The origins of the Anarchist Black Cross
(ABC) date prior o the Russian Revolution
oF 1905. It was an off-shoo of the Political
Red Cross, known in is earler stages as the
Anarchist Red Cross (ARC). It was formed
10 organize aid for Anarchist and Social
Revolutionary Political Prisoners and their
families. n the early 1920, the ABC ongan-
ized armed resistance against political raids
by the Cossack and Red armies.

In its early decades, the organization had
chapters throughout Europe and North
America. These chapters worked together o
provide assistance to prisoners only. in
Russia. Soon other groups, such a5 the
Lettsh Anarchist Red Cross, emerged to
provide aid in other arcas beside Russia
Armed with the ideas of mutual aid andsol

idarity, these groups worked tirclessly to
provide support to those who have suffered
because of the political beliefs back hom.

In 1919, the organization’s name changed
o the Anarchist Black Cross to avoid confu-
sion with the_International Red Cross.
Through the 1920°s unil 1958, the organiza-
tion worked under various other names but
provided the same level of support as the
other groups warking as Anarchist Black
Cross. The organization expanded its aid to
places like 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 1970's

only a handful of ABC ehapters stil existed.

T the 80, the ABC began o gain pop-
ularity again in the US and Europe. Since
then the ABC's name has been kept alive
by a number of completely autonomous
‘eroups scattered throughout the globe and
has grown to support a wide variety of
prison issues.

In May of 1995, a small group of ABC
collectives merged into a Federation whose
aim was to focus on the overall support and
defense of Political Prisoners. Various
‘roups have since merged in numerous net-
Works throughou the globe working on var-
ious prisonissues. The Anarchist Black
Cross Federation (ABCF) has continued its
mission to focus on the aid and support of
Political Prisoners. We take the postion that
PP/POW's demand our top. priority. We
strive to continue with the same dedication
and solidarity 1o our fallen comrades as
those before us have shown.

Introduction:

“Crucially important to maintaining the anarchist integrity of this organization
is the fact that Branch Groups and Support Groups are freely autonomous to
take on whatever initatives they can to further the Unity of Purpose of the
ABCE. So long as these initiatives do not contradict any preexisting agree-
ments (Tactical Unity) that have been made by the ABCF, it is not necessary

for all groups to approve of and/or agree with programs, projects or work of
other ABCF collectives.” [from the ABCF Constitution and Structure]

‘The following definitions are used to describe the below terms whenever
they appear in the ABCF Update or any other ABCF literature.

Political Prisoner: A person incarcerated for actions carried out in support
of legitimate struggles for self determination or for opposing the illegal
policies of the government and/or its political subdivisions. [Special
International Tribunal on the Violation of Human Rights of PPPOW's in
USS. Prisons and Jails, Dec. '90]

Prisoner of War: Those combatants strugaling against colonial and alien
domination and racist regimes captured as prisoners are to be accorded the
status of prisoner of war and their treatment should be in accordance with the
provisions of the Geneva Conventions Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners
of War of 12 August, 1949 (General Assembly resolution 3103 {XXVIII})

Sending Submissions & Subscriptions to the ABCF Update

The Update is a publication of the Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF). Is pur-
pose is the promotion of the ABCF and the building of a support network for
PP'S/POW's. Wark reports are eligible only from ABCF collectives and should consist of
activities ABCF collectives are doing in support of the ABCF, PP/POW’s, and rebuilding
the movements they are from. Letters from PP/ POW’s, news or notes on PPPOW’s and
related items are also acceptable and are greatly encouraged

Deadline for the Fall issue is March 27th 2005. Al submissions should be sent to Los
Angeles ABC. All work reports, letters, and news/notes o be printed, must be received
on time and sent to Los Angeles ABC. Failure to do so will esult in thé aricles not being
printed in that specific issue.

Subscriptions are $15 per year, bulk subscriptions (20 copies each issue) are 525 dol-
ars per year. Prisoners subscription is twelve 37 cent stamps per year. For subscriptions,
send well hidden cash, checks/money orders made out to Matthew Hart,

Los Angeles Anarchist Black Cross has the right to edit or alter any submission as
Long as it does not change the content or meaning of the article or work report. If there
are any issues regarding the editing or altering oF articles published in the ABCF Update,
please contact the Los Angeles chapter regarding this issue.

The ABCF i
PRISONER’S COMMITTEE
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www.abcf.net

NEWS FROM THE FRONT

POW Granddaughter is Born

Maya Torres was born on the Grito de
Lares. Her proud_grandparents, Puerto
Rican Political Prisoners Carlos Alberto
Torres and Haydée Belirin, can’t be there
to welcome her into the world. They can't
20 to the Miami nconatal intensive carc
unit to support their daughter Clarissa,
where her four pounds s ounce, one
month premature baby is being treated for
pneumonia. They can't help Clarissa as she
Fecuperates from the Cesarean operation.
They can’t babysit Maya's big sister, four
and a half year old Alexandra (Munchic).
They can't just pick up the phone and call
their daughir, even to share long distance
this moment of joy in the family’s lfe.
They don’t know when they'Il be able to
first meet_theirgranddaughter-—they’ll
have to wait until both Clarissa and Maya
are healthy enough to withstand the rigors
of travel. While they wait, they can't get
emailed digital photos of this néw member
of their family. And speaking of waiting,
grandma Haydée won't be out of prison
until 2010; grandpa Carlos, 2024; both in
prison since 1980.

State Will Not Charge Austin

Sherman Austin's attorney, William
Paparian, received a voice mail message
from Deputy District Attorney Jonathan
Fairtlough that stated:

“Itis my understanding that all aspects
of the Sherman Martin Austin case have
been rejected by the LA County DA's
Office”

Sherman’s case is NOT over..We are
sill working on getting back the data

We are confident that the future brings
restiution for Sherman Austin. The U.S.
GOVERNMENT demonized Sherman and
used threats and coercion to convince him
0 sign a plea for a erime that he DID NOT
COMMIT!

Jalil Harassed

Political Prisoner _Jalil Muntagim
(Anthony Botiom) # 7IA4283 is being
unnecessarily harassed by the prison
authorities at Auburn Correctional Facility,
N.Y. His mail has been held up over the
past two months. This includes both his reg-
ular mail and his lterature.

Everyone is asked to phone_the
Warden of Auburn CF, John Burge, (315)
2538401, complain and protest the
harassment of this good brother. You are
also asked to forward this information to
your contacts as well, asking them also to
call the Warden, telling him 1o cease and
desist the unlawiul behavior of officers at
his faclity.

Court To Take Lori's Case

“The Inter- American Court of Human

Rights announced that Lori Berenson's case
will be the sixth and final case to be
reviewed during its three-week session in
San Jose, Costa Rica, that commences on
November 15th. Loris case will be dis-
cussed on November 24th and 25th. A
decision from the Court may be rendered at
that time, 2 few days aftr (since the Court
is in session until December 4th), or the
Court may postpone a decision untl its
next session.

‘The Inter-American Court will also be
reviewing the case of Dr. Maria Teresa de
la Cruz Flores on November 17th and 18th
She has challenged Pen's revised ani-ter-
rorism laws that were instituted during the
curtent Toledo administration. Lori's case
has challenged Peru's anti-terrorism laws
that were developed in 1992-3 during the
Fujimori-Montesinos administration.

New G. Jackson Brigade Site
Anew site has been created, dedicated
1o the revolutionary group once active in
the Northest region. The site has various
communiques from the group as long as
contact information for those once active in
the organization. For those interested in
checking out the site, you can find it at
hinp:/Avwgibip.org)

Negron Needs Our Support!
{estnal problems!! He needs o undergo 4
IFCOPraLibertad and write ~Antonio
Camacho Negron Health Fund” in_ the

FCO/PrlLibertad

402 W14Sth St

New York, NY 10031

Update On Jeff Luers’ Appeal
Jefts appeal is currently on hold. I
June, the United States Supreme Court
Gecided Blskely v. Washington. 542 US
s e s, LB 3
{3004 The case has ihé potential tosfect
lines, incluing JeiTs. The Oregon Court
{hat it has delayed ruling on these requests
Oregon. The Oregon Court of Appeals and

Supreme Court are expected (o begin st
ing opinions in some representative cases
(also called "leadeases"). Afier that, the
Court of Appeals will decide 10 allow or
deny additional briefing in cases like Jeff's,
and his appeal will go forward from there.

Letter From Bobby Dixon

1t's a shame that folks preach a lot sbout
loving their neighbor, forgiving one anoth-
er, and that everyone is created equal; the
shame is that they don't practice what they
preach. Racism abounds even in the prisons
where felons have already been judged.
Racism exists in leaps and bounds here.

Lappeal and ery out to.all my BPP mem-
bers in USA not fo allow our youth's lives
o be in vain, to suffer in prison, or to die at
the hands of the pigs. We must save our
children! It's my request that Political
Prisoners / Prisoners of War reach out to all
of the youth in prison and the ouiside
world. Remember, the young peaple and
the children are our future.

I'welcome all response from the people
and all my comrades, sisters, and brothers.
So please answer soon. Power to the people
with one love, always in revolution of the
mind.

From comrade

Bobby M. Dison

BPP (Black Panther Paty)

Bowen Needs Help

Black Liberation Ay Political
ter how small it would be appreciated
Send i in the form of a US Posal Money
Order to:

Joseph Bowen

AM-272

1 Kelley Dr.

a 1866-1021

New Issue of 4strugglemag

Issue #3 Out Now! Writings by

Political Prisoners and edited by

Jaan Laaman. Available online at:
www.dstrugglemag.org.

‘The Winter 2005 issue includes:
* Election Reaction,
« Black History,
« Jericho and Police State

‘We are also happy to introduce a

new feature on our website:
the dstrugglemag message board...

(wwidstrugglemag.org/board)

B

Judge Rules Against Ciaran Ferry

Denver, Colorado - On November 8,
2004, Judge Nottingham, sitting in the
United States District Court of Colorado,
has ruled against Ciaran Ferry pursuant 1o
his petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
case. After waiting for over a year and a
half for Judge Nottingham o rule on the
legality of Ciaran's treatment, the Judge
ruled in favor of the Department of
Homeland Security

Ciaran had argued that the actions of
the DHS in refusing him a hearing on his
“green card" application was a denial of his
constitutional right to due process, and that
his detention was unlawful. Ciaran main-
tains that, compared to hundreds of thou-
sands of arriving aliens like himself, he has
been treated in o capricious and arbitrary
fashion. Most_importanty, Ciaran chal-
lenged the DHS to prove, in a courtof law,
iis assertion that he was a "danger to the
safety and security of the United States.”
The Court found that, as an entrant under
the Visa Waiver Program ("VWP"), Ciaran
had waived all constitutional rights to due
process, regardless of how he was treated
by the DHS, and that the DHS had no case
10 answer.

Inits decision, the Court freely admitted
that

1) Ciaran Ferry was "granted an carly
release as part of the Good Friday Accord”

2) He lawfully "entered the United
Statés on the Bureau of Inspections and
Customs Enforcement's Visa Waiver Pilot
Program”

3) He candidly disclosed on his "green
card" application “that he was a member of
the Irish Republican Army from 1992 1o
1993, and that he was imprisoned for polil-
ical offenses relating to the conflict in
Ircland."

4. ICE agents arrested Ciaran "without
a warrant” and informed him that they
were arresting him for "having oversiayed
bis visa."

5) ICE placed Ciaran in the "Special

Handling Unit" of the Federal Corrections
Instiute - a facility "usually reserved for
dangerous criminals and those most at risk

for escape.”
6) The next day, on January 31, 2003,
agents for the Federal Bureau of

Investigation visited Ciaran at FCI and
"failed to recite the Miranda warnings prior
10 their questioning of him, and they ques-
tioned him despite the fact that they knew
he was represented by counsel.”

7 FCI did not permit the Petitioner to
use the phone for his first twenty-four
hours in detention to call his attorney.

‘According (0 4 statement issued by one
of Ciaran Ferry's Atiomeys, Eamonn
Dorman,

"the bottor line s that according to the
fuling, Ciaran Ferry and all immigrants
who enter under the Visa Waiver Program
("VWP"), have no_entitlement to_due
process rights. This is in stark contrast to
recent Supreme Court rulings granting such
rights to enemy combatants in Guantanamo
Bay

ccording to Nottingham, anyone who
entrs under the VWP relinguishes hisher
"constitutional rights” including the right to
due process and o a bond hearing, regard-
less of whether or not the VWP entrant is
married to a US citizen.”

"In our argument, it s irrelevant that
Ciaran had entered under the VWP scheme.
Ciaran had clear and unfettered due process
fights streaming from his status as the
spouse of a US citizen. The heart and soul
of our constitution provides that due
process forbids the government from "arbi-
trarily causing an alien who has entered the
country to be taken into custody and
deported withou giving him all opportuni-
1y to be heard upon the questions involving
His right to be and remain in the United
States.

“This is the first time this issue has ever
been raised in a US court”, said attomey
Eamonn Dornan, "and this will have a

resounding effect on every VWP alien,
most of whom are from Western democra-
cies, and their US citizen spouses."

Jarl Anderson, Director of the Ciaran
Ferry Legal Defense Fund, said,

"This is negligence and cowardice on
the part of Judge Nottingham and confirms
that the rule of law has been replaced by
the rule of fear. Ciaran Ferry could have
thrown in the towel a long time ago, but
instead sacrificed his liberties to establish
the constitutional right of all immigrants,
not just Irish, to due process. The justice
system has failed him and is paving the
way for exccutive sbuse of power and indi-
vidual liberty. Nottingham is washing his
hands of Ciaran Ferry like Pontius Pilot
and wiping them on the Constitution.”

Heaven Ferry stated, "We are deeply
saddened by this turn of events. We've
waited for over a year and a half for this
decision only o find that Judge
Notthingham was not prepared or even
slightly inclined to_give my husband jus-
tice. In all faimess, he could have made his
ruling in April 2003. If this is indicative of
the US Justice system, it pretty frighten-
ing for all of us""

Ciaran's legal team will appeal this deci-
sion and is approaching the Department of
Homeland Security officials asking that
Ciaran Ferry be released from Denver
County Jail 1o live with his family while
the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decides
his request to live in America.”

Deanna Turner, Coordinator of the Irish
Deportces of América Committee, visited
Ciaran in jail 2 weeks ago, said,

“We can only imagine what is going
through Ciaran's mind at the thought of
spending another Christmas illegally
behind bars. His 3 year old daughter, Fiona,
desperately wants her father to be with her
when she opens up her Christmas presents
and plays in the snow. The thought of just
spending cherished time with his wife and
family gets him through this awful ordeal.”

America’s Guantanamo Gulag

by Mumia Abu-Jamal

On the island of Cuba, stands an out-
post of American imperial power --
Guantanamo Naval Base.

“There, hundreds of men, drawn from all
over the world, are entombed in what one
British court has called a “legal black
hole."

Michael Ratner, an American lawyer
who has argued in the UL.S. Supreme Court
for several people encaged there, has w
ten that Guantanama is an American inter-
rogation camp, similar to those erected by

the Germans during World War 11, and out-
lawed by the Geneva Conventions. In a
recent book on the prison camp, Ratner
wtote that Guantanamo is a place designed
1o be beyond the law:

We have gone back 1o a pre-Magna
Carta_medieval system, not a system of
laws, but of executive fiat, where the king
~ or'in thiscase, the president -- simply
decides, on any.particular day: "T'm going
10 throw you into some prison. You are not
going to have access o a lawyer or any-

body clse, or even know if there arc
changs against you, or if you will ever be
released from this *prison.” Guantanamo
has become our Devil' Island, our Chateau
41t from The Count of Monte Cristo.
[From Michael Ratner and Ellen Ray,
*Guantanamo: What the World ~Should
Know* (White River Junction, Vi
Chelsea Green Publ., 2004), p. 6]

If people were shacked by the recent
events at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison
in Baghdad, one need only look at

R

Guantanamo for its_inspiration. For, the
leadership of Abu Ghraib was_exported
from Guantanamo to Abu Ghraib with
specific, sinister mission: to ‘Gitmoize' Abu
Ghraib; that is, to treat the peaple detained
there as they had been treated at
Guantanamo.

So, the torture of people; the nakedness
of people; the brutal beatings of people; the
humiliation of peaple -- all of these things
were done to Muslim and Arab nationals at
Guantanamo.

But, according to Ratner, there was
another, insidious method to their brutal
madness. Those detained at Guantanamo;
they were captured for the purpose of turn.
ing them, using state terror o transform
these people into snitches to be seeded back
into Muslim_communities and countries,
for the U.S. intelligence agencies. Ratner
writes:

“This is exactly what the British did with
IRA prisoners. Just as is being done in

Guantanamo, they refused o give out the
names of deiainces for "security reasons”
and kept them in detention for long periods
of time. During that period, many of them
were turned into undercover agents. for
British intelligence. What is going on in
Guantanamo 1s not just about interroga-
tion, not just about keeping allegedly dan-
‘gerous peaple off the batilfield, but about
Fecruiting Muslim informants o g0 around
the Islamic world, to g0 back to their coun-
tries of origin and gt information back to
the United States, essentially to spy for the
United States. [p. 48]

Americans are laking innocent men,
putting them in cages, treating them like
beasts, *for years*, knowinly, for the pur-
pose of using them against their home com-
‘munities and countrics

“This i the face of American democracy
that will be reflected in the eyes of hun-
dreds, and then thousands, and perhaps mil-
lions of Muslims. This i the reason that the

so-called "War on Terror' i a fraud; it is
war, but a war against reason. It is a mad
war, designed by madmen, based on false
evidence, and one which threatens to, once
again, splash back against the nation that
spawed it in global blowback.

‘We have scen blowback before. It is the
erim and bitter lesson that should have pre-
Vailed in the gritty smoke of Sept. 11ih.
Young men, many of them trained by the
CIA, and paid by the Saudis, to vanquish
the then-'evil empire’ of the Soviets in
Afghanistan, succeeded in driving Russians
from their lands, and flush with victory,
tumed_their sights to those that trained
them. They had driven one superpower to
its knees; why not another?

‘Guantanamo, to quote British judges in
the *Abassi* case, has become, despite
recent US Supreme Court decision, a "legal
black hole." .And like black holes. it
threatens to swallow everything around it.

Copright 2004 Munia Abu-Jamal

Michael Moore Apologizes for Mumia Remark

by Jeff Mackler
Authoridirector Michael Moore
stopped at Philadelphias Temple

University in late October to address a
crowd of several thousand students while
on tour, stumping for “lesser-evil,” pro-war
John Kerry. Moore opened by inviting to
the stage and paying homage to the mother
of the first National Guardsman killed in a
US. war since 1945. The overwhelmingly
antiwar crowd responded with applause as
the honoree graciously and proudly sig-
naled her appreciation. She was followed
by a Marine who had recently returned
ffom Irag. The disillusioned soldier report-
ed on the horrors perpetuated by the U.S.
military on the lragi people. He too was
enthusiastically welcomed.

Soon ater a final introductory speaker,
the applause again subsided and a strong.
Voice was heard from the crowd, “What
about Mumia Abu-Jamal?” The question
was presented by a young supporter of the
International Concerned Family and
Friends of Muniia Abu-Jamal, (ICFFMAJ)

“The reference was to Moore’s statement
in his 2003 book, "Dude, Where's My
Country?" On page 183 Moore falsely and
without substantiation asserts in a section
entitled "How to talk 1o your conservative
brotherin-law’ that Mumia "did_indecd
Kl the cop, " referring (0 the 1981 murder
of Police Officer Dantel Faulkner.

Mumia’s frame-up for Faulkner's mur-
der by corrupt_Philadelphia police and
prosecutors has been repudiated by agani-
Zatons ranging from Amnesty
International and US. rade unions to the
European Parliament and the presidents of
France and South Africa. Hundreds of
thousands have marched for his freedom

around the world.

Moore has since apologized for what he
now considers to be & mistaken and errant
remark. He did so several months ago,
mildly, on Amy Goodman’s Pacific Radio
talk show, "Democracy Now!" He followed
cortectly by reffaining from repeating the
lic in the paperback edition of his book.

However, supporters of Mumia Abu-
Jamal, the innocent Pennsylvania death-row
inmate, political prisoner, and award-win-
ning journalit, believe tha, given Moore’s
prominence, the damage done to Mumia’s
fight for his life and freedom resulting from
the false charge in his best-selling book far
ounweigh the positive action he took in his
less publicized retraction.

“The Mumia supporter who questioned
Moore was followed by other Mumia
activists, who marched down the auditori-
um's center aisle with 2 huge poster of
Mumia. Moore immediately responded
with an open and frank apology. He told the
andience that he was mistaken and his
remark was without foundation. He said
that Mumia had not received a fai trial.

Moore challenged those present. to
respond by stating that he was certain that
they were in agreement. His request was
reccived from a rather sumprised crowd
with a strong round of applause that
drowned out the handful of catcallers, who
shouted that Mumia was a “cop killer"

‘The meeting was preceded by the wide
distribution of a leaflet authored by the
ICFEMAJ, scoring Moore and explaining
the details of the case. The leaflet, signed
by several members of the newly-formed
National Task Force to Free Mumia Abu-
Jamal, requested that Moore meet with

Mumia and his attorney Robert R. Bryan at
Waynesburgprison, where Mumia has been
incarcerated for the past 22 years.

The successful intervention was pre-
pared by ICFFMAJ leader Pam Africa, the
ceniral organizer of Mumia’s national ‘and
interational defense effort. Africa was
seated in the front and center row of the
meeting hall next to Moore’s honored guest,
prepared to challenge Moore had he failed
o retract his false charge against Mumia.

Message From Jaan Laaman
"o all my frends and all concemmed
people who have helped me. recently
when I was thrown ino sepregation at
Walpole state prison because an ani-
war'and Social justice rally was held
ouside the prison on August 15t

Hi, Tam glad to et you know that on
October 15t 1 was finaly released from
scgregation into genral population aftr
hine weeks of being held on a bogus
investgation sbout the DNC rally that
was held utside Walpolestate prison on
‘Rugust 156, 1 was let out of segregation
‘without any charges. There is 1o ques-
tion that all your letirs and phonscalls
o this prison asking sbout me, were
mportant and helpful. | want 0 person-
ally thank everyone for being concerned
Sbout me and helping me.

I this present oment of war and
injusticethere s so much for us o do. |
am going 1o keep on strugeling and |
hope tht you do oo.

‘Revolutionarylove and hope,

October 5th 2004

R

Veronza Bowers Will Soon Be Free

Dear Friends,

Ljust got off the phone with Veronza
and am very pleased to inform you that
the recommendation for Mandatory
Parole made at his December 21t hear-
ing was approved by the United States.
Parole Commission in Washington, D.C.
Veronza will be released from federal
prison no later than February 21, 2005
afier serving more than 30 years of
incarceration. Alan Chaset, the lead
attorney on our teams, is working hard to
secure an earlier reléase date once the
administrative details and paper work
are completed. 1 will keep you posted.

While this is wonderful news, past
experience has taught me that cireum-
stances can change very quickly and
unexpectedly when dealing the USPC
and Bureau of Prisons bureaucracies. As
you may recall, last time Veronza was
due to be released, his parole was
rescinded less than 18 hours prior to
emerging from prison gates as his
daughter and thre sisters waited outside
to greet him. While Kayo and I plan to
be at the prison this time, I will not cel-
ebrate until the hug I have for him is
delivered.

Veronza asked me to thank all of you

from the bottom of his heart for your help
and unyielding support. He will write
personal letter tonight which 1 will pass
on to you when it s received. If you have
any words for Veronza, please send them
to me and I will deliver them in person
In closing, | would like to say that my
experience as a friend and advocate for
Veronza over the past 17 years has
taught me_much. Here is one man's
story-or nightmare, if you will-that
forces me to think about the more than
two million Americans presently locked

CONTINUE ON PAGE 11

Richard Has Been Transferred

Friends,
Revolutionary greetings from the friends and family of politi-
cal prisoner Richard Williams! This is Netdahe writing with a
medical and transfer status up-date on dad. We're happy 10 say.
there are no new serious problems or developments with his heart
since the latest up-date. Afier experiencing and reporting pains.
late this summer though, Richard had a testicle and its stem
removed carler this month. A biopsy revealed that he has semi-
noma, or a partial invasion of cells by cancer. He is in need of
further treatment to make sure that the cancer is gone, but he is
lucky in the sense that the cancer seems isolated, has not invaded
his lymph nodes and that, as cancers go, it i fairly easy 10 treat
Richard is feeling well and is in high spirits. The question now is.
whether the B.O.P. sees that he gets the needed treatmen.

As some may have heard, it is planned that Richard be trans-
ferred out of U S.P. Lompoc to US.P. Victorville; Richard is not
being singled out in this regard. Since finding the cancer, prison
doctors have recommended three-month transfer to a prison
medical facility in Rochester, Minnesota for treatment, = That
means a best-case scenario s a transfer to Rochester, then back 1o

nario” and the B.O.P. are mutually exclu-
sive, 50 we shall see. We'll keep the pres-
surc on and keep people informed. Dad
was brought to an outside hospital for the
sumery, and was informed that he has
stage 2 Diabetes —apparently kept secret
by the prison’s medical apparatus. But
now we know, and can fight for treatment
of that as well. Again, Richard is a war-
rior and feels strong as he mends.

Before signing off we want to send our
love and suppori, and encourage you (o
send the same, to Lynne Stewart and her
defense commitee as they struggle to
keep her free from Ashcrofistyle injustice. The government
watching us is a given. We watch back, to make more difficult
the State’s job of twisting reason, truth ‘and justice unrecogniz-
able. Support Lynne and her co-defendants, stay strong and strug-
gl on:

Venceremos!

Lompoc, before being moved to Victorville. A “best case sce- A

Vetdahe

Letter From Richard Williams

Dear Friends,

T'wanted to thank everyone for your car-
ing and support. I've received lots of mail
here plus some forwards from Lompoc. I've
got the picture of my nephews and the med-
ical info from Diane and Matef. Thank you
for the cards and words that you sent Bty
L and the news and info | got from Julia L.
I got so much mail all at one time, it is
impossible for me to answer all of the let-
ters- so this statement will have to do for

T was taken out of Lompoc at 3 am,
Monday, 11/8, for my flight here, which
was about what I expected. The night before
Lleft I was told I'd be aliowed 1o shower,
eat, and bring my property to R+D at 7:30,
Monday. This was done intentionally so that
the 2:30 roust would take me by surprise. |
spent the next § hours in a small Lear Jet,
unable to move or relieve myself. But |

wasn't beaten up so it was a relatively
uneventful trip.

As to my health, I contracted Hepatiis A
fow months ago in Lompoc. It has awaken
the dormant Hep C I've had for 27 years. So
Lam having some problems with that. My
Diabetes will be casily controlled by diet
and exercise, as my blood sugar is only
slightly elevated. No Insulin is needed. The
cancer | hadhave is apparently no more
erious than | was led to believe at Lompoc.
Extensive tests are being done to make surc
there are no more active cancer cells, as
there are no active tumors. This place is
very new and modern and clean. The health
care workers here, for the most part,are sin-
cere and caring. The food is good and the
staffis fairly courteous. There are a lot of
sick and dying people here. Physically, I'm
feeling very well and feel no affects from
the cancer. The prognosis for a good resolu-

tion of my problem is excellent
T'am glad to be on the east coast, I'll
miss Diane, Matef, Kano and Seku who
would come 1o see me every month in
Lompoc, and also my son Richard who I got
10 sce shortly before 1 Left. For now I'll take
advantage of the close proximity of my
extended family here to visit. | can't ell you
how happy | was to hear that Ray Luc was
released on parole and to read the words
that he wrote to s all. Again much thanks
to Netdah and Brook for getting this info
out to you. Know that my body and spirit
Femain strong and I send my love to you al.
Venceremos!

Richard Williams
#10377-016

FMC Buter

PO Box 1600

Butner, NC 27509-1600

R

Words from Ray...

Both these statements were sent to the ABCF

from Ray Luc Levassuer after he was released
from prison. Ray was in prison for his involve -
ment in the United Freedom Front and spent

twenty years in prison for his actions against
U.S. Imperialism. We wish him luck with his
new found freedom.

Dear friends,

On August 6ih | was transferred from the
USS. penitentiary at Atlania 10 a pre-release
center in Portland, Maine. On November
4th 1 was released from the foderal bureau
of prisons custody. After 20 years confine-
ment I've finally come horme.

Tam deeply grateful 10 all of you who
have supported me during this excruciating
ordeal. Some of you have been around
since the first day of my capture in 1984,
Others became involved during the court
rials attempting to criminalize. actions
taken in support of struggles from Central
America to South America. Some of you
came through during the lockdown years at
Marion and ADX - prisons continually vio-
lating the spirit and law of human rights
Others joined in during the quest for
parole. Be it cards, leters, phone calls,
books, literature, funds, political event,
providing various kinds of support — cach
of you contributed in some way to my sur-
vival, ensbling me to reach the dawn of
new life.

My release after 20 years of imprison-
ment for political offenses demansirates.

that political prisoners can be brought
home. Do not forget those left behind.
Mumia is still on death row. The MOVE
prisoners have endured over 25 years of
unjust imprisonment, Mutulu Shakr, Oscar
Lopez, Marilyn Buck and many others are
weighed down inordinately long sentences.
A new generation of political_prisoners
need support ~ from younger activists like
Jeff “free’ Luers to immigrants detained in
the extended post 911 repression.

I make special mention of my codefen-
dants — Tom Manning, Richard Williams,
and Jaan Lamaan. OF the 8 of us charged
with United Freedom Front actions, they
are the only 3 stil remaining in prison.
That's “freedom.” as in what these com-
rades fought for on behalf of others. They
deserve respect and support. All our polit-
cal prisoners need to be brought home,

‘One does not pass through 2 decades in
America’s maximum-security cells without
feeling i’ effects. The voices still everber-
ate from those 1 knew that died in prison.
‘The sun is shining but shadows around me.
bear decades of physical and emotional
pain. | can remember the hunger strikes and

beatings, the sickening sounds of violence
and the creeping silence of box car cells. |
know the medical neglect suffered by some
of our prisoners. | remember a world apart
within which the spirit of political prisoners
remains unbroken, and the circle of lfe sur-
vives the house of the dead. America’s
political prisoners are among the most prin-
cipled people its ever been my honor to
know.

Iwas never a victim, | am a survivor of
wars fought for and against U.S. imperial-
ism. I believe that our political prisoners
stand on the side of history that will vindi-
cate our actions to alleviate the suffering of
those most used and abused by a system
that prioritizes profit over human needs.
However, | am an anti-imperialist whose
miliary role has ended.

Tam now home with my wife Jamila and
close to my family, including daughters,
grandchildren, and mother. From my heart
Tthank you al, for what you gave helped in
some way to make this return home poss
ble.

Love and respect

Ray Luc Levasseur

Gathered together the cvening of
August S were the most politically con-
Scious brothers in the compound - who
fast, study and push themselves physically
to honor those who have made significant
sacrifices on the road to Black Liberation.
Black August. The cvent was within hours
of my release and I was asked to speak.
What words might there be from one who's
done two decades in the gulag by way of
Marion and ADX? Big Black had died days
carlier,so | began by saying there can be no
talk of Black August without honoring and
carrying forward the spirit of Frank Big
Black Smith. The brother cpitomized the
strength and courage that ran through the
Atica rebellion. He survived torture and
indignities no one should ever be subjected
to. From the camage of Attica he emerged
with a commitment to bring the light of
truth to bear on the fact Attca was a water-
shed moment on the road 10 frecdom. And
he emerged with a compassion that led him
to fight tirelessly over decades on behalf of
the Attica survivors and their_familics.
Black would bring my kids o visit me in
prison because he listened to his heart and

knew the needs of the down-pressed. He
should continue to be honored, Black
August and beyond.

Brothers asked me what advice | might
share with them after 20 years of box car
cells, the Marion shuffle, holes in every
Joint I been in, et I know what worked for
me, but one size does not ft all | share the
bedrock of it. You must keep the faith,
Have faith in the creator and the circle of
life. Keep in your family - however way
your fanuly is defined. Keep faith in your-
Self. Don't lt your spirit devoured by cyn-
icism. And try to keep your strength and
conditioning at a high level. The following
morning Mutul and I broke bread togeth-
er shorly before 1 1ot - leaving him, being
the most painful part of moving on.

A fow hours later | walked out from
behind forty foot walls - unshackled for the
frst time in 20 years. A dozen steps and |
was in my sweel woman’s arms. She who
had never lost faith in me. Before sunset we
were a thousand miles away. At a family
reunion several weeks later were gathered
the youngest - great granddaugher (2) to
the oldest - great grandmother (83) - and

the released captive — the first time ever
we'd all been together in the same place.

An'old friend not seen in thirty years
said secing me unexpectedly freed on the
evening news was like waiching someone
rise from the dead. I prefer 1o think of it as
an_affimation of lfe. A testament that
political prisoners can and will be freed. |
told Mutulu his day wil also come. Keep
the faith. Death is part of life and we've
lost good comrades — Zayd, Mityari, Nuh,
Merle. And we've also seen brothers and
sisters released; Rafael, Lolita, Geronimo,
Dhoruba, Alicia, Laura - all unbroken spi
its who kept their essential humanity and
passion to break the chains of oppression.
Take heart with my release. There are thos
who oppose my release and wish me dead
in prison, but I prevailed. | came home, |
believe that all our political prisoners are
coming home. 1 believe so because |
believe in the righteousness of our cause
and the struggle brings results. Keep haul-
ing up the mourning it's the best way to
live.

Ray Luc Levasseur

August 2004

R

Cottrell Found Guilty on 8 of 9 Counts in SUV Attacks

On November 19, 2004 a jury found a
Caltech graduate student, William Cottrell,
guilty in cight of nine counts for the ELF
attacks on four San Gabricl Valley automobile
dealerships.

Cottrell was found not guilty of using a
destructive device to commit arson, which had
35.life sentence possibility.

‘The other counts carry 5-year terms.

Cottrell admitted to spray-paintingEarth
Liberation Front slogans on SUVs during the
August 2003 spree, but said he was unaware
that the two people with him, Tyler Johnson and
Michic Oc intended to throw Molotov cockiails.

“The fires did about $2.5 million in damage.
‘Oc and Johnson are now being sought by the
authorities
Cottrells lawyers atiributed his odd behav-
rin testifying 10 Aspens's syndrome, a social
disorder characterized by inappropriate
responses to questions and 4 tendency o take

things too literally.

“The defense had hoped to argue that the syn-
drome made Cottrell an casy dupe and prevent-
ed him from extricating himself from the spree
after Johnson started setting fires. But Los
Angeles Superior Court Judge Gary Klausner
ruled the condition is irrelevan.

Lessons From the Snitching of Billy Cottrell

by Jeff Luers

November 17, 2004 will be remem-
bered as another sad day for the Earth
Liberation Front and the’ radical activist
community. On trial for the ELF action of
torching SUVs in Southern California,
William *Billy® Cottrell took the witness
stand in his defense.

Accused of more than $2.3 million
dollars of property damage, I can imagine
the fear Billy felt facing decades in prison.
Many activists, past and present, reme-
ber that feeling all too well. For some it
was our finest moment, if also most
painful, a5 we stood before the state proud
and unvavering.

Perhaps, the truest test of our warrior
spirit can be found in the courtroom.
Undoubtedly. our movement's defining
moment will be how steadfast we stand
when facing the full repression of the
state.

“After Billy's arrest, we wrote me. His
naiveté at the situation he was in shocked
me. We discussed what he was facing and
I'warned him 1o avoid doing media before
trial. Billy shared his fears and heartache
with me 25 well as his gratitude for all the
support he was receiving from people. In
his last letter, Billy told me how much of
an inspiration other warriors and | had
been to him.

As Billy took the stand that day. 1 can’t
help but wonder if the sick feeling in his
stomach was fear of imprisonment or if it
was nausea at his betrayal. Billy testified
that is friend lit the fre against his wishes.
He stated that he was coerced into going
along with them because he owed one per-
son $200.

Despite all of his bravado to his sup-
porters, the media and me, Billy tucked
his tail and pissed down his leg. Sadly.
this is not the first instance of betrayal. To
date, the majority of ELF and ELF-siyle
actions to go before the courts have had a
defendant turn traitor. This fact devastates

my heart, as it should every activist and
revolutionary.

Illegal direct action is a dangerous
path. The action itself is only a small part
of the equation. Physical resistance once
embarked upon is not a path casily aban-
doned. IF it is a path you choose, you
should be expecting 1o serve prison fime
or worse. If you cannot face the possibili-
ty of prison or you know you cannot
accept the consequences with integrity
and honor, do not pick up the matchbook.

“The problem is one of our
creating. This movement glori -
fies and romanticizes hardcore
action. Crying out for salvation
from would be heroes; writing
Stories and singing songs of
Jaceless individuals who sab
the dogers, raid the labs and
who burned down Vail.”

The blame, however, does not solely
lic with the weakness of individuals under
pressure. The proble is one of our creat-
Ing. This movement glorifies and romanti-
cizes hardcore action. Crying out for sal.
vation from would be heroes: writing sto-
ries and singing songs of faceless individ-
uals who sab the dozers, raid the labs and
who burned down Vail.

Honoring our warriors is good. But,
the illusion fades when you are siting in &
jail cell. The once scemingly powerful
movement bolstered by its own self-praise
no longer appears so strong. The romanti-
cized ideal of action and change remains,
Yet, no revolutionary energy is direeted ai
freding our comrades.

“That is our failure as a movement. If
we expect our warriors to stand strong in
front of the judge and jury with heads high

and eyes burning with defiance, we must
become realistic about what it means 1o be
a revolutionary movement. We have to
support those who have sacrificed their
freedom with radical actions equal or
mightier than their own,

For our movement to become more
than a counter-culture, we have to stop
mystifying direct action. We have to rec-
ognize direct action for what it is-a neces.
sity. The support of the movement to its
captured warriors must go beyond admira-
tion and respect. It must extend into action
and agitation for their release. We must
never abandon our own. By any means
necessary, we must see them fre.
Otherwise, we can expect more people to
bow before the power of the state.

How do we go from romanticizing
action 1o taking it? How do we go from
accepting loss to preventing it? These are
the obstacles in our path. If we cannot
overcome them, then we are not irying
hard enough.

There are always going to be Billy
Cottrells. There just doesn't have to be
more of them then there are true wariors
‘There is a hero in all of us-one just wait-
ing to be given a voice. Find the courage
to follow your heart and the pride to hold
your head high and stand your ground.
Because with that, this movement will go
from a facade to 3 force,

A

INTE

TIONAL N.

W

French Arrest Anarchists For Babysitting!

It seems that the French Justice sys-
tem will never cease to amaze.

In the latest effort to ‘crack down' on
terrorism, the French authorities have
detained two activists and libertarians
who are members of the (French)
Anarchistic Union.

According to 'La Coordination Anti-
Repressive de Bretagne' (CARB) on
Tuesday, November 30th, 2004, Thyde
Rosell ‘and Jean-Marc Raynaud, were
arrested by the Division Nationale Anti-

“Border Fox' Dessie O'Hare is expected
1o be released permanenly from jail next
year. He is curently out on temporary
elease and is due 1o return to Castlerea Jail
tomorrow.

But the move is being seen as another
step in the Government's plan o set him
free as a qualifying prisoner under the Good
Friday Agreement.

O'Hare was sentenced to 40 years for
leading the INLA gang which Kidnapped
Dublin dentist John O'Grady in 1987 and he
was @ prime suspect for an estimated 27
murders in a bloody 30-year carcer in ter-

One of the most wanted men on the
istand was given permission to leave
Castlerea for five days last Wednesday.

Itis the second time this year he has

Terroriste ( D.NAT).

Apparently their crime is that they
provided shelter and support 1o a 3 year
old (who is now aged §) whose parents
are involved with the Basque Nationalist
movement. The child is the son of Mikel
Albizu and his partner, Soledad
Iparraguirre Geneche, who are allegedly
activists of the ETA organization and
were arrested on October 3rd of this year.

CARB have called for the release of
Thyde Rosell and Jean-Marc Raynaud

been out on temporary release. In July he
was allowed out for a few days.

Last November he was granted his first
taste of freedom for 16 years when he was
allowed out for a weekend stay at Glencree
Reconciliation Centre, although he was
later reprimanded for posing for photo-
araphs in the grounds.

Earlierlastyear, O'Hare was also carpe-
ed by the prison authorities afer he gave an
interview 10 a newspaper.

O'Hare's prospects of freedom were
boosted by the High Court ruling that he
qualified under the Good Friday carly
release scheme and he has been waiting
patiently while his case is being reviewed
by the Release of Prisoners Commission.

The 48-year-old former terrorist gang
leader, from Keady, Co Armagh, was trans.

and criticized the
DNAT

In February of this year the Celtic
League called on the Council of Europe
to ensure that Special Police units were
properly accountable and suggested that
in the rush to counter a perceived greater
threat from terrorism the rights of the
individual were being trampled.

In cracking down on people sheltering
children the Special Police in France
have plunged to an all time low.

methods of the

A Fox Soon to be Released

ferred from Portlaoise Jail in late 2002 to
the Grove bungalow complex at Castlerea.
His fate over the next 12 months is lke-
Iy to be party determined by the outcome of
the current North talks with the British and
Irish governments, and the North parties.

8 Years Isolation - an Interim Evaluation

by German Political Prisoner, Thomas Meyer-Falk

In October, 1996, following a bank rob-
bery, I was provisionally arrested by the
police and placed in isolation custody in
Stuttgart-Stammhheim [prison]. On- the
basis of several judgements | should com.
plete nearly 17 yaars (1o be exact 16 years 9
months and 3 weeks) of custodial sentences
and upon their completion (in 2013) not be.
let free at all, but taken into preventive cus-
tody (details of what preventive cusiody
[deussch: Sicherungsvewahrung] is
www freedom for thomas de). That means |
can be incarcerated indefinitely according to
the will of the Justice Department

Tam a so-called redskin (R AS H. = Red
and Anarchist Skinhead) and 4 person of
plain words, wherefore the above-men-
tioned further convictions. Thus, to court,
the description of a fellow judge as "pic-
turebook example of a facistoid judge” was
worth seven years imprisonment. Even ask-
ing as 0 physical health was punished, as a
murder threat supposedly lay hidden in it

Neither before the courts nor in prison
have | recognized it as necessary to pretend
false regrets, rather more do I represent my
personal and political views unchanged and
consistently. Which also includes under no
cireumstances 'co-operating’ with the Justice
Department. A fow years ago 1 was
informed by the prison that a substantial
relaxation of solitary confinement condi-
tions would only come into question should
1 frst enter a trust - establishing dialogue
with the prison administration and secondly
“forswear violence", in particular, promise
neither o incite fellow inmates nor to plan a
sebellion or breakou.

In the mean time | have sat in jail under
conditions of solitary confinement for
almost eight years (only in 1998, as 1 was
for a short while deported to Bavaria, were
the conditions briefly relaxed), that means
24 hours aday alone (with the one exception
that I see prison officers, when meals or
‘mail are brought). In recent years the daily

hour in the jail yard, actually mean to be
spent alone s wel, has been relaxed in that
another inmate in solitary can come into the
yard, Behind that les less the humanity of
the justice system than a practical con-
straint: there are (oo many prisoners in iso-
lation and were they all to get their yard-
hour, the jail would have to lay on individ-
ual yards to allow them all thei exercise.

{'would not like to express myself about
everyday harassment here, details can be
gathered from my homepage.

How is it for me, after almost eight
years? I am most bothered by the inability to
act, which is dictated by circumstances.
Insicad of being able to join the struggle out
there, in these times of upheaval and
increasing repression, 1 it behind bars. But,
however, what | gather from outside from
letters, radio and newspapers strengthens
me in not giving up confronting the ruling
system,

In that surely also lies a potential danger

B

of eventual embitterment, or of losing touch
with realiy; the more thankful am 1 then,
though it i not always casy if | am brought
back by crificism to the basis of facts. In the
solidarity of friends and sympathizers. prac-
ticed through lettes, | experience daily that
I am not alone, not forgotten. As [ am in
correspondence with a few prisoners I can
say that they se it just o

‘These letters from ousside are quite,
quite important!

I attentively follow political develop-
ments at national and interational levels
and it is continually frustrating not to be
able to get involved, for example not to
even be able to go on a demonstration or to
become engaged to some other extent.
Much of my everyday experience in prison
(spying, searches, permanent observation)
s being progressively introduced "outside”
as well and 1 ask myself whether, when |

return t0 freedom (when that will be i first-
ly an open question ), I won't exchange one
prison for a much greater one.

It seems to me all the more important to
offer resistance, 1o defend autonomy, to
uncover repressive structures in_politis,
Justice system and business, to call them by
their names -~ and to sel our resistance
against them, by fighting for a free and just
world !

Lam an early riser, mostly I am already
awake at 4 in the morning and pace in the
half-dark of the cell, it is never quite dark
due 1o the scarchlights that illuminate the
prison grounds, thus | wander up and down
nthe twilight. Through the bars of the win-
dow I see here and there the moon or twin-
Kling venus, smell through the open win-
dow the cool of the night. Freedom surely
consists not only of the passibility of being
able, at more or less any time, to freely and

unhindered be somewhere else, but also in
not allowing ones intellect and imagination
o be locked avay.

“This inner freedom not even
the justice system can take from you!

‘Thomas Meyer-Falk clo JVA
23117, Schanbornstrabe 32
76646 Bruchsal Germany

Anarchist Arrested After Shootout

Anarchists arrested after shootout with
German police, followed by repression
against German anti-prison activists
Q1/8104)

On the 28th of June near Aachen in the
area of the German/Dutch border, police
stopped a car with four people, including
Spanish anarchist fugitive Gabriel Pombo
da Silva. The car attempied to escape, and
shots were exchanged between the police
and the fleeing car. All four were eventual-
Iy arrested, and are now accused of plan-
ning bank robberies, as well as the charges
relating to their escape attempt. They have
now been dispersed to_prisons around
Germany. They are Gabriel Pombo da
Silva, Begona Pombo Da Silva, Fernindez
Delgado and Bart De Geeter . They can
receive letters sent via the prosecutors
office: (Name of prisoner) Clo
Staatsnwaltschaft Aachen, AZ
40115284104, Stifstrasse 39-43, 52062
Aachen, Germany

“Then, on the momning of the 4th, August
2004, around Sam, Aachen police and the
Saxony LKA (crime investigation)
searched the shared flat of two anti-prison

activists in Dresden. The search, authorized
by the local court in Aachen, Started with
the door being kicked in. Computers and
mobile phones were confiscated, as well as
private cortespondence with prisoners. The
raid happened with the excuse that both are
“suspected of conspiring to comit armed
robbery” with prisoners in Aachen. Both
activists have been warking against the iso-
lation of prisoners for years, by engaging in
cortespondence with “prisoners and. their
relatives, as well as regularly visiting peo-
ple in prison to maintain the social contact
with prisoners and address the imposed iso-
lation. Another focus of their work
involves questioning the necessity of pris-

‘Amongst their usual anti-repression
work the two women in Dresden were try-
ing to find solicitors for those imprisoned
in Aachen. They were also corresponding
with them and trying to arrange visits. As
result of this and a map of Dresden with
police stations and weapon shops marked
on it found during the arrests, the State
prosecution in Aachen construed a robbery
in the Dresden area jointly planned by the

prisoners and the Dresden activists. With
this, the commitment to people in prison is
slandered as a criminal action. The reason-
ing for the investigation is as follows:
“There exist cnough concrete clues to
assume that those charged and arrested in
Aachen could not have found out about the
focal situation in Dresden themselves, but
that they must have received support from
ather peaple. According to police informa-
tion, one of those imprisoned in Aachen as
well as the women in Dresden can be con-
sidered_members of the lefl-extremist
scene. Both [women in Dresden] sought
out the State prosccution in Aachen imme-
diately after the arrests requesting visiting
permission for the prisoners.”

One of those involved comments on the
searches as follows: “We must question a
Saciety that uses prisons and sees them as a
legitimate means of repression, to make
people functional citizens, and 15 a conse-
quence criminalizes legal ant-repression
work” Those affected will use legal means
to challenge the police actions and make an
issue of ths.

Rote Hilfe, Dresden group

Chilean Anarchist Shot by Police

On October 13, 2004, a group of encapuchados (masked-
up rebels) attacked a motorcycle police contingent with fire-
bombs outside of the University of Chile in Santiago. The
cops opened fire on the rebels, using live rounds, and hitting
an anarchist, who has been identified by the corporate media
as Gustavo Fuentes. His anarchist comrades immediately
rushed to the scene and confronted the officials still there. It
was discovered that an ambulance was delayed. and Gustavo
was left bleeding for an unnecessary period of time. The anar-
chists have not been able to determine which hospital
Gustavo is being kept in, as he has been declared "lost”. The
University has also washed its hands of the confrontation,
declaring that Gustavo is not a student, and most students are
"non-violent"

Gustava's anarchist comrades are planning a solidarity
march, and have said that "the streets will burn"

Chile's universities are a regular staging ground for insur-
rectionary anarchists and other rebels, because police do not
usually enter university grounds, according to social taboo.

For the past few days, anarchists have taken part in
Mapuche resistance against the "Day of the Race”, the Latin
American version of "Columbus Day". A large Mapuche
march took place on October 11, in Santiago, and encapucha-
dos Tought with police at the UFRO university in Temuco,
Chile, on October 12, in another act against the celebration of
Chile's colonization. Solidarity with the Mapuche struggle
for the land and the liberation of Mapuche prisoners is a cru-
cial element of the anarchist movement in Chile

R

Censorship by DOC in North Carolina

by Eddie Hatcher

This communique serves to alert all
publishing and public interest organiza-
tions that the new North Carolina
Department of Correction (DOC) and
prison systems across the South have
implemented the most appressive poli
to date wherein practically every pro-
uressive, lefi-leaning publication and
many mainstream publications have
been banned from entering the prisons

To date, those publications which
have been banned are: Maxim, FHM
Green Anarchy, Burning Spear, all
ABC [Anarchist Black Cross] publica-
tions, all MOVE publications, and all
anarchist publications.

To date, publications which are
rejected at a frequent rate, but as yet
not banned_ completely are: Rolling
Stone, AIDS/HIV publications, prison
rights publications.

The current move by the North
Carolina DOC and prison systems
across the South is designed to gradu-
ally prohibit all publications that even

occasionally speak to prison issues,
include prison commentary, and offer
prisoner support or directives to those
who offer support.

Moreover, the underlying goal of
these systems is to eventually prohibit
and outlaw completely all publications,
as reading materials serve to enlighten
and educate prisoners. This move by
the prison system became very intense
immediately after the implementation
of Homeland Security and the Patriot
Act.

If an effort is not made very soon o
challenge these policies that are being
imposed on prisoners, we will eventu-
ally be prohibited from receiving any
progressive publications and more
likely, the prison systems will enact
rules which specify the few main-
stream publications _prisoners can
choose from. And this short list will
not include any progressive publica-
tions.

We understand that for the last two

years practically every organization
bas been heavily involved in the issues
surrounding Iraq and the war. And it
bas been during this period that the
stategovernment, under the directive
of the Justice Department, has had free
reign to implement these widespread,
oppressive acts against us. While no
one was watching, we have been sub-
jected to everything from new rules
and policies intended to lock us down,
to brutalities which are a breach of
bumanity.

These state systems have now
become so oppressively powerful that
a movement must meet these atrocities
head-on, or we will be in constant con-
ditions far worse than any Iraqi prison.

We sincerely ask for your help.

Eddie Hatcher
#0173499

PO Box 2405
Marion, NC

FREQUENTLY USED

Acronyms/ Terms

ABCF: Anarchist Black Cross Federation - anti-authoritarian
federation of ABC groups who support and defend PP/POW's.

ranch Group - ABCF group with mre responsibili-
s than a SG.

upport Group - ABCF group with less responsibilities
than a B
AIM: American Indian Movement - sbove g1
organization of Native Americans.

ree or libertarian socialism. Anarchists are opposed

1o government, the state, and capitalism. Therefore, simply speak-
ing, 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
formation formed to defend the Black community and the BPP,
dormant since the 80s.
BPP: Black Panther Party - above ground Black revolutionary
‘aroup secking Black political power, disbanded in the mid-'70s.
FALN: english translation: Armed Forces of National Liberation
revolutionary clandestine group fighting for Puerto Rican inde-

und revolutionary

pendence.
MOVE; Not an acronym, the name of an organization based in
Philadelphia who are commited to the teachings of John Afica
Thei belcf s in life."

PC: Prisoner’s Committee - roating body of S PPPOW's on the

PRIPOW's: Political Prisoners and/or Prisoners of War.
(See page 1)

efense: The legal act of protecting one’s life or the life of
‘another with the idea/purpose of self determination and independ-
ence. Armed sel-defense is relative to the ABCE, specifically in
the USS.,in that as the organization grows, 50 100 grows the need
o protect ourselves from the armed aggressor of the state, right
wing, and other ideological opponents. (Firearms training as
preparation for self-defense are legal activitis within the confines
of the U.S.)
‘Self Determinations The right by virtue of which all people’s are
entitld freely to determine their political status and to pursue.
their economic, social, and cultural development. All peoples may,
for their own ends, frecly dispose of their natural wealth and
resources without prejudice 1o any obligations arising out of inter-
national economic cooperation, based upon the principle of mutu-
al benefit and international law. In no case may 3 people be
deprived of its own means of subsistence.
SDS: Students for & Democratic Society - left student group
Tounded in the "60.
The Update: This s a bi-monthly publication of the ABCF.
WUO: Weather Underground Organization - first the
Weathermen, later known as the WUO, evolved out of the SDS
as an underground formation of primarily white anti-imperialist
revolutionaries from the student movemen.

(The ABCF produces the Revolutionary Political Dictionary with
these and oiher expanded definitions of poltical erms. Asailable

from Jacksonville ABC for S1 and two 34 cents stamps.)

CONTINUE FROM PAGE 5

up by our government-six million, if we
include those on parole and probation.
Multiply these numbers by the families.
friends and loved ones touched by their
incarceration. While many undoubtedly
deserve to be there, I find it very dis.
turbing to read, with increasing frequen-

cy. about those who have been falsely
convicted or wrongly executed due to the
color of their skin, social class or politi-
cal and religious beliefs. In light of this,
our success in winning Veronza's free.
dom is but a small, symbolic victory. To
my mind, its greatest significance lics in
showing us the power of a citizenry that
this willing 1o’ endure and stand up,

against all odds, for the principles that
underlic the U.S. Constitution guaranice-
ing justice and human rights for all

Al the best,

Monty

Update: Bowers release has been
postponed until a March 21, 2005 hear-
ing. Once again justice has not been
served for PP/POW's in the U S.

The Anarchist

Subsistence Program

The Anarchist Subsistence
Program, in contrast to the
Warchest program that provides
nonpartisan support for revolution-
ary Political Prisoners and
Prisoners of War, seeks 1o provide
material aid to those PP/POW’s
who come from our own anar-
chist/anti-authoritarian community.
Presently, we are aware of less
than ten “Class War' PPIPOW's in
North America who identify them-
selves as part of the anarchistor anti-
authoritarian community. From
information provided to us by these
political prisoners, we realize that
Ojore Lutalo is in more financial
need than most. Because of this and
because Ojore has provided an
immeasurable amount of time, guid-
ance and focus to the collectives that
make up the ABCF, the organization
has made Ojore the focus of our frst
subsistence support campaig.

per

check.

ber

P
money

campaign include a monthly check
and forty 37 cent postage stamps
month.
Anarchist
send whatever funds they can to
Philadelphia ABC (who facilitates
the program) who in turn sends the
total amount from all supporters to
Ojore monthly. All U.S. supporters.
also take tns sending the stamps
dircctly to Philadelphia ABC.
Lisied here are the monthly

of groups sending stamps. If you
want to support this important pro-
ram, and help us expand the num-
of Anarchist
Program campaigas we run, contact
hiladelphia ABC. Make checks or

FASNACHT. Funds should be sent
in the last week of the month before
the month the funds will be used
(ie; send March funds in the 3rd

PP/POW

Supporters of the
Subsistence Program

documentation and rotation

Subsistence

orders out only to: TIM

The two functions of this support weck of February).
y 7 [ 98 [0 [0
Stamp Rotation Jax 20|60 | 6060
NE
Schedule [T EPT R
Lanc [ 40 145 | 145200 115
February Bing/CO | 10110105 | 75 | 70
Kent 55 [205 [205 225
Winn {40 Jg5 {110 [130 [ 144 [ 100 110110
Jacksonville 3 RN 3
[Cleve 7201 205] 604 25
March [Houston 40| 5
Brick, NJ 35
Cleveland Moncion [ 5| 60 25 | 5
" ron 5
April lJosh S
it o[z
Los Angeles Kete Foy| 5
jofer {5
i‘;!;:::;‘;;’::g’;”m:’:::: [Total | 160| 773| 788 | 810 1028 581 | 488 [365|
Tim Fasnacht for forty 37 cent "All Inquires to:
stamps in the last week of the Philadelphia ABCF
month before the month you are| P.O Box 42129
responsible for. Philadelphia, PA 19101

]

No Surrender and the Losses of 10/20/81

by David Gilbert

The warm reception for my book is
most welcome. | hope the tile hasn't
caused any misunderstanding. "No
Surrender” comes from the Nazim Hikmet
poem about prison, which opens the book,
on never giving up one’s principles, spirit,
and zest for life. | did not at all mean to
refer to.a military concept or in any way to
lorify the shoot-out that led to my incar-
Ceration.

I feel tersible about the deaths, the
wounds, the fractured lives and families
that resuled from that action. I've said this
(and talked more specifically sbout the
errors 1 made) in the few interviews I've
done over the years, but perhaps my
regrets and apologies haven't been heard
clearly because of all I've also had to say
about the colossal violence of the social
system and the brutal attacks on the Black
Liberation Movement. However, my rela-
tionship to the deaths on 10/21/81 is very
direct, 5o | need to address those losses
very dircctly. Such a statement s especial-
Iy needed because during trial, feeling
Very embattled and defending armed strug-
gleas an abstract principle. | failed to pub-
licly express regrets about the individuals

who had been killed and wounded

1 feel terrible about the loss of lfe and
the pain and suffering for the families of
the two officers and guard who were
killed. 1 am not mentioning them by name
out of respect for the wishes of the fami-
lies.] Whatever the historical context for
us, these three men just happened 1o be on
duty that day. So it must have been an
especially biter loss for their familics.

In another sad repercussion three days
later, longtime Black liberation activist
Miayari Sundiata was killed by police. All

we must never lose our fecling for cach
and every human being. The only reason to
become an activistis love, love for the pre-
ciousness of life and for the rainbow colors
of human potential. Those same values.
mandate that we take the greatest care and
responsibility in how we fight for social
change.

1 proudly stand by my broad history of
struggle and by solidarity with the Black
liberation movement; my actions on
1021/81 were wrong, and | deeply apolo-
gize fortheir role in the tragic loss of lives.

S iy was oy s ey Tl

We apologize for the
spelling and/or
grammatical errors of
UPDATE issue number 40.
By mistake, we sent the
unedited version to our
printer. If you are looking
for someone to blame, his
name is Lane Farnham.
Write him here at
LA-ABCF and tell him
what you think (he he)!
-UPDATE Staff

Join the Jericho Movement’s
Education Support Campaign for
Aids Orphans in Afrika

‘Supported by political prisoners across the country, the Jericho

Movement is collecting donations to purchase school supplies (pen,

pencils & composition books) that will be inscribed “Compliments of

Political Prisoners in the united states of america.” The supplies will

be shipped to selected sites in the sub-Subharan Afrika for distribu-

tion to school children who lost their parents to the AIDS epidemic
that is sweeping across the continent.

*Keeping orphans at school is crucial s critical for the future. It can
provide education that can work as a safety net in the childs life.
Schooling can also help to break the cycle of poverty. A study in
Kenya found that 52% of the children orphaned by AIDS were not
in school compared to a 2% of the non-orphans. Therefore, itis

important that great efforts are made to keep orphaned children at

school..”

Individuals and organizations wishing to cosponsor, endorse or con-
tribute to this campaign are asked to immediately contact Baba
Herman Ferguson (iyaluua@aol.com )and Sis. Efia Nwangaza
(mxgrm@aol.com), Jericho Movement, National Office, P.O. Box

3410084, Jamaica, New York 11434-3401, 718-949-3937.

3 9

2

5
" NO
PHOTO

2 l (39 5
‘ELER

“The ABCF has intited a program designed to send monthly checks o those PPIPOW's who have been
receiving insufficicnt, e, or no financial support during thei imprisonment, PP/POW's requesting funds
complete an application of financial questions. When the ABCF has collected suffcient funds to send out
another monthly check, the spplication ar reviewed by a rtating body of PP/POW's called the Prisoner
Committee, who makes a judgement on which applicant s in the most financial need. There i also an cmer-
gency fund designed to immediately send checks to those PP/POW's in need of one time or emergency assis-
tance, Founded in 1994, the Warchest has provided consisten and reliable financial id, scrving a much neg-
lected comradley function. As Sekou Odinga (a POW currently rceiving a monthly check) writes, “Thanks
much for the support you've been organizing, I really appreciate it. After not having any or very litle
support for so long, it now scems lke (people) have all of a sudden realized that I am live.” Endorse this
program by giving any monthly or one time donation o increase the number of prisoners being supported
monthly. A financial report is published that documents all money received and the prisoner it was sent o
“The prisoners addresses are alo printed s0 that endorsers may write and hold us accountable.

Names Send cash,checks or mos
Street Addre e to TIM FASNACHT to:

City/State/Zip: Philly ABC

ONE TIME DONATION [ ] MONTHLY SUPPORTER[ ] 1-|m{:|‘:1 "‘I".‘ - l\.;’»m
Monthly supporters, please check one of the following: philhabetwehtnet

Vil commit 0.6 months [ 'l commit 0 | year [~ AmouncS toll free (877)-67:

‘What is the Warchest?

The ABCF has initiated a program designed to send monthly checl
Prisoners of War who have been receiving insufficient, little, or no financial s
ment. PP/POWs requesting funds complete an application of financial questior
lected sufficient funds to send out another monthly check, the applications are reviewed by a rotating body
of PP/POW’s called the Prisoners Committee, who makes a judgement on which applicant is in the most
financial need. There s also an Emergency Fund designed (o immediately send checks io those PPIPOW's
in need of one time or emergency assistance. Founded in 1994, the Warchest has provided consistent and
reliable financial aid serving a much neglected comradely function. As Sekou Odinga (a POW currently
receiving 2 monthly check) writes, "Thanks much for the support you've been organizing, I really
appreiate i, After not having any or very litle support for so long, it now scems fike (people) have
all of a sudden realized that I am alive." Endorse this program by giving any monthly or one time dona-
fion to ingrease the nusaber of prisoners being supported montnly. Blow i the financial report which doc-
uments all money received and the prisoners it was sent to.

[Name:

Addres:

[ One time donation
(] monthly supporter

If you'll be a monthly
supporter, please check one
of the following:

0 I'll commit to 6 months
I I'll commit to 1 year
‘Amount $

Send concealed cash,
checks, or m.o.s. made out
to Tim Fasnacht to:

PHILADELPHIA
ABCF-BG

P.O Box 42129
Philadelphia, PA 19101

or donate online at
www.abef.net

R

“Your ABCF Guide to PP/POW Support is great, PERIOD!"
- New Afrikan POW Sundiata Acoli

“You can see many of our concerns addressed in this pam -
phlet.”
- former Puerto Rican POW Carmen Valentin

“lItis extremely well thought out and put together.”
- Anti-Imperialist PP Tom Manning

Wihat's the ABC? Whar's the ABCF? Who are Political Prisoners
Prisoners of War? Where are they? Why make a criteria? What do we
mean by “documentation”and how do 1 get i? What kinds of support

do Political Prisoners need? How should I go about my work? What

‘can PPIPOW's get in prison? What do need 1o know if wasn' to
visit? Can I bring them food packages? What about clothes? What do
you mean ‘principled support”? How do 1 get involved?

A practical guide compiled with the help of Political Prisoners and
Prisoners of War themselves based on concrete history and work
experience. It will help answer all of the above questions and
more. The ABCF guide to PP/POW includes definitions that were
democrat upon at an international tribunal, specific
procedures for obtaining documentation on PPPOW's, informa-
tion on visiting, phone contact, food/clothing packages. an
updated list of U.S. PP/POW'S, and the working policies of the
ABCF in our work to support PP/POW's. Sen
stamps to:

and two

ABCF-Jax PO BOX 350392 Jacksonville, FL 32235-0392

LA-ABCF

Branch Group

PO Box 11223
Whittier, CA 90603

“This work is not done for glory, but because we believe in mutual aid.”

IN THIS ISSUE: Updates on Ciaran Ferry - Veronza Bowers’ possible
release date - America’s Guantanamo Gulag - Michael Moore apologizes
for remarks against Mumia, Billy Cottrell - Words from Ray Luc
Levasseur - Richard Williams has been transferred - And more