Anarchist Black Cross Federation Update 51
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![What is the Anarchist Black Cross Federation? 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, emerged to provide aid in other Easter 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 1920 and until 1938, the organ- ization worked under various other 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 reemerged in 1967 in London, England Once again ABC chapters spread throughout the globe providing support for imprisoned comrades. Sadly, by the end of the 19705 only a handful of ABC chapters still existed. T the 805, however, the ABC began fo 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: “Crucially important to maintaining the anarchist integrity of this e e e S A e are fieely autonomous to take on whatever nitiatives they can to The ABCF i Prisoner Committee 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) Certain Days 2009 Calendar JAX ABC PO Box 350302 Jacksonille, FL 32235 further the Unity of Purpose of the ABCE. So long as these initia- | | BILL DUNNE SEKOU KAMBUI ivesdo no contradic any prexisting agreements(Tacicl #10916-086 (W. TURK) Lnity) that have been madc by the ABCR it i not necessary for | gox 2068 #113058 / Box 56 v otk oftother NBCF collectives. [from the ABCF Conditution | |12 KY 41224 SCC (B1-21) i Stouctore] Elmore, AL 36025 OJORE LUTALO ‘The following definitions are used to describe the below terms || #59860 / Box 861 JAAN LAAMAN whenever they appear in the ABCF Update or any other ABCF || Trenton, NJ 08625 #Wa1414 literature. BOX 100 Political Prisoner (PP): A person incarcerated for actions car- ’““B‘:LL&’B’;T’"E g;;;’; Walpole, MA ried out insupport of egiimatesimgeles for el deermimation | £217 or for crrposlng the illegal policies of the government and/or its | | Box 51 political bdivision. [Special Internatonal Tribunal on the || Comstock, NY Violation of Human Rights of PPPOWs in U.S. Prisons and | | 12821 Jails, Dec. "90] Prisoner of War (POW): Those combatanis sirggling against || MbAukbMAMARGAGl st colonial and alien domination and racist regimes captured as ARCATAABC NJABC prisoners ar to be accorded the status of prisoner of war and PO Box 360 No Current Address Arcata, CA 95518 NYC ABC PO Box 110034 Brookiyn, NY 11211 PHILLY ABC 42 GORGEOUS FULL-COLOR PAGES OF LOS ANGELES ABC PO Box 42129 ART AND WRITINGS! A GREAT FUNDRAISER PO Box 11223 Philadelphia, PA 19101 FOR GROUPS! AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBU- TION TO GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING! AND A Whitier, CA 90603 0 TORONTO ABC MEANINGFUL GIFT MONTREAL ABC PO Box 97048 Certain Days - a QPIRG Concordia working group PO Box 42053 RPO Roncescalles Ave QPIRG Concordia o ‘Succ. Jeanne Mance Toronto, Ontario 1500 de Maisonneuve Ouest, suite 204 Monireal QC M6R 383 Canaca S14-48-7583 fox: S14-848-7554 HoW 273 Canada www.abcf.net $ U 51 FALLWINTER 200](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-51-winter-2008 2.png)
![Arcata ABCF Support Group Application This is a formal proposal for support group status within the ABCF- In June of this year we joined LA ABCF and began doing work for the Free Chip Fitzgerald campaign. We helped table at the Summer Solidarity Festival and organ- ize for Running Down the Walls. It was. also at this time we began writing fo Ojore Lutalo and Marshall Eddie Conway. At the very end of August we moved to Arcata in Humboldi County and established a P.O. Box for the formation of Arcata ABC! Since moving here we have been working closely with the small but tightly knit radi- cal population of people of color. This is a group Ashanti Alston has worked with closely in the last few years. We were able o attend and table at the CR10 conference and establish excellent contacts. We have - \ ) several individuals interested in the work we do, in particular people from the Black Student Union a1 Humbold State University. We wish to engage with the Indigenous populations up here that have been actively resisting genocide and resource theft from the govemment and corporations ke Pacificorp. We also plan on visiting Hugo "Dahariki” Pinell, one of the San Quentin Six. who is caged at Pelican Bay State Prison. We will continue sparking interest, recruiting members and organizing support for political prisoners and prisoners of war. In solidarity, Noelle and Sonny Arcata ABCF-SG PO Box 380 Arcata, CA 95518 Note: All groups at the October FC meeting approved Arcata ABC as a ABCF Support Group. ""Angola 3" Member to Be Released On Bail After 37 Years Conviction Overturned, Judge Rules Albert Woodfox Must be Free During ‘Appeals or Re-trial Lawyers: Ruling Brings Hope for Remaining Prisoner, Also Spent 36 Years in Solitary for Guard’s Murder ‘Albert Woodfox, who has spent 37 years in prison at Angola Penitentiary, must be released on bail, according 1o a ruling issued on November 25 by United States District Judge James Brady. On September 25th, Judge Brady overtumed Woodfox’s conviction for the 1972 murder of prison guard Brent Miller. Though the State has announced it intenion to appeal that deci- sion, until such an appeal is successful, according (0 today’s ruling, there is no con- Viction on which to hold Woodfox. In his decision, Judge Brady wrote: “[Woodfox] is a frail, sickly, middle aged man who has had an exemplary con- duct record for over the last twenty years. ‘Atthe hearing before this Court on October 14, 2008, testimony was adduced that if released Mr. Woodiox would live with his nicce and her family in a gated subdivision in Slidell, Louisiana. Mr. Woodfox has withdrawn that request because of fear of harm 10 his nicce and her family by neigh- bors in the community. This change was brought about by counsel representing the State of Louisiana contacting the subdivi- sion home owners association and provi ing them with information regarding Mr. Woodfox. The Court is not totally privy o what information was given 1o the associa- tion but from the documents filed it is apparent that the association was not told M. Woodfox is frail, sickly, and has had a clean conduct record for more than twenty Years...this Court GRANTS Mr. Woodfox’s motion for release pending the State’s appeal.” Herman Wallace, who was also convict- ed in the murder, remains in prison at Angola. He has an appeal pending with the Supreme Court of Louisiana, which is sim- ilar in content to Woodfox’s. successful appeal. The two men were wrongly con- victed based largely on the testimony of a fellow prisoner, Hezekiah Brown, a serial rapist who was promised and received a pardon in exchange for his testimony against them. Brown was the sole professed eyewitness to the murder, and none of the physical evidence put Herman or Albert at the crime scen. Woodfox’s legal team is now working with the court 10 reach an agreement on a suitable release location and plan for Woodfox; once they agree to a plan, Woodfox will be able 1o leave Angola. The lawyers anticipate the process to take sev- eral more days. Woodfox and Wallace were each held in solitary confinement from the time of the murder until last March, after a foderal court coneluded that their suit alleging that such confinement for three decades consi- tutes cruel and unusual punishment could go forward. A third man, Robert King Wilkerson, was held in solitary at Angola at the same time for a different crime; he was released in 2001 after showing that he had been wrongfully convicted. The three are known as the "Angola 3. All black men, they had been organizing nonviolently for an end to gang-enforced sex slavery and for better conditions inside the prison. Angola at the time was known as the "bloodiest prison in the U "This is a major victory in a case where justice is long overdue. Albert went into Angola in his twenties, and he’s walking out in his 60s. There is no conviction against him now, and the state should not take another day of his life," said Chris Aberle, Woodfoxs lawyer “In 37 years, Albert never gave up hope that someday he would walk out the gates of Angola. We continue to hope that Herman will join him soon. Neither of these men should have spent a day in Angola for this crime,” said Nick Trenticosta, also a lawyer in the case. The casé has attracted attention on the state and national level. Last spring, US House Judiciary Committee Chair John Conyers (D-MI) visited the men, along with Louisiana _ House Judiciary Committee Chair Cedric Richmond (D- 101). Richmond has announced his inten- tion to hold hearings on the case, and Conyers continues fo monitor develop- menis. The state had sought a stay of Judge Brady’s ruling ordering new trial until the appeal process plays out. Judge Brady granted that request. The State must now. cither win its appeals, or will need to cither release or retry Woodfox within 120 days of the end of ts appeals. Judge Brady held an initial bail hearing on October 14th; he postponed issuing a decision at that time to allow for addition- al depositions to be taken from Angola Warden Burl Cain and from a doctor who had examined Woodfox and his medical records. The State has now conducted both of those depositions.](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-51-winter-2008 4.png)
![‘The jury that convicted Black Panther leaders Ed Poindexter and Mondo we Langa (formerly David Rice) for the August 17 1970 bombing murder of Omaha police offi- cer Larry Minard never knevw that three men had been arrested several weeks carlier in the city with a cache of solen dynamite in their Nor did the jury know the complaining witmess about the seized dynamite was the same detective who later allegedly found dynamite at the home of Mondo we Langa. Nor did the jury know that charges for llegal possession of explosives would quietly be dropped against the three men caught with the dynamite within a week of the conclu- st sion of the April 1971 murder rial ag the Panther leaders. Jack Swanson, a sergeant in the detective division of the Omaha Police, was the star police witness against the two Pathers at trial with bis claim of discovery of dynamite in the basement of Mondo we Langas resi- dence. Swanson’s claim was supported by fellow detective Jack Pheffer who testified he first saw the dynamite when Swanson car- ried it up the stairs from Mondo’s basement, Pheffer has since contradicted his own trial testimony and now claims under oath that he, not Swanson, found dynamite. “The jury also never knew that the case they were hearing was a part of Operation COINTELPRO, & clandestine operation within the Federal Bureau of Investigation ditected by 1. Edgar Hoover to "disrupt” the Black Panther Party and other domestic political groups he considered_dangerous Hoover had ordered the withholding of a FBI & Mondo we Langa (aka D. Rice) crime b report on the tape recording of the phone call that lured Minard 1o his death according to a written notation on secret COINTELPRO mema made by lab director Ivan Willard Conrad. “The court fles of the three men Luther Golden Payne, Lamnt Mitchell and Conrad Deland Gray reveal litle detal of the July arests and there is no mention of the plea negotiations that resulted in dismissed changs. All three men were stll in custody at he time of the bombing that took Minard’s life and could not have directly partcipated in the deadly ambush. However, the dyna- mite was believed by police to be the source of the explosive in the bomb according o - e-known testimony before the U.S House Committee on Internal Securiy. “The commitiee was the successor 10 the infamous U.S. House Committee on Un- American Activities and was busy tying o justify its controversial existence with an Investigation into the Black Panthers Although much of the testimany was on the national party strucure and distribution of the party newsleter, one commitice member, Rep. Willam . Sherle from Council Bluff, fowa, lived just across the Missouri River from Omaha and tumed the commitiee hear- ing room into his own soapbox against the Omaha Panthers. Scherle’s ntrest led o the estimony of an Omaha Police captain, Murdock Pltner, about both the Minard bombing and the dynamite scized by Swanson in July. information kept confiden. tial in Omaha. Captain Planer’s story. given under oath in Washington D.C. was never reported in Omaka and kept from the jury during the murder tial. Platner testifid about several ather bombings tha had occurred in Omaha and throughout the Midswest in the summer of 1970 when his Congressional questioners tumed to the dynamite seized by Swanson and the dynaite used in the Minard killng “Investigation revealed this bomb con- sistd of three 2x16 inch sticks of dynamite, a battery. blasting cap and was triggered by a clothespin type swich. The string atached o the wedge was passed through a hole in the suitcase when the bomb was detonated." "A lo-year old Black Panther [Duane Peak] was arested for the murder and iny cated the Deputy Chairman. Edvward Poindexter. and Deputy Minister of Information, David Ricé [Mondo we Langa), of the NCCF party, who were arested and have been ordered to stand tial in distrct court for murder. Dynamite similar to that tolen rom the Quick Supply in Des Moines Detective Jack Swanson withheld stolen dynamite arrests from jury in ’Omaha Two’ bombing by Michael Richardson (a freelance writer from Boston) Edward Poindexter was found in the home of one of the abov. Itis believed it is part of the supply from which the bombs were made." “On July 28, 1970, three young Negroes, one who is an ex-Panther, were arrested with 41 2x16-inch sticks of dynamite in the car. “This is aso similar (o the dynamite taken in bundary in Des Moines of Quick Supply." I could not tell you what type of dyna- mite it was that exploded. I can tell you this, that one of the suspects in this, Duane Peak, a 16-year old boy who was arested, testified in a preliminary hearing...he testified that David Rice brought a suitcase filled with dynamite 1o his house or to somebody’s house, 1 am not for sure just which place; that they removed all the dynamite from the suitcase except three sticks: made the bomb, the triggering device, and 5o on, and put it together: and then packed the suitcase with newspapers and that he left with this suit- “"Now I am a ltle hesitant to go into the rest of this because there is 2 trial yet 10 be held. 1 donst know what I should say." But Planer had already said t00 much, mis-stating Peak’s preliminary hearing testi- ‘mony where Peak testified he was given the dynamite by 23-year old Raleigh House. Platner, familiar with House, told Scherle’s commiftee that "Rawleigh Bryant House” was a "Negro male” and the deputy minister of finance of the Omaha Panther group. Raleigh House, the named supplier of dynamite used in the Minard bombing according to Peak, had a curious get-out-of- jail-free Tuck that netted him only a single Continued on page 13](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-51-winter-2008 5.png)
![Tribute to Comrade Bashir Hameed On the evening of August 30 2008, BLA POW, Bashir Hameed, passed away. Over the last year, aided by the consistent denial of adequate medical care, Bashir’s health had been slowly deteriorating. While public pressure seemed to have had some success getling the prison administration to provide the medical care, it seems the care did not come quickly enough to improve Hameeds health. Bashir Hameed was born and raised in New Jersey. In 1968, Bashir Hameed joined the Black Panther Party while residing in Oakland CA. Once he returned to New Jersey, he became Deputy Chairman of the New Jersey Chapter of BPP. Bro. Bashir Hameed was currently serving a sentence of 25 years to life. For those who may not know: FBI documents obtained during the 70’s reveal that during this time Bashir Hameed [born James D. York on 1940-12-01 — 30 August 2008] was a member of the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Ammy. He became a COINTELPRO target. He was charged and convicted of the murder and the attempted mur- der of two police officers in April 1981. This conviction came as a direct result of his political activity. Bashir Hameed and his co-defendant, Abdul Maiid, aka Anthony LaBorde, were tried three times. There first trial ended in a hung jury divided along racial lines, The second trial was declared a mistrial by the judge immediately after the jury rendered a decision that acquitted Bashir on the murder charge. At a third trial, they were eventually convicted for murder. ABCEF’s Statement on Bashir Hameed’s Passing The Anarchist Black Cross Federation regrets 1o report that Freedom Fighter Bashir Hameed (AKA James York) passed away on the evening of August 30th 2008, We extend our sympathy to his family. friends, and comrades, in and outside of the walls Aservice was held on the morning September 4th, 2008 at Dar Ul Islam of Elizabeth and was well attended by family, friends, and by people from various Black Liberation, "Muslim, and _Political- Prisoner/POW support communities which had been touched by his life and work. The Imam explained that the first enet of Islam is (0 take care of one’s well-being. Bashir, like other freedom fighters, took that prin- ciple to mean taking care of other people as well. He saw his own life as inextricably connceted with the lives and well-being of ather people, especially the oppressed. After a simple service, the community proceeded to the nearby cemetery. Appropriately enough Bashir Hameed was buried with care through the collective work of family and community members, taking turns and passing the shovels to one another. Some folks gathered afterward to share food and then take tums sharing memories of the man’s life. Family mem. bers shared memories of his guidance to $ them in the telephone conversations that ‘made him present in their lives during the long_incarceration. Long-time political organizers remembered the guidance and collaboration they received from him over the decades. On Sepiember 22nd the New Black Panther Party held 2 New Jersey Peoples’ Tribute to Bashir Hameed at Waset Kommuniversity at 271 So. 9th Street in Newark, New Jersey with speakers from the New Black Panther Party as well as the original Black Panther Party. Comrades Gathered at Brother Bashir Hameed’s Resting Place A Political Memorial to Bashir Hameed, held by the Jericho Movement and others, will ook place on December 13, 2008 from Ito 5 pm. at the House of the Lord Church, 415 Adlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY. During the spring and summer, Bashir Hameed had been physically suffering and was continuously denied any kind of med- ical attention or care. Afler he confinued to suffx medical neglect through the month of May despite support and agitation, the ABCF was able to assist the Hameed/ York family and comrades from Malcolm X S](anarchist-black-cross-federation-update-51-winter-2008 8.png)
![Continued from page 4 nightin jai before being released on his own signature by Douglas County prosecutors after being arested for conspiracy 1o commit murder. House never was formally charged for his role in providing dynamite to Peak and i a suspected police informant. Upon further committee questioning, Platner returned to the dynaite discovered in July and described the bust that Swanson would later not tell the jury about. "We received information from a party that had been approached to buy dynamite. We had bim buy it and he bought 10 sticks. It was 2xl6-inch sticks. He came back later and Said he could buy more of this dynamite. So we set up for him to buy and then we were going to move in before it was deliv- ered. We did move in and arested three young men in a car. In their possession they had 41 sticks of this same type of dynamite.” "Two and a half by 16-inch. This i Red Cross du Pont S0 percent strength dyna- mite...(Wlhen these individuals were arstcd in July, | called back and talked to the owner and the manager of Quick Supply and described the dynamite....He said iF this was 2 by 16-inch sticks, ha was almost positive it had o be their dyna. mite. Quick Supply ordered thousand pounds of dynamite on a specia order from the du Pont Company specifying 16 inches long and 2 _inches in diameter. Thi, as understand i, i an unusually large size of dynamite to be used in quarrics for blasting purposes. Sergeant Gladson checked back with the manufacturer of the dynanit, and they told him that was the oy shipment of that size dynamite n the year 1970." Larry Minard, fathe of five young chil- dren, was buried on what would have been his 30th birthday Duane Peak, the confessed bomber, walked free aftef @ couple of years of juve. nile detention for his implication of the two Panther leaders. The anonymous caller who set the lethal trap was never identified or apprehended following J. Edgar Hoover’s intervention in the case and Peak was allowed to claim he made the call without a voice analysis to substantiate his claim. Vocal expert Tom Owen has since conclud- ed that Peak did not make the fatal cal. The four men with dynamite, Raleigh House, Luther Payne, Lamont Mitchell and Conrad Gray all ended up with their changs dismissed. Mondo we Langa denies having any dynamite in his basement and both he and Ed Poindexter continue to deny any involvement in Minard’s murder. Boih men are imprisoned with life sentences at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Poindexter has a new trial request pending before the Nebraska Supreme Court over withheld evidence and conflicting police testimony. No date for a decision has been announced. The Anarchist Subsistence Program The Anarchist Subsistence Program secks to pro- vide material aid to those PP/POWs who come from our own anarchist/anti-authoritarian community. ’As with the Warchest, this program is designed to aid PP/POWs who receive little financial aid However, it is unique because it exclusively assisis those from the anarchist/anti-authoritarian communi- ty. Over the last few years there has been an increase of anarchist/anti-authoritarian PP/POWs. Most of these new prisoners have support committees who raise awareness and funds on their behalf. Long held anarchist/anti-authoritarian PP/POWs have had their support overshadowed by these new cases. This pro- gram s designed to ensure that support for them Temains consistent The two functions of this support campaign include a monthly financial assistance and forty 43¢ postage stamps per month. Supporters of the ‘Anarchist Subsistence Program send whatever funds. they can to Philadelphia ABC (who facilitates the program) who in turn distributes the funds among anarchist political prisoners who participate in the program. All U.S. supporters also take turns sending the stamps directly to Philadelphia ABC. isted here are the monthly check documentation and rotation of groups sending stamps. If you want to support this important program and help us expand the number of Anarchist Subsistence Program cam- paigns we run, contact Philadelphia ABC. Make checks _or mnney‘ orders out only to: TIM FAS- NACHT. Funds should be sent in the last week of the. month before the month the funds will be used (i.c. send March funds in the 3rd week of February). ( Stamp Schedule Jan- Philadelphia Feb- Los Angeles March- Philadelphia April- Los Angeles Send a check or money order to Philadelphia ABCF made out to Tim Fasnacht for forty 43¢ stamps in the last week of the month before the month for which RS R Philadelphia ABCF e n o 0 0 o o 0 o 0 10 s 0o o P.O Box 42129 Dhaen £ 8 85 5 it iR 88 Philadelphia, PA 19101 | 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-51-winter-2008 14.png)
ABCF
UPDATE
QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE ABCF
Fall/Win 2008 "Any movement that does not support their political internees is a sham movement.” - O. Lutalo ssue #51
Bashir Hameed: A Fallen Comrade Remembered
What is the Anarchist Black Cross Federation?
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, emerged to
provide aid in other Easter 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 1920 and until 1938, the organ-
ization worked under various other 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
reemerged in 1967 in London, England
Once again ABC chapters spread throughout
the globe providing support for imprisoned
comrades. Sadly, by the end of the 19705
only a handful of ABC chapters still existed.
T the 805, however, the ABC began fo 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:
“Crucially important to maintaining the anarchist integrity of this
e e e S A e
are fieely autonomous to take on whatever nitiatives they can to
The ABCF i
Prisoner Committee
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)
Certain Days 2009 Calendar
JAX ABC
PO Box 350302
Jacksonille, FL 32235
further the Unity of Purpose of the ABCE. So long as these initia- | | BILL DUNNE SEKOU KAMBUI
ivesdo no contradic any prexisting agreements(Tacicl #10916-086 (W. TURK)
Lnity) that have been madc by the ABCR it i not necessary for | gox 2068 #113058 / Box 56
v
otk oftother NBCF collectives. [from the ABCF Conditution | |12 KY 41224 SCC (B1-21)
i Stouctore] Elmore, AL 36025
OJORE LUTALO
‘The following definitions are used to describe the below terms || #59860 / Box 861 JAAN LAAMAN
whenever they appear in the ABCF Update or any other ABCF || Trenton, NJ 08625 #Wa1414
literature. BOX 100
Political Prisoner (PP): A person incarcerated for actions car- ’““B‘:LL&'B’;T'"E g;;;'; Walpole, MA
ried out insupport of egiimatesimgeles for el deermimation | £217
or for crrposlng the illegal policies of the government and/or its | | Box 51
political bdivision. [Special Internatonal Tribunal on the || Comstock, NY
Violation of Human Rights of PPPOWs in U.S. Prisons and | | 12821
Jails, Dec. "90]
Prisoner of War (POW): Those combatanis sirggling against || MbAukbMAMARGAGl st
colonial and alien domination and racist regimes captured as ARCATAABC NJABC
prisoners ar to be accorded the status of prisoner of war and PO Box 360 No Current Address
Arcata, CA 95518
NYC ABC
PO Box 110034
Brookiyn, NY 11211
PHILLY ABC
42 GORGEOUS FULL-COLOR PAGES OF LOS ANGELES ABC PO Box 42129
ART AND WRITINGS! A GREAT FUNDRAISER PO Box 11223 Philadelphia, PA 19101
FOR GROUPS! AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBU-
TION TO GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING! AND A
Whitier, CA 90603
0 TORONTO ABC
MEANINGFUL GIFT MONTREAL ABC PO Box 97048
Certain Days - a QPIRG Concordia working group PO Box 42053 RPO Roncescalles Ave
QPIRG Concordia o ‘Succ. Jeanne Mance Toronto, Ontario
1500 de Maisonneuve Ouest, suite 204 Monireal QC M6R 383 Canaca
S14-48-7583 fox: S14-848-7554 HoW 273 Canada
www.abcf.net
$
U 51 FALLWINTER 200
NEWS FR
M TH,
FRONT
Daniel McGowan Moved
Danicl McGowan seems to be on the
move yet again. Currently he is at the fol-
lowing address, but please be advised it can
change at a moments notice:
Danicl McGowan 63794053
Columbia County Jail
403 Jackson Street
Portage, WI 53901
Ruchell Magee Moved
Ruchell Cinque Magee was recently
transferred 1o 2 new location. His new
address is™
Ruchell Cingue Magee
#A92051 C-2107L
CSATF/ State Prison Corcoran
PO. Box 5242
Corcoran, CA 93212
Alberto Torres Hearing Date
Carlos Albert Torres parole hearing
will be during the week of January 19th
This is two months carlier than was origi-
nally anticipated.
Mexican Anarchist Freed
After 7 years, 3 months, and 21 days
behind bars in Mexico City, Carlos Alberto
Estrada Arroyo has finally been released.
He was released on Friday, September Sth
Carlos is an anarchist who was framed on
false charges of robbery. It s believed that
he was framed because of his participation
in local student strike and other communi-
ty actions.
Olga Nevskaya is Freed
Olza Nevskaya, the last imprisoned
defendantof the group, the New
Revolutionary Alternative (NRA), has been
released afer 6 years of imprisonment, The
NRA is an anarchist organization devoted
to insurrectionary struggle in Russia. The
group surfaced in 1996 in protest of the
Chechen War and has targeted conscription
centers, military and police stations. In
2003, Nevskaya and two other women
were convicted for the actions carried out
by the NRA.
Sherman Austin’s New Baby
At 112 am on Saturday, November
15th, Sherman Austin (Former anarchist
political prisoner) and his partner had a
baby boy. The baby weighed Ibs.14 oz.
and’ was named Akinyemi Huehuetlahtos,
aname that is both west african and indige”
nous and means “fated/destined to be a
warrior” and “speaks like a drum.” It is no
doubt that Sherman will be an excellent
dad. Sherman certainly has his hands busy
raising our future revolutionary warior.
Harold Thompson Passes On
1942 - 2008
Anarchist prisoner and jailhouse lawyer,
Harold Thompson, passed away on
Monday, November 10th. According to his
website he passed away after suffering a
heart attack. Those who knew and support-
ed Thompson will surely miss his spirit and
determination.
Herman Wallace Hospitalized
Herman Wallace, incarceraied member
of the Angola 3, was hospitalized for a
short time on 11/28 after passing out during.
a visit. Wallace is reported 1o be doing fine
but the community still has a watchful eye
on his health.
Chubbuck Has New Address
According to the BOP website
Chubbuck's address has changed. His new
address.
Byron Shane Chubbuck
#07909-051
501 Capital Circle, NE
Tallahassee, FL 32301
RNC: Man Sentenced for Act
A 26-yearold man from Washington
state who slashed tires on a delegate bus
during the Republican National
Convention in St. Paul was sentenced on
December 121h to three years of probation
and 100 hours of community service.
Joseph M. Robinson pleaded guilty
Sept. 19 in Ramsey County District Court
to first-degree damage to property. He was
among 18 adults and one juvenile charged
with felonies in conneetion with the Sept
1-4 convention and was the first to plead
guilty. He was given credit for the 23 days
e has spent in custody.
RNC: 29 Charges Dropped
St Pauls city attorney’s offce dropped
ing the RNC. The cases consisted of 15
stmming from the KNC. Of those, 171
reviewd or have. been setld. Twenty:
The 400 or so arests from th last day
of the convention have ye o be delt i
RNC: DePalma Pleads Guilty
In Gctober, Matt DePalma, a Michigan
anarchist, has pleaded guilty in federal
court 10 possessing Molotov cockiils.
DePalma had made at least five
Molotov cocktails by the time he was
arrested on August 28 in a Minneapolis
apartment. He had allegedly told an FBI
informant he planned to attack the Xcel
Energy Center in St. Paul, where the con-
vention was held
He faces @ maximum penalty of 10
years in prison,
RNC: McKay and Crowder
The case targeting two RNC protesters,
David McKay and Bradley Crowder, has
been postponed.
The two were allegedly part of an
Austin, Texas-based group that planned to
use Malotov cockiails 1o destroy property
or injure police during the convention.
Authorities gathered information by
infiltrating an Austin area affinity group as
far back as Feb. 2007
On August 21, 2008, St. Paul police
broke into a U-haul trailer rented by the
Austin activists without @ warrants where
they discovered homemade shields, hel-
mets and batons. Police also uncovered
cight Molotov cocktails at the crashpad
being used by the activists.
While the makeshift riot gear was
deemed_inadmissible, the cockiails will
remain admissible. They face 2 maximum
ten years in prison. No trial date has been
se.
RNC 8: New Charges Added
Lawyers for the RNC & have received a
letter indicating that the charges against the
cight have been amended. Besides the orig-
inal charges of “conspiracy 1o riot in the
second degree in furtherance of terrorism”
they have also added three new charges:
1. Conspiracy to riot in the second
degree (without terrorism enhancement)
2. Conspiracy to damage property in
furtherance of terrorism)
3. Conspiracy to damage property
(without terrorism enhancement)
Arcata ABCF Support Group Application
This is a formal proposal for support
group status within the ABCF-
In June of this year we joined LA ABCF
and began doing work for the Free Chip
Fitzgerald campaign. We helped table at
the Summer Solidarity Festival and organ-
ize for Running Down the Walls. It was.
also at this time we began writing fo Ojore
Lutalo and Marshall Eddie Conway. At the
very end of August we moved to Arcata in
Humboldi County and established a P.O.
Box for the formation of Arcata ABC!
Since moving here we have been working
closely with the small but tightly knit radi-
cal population of people of color. This is a
group Ashanti Alston has worked with
closely in the last few years. We were able
o attend and table at the CR10 conference
and establish excellent contacts. We have
-
\
)
several individuals interested in the work
we do, in particular people from the Black
Student Union a1 Humbold State
University. We wish to engage with the
Indigenous populations up here that have
been actively resisting genocide and
resource theft from the govemment and
corporations ke Pacificorp. We also plan
on visiting Hugo "Dahariki” Pinell, one of
the San Quentin Six. who is caged at
Pelican Bay State Prison. We will continue
sparking interest, recruiting members and
organizing support for political prisoners
and prisoners of war.
In solidarity,
Noelle and Sonny
Arcata ABCF-SG
PO Box 380
Arcata, CA 95518
Note: All groups at the October FC meeting approved Arcata ABC as a ABCF Support Group.
""Angola 3" Member to Be Released On Bail After 37 Years
Conviction Overturned, Judge Rules
Albert Woodfox Must be Free During
‘Appeals or Re-trial
Lawyers: Ruling Brings Hope for
Remaining Prisoner, Also Spent 36 Years in
Solitary for Guard's Murder
‘Albert Woodfox, who has spent 37 years
in prison at Angola Penitentiary, must be
released on bail, according 1o a ruling
issued on November 25 by United States
District Judge James Brady. On September
25th, Judge Brady overtumed Woodfox's
conviction for the 1972 murder of prison
guard Brent Miller. Though the State has
announced it intenion to appeal that deci-
sion, until such an appeal is successful,
according (0 today's ruling, there is no con-
Viction on which to hold Woodfox.
In his decision, Judge Brady wrote:
“[Woodfox] is a frail, sickly, middle
aged man who has had an exemplary con-
duct record for over the last twenty years.
‘Atthe hearing before this Court on October
14, 2008, testimony was adduced that if
released Mr. Woodiox would live with his
nicce and her family in a gated subdivision
in Slidell, Louisiana. Mr. Woodfox has
withdrawn that request because of fear of
harm 10 his nicce and her family by neigh-
bors in the community. This change was
brought about by counsel representing the
State of Louisiana contacting the subdivi-
sion home owners association and provi
ing them with information regarding Mr.
Woodfox. The Court is not totally privy o
what information was given 1o the associa-
tion but from the documents filed it is
apparent that the association was not told
M. Woodfox is frail, sickly, and has had a
clean conduct record for more than twenty
Years...this Court GRANTS Mr. Woodfox's
motion for release pending the State's
appeal.”
Herman Wallace, who was also convict-
ed in the murder, remains in prison at
Angola. He has an appeal pending with the
Supreme Court of Louisiana, which is sim-
ilar in content to Woodfox's. successful
appeal. The two men were wrongly con-
victed based largely on the testimony of a
fellow prisoner, Hezekiah Brown, a serial
rapist who was promised and received a
pardon in exchange for his testimony
against them. Brown was the sole professed
eyewitness to the murder, and none of the
physical evidence put Herman or Albert at
the crime scen.
Woodfox's legal team is now working
with the court 10 reach an agreement on a
suitable release location and plan for
Woodfox; once they agree to a plan,
Woodfox will be able 1o leave Angola. The
lawyers anticipate the process to take sev-
eral more days.
Woodfox and Wallace were each held in
solitary confinement from the time of the
murder until last March, after a foderal
court coneluded that their suit alleging that
such confinement for three decades consi-
tutes cruel and unusual punishment could
go forward. A third man, Robert King
Wilkerson, was held in solitary at Angola at
the same time for a different crime; he was
released in 2001 after showing that he had
been wrongfully convicted. The three are
known as the "Angola 3. All black men,
they had been organizing nonviolently for
an end to gang-enforced sex slavery and for
better conditions inside the prison. Angola
at the time was known as the "bloodiest
prison in the U
"This is a major victory in a case where
justice is long overdue. Albert went into
Angola in his twenties, and he's walking
out in his 60s. There is no conviction
against him now, and the state should not
take another day of his life," said Chris
Aberle, Woodfoxs lawyer
“In 37 years, Albert never gave up hope
that someday he would walk out the gates
of Angola. We continue to hope that
Herman will join him soon. Neither of
these men should have spent a day in
Angola for this crime,” said Nick
Trenticosta, also a lawyer in the case.
The casé has attracted attention on the
state and national level. Last spring, US
House Judiciary Committee Chair John
Conyers (D-MI) visited the men, along
with Louisiana _ House Judiciary
Committee Chair Cedric Richmond (D-
101). Richmond has announced his inten-
tion to hold hearings on the case, and
Conyers continues fo monitor develop-
menis.
The state had sought a stay of Judge
Brady's ruling ordering new trial until
the appeal process plays out. Judge Brady
granted that request. The State must now.
cither win its appeals, or will need to
cither release or retry Woodfox within 120
days of the end of ts appeals.
Judge Brady held an initial bail hearing
on October 14th; he postponed issuing a
decision at that time to allow for addition-
al depositions to be taken from Angola
Warden Burl Cain and from a doctor who
had examined Woodfox and his medical
records. The State has now conducted
both of those depositions.
‘The jury that convicted Black Panther
leaders Ed Poindexter and Mondo we Langa
(formerly David Rice) for the August 17
1970 bombing murder of Omaha police offi-
cer Larry Minard never knevw that three men
had been arrested several weeks carlier in the
city with a cache of solen dynamite in their
Nor did the jury know the complaining
witmess about the seized dynamite was the
same detective who later allegedly found
dynamite at the home of Mondo we Langa.
Nor did the jury know that charges for llegal
possession of explosives would quietly be
dropped against the three men caught with
the dynamite within a week of the conclu-
st
sion of the April 1971 murder rial ag
the Panther leaders.
Jack Swanson, a sergeant in the detective
division of the Omaha Police, was the star
police witness against the two Pathers at
trial with bis claim of discovery of dynamite
in the basement of Mondo we Langas resi-
dence. Swanson's claim was supported by
fellow detective Jack Pheffer who testified
he first saw the dynamite when Swanson car-
ried it up the stairs from Mondo's basement,
Pheffer has since contradicted his own trial
testimony and now claims under oath that he,
not Swanson, found dynamite.
“The jury also never knew that the case
they were hearing was a part of Operation
COINTELPRO, & clandestine operation
within the Federal Bureau of Investigation
ditected by 1. Edgar Hoover to "disrupt” the
Black Panther Party and other domestic
political groups he considered_dangerous
Hoover had ordered the withholding of a FBI
&
Mondo we Langa (aka D. Rice)
crime b report on the tape recording of the
phone call that lured Minard 1o his death
according to a written notation on secret
COINTELPRO mema made by lab director
Ivan Willard Conrad.
“The court fles of the three men Luther
Golden Payne, Lamnt Mitchell and Conrad
Deland Gray reveal litle detal of the July
arests and there is no mention of the plea
negotiations that resulted in dismissed
changs. All three men were stll in custody
at he time of the bombing that took Minard's
life and could not have directly partcipated
in the deadly ambush. However, the dyna-
mite was believed by police to be the source
of the explosive in the bomb according o -
e-known testimony before the U.S House
Committee on Internal Securiy.
“The commitiee was the successor 10 the
infamous U.S. House Committee on Un-
American Activities and was busy tying o
justify its controversial existence with an
Investigation into the Black Panthers
Although much of the testimany was on the
national party strucure and distribution of
the party newsleter, one commitice member,
Rep. Willam . Sherle from Council Bluff,
fowa, lived just across the Missouri River
from Omaha and tumed the commitiee hear-
ing room into his own soapbox against the
Omaha Panthers. Scherle's ntrest led o the
estimony of an Omaha Police captain,
Murdock Pltner, about both the Minard
bombing and the dynamite scized by
Swanson in July. information kept confiden.
tial in Omaha.
Captain Planer’s story. given under oath
in Washington D.C. was never reported in
Omaka and kept from the jury during the
murder tial. Platner testifid about several
ather bombings tha had occurred in Omaha
and throughout the Midswest in the summer
of 1970 when his Congressional questioners
tumed to the dynamite seized by Swanson
and the dynaite used in the Minard killng
“Investigation revealed this bomb con-
sistd of three 2x16 inch sticks of dynamite,
a battery. blasting cap and was triggered by
a clothespin type swich. The string atached
o the wedge was passed through a hole in
the suitcase when the bomb was detonated."
"A lo-year old Black Panther [Duane
Peak] was arested for the murder and iny
cated the Deputy Chairman. Edvward
Poindexter. and Deputy Minister of
Information, David Ricé [Mondo we Langa),
of the NCCF party, who were arested and
have been ordered to stand tial in distrct
court for murder. Dynamite similar to that
tolen rom the Quick Supply in Des Moines
Detective Jack Swanson withheld stolen dynamite
arrests from jury in 'Omaha Two' bombing
by Michael Richardson (a freelance writer from Boston)
Edward Poindexter
was found in the home of one of the abov.
Itis believed it is part of the supply from
which the bombs were made."
“On July 28, 1970, three young Negroes,
one who is an ex-Panther, were arrested with
41 2x16-inch sticks of dynamite in the car.
“This is aso similar (o the dynamite taken in
bundary in Des Moines of Quick Supply."
I could not tell you what type of dyna-
mite it was that exploded. I can tell you this,
that one of the suspects in this, Duane Peak,
a 16-year old boy who was arested, testified
in a preliminary hearing...he testified that
David Rice brought a suitcase filled with
dynamite 1o his house or to somebody's
house, 1 am not for sure just which place;
that they removed all the dynamite from the
suitcase except three sticks: made the bomb,
the triggering device, and 5o on, and put it
together: and then packed the suitcase with
newspapers and that he left with this suit-
“"Now I am a ltle hesitant to go into the
rest of this because there is 2 trial yet 10 be
held. 1 donst know what I should say."
But Planer had already said t00 much,
mis-stating Peak's preliminary hearing testi-
‘mony where Peak testified he was given the
dynamite by 23-year old Raleigh House.
Platner, familiar with House, told Scherle's
commiftee that "Rawleigh Bryant House”
was a "Negro male” and the deputy minister
of finance of the Omaha Panther group.
Raleigh House, the named supplier of
dynamite used in the Minard bombing
according to Peak, had a curious get-out-of-
jail-free Tuck that netted him only a single
Continued on page 13
Ojore’s Release Not So Certain as Hoped
Long time New Afrikan Anarchist
Political Prisoner, Ojore N. Lutalo was set
to max out after 26 years of imprisonment
at New Jersey State Prison. And while
supporters received the date of December
25th as his release date, celebrations have
currently been put on hold.
News has been sent that he may not be
released as soon as we had hoped.
Currently the NJ_ DOC site has his max
date as October 23, 2009
Supporters belicve this may be an
atempt to exclude his good time/work
credits he has carned despite his NJ
Superior Court victory in 2007 over this
Very issue. The case overtumed a charge
the prison convicted him of in 2005. This
charge/conviction took away around a
year of good time/work credits. This
Process is still ongoing and we will update
people with any changes.
In the meantime, the Anarchist Black
Cross Federation (ABCF) is initiating a
fundraising drive to support Ojore, once
he i released, in order for him t0 transi-
tion back to the streets. Money is needed
to help Ojore sccure housing, food and
clothing. This financial assistance will
allow Ojore to make the transition more
smoothly, knowing that money and hous-
ing is't an_immediate pressing matter,
giving him the needed time to readjust to
the streets, that he hasn't seen or experi-
enced since 1982.
As many former prisoners and. their
supporters know, coming back home after
a doing a long stretch i prison is difficult
and without a support base it will be even
more difficult. The ABCF, anarchists and
‘many PP/POW activists who have main-
tainéd contact and supported Ojore over
the years, have benefited immensely from
the example that he's set as what it means
to be a revolutionary. His untiring
advice/criticism to us has helped many of
us and our organizations grow politically
and deepen, not only our commitment to
the struggle to free political prisoners and
prisoners of war, bu o that of building a
revolutionary movement
We encourage all activisis 1o orzanize
fundraisers or donate whatever they can
towards Ojore’s release fund.
All funds, by check or money order,
payable to TIM FASNACHT, can be sent
o
Philadelphia ABCF
P.0 Box 42129
Philadelphia, Pa 19101
SF8 Defendant to Make Court Appearance on Bogus Drug Charge
Harold Taylor was arrested last December in Florida on a baseless charge of “attempted purchase
of cocaine.” Several people were swept up in a neighborhood sweep and sting operation at that
time. Harold’s case has coincidentally received unusual attention by the Florida court which is now
fastdracking his prosecution after many months of inactivity. He is scheduled to go to trial on
October 23rd at 8:30 am at the Bay County Courthouse - 300 East 4th Street in Panama City,
Florida. As you can read in the letter from his San Francisco lawyer that follows, this prosecution is
aresult of a new judge and prosecutor taking over, not upon any substantial or new evidence.
r
Friends,
It clear from the arrest and all the
surrounding circumstances that the
charge against Harold in Florida is total.
Iy baseless. A thorough search of his per-
Son and his van resulted in NO seizure of
any substances, legal or illegal. Further,
NO allegation is even made that any
money was produced. Harold was swept
up in'a sting operation in which numer-
ous individuals were arrested. All except
Harold were alleged to have actually
made a purchase. None of them were
with him when he was arrested. He has
NO drug history!! In short, Harold was in
the wrong place at the wrong time. He
had gone to this neighborhood to thank
some of the peaple that had written let.
ters of support for him when he was seek-
ing release on bail in San Francisco.
News of his arrest spread quickly
and he was bailed out shortly after he
appeared in a Florida court.
Just days carlier he had appeared on
“Democracy Now” with host Amy
Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, and attend-
ed a press conference held by the World
Council of Churehes at Riverside Church
announcing international support for the
SF8 launched by Archbishop Desmond
Tutu and other Nobel Laureates.
Harold has every inention of fight-
ing the charges in San Francisco and
Florida. In light of the torture he suffered
in New Orleans in 1973, his strength and
character in the face of this latest ordeal
are amazing. The stress this has caused
for him and his family is overwhelming.
Randy Montesano,
Harold Taylor's atiorney in the San
Francisco § case
NYC ABCF Report from 10/10
In the Summer of 2007, New York City munity-based component. To that end, it ing them connected to their communities.
Anarchist Black Cross (NYC ABCF-SG) was decided that a second event, on Statements from current political prisoners
initiated a series of summits with the inten- October 11th, should be organized. Ten-ten were also read.
tion of bringing together all political pris- became a weekend of resistance, with Whereas NYC ABC took responsibility
oner support groups in the metropolitan October 10th including the delegation to for the bulk of the organizing for 10/10, we
area. Eventually encompassing over 10 the United Nations. a march, and an played a more supportive role on 10/11.
groups, the coalition chose to focus their evening concertfund raiser and the 11th which took place in Harlem and tageted
first energies on commemorating the 10th including a rally and sreet march. African-Americans and_Puerlo Ricans
anniversary of the Jericho Movement. Eventually it became evident that it made from those communitics. The exception to
October 10th was chosen zs the date for 3 the most sense for NYC ABC to bottom- this was NYC ABC's role of providing
march on the United Nations to demand line organizing the rally and street march child care for this days evenis. 10/11
freedom for political prisoners and prison- on October 10h included two spirited rallies, the first at the
ers of war, and to draw intemational atten- On Friday, October 10th over 200 folks Harlem State Office Building and the sec-
tion 1o their plight. gathered at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, ond at Morningside Park. Between these
For the next several months, the groups directly across from the United Nations in rallies was a permitied street march that
made connections with a diverse range of midiown Manhattan. Organizations and drew in folks from the neighborhood and
o rganizations in order to get their endorse- individuals showed up energized and with helped remind folks that members of their
ments and participation in 10/10. NYC their flags, banners, and posters to draw ~communities are in prison for political
ABC and other members of the coalition attention to political prisoners and prison- beliefs and actions.
tapped both personal and political relation- ers of war. Included in this mix were 45 The October 10th weekend of resistance
ships to make as broad a base of support s folks holding leters that spelled out "frec- helped recharge a movement that does not
possible. This effort also served to get dom for political prisoners and prisoners of get to celebrate that many victories.
orgnizations to prioritize political prison- war." After a short and spirited rally and Marching, unpermited, through New York
ers and prisoners of war where they hadn't simultancous picket, groups poured into City's strces brought people from dis-
been before. Additionally, bridges were the sireet. 200 strong and with no permit, parate movements together and reminded
built betwween movements that hadn't previ- midtown Manhattan traffic was snarled a5 us of the power we have when we come
ously worked with each other. While the the group held entire streets and avenues, together. Seeing New Afiikans, animals
focus for 10/10 was mostly regional, it was covering sbout 25 blocks and ending at rights activists, anarchists, former Black
an international event with folks traveling Madison Square Park. Bike scouts radioed Panthers, New Black Panther Party mem.-
from Canada and Denmark. 10 2 base unit inside the march 1o report bers, former political prisoners, and mili-
As organizing became more grounded police movements, which were minimal. tants & revolutionaries of varying stripes
and groups & individuals not initilly a As the march neared its end, two NYPD marching together (while understanding
part ofthe coalifion became more involved cruisers attempted to slow and stop the that there are overlaps across those move-
in the organizing for 10/10, the focus group, to no avail. A smaller group was ments as well) was powerful and a strong
became broader, into something both inter- waiting at_the park 10 welcome the first project for this coalition to have
national and local. The coalition decided marchers and had information tables and 2 undertaken. _Certainly more will come
that having delegation meet with digni- sound system set up. At the rally following from this coalition and you will be among
taries in the United Nations was useful, but the march, former political prisoners spoke the first o hear about it
needed to be complemented with a com-
Sara (Trnto) Speaking out!
¢
Tribute to Comrade Bashir Hameed
On the evening of August 30 2008, BLA POW,
Bashir Hameed, passed away. Over the last year,
aided by the consistent denial of adequate medical
care, Bashir's health had been slowly deteriorating.
While public pressure seemed to have had some
success getling the prison administration to provide
the medical care, it seems the care did not come
quickly enough to improve Hameeds health.
Bashir Hameed was born and raised in New
Jersey. In 1968, Bashir Hameed joined the Black
Panther Party while residing in Oakland CA. Once he returned to New Jersey, he became Deputy
Chairman of the New Jersey Chapter of BPP. Bro. Bashir Hameed was currently serving a sentence of 25
years to life.
For those who may not know: FBI documents obtained during the 70's reveal that during this time Bashir
Hameed [born James D. York on 1940-12-01 — 30 August 2008] was a member of the Black Panther Party
and the Black Liberation Ammy.
He became a COINTELPRO target. He was charged and convicted of the murder and the attempted mur-
der of two police officers in April 1981. This conviction came as a direct result of his political activity. Bashir
Hameed and his co-defendant, Abdul Maiid, aka Anthony LaBorde, were tried three times.
There first trial ended in a hung jury divided along racial lines, The second trial was declared a mistrial by
the judge immediately after the jury rendered a decision that acquitted Bashir on the murder charge. At a
third trial, they were eventually convicted for murder.
ABCEF’s Statement on Bashir Hameed’s Passing
The Anarchist Black Cross Federation
regrets 1o report that Freedom Fighter
Bashir Hameed (AKA James York) passed
away on the evening of August 30th 2008,
We extend our sympathy to his family.
friends, and comrades, in and outside of the
walls
Aservice was held on the morning
September 4th, 2008 at Dar Ul Islam of
Elizabeth and was well attended by family,
friends, and by people from various Black
Liberation, "Muslim, and _Political-
Prisoner/POW support communities which
had been touched by his life and work. The
Imam explained that the first enet of Islam
is (0 take care of one’s well-being. Bashir,
like other freedom fighters, took that prin-
ciple to mean taking care of other people as
well. He saw his own life as inextricably
connceted with the lives and well-being of
ather people, especially the oppressed.
After a simple service, the community
proceeded to the nearby cemetery.
Appropriately enough Bashir Hameed was
buried with care through the collective
work of family and community members,
taking turns and passing the shovels to one
another. Some folks gathered afterward to
share food and then take tums sharing
memories of the man’s life. Family mem.
bers shared memories of his guidance to
$
them in the telephone conversations that
‘made him present in their lives during the
long_incarceration. Long-time political
organizers remembered the guidance and
collaboration they received from him over
the decades.
On Sepiember 22nd the New Black
Panther Party held 2 New Jersey Peoples’
Tribute to Bashir Hameed at Waset
Kommuniversity at 271 So. 9th Street in
Newark, New Jersey with speakers from
the New Black Panther Party as well as the
original Black Panther Party.
Comrades Gathered at Brother Bashir Hameed's Resting Place
A Political Memorial to Bashir Hameed,
held by the Jericho Movement and others,
will ook place on December 13, 2008 from
Ito 5 pm. at the House of the Lord
Church, 415 Adlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY.
During the spring and summer, Bashir
Hameed had been physically suffering and
was continuously denied any kind of med-
ical attention or care. Afler he confinued to
suffx medical neglect through the month
of May despite support and agitation, the
ABCF was able to assist the Hameed/ York
family and comrades from Malcolm X
S
Commemoration Commitice, Malcolm X
Grassroots Movement, and Jericho
Movement by coordinating call-in days.
during the month of June o supplement
the existing campaign targeting NY
Governor Paterson and others and demand.-
ing immediate medical atiention as well as
a transfer back to Sullivan Correctional
Facilty. By carly July. though he was never
transferred out of Great Meadow, Hameed
was recelving the requested care and test-
ing thanks to consistent agitation from his.
family and supporters. Bashir Hameed and
his wife and family sent words of appreci-
ation out to the community and get well-
cards came into the prison in response. In
August, Bashir Hameed was diagnosed
with pancreatic cancer. Again supporters
Sent get-well cards and waited. Others vis-
ited as often as they could.
In September 2008 NYC ABCE
received a card from the family saying,
“Thank you for all of your help during my
brother's struggle. He is “free’ now.”
Bashir Hameed was born and raised in
New Jersey. In 1968, Bashir Hameed
joined the Elack Panther Party while resid-
ing in Ozkland CA. Once he returned to
New Jersey, he became Deputy Chairman
of the New lersey Chapter of BPP. FBI
documents obtained during the 70's reveal
that during this time Bashir became a
COINTELPRO target. He was charged and
convicted of the murder and the attempied
murder_of two police officers in April
1981 This conviction came as a direct
Tesult_of his political activity. Bashir
Hameed and his _co-defendant, Abdul
Majid were tried three times. Their frst
trial ended in a hung jury divided along
racial lines, The second trial was declared
mistrial by the judge immediately afte the
jury rendered a decision that acquitied
Bashir on the murder charge. At a third
rial, they were eventually convicted for
‘murder. Bashir received a sentence of 25
years. During his time behind bars he never
Stopped organizing towards community
empowerment both inside the prison and
through his family and comrades outside.
He is present in the ongoing struggle and
will not be forgotten. (his paragraph adapt.-
ed from the Malcolm X Grassroots
Movement webpage)
Russell Shoats on Bashir Hameed’s Passing
For over 40 years, Bashir Hameed, dedicated his life o the struggle for Black Liberation and the uplifting of humanity in general
As a former member of both the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army, and later long held political prisoner, he
NEVER tired in giving his al
Every day across the globe thousands die without ever having struck a blow against oppression.
Not Bashir! For decades he remained a lion against those who strive to keep us oppressed. An example of the type of dedication that
will one day seize the masses of downtrodden and propel them to sweep away all manner of injustice
Uniil then, we will remember the Martyr Bashir Hameed and draw strength and courage from the selfless example he set.
LONG LIVE THE MARTYR BASHIK HAMEED!
Russell Maroon Shoatz
Marie Mason Accepts Plea Agreement
On September 8, 2008, Marie Mason, an
IWW member and environmental activist,
accepted a plea bargain offered by the fed.
eral authoritics.
Mason was arrested in March 2008 and
chargd with four felony offenses, which
were related to two 1999 actions of cco-
sabotage in which no one was hurt
Masons arrest was based on information
provided by Frank Ambrose, Mason’s for-
mer husband, who unbeknownst o her had
been cooperating with authorities for a
number of years, and who entered his own
plea bargain in March of 2008,
Mason has been an activist in the envi-
ronmental and labor movement for 25
years, and has resisted cooperating with
‘authorities in a number grand jurics. Since
her arrest, Mason and her lawyer have been
pushing for a non-cooperating agreement
of the kind that other “Green Scare™
arrestees have been able to get from west
coast prosecutors.
However, federal prosecutors _in
Michigan have refused to offer her a simi-
lar deal. The only plea-bargain offered was
for 15-20 years but which required her to
implicate other activists by _name.
Additionally it was stipulated that if Mason
did not accept this offer by Friday,
‘September 5. prosecutors were going to ask
for Life at the trial, and also indict her on
new charges relating 1o two other eco-sab-
otage actions. Mason refused this offer
since it required her providing information
against other activists and prepared 1o go to
trial
On September 3, two hours before the
deadline, federal prosecutors relented and
offered a new deal, which required Mason
only to name Frank Ambrose in her plea
bargin. No information that Ambrose had
not already provided was required from
her. Additionally,the plea bargain included
clauses that do not require her 1o perform
any debriefs (as other non-cooperating
Green Scare arrestees did) and did not
require any additional testimony.
Mason consulted with several @fferent
attorneys concerning this offer, including
Lauren Regan of the Civil Liberties
Defense Center in Eugene, Oregon. Their
conclusion was that, despite the fact that
Mason would be required to name Ambrose
in her deal, no activists would be hurt by
this_agreement, including Ambrose him-
self. The likely reason that Mason is
required to name Ambrose is because one
of the four charges against Mason is “con-
spiracy”, and another person is required to
be named for the charge
After holding out for six months and
preparing 1o 2o to trial rather than compro-
mise other activist, this is not the deal that
Mason would like o accept, but it is the
only option that federal authorities have
o ffered. Because of the cooperation of her
former_husband_ Ambrose, there is no
expectation that Mason would win a jury
trial Part of this decision is also the long
sentences handed to the very few Green
Scare arrestees who have gone to trail, such
as Eric MeDavid, as is the intense financial
and emotional sirain that this process is
taking on Mason's immediate family.
Mason thanks her supporters for all their
efforis. She understands that some of them
will be unhappy with her decision to accept
a plea bargain which names only Frank
Ambrose, even though no additional infor-
mation is provided about him which he has
not already divulged by him, and that her
own predicament is because of his choice
to cooperate with authories.
However, after holding out for six
months in hope of a full non-cooperating
plea, and preparing 0 go to rial despite the
impact it will have on her family and her
future, she has decided to accept this offer
In the spirit of full transparency, the plea
bargin will be made public shortly.
(Mason will be sentence on February 5,
2009)
Maric is currently held at the address
listed below. Please send her letter
Marie Jeanetie Mason
Newaygo County Jail
PO. Box 845
White Cloud, MI 49349
Victory for Zolo Agona Azania
On the eve of his third death penalty
trial the State of Indiana finally abandoned
their 27-year campaign 1o execute Zolo
Azania. Dismissing all the death penalty
changs, the State agreed to have Zolo sen-
tenced on his 1982 murder and robbery
conviction. Under the sentence imposed,
with good time credit, Zolo will now be
released from prison in 7 years. He will be
immediately released from death row. Also,
under the terms of the agreement he will be
allowed to challenge his 1982 convictions
in federal habeas proceedings.
“This is a real victory for all Zolo's sup-
porters and all of those who oppose the
death penalty.
Below is a statement released by Zolo:
I'am glad that the State has finally
o fred me this opportunity o plan a lfe on
the outside. I can use that freedom to work
for justice for others, and, of course, to
establish a way of sustaining my life on' my
I feel that God has given me many gifis;
‘and with these gifts then 1 would be able to
take care of myself and do good for others
I'have matured in many ways over these
stressful 27 plus years. I see things quite
differently now than in that carly stage of
my life.
il resolutely maintain my innocence.
By this agreement the State gives up the
déath penalty request. My next course of
action will be to go on into the federal
court system to expose the many injustices.
Lwill Continue to contest my innocence in
the murder. | am angry over the numerous
ways that I've been mistreated by the judi-
cial sanction system. | was illegally piaced
in this untenable position by the Indiana
Supreme Court when they took back my
dismissal of the case for fast and speedy
trial violation, and authorized the prosecu-
ton 1o retry me for the death penalty for
the third time! Nonetheless, | will continue
to contest my innocence in this murder. |
am angry over the numerous ways I've
been mistreated by the system that some
call justice-a term of relativity. Therefore,
the protracted struggle continues!
“Thank you.
Zolo Agona Azania #4969
PO. Box 41
Michigan City, Indiana 46361-0041
INDLANA STATE DRiscM
NARCH, 18,1954 WT. 165
HT.6°C DO |2 (2 54
COMMITNENT NANE
L AVERNART R L
LEGAL NANE
— AZANIA Z A
poc 4969
Independentistas Face Continued Harassment
‘The independenista organizations that
comprise the Table of Solidarity Against
Repression denounce the ongoing perse
tion by the FBI and other repressive agen-
cies of the United States government
against compafieros who struggle for the
independence of Puerto Rico. The pattern
of harassment of independentistas since the
assassination of Filiberto Ojeda Rios on
September 23, 2005 has not stopped, but
rather, has increased.
Early morning on October 28, 2008,
several vehicles full of FBI agents pene.
trated the neighborhood where the well
knownindependentista Norberto. Cintron
Fiallo lives, and waited until he left his
house for wark. During most of the morn-
ing, four vehicles follow the compafiero
while he carried out his work as an investi-
ator for the Legal Assistance Society. The
Companero detected them and headed
toward the central offices of his employer
in Rio Piedras. From there he phoned his
attomeys and several media outlets. The
four FBI vehicles parked strategically
around the offices of the Legal Assistance
Society and stayed there, surveilling the
area around the building, untl mid-afler-
‘The Table of Solidarity denounces this
new act of repression against an indepen-
dentista which, in this case, follows an
established pattern against” compaficro
Norberto Cintzon Fiallo for more than 30
years. This pattem has included, among
other things, the fabrication of cases, sur-
veillance, searches, and imprisonment for
his refusal 10 accept the jurisdiction of the
foderal Grand Jury.
The Table of Solidarity Against
Repression states that companero Norberto
Cintrén Fiallo is not alone. He has and will
have our solidarity and support in every
sense of the ward. We call upon our people,
who have also received the impact of inter.
Ventions from this same reprassive agency
of the intervening government in our
homeland, to stand in soldarity with com-
pafiero Norberto, who has dedicated his.
life and struggle for the well being of and
Justice for the Puerto Rican people.
The Table of Solidarity reminds you
that we must not let the FBI provoke us.
Instructions are not to be intimidated, not
to answer questions, to remain silent, to
phone your attorney as soon as possible,
and don't fall prey to provocation. Every
act of persecution by the repressive ager-
cies of the LS. should be denounced. The
peaple must be on the alert to mobilize and
denounce every attack against compafieros
and compaeras who struggle for true sov-
ercignty and freedom of Puerto Rico. Be
aware of the agents’ movements. Make
Rote of the license plate numbers of their
vehicles and call the news media. We must
all proteet ourselves from this monster who
interferes in our homeland to defend the
political interests of the powerful,
The Table of Solidarity Against
Repression formed in December of 2007 o
support three young Puerto Rican residents.
of New York who were subpoenaed to a
federal Grand Jury to testify in an investi-
gation of the Popular Boricua
‘Army-Macheteros. Since then it has con-
tinued 1o meet, doing unitary work and
work in solidarity against repression, and
with the participation of a broad sector of
the independence movement. Since
December of 2007, the Table has arganized
several activities fo protest and 1o inform
the people about repression, especially
about the anti-democratic instiution of the
Grand Jury.
The Table of Solidarity Against
Repression invites independentista, social-
ist, community, environmental and union
o rgmizations and our people to unite n the
activities of solidarity with compafieros
‘and comparieras who are perseeuted for our
work for our homeland and in massive
repudiation of the repressive agencies. We
say no to repression, no to the Grand Jury,
and we will allow not even one more polit.
ical prisoner,
TABLE OF SOLIDARITY AGAINST
REPRESSION
Contact:
Liliana Laboy 787 406-1838
WAKE UP, BORICUA, DEFEND
YOUR OWN PEOPLE!
Tuesday, November 11, French
police and members of the ani-terrorist
brigades engaged in raids in several cities,
arresting at least 10 anarchists. The raids
took place in response to a series of sabo-
tage attacks on the country’s high-speed
rail network. Those arrested are accused of
being part of an anarchist cll, known as
“anarchist-autonomous gang."
The government has claimed that is has
been investigating an “ultra-left anarchist
movement” for soveral months and acted
following the weekend s disruption of rain
arrested had links to anarchists in Belgium,
Germany, lialy, Greece and other non.
European counries.
While 10 anarchists are being held,
police admit that more than 20 had initially
been detained in raids conducted in Paris
Tamac and the northern city of Rouen.
One of the towns, Tarnac, has become in
recent years a sort of “libertarian” commu-
nity made up of young anarchists and
auionomists from all aver France.
Four days after the arrests, 9 anarchists
were accused of criminal conspiracy with
Tarnac 9 - Raids Lead to Arrests of Anarchists
on
terrorist_intentions. The only evidence
against the accused known thus far consists
o train schedules and a ladder
One of the nine, Julien Coupat, is
accused of being the léader of the anarchist
‘gang. Coupat is a young philosopher, who
once helped published Tigqun. Recent
news reports have not only connected
Coupat with the attacks in France but also
the army recruitment center attacks in New
York.
According to the Telegraph, published
in the UK, Coupat and his girlfriend
Those arrested are accused in taking
part in acts of sabolage where steel rods
were jammed across overhead power
cables on three high-speed lings between
Paris and London, Brussels and the French
regions. They are also accused of a separate
incident that took place in the southwest of
the country, where a high-speed train
rammed a pair of concrete blocks place on
the lines.
The government raised concern over the
growing relationship taking place within
the anarchist movement, siating those
FREQUENTLY USED
ABCF: 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 responsibilties
than a SG.
Support Group - ABCF group with fewer responsibilties
American Indian Movement - above ground revolutionary
organization of Native Americans.
Anay Fre or libertarian socialism. Anarchists are opposed to
vernment, the state, and capitalism. Therefore, simply speaking,
‘anarchism is a no government form of socialism. Types of anarchists
include: Anarcho-Communist, Anarcho-Syndicalist, Autonomist,
Collectivist, Individualists, and Mutualists.
'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
‘roup 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-
EC: Federation Council - decision-making body of the ABCF
MOVE; Not an acronym, the name of an organization based in
Philadelphia whose members are commitied to the teachings of John
Aftica. Their belef is in “lfe.
BC: Prisoner’s Committee - rotating body of S PPPOWS on the
ABCF's FC
Yidune L., vere stopped allegedly trying to
enter Canada from the US illegally in
January of 2008. It was claimed that they
Were carrying anarchist text in English and
photos of an amy recruitment center in
New York. While they left before the attack
on the recruitment center in New York's
Time Square in March, they supposedly
were spotted at an anarchist meeting in
New York. This is the alloged connection to
the incident!
The raids and targeting of Coupat were
initiated. according 10 the Telegraph by a
tip off from the FBL
Acronyms/ Terms
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 Weatherme
Tater known as the WUO, evolved out of the SDS as an underground
formation of primarily white anti-imperialist revolutionaries from
the student movement,
(The Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF) produces. the
Revolutionanvlitcal Dictionary with these and other expanded def -
initions of political terms. Asailable from Los Angeles ABC for S1 and
o 41 cents stamps.)
e student group found-
Anything We Do is a Threat to the System
by Joaquin Cienfuegos
On November 16, 2008, the planning meeting for the Los Angeles Bookfair was raided by police. The rea-
son stated for the raid was that a beer run has taken place down the street. Several people including
Joaquin Cienfuegos, a local anarchist were arrested. Cienfuegos has been the target of ongoing police
harassment for his work in copwatch and because of his close ties with the Black Writers Liberation Party,
who were also present at the planning meeting. Below is Cienfuegos’ account of the raid and his arrest.
“I’s a war between city blocks and
cops.” -Psycho Realm
T 'was released on Tuesday November
181h after spending about 3 days in police
custody for “resisting/obsiructing police.”
First | want to start by apologizing, because
Lfeel like the police caught us off guard on
Sunday November 16, and 1 personally
could have been more prepared or should
not have put myself in that type of situa-
tion. This political repression was made
clear 1o me when the arresting officers
were cracking jokes 10 the “watch com.
‘mander” about how thy had “shut down an
anarchist party.”
“The event was a fundraiser for the first
ever Los Angeles Anarchist Bookfair
(www.anarchistbookfair.com), the
Revolutionary Autonomous Communities'
Defense Fund, and to support a traveling
revolutionary hip hop group from New
York called the X-Vandals, held at a ware-
house space collectively rented out to
artsts from Los Angeles. Part of the prob-
Lem is that this space is isolated in an indus.-
trial part of the city with no traffi, so it
made it is casy for the police to surround us
there. Their intentions were clear, they
wanted t0 shut down the event, and accord-
ing t0 several accounts, it seemed like they
had specific targets for arrest, Their main
excuse was that some youth allegedly stole
beer from a liquor store, but they were also
asking people to show them proof tht we
weren't “trespassing.” They were also
saying that they needed to go in because
they “smelled something.”
The police had been patrolling and
watching the event. People say they
thought there might have been undercover
police there as well. I was walking outside
o talk to some of the artists who needed
directions and 1 was waiting for some
sound cquipment. Inside we had a DJ
spinning some hip-hop, but we hadn't even
started the show. The police pulled up and
ask me 10 2o talk to them. - People who
were outside were walking into the show.
‘The police asked to speak to the person in
chare of the event, | walk in to find
someone 1o talk to them. 1 was telling
Someone to find one of the peaple in charge
of the space when the police kick the door
open and tell me 10 go over to them, they
then grabbed me and pull me to the outside.
They try to push my head into some steel
bars outside while they put handeuffs on
me, but I held my head back, so I wouldn’t
‘et my head smashed. At this point there
were over 10 cop cars filling 6th street, and
a helicopter circling the warehouse, which
included more than 15 cops (high ranking
officers as well).
Someone talked to the police from
behind the door. People stuck out some
cameras from the doorway to film my
wrongful arrest and detention. While the
arresting officers Cervantes and Cho were
yelling at me and putting their hands into
‘my pockets, 1 told them I did not consent to
my pockes being searched. Cho (39259)
told me I didn’t have a choice, and that they
didn'tneed a warrant to g0 into the ware-
house, that we were trespassing. They
draw their guns and grabbed oné of my
comrades who was filming, and continue to
try to push the door to the warchouse open.
They told me | was being arrested for 145
(A) (1) PC Resisting/Obstructing a Police
Investigation. One of the arresting offi-
cers, Cervantes was upset because | was
letting them know that they were breaking
an eniry and told me that we didn’t know
the law, and pushed me into a police car.
“The Black Riders Liberation Party came
out from inside along with other people
who just wanted to leave the scene, and
told the police that they did not do anyhing
and that they wanted o leave. The police
then put handeuffs on Comrades Nadia and
Kambui and started to put everyone from
inside the warehouse onto the wall. They
also spotted two people on the roofiop of
the warchouse and arrested them as well,
along with Nadia, Kambui, Ulises from
Los Angeles Food Not Borbs who tried
talking to the police about the space, and
one young person who was id'd for
allegedly stealing some beer from a liquor
store
We were taken to Central Division on
6th and Wall in Downtown LA, where we
were booked, and taken to Parker Center
‘The white artiss bailed out that same night,
My main concerns were the Riders who |
flt were targeted because they wanied to
et them back into the system to do some
time for their ayanizing. They are now
out on bail and pending their court case on
December 6th at Bouchet St. Court. Our
hageswere reduced to infractions (equiv:
alent 10 a ticket) “disturbing the peace.”
When I talked to the public defender he
told me the police didn’t have a case and
the police report didn't make sense and was
Rull of holes and lies. We pleaded No
Contest, 10 be released that day, and fines
were waived due 1o time served. What
upset me was the waste of time, and I felt
bad for all the people who were arrested on
Sunday as well. Ill repeat what 1 old the
pigs Cervantes and Cho, “this isn’t over.”
‘While in prison we talked to many peo-
ple and we definitely had an effect on peo-
ple in custody. We told everyone we
talked to that we were in there because of
our politics and that we were revolutionar-
fes. Many people were surprised at the
real Black and Brown unity and solidarity,
but also were inspired by the work that IS
being done in the community, and wanted
to support some of the community pro-
grams in Los Angeles. | would say 99% of
people in custody were people of color, and
et they were there because of the injustice
system. We have to continue o fight off
these attacks on our people and our com.-
munites.
The show before it was raided was a
fare mix of people, which I think is why it
was shut down as well._There were punks,
hip-hop heads, revolutionaries, artists, and
others. The police atack serves as a lcarn-
ing experience for me. Anyihing we do is
a threat 1o the police and to the state as a
whole, 5o if we don’t take our enemies seri-
ously then we are going to suffer defeats
constantly. We have to know when to
strategically retreat and have protocols in
place to deal with state repression. We
have to understand that the reason they are
attacking us is because they take us seri-
ously. They also wanted to scare the youth
that were there, 5o they won't come out to
any political events. It is our responsibil-
ty 0 let youth and other community mem-
bers knaw about the seriousness of these
events, and defend our people as well
“This will not stop us, or intimidate us.
We will continue to fight, and be strategic
at all times.
As always, in struggle,
Joaquin Cienfucgos
(RAC, CWLA-GC)
NYC ABCF Report
Since_we joined the Federation in
January 2008, NYC ABC has been busy
with many diverse projects. In solidarity
with "Running Down the Walls", we coor-
dinated a benefit bike ride with the Freegan
bike workshop called "Rolling Down the
Walls" which engaged activists in leisure-
Iy S mile ride from our anarchist communi-
ty space in Brooklyn, to St. Mark's Church
in Manhattan. We also had the pleasure of
coordinating, with the help of the NYC
prisoner support caalition, a weekend of
marches and demonstrations in support of
our warriors. The marches on October 10h
and 11th had a large draw of diverse com-
munifies both from in state and out, as well
as having created an ongoing delegation to
the United Nations to spread the message
10 all sympathetic countries and non-gov-
ernmental organizations. We are starting to
make_connections with prison_reform
otganizations around issues of NY state
and federal parole reform as well as the
new Communication Management Units.
Recently, two of us were able 1o visit
with Ojore Lutalo in Trenton, NJ. Only a
window visit this time, we had an hour 1o
discuss everything from personal politics
o his upcoming fundraising weckend,
Last, but not least we are pleased to
share we are now two members stronger
thanks to one local recruit and one ABCE
transfer from LA!
Uniil all are free!
NYC ABCF
CR-10 Report from Arcata ABCF
Acata ABCF-SG attended CR10 (the
tenth annual conference of Critical
Resistance, a prison abolition movement)
which took place September 26-28 in
Oakland.
Notable attendees included: Pam and
Ramona Africa, Ashanti Alston, Angela
Davis, Barbara Becnel (Tookie Williams’s
advocate/co-author), Lucy Rodriguez,
Susan Rosenberg, Harold Taylor_ and
Richard Brown and atiorney Soffiyah
Elijah, Robert King, Cynthia McKinney,
Elliot” Monteverde (NY Puerto Rican
Grand Jury resister), Hank Jones, Linda
Evans, Sundiata Acoli (via recorded mes-
sage), Yori Kochiyama, Fred Hampton Jr,
and Ronald Freeman.
Notable organizations included: Incite!,
Jericho, All of us or None, Bamone, CA
Prison_ Focus, Malcolm X Grasstoots
Movement, Human Rights Coalition, AK
Press and PM Press, the New Black
Panther Party, and the New Afrikan
Liberation movement.
We tabled on Saturday, passing out lter-
ature and engaging many people in dialog.
We exchanged contact info with Barnone
and the AIM United Nations liaison.
“The workshops covered topics such as
building community-based_aliernatives,
death penalty abolishment, transgender and
queer ustice, immigrant justice, navigating
Los Angeles ABCF Report
Since the last issue of the ABCF Update
the LA chapter has some changes in our
collective, which has resulted in the forma-
tion of a new ABCF chapter in Arcata, CA.
We would like to take a moment to express.
our excitement that our friends in Arcata
have continued their work in support of
political prisoners. Their energy and deter-
mination will certainly show in their work.
‘Thank you for all that you did when in LA.
Running Down the Walls
On Sawrday, August 23, LA ABCF
hosted Running Down the Walls in
Whittier Narrows Regional Park. We had
roughly twenty participants in the day's
event and raised just under $1,000 for the
ABCF Warchest and the community center,
El Centro. As part of the RDTW solidarity
runs took place in throughout the country.
including Tucson, Phoenix, Arcata,
Western Massachusetts and many. other
locations, ten in total. From our under-
standing a_healthy amount of donations
were raised throughout the country for the
ABCF Warchest and other local projects.
Al prizes for the LA event were donated
from AK Press, so special thanks to them.
Buttons and Catalog.
LA ABCF has also been busy working
on producing free political prisoner buttons
that are available through the ABCF web-
site. The buttons vary in subjects from spe-
cific prisoners 1o broader liberation move-
ments. Buttons come in either L-inch to
1.75 inches. Currently we have around 40
10 50 designs and are trying to design but-
tons for cach prisoner the ABCF supports.
Please contact us if you are interested in
obtaining any of these items.
We are also trying to re-establish the
ABCF catalog to raise funds for the organ-
ization and the prisoners we support. We
will update folks 25 we progress in this
endeavor.
Recent Raids in LA
We wanted to take a moment to address.
the recent raids that have taken place here
in Los Angeles. For several years now the
Black Riders Liberation Party and the peo-
ple from Copwatch have been facing seri-
ous harassmen. They have been cons tantly
under surveillance and have been arrested
and charged with trumped up charges time
and time again. We know that the state will
the criminal justice system, families of
prisoners, political prisoners, justice for
women, regional caucuses and where 0 go
in the next fen years.
Performances included everything from
art_installations, poetry, spoken word,
dance and indigenous drum circl.
“The workshops we attended were excel -
Lent, the performances were riveting, and
the discussions sparked were informative
and very motivational. About 3000 people
attended over the span of the three days.
"The atmosphere was one of hospitality and
inspiration. Overall it was beautiful gath-
ering of diverse people for a unified pur-
pose.
not stop until these comrades quit, are
imprisoned or worse. We stand by these
comrades and encourage the rest of the
community 1o follow suit. Please review
the article written by Joaguin Cienfuegos
about the harassment and arress. We will
update the community as thing progress as
far as how people can support those being
targeted.
1.75 inch button for Shirosaki
Continued from page 4
nightin jai before being released on his own
signature by Douglas County prosecutors
after being arested for conspiracy 1o commit
murder. House never was formally charged
for his role in providing dynamite to Peak
and i a suspected police informant.
Upon further committee questioning,
Platner returned to the dynaite discovered
in July and described the bust that Swanson
would later not tell the jury about. "We
received information from a party that had
been approached to buy dynamite. We had
bim buy it and he bought 10 sticks. It was
2xl6-inch sticks. He came back later and
Said he could buy more of this dynamite.
So we set up for him to buy and then we
were going to move in before it was deliv-
ered. We did move in and arested three
young men in a car. In their possession
they had 41 sticks of this same type of
dynamite.”
"Two and a half by 16-inch. This i Red
Cross du Pont S0 percent strength dyna-
mite...(Wlhen these individuals were
arstcd in July, | called back and talked to
the owner and the manager of Quick
Supply and described the dynamite....He
said iF this was 2 by 16-inch sticks, ha was
almost positive it had o be their dyna.
mite. Quick Supply ordered thousand
pounds of dynamite on a specia order from
the du Pont Company specifying 16 inches
long and 2 _inches in diameter. Thi, as
understand i, i an unusually large size of
dynamite to be used in quarrics for blasting
purposes. Sergeant Gladson checked back
with the manufacturer of the dynanit, and
they told him that was the oy shipment of
that size dynamite n the year 1970."
Larry Minard, fathe of five young chil-
dren, was buried on what would have been
his 30th birthday
Duane Peak, the confessed bomber,
walked free aftef @ couple of years of juve.
nile detention for his implication of the two
Panther leaders. The anonymous caller who
set the lethal trap was never identified or
apprehended following J. Edgar Hoover's
intervention in the case and Peak was
allowed to claim he made the call without a
voice analysis to substantiate his claim.
Vocal expert Tom Owen has since conclud-
ed that Peak did not make the fatal cal.
The four men with dynamite, Raleigh
House, Luther Payne, Lamont Mitchell and
Conrad Gray all ended up with their
changs dismissed.
Mondo we Langa denies having any
dynamite in his basement and both he and
Ed Poindexter continue to deny any
involvement in Minard's murder. Boih men
are imprisoned with life sentences at the
Nebraska State Penitentiary. Poindexter
has a new trial request pending before the
Nebraska Supreme Court over withheld
evidence and conflicting police testimony.
No date for a decision has been announced.
The Anarchist Subsistence Program
The Anarchist Subsistence Program secks to pro-
vide material aid to those PP/POWs who come from
our own anarchist/anti-authoritarian community.
'As with the Warchest, this program is designed to
aid PP/POWs who receive little financial aid
However, it is unique because it exclusively assisis
those from the anarchist/anti-authoritarian communi-
ty.
Over the last few years there has been an increase
of anarchist/anti-authoritarian PP/POWs. Most of
these new prisoners have support committees who
raise awareness and funds on their behalf. Long held
anarchist/anti-authoritarian PP/POWs have had their
support overshadowed by these new cases. This pro-
gram s designed to ensure that support for them
Temains consistent
The two functions of this support campaign
include a monthly financial assistance and forty 43¢
postage stamps per month. Supporters of the
‘Anarchist Subsistence Program send whatever funds.
they can to Philadelphia ABC (who facilitates the
program) who in turn distributes the funds among
anarchist political prisoners who participate in the
program. All U.S. supporters also take turns sending
the stamps directly to Philadelphia ABC.
isted here are the monthly check documentation
and rotation of groups sending stamps. If you want to
support this important program and help us expand
the number of Anarchist Subsistence Program cam-
paigns we run, contact Philadelphia ABC. Make
checks _or mnney‘ orders out only to: TIM FAS-
NACHT. Funds should be sent in the last week of the.
month before the month the funds will be used (i.c.
send March funds in the 3rd week of February).
( Stamp Schedule
Jan- Philadelphia
Feb- Los Angeles
March- Philadelphia
April- Los Angeles
Send a check or money order to Philadelphia ABCF
made out to Tim Fasnacht for forty 43¢ stamps in the
last week of the month before the month for which
RS R Philadelphia ABCF
e n o 0 0 o o 0 o 0 10 s 0o o P.O Box 42129
Dhaen £ 8 85 5 it iR 88 Philadelphia, PA 19101
| 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)
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 need of one-time o emergency s
Founded in 1994, the Warchest has provided cor
ing a much- neglected comradely function. Since its inception, the ABCF has raised
over $54,000 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 t
Philly ABCF e P.O Box 42129 e Philadelphia, PA 19101 ¢ timABCF@aol.com
FUNDS TN JAN FEB MAR APR_MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC FUNDS IN
LA ABCF/RDTW 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 100 760 0 0 0 _ 104 351
PHL ABCF 20 0 0 20 20 0 20 20 20 20 20 20 1995 3860
€26, ) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 50 0 0 1006 4143
TORONTO RDTW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o0 60 0 0 1oo7 3sas
TORONTO ABCF 0 0 0 0 0 05 0 4 0 0 40 oo 7643
JAX ABCF 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 oo 514
NYC RDTW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 00 asi4
NYC ABCF 0 0 0 20 20 0200 0 0 25 30 30 300 a0
Nyt T T s - 1
RYAN/OREGON 0 0 o0 o0 0o 0 0o 0 0 15 0 0 —30—27%
PROPAGANDI 0 0 0 o o015 0 0o 0 0o 0 o B
HOBART 0 0 0 0o 0o 0 0 o 10 0 o —200¢UNACCE.
JUSTIN/CLEV 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o o - 2005 443
WEST. MASS. RDTW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 143 0 o 2006 3268
ANON 0 0 0 o 0 25 0 o o o o o 2007 4312
RDTW/ARIZONA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 243 2008 3448
SHARONSHOATZ/N) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 030 0 0 TOTAL 54284
TOTAL 4500 40 50 150 271 120 1489 47050 233 —ppioeoie
SEKOU KAMBUL 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 —jooe 4308
RUSSELL SHOATZ 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 —jgoo—seoe
JOSEPH BOWEN 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 oo/ 4568
HANIFF BEY 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 1998 6412
HERMAN BELL 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 _ 199 5191
SEKOU ODINGA 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 . 2000 4544
RUCHELL MAGEE 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 _ 2001 4637
ALVARO HERNANDEZ 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 2002 4320
MALIK LATINE 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 2003 1300
TSUTOMU SHIROSAK 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 2004 UNACC®
IORE LUTALO 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 205 2620
ROBERT SETH HAYES 0 0 0 0 0 0 0o 0 0 0 50 0 —0eagar
ToTAL 300 300 300 300 400 300 300 300 300 300 350 300 300, 3471
2008 3750
FUNDS REMAINING: $3114.50 TOTAL 50937
(*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.”