support during their imprison-
ment, PPPOWs 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 necd.
There is also an emergency fund designed to immediately send checks to those
PP/POWS in nced of one-time or emergency
Founded in 1994, the Warchest has provided cor
ing a much- neglected comradely function. Since its inception, the ABCF has raised
over $50,000 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 stil in dire need 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 reccived
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 e P.O Box 42129 e Philadelphia, PA 19101 ¢ timABCF@aol.com
FUNDS IN 2007 8-Jan FUNDS IN FUNDS OUT
LA ABCF/RDTW 1850 0 1994 351 1994 120
DAN D./ LA RDTW 75 [ 1995 3860 1995 2796
PHL ABCF 292 20 1996 4143 1996 4308
JAX ABCF 110 [ 1997 3544 1997 4588
NJ ABCF [ ) 1998 7643 1998 6412
CHRIS/N 245 [ 1999 5814 1999 5191
EZE/N) 100 0 2000 3514 2000 4544
RYAN/ALSKA 375 25 2001 5290 2001 4637
PROPAGANDI 192 0 2002 2873 2002 4320
JUSTIN/CLEV 120 0 2003 1785 2003 1300
ANON 10 [ 2004 UNACC* 2004 UNACC*
JIM/PHILLY 10 ) 2005 4439 2005 2620
TONY/KS 25 [ 2006 3268 2006 2880
ALEJANDRO 15 [ 2007 4312 2007 3471
SHEILA/LA 35 ) 2008 45 2008 300
SHARON SHOATZ 360 ) TOTAL 50881 TOTAL 47232
BEN B/UK 10 0
DEMIAN S 60 ) FUNDS OUT 2007 Jan-08
PAC (PHOENIX) 80 0 SEKOU KAMBUL 561 30
W. MASS. RDTW __ 372.5 0 RUSSELL SHOATZ 360 30
TOTAL 4312 45 JOSEPH BOWEN 360 30
T HANIFFBEY 360 30
HERMAN BELL 360 30
SEKOU ODINGA 360 30
) RUCHELL MAGEE 360 30
FUNDS REMAINING: $3031.50 "ALVARG HERNANDEZ 360 30
MALIKT LATINE 200 30
TSUTOMU SHIROSAKT 90 30
THOMAS MANNING 100 30
TOTAL 4312 300
(*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
What'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 -
‘port 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 want -
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
bl P
PP et
o T i o
" 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.”