ABCF

UPDATE

QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE ABCF

Spring 2005 "Any movement that does not support their political internees is a sham movement.” - O. Lutalo Issue #42

Update Includes

$1,0 000,000

Gary Freeman
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Richard Williams 3 9 & e AMARMALT AMAARAVTO

. Subject hos doumented her presence in Havana, Cuba through
various media outes since the mid 1980'. Subject alters her
Russell Shoats appearance wih various contemporary and ehic hirsyles. Subjec
. may conceal focial faturesuilizing Aficn riba othing.
Mumia £B1. Joint Terorism Task Force, Newark Division:
. (973) 792-3000
. " New Jersey State Police, Fugitive Unit
Sumha:a Acoli (609) 882.2000

Chapter Reports

The origins of the Anarchist Black Cross
(ABC) date prior 0 the Russian Revolution
of 1905. It was an off-shoot of the Political
Red Cross, known in is carler stages as the
Anarchist Red Cross (ARC). It was formed
1o organize aid for Anarchist and Social
Revolutionary Political Prisoners and their
familis. In the early 1920's, the ABC organ-
ized armed resistance against political raids
by the Cossack and Red armies.

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

idarity, these groups worked tirelessly to
provide support to those who have suffered
because of the politcal beliefs back home.

10 1919, the organization’s name changed
1o the Anarchist Black Cross to avoid confu-
sion with the International Red Cross.
Through the 1920's until 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 chapters sl existed.

Tn the 80's, the ABC began 1o gain pop-
ularity again in the US and Europe. Since
then the ABC's name has been kept alive
by & number of completely autonomous
groups scattered throughout the globe and
bas 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 10 focus on the overall support and
defense of Political Prisoners. Various
groups have since merged in numerous net-
works throughou the globe working on var-
fous prisonissues. The Anarchist Black
Cross Federation (ABCF) has continued its
mission to focus on the aid and support of
Political Prisoners. We take the position that
PP/POW's demand our top priority. We
srive to continue with the same dedication
and solidarity to our fallen comrades as
those before us have shown.

Introduction:

US. Prisons and Jails, Dec. '90]

“Crucially important to maintaining the anarchist integrity of this organization
s the fact that Branch Groups and Support Groups are fieely autonomous to
take on whatever initiatives they can to further the Unity of Purpose of the
ABCF. S0 long as these initiatives do not contradict any preexisting agree-
ments (Tactical Unity) that have been made by the ABCF, it is not necessary
for all groups to approve of and/or agree with programs, projects or work of
other ABCF collectives.” [from the ABCF Constitution and Structure]

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

Political Prisoner (PP): A person incarcerated for actions carried out in
support of legitimate struggles for self determination or for opposing the,
illegal policies of the government andor its political subdivisions. [Special
International Tribunal on the Violation of Human Rights of PPPOW'S in

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

Sending Submissions & Subscriptions to the ABCF Update

‘The Update is a publication of the Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF). Its
purpose is the promotion of the ABCF and the building of a support network for
PP'S/POW’s. Work reports are eligible only from ABCF collectives and should con-
sist of activities ABCF collectives are doing in support of the ABCF, PPPOW’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 encour-
aged.

Deadline for the Summer issue is August 27th 2005. All submissions should be
sent to Los Angeles ABC. All work reports, letters, and news/notes to be printed,
must be received on time and sent to Los Angeles ABC.

Subscriptions are $15 per year, bulk subscriptions (20 copies each issue) are §:
dollars per year. Prisoners subscription is twelve .37 cent stamps per year. For sub-
scriptions, 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

OJORELUTALO ANTHONY “JALIL’

HERNANDEZ b Gor ac

BRANCH GROUPS

NORTHEAST JACKSONVILLE
ABC-BG ABC-BG

New dersey PO Box 350392
secion Jacksonvle, FL
PO Box 8532 322350302
Paterson, NJ LS ANGELES
07508.8532 Los A
Philadelphia section PO Box 11223
PO Box 42129 Whiter, CA
Phiadolphia, PA 90603

19101 la@abet et
CLEVELAND

ABC-BG

PO Box 2776

Cloveiand, OH

44127.0376

SUPPORT GROUPS
WINNIPEG MONTREAL
ABCSG ABC-SG

3091 Albert St PO_Box 42053
Winnipeg, suec
Manoba, R3B 1G5, Jeanna Mance
Canada Monireal OC

HaW 273 Canada

www.abef.net

SSUE 42 5PRNG:

NEWS FROM THE FRONT

BLA POW Needs Help

Toseph “Joe-Joe™ Bowen has spent most
of his time in prison, in and out of control
units, solitary_confinement, and_other
means of isolation from the general prison
population. He is presently writing and
filing a federal writ to get himself out of
solitary confinement. _This writ is very
important because it will also set a prece-
dent for a few other revolutionaries who
are trying to get into general population as
well.” Joe-Joe is the first one of the “sol.
diers in this hole” to file a writ, if his writ
is rejected, the others will siill have a
chance.

Joe-Joe is asking for assistance i help-
ing t0 pay for the $250 cost of the writ. He
can receive money orders made out to
Joseph Bowen. If you do not wish 1o send
money into the prison but would like to
help our brother, you can send a personal
check (payable to "Tim Fasnachi").. All
cash/check contributions should be sent to
Philadelphia ABCF:

Joseph Bowen
AM-4272

1 Kelley Dr.

Coal Tawnship, Pa 17866-1021

Richard Picariello Harassed

Former Political Prisoner. Richard
Picariello, 55, is presently facing a court
battle because of an arrest for leafleting and
being present during 4 demonstration
against Bush last spring.

Picariello was once a_member of the
Fred Hampton Unit of the People’s Army, a
guerrilla organization that engaged in an
o flnsive campaign in the Northeast. In
1978, Picariello was sent o prison for cam-
paigns targeting Logan Airport, two
National Guard trucks and a courthouse in
Boston. Picaricllo was released in the
1990

Since his release from federal prison, he
has been involved in various groups, and
has arrests for minor offenses. On July 22,
1997 Richard Picariello was harassed,
beaten up and arrested by MIT cops for
trespassing on alleged MIT "private prop-
erty”.

I recent years, Picariello has allied
with ANSWER (Act Now to Stop the War
and End Racism). It was with his involve-
ment with ANSWER activities where he
was arrested once again. Boston activists
claim the charges are a fabrication for the
purpose of intimidating the activist com.-
munity in Boston. Up to seven hearings in
court have taken place without the prosecu-
tion providing any reason for even bringing
charges.

The case Against Picarillo is still unre-
solved, so we will keep everyone informed
as the case proceeds.

Italian ABC Members in Jail

In May, there have been over 100 raids
all across ltaly resulting in at least ten peo-
ple being remanded into custody. The
activists were detained for allegedly being
involved in the letter-bombing campaign
for which convicted ALF activist Segio
Maria Stefani along with Marco Ferruzzi,
Simone del Moro and David Santini have
already been charged with. Some of those
who were recently arrested are connected
to the ltalian Anarchist Black Cross. The
lialian ABC are aceused of circulating a
press release, from the underground group
EAlnformal, ‘which claimed responsibility
for some of the bombings. The lalian
authorities are declaring the newsletter bul-
letin of the ltalian Anarchist Black Cross to
be an illegal publication! Following the
police raids the mailing list of lialian
Anarchist Black Cross and web-site have
been seized by the police.

Oscar Lopez
Rivera Moved

On April 12ih,
Puerto Rican
Political Prisoner

Oscar Lopez Rivera
was moved from the
Federal Correctional
Institution in in Terre Haute, Indiana to the
USS. Penitentiary in Terre Haute.

According 1o a letter ProLibertad
received from Oscar Lopez Rivera, the
Penitentiary is larger than the Federal
Correctional Institution; the Penitentiary
is also behind walls.

In his last prison, Oscar could sce the
trees, had access 1o the birds, and to a
nice running track. In the new prison all
the units are separated from each other
in order to go from unit to another he has
1o go outside and walk from building to
building.

According to Oscar, on his first day
there, he had to walk in'the rain o get to
the commissary o eat; he arrived soak-
ing wet. Oscar also commented that the
new prison is like a military camp
because they have to wear a Khaki uni-
form and boots all of the time.

Oscar has also commented that there
is not enough space provided for artists
to work. According to Oscar, there is
plenty of space, but that the artists are
relegated 1o a small area, where they
are, “on top of cach other.” He is going
1o be sending us information soon about
how we can support him and the other
artists.

If you want (o write to Oscar, please
send him a letter or postcard to:

Osear Lopez Rivera
#87651-024

US. Penitentiary

PO, Box 12015

Tere Haute, IN 47801

“Magdeburg 3': Second Trial
On November 27, 2002 in
Magdeburg, Germany, Marco Heinrichs
and Daniél Winter were arrested and
charged with "membership of terror-
ist association”. Five months later,
another individual, Carsten, was arrest.
ed and indicted on the samé charges.
The three were suspected of having
committed several fire bombings in
Magdeburg, including a fire bombing
at the Daimler-Chrysler company on
August 21, 2001, an attack against
several vehicles of the communication
company Telekom, as well as attacks
against the office of the local prosecu-
tors office and a car of the border

police.
These actions were carried out
under several different names

(Revolutionary Action Carlo Guiliani,
Commando: Liberation of all political
prisoners, and Commando. Global
Resistance.)

The trial against the three began in
the summer of 2003, afier a year in
prison. In December 2003, Marco was
convicted to 2-5 years plus all the costs
of the trial. Daniel received a 2 years
sentence and Carsten was acquitted

This year the revision trials against
Marco and Daniel started. In February,
Marco’s conviction was confirmed, he
will have 10 go in prison for 2-5 years
(minus the one year he already did). On
April 5 2005, the new trial against
Daniél started.

New Issue of 4strugglemeg
Issue #4 Out Now! Writings by
Political Prisoners and edited by
Jaan Laaman. Available online at:
www.dstrugglemag.org.

Aticles by Jaan Laaman, Bill
Dunne, Mumia Abu-Jamal,
Ali Khalid Abdullah, Jeff Luers.

4strugglemag can be read online at
http://www.dstrugglemag org. Paper
copies are available (four dollars,
free to prisoners) by emailing
montrealabef@gmail.com
or writing:

4strugglemag
PO. Box 42053
Suc. Jeanne Mance
Montreal QC
H2W 2T3 Canada

Veronza Still Not Free!

On March 21, 2005, a hearing examiner
recommended, for the second time, that
Neronza be granted Mandatory Parole after
serving a full 30-year term in federal
prison, in addition to0_nearly one year of
llegal detention beyond his senterce. His
new release date was st for May 8, 2005
As you may recall, in April 2004
Veronza's parole date’ was_ arbitrarily
rescinded by the U.S. Parole Commission
without a hearing. The Commission, how-
ever, was forced by court order t0 hold a
hearing within sixty days so that his parole
eligibilty could be determined on ifs mer-
its. At that hearing, as in the most recent
hearing, the examiner recommended parole
which was then scheduled for February
18ih. However, at the very last minute (lit-
erally 15 minutes before he was to walk out
of prison), the Commission rescinded
Veronza's parole certificate pending a
Reconsideration Hearing 1o take into
account "new information.” The supposed
“new information” had been submited by
the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of
Police via its regional office in Richmond,
Virginia. The FOP claimed that family
members of the officer killed had not been
properly informed of the parole hearing
and that, if set free, Veronza would be a
threat o the lives ofall police officers. This
was clearly not "new evidence;” but rather

the FOP's spin on the perils of granting
Veronza parole.

At this_latest hearing, the examiner
made the finding that there had been nei-
ther frequent nor serious violations of
prison rules, nor was there evidence to sup-
port that Veronza would violate federal or
local laws if granted parole. The claim of
the FOP that, if released on parole, he
would be a threat to society was found to
be without merit. Based on these findings,
the examiner made the ruling that Veronzi
is entitled o Mandatory Parole beginning
on May 8, 2005,

It is important 1o remember that this
decision would be effective if and only if
the US. Parole Commission- 2 national
body comprised of five Bush appointees
(two of whom were appointed in the last
few weeks)- accepts and adopts the conclu-
sions of the examiner on these issues.
Usually the findings of an examiner in
these matters are reviewed by a single
Commissioner. This will not occur with
respect to the findings and recommenda-
tion handed down in Veronza's recent hear.
ing. Instead, the Commission has taken the
extraordinary step of asserting what is
called "original jurisdiction” over his case.
This means that the hearing examiner's
conclusion that Veronza is entitled 1o be
released on Mandatory Parole must be

reviewed by all five Parole Commissioners
who will make the ulimate decision.

1t s agreed by all who are familiar with
the workings of the U.S. Parole
Commission that such actions are highly
unusual and, indeed, unprecedented
Bower's lead attomey, Mr. Alan Chaset, a
nationally-prominent expert on federal sen-
tencing issues with over thirty years of
experience, has never seen this occur
before.

Update: The U.S. Parole Commission
has recently announced Veronza's release
date for June 21st, 2005. We ask people to
keep in mind the previous date issued for
his release. Let us hope for his freedom!

Please visit Veronza's web site

hitp:/iveronza.org

Veronza Bowers in the 1970’s

Statement to the Human Rights Conference on Torture

by Sundiata Acoli

Grectings IHRI Conference!

First | want to congratulate the Keynote
Speaker and Honarable Congresswoman,
Sister Cynthia MeKinney, on her tri.
umphant return to Congress. But more so |
want to personally thank her as being the
only Congressional official who had
courage or concern enough to make a
determined effort toward my release when
i was rounded up on September 11, 2001,
and held *incommunicado* from my fami.
Iy, my attomeys and the entire outside
world. Meanwhile prison officials tortur-
ously interrogated me. looking for *any®
connection on my part o the destruction of
the WTC or the laer spread of anthrax thru
the postal system. They openly threatencd.
to hold me in total isolation for the rest of
my life and their implied threat was to seck
the death penalty

So torture i nothing new to us.
PP/POWS, nor to everyday people of color
and others oppressed in the ghettoes, bar-
ios, reservations, towns and cities thru out
amerika. They don't call the Bronx's 44th
Precinct, "Fort Apache,” for nothing; or
because they serve "tea and cookies” there.
They call it "Fort Apache” because they
whip heads there, bust lips, knock out

teeth, blacken eyes, break ribs and even
rape and kill there .. and it goes on to one
degree or another in every police station
across country, big or small,

Abu Ghraib is not an aberration. Most
us. prisoners instanily recognized ameri-
ka's fingerprints all over Ghraib; they
match it prints in us. police stations, jals
and prisons. The Ghraib perversions trace a
straight ling back home to White amerika's
psychotic obsessions with the genitals of
Blacks it lynched. The same perverted
grins seen at Ghraib can be found in the
faces and photos of White lynch mobs in
the u.s. swarmed around Black bodies hung
from trees. s 2 perversion born in this
country's racial-sexual degradation of its
Black slaves and others of color since its
beginning, and the lies told since then to
cover it up. That same "cover-up" mindset
also keeps most of the amerikan press
silent about the many Iraqi women and
children, young boys and girls, who were
also raped, and probably still are being
raped. at Abu Ghraib. Photographic proof
exists and The San Francisco Bayview
newspaper has it. For those adulis who
have legitimate need for such proof, the
photos are available upon e-mail request

for them at editor@sfbayview.com.

Now for some of my personal experi-
ences with torture.

In 1969 NY cops kicked in my door for
two other Panthers, Sekou Odinga and
Kuwasi Balagoon, and without saying a
word beat and stomped me unmercifully.
Then they took me to the 32nd Precinct,
Harlem, and threw me in the holding tank
with Joan Bird, another Harlem Panther,
whose lip was so busted and swollen, and
eyes so blackened and swollen shut that |
barely recognized her. She said that at one
point during her beating they hung her out
of the 3rd-floor window by the ankles,
made sexul taunts and threatened to drop
her if she didn't tell the whereabouts of
Sekou and Kuwasi. They didn't find them
and after holding us in jail for a month they
released us.

In 1970 during the New York Panther-
21 trial we defendants were assaulted
numerous times while cuffed, by Riker's
Island jail guards who transported us back
and forth to court cach day.

In 1973, after my arrest in the New
Jersey Tumpike case, i was held in strict
isolation at Middlesex County Jail, NJ.
Because of my placement there, and even

tho i was allowed no visitors except my
lawyer, the jail implemented harsh visiting
rules on al visitors which caused the pris-
oners to protest by refusing to lock in their
cells. New Jersey state troapers came in
with shotguns, shot prisoners in the face
and torso with bean-bags that broke noses,
blackened eyes and bruised ribs, shot tear-
as that choked, blinded and burned, and
drove prisoners back into their cells. | was
already under 24/7-lockdown so they sim-
ply shot teargas into my cell, tumed the
water off and heat on, in_ mid-summer,
which left me and similar prisoners to wal-
low in pain from the sweal-reactivated tear
2as which we had no means to wash off

In 1976 at Trenton State Prison (TSP),
NJ, I and other Management Control Unit
(MCU) prisoners were subjected fo two-
hours of gunfire by Jersey state troopers
raking the Unit back and forth, trying to
shoo into our cells. John Andafiwa Clark
was killed by a double-ought shotgun blast
10 the chest and another prisoner, "Gunner,”
who came out with his hands in the air was
shot by an M- 14 rifle aimed at his head but
tore thru his elbow instead. | and numerous
other MCU prisoners were hit by shrapnel
from bullets that ricocheted off the bars
into our cells.

In 1977, MCU guards suddenly began
demands to probe the anus of random MCU
prisoners during their normal strip-search
of us cach time we were faken out or
returned 1o our cells. And of course, we
refused to submit willingly to such a
degrading and asinine demand. All who
resisted were jumped by the guards, beaten,
westled to the floor and anus probed, then
charsd with assault on the guards which
carried an additional 7-year sentence upon
conviction. To avoid further anus probes,
for the next seven months we refused all
family visits, attomey visits, doctor, dental
visits or anything clse that required us to
leave our cells. Prison officials then insti-
tuted a policy of "random” mandatory cell-
changes so that they could continue fo sub-
ject selected prisoners to "random” beal-
ings, abuse and forced anal probes under
the guise of changing our cells. The situa-
tion became so volatile and our families,

attorneys and friends were so alarmed that
a federal judge stepped in, forbade the
prison to continue anal-probes, declared
that a metal detector was just as effective as
a search tool and that it be used instead of
the anal probe and then summarily dis-
missed all assault charges that had been
fled against us MCU prisoners.

In 1983, at USP Marion, 11, a foderal
penitentiary, guards locked down the prison
and went on a six-month rampage, roaming
the prison and beating prisoners at will and
randomly subjecting some to forced anal
probes. During that period i was sent to
“the hole” whose floor and walls were cov-
ered with feces thrown by prisoners who
had been beaten and anal probed. 1t was
mid-summer, the heat was intense, the
smell incredible, the windows were closed
and i was confined sixty-days there without
fresh air or relif.

Later in the summer of '83 i was taken
by bus in chains to_ testify ai Sekou
Odinga's trial in New York where he and
other comrades were charged with robbery
of a Brinks armored truck and with liberat-
ing Assata Shakur from prison. Afier i
dressed-out for the bus ride, the auard put a
black-box over my handeuffs which is sup-
posedly for high security prisoners. Any
prisoner who's ever worn it will tell you
that after half-hour the box gnaws into
your wrists and sets them on fire with pain.
i had to endure the three-day bus ride with
the black-box gnawing into my wrists all
day. plus no smoking was permitted on the
bus nor at any of its stopovers along the
way, which in itself was also torture to me
with a then thirty-year cigarette habit. At
MCC-NY, the City’s federal jail, they put
me in isolation wearing only a Tshirt,
pants and shower shos, then tured the air-
condition to near-freezing level so that |
had no choice but to do push-ups day and
night to keep warm. Afier three days of
freezing and going without cigarettes, i tes-
tified in Sekou's defense and was immedi-
ately put back on the bus, cuffed in the
black-box, for another agonizing three-day
trip back to Marion, 1L

In 1985, at USP Leavenworth, KS., as
happened on several occasions during my

sojourn in prison, i was caught-up as a
innocent bystander during a major prison
disturbance. In such situations bystanders
and participans alike sufer the same abuse
by the intervening guards. This time it hap-
pened in the yard when a gang-war broke
out between the Texas- Syndicate and the
EMES: two Mexican sireet aganizations.
In the ensuing melee, Rene, leader of the
Syndicate, was stabbed to death and both
groups sustained numerous stab wounds.
Tower gunfire stopped the camage as
‘guards moved in to teargas and handcufl
overyone, including me and other
bystanders, facedown on the blistering
summerasphalt, then lifted us by the cuffs
and threw us in the dilapidated and con-
demned "Building-63" without food o
water until the whole thing was sorted out
days later.

“And last, in 2001, September 11th, at
USP Allenwood, PA. i was rounded up,
held *incommunicadd* and tortured four
months with interrogations about the WTC
and the spread of anthrax before being
released back into prison population due to
the efforts of Congresswoman Cynthia
McKinney, my atiormeys and many other
concerned peoples.

Sundiata Acoli

USP Allenwood
White Deer, PA
April 21, 2005

When the Prison Nation Goes Int’1

by Mumia Abu-Jamal

Thanks for your kind invitation to join
the 'Attica to Abu Ghraib' Conferences
*Ona Move!*

‘When we think about the atrocities of
Attica, and the sbominations at Abu
Ghraib, we are sometimes caught search-
ing for a common denominator. What
could it be, we wonder, as we loo at the
brutal state assault on both prisoners and
staffat Attica, and the human rights viola-

tions, and yes - torture - that marked
American behavior at Abu Ghraib prison in
Irag?

“The commonaliies, however, are more
than first meets the eye’ OF course, they are
both prisons (but thaf's obvious). They both
came to public consciousness through the
actions of people who were prison guards.
‘And they both were, initally, defended by
the State by a flood of lies.

What matters really least, is that they
occurred in different countrics. They both
happened in the same empire.

‘What marked the differences between
them is the eritical clement of fime, and
even this quality does not speak well of
things to come. For, as time is the differ-
ence, yet it tells us how far things have fall-
en; how the 30 years between Attica and
Abu Ghraib have marked a coarsening of

American character, and a bratishness of
imperial defenders

‘Atica opened up an era of prison
reform across much of the nation, and
fucled the movement to atiempt to eradi-
cate the most depraved clements of the
nation's repressive prison systems.

‘Abu Ghraib was met by quasiofficial
justifications, government abfuscation, and
the incredible spectacle of right-wing pun-
dits likening the torture and human rights
abuses there to 'college pranks. The humil.
iation of naked Arab men was compared to
the field displays of cheerleading squads!

There is, of course, another monstrous
difference: the architects of Abu Ghraib,
and high-level defenders of torture, have
been rewarded by higher, and more presti-
gious posts in government!

T a nusshell, torture pays!

We have not_spoken of the pivotal
American issue of race.

Bashir Hameed

On May 4th, Bashir Hameed under-
went open-heart surgery after having
being admitted to Albany Medical Center
5 days carlier. Bashir received a triple
bypass because of 3 clogged arteries dis-
covered by the doctors.

Bashir Hammed is one of the “Queens
Two™ Political Prisoners, past members
of the Black Panther Party convicted of
the murder of two police officers in
Queens, NY in 1981. it took a full three
trials to convict them, because juries
wouldn't agree to find them guilty of
murder in the first two trials. In the third
trial, prosccution managed to exclude
most of the Black jurors in order to win
the case.

Bashir's health has been an issue since
carly January when he began suffering
from chest pains. After complaining of
health problems, he was reassigned from
yard crew to the gymnasium. Since then.
he began to receive constant harassment
and badgering by guards for not reporting
o the yard despite his reassignment.

Bashir was then put on keeplock sta-
tws, confined to cell for 23 hours, for
allegedly disobeying a direct order to
report (o the yard, and was also served
with a misbehavior report. Despite sever-
al attempts to address the issue with the
superintendent, the harassment still con-
tinued,

Without prisoners actively advocating
Black liberation, there would have been no
Atiica

The tortured, maimed, and humiliated
prisoners at Abu Ghraib were targeted by
the U.S. Army because they were seeking
to intimidate and eliminate people who
were trying to fight to free their country
from forelgn occupiers. In other words,
they were fighting for their own national
libération. In an empire which picks pup-
pets for other nations, this is not accept-
able. It wasn't acceptable under the Roman
Empire, the British Empire, nor its North
American successor empire, the American
Empire.

To ihis latest global incarnation of the
White Nation, Arabs are but sand niggers,
to be beaten into submission and obedi-
ence. It is the refusal to accept this status
that is fueling what the U.S. media calls
‘the insugency.

There is another element that arises
from the evidence: American cruelty. Big
Black, the late veteran of Attica, told sto-
ries of the torture and beatings that he
endured, as he was naked, and held under
unpoint. It is an cerie precursor of the
treatment of Arab prisoners at Abu Ghraib.

Nor s it mere coincidence that some of
the most brutal, most vicious actors at Abu
Ghraib were US. Reserves, who, in their
civilian lives, were prison guards. How else
could they learn it?

One of the most infamous was from
SCl-Greene, i Southwestern
Pennsylvania, named Charles Graner.
Recenly his ex-wife came forward to tell
of the terrors to which she was exposed
daily: She said Graner promised to cut her
into litle pieces. and that no one would
ever find her body.

Welcome to LS. ‘corrections' as the
Prison Nation goes Gilobal,

Receives Open-Heart Surgery

Bashir's health complications still
continued and since carly January Bashir
had to go 1o the Albany Medical Center
on two occasions for stress tests. He was
advised by the facility doctor not to lift
over 10 Ibs.

On April 29, the York family (Bashir’s
relative) received a call from Sullivan
Correctional Facility where fellow
inmates informed them he had been taken
to the hospital. Bashir was admitted duc
to cardiae problems. When the family
called to inguire, they were told that he
was at the prison and could reccive visits
the next day. When Ms. York and her
daughter arrived at the prison on Saturday
the prison officials would not relcase any
information and the family was not
allowed to sce Bashir.

After staying at_the prison all day
atiempting to get information, the family
was told that Bashir was being taken to
the hospital, but the prison officials
would not say which one. Thankfully, a
local person told the family of two local
hospitals where they might take Bashir
After contacting the hospital, the family
was informed that Bashir was there, but
no further information was given until
another of Bashir's relatives, who works
in the medical field, was able to talk to
the guard posted outside of Bashir's
room. The guard informed her that Bashir

was conscious and aware of the conversa-
tion he was having. It was only then that
they found out he was there for chest
pains. On Sunday the family again drove
up 1o Albany Medical Center where they
were allowed to visit for 15 minutes.

The family was informed that Bashir
would be having open-heart surgery. The
procedure took about seven hours.

Bashir returned to Sullivan on May 9th
after being released from Albany Medical
Facility. It is reported that he was doing
well. Despite carlier incidents, Bashir's
family was able to get his medical
records.

Please Send your regards to Bashir at
the followingAddress:

Bashir Hameed (#824631
Sullivan Correctional Faci
PO Box 116

Fallsburg, New York
12722:0116

Assata the Target of the Bush Adminstration

by Verbal Walker

JoAnne Chesimard, widely known as
Assata Shakur, has a 1 million bounty on
her head for hér capture issued by the gov-
ernment. This comes 30 years afier she

escaped 2 maximum-security jail and
found political sanctuary in Cuba. For
those not familiar with Tupac's godmoth-
er's past, Shakur was a member of the

Black Panther Party and was involved in a
highly controversial shootout in New
Jersey that left two dead and two incarcer-
ated,

The announcement ironically comes on
the 32nd anniversary of the incident. Artsts
such as Paris, Chuck D and Common have
made songs supporting Shakur and her
noble cause. The fateful incident involved
supposed routine pullover of Assata, Zayd
Shakur and Sundiata Acoli’s vehiclé for a
broken taillight. Temperatures escalated
and various versions of the story have been
told but in the end Zayd Shakur and
Trooper Wemer Foerster were left dead
while Officer Harper and Assata were
injured. Authorifies sate that Shakur mur-
dered Foerster executioner style even
though she herself was severely wounded
being shot twice. She ended up convicted
and spent 6 years in the maximum-security

wing of the Clinton Correctional Facility
for Women in New Jersey. She escaped in
1979 and found asylum in Cuba.

Many believe that she was set up for her
involvement in the Black Panther Party and
became one of many political prisoners
The 57 year old still maintains her inno-

"She is now 120 pounds of money,”
State Police Superintendent Rick Fuenies
said to the NJ Str-Ledger. "[This new ini-
tiative] s going to exert pressures that
weren't in place nationally and internation-
ally before. And we're going to follow up to
make sure everybody is aware of this both
inside and outside of Cuba."

Hands Off Assata Campaign

What Is The Hands Off

Assata Campaign?

The Hands OIF Assata Campign is @
Vials Who. are outraged by the heiht-
ined snempis by the- Congress of the
Urited Satcsand he St of Now Jersey
Lo lgally Torce reum of Assata Shakur
rom b 0 the United Ses

We are shocked by the action of New
Whihan, who has issied & $1000.000
Dounty ward on head of Assaa Shakur
2 "o o fortne® fo Kicnap and kil
tion of Cuba: W are shoeked by the
Siviies of the United Staies House of
Represenatives, which in Sepember 19958
xradiion sy hetween Cabaand the
Urited St soch a requet is outide the
e call “on-the Congress of the United
Sttes to hald publc heaings on the past
Inilligence Progtam known as COINTEL-
FRO. And fnaly we e calling on the
United Sttes end it hosily towards the
Gows i the Ifand and ending the US

Assata Shakur: Radical,
Woman, Exile, Mother
ASSATA SHAKUR is an_ Afican-

activist, 2 poet, a_mother and a grand-
mother. She has lived in Cuba since the

early 1980s. During the heady days of the
19605 and 19705, she found herself a vic-
tim of both racial profiling and political
targeting. Afler being spotted on the New

Jersey turnpike on May 2, 1973, because
she is black, it was discovered that she and
her tsvo companions were known members
of the Black Panther Party and the Black
Liberation Army. Like Martin Luther King,
Jr.Malcolm X, Leonard Pelier and many
members of the Civil Rights and American
Indian Movements, Assata and her com-
panions had been watched., their phones
tapped, their families monitored, their
orgnizations infiltated, and widespread
disinformation campaigns waged against
them. They were, like many activists of
their day, targets of the FBI's Counter
Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO). In
fact, Assata was wanted, not for anything

she had actually done, but for a variety of
crimes that government and state oficials
were trying 10 pin on her.

THUS, ON THAT DAY IN MAY,
Assata was a marked woman. And aftef
police stopped them, a shoot out
occurred. When the smoke cleared, one
police officer and one of Assata's com-
panions, Zayd Shakus, lay dead. Assata,
shot in the back and dragged from the car,
lay wounded. Only belatedly taken to the
hospital, Assata was then chained o her
bed, tortured and questioned while
injured. In fact, she never received ade-
quate medical atiention even though she

had a broken clavicle and a paralyzed arm.
Nonetheless, she was quickly jailed, pros-
ccuted and incarcerated over the next few
years for the series of trumped up cases.
She was sentenced to life + 33 years in
prison. In 1979, and after nearly six years
behind bars, she escaped from Clinton
Correctional Facility for Women in New
Jersey and some time later emerged in
Cuba where she applied for and received
political asylum.

DURING THE 1990, rightist_politi-
cians and police bodics - ihis time in con-
junction with conservative members of
the Cuban-American community - reinvig-
orated their attempls o pursue Assata
Shakur. Linking "fear of crime” thetoric
with anti-Cuban sentiment, New Jersey
‘governor Christine Todd-Whitman issucd
2 bounty which is now up to $1,000,000,
on the head of Assata Shakur. She even
went as far as to announce her bounty on
Radio Mart, the US government radio
station which beams anti-Castro propagan-
da into the Caribbean. To do such a thing
put Assata in danger because it is fanta-
mount to encouraging any opportunists o
Kidnap and/or kil her for pay. In addition,
in 1998, Congressmen Franks and
Menendes from New Jersey and Ros-
Lehtinen and Diaz-Balart of Florida intro-
duced and got passed House Resolution
254 which calls for the Cuban government
1o extradite Assata Shakur as a condition
to normalizing US-Cuba _relations.
Interestingly, while Assata and Cuba are
portrayed as “criminal”, a terorist bomb-
ing campaign - thought to be sponsored by
ultracrightist forces in the United States -
has been launched against Cuba, killing
and injuring Cuban citizens and foreign
tourists alike,

For moreinformation, conta

HOA Campaign/Global Exchange
P.0. Box 438731, Chicago, IL 60643
or hoa@afrocubaweb.com

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Turkish Political Prisoners Fight On!

A spokesperson for the Derry
Commitiee_of Solidarity with Hunger
Strikers in Turkey has relcased a statement
condemning further attacks on-political
prisoners currently being held in Turkey's
infamous prison regimes, equating them
with similar failed Thatcherite tactics used
against Irish political prisoners of war in
the carly cighies.

“Our committée was established several
years ago to highlight the struggle of the
Turkish political prisoners in Derry at a
time when republican socialists and repub-
licans celebrated the 20th anniversary of
the 1981 prison struggles. It was also a
time when similar commitices set up
throughout Ireland in an effort 1o highlight
the seriousness of ongoing political devel-
opments in Turkey.

"It is almost five years now since
Turkish political prisoners took up the fight
against a campaign waged by the state to
isolate them and destroy their ability to
continue political organization and educa-
tion when they are incarcerated. The strug-
ele itself has now claimed the lives of 145
political prisoners, with many others seri-

ously injured by physical brutality or irre-
Versibly damaged by hunger strikes.

“The Turkish regime is now attempting
10 pass new laws that would compel politi-
cal prisoners to wear a special uniform. Not
100 long ago both INLA and IRA POWs

fought a similar battle with the British
stae.

“That was a fight which claimed the lives
of ten Irish political prisoners of war on
hunger strikes, with many others murdered
and injured on our sireets protesting in sol-
idarity with them. The same familiar
Thatcherite tactics of criminalization failed
then as it will now in Turkey. Surely seri-
ous historical lessons such 35 this must be
leamed?

"Turkish political prisoners quite rightly
sce this a5 an attempt to further humiliate
and criminalize them further. We are aware
that their ‘death fast’ is not over and that
they will resist all attempts which that
regime creates to isolate them. It is our
duty and the duty of every Irish republican
and socialistto show their support and sol-
idarity with them at this time as we remem.
ber the struggle and sacrifice of our dead.
Their struggle is our struggle!”

(Derry Solidarity with
Hunger Strikers in Turkey
PO Box 1981, Derry,

BT48 8GX Iréland

New Group Formed to Defend Freeman

A new group called the Friends and
Family of Gary Freeman has emerged
to rally support for former Black
Panther, Gary Freeman (aka Joseph
Pannell). The group has organized sev-
eral vigils on the steps of the US
Consulate and the courthouse where
Freeman has a hearing on May 25th-
26th. The organization formed in
February in order to bring Gary
Freeman's situation to the attention of
the public.

Freeman was arrested last July 29 in
an armed takedown outside the Toronto
Reference Library, 35 years after an
incident in Chicago involving a white
police officer. That year, 1969, ten-
sions in the African-American commu.
nity reached such a high point of fear
given the frequent police shootings of
black youth (at least 11 young men
were killed and many others seriously
wounded) that a Committee to End the
Murder of Black People was formed.

Indicted in 1969 by an all-white
jury, Freeman spent two years in pre-
wial custody. After finally being
released on bail, he decided to come to
Canada, fearing, with much justifica-
tion, that he would not face a fair trial
in a Chicago courtroom.

Married to a Canadian, together they

have raised a son and three daughters
to be respected young adults. A mentor
and friend to the young and old, Gary
has always promoied social justice and
viewed every human being as worthy
of respect.

After 35 years, with mishandled evi-
dence and missing witnesses, an other-
wise clear case of seif-defense
becomes a question of his word against
that of a police officer. Since August
2004, denied bail, he waits in prison
for extradition to the USA.

"Gary has spent three years in cus-
tody. which under Canadian sentencing
law, is the equivalent of nine years
behind bars," says Natercia Coelho,
who has been married to Freeman since
1982, “If Gary is sent to Chicago, we
will lose not only our wonderful father
and husband, but also a valuable mem-
ber of the community who serves as a
mentor to lots of young people. Even
while he's been in jail he hasn't wasted
his time: he's been an inspiration to a
ot of younger guys to try and turn their
lives around. We want him home with

Despite a willingness to submit to
strict - conditions including house
arrest, electronic monitoring and
recognizance with substantial suretics,

)

pending his extradition hearing, he has
been denied bail. On April 28th, Gary
Freeman was moved from the Central
North Correctional _ Centre in
Penctanguishene to the Toronto (Don)
Jail

We will keep peaple informed as the
case progresses. For more information
on the campaign, please contact the
Friends and Family of Gary Freeman

Friends and Family of

Gary Freeman

H-110 Frederick Street
Toronto, ON MSA 4A9
www. fréemandrum. org

| cierer worsrcronss [
Jacksonville Report - Jax ABCF

Over the summer, | went to Puerto Rico
/and helped a former Puerto Rican POW put
together one of her bi-annual fundraisers
for the remaining Puerto Rican Political
Prisoners and Prisoners of War. The event
went off well and raised in excess of what
Jwas hoped for. | was happy to be there and
lhelp in whatever way possible. I wil return
to Puerto Rico in another couple months to
lhelp out with another fund and awareness-
raising event for Political Prisoners and
Prisoners of War.

One of the guys who works with Jax
|ABCF has been doing a lot of traveling to

Warchest Café

We started to do 2 monthly forum on
PP/POW's at the local Anarchist commu-
nity space called the A-Space. With the
help of A-Space Collective member
Clarissa (who is an_excellent flier
designer) and Theresa Shoatz, we used
the first forum to highlight the recent
medical situation on BLA POW Russell
Maroon Shoats. Maroon's _daughter,
‘Theresa, gave an overview of Maroon’s
recent diagnosis of prostate cancer and
how people can help.

“This month's forum will highlight the
history and current sitwation of BLA
POW Joseph “Joe-Joe™ Bowen. Featured
speaker will be Khalid Abdur’ Rasheed
from the New Afikan Liberation Front.
Al forums give audience members o
brief overview of what the ABCF is
about and how the Warchest supports.
PP's/POW's. We also have plenty of li-
erature and pamphlets on hand for peo-
ple to pick up. It our hope to make the
Warchest Café an on going event here in
West Philly and to give people the info
needed to support PP's/POW's.

Russell Maroon Shoats

Maroon was recently diagnosed with
prostate cancer, as mentioned above.
Maroon told us that a few years ago he
was given a PSA test and scored 2 “4"
which he was told at that time it wasn't
anything to worry about; at that time he
didn't have enough information to
understand what the results meant
Trusting the medical staff, he assumed
everything was ok. Last month, after
another test, his score was significantly
higher-— with all probability that he did
indeed have prostate cancer. The med-
ical staf at SCI Greene told him that
they would have to present him with @
treatment plan in the near future

paticipate in the various demonstrations
occurring up and down the cast coast. Ho's
primarily assisting with street medic serv-
ices, along the way making what contact he
is able to, telling people about ABCF, the
work we fry to accomplish, and informing
others about our self-defense acivism.

In hopes of expanding the self-defense
activism we have been involved with, he
has also been developing hand-to-hand
curriculum. We have not yet had the oppor-
tunity to share this class with others, but we.
hope to see that change some time in the
near future.

Philadelphia Report -Philly ABCF

Maroon's family immediately put out a
petition that calls for the prison to pro-
Vide proper medical treatment and to
call for his transfer to a prison closer to
his family in Philadelphia (not only to
make visiting casier—right now it's a
12 hour round trip to SCI Greene— but
also to keep a closer eye on his treat-
ment).

Maraon's family has been relentless
in the collecting of petitions on the
streets of West Philly, and supporters
have assisted in creating an online peti-
tion and sending out information
around the country and the world about
Maroon’s condition. In a recent letter
from Maroon, he tells us that the doctor
at SCI Greene has been spending more
time with him and Maroon credits the
pressure generated from the petitions.

If people want a petition to circulate
in_their community please contact
Philly ABCF at our P.O. Box or email
us af PHILLYABCF@WEBTV.NET to
get the online link for the petition. We
heed to make sure our comrade recéives
the best care possible.

Joseph “Joe-Joe” Bowen

with BLA POW Joe-Joe Bowen. As peo-
tary Since the carly $0°s after a failed
Dot few years constructing the writ
he's about to complete the legal writ
filing it recently the courts raised the
costs from $150 to $250. ABCF mem-
months. If you would like to donate

About a year ago, I wied to consolidate
other self-defense activists | had come in
contact with across the country in a very
informal network. 1 have not spent the time.
I needed to really make anything happen,
but it is something I would like to continug.
to work on,

We've also continued to host self
defense classes no less than twice per year
on average. With the first coming up short-
Iy, and another in the making, 2005 appears
t0'be no different than the last 7 years. So
long as there are people interested in our
classes, we will continue 10 offer them.

funds, please send them to the Philly
ABCF P.0. Box. Please make checks or
money orders payable to “Tim
Fasnacht.”

As mentioned above, Tim was able
o visit Joe-Joe last month. Joe-Joe is
a top of the line soldier who younger
prisoners refer to as the “old Man."
Many politicized social prisoners have
written to us and mention Joe-Joe with
high praise and respect for his teach-
ing skills, and positive example he has
set in the struggle. It's heartening to
see mare people, as they learn about
Joe-Joe—who has been all but forgot-
ten in the words of Maroon—lend
their support to him in his struggle to
get out of the hole. Philly ABCF has a
packet of info on Joe-Joe: write us to
get a copy.

Ojore Lutalo
act and visks with Gjore: We sil
callea “1n My Own Words™ for Sile
cxcellent interview with Gjore. and

Warchest

Philly ABCF recently took over
the administration of the Warchest
‘After a near collapse of it's function-
ing, the Warehest is back up and run-
ning again although at a lower level
of support. All signs are positive for
iis continuation and growth to previ-
ous levels in the coming years. Much
thanks must be given (o Los Angeles
ABCE who have raised $1700 in a
mere 3 months.

Montreal Report -sourea scr

Salut camarades,

Maybe it has something to do with the snow melting, but
lately we feel a lot of energy in the movement to free political
prisoners! Sara had a swell visit with LA-ABCF in March and
also spoke at the annual Popular Culture Association confer-
ence about our work, making new connections with prisoner
support activists from all over the world.

‘We just released Issue 4 of dstrugglemag, our zine of pri
oner writings edited by Ohio 7 PP Jaan Laaman. Our spring edi-
tion features articles on May 19, the Palestinian struggle, anti-
war organizing, and lots more. Contributors include Bill
Dunne, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Ali Khalid Abdullah and Jeff “Free”
Luers. As always Karen did a great job on the layout.

Copies are FREE for prisoners, so let us know of anyone
who would like to be added to our mailing list. You can check
out the online version at www.4strugglemag.ors and join the
dialogue on our new discussion board. Ask us about getting
copies to sell as fundraisers!

We continue to raise awareness of the struggles of local
immigrant and refugee communities: security certificate
detainee Adil Charkaoui, Algerian refugee Mohamed Cher,
Palestinian refugee Osania Saleh and over a hundred stateless
Palestinians fighting deportation from Canada. To learn more
about how you can help, go to www.montrealabef.org.

In April we helped organize the Montreal event of the
Sumoud tour of Palestinian ex-political prisoners and support-
ers. In addition to the speakers, we were lucky enough to have
recorded solidarity statements from North American PPs Jaan
Laaman, David Gilbert and Marilyn Buck. Our guests were
very moved by these statements, and we are working on getting
them translated into Arabic, so that they can be played on a
radio station that reaches Palestinian PPs! Thanks to our newest
member, Michelle, for her hard work in the editing booth.

Los Angeles Report - Los Angeles ABCF

New Members

We want to welcome two new members
into the Federation: Sam and Marisa,

Sam works with the LA Free Clinic and
has brought her passion for health aware-

days with the LA crew, including meeting
up with some of us in San Diego.

April not only brought the blue skies
back into this region, but Mathias from NJ-
ABCF as well. Two of us were able to was

‘The sixth annual Montreal Anarchist Bookfair is coming up

on May 20-22, and this year we're excited to be presenting a
‘major warkshop together with members of Philly ABCF and
Chicago ABC. We'll also be tabling with David Gilbert's excel-
lent new book, No Surrender, and the 2005 Freedom for
Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War Calendar. For more
info about Festival of Anarchy and bookfair events, visit anar-
chistbookfair.takiic.org.

In the coming months, we will be contributing to Prison
Radio programming on CKUT (www.ckut.ca), and we hope to
have a major benefit show in July. Stay in touch!

Yours in solidarity,

Montreal ABCF

Acts 1 and 2.
Attica 2 Abu Ghraib was an
"Organizing Conference on Human
j2hts, Torture, and Resistance.” Our day
flled with panels, video presenta-

ness into the collective. With health being a
major part of the struggle for the freedom
and dignity of our brothers and sisters
inside, we hope Sam can add this important
element to the ABCF.

Marisa is not a stranger to_ the ABC
movement, since she has come right out of
Melboume (Australia) ABC and into the
LA chapter. Marisa brings with her the
knowledge of radio and recording as well
as a background of support for the indige-
nous struggle in Australia, We hope these
folks will have no problem calling the
Federation horme.

Visits

During the last few months. we have
received visits from several ABCF groups.
Earlier this year, Jon from Winnipeg came
into LA, but due to time restraints, only
one member of the LA chapter was sble to
meet up with him. In March, however, Sara
from Montreal was able to spend & few

spend a couple of days with Mathias.
allowing him to experience the beautiful
deserts and beaches of Southern California.
With all vsits came the discussion of the
present state of the Federation and its
future. All of us have accepted the fact that
the ABCF has experienced a major lull, but
there is an excitement in the air abou! the
present rebuilding of the organization and
the Warchest

April Events

April was a busy month for LA-ABCF
We Tave boen warking closely with the
LA JERICHO Conlition, of which we ire
Gelegaion'ot LAABCF and JERICHO
folks o the Aviea fo. Aba Ghraib
Conference 1 Berkley, CA, attended 4
Seminational mestng for JERICHO, pro-
ing ‘COINTELPRO to "USA PATRIOT

tions, working group sessions, speakers
and performance. The themes were
“Criminlization of Resistance’ - 4 focus
on PP'S/POW's and an Anti-Torture
Campaign, “Repression of Dissent’ - a
PATRIOT Act Repeal Campaign, and *US.
Sponsored _Terrorism' Anti-

as (NJ) and Lane (L-A.)

Militarism Campaign.

The following day, we met at the
Freedom Atchives office in San Francisco
for a JERICHO meeting. This was com-
prised of folks from Los Angeles, the Bay
Area, South Carolina and Eugene, Oregon
We discussed our work within JERICHO,
ideas for better communication between
chapters, organizing for an International
Day of Solidarity for PPs & POW's, and
the future of JERICHO.

That same week, we co-sponsored an
Estacion Libre speaking tour entitled
"From Panthers to Zapatismo” along with
Critical Resistance LA and Youth Justice
Coalition. Estacion Libre is a grassroots
network that works to strengthen ties
between people of color i the S, and the
Zapatista communities of _Chiapas,
Mexico. The speakers were ex-PP and BLA
member Ashanti Alston and the co-Tounder
of Estacion Libre, Karl Jagbandhansingh.
This event was held at the Southern
California Library for Social Studies and
Research in South Central, LA,

In the end of April Jericho/ LA-ABCF
organized a_ panel discussion entitled

INTELPRO to the USA Patriot Act”
We held this forum at the Quaker/Friends
Meeting House, also in South Central, LA.

We wanted to focus on the strugele to free
PP'S/POW's and conneet that to our current.
day cfforts against repression, white
Supremacy, counterinsurgency, var and
injustice. We started the event with
excerpts from the film All Power (o the
People. Afler the film, Michael Novick
(LA-JERICHO/Anti-Racist_Action/People
Against Racist Terror) spoke about COIN-
TELPRO and is affect on various struggles
from the 60s onward. Sherman Austin
(author of Raisethefist.com and former PP)
spoke in length about his case. Our last
speaker, Marisa of LA-ABCF spoke about
PATRIOT Acts 1 & 2. We finished the
evening with a question & answer discus-

In May, Marisa attended the “Set the
Captives Free” conference, where she
spoke on a panel with Alicia Rodriguez,
Lynne Stewart, Rafael Cancel Miranda on
the issue of Homeland Security. The con-
ference was scheduled to run over one day.
Saturday, May, 21 2005. It celebrated
African’ Liberation Day and included a
diverse community:Afican-American
community activists, former political pris-
oners and Native American culture,

While in Boston, Marisa visited anti-
imperialist political prisoner Jaan Laaman.

The visits were non-contact meetings, with
Jaan locked into a little room, and Marisa
on the other side of the glass in the general
prison. When she was processed, she had to
take off my shoes and open her mouth in
case there were drugs and knife blades in

there. As a female she had to cover all her
body including her arms.

LA-ABCF will be organizing more
events and workshops with LA JERICHO
Caalition around COINTELPRO, PATRI-
OT Act, and PPSPOW’s. We are also
entering the planning stages for the
December 3rd International Day of
Solidarity for PP's & POW's

Matt, Lane (LA) & Mathias (NJ)

FREQUENTLY USED

Acronyms/ Terms

ABCF: Anarchist Black Cross Federation - anti-authoriarian _ fed-
Cration of ABC groups who support and defend PPPOW's.

AB ranch Group - ABCF group with more responsibilities
than a SG.

upport Group - ABCF group with less responsibilities
than a BG.

AIM: American Indian Movement - above ground revolutionary
organization of Native Americans.

Anarchism; Free or libertarian socialism. Anarchists are opposed
10 government, the state, and capitalism. Therefore, simply speak-
ing, anarchism is a no government form of socialism. Types of
anarchists include: Anarcho-Conmunist, Anarcho-Syndicalist,
Autonomist, Collectivst, Individualists, and Mutualists.

BLA: Black Liberation Army - revolutionary Black clandestine
formation formed to defend the Black community and the BPP,
inactive since the '80.

BPP: Black Panther Party - above ground Black revolutionary
‘uroup seeking Black political power, disbanded in the mid-"70s
EALN; english translation: Armed Forces of National Liberation -
revolutionary clandestine group fighting for Puerto Rican inde-
pendence.

EC: Federation Council - decision making body of the ABCE.
MOVE: Not an acronym, the name of an organization based in
Philadelphis who are committed o the eachings of John Africa. Their
belief s in “life.

BC: Prisoner's Commiltee - rotating body of 5 PPPOW's on the
ABCF's FC.

PRIPOW's: Political Prisoners andor Prisoners of War.
(See page 1)

efense: The legal act of protecting one’s lfe or the life of
‘another with the idea/purpose of self determination and independ-
ence. Armed self-defense is rlative to the ABCF, specifically in the
U.S.. in that as the organization grows, so too grows the need to
protect ourselves from the armed aggressor of the state,right wing,
‘and other ideological opponents. (Firearms training 2s preparation
for self-defense are legal actvities within the confines of the U.S.)
Self Determination: The right by virtue of which all people’s are
eniitld freely to determine their political status and to pursue their
economic, social, and cultural development. All peoples may, for
their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources
without prejudice to any obligations arising out of interational
economic cooperation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit
and international law. In no case may a people be deprived of its
own means of subsistence.
‘SDS: Students for a Democratic Society - Lef student group found-
edin the '60s.
The Update: This is a bi-monthly publication of the ABC.
WUQ; Weather Underground Organization - first the
Weathermen, later known as the WUO, evolved out of the SDS as
mation of primarily white anti-imperialist rev-

an underground fo
olutionaries from the student movement,

(The Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF) produces the
Revolutionary Political Dictionary with these and other expanded
definitions of political terms. Available from Jacksonville ABC for S1
and o 37 cents stamps.)

Join the Jericho M
.' tion book

o the AIDS ep;

organizations Wishing (o cos

are asked to im:

Supported by politi

is collecting donations to purchase school supplies (pen, pen
that will be inseribed “Compliments of Political Prisoners in the

united states of america.” The supplies will be shiy

sub-Subharan Afrika for distribution to school children who lost their parents

lovement’s Campaign for Aids Orphans in Afrika

$9

s the country, the Jericho Movement
& composi-

edwmlmedmmnlhe’
idemic that is sweeping across the continent, Individuals and

ponsor, endorse or contribute fo this campaign
mediately contact

Jericho Movement « P.O. Box 3410084 + Jamaica, New York + 11434-3401 « (718) 949-3937

The Subsistence Program

The Anarchist Subsistence
Program, " in contrast 1o the
Warchest program that provides
nonpartisan support for revolution-
ary Political Prisoners and
Prisoners of War, seeks 10 provide
material aid to those PP/POW's
who come from our own anar-
ehist/ani-authoritarian community.

Presently, we are aware of less
than ten “Class War’ PPPOW's in
North America who identify them-
selves as part of the anarchist or 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 first
subsistence support campaig.

The two functions of this support

campaign include a monthly check
and forty .37 cent postage stamps.
per month. Supporters of the
Anarchist Subsistence Program
send whatever funds they can to
Philadelphia ABC (who facilitates
the program) who in turn sends the
total amount from all supporters to
Ojore monthly. All U_S. supporters.
also take wms sending the stamps.
directly to Philadelphia ABC

Listed here are the monihly
check documentation and rotation
of groups sending stamps. If you
want to support this important pro-
eram and help us expand the num-
ber of Anarchist Subsistence
Program campaigns we run, contact
Philadelphia ABC. Make checks o
money orders out only to: TIM
FASNACHT. Funds should be sent
in the last week of the month before
the month the funds will be used
Gie; send March funds in the 3rd
week of February)

Stamp Rotation
Schedule

June
Jacksonville
July
Cleveland

August
Los Angeles

Tim Fasnacht for forty 37 cent
stamps in the last week of the

responsible for.

Send a check or money order to
Philadelphia ABCF made out to

imonth before the month you are

57 [ o6 [99 [00 ] o1 s
Da T 20760 | 6060 [ 60
NE
N[0 [120 [ 120] 65 [ 25
Lanc [ 40 145 | 145200 115
Bing/CO | 10] 1101105 | 75 | 70
Kent 55 [205 205 [ 225
[Winn {40 g5 110 [130 [ 144 | 700 [ T70]70
LA 50 o6 [ 66 | [85]i0]10[i0
[Clove T20]208] 60 |25
Fousion w5
Brick, NJ| 35
Moncion| 5| 601 25 | 5
[Aaron 5
losh §.
ot E3ES 0]
Kete Fo 5
lother {5
[Total {160 665643 | 920 | 836|461 (488 [365 40| 453535 | 35

‘All Inguires

Philadelphia ABCF

P.0 Box 42129

Philadelphia, PA 19101

4

/Health Reports

« Richard Williams has become
severely il due to Hepatitis C.
Though he has atiempted to con-
trol it via diet, he has still had
complications. We ask people to
send Richard get well cards.

Richard Williams
10377-016
P.O. Box 999
Old Oxford Hwy 75
Butner, NC 27509-1000

+ Russell Maroon Shoats has
been diagnosed with prostate
cancer. There are concerns about
the poor medical treatment he
can expect from the prison med-
ical staff. A petition has been
released asking the Pennsylvania
Gov. and DOC to allow an outside
doctor to examine him. We ask
people to please sign on to the
petition, which can be found on:
hitp://www.petitiononline.com/sho
atzipetition.html. We also ask
peope to send letters to Shoats to
lit his spirits.

Russell Shoats
AF-3855
175 Progress Dr.
Waynesburg, Pa 15370

- Bill Dunne was sent to the SHU
(Security Housing Unit) for sever-
al weeks after complaining about
an abscess in his tooth. Although
he has been released from the
SHU, has yet to receive treatment
for his tooth. No action has yet to
be requested on Bill Dunne’s
behalf. Bill can be reached at:

Bill Dunne

10916-086

Box 019001

-, Atwater, CA 95301

Health: Mind, Body, and Soul

Hello! My name is Sam Sunshine, and I am a health educator, outreach worker
and an HIV counselor at the Los Angeles Free Clinic. Our clinic has been pro-
viding free medical, dental, legal and mental health services in Los Angeles since
1967

Recently, LA-ABCF has been working with campaigns to support medical atten-
tion to political prisoners. Prisons often lack any medical services—or focus on
treatment rather than prevention. | want UPDATE to be a place of dialogue about
this, providing people in prisons needed health information in order to take care
of themselves and support people around them. But I also want it 1o be a resource
for those of us outside to learn about these battles that are going on, and to begin
providing comprehensive advocacy and support for emotional, mental and phys-
ical wellness of prisoners.

If there are particular questions or topics that need to be discussed, please write
tous. Twill answer any questions that we receive, and some Q&A's will be post-
ed on the newsletter unless otherwise requested. 1 look forward to this new addi-
tion o the UPDATE,

In the mean time, this issue will focus on foods and lifestyle changes that we all
can make to promote a strong immune system:

Garlic
Zine (beef, turkey, beans)

Bioflavenoids (fruits and vegetables)

Selenium (chicken, whole grains, tuna, garlic, egg yolks, sunflower secds)
Omega-3 fatty acids (nuts, tuna)

Washing your hands thoroughly and often with soap, particularly before eating
and afier using the bathroom

Only cat meat that has been cooked thoroughly

Get at least eight hours of sleep every day

Maintain a healthy weight

Exercise 30 minutes most days of the week

Eat less sugar—one can of soda can reduce the ability of white blood cells to
Kill germs by 40% for up to 5 hours

Not smoking —smoking weakens the immune system

The following table lists various classes of antioxidants and other phytochemi-
cals, some of their rich food sources, and how they are believed o work to pre-
vent and fight cancer:

Food Source

Possibe Actionts)

Lycopene

Noooerpencs™| Parde: camo, ool cblng,cocumbers. | A6 proscivs sy vy

8

O L

2

<

>
oY

“The ABCF has iniiated a program designed to send montbly checks into those PPPOW’s who have been
veceiving insufficient, litle, or no financial support during their imprisonment. PPIPOW’s requesting funds
complete an application of financial questions. When the ABCF has collected sufficient funds o send out
‘another monthiy check, the application are reviewed by a roating body of PPPOW's called the Prisoner
‘Committe, who make a judgement on which applicant is in the most financial nced. There is also an cmer-
gency fund designed to immediately send checks to those PPPOW's in need of one time or emergency assis-
tance. Founded in 1994, the Warchest has provided consistent and reliable financial aid, serving a much neg-
lected comradley function. As Sekou Odinga (a POW curently receiving a monthly check) wites, “Thanks
much for the support you've been organizing, I rea . After not having any o very little
support for so long, it now seems like (people) have all of a sudden realized that 1 am live.” Endorse this
program by giving any monthiy or one time donation to increase the number of prisoners being supporied
monthly. A financial report is published that documents all money received and the prisoner it was sent o
“The prisoners addresses are also printed so thatendorsers may write and hold us accountable.

Name
Street Address
City/State/Zip:

ONE TIME DONATION[ ] MONTHLY SUPPORTER []
Monthly supporters, please check one of the following:
Tll commit to 6 months [ ] I'll commit to 1 year [ ] Amounts

Send cash,checks or mos
ade to TIM E HT to:
Philly ABCI
P.0 Box 42129
Philadelphia, PA 19101
iyabef@webtv.net
(377)6

What is the Warchest?

The ABCF has initiated a program designed to send monthly checks to those Political Prisoners and
Prisoners of War who have been receiving cient, litle, or o financial support during their imprison-
ment. PP/POW’s requesting funds complete an application of financial questions. When the ABCF has col-
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 is also an Emergency Fund designed to immediately send checks to those PP/POW'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 a monthly check) writes, "Thanks much for the support you've been organizing, I really
apprlate it. After not having any or very litle support for s ong, it now seems ke [people] have
all of a sudden realized that I am alive." Endorse this program by giving any monthly or one time dona-
{ion to increase the number of prisoners being supported monthly. Below 1 the financial report which doc-
uments all money received and the prisoners it was sent to,

WARCHEST REPORT FOR 2005 Name:
FUNDS IN MARCH APRIL MAY 'Address:
LA ABCF 870 90 750
MTL ABCF 40 70 0
PHL ABCF 30 30 30
JAX ABCF 0 25 25
NJ ABCF 20 20 20
EZE/N) 360 0 © £ One time donation
BONNIE/NJ 10 0 0 [J monthly supporter
MIKE/NJ 20 0 0
JUP/CLEV 15 0 0 If you would like to be a
JEAP 0 40 0 monthly supporter, please
FUND/PHIL 0 0 9 check one of the following:
TOTAL 1365 284 834
O Il commit to 6 months
FUNDS OUT MARCH __ APRIL __ MAY | O T'll commit to 1 year
SEKOU KAMBUI 30 30 30 Amount $
RUSSELL SHOATS 30 30 30
JOSEPH BOWEN 30 30 30 Send concealed cash,
HANIFF SHABAZZ BEY 30 30 30 checks, or m.o.s. made out
HERMAN BELL 30 30 30 toTim Fasnacht at:
RICHARD WILLIAMS 30 30 30 PHILADELPHIA
SEKOU ODINGA 30 30 30 ABCF-BG
RUCHELL MAGEE 30 30 30 P.O Box 42129
Total 240 240 240 Philadelphia, PA 19101
TOTAL FUNDS IN: $2483
TOTAL FUNDS OUT: $720 or donate online at
TOTAL FUNDS REMAINING: $1763 www.abef.net

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

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

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

What's the ABC? What's the ABCF? Who are Political Prisoners,

Prisoners of War? Where are they? Why make a eriteria? What do you
mean by “documentation” and how do I get it? What kinds of support

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

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

This is a practical guide compiled by Political Prisoners and
Prisoners of War themsclves based on concrete history and work
experience. 1t will help answer all of the above questions and
more. The ABCF guide to PP/POW includes definitions that were
democratically upon at an international tribunal, specific
procedures for obtaining documentation on PP/POW's, informa-
tion on visiting, phone contact, food clothing packages, and the
working policies of the ABCF in our work to support
PP/POW's. Send $1 and two stamps to

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.”