= 7-‘-‘-:-’7 =
_LIVEFROM THE
TRENCHES...

LETTERS FROM
THE VAUGHN 17
“Vaughn and Building Support for Prison Rebels” was taken from
hetpsz/ iesgoingdown.oxg/bloc-party-vaugh-building-support-
for-prison-rebels/

“Interview with Former Vaughn Prisone Thomas Gordon” was
taken from heps:/isgoingdowen.org/bloc-party-interview.for-
mervaughn-prisoner-thomas-gordon/

Compiled and edited by Chicago Anarchist Black Cross
chicagoanarchistblackeross@riscup.net
@ChicagoABC

Printed and diseributed by Blood Feuit Prineworks
bloodfruit_library@siseup.net
@BloodFruitLib
LIVE FROM THE
TRENCHES:

LETTERS FROM
THE VVAUGHN 17
Between the manths of January and June of 2018, a small group
of friends in Chicago reached out to the 17 individuals charged
with involvement in the February 2017 uprising at the James T.
Vaughn Correctional Center in Delaware. This zine is an attempt
to shase the thoughts and experiences of these comrades as they
shared them in their leteers. We asked for and were generously
given their consent. We hope that reprinting them for others to
read will deepen our connections with these individuals and help
to multiply our acts of solidarity and support. Contact information
for the Vaughn 17 may be found throughout and at the end of the

TO THE VAUGHN 17: Stay strong, stay united. This world
is built to divide, segment, and isolate. I¢s a world built on the
politics of fear. With you, we say FUCK THAT. You are in our
hearts and our hearts are with you.

ANOTE ON FACES: Mugshots are intended to be humiliating,
but that's just the surface of their political function. They present
the mast expressive parts of our bodies—our faces-in the most
degrading way possible. They capture us in 4 moment of capture,
in which we are most exposed to the violence of the state, s0 25 to
record and expose this capture to the world outside, which needs
prisons to keep its shit together. Mugshots demand their viewers
to see us as the state sees us, that is, as dipsable. Thus, it is with
some hesitation that we have included mugshots—state propaganda
in themselves-—|

re. For despite the style that state photography
reserves for its enemics, these are still faces. If we had more time
we would have loved to have photos of the Vaughn 17 that were
taken by friends or family. We ask that you look into thes
politically. Refuse to look at them cither as guilty criminals or as

¢ faces

passive victims—tefuse to look at them like

SNITCH DISCLAIMER: While there are 18 individuals charged
with some form of connection to the uprising, one individusl—
“Royal Diamond Downs”~has collsborated with the authorities
by giving statements against other prisoners. As such, in this zine,
efer only to the Vaughn 17. May Royal Downs and allsnitches
et wha they deserve.

CONTENTS

Vaughn and Building Support for Prison Rebels
Bloc Party | itsgoingdown.org

Interview with Former Vaughn Prisoner Thomas
Gordon (Fixcerpt)
Bloc Party | itsgoingdown.org

Letter from Abedngo Baynes
Letter from Kevin Berry

Letter from Jobn Branble

Letters, Poetry, and Drawing from Robert Hernandez,
Letter from Lawrence I Michacls

Letter from Lais Sierra

Letters and Drawing from Duayne Staats

Ways to Support the Vaughn 17

6

10
17
18
2
24
3
39
43
47
Vaughn and Building Support for Prison Rebels

On February 1st, 2017, inmates in the C-building at the James T.
Vaughn Correctional Center ('TVCC) in Delaware took control
of their unit and held staff hostage in an uprising that lasted
over 18 hours. They called the media, released a list of demands,

and explained their actons as motivated by their conditions of
confinement as well as the clection of Donald Trump as President.
One prison guard, Steven Flod, was killed by inmates during the
uprising.

On February 1st, prisoners connected their daily struggles for
humanity and survival to the broader political context we entered
collectively as a nation. Much in the same way that hundreds of
people took to the sereets for deeply personal reasons on January
20th, using the inauguration of Trump as a way to highiight all
those myriad reasons for resistance, the prisoners a Vaughn used
the president and his policies as a means to highlight their own
deeply personal struggles for liberation.

The uprising came after numerous nonviolent protests by prisoners
had failed to lead to the prison addressing their grievances. In
the aftermath of the uprising, corrections officers alleged that
prisoners had been staging inmatc-on-inmate fights in the prison
yard to find vulnerabilities in the guards’ emergency response. On
the day of the uprising, prisoners covered their faces with masks
and rushed the two officers letting them back in from the prison
yard—a key moment of vulnerability when the prisoner-to-guard
eatio is at its lowest,

After more than cight months, on October 17th, an indictment
was handed down by the Delaware Department of Justice that
charged sixteen prisoners with murder charges for the death of a
carsectional officer. Those sisteen along with two other prisoners
are alsa looking at counts of kidnapping, conspiracy and rioting,

6 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
As of this writing, six of these prisoners have pled “not guilty”
and demanded jury trials. OF these six, five are charged with first
degree murder, The court has also determined that the prisoners
cannot be granted public defenders duc to “conflits of interest.”
Instead they will be appointed private attorneys.

Death Penalty in Deleware

With the murder of the corrections officer at Vaughn during
the uprising in February, there has been renewed support for
th penalty in the State of Delaware,
which had been ruled unconstirutional in August of 2016, The
repeal of the death penaley was strongly opposed by the union
representatives of both the police and corrections officers, who
are currently using the death during the Vaughn uprising along with
the death of  police officer in April 2017 as a cry for a return to
capital punishment in the state;

the reinstatement of the d

“There are some sy evl people who commit beinons crimes against innocent
itizens in this state,” said L. Thomas Brackin, president of the Delaware
State Troopers Assciation... You do nsed to bave the ultimate punishment
for the ultimate crime.”

‘re reminded of the truly evil Delaware police officers who shot
and killed Jeremy “Bam Bam” McDole, who was a wheelchair bound
Black man murdered in 2015. The same police who are calling for
“the ultimate punishment for the ultimate crime” all walked away
without any indictments related to MeDole’s death,

As recently as November 9th, 2017, prosecutors in Delaware have
stated in court documents that they intend to seek the death penalty
in this case f it s indecd reinstated. While the final state senate vore
has yer to aceur on this matter, it is important to keep a keen eye on
this as it develops. It is also worth noting the way that the prison,
police and prosceutors are collaborating to use what happened at
Vaughn as a means of bringing a mare totalitarian vision of so-called
law and order to the state. Where there is resistance, ke what we saw
from within the walls at Vaughn, we can naturally expect repression
to follow: In this case, repression could have deadly consequences.

THE VAUGHN 17 7
Why We Support Prison Rebels

Taken as a whole, prisoners across the U.S. right now are actively
engaging in some of the most passionate, consistent and effective
rebellion in the country. Month after month we read news of
prisoners getting together 1o fight guards, avtack the physical
infrastructure that confines them, attempt escape, issue demands
and make threats to back them up. They are actively linking up
hing out to those on the outside in search
of accomplices. This is happening right now and it will continue to
happen. The only question is whether we will be a part of it

with each other and re:

Adding to this storm are the inevitable forces of re:
are working hard to push society back toward more ov
forms of punishment. Jeff Sessions’ “law and order” strategy as
well as chose seeking to reinstate the death penalty in Delaware are
only contibuting to the chaos of the current moment.

The incarceration system is being further destabilized by pandemic
levels of overcrowding and understaffing in US. jails, prisons and
detention centers. As of carly November, the Delaware DOC
“confirmed that the agency currently has 265 vacant correctional
officer positions. [Correctional Officers Association of Delaware
President] Klopp believes the real number to be much higher.”
These conditions continue to exist ten months after one of the

lasgest prison uprisings in the last few years, despite Delaware
elected officials desperately scrambling to address these problems,
Unfortunately for them, the only solution to this crisis is to convince
the public to pump even more money into prison budgers, which
they are increasingly reluctant 10 do.

None of this means that the world is abou to get better. What it
may mean, though, is that one system of control is weakening and
those in power are being forced to consider how to replace it (their
intention, likely, being to replace it with something mors

repressive). But this moment of transition may be an opening in
which a hasd push could topple the already stumbling giant.

effectively

As the US. prison system finds iself on unsure footing, prisoners
are doing an admirable job of shaking the ground it stands on.

8 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
“This is the key element that could create the “Doomsday Seenario,”
Ward Churchill suggests. As David Fathi, Discctor of the National
ACLU Prison Project, aptly pointed out during a press conference
on the Vaughn uprising, “Prisons function with the consent of the
prisoners. Staff will always be greatly outnumbered by prisoners.”
Increasingly, prisoners across the country are withdrawing that
cansent. If these currents continue to deepen, the prison syster in
the US. could cease funcioning.

Published Novenber 2155, 2017

THE VAUGHN 17 9
Interview with Former Vaughn Prisoner

Thomas Gordon (Excerp)

IGD: It great to b pective in general and your persanal
connection with these guys. 1f you could also tell us overall how
they'ee doing with the charges, or ways that you are secing them
be suppored by friends and comeades inside and outside of the
prison.

¢ your pe

TG: Yeah, as far as these guys go they get enough support, granted
1 always think that they should have more suppor, especially
more support from other activists or other people associated with
anything pertaining to the anti-prison movement—anyone associated
with any of these movements, such as the workers' party, people
like that should be in contact with these guys, just to ensure that
they'ee getting a fai trial, that they're getting treated faiely. | think
it takes 1 lot for peaple to care, a lot of people don't want to be
associated with everything that went on, but at the end of the day
when you look at it and boil it down to the facts as assumed by the
medis, thes,

e peaple that people are associating with a crime
against a correctional officer who has a history of abuse within the
facility, who has a history of mistreating prisoners within a fa
who has a history of just going out of his way 1o do everything in
his power to make hard time harder. This is a guy that I personally
knov. 1 know Sargent floyd personally. So | can speak on that. But
these are people who are in this building with this guy [and he]
pretty much got, 10 be honest, what everyone knew was coming,
This guy ended up gerting what he had coming for 4 long time
for a lot of mistreatment that he did to peaple while they were
in the SHU. But the counselor who was also in the facility at the

time and who was also allegedly, according to the media, one of
the hostages, was never touched. And I think that spesks volumes.
She was never touched, like this i a woman, first and foremost
whose in a prison with men, and men who have nothing to lose,
men who have just, you know, took over a building, and she was
never touched. She was never touched, not raped, not punched, not
assaulted in any manner whatsoever. These guys, veah they’re good.
can do to try to oppress
everybody. They moved

As of right now the prison docs what th
these individuals. You know they separat

10 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
several of them to one jail in delaware which is Howard R Young
Corsectional Institution, and then they moved the other half of the
individuals to Georgetown, which is Sussex Correctional Instirution,
They put them on their own tiers and stuff of this nacure. They
tried to just, really restrict who they could converse with, you know,
tighten restrictions on their mail, phone call privileges, stuff of this
nature. But other than that | think they're doing finc.

IGD: Moving on though we are alvays really interested, those of
us paying attention to the resistance happening within prisons,
we're always seally intesest in the conditions that lead o prison
uprisings. And the independent review of sccurity issues at the
James T. Vaughn Correctional Center which was commissioned
by the governor of Delaware, highlighted the mismanagement of
the prison and the way those factors contributed o the uprising.
You Thomas, did a good job in your open letter of highlighting
those factors for people. These failures on the part of the prison
administrators are getting a lot of play in the media that’s been
focused on the uprising of last February, but prison uprisings are
not only the result of prison conditions. They are also created by
the bravery, the political and social consciousness of prisoners,
caoperation, and the strategic planning of prisoners involved. Can
you tell us about the action and initiative on the part of prisoners
themselves that led to this uprising?

TG: First and foremost | would like to say that what led to the
incident that happencd in Vaughn was no different than what led to
the incident that happened at Attica. Which was no different than
what happened in any situation that led to a prison uprising in any
state in america. I¢s simply just when you treat human beings like
animals for so long and sometimes they start off being okay with
thas, like they allow that 10 take place, and then, slowly, they begin
to wake up and just realize that they're not animals. And that they're
not anything less than a human being, And they start asking, they
start making requests for specific things that should be right. Its
faolish to have to ask you, to beg you to not treat them like shit
Somebody should’t have 10 ask you and shoulds’t have 1o beg you
not to tamper with their food, like somebody shouldn’t have to ask
you or shouldn't have to beg you to not assault them while they're
in cuffs, in shackles. Somebody shouldn't have to ask you to feed
them, because you just simply feel like not feeding them today

THE VAUGHN 17 1
When people start to realize that they're actually human beings
and not animals, they begin (o act like human beings and a part
of that is you start asking questions and then turning them into
demands. You demand to be a human being. You have to be able
t0 look someone in the face and say this is whae I am and [ expect
to be treated as nothing less than this, and you gotta stand firm in
thae. And sadly in an institution that is run solely off of fear and
solely off of aggression and solely off of violence, the only way
thae they'll listen is if you, in return, apply some sore of force o
some threat of force yourself. And that's just the nature of the
beast within the present institution because they respect nothing
else. They respect nothing else. You know, people in the jail have
done non-violent protests for years, trust me I've been in that jail
from 2006 until 2013, at which time | left bricfly for two months
and | was back again and I've been in the SHU the entire time | was
incarcerated. Every single time 1 make it to that jail, 1 land in the
SHU. And I've met all che people who tried to just simply—they call
ita code 6, which is a refusal 10 lock in and stay congregated—say,
listen, we're not lcking in unil we speak to the liut
such and such. They don't pay any of that any mind. They come,
and they come with force or the threat of force and they use that
to control you and they get people to listen up. You know things
have to be done and it's sad-but it truc

ant about

IGD: Wel that also reminds me of the way you said “the uprising
was not sparked by any one event, but by a series of events that, with
time, began to slowly boil over” In your open letter you mentioned
anonviolent protest that took place on January 2nd, 2009 regarding
unsanitary conditions in the showers. The independent review of
the sccurity issues at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center talks
about a protest that took place on January 15¢h. Tell us about these
previous events o any other protests or times where you or others
callectively defied the prison administrators?

TG: With that situation there was a problem with recreation. The
COs who were running the building, which was seargent Floyd
[and] some of his other co-workers, were denying of refusing to
give inmates their entire period of recreation. And not for any
security reason, which would be understandable, but just simply
because they didut want to do ie. They juse simply didn’t want
to run rec for as long as they have 10 run rec now due 10 the

12 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
Community Legal Aid Society v. Commissione Coupe recent court
scttlement.’ So recreation time periods have been extended and
they really simply don' ke that and they really try to be as lazy as
they can be. And it a simple job, you just let people out, you let
them go outside, you stand around and make sure no one’s harming,
anyone or harming themselves and then you open the doo and let
them back in. But veah it started because of that main thing which
caused everyone to put their foot down and say listen look e nced
0 spek to the bigher ups because this has been happening every
single time you work, we've been getting shorted an entire half
period of e o, it was just something that was done to try
and et the atention of the higher ups who came and just really
dide't care and that was just what it was it was just simple lock in
o everybody's gonna get fucked up and thrown in the hole. You
know; again, they just choose to be deaf to any type of plea for
belp or any type of ples for faeness

IGD: You know its been difficult thus far to find storics or
perspectives about the uprising from the point of view of
prisaners involved as opposcd ta the point of

the prison administration. Now obviously we want to take care not
to incriminate yourself or anyone else but we were wondering if
you might be able to share a bit about the events of that day.

w of the state or

TG: You know, L really can'eshare the events of that day. What [ can
say i a lot of people were shocked, a lot of peaple were surprised
but on behalf of the conviets, the prisoners, the ones who are
actually locked up, a lot of peaple were happy. A lot of people
were happy that something finally happencd drawing attention
o everything that was going on. You stop programming in  jul,
you stop progeamming? Who stops programming in an institution
that's considered the depastment of corrections and that claims t0 b
about rehabilitation. They got rid of lterally almost every single

10n Septemmber 15 of 2016, the US District Court forthe District of Delavare:
ruled in favor of the Community Legal Aid Society’s claims that Comnis-
sioner Coupe of the Delsware DOC had violated the mental health needs of
DOC inmates, partcularly those subject to solitary confinement. The ruling
requires dozens of improvements o prison conditions in the Delawre carcer
al system. The DDOC contintes to violst this agreement. See Robert Her-
nandez’s statement pp. 29-30.

THE VAUGHN 17 13
program in this jail. And then for years, in the SHU you couldn't
0 1o the library. If T am to honestly believe, or stupidly bel
prison was meant to rehabilicate me why [ am being deni
to a library? Like it shouldt mateer what my security scatus is. 1€

1 want aceess to a book, something educational for me to read or
for me to learn and (o possibly better myself in my own cell, why
am 1 being that? They deny mail in college courses simply
because you're in th

ed to max

SHU, you'se in max. You're classi

and you're not allowed to pay for mailin college courses, I can't pay
out of my own pocket to go 1o college. S what do you want me 10
do in the SHU, like what reflection do you expect me t have, what
growth? But they did a lot, they did a lot to me, not just those CO's
that happened to be there on that day but the administration in
eneral which is | think the biggest problem, the people who are in
the higher positions who just don't do anything to corsect anything
or change anything. But yeah, a lot of people were surprised,

of peaple were shocked, but  lot of inmates were happy. What
happened, happened. And 1 think it was understood that what
happened needed to happen. There was nothing else that could be
done. And | know 1 am and a lot of people are glad b

thae did happen | can honestly say that you did start sceing changes—
not drastic big changes overnight, but definitely things that people
have been asking about for the longest period of time. At the end
of the day, we understand that there are simply people who are
going to be incarcerated, who are not going to leave, who are not
oing to be fortunate or lucky enough as 1 was to walk out of that
prison. But even starting from the nature of wanting to control a
group of people, 1 always agree with the Greek philosophy that
says if you wish to control your cattle just give them  large pasture.
They don't even do anything to appease people in the jail who
have life. Theyll stick them in a cell with someone that’s literally
one week away from going home. They'll be in a cell with a guy
who has double life who's miserable, who has no programs, no job,
nothing he can do within the jail. He's just stuck on a tier and stuck
in a cell ll day long watching TV and eating fillings, and he's mad.
And a lot of times what happens in that prison is that prisoners
take anger and frustration out on cach other, instead of people
refocusing that negative energy back on the correctional staff and
the administration, because they're the ones in positions to actually
change a lot of the stuff we beef about. But I just really can't speak
too much about the incident in general.

1 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
IGD: That makes sense and is super reasonable for you to answer
questions in whatever wa

feels best to you. You know, | like what
you were saying about how when people diceted that frustration
instead of horizontally at cach ather they dirccted it at the people
actually causing the conditions that are causing the confliets
amongst ane another. And then you have the possibility to get
the things
forced to live in. Its good to hear that there have been some small
ind improvement but we have h

ou need to improve the conditions that you are being

rd out here that there

also some violent responses from the guards and prison
staff, scemingly in retaliation for the uprising and the death of that
guard stephen floyd. We've heard that guards wore masks while
they beat prisoners and tossed theis cells, making it possible for
them 0 do so anonymously. So tell us about what happened after
the uprising, about the repression and about the impact of that
repression.

TG: They lost their minds. They lost their minds. They wanted to
beat everybody. That's just simply what it was. They wanted t beat
anybody that they felt as though they could possibly beat and get
away with, they wanted to fuck somebody up. And it was simply juse
to show who has control. But again, more importandy, things like
that don't go down without the higher ups knowing about ir. Like
to come around like that on that large of a scale, 1o just randomly
beat people up and fuck people up the way they did. Anad just to
campletely disrespect and violate and trash and shred and destroy
peoples property and personal belongings and stuff of that nacure,
on that big of a scale? Oh yeah, everybody knew about that. The
warden approved that himself. I'm willing to bet on that, There's
o way that he didn't know shout that. Or whoever was running the
prison at the time, the way it went down. Nobody could order that
type of search like that without the wardens approval so | know he
knew. And them having masks an? Oh that made it worse because
you couldn't even report it. You couldn't even say who assaulted
you, because they didn't even have 1D on when they came around.
When they came azound to the tiers to shake down. And they would
Fuck you up. They would literally assault you simply because lets say
they told you tuen around to face your wall and you look back over
your shoulder again. They we
cell, boom! And they w
They did it complet

 throwing tear gas canisters in the
< running in there and whooping your ass
unrestrained which is how I know that the

THE VAUGHN 17 15
warden had to approve that. But it did nothing but make people
hate him even more. I6s like come on man, you juse had such a
drastic incident take place bes

wse of a guy who disrespected
people and assaulted peaple years ago, years ago. | can honestly say
when thinking about last year, Floyd didn't assault nobody like he
used to assault people when he worked in the SHU. Like a guy just
o killed! This is what you do in response? Go back to treating
people like animals and treating people like shit and just randomly
fucking people up for nothing? So they started off on the wrong
foot. “Cause they could have used the opportunity to rej
seuff from before, and correct some of these officers who they
know have  tendency of violating the rights—the human rights, the
constitutional rights—of prisoners within a jail. They could have
started relocating some of these officers. They could have seill done
the searches but done them with a litle respect and decency. They
had them coming into cells telling people to completely strip down
to serip completely nude, to lift up their testicles o squat down
and cough while they're holding their testicles in the air and then
bend over at the waist and use both their bands o spread their butt
checks. And afier they asked you spread your butt cheeks they'd tell
you 10 take your hands and run them through yous mouth, around
your gums. And ir's like come on man, you know that you fucking
up maybe like one out of every five inmates because people just
refused to do that. They beat a guy, broke his rib cage and broke his
nose, because he asked to wash his hands before he put his hands
in his mouth cause he just got done spreading his butt cheeks with
his hands, and they fucked him up. I don’t know, people act so
surprised when something happens and they act like... don't know,
are you really not paying attention to whats going on? Are you not
paying attention 1o not whats going on just in the prison system
but the country as a whole? Especially when it comes to prisoners,
because we have no voice. Some people believe all prisoners are
rapists or murders o whatever the case may be so when they
hear about anything that happens to a prisoner it's like ‘ob fuck
them they got what they got they committed 2 crime’, and people
don't laok at us like we're human beings, so we really don't have a
voice and when you don't have 4 voice sometimes people can you
whatever they want to you.

16 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
R

Abednego Baynes

January 13¢h, 2018

How have you been holding up? Myself, | would have to say
well and hard at work getting ready for my criminal trial to make
sure 1 do all 1 can to prevent any injustices that may come my
way. 1 would like to thank you and all those who work with
you to send your love and support to all those in need. This
world that you eavision may one day become our realiy. In
hopes that everyone who has ever been oppressed find their
serength and stand tall. IF you ever want 1o write again feel fre

it would be gready respected and even more so sppreciated.
In full solidarity, support, and respect,

Abednego Baynes
SBI# 00582322

Sussex Correctional Institution
PO, Box 500

Georgetonn DE 19947

Date of birth: 05/20/1992

THE VAUGHN 17 17
Kevin Berry

May 24th, 2018

Thope this letter reaches you in the best of health. As for myself,
1 am good under the cireumstances. | would like to apologize
for taking s0 long to get back o you. There has been a lot going
on with this case that | had to focus on, such as the prosceution
putting & protective order on all the witness starements, so
basically we won't know what was said about us until the day
of the trial (SMH). Our lawyers will get the statements but they
cannot show, send, or tell us anything about these statements untl
trial. This whole case s built on these statemetns, so witholding
them from us is bullshit. The lawyers tha we were given by
the state aren't doing shit for us. 1 filed 2 motion o dismiss my
lawyer but it was denied by the judge. They are forcing us to use
these lawyers. I'm writing some things separately for the zine that
ae to be published for the “Innocent 18.” Another thing, one of
the dudes out of us 18 decided to turn informant (SMH). L wrote
about it on the page for the zinc.

es, this whole case is bullshit and they really are about to try and
railroad us (SMH). Plus, we are being oppressed daily by these

18 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
guards and forced to be locked down 23 hours 4 day since we were
indicted. The zines and letters we get from groups like y'all help us
out during these harsh times. And we really appreciate it lot. Also,
if there is anything in the letters that T wrote that you think would
be good for the zine, you have my permission to publish it, and you
can use my name. | have nothing to hide.

Love and solidarity,

Kevin

June 11th, 2018

1 wane 1o ask everybody that reads this zine a question. This
question is directed mainly to black people, but all colors know
what I talking about for sure and can relate. Why must black
people continue to be house niggers in this day and dme? My
definition for house nigger is: a black person (male or female) that
oppresses and abuses (mentally, physically, and sexually) their own
people to appease their owner (slave ownes). At the end of the day,
a house nigger will always be treated like the rest of the niggers on
the planeation by its owners. So there’s no real benefit for being a
house nigger.

Why did blacks become house niggers if there is no real benefit
for being a house nigger? | stll haven't figured it out yer. Is it
to oppress and abuse their own people for their own benefit or
pleasure? 1€ that was the case that’s sad. Yes, house niggers still
exist. You probably tlk 0 one every day. Whether you know it
or not, they are out there. We call them snitches, rats, informants,
cops, etc. They are the new modern day house niggers. They will
turn their own people over for nothing (SMH). Dudes tarn rat for
5o reason at all. They lic on other dudes just so they ean get off
on 4 nut-ass case they committed, then they go home and either
come back, turn addict, continue to rat to be free, or be kiled in the
sereers like they should be. All of that's not worth sending innacent
dudes 1o prison, locking them down, taking them away from their
family, and having them placed on these modern day plantations to
be abused mentally and physically by these pigs (police). Why muse
black people-matter of fact, people in general—continue to do

THE VAUGHN 17 19
this to each ather to appease the white man (judges, prosceution,
police, and C.0.s) that wants to keep us in chains?

1 speak of all this because this is what I see going on. How many
real and good dudes do you know who are on lockdown because
4 rat decided to do the white man's job for him? We are putting
i here-and we keep killing each ather—for what? To all
the brothers reading this, we must stop oppressing
appease the white man. These plantations wouldn't be so full of
s i we stopped putting each other here, and if we would let the
police do cheir jobs themselves without any help. Think: would you
be where you are at if it wasa't for a rat? No, right? A lot of good
dudes wouldn't.

each othe

ch other to

Another reason 1 say all of this is because the “Innocent 18” has a
modern day house nigger within the 18. You all should know about
our situation. 1€ you ain't familiar with it, well here it s. Basically
18 dudes was charged with the uprisings, or the riot that happened
in Delaware in 2017. A guard was killed and several others were
injured. Now, we put “Innocent” in front of the 18 hecause that's
what we are. Well a dude out of the 18 (Royal Downs) decided t0
turn snitch, rat, informer, and become a modern day house nigger.
The crazy part is he is a 50 year old grown ass man, with life in
prisan. Instead of holding his nuts like a man, he would rather help
the white man bring his own people down, who he knows to be
completely innacent. But because he mistakenly told on hisself, he
lied on the rest of us to get off, but still got charged at the end of
the day—stupid nigga. Not only did he tell on hisself, he made up
lies to bring dudes down—innocent dudes at that (SMH). He told
them (the prosccution) that he only wants to get moved to another
prison! Whatl?l He is lying on us, putting our lives in jeopardy,
just to be moved to anather prison. He would rather keep lying
on dudes that are at the end of their bids to try and leep them in
this plantation for life, but that's not gonna happen. We gone fight

Kevin Berry

PS, Innocent 17, hold your heads up and stay strong. Love, loyalty,
and solidarity. Remember: Real Niggaz stand up and rumble. Bicch
Niggaz fold and run,

20 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
June 11th, 2018

L' writing you this short note beeause | want to give you an update
on me and why this letter didn't get out on time. Hopefully I make
the cut for the zine. The drawing s included for the zine. [See the
drawing on the topic of rats on the inside back cover -ed] Look, 1 had
the letter ready o be sent out, but before | could send it off, 1 let
this C.O. knock me off my square, so 1 ended up getting shot up,
shocked with the electrical shield, and jumped by the C.Os twice.
I have been healing up, trying to get right and better. | have been
o a hunger strike for six days now. | don't plan on stopping until

I get what 1 am suppose to have. | got beat up on June seventh
and eighth. T will give you updates on that. 1 am okay right now. 1
am sell in the fight. My mind is stronger than my body, so I have
the will power to go for & long time. Again, | am sorry for taking
50 long to get back with you. I just got my property today, so P'm
in the hole as we speak. | wanted to make sure that you got this. |
hope to hear back from you. Take care of yourself.

Solidarity, love, and logalry,

Kevin

., There are brothers that are looking for lawyers that will take
their case pro bono. A few of us are going to represent ourselves—
including me. That's because we refuse 0 use the lawyers that
the state gives us, since they are working against us. Please check
Delaware Online under 2017 Smyrna Prison Uprising for our info.
Please contact any of us.

Kevin Berry
SBI# 00496645

Howard R Young Correctional Facility
PO, Box 9561

Wilmington, DE 19809

Date of birth: 07/17/1990

THE VAUGHN 17 21
John Bramble

January 17¢h, 2018

What's going on? 1 just got your lecter today and it good t0 know
I'm not alone. You know in times like this | need all the support
Iean get. I'm sure you already know some of my comrades have
received letters from ABC and I was in the process of writing you
guys but then 1 got this today. 've read your 2018 resource guide
‘and I believe that we share a lot of the same beliefs. In the resource
guide 1 was looking for anything about John Brown. I didn't sec
anything 0 if you could send me some things on him. For now |
can't talk about the uprising due to the case still being open. [ hope
you can understand that. But I would like o give you a it insight
on what we're going through now:

Wel they split the 18 of us into two groups of 9. Each group is
in different jails. They've cleared 4 tier completely and housed us
on it. They'se in the process of instlling 10 new cameras. Each
one is being installed right outside all 9 of our cells. We believe
that the cameras are not just video but audio as well. They want
to see and hear everything we do. They've written a whole new
policy just for us, our tier has a whole different list of rules from
the rest of the jail. Aside from that we've got to deal with the

22 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
/0 wlking stupid and every chance they get to they hold it on
us. Tt really gees to them when they see us sticking together, they
can't stand it. They're teying theis best o break us, and they can't
do i, All this stuff just helps me get stronger. All | do is workout,
study, and draw. Every once in a while talk a livle shit with the
uys. But that's about ir. There isa't 2 tv or radio and we only get
one phone call a week so 1 have to look at it like it's a chance to
et sharper, right? But no matter how | try to look at it eventually
reality sets in and that's when 1 look at all the people that reached
out and showed their love and support and 1 understand it isa't
over! So thanks! 1 you could please pass my info along to anyone

free to write back. Untl next
time, keep your head up and stay safe cause the fight isn't over.

who would like to write. Also fe

In solidarity,

Johnny

John Bramble
SBI# 450202

Sussex Correctional Institution
PO, Box 500

Georgetonn DE 19947

Date of birth: 09/01/1989

THE VAUGHN 17 23
Robert Hernandez

January 25, 2018

I would rather dic & free man in prison than a broken slave to a
United Seates that falls divided by race, color, and class. This is
only what Talone feel. James Baldwin wrote this: “People who shut
their eyes o reality simply invite their own destruction, and anyone
who insists on remaining in & state of innocence long after that

innocence is dead turns into a monster.” 1 wrote this for DOC,
for law enforcement, that so called government of Amerikkka that
continues to victimize, brutalize, and condemn people like me. You
created me, now you must learn to deal with me. If you kill me then

you become that which you created

A Rising Storm Cloud
Fear i the momentum shifing our ambition
1 find o safe haven to run and hide

For the wind is blowing fierce and with it comes purification

24 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
In my weakest moments 1 found strength
Theough pain, sbandonment, and isolation
“The innermost fragile pieces of my thonghts
Tvisted by the darkness from my captors

Squeezing the very breath out of my lungs

Tam a muse to your deception
Beyond your control

“The bright blue sky has lost s

Rays of innocence and light

“The darkness has consumed its view and

Now comes the beginning of the storm

Your very tools of destructive force have given
Life t0a new realiy Fear has become anger
Isolation brewved numbess

And pure hatred has enfuled its pows

Rising storm clouds have blossomed

Lightning i s beauty

Now here to consume us al

None is pardoned by this

Event of natural beauty

We are but its pawas

THE VAUGHN 17 25
2

;mw 7 ¢
I CoMETE UNITH
T drew this as a symbol of our
struggle. Itk 18 with a piece broken
Off-16 of us fully charged. The hands
locked symbolizes unity and strength,
shackles broken in camaraderie and
deliverance behind walls. The tear for
the casualty of February lst, 2017.
The raven flies free, carries our souls
(inspired by the movie “The Crow”).
We are surrounded by negativity.
~Rabert Hernandes

Note: This was originally intended to b the
cover-art for the zine, but the snitching by
Royal Downs vilated the nnity and strength
symbolized bere, thus turning 18 into 17,

27
In the Dark
And what you pursue

Because even the most timid
Can touch you

After all it not what you

See in the light
Its what you don'e pay ateention to
In the dark that wil

Haunt you

March 1st, 2018

Lam currently fighting for my life in Delsware. This experience has
totally changed me. There is so much 1 feel inside 1 want 10 put
out there and just 10 speak with someone I can identify with in my
struggle. | come from the streets, [ was born in Tolase, CA. [ lived
in Bl Paso TX, Albuguerque NM, Las Cruces, NM. Most my life [
spent most weekends in Juarez, Mexico.

My life has been crazy since day 1 but 1 never understood til now
the x

iy of appression, racism, and this fucked up country! 1 am
Xicano, | don't consider myself Mexican or American, Pm my own
breed. My echnicity is minority I guess, if that makes sense. I'm
reading your literature on abolishing policing in Oakland. I consider
my life in anarchy. | have an anarchy symbol tattooed on my left
shoulder blade since when I was young. Not fully understanding
the war we are in, 1 was ineroduced by  judicial system chat is far
from fair and by incarceration surrounded by prejudice, hatred, and
violence. 1 ain't perfect, I done my dirt, but what | came to realize
is 1 was fighting for the reasons and conflicts that meant nothing
bu the destruction of my own eistence.

28 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
1 feel awvakened now, and 1 know whether my lfe consists of being
incarcerated for life or freedom on the streets my agenda remains
intact. 1 believe in equality and a world without borders or status,
alife worth living without the lies and deceit by a government that
s formed by white supremacy, power, greed, and teaches us 10 be
content with an llusion of freedom! I'm tired of being stercotyped,
scen as an illegal alien, cartel member, rapist, gang member. That
is what I'm always questioned about and | aint no cartel member, |
was born in Cali, 1 aint never raped anyone and would nor, 1 don't
believe in rape and how do | look at 36 gang banging?

My ancestors, my culture, my family were raped, tortured (genocide),
violated every way by Spain, Europe, the white pilgrims that came
to this country and brought slavery, greed, and destruction to
Native Americans, the same superior whites that invaded Africa
and brought people to this country as slaves. [ don't look at the
color of skin ar gender, | look at the person! For that is who we are,
4 people ambitious, determined to belong, to live our lives. 1 don't
hate white people, 1 aint a hypocrite, 1 will embrace white, black,
Chinese, gay, straight, short, tall with love if you stand for what 1
stand for. | in't embracing no man nor woman that looks dows on
me or teaches racism like trump and the right wing nationalists out
in the world recruiting and totally armed against me!

I want to live for much more, fight for much more. | aint looking
up 10 God o save me, m looking inside myselfl Help me to
undesstand and learn 0 1 can aem myself mentally. 1 want to learn
and study. This jail don't teach me shit but one thing: to never
surrender, never give in, never fall. | know these pigs want to see me
dead and suffering 1 feel their hatred, 1 see it in their eyes! 1 don't
care to hate these punk police, they hate me! They continuously kill
and get away with murder cause they wear a badge. They go out
their way with parades, memorials, plaques, but we get shitl Toss us
in a hole, see yal I heard a kid maybe 20, 21 was shot and killed in
Las Cruces by police, they dragged his body like trash! That's how
Amerikkka sces me, as twash, my family and children. Il gladly
spend eternity in a cage for what is right than hit a world (frec) that
will try to kill me or dignify locking me up again! I'm already free
anyway in my mind, my spisic it soars even while 'm locked in a
cel. You can take my life but you won't take my voice!

THE VAUGHN 17 29
Iwrote these a few months prior;

I Cannot Find Shelter

I cannort find sheler, cannot feel love,
AU see is pain 1 try to look shove
Am 1 forgotten can I be found

Is god a mystery is salvation around

1do not want to die, bt i’s hard to live
“The devils at my dooreay [ have nothing le to give
Gave everything avay

Only for the moment

God can you hear me can you free me from

“This torment

Maybe I can find redemption

Learn to dismiss all temptation

“The soul is cager o fly

et my body is ready to dic.
I Am Mexica

Tam Mexiea proud of my culture
Brown skin Brown eyes Brown pride
Warsior spirit bound by the jaguse

Humble but brave free by will

Not to be enslaved
Olmeca Tolteea we are an ancient race
Their white world tried to destroy us all

Betray my people destroy our homes

0 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
Label us a disgrace
May Huitzilopochibi haunt your thoughs
Quetzcoat devour your world

Astlan is my paradise Azdlan is my home

To the heavens above and hell down below
Llet it be known

Lam Mesica,

Masch 7eh, 2018

Let me break down what is going on now. 18 of us were indicted
Oct 17 2017. There is a lot of propaganda put out by the local
media. (The seuff 1 send you have my blessing o use. If you think
it will help by all means use it) Our atcorneys complain about the
money they only get 70 an hour to sepresent us o we get the
poorest defense. My attorney was a district attorney 1 can't even
talk with this man, don't trust or confide in anything he says or
does. Its been over a year to build a case and still nothing 1 and
other co-defendants have no discovery no idea of what is going on.
The state refuses 0 provide anything but excuses. | ain't fel the
sun or fresh air since Oct 17, 2017. We are treated very differently
We would get searched twice daily our property always trashed or
taken. It sad really because their punk police don't care about
the pigs it's all an illusive act to get a better paycheck. They got
that, but everyone else ain't getting anyehing. If you read the local
newspaper and hear the local news radio station its crazy how this
s sill going on, corruption in its purest form. Hatred not for the
death of a man but for the stereotype, the fact that we are seen as

inmates, another word for slave,

1 know that my days are numbered for 1 am a breed of unity, power.
I have a voice and I know many want it shut. Assholes want to see
me under control, but rebellion is a part of my idencity. Be strong
and courageous in this war, cause what we are fighting for is life

the right to live, frec.

THE VAUGHN 17 3
I want the world to know that as long as there is a Prison,
Capitalism, Donald Trump in office, Racism, Police Brutality,
Oppression there will be rebellion in the few that have become

The books | want to read are about history, culture, and education.
1 really want 10 read the Che Guevara books, etc. 1 need o feed
my mind and sharpen my sword (that is my tongue). Words are
sharp and I want t0 educate and liberate as many as possible, Billy
Graham style

As the issue with fighting these false charges, i's more political than
anything. We are sacrificial lambs led to a slaughter. No evidence
provided or release of autopsy, discovery only so called witnesses
callaborating a false story to empower the Dept. of Corruptions.
1 wanted 0 ask if you could look into books written by Carlos

Castaneds,

1 am also searching for pen-pals that have the same beliefs and
ideas that we share. The more the merrier. Out of the cighteen
individuals one was and is a confidential informant he is not longer
among our presence. Royal Diamond Downs. This coward made
six remarkable statements pure lies and this deceit was devastating,
however there is no excuse for his weakness and destructive
character. This was one I considered an ally and we had a strong
is still 17 strong militant brothers here. No
matter what lies ahead there is power in unity there is loyalty and
honor in selflessness and sacrifice no matter how small. 1 chank you
greadly for your camaraderie and in saying “bad ass” brother for
real 1 am but a man struggling like the next. We are very ambitious
and determined to stand for what is right, we are cqual and share

camaraderic. Yet the

tha identity 1 guess.

There is about six of us that were ready for release in less than
three years these pigs dangle our frecdom in front of us like we
dogs in a kennel. Still they can keep it for 1 may be physica
confined and entombed but mentally, and spiritually 1 am frec.

Our struggle is real and we always hear that these fuckers want

revenge and blalblalblal | don't care how they feel or want cause

2 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
one day the truth will be seen and heard, one day the hidden will
came to light and people will know that we 17 individuals wrongly
accused and eriticized will continue to stand firm. | truly believe
this and 1 hope this is understood. And again thank you for
your support it is greatly appreciated and felt behind these walls.
April 16¢h, 2018

Twice daily we are handeuffed/shackled for a simple window
eheck. It takes 3 times the time to secure us than the actual window
check. We are continuously forced to terminate phone calls which
are prepaid so the “sceurity team” can shake us down. TWICE A
DAY, We are completely isolated from the population. We have no
contraband!

are cuffed so regular pod officers can do 4 wi
Vet we don't have to be cuffed during recreation when they come
around. This is idiotic. We are not permitted to go outside, yet
there is a rec yard ousside the tier newly outfiteed with cameras that
we are not allowed in

On several oceasions, the heads of security: Lt. Kruetz, Captain
Hernandez, and Major Holinsworth have showed prejudice and
acts of retaliatory aggression,

1) Shutting off our cells drinking water because we refused to cat.

2) Stepping into an inmates cl, without & camera, with a weapon,
and pointing it point blank range in his face (a paintball gun that
shoots stun balls),

3) Officers covered all windows with magnetic covers to stop us
from witnessing any violation done by DOC.

4) Threats of letting the canine officer release his dog on us while
we are shackled.

These are only some of the incidents. 1¢s an everyday thing with
us being antagonized, trying to get us 1o react so they can hurt us.
For example, the canine officer has been known to aggressively
sing; the “Cops” theme somg while letting his dog jump and bark
on our windows.

THE VAUGHN 17 3
Thice out of cight of us have been QRT' (Quick Response
Team), maced, best, and deprived of all rights. Both
constitutional and ones granted by the CLASI Agreement. We
have been enduring harassment since being charged without
with being involved with the Smyrna uprising on 2/1/17.
We get harassed regularly. The security has come with a shock shield
and paintball gun just to do a standard shakedown. My property has
been destroyed numerous times. My mail has been ampered with,
lost, or destroyed. 1 was seen by the Deputy Chief of DOC in May
and he said “my officers have the green light 10 do what
if you step out of line.” Then | was told that “officers had the okay
to take me out since I'm a suspect on this level”

Iwakeup daily not knowing if today is my day to get seriously hurt or
Killed. 1 know all of my co-defendants feel the same way. This is why
we nced support in this matter. We need as many people as possible
to call and shed light on the fact that we 17 are under a tremendous

, ask

amount of retaliation. We need the people to call, compla
questions, and speak to the Delaware branch of the News Journal

Thank You

May 29th, 2018

Fourteen years, I have spent incarcerated, throughout that time [
have experienced more than some. I came in 2 boy and have grown
into matuity... mentally, spiricually, and physically. Behind these
walls lies another world many cannot understand. Its a world of
segregation, oppression, and corruption. This world thri
hatred, superiority, and racism. It is a den of affliction buile on
overpowering the minds and hearts of men. These prisons are
not meant to rehabilitate but to break the spiri, control, and to
ensure the financial wealth of a certain few: This journey through
torment has awakened my mind and heart to seck out the purpose
of my existence... a reason 1o correct my mistakes for now I can
see the overflow of injustice, the importance of revolutionary
understanding and projecting to the world outside the significance
of change and truth. To whom chooses to pay attention for a second,
and for those who sce the trials, tribulations, and sacrifices of so

many that have come before us. They that were not succumbed to

u LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
the beast and liberated so many minds inspired us all to selflessness,
brotherhood, and cquality

1 choose to do better for myself, for my family, and for humanity
So many men and women enter these institutions corrupted by
drugs, gangs, material possessions, violence, and far 100 many are
overcome by poverty (but you really don't have 1o be in prison
to be imprisoned). Without rehabilitation, education, or a chance
to truly overcome these challenges how ean you truly expeet to
climinate the criminal factor. These stone wals become a second
home & security blanket for so many that can't handle o fast
moving world outside. Mental health issues arrive from prison, you
create more chaos than change. Prison is 4 kingdom of mental
illness hidden, and it's hard to ask for help from the system that
oppresses youl Incarceration in the United States has been at an
all time high leading the world in incarcerating it's citizens. This
s the free world? It costs more to keep so many locked up, why
would you keep doing it? Now this presidency believes in locking
up “illegals” They build a wall to keep individuals out, all those
thae seck opportunity to support their families. Is everyone truly a
criminal? There has 10 be a better way. Prison walls only ereate and

manufacture more crime, violence, and hatred. This heart is alive
and it's hungry! It time to wake up, it's time to do better, and lead
the way for those ahead to follow:

May 29th, 2018

I've come to believe that the thoughts of men have harvested
many inentions throughout time. They have flourished, grown,
and planted seeds in the hearts and minds of others by their
actions, their words, and their legacy. They leave behind a way
of life, traditions and the traditions our ancestors that carried on

whether good or bad, right or wrong, have passed on through all
mankind. Oppression, hatred, and racism are well sooted in the
American traditions. These characteristics that are alive and well
today hidden behind the American dream, yet for too many this
is no dream but a nightmare. See 00 many are quick to point
fingers with chastising one another, this or that, for the choices
we have made and the direction of our lives. It may carry some

truth however we are human and we will make mistakes. We may

THE VAUGHN 17 ES
fail and lose from time to time. We are allowed to do these things,
naturally. That does not mean | should not be allowed the same equal
opportunity to correct those mistakes, all men and women alike
deserve that chance. Regardless of who you are, what you believe,
or your appearance. We can correct, learn, and evalve. W
ourselves, our communities, and our world. Do we truly need to carry
S0 many of those traditions? These thoughts that have poisoned our
environment for o long? Let not the idealism of the past come to
shape our futare. I¢s time to choose to do beteer to challenge and
defeat the doctrines of segregation, superiority, class, and financial

We don't nced to live selfish but learn and choose

¢ can better

worth o benet
‘o live selfless.

Now I am no doctor, professor, politic
In the eyes of this system set by the U
am a conviet, criminal, | am but a prisoner suspended in a world
of overflowing injustice. 1 have a GED I earned in prison. Many
officials believe | don't deserve more education, rehabilitation, or

, or a well-educated man.

ed States Government |

vacational

ning, I spend my time in a cell ewenty-two hours a day.
1do not have financial stability or a wealchy family. T don't have a pot
0 piss in or a window 10 toss it out of. My mind cannot be confined
or controlled, 1 have the abiliy to learn, to understand, to fight, and
overcome the challenges and barriers ahead of my I
brotherhood and equality for al. 1 want to pass on a new tradition,
a better idealism through my actions, my character, and my words
Words ase powerful, sharp as any sword, and they cut deep. Men will
fai, pass on, die, and we wil leave something behind. What will it
be? Wil it benefic or hure? | leave words that hopefuly can inspire,
spe arts of men o be selfless. To do beteer. My dream
to be realized is brotherhood, working together, unity. Maybe one
day. T believe one thing, si se puede, yes we can! Let the walls come
down that segregate each and every one of us mentally, spisivually,
and physically

e. L believe in

o the

Robert Hernandez
SBI# 00643521

Howard R. Young Correctional
PO Box 9561

Wilmingron, DE 19809

Date of birth: 09/25/1981

£ LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
Lawrence L. Michaels

January 18h, 2018

First, | would like to thank you for the care & concern you'y
through your actions and words. I send this appreciation on behalf
of myself and any of my comrades. Personally, | had prepared
myself mentally, for a long and lonely baude. A battle against a
system accustomed 10 using every means to destroy individuals
such as myself. This is one of the clearest displa

bown

s of classism
and oppression I've ever had to face. Honestly, I've realized that
Ijust have to come to terms with the worst possible scenario and
only then can 1 truly fight back freely. You hit it on the nose as far
as going through hell right now. | think that's an understatement
Everywhere we go they have about four guards with a K-9 dog or
officer with a somewhat heavy duty paine ball gun. It good to sec
that somebody out there cares. Sometimes it can feel like youre
alone with no one by your side. But getting a letter of even a card
can make a polluted environment become potent with nothing but
fresh air to breath. Your letter cleared the air. At this time | can't
say much duc to the ongoing rial phase but what | can and will do
is once 1 get my Rule 16 (discovery), (which should be this month).
Pll send you copies so you can see for yourself what they got,

THE VAUGHN 17 37
and then you can spread it around to groups around the country /
world. As for me, 'm 31 years old from North Philadelphia where
Ive lived all my life. My mother and father was both murdered (at
different times), when 1 was young. I've spent a lttle more than
half my life in this system, so from my early teens til adulthood
Pve been locked up. I NEVER got to enjoy what they calllife but
goduillingly Tl walk away free of these crazy charges and finish
up the last of these 5.5 years | have left in here. Other than that,
Llove to read, write, and learn new things. I'm working on my
communicative skills which 1 lack. But corresponding with new
people now is advancing my ability: And Id be happy if you can
be a penpal. But again thank you very much for taking time out
of your life to reach out. 1¢% highly appret

ted. Sitting here going
through this and now just getting info that the state is pushing for
the death penalty to come back before we go to trial. They broke
the trials down to (5) five groups. The frst trial starts in Oct of this
year. I'm in group 2 which starts in Jan of 2019, But please write
back when you find time. Until next time be safe and always firm.

Peace and Solidarity,

Lawrence Michacls
SBI# 630903

Sussex Corectional Institution
PO Box 500

Georgetown DE 10947

Date of birth: 08/14/1986.

38 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
Luis Sierra
(Abdul-Hagq El-Qadeer)
January 24th, 2018

Before 1 begin, allow me to express my appreciation for your
passion, dedication, and cffort against oppression and the
injustices we face as Amerikkkan prisoners. Not only is your
scruggle mutually shared within my heare but so is the lovel

To proceed...You know most prisons require a book limit that
doesa’e allow 4-5 books ac a time for fire hazard purposes. So, for
ya'll 0 have paper form books available at no cost, L had to sieze that
opportunity! Anyway, you wrote me in reference o my perspective
on my case. Me personally, I'm truthfully innocent of these charges

50 ualess they have some manufactured evidence against me, U'm

more than optimistic about my chances at trial. However, not only
is this Delawase, but this whole situation is politically motivated
which means there could be a few vacancies if they don't find us
guilty! T believe our chances are slim when it comes to selecting a
faie and impartial jury

THE VAUGHN 17 39
First and foremost, this was the biggest story of 2017 in the state
of Delaware and 1 know for a fact that there’s going to be juror
members with hidden agendas who claim that they don't have any
knowledge of this story just to serve the interest of the state. I'm
not sure if you're in tune with the controversics surrounding this
particular story but the DA seems adamant about bringing back the
death penalty as well. So, not only are they trying to make sure that
we don'e see the light of day again but they're actually trying to kill
us! The only weay to counter this attack is by building a nationwide
support team! Not only do we want to change the nasrative of
what's already been said about us but we want the world to know

what led up to this and how we were handpicked by jailhouse
snitches expecting leniency. Starting a blog is genius because that
will give us 4 voice and help us create the support team. Our main
objective is to fill up that coureroom so the presence of our support
can be felt by the jury in its entirety. They need to know that we
aren't sacrificial lambs and that we're going o fight for our lives!
As we all know, there’s serength in numbers and it's my hope that
our combined strength will be enough to overcame the powers that
be who wish to continue their reign of oppression.

It seems like the more I learn of the injustices done to us as people,
the more 1 become inspired by yall's own Fred Hampton. To be so
young, he had a way with words that could Al you with hope and
passion at the same time. That was & baaaaad brother by the way
If you can provide any literacure on him I'd greatly appreciate it
Before 1 go, 1 want to leave ya'll with some words from another
comade... “Faint hearts never win decisive battles” ~George L.
Jacksan. Once again, thanks for the love and 1 hope to hear from

“Loie

March 21s¢, 2018

Salutations comrade! Before | begin, please allow me to apologize
fist for taking so long to write back. As you already know,
not only am 1 being thoroughly investigated for the death of a
carrections officer, but all my in-coming and out-going mail is
being censored. Therefore, it taking longer than it usually does

40 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
for me to receive my mail. Youre wise enough o know how these
things go, especially when the government’ involved. They're just
doing whatever in their power to binder my communication o |
can be behind schedule on building my support team. Don't worry
though, because this matter has already been addressed to my judge
through my attorney, so I'm expecting some progress. If not, then
just continue to be patient with me and know that the moment |
back asap!

receive your leteers, | will wri

You mentioned o me in your last letter about sending me some
books, and will 1 be able to share the literature amongst the
brothers? OF course | will But this is the thing, the rules here at the
prisan state that the book can't exceed 8.5 x 117 and it can't weigh
over 5 Ibs. Also, but for some strange reason, they don't accept
books from amazon or ebay. 1 keep tryna wrap my head around
why but I haven't come up with an answer yet. As a matter of fact,
1did! Ubelieve i’ just a lighter form of appression. Think about it
How in the hell do you not allow books to come from the country’s
fumber 1 distributor? There is no logical answer for that other
than that they're trying to deprive us of educating ourselves. S0 you
ko, most people in prison are broke! Therefore, whenever we do
come across some money to purchase a book or two, we go for the
cheapest option available. And guess what company is the cheapest?
AMAZON! You know what's going on with these people? They
might et these other brothers fooled, but not mel To be honest
with you, brother, | would recommend that you keep your good
hard-carned money because despite me having the abilty o pass
the books to the rest of the brothers, we're actually not allowed to
borrow and lend. Understand? 1 one of these C.O.s catch me or

somebody else trying to pass a book, then not only could chis result
in 4 write-up which could possibly affect our phone calls, but the
book would be considered contraband, which means they have the

authority to confiscate it. Also, depending on the size of the book,
it might have to be destroyed and broken down into sections o it
can fit under the doors. IF you didn't know, despite us being on the
same tier (9 of us), we're all isolated to where we can't pass each
other anything by hand. 1¢’s a very, very complex situation we have
going on here..1f you had something you wanted to me to read, is
it possible you can photocopy a few chapters at your public library?
1 know chis may be a lttle time consuming, but it's only an idea, feel

THE VAUGHN 17 a1
me? For me, it will be great b
but L might be able to hold onto it due to the fact that it w

-ause ot only will it be

ex to pass
be just

papes. I dont know, it cotally up o you, brother!

a2

Luis Sierra
(Abdul-Haqq El-Qadeer)
SBI# 00455723

Sussex Correctional Institution
PO Box 500

Georgetown DE 10947

Date of birth: 02/19/1986

LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
Dwayne Staats

January 27¢h, 2018

Peace and Greetings! The encrgy, fforts, and devotion you extend
towards the struggle is saluted and most appreciated. Solidarity is a
universal langusge that's conveyed through sacrifice or selflessness.
These acts are usually committed in pursuant 10 2 good that’s greater
than individuslized gratification. This philosophy s the mecea of
mast rebellions, revolts, and uprisings. When the threshold for
discrimination, incquality, or oppression is surpassed, resistance
becomes & viable mechanism for thwarting these miscarrisges of
justice. Unfortunately when concerning humanity or civil rights,
history reflects that tragic events often precede the implementation
of “real” change. That's the narsative that should be applied to the
uprising at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center. When “absolute
control” is the desire of the nefarious hierarchics, emasculation
along with physical, psychological, and emotional abuses are
4 few devices used to forge their subjugative culture. From
my experience, prison is a microcosm of society, there’s 4 class
caste system, polities, economics, and hearings for those accused
of violations. All these facets are tainted by corruption, but the
overscers sill managed to thrive underneath a veil of concealment,
The paradigm is shifting on all fronts. The fascists, clitists, and

THE VAUGHN 17 43
sadists who incumbent positions of power that ensble them to
influence policy or to merely impose theie will on the
never imagined that their cloak of invincibility would evaporate. It
was unfathomable that amongst the chatel, passive and docile, a
few valiant hearts would emerge. Not only to expose indiseretion
but to liberate the conscience of the collective.

culnesable

Live from the trenches,

D. Staass #believinginmysel

Masch 5¢h, 2018
MEMORABILIA

“This is the frec-est P've felt in dam near two decades man!” That
purport was declared by an ol’ head in passing, as | stood enthralled
inside a realm of tranquility. In that moment Id become oblivious
to the inundation of water slowly ascending beyond the sole of
my sneakers. Gleaming through the dense smoke permeating the
atmosphere was c

been tamped into an asphyxiating obscurity. While simultancously,
empowered souls performed in unison to expeditiously assemble
barsicades. In that moment the flickering of fire hazard lights
illuminated the burgundy stains vying for attention as they streaked
down the pale surface. People traveling en-route from ane tier to
the next. Faces were covered to circumvent the inhalation of fumes.
Regardless of if | recognized individuals as acquaintances or had
50 association with them. In that moment there was a familiarity

ebratory exchanges by revitalized spiries who'd

in everyones eyes that conveyed a reciprocated sentiment to an
ineffable emotion.

June 4th, 2018

James T. Vaughn Corsection Center is located at 1181 Paddock
Road. For those unfamiliar with the word “paddock,” it defined
ast an enclosed area for pasturing o exercising animals. Their
method of operation is evinced before one steps foot inside the
facility. Fortunately, there are some who refrain from acclimating
to domestication... | recently read an article pertaining to. the
prisan tiot in South Carolina. A few brothers allegedly confessed

a4 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
ustraton: “lsolatio” by Duwayne Stats

0 murdering inmates because theyd rather be executed than
have to spend the rest of their lives in that prison. Is death
synonymous to_freedom when one’s existence s submerged
within the bowels of a manufactured helll? In my case the district
attoney is lobbying legislators to re-cnact lethal injections. The
rationale is under the guise of secking justice, but this retaliatory
measure only substantiated their propensity to kill. This isnt my
concern, because personally 1 don’t believe death is a penalty. No
one can definitively tell me otherwise. Furthermore, when one’s
mindset morphs to 4 “by any means” mode, death no longer is
a deterrent towards accomplishing the “necessary” I'm not what

THE VAUGHN 17 a5
one considers orthodox. What these minds perccive as being a
worst case scenario. My interpretation depicts the transition from
physical to spiritual, where one can congregate with ancestors
while being fitter for their wings. Those bearing false witness
against us have disgracefully knelt in front of the same persecutors
who use captivity as a device to destroy our families/communities.
They've come to barter their souls in exchange for leniency. I've
elected 0 go prose (represent myself) so Tl get 10 cross examine
these rodents. Its unfathomable as to how these opportunistic
paasites could exploit an act of rightousness to pursue selfish
agendas. That in itself should be a crime againse humanity. These
leeches ain't compromising their integrity for the sake of adding
to che quality of life. Most possess no viable skill that'll result in a
legitimate means of providing. There ain't no professional spades
or Pinoche leagues. So how they gone survive? James T. Vaugha
Correctional Center has conditioned them to be suffi

thing and one thing and that's “contributing to the recidivism rate.”
Personally 1 feel this trial is an extension of the upsising, in the
sense that | TV.C.C. i going back under the microscope for the
dissection. With a surgeons precision, | must implant into the juries
conscious that rebellion was the only antidote potent enough to
counter a malignant el destructively exacerbating a culture of
subjugation. OF course the state will faunt the murder, assault,
kidnapping, and riot charges for inflammatory purposes, but that
sill won't discourage me From “standing in my truth and letting
the chips fall”

BLM.

Duayne Staats
SBI# 467005

Howard R. Young Correctional Facility
PO, Box 9561

Wilmington, DE 19809

Date of birth: 11/10/1981

a6 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
Ways to Support the Vaughn 17

Write a letter! The addresses for the individuals who have written
to us may be found throughout the zine and you can find the
addresses of the remaining individuals below. Writing to prisoners
is one of thy ¢ individuals

stways to show solidarity. All of the:

would love to hear from you. As stated by Lawrence Michacls,
 that somebody out there cares. Sometimes it can
lone with nio one by your side. But getting a letter

“It' good to
feel like you's

or even a card can make a polluted cavironment become potent
with nothing but fresh air to breathe.” Your letter need not be
pals if you

long or extravagant. You don't have to become pes
dont want 0. A simple card saying that they are not alone can
mean the world (we've also included their birthdays so you can
send birthday cards). These folks may be behind bars but they are
friends and comrades and are part of our movements just the same.

Put cogether a letter writing night in your town or simply hang their
addresses somewhere you hang out and let people write them on
their own. A printable poster with addresses can be found here:

betpse fnsgoingown orgep-content/uploads/2017/11
=

Help publicize their case! The more people know about this case,
the more peaple with different capacitics can be drawn in to various
support roles. Publicizing the case can be as easy as making copies
of and distributing this zine, dropping a banner in your town, or
holding an event to publicize the case. Such an event could entail
reading some of the letters in this zine, listening to part of the

Bloc Party podeast with former Vaughn inmate Thomas Gordon,

a discussion about ways to support them, and/os lecter writing Be
ereative! The Bloc Party interview with Thomas Gordon can be

found here:

heeps:/ fiesgoingdown.org bloc-party-interview-former-

vaughn-prisoner-thomas-gordon/

Show up for court! Trials for these individusls are set to begin in
October 2018. I is imperative that we pack the court to let these
folks know that when they rebel they will have support. Keep an
¢ on It's Going Down and other news sources for updates and

calls o pack the courtroom. If you have solid connections in or

THE VAUGHN 17 a7
around Delawar,

getin touch with them o have them email us at
chicagoanarchistblackeross@riscup.net.

A number of these prisoners are secking lawyers certified 10
practice in the state of delaware who are willing to represent them
ro bone. A number of them have expressed concerns about their
state-appointed lawyers having bias against them. Pl
touch with th

get in
prisoners if you are willing to give them legal
advice or represent them pro boro.

Pedro Chairez

SBI# 00697878
Sussex Correctional Institution
PO, Box 500
Georgetown, DE 10947

Date of birth: 08/17/1975

Janis Mathis

SBI# 00492275
Howard R. Young Correctional Facility
PO, Box 9561

Wilmington, DE 19809

Date of birth: 04/24/1992

Jasrea Ayers

SBI# 204204
Sussex Correctional Institution
PO, Box 500

Georgetown DE 19947

Date of birth: 06/15/1981

a8 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
Obadiah Miller

SBI# 00605360
Howard R. Young Correctional Facility
PO, Box 9561

Wilmington, DE 19809

Date of birth: 08/04/1992

Alejandro Rodriguez-Ortiz

SBI# 00515700
Howard R. Young Correction:
PO, Box 9561

Wilmington, DE 19809

Date of birth: 12/17/1989

Facility

Deric Forney

SBI# 00485314
Howard R. Young Correctiona
PO, Box 9561

Wilmington, DE 19809

Date of birth: 02/06/1989

Facility

Jonathan Rodriguez

SBI# 00593313
Sussex Corectional Institution
PO, Box 500

Georgetown, DE

19947

THE VAUGHN 17 49
Roman Shankaras

SBI# 00376142
Sussex Correctional Institution
PO, Box 500
Georgetown, DE 19947
DOB: 01/31/1987

Cotey Smith

SBI# 00456030
Howard R. Young Correctional Facility
PO, Box 9561

Wilmington, DE 19809

Date of birth: 07/14/1985

Kelly Gibbs

SBI# 00546917
Sussex Correctional Institution
PO Box 500

Georgetown DE 10947

Date of bisth: 10/01/1988

50 LIVE FROM THE TRENCHES.
PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY

BLoob FRUIT PRINTWORKS
“James T. Vaughn Correction Center is
located at 1181.Paddock Road.. For those
unfamiliar with the word ‘paddock,’ it's
defined as: an enclosed aréa for pasturing
or excercising _animals. Their method of
operation is evinced before one steps
foot inside the facility. Fortunately, there
are some who refrain from acclimating to
domestication...”