ABCF

UPDATE

QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE ABCF

Winter 2007 "Any movem: ot support their political internees is a s ement.”- 0. Lutalo Tssue #46

WHAT IS THI

The Anarchist Black Cross (ABC) began
shorly after the 1905 Russian Revolution. It
formed afer breaking from the Poliical Red
Cross, due to the group's refusal to support
Anarchist and Social Revolutionary Political
Prisoners. The new group, naming itself the
Anarchist Red Cross (ARC), began to pro-
Vide aid to_those Politcal Prisoners who
were refused support by the PRC

In the carly decades, the organization had
chapters. throughout Europe and North
America. These chapters worked together to
provide assistance o prisoners only in

provide support to those who were suffering
because of their political beliefs

In 1919, the organization’s name ch
tothe Anarchist Black Cross to avoid confu-
sion with the_International Red Cross.
Through the 1920s and until 1958, the organ-
ization worked under various ofher names
but provided the same level of support a the
other groups warking as Anarchist Black
Cross,

After 1936, the ABC expanded it aid to
places such as Greece, laly and Spain.

In 1958, the organization collapsed but

reemerzed in 1967 in London, England.
Once again ABC chapters spread throughout
the globe providing support for imprisoned
comrades. Sadly, by the end of the 1970
only a handful of ABC chapters still existed.

Russia. Soon other groups, such as the
Latvian Anarchist Red Cross, emerg

provide aid in other Eastem Etropean coun-
tries. Armed with the deas of mutual aid and
solidarity, these groups worked tirelessly to

Introduction:

“Crucally important to maintaining the anarchist integrity of this organization
s the fact that Branch Groups and Support Groups are freely autonomous to
take on whatever nitiatives they can to further the Unity of Purpose of the
ABCF. 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 (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
Interational Tribunal on the Violation of Human Rights of PPPOWS in
US. Prisons and Jails, Dec. '90]

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)

T the 80, however, the ABC began (0 gain
popularity again in the US and Europe. For
years, the ABC's name was kept alive by a
humber of completely autonomous groups
scattered throughout the globe and support-
ing a wide varicty of prison issues.

In May of 1995, a small group of ABC
collectives merged into a federation whose
aim was 1o focus on the averall support and
defense of Politcal Prisoners and Prisoners
of War.

Various groups have since merged in
numerous networks throughout the globe
working on various prisonissues. The
Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF)
has continued its mission to focus on the aid
and support of Political Prisoners. We take
the position that PP/POWSs demand our top
priority. We strive to continue with the same
dedication and solidarity to our fallen com-
rades as those before us have shown.

The ABCF is:
PRISONER’S COMMITTEE

OJORELUTALO BILL DUNNE
50860 /Box 861 10915086
Trenton, NJ 08625 Box 2068

Inez, KY 41224
USF Big Sandy
HANIF BEY
205933 Box 759

Big Stone Gap, VA
20218

SEKOU KAMBUI
113058 / BOX 56
SCC (B1.21)

Eimore, AL 36025

JAAN LAAMAN
Wiis14 [ Box 100
‘South Walpole, MA

ABCF GROUPS

NI AB PHLLY ABS

Now Adoss POk 255
IS s N
JAX ABC totot
Saoniie e VNNPEG ABC
22360382 Winnipeg, Manitoba,
ontnenLase MO 1%, i

P05 42053 SUCC
Joamne Mance
Monireal OC

H2W 273 Canada

LAABC
PO BOX 11223
Whiter, CA 90603

A Statement from the ABCF Regarding the Warchest Fund

To Our Friends and Supporters,

We are wriling this letter to explain a significant gap in reports for our Warchest program, which is intended to provide
monthly financial support to several PPIPOWSs. We have detailed financial reports and receipts for all years preceding

2004 and from 2005 until the present, but are missing reports from 2004,

Neil Batelli, a member of Jacksonville ABCF, coordinated the Warchest for several years, taking funds from ABCF collec-
tives and other donors, and distributing them on a monthly basis to the PPPOWSs who receive the funding.

During a move to a new home, Neil misplaced the records from the period in question. It is important to note that we do not
in any way question Neils use of incoming funds during this unaccounted period. He ran the Warchest reliably for years

and often used his own money to cover shortages.

The Warchest continues to be a core component of the work of the ABCF. Transparency is a key part of this fundraising,
and we felt that it was necessary to be honest about this interruption in our accounts. FuNds in and out of the program are
now handled by Philadelphia ABCF, and monthly reports resumed as of January 2005,

Signed by the Federation Council of the ABCF

www.abcf.net

GREEN SCARE REPORT

Friends and supporters,

We would like 1o inform everyone about the evens in court today.
Afier months of negotiations and consideration, Daniel, along with
Jonathan Paul Joyanna Zacher and Nathan Block, pled guily 10 some of
the many charges. We cannot emphasize enough what an extremely dif-
eult decision this was for Daniel and we will continue to give him our

full support.

We do ot wan there to be any confusion about Daniels plea agree-
ment 50 we have posted i here. Daniel agreed to plead guilty with the
understanding that he would not implicate or denify anyone other than
himself. The other three remaining co-defendants entered pleas with the

same terms. Daniel has done everything possible to mainiain his inegri-
ty. and he wants to be as open about his agreement as possibl.

We have also provided Daniel’s statement to Judge Aiken and
Daniel’s lawyer’s statement belov.

As we already stated, we will continue t0 support Daniel completely.
He and his family have been through an extremely diffcult time and
deserve to get through this with the best possible outcorme.

‘We will be posting information shorty about how others can contin-
e to help Daniel by submitting lettrs o the judge.

Please keep in mind that ur fight is not ver. We willsill need your
Help and support inthe coming moriths,in order to fight for the leat pos-
sible sentence for Daniel

Thank you for your continued support,

Family and Friends of Daniel McGowan

UPDATE:On December 14, in Eugene, Oregon, Federal Judge
Ann Aiken set sentencing dates for the ten individuals who have
pled guilty to charges stemming from the FBI's “Operation
Backfire" prosecutions.

“The 2007 dates are: Stanislas Meyerhoff (snitch), April 10; Kevin
‘Tubbs (snitch), April 17; Chelsea Gerlach (saitch), April 18; Darren
‘Thurston (snitch), April 19; Suzanne Savoie (snitch) and Kendall
‘Tankersley (snitch), April 20; Nathan Block and Joyanna Zacher,
‘April 25; Daniel McGowan, April 26; and Jonathan Paul, April 30.

Despite the fact that none of the defendants in the case were ever
chargd with the crime of terrorism, federal prosecutors have
announced that they will seck terrorism sentence enhancements of |
up 10 20 years at the time of sentencing for all the defendants. (It
has never been alleged that any defendant injured another human or
animal as a result of their politically motivated acts of sabotage.) A
discussion of the overarching issues regarding the constitutionality
of the proposed terrorism enhancement, as it applies 1o all defen.
dants, will tentatively take place during MeyerhofT's hearing. Other
Sentencing hearings may be pushed back as result. An additional
status hearing was set on March 2 to check-in with the court and
parties to determine if the dates sct will still be viabl.

McGowan’s Trial Statement

Your Honor,

“Thi plea agreement s very important to me, because it allows
me t0 accept fullresponsibility for my actions and at the same time
remain rue to my strongly held belie,

Ihope that you will see that my actions were not those of a ter-
orist but of a concened young person Wh was deeply troubled by
the destructon of Oregon's beauiful old-growth forests and the dan-
gers of genetcally modifid trees. Afer taking part in these two
actions, 1 realized that burning things down did not it with my
Visions or belief about how 1o create a better world. So 1 sopped
commiting these crimes.

"This las year has becn a very trying time for my family and [
would lke t0 extend my decpest love, admiration and appreciation
{0 them for standing by me through & very difiult time. | would
also like to apologize to the workers of the companies 1 targeted.
never intended to hurt people, so when | ead about things like fam-
ily photos being desttoyed. 1 flt great emorse. 1 am truly somy for
the harm that 1 cavsed

‘Your Honor, after May of 2001, 1 put myself back on the path of

open and positive activism. Since then | have focused on helping
victims of domestic violence, campaigning for the environment, and
advocating for prisoners. While my commitment to pursuing a bet-
ter world has not and will not change, | have changed the way | am
pursuing those goals. My agreement with Mr. Pau, Mr. Block and
Ms. Zacher to come together and resolve this case by taking respon-
sibility for what we did is an importan step in moving forward to
have what | hope will be a positive impact on my community. Thank
you for allowing me a few moments to speak to you this morning

with a newspaper article. He wanted to know how I felt about it.

tors and cowards amongst us.

Thave had the honor and pr
give him a strong embrace now.

him how much | love him and how proud I am of him.
‘my heantfelt gratitude for all they have done.
you.

‘With my deepest respect and admiration,
Jeff “Free” Luers, November 12, 2006

1lcamned the fate of my friends and allies during a visit few hours after the pleas were entered. Then last night a guard came by
It breaks my heart when I think about how this all could have been avoided. I'm outraged and saddened that there are so many trai-
“The four people who pled guilty November 9, 2006: Jonathan Paul, Nathan Block, Joyanna Zacher, and Daniel McGowan, are vie-
tims of these traitors. Yet, despite the betrayal of their comrades, they have continued 1o act with honor and di
For those of us who have chosen the path of resistance, ther i o greater test of character than standing in the courtroom, There
is no greater test of honor and integrity than facing the consequences of that resistance.
lege of briefly knowing Nathan. | smile knowing that I once shook this man's hand. I wish I could
‘Daniel is one of my closest friends. Since his arrest I have been unable to communicate with him. I have not had the chance to tell
1 have not et had the honor of meeting Joyanna or Jonathan. 1 look forward to the day when I can look them in the eye and express.

‘Daniel, Nathan, Joyanna, and Jonathan: carry yourselves proudly. Your bravery wil never be forgotten. You are all heroes. I salute.

Exiled Black Panther Dies i in Cuba

William Lee Brent, a former Black
Panther and political exile, died in Cuba on
November 4th. According to reports, Brent
died from bronchial pneumonia. He was 75

Brent had been living in Cuba since he
fled from prosecution for a 1968 shootout
with police. In November 1968, he and two
accomplices in a van marked "Black Panther
Black Community News Service" robbed a
gas station in San Francisco of $80. Police
Caught up 1o him, prompting shootout.
While on bail, Brent hijacked TWA Flight
154 from San Francisco to Havana on June
17, 1969.

His family, who was unaware that Brent
was even sick, learned of his death through
telephone calls and messages from friends
and acquaintances. They had not seen Brent
since he fled to Cuba, but had stayed in con-
tact with him through e-mails and telephone
calls.

Brent lived a relatively isolated life dur-
ing his nearly four decades in Cuba, spend-
ing much of his time in his later years lis-
tening to his beloved jazz music collection
in his apartment.

Ina 1996 interview with The Associated
Press, he said he missed the United States.
and the American black community. But he
was unwilling to return home to face cerlain
life imprisonment for aircraft piracy and
kidnapping. and had resigned himself to
never sceing his country again.

I miss my people. the strugale, the body
language.” Brent told the AP. "The black
‘community in Cuba s very different”

Still, he said he had no regrets about
hijacking the plane. "1 was a soldier in the
war for black liberation,” he said.

A decade ago, Times Books published
his memoirs, "Long Time Gone,” which told
of his coming of age on Oakland’ streets
and of joining the Black Panthers when he
was 37, rising to become a bodyguard for
leader Eldridge Cleaver.

In his book, Brent chronicled a July 1968
police shootout in which twa police officers
were eritically wounded. Cleaver ordered
him kicked out of the Black Panthers.

Brent fled to Cuba because he believed
he would be treated sympathetically o5 a
militant black lefist. Once he exited the

plane, he was taken away in custody.
‘Although never formally convicted, he spent
22 months in an immigration jail while
‘Cuban authorites tried to figure out what to
do with him. Eventually they let him stay to
live out his exile

Brent camed a Spanish literature degree
from the University of Havana and taught
English at junior and senior high schools.
He never became a Cuban citizen.

Important Victory in the Angola 3 Case

Dear_Friends and Supporters of the
Angola 3,

‘With great joy, we can announce that we
have just received an opinion from
Commissioner Rachel Morgan of the 19th
Judicial District Courtin Baton Rouge rec-
ommending that Herman Wallace's 1974
murder conviction be reversed. The opin-
ion is the result of an evidentiary hearing
held inside the Louisiana State Penitentiary
on September 19, and gives us new hope
that Herman, who is 63 years old and has
now been in solitary confinement for 34
years, may soon win his freedom. There
are, However,still struggles ahead.

“The Commissioner found that the prose-
cution violated Herman's due process rights
by hiding from the jury and defense
Lawyers the fact that it hiad provided prison
informant Hezekiah Brown, their key wit-
ness, with the promise of a pardon from a
life Sentence as well as a carton of ciga-
retes per week and a private room with a
television on prison grounds. Under the
law, this constitutional violation requires
that Herman's conviction for the 1972 mur-
der of a correctional officer be overturned.
“This case, like so many others, involved an
incompetent and biased investigation
focusing on innocent men and prosecutors
who lied and cheated to win convictions.

‘We are stillseveral steps away from this
decision resulting in Herman's release. The
Commissioner's recommended ruling will

now be presented to the distriet judge, who
has the power to adopt it as is (which rou-
tinely happens). amend it, or order further

hearings. We are hopeful. given the
strength of Herman's case and the reason-
ing of the opinion, that the court will adopt
the Commissioner's recommendation as it
is written and overtum Herman's convic-
tion,

I the court overturns Herman's convic-
tion, it is likely that the Baton Rouge dis-
rict attorney's office will appeal that deci-
sion 1o the Louisiana Court of Appeal and
Supreme Court,a process that could take as
long as two years. 1t s also possible that
the state could seck to retry Herman, but

we would vigorously challenge a retrial at
this late stage as a violation of Herman's
constitutional rights. Moreover, consider-
ing the weakness of the states evidence, it
is difficult to envision a retrial resulting in
any verdict other than acquittal.

‘We spoke atLength with Herman and his
codefendant Albert Woodfox today. They
are both overjoyed. Herman was able to
personally notify several of his family
‘members and friends, and he asked us to
thank all of the dozens, if not hundreds, of
people who have contributed to this case
over the years. Albert is hopeful that suc-
cess in Herman's case will help him, as he
is just beginning the process of litigating a
federal habeas corpus petition,

We still have a long way 10 go before
Herman and Albert are freed. We will keep
everyone informed of developments in the
case. In the meantime, check out this new
‘music video dedicated to the Angola 3 case,
produced by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics
at

v youtube.com/waich?v=Y ByERaS
XiGA

Check out the AP article on the new
decision at.

(http:/scatilepi.nwsource com/nation-
alI110AP_Black_Panther_Case.himl)

Best toall,

Nick Trenticosta and Scott Fleming

Attorneys for Herman Wallace and
Albert Woodfox.

Where is the Justice? Anti-Castro Terrorist Gets Only 4 Years
By Gloria La Riva, National Committee to Free the Cuban Five

A man like Santiago Alvarez, who can be
heard on a telephone calling on one of his
underlings to throw C-4 explosives ino
Havana's Tropicana nightclub and "do away
with all that"--all that being hundreds of
people--a man like Santiago Alvarez, who
had machine guns, bazookas and grenades
in a massive Miami arsenal, has been sen-
tenced this week to fouryears by a southern
Florida federal court.

et the Cuban Five, five men who were
in Miami working to prevent a terrorist like
Alvarez from killing innocent people, who
never possessed a weapon, who never
engaged nor intended to engage in the "espi-
onage conspiracy” they were falsely con-
victed of, received 15 years to double life
after thei 2001 tral, and the added punish-
ment of being denied family visits.

Alvarez and his accomplice Osvaldo
Mitat were allowed to plead guilty only to
one charge of weapons possession. Before
their sentencing, federal judge James Cohn
said, "This court recognizes the ultimate
objective and goal of Mr. Alvarez and Mr.
Mitat has always been a free and democrat.
ic Cuba. This court does not question the
altruistic motive here. However we are a
nation of laws."

‘The impunity granted to the Miami ter-
rorist by the government and the courts is
becoming more and more blatan.

“Almost every day it seems, more news is
coming to light in Miami of the vast and
deep network of rightwing Cuban-American
terrorists and their murderous plots: Antonio
Llama, Roberto Ferro, Alvarez, Mitat, and
of course, the most dangerous of them all,
Luis Posada Carriles. Posada’s. cohort,
Orlando Bosch, ges to appear regularly on
Miami TV, itching to admit his atrocious
crime of the 1976 bombing of Cubana Flight
455 that killed 73 people. Bosch and Posada
warked hand-in-hand in the plane bombing.

‘Where s the justice?

Last Aug. 9, 2005, an historic_and
unprecedented ruling was made by a panel

of three judges in the case of the Cuban
Five. With a powerfully-worded 93-page
decision granting the Five a new trial, the
11th Circuit Courtjudges ruled that the situ-
ation in Miami was "perfect storm” efec-
tively denying Gerardo Hernindez, Ramon
Labaiino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando
Gonzilez and René Gonzilez the constitu-
tional right o due process.

Partof that "perfect storm” described by
the judges was the evidence of terrorist plots
the Five had gathered while infilrating the
extremist Miami_organizations. The trial
judge, Joan Lenard, denied much of that i~
dence as irelevant,

A new trial outside of Miami for the
Cuban Five would have undoubtedly exon-
erated them. However, the hand of the Bush
administration intervened last year when
US. Attomey General Alberto Gonzales
appealed the Five's victory in an offort 1o
overtum the panel's ruling for a new tria,

Unfortunately, the en bane panel of the
L1th Circuit Court of Appeals set aside the
Cuban Five's victory. It ruled ignominiously
on Aug. 9, 2005, that he Five received a fair
trial in Miami, and that Judge Lenard prop-
erly denied them a change of venue out of
Miai,

While George W. Bush unleashes bombs
and destruction causing the deaths of Iragis,
‘Afghanis and U.S. soldiers-in the name of &
war against terror--he has remained com.-
pletely silent about the rightwing Cuban-
American terrorists who reside i the United
States. This silence is tacit support.

U.S. Homeland Security waited two full
months before arresting Luis Posada
Carriles afer he illegally entered the United
States last year. When DHS was finally
forced to detain Posada on May 17 because
of a public press conference he held that
moming, Homeland Security_prosecutors
avoided charging him with more serious
crimes,like the Cubana plane bombing

Instead, Posada’s only formal charge to
date is illegal immigration entry. To the

extent that federal authorities may be inves-
tigating him for his role in several 1997
Cubanhotel bombings, it is probably to
avoid prosecuting him for the plane bomb-
ing. That is because Bush Sr. was CIA direc-
tor at the time of the Cubana bombing;
Posada was a longtime CIA operative.

It is more than an oversight by Bush and
previous presidents that Miami terrorists
have existed, organized plots, and carried
out atacks with total impunity.

‘The Miami terrorist phenomenon is
financed, armed, nd given a green light by
the CIA, FBI and other ams of the govern-
ment,

“There is mounting evidence that proves
without a doubt, terrorism against Cuba is
partof U.S. government policy

I the govemment won't listen to justice
and reason in the case of the Cuban Five, if
it instead chooses to vengefully prosecite
them 10 keep them lacked up for years for
daring to defend their homeland of Cuba,
then it is up to the peaple o fight ever more
for their freedom. The Cuban Five's mis-
sion was not only saving Cuban lives, but
protecting all potential victims of the
Miami mafia, including U.S. citizens.

‘The American people would embrace the
Five if they were only aware of their cause
and mission. September 11 and Oklahoma
are permanent reminders of the horror of ter-
rorism. Terrorism against the Cuban people
is 10 less crininal. More than 3,400 Cuban
people have died from U.S.-originated ter-
rorist attacks.

Justice demands that the Cuban Five
ani-terrorist activists be freed immediately.
In addition, Posada should be extradited o
Venezucla or prosecuted fully in the United
States for the bombing of Cubana Flight
55,

Gloria La Riva is coordinator of the
National Committee 10 Free the Cuban Five
in San Francisco.

‘She can be reached at: glorialariva@hot-
‘mail.com

Government Seeking to Appeal Lynne Stewart's Sentence

The US Government has announced
that it has gone to the Solicitor General
of the United States Justice Department
for authorization to appeal Lynne
Stewart’s sentence and that of her co-
defendants. They are not challenging the
bail pending appeal but state that they
will only agree to one 30-day adjourn-
‘ment of the filing of the appeal because
they want everyone serving their sen-
tences as soon as possible. What does all
this mean for Lynne? Lynne's attorneys
are not surprised that the government
wants to appeal her sentence. Although

sentences are not usually appealed, it
does happen. Case law in the Ind
Circuit, ‘which governs Lynn’s case,
shows that, although rare, when a sen-
tence is appealed and the Circuit sends
the case back for re-sentencing the result
s a far longer sentence. We are hopeful
that Judge Koeltl's meticulous sentencing
decision will carry the day but we have
Ro guarantees and must continue our vig-
ilance in the face of this latest move by
the government.Lynne's attorneys will
be filing the appeal of her conviction
within the year.

Lockdown at the Maryland House of Corrections

By Marshall “Eddie” Conway

To be uprooted for destinations
unknown is a most unpleasant expericnce
at best; one that echoes back o another
time and place where men, women and
children were snatched against their will
and delivered as goods into another land.
Bondage. This recent experience has awak-
ened in me that memory that never really
sleeps but has long been hidden in my sub-
conscious - what it felt like to be enslaved.
I is an experience that, when coupled with
what seems 10 be a secrat lottery in which a.
fow prisoners are selected cach day,
amounts to psychological torture. That tor-
ment has become a part of the daily routine
of thirteen hundred men at the Maryland
House of Corrections at Jessup.

Each day starts with cups of cold food
being pushed into cells. These cells have
been locked twenty-four hours a day for 45
days straight. Twice more before the day is
done these cold cups of food will be deliv-
ered. For the men who are locked in, there
are o visits, no telephones, no religious
services, no schools, and no_purchases
from the prison commissary. Many fami-
lies do not know what is happening with
their loved ones, and the frequent media
reports concerning violent incidents at the

facility does not help the situation. The
hospital s the only place where movement
is allowed at all.” Prisoners receive their
medications there. The lockdown has even
affected those minor things that so many
take for granted, such as personal hygiene:
there is 10 soap, toothpaste, or deodorant
Most prisoners shower only twice a week.
Tempers have been flaring: anger
seething just below the surface in many of

Hugo Pinell Denied Parole

by Gordon Kaupp, Esq. with Kiilu Nyasha

The California Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Board of
Parole Hearing, for the th time, denied
Hugo L.A. Pinell parole at a hearing held
Tuesday, November 14, at the supermax.
Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent Cily.

Apparently, 42 years in California
prisons, the last 36 in solitary confine-
men, including 16 in the windowless, hi-
tech SHU (Security Housing Unit) with
sensory deprivation in the exireme, was
not_enough retribution against Hugo
Pinell, nicknamed Yogi Bear. They gave
him o more.

Since Hugo has had a clean record--no
1155, (rule infractions) for 24 years, and
bis last crime was committed 35 years
ago--it was a polifical decision.

Hugo was part of the Black Movement
formed in resistance to the deplorable
conditions of prisons and the unspeakable
brutality towards prisoners. especially
Blacks, in the 19605 and 70s. Borm in
Nicaragua, Hugo also resisted the
Mexican/Latino_segregation of Blacks,
ie., he broke ranks, identifying as Black
insicad of “Latino.” That made him even
more of a target.

I s indisputable that it was the prison-
ers’ Movement led by George Jackson and
W. L. Nolen, that brought attention to the
appalling conditions and eventual
Congressional oversight and overhaul of
the California prison_system. (See The
Melancholy History of Soledad Prison, by
Min S. Yee)

‘The mandated changes that grew out of

the men. After hours of boredom in their
cells, a guard calls for attention from the
prisaners. He calls out two or three names,
“Moore, Washington, Miller: pack up.
you're moving.” An hour later as they take
away the latest victims, someone asks
where they are going. “We don't know, but
we will be back tomorrow for more,” the
‘guard replics. The rest of the prisoners are
feminded of the slave ships that took
Africans away. Later that night, most of the
prisoners are asleep, however somewhere
among the dirty, half-nourished and angry
men lurks the dream of payback. Freedom
has taken a back seat to revenge: it s a rage
borne of this new degree of oppression, and
once unleashed it will likely expend itself
among the prisoners. Prisoners, like most
oppressed people tend to take the anger out
on each other. I is a seemingly unending
eyele of violence.

“Conway.” the guard called my name
today and threw bags at me. “Pack up,
you're moving.”

Marshall Eddie Conway #116469,
MD. Cortectional Training Center
18800 Roxbury Rd.

Hagerstown, MD 21746

that struggle serve as an open and undeni-
able acknowledgment of Just how bad it
was: how necessary the resistance
Although it's difficulf to imagine worse
conditions than those in today’s S000 pris-
ons and jails across the country, most
grossly overcrowded - yesterday's
“holes,” virulent hatred from racist guards
and prisoners alike, officially sanctioned
brutalty, torture, and murder comprised
more horrific conditions 40 years ago.

“The stance Hugo Pinell took resulied in
prolonged torture and isolation, plus a long
record of 115s. Hugo ofien’ intervened
physically when another prisoner was
being beaten, getting beat up himself and
thrown in the hole. Almost any Black per-
son who has suffered guard or police
assault knows that when the brutality stops,
i's the vietim who gets the charges of
write-ups for the assault, not the oficial
aggressor.

“At one point in the wrbulent 60s, the
Movement organized a hunger strike which
lasted eight days. Hugo's file reflects cight
1155, one for cach day. Al were used
against him at the hearing!

During the hearing, the Commissioners

Virtually ignored his 24 years of clean time.
and tallied his 1155, counting well over
100. Although Hugo has not gotten a vio-
lation since 1982, the Board found a way to
hold that against him too. Commissioner
Shelton said something like, “When I se a
man as violent s you and | sce that you
have nothad a 115 for 24 years it makes me.
wonder, and it reminds me of a story | once
heard. At a parole board hearing of an
inmate who had received many 1155 carly
on but hadn'treceived any in a long time, a
commissioner asked him how he was able
o stay out of trouble. The inmate told the
Board, “It’s because I'm the shot caller on
the yard and | can get anyone to take the
fall for me."™ That story is incredible for
several reasons: that a prisoner would even
say such a thing: the fact that Hugo is never
on the yard; and SHU prisoners are com-
pletely isolated, no phone calls, censored
mail, restricted, monitored, no-contact vis-
s

‘What's more, the Board violated Hugo’s
right not to discuss or even refute the
crimes for which he was convicted. An in-
depth look at Hugo's convictions reveals.
serious questions of reliability of evidence
and basic faimess in the trials, Except for
the original case that landed him in prison,
all of Hugo's subsequent convictions werc.
for acts against prison guards, reflecting the
historic struggle referred toabove.
Nevertheless, one Commissioner did hold
his denial against him and berated him for
it, saying, “and you continue to show no
remorse and you even deny doing those
things.” What good is the right not o admit
o something, if your lack of remorse (for
something you didn’t do) can be used
against you?

T’ reminded of the case of Geronimo ji
Jaga (Pratt), who spent 27 years in
California prisons convicted of 3 murder
for which he was ultimately exonerated.
He faced the same reason for being repeat-
edly denied parole -- his refusal 1o show
remorse for 2 crime he didn’t. commit
Similarly, Hugo's denial of guilt and lack of

remorse was used against him, a clear vio-
lation of his rights under Cal. Penal Code
Sec. 3011,

One of the requirements for parole is
‘community support upon release. Forty let-
ters from teachers, professors, human rights
advocates, social workers, friends, family,
‘and even one from the Public Defender, Jeff
Adachi-- offering Hugo San Francisco's
hew reentry program upon parole-- were
discounted and scorned by the
Commissioners

Another point the Board used against
Hugo was his unwillingness to “program.”
Insistence on_ programming is in_ reality
about domination and submission, since the
extremely limited “programs™ authorities
provide do not produce truly marketable
skills. SHU prisoners don’t even have
access to the programs available to main-
line prisoners. They can only take certain
correspondence courses or read self-help
books to demonstrate their compliance.

Hugo's lack of submission o the sys-
tem’s programming has to do with his own
program of survival under conditions
designed to produce insanity. The super-
max SHU is itself a human rights viola-
tion. The United Nations and Amnesty
International assert that the conditions of
the SHU are inhumane and in violation of
the international conventions on the treat-
ment of prisoners. Psychiatrists in the
field of prison mental health have docu-
mented through dozens of studies since the
19705 that SHU conditions -- 23-24 hours
a day in small cells with no natural light,
no windows, no view outside their cells,
o contact visits, prolonged isolation - are
always harmful One such expert, Dr.
Terry Kupers, author of "Prison Madness:
‘The Mental Health Crisis Behind Bars and
What We Must Do About It evaluated
Hugo's mental health in 2004 and con-
cluded that he is nothing short of amazing.
Hugo has been able to maintain his sanity
through a strict regimen of vegetarian diet,
exercise, prolific writing to relatives and
friends, and other forms of self care. This.

is a full time effort to be sure, and thel

result is that, against all odds, Hugo
remains compassionate, mentally and
physically healthy and alive. It's even|

more remarkable considering that in 2003,
a record 44 prisoners killed themselves in|
California_prisons; 70% of the suicides|
were in segregated units. In a nationall
study of 401 suicides in one year, 1986,
two out of every three people who killed|
themselves were in control units. (Hayes|
and Rowan 1985)

In summary, this Parole Board Hearing|
was anything but fair and impartial, We sil
in a room in the SHU with the
Commissioners facing Hugo and 1 (his|
attorey), three guards behind us and Hugol
chained hands-to-waist and feet-to-waist
Openly hostile, the commissioners recoun. |
ed the history of 1135, alleged attacks on|
uards over 33 years ago, with SHU guards|
looking at us. I's unfair because the alleged
offenses cannot change; only the prisoner
can change.

Despite their_unfaimess, despite their
violation of his righs, despite their refusal
0 display humanity of common sense, and|
despite their utter rudeness and contempt|
for Hugo, | must say my client remained
strong and upbeat. 1 felt proud of him.

We were all but sure that they wouldn't
‘grant him parole before going into the hear-
ing, but we knew that we had to make 2
‘200d record so that we could move into the|
second stage of the strategy to gt Hugo
Pinell out of SHU, out of prison.

We intend 1o file a Petition for Writ of|
Habeas Corpus with an outside court to
appeal the Board's denial. We are announc-|
ing our search and need for a law firm with
the resources to represent Hugo. If youl
know any law offices or friends in firms
please ask them if they would be willing tol
take the case and to call or write me, his|
attomey, Gordon Kaupp, 115 172 Bartlett
Street, San Francisco, Ca. 94110, (415) 285
8091

For more information on Yogi, g0 to
wwwhugopinell.org.

Jeff Hogg Released from Jail

After spending almost six months in
jail without being accused of any crime,
Jeff Hogg has been released from impris-
onment. On May 18, 2006, Hogg was
jailed for civil contempt after he declined
to testify before a federal grand jury
allegedly investigating "eco-sabotage”
cases. His incarceration led to public out-
ery and support efforts in Eugene and
beyond. Hogg was released on November
15" from the Josephine County jail in
Grant's Pass, Oregon, rejoining his part-
ner and community.

“I'm happy to be free and not to have
compromised my principles in the face of

the abusive grand jury system.” Jeff Hogg
stated from his home in Eugene, Oregon.

Hoge's attomey, Paul Loney, added,
“While Jeff Hogy's Iiberty is restored, he
is still subject 1o 3 new subpoena from a
future empanelled grand jury as the FBI is
not satisfied with the guilty pleas from all
the Oregon cco-sabotage defendants.
For some reason the FBI wants informa-
tion Jeff does not have for cases that have
been resolved. We hope that Jeff will not
have to face the prospect of another six
‘months in jail."

Hogg was released less than one
week after four District of Oregon

defendants, facing charges from the
FBI's "Operation Backfire," resolved
their cases and took non-cooperation
plea deals. The "global resolution” of
these remaining Oregon cases has not
ended the FBI'S campaign against envi-
ronmentalists, however. In
Washington, Briana Waters still faces
serious federal charges relating to sabo-
tage at the University of Washington.
Waters asserts her innocence on all
counts and is scheduled for trial in May
2007. The FBI continues to search for
Several other individuals they aceuse of
conspiracy and arson.

FARC Political Prisoner Faces Trial in U.S.

Ricardo Palmera, a peace negotiator
flom the FARC-EP (Colombian
Revolutionary Armed ~ Forces-Popular
Amy), is currendly being tried in the LS.
District Court in Washington, D.C., where
he was extradited from his homeland on
Dec. 31, 2004, on charges of kidnapping,
terrorism and drug trafficking.

This case follows the new trend put
forth by the Bush Administration of trying
foreign citizens in US criminal courts
Although widely covered by Colombian
and other intemational media, news of the
case has been notoriously absent from the
commercial media in this country, giving
the impression that there is a media white-
out

‘The trial on drug trafficking will be a
separate case that will be heard after the
conclusion of the current case of kidnap-
ping and terrorism,

The charges of kidnapping against
Palmera —betier known by his Simon
Bolivarinspired _pseudonym, “Simon
Trinidad"—stem from a February 2003
incident in which a small plane flown by
USS. contractors/agents crashed in territory
controlled by the insurgents in Caguets, in
the south of Colombia. These contractors
were among the many U.S. military or mil.
itary-associated_personnel sent by the
United States to Colombia to fight against
the insurgency under Plan Colombia. The
agents —Thomas Howes, Keith Stansell
and Mare Gonsalves—have since been
kept captive by the FARC.

“Trinidad was extradited to the United
States after Colombian President Alvaro
Uribe issued an ultimatum 10 the FARC.
With no possibility of negotiation, he uni-
laterally demanded that the insurgents
release all captives by Dec. 30, as the only
condition for annulment of the extradition
order.

‘Trinidad is not charged with dircet
involvement in the kidnapping. Rather, the
erime for which he is being tried under the

new U.S. antiterrorism legal framework is
“association.” H is charged with “conspir.
acy” to commit the crime of hostage-tak-
ing. The Colombian government accuses
Trinidad of trying to force a prisoner
exchange using the three captive U.S.
agens,

‘The accusation_comes from a trip 1o
Ecuador taken by Trinidad. He had gone to
Ecuador at the réquest of the FARC (o con-
tact James Lemoyne, a United Nations rep-
resentative with whom Trinidad had s
ken before, about possible peace negolia-
tions with the Colombian government. This
fact has been twisted into the accusation
that Trinidad was pressuring the
Colombian government to_exchange the
approximately 500 FARC prisoners in
Colombian jails in return for the 60 or so
captives of the FARC, including the three
US. agents.

Even though the meeting never took
place, the combined action of the Interpol,
CIA and the Colombian and Ecuadorian
armed forces captured-—or rather, kid-
napped-—Trinidad in Quito, Ecuador, on
Jan. 2, 2004. He was then extradited to

Charges Against Ojore Are

In a recent letter sent to Philly ABCF,
Ojore informed his supporters that the
infraction charge he_teceived last year,
which landed him in the Management
Control Unit, has been reduced to a lower
chan. The charge he received on June
10th, 2005 was a §03-306--“attempt at con-
duct which disrupts.” The charges were
reduced 0 a 210 charge, which basically
translates to_ having possession of some-
thing not authorized for possession.

Ojore has also been told that his “good
time" that was stripped after June 10th has
been reinstated (a total of | year reduction

offhis sentence.) Ojore’s work credits have
also been returned, which will bring his
‘max out-date to March 2009. There is also
a chance that he could reduce his max out-
date down to December 2008 with more
work eredis.

You can write to Ojore Lutalo at the fol-
lowing address:

Ojore Lutalo
39860

P.O. Box 861
SBI# 0000901548
‘Trenton, NJ 08625

Colombia, where he remained in maxi-
‘mum-seeurity prison uniil being sent to the
United States.

“The charge of tertorism is based on U.S.
President Bill Clinton's 1997 decision 10
designate the insurgent FARC as a “terror-
ist” organization. Therefore, Trinidad is
now charged with aiding and giving mate-
il suppor to a “terrorist” group.

As the trial of Ricardo Palmera contin-
ues. a parade of corrupt officials and paid
informants are passing through the federal
courtroom here. With Judge Hogan looking
on, Colonel Mora from the Colombian mil-
itary took the stand. The Colombian mili-
tary has the worst human rights record in
Latin America. Now in its 42nd year,
Colombia's civil war pits the Colombian
military against the organization Palmera
represented in peace negotiations, the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia,
or the FARC.

Other withesses for the prosecution are
nothing more than paid informanis of the
cormupt Colombian goverment. There is
an_assumption that such witnesses are
offered money, green cards 1o the U.S.,
housing and other deals in exchange for
testifying against members of the FARC.
The trial of Ricardo Palmera will continue
with more informants, spies, military and
‘zovernment officials testfying.

Meanwhile, Ricardo Palmera is held in
Solitary confinement, with no access o his
family, friends or supporters; denied a
defense lawyer of his choosing, and endur-
ing endless hours of testimony from people
motivated against him and his. political
belif.

In a leter from Palmera, which was
Slipped past his captors, he wites, "Others
will make use of their physical freedom to
achieve our dream. IF this imprisonment is
the price that must be paid for our ideals
and the principles that have motivated the
struggle and are the reason for our exis-
tence, then I welcome prison.

Reduced

Shoatz Becomes Target of Prison Admmlstratlon

On Monday October 30, 2006, guards at
SCI Greene entered the cell of Russell
Maroon Shoatz, confiscating all of his pos-
sessions except his ink pen and writing
paper. Maroon was told that these actions
were taken against him not because of any
wrongdoing on his part but because prison
officils see US political prisoners s "the
terrorists of the new millennium” and are
planning 10 invoke anti-terrorism measures
against them.

‘According to Maroon, this abuse against
him is likely to be just ihe beginning of 2
larger pattern of intensified abuse against
PP/POWs unless there is an immediate
response from the people, leting PA govern-
ment and prison officials know that their
behavior is unacceptable and will not be tol-
erated.

Maroon called on his supportrs o con-
tact prison officials and the governor 1o

demand the immediate return of his posses-
sions. Supporters responding to the appeal
flooded prison officials with calls and
emails.

On November 3rd guards retumed all of
Russell’s material,lterature, medical history
etc., which they deemed “revolutionary
material®, except for his TV, radio and reli-
gious bock. He says he believes the calls to
the DOC and SCI Gireene made this possible.

Maroon went on to say, “The bottom
line is they're trying to st me up as some
kind of Homeland Security terrorist threat.
That's in line with the government saying
the next threats to domestic security will
come from the prisons. Thats crap. They
need freedom fighters like me to exploit my
history of fighting oppression of black peo-
ple as 2 way 10 get in the door. 'm absolute-
lya FREEDOM FIGHTER! ~Ain't no ter-
orist here! 1!

The Mumia Abu-Jamal Case After 25 Years

by Linn Washington, Jr.

‘Whether the fundamental errors riddling
recent actions by opponents of
Pennsylvania death tow journalist Mumia
Abu-Jamal constitute mere mistakes or
malicious mistepresentations, these errors
resemble sequels to the Koystone Kops.
silent film-era comedy series

These error-filled antics occur as Abu-
Jamal approaches the 25th Anniversary of
his December 9, 1981, arrest for fatally
shooting a Philadelphiapoliceman, and as
a pivotal legal action moves forward in
foderal appeals court revolving around
whether Abu-Jamal received a fai trial in
1982,

“The latest faux pas by Abu-Jamal oppo-
nents regards errors in an October letter
sent o officials in Paris requesting that
they rescind the honorary citizenship grani-
ed three years ago to the death row inmate
viewed globally as a vietim of injustice in
America.

“This letter states that a delegation of
Philadelphia City officials, including the
Police Commissioner, planned a late-
November irip to Faris to negotiate
rescinding the honorary citizenship in
exchange for these officials getting Abu-
Jamal's death sentence cancelled.

However, the four Philadelphia offi-
cals listed as delegation members all deny
knowing anything about cither the trip or
the deal

Further, these officials have no power
to cancel Abu-Jamal's death sentence.

Peter J. Wirs, the Philadelphia figure
behind the delegation, says he is surprised
by the errors in that letter prepared on his

behalf by a lawyer in Paris.

"I haven't done anything e to formal-
ize the delegation or the planned trip. We
haven't raised any money.” Wirs said
recently, adding that he “hasn't seen” the
letter sent on his behalf.

Wirs also distanced himself from the
deal proposed in that lettr.

“An offer to pull the death penalty is so
ridiculous. We have no authority 1o take the
death penalty off the table." said Wirs, a
minor figure in Philadelphia's Republican
Party, a party that represents sixtcen per-
cent of the city's registered voters.

Wirs dismissed errors in that letter as
minor mistakes probably resulting from
“translations from English to French.”

‘That October letter also contains the
erroncous claim that Abu-Jamal shot

Officer Daniel Faulkner five fimes in the
face, a claim contradicted by police, prose-

cutors and judicial findings throughout the
quartercentury tenure of this case.

“That October letter prompted a written
response 1o Parisian officials from Abu-
Jamal attorney, Robert R. Bryan.

Bryan wrote that the ltter s "appalling
since it contains material misrepresenta-
tions and errors."

Ironically, ertors by police, prosecu-
tors, jurists and other authorities during the
arrest, conviction and state court appeals of
‘Abu-Jamal fuel the worldwide belief that
‘Abu-Jamal did not receive a fir trial and is
thus unjustly convicted.

“These errors include police failing to
give Abu-Jamal the standard hand test after
his arrest o determine if he actually fired a
un, prosecutors failing 10 provide Abu-
Jamals trial attorney with compelling evi-
dence indicating his innocence and the
notoriously pro-prosecution trial judge
making racist remarks.

“Only in America could a trial judge
say “I'll help them fry the Nigger, and be
considered fair” Abu-Jamal stated in a let-
ter to Parisian afficials.

“The trial featured lies, just as the
threatening letter to you did,’ Abu-Jamal's
letter stated."If the rial was truly fair, why
would the Philadelphia letter propose a
deal?”

Prior to that error-filled October letter,
Philadelphia area legislative leaders
mounted equally error-riddled_actions.
against the Parisian suburb of St. Denis for
naming a street in honor ofAbu-Jamal.

“The ani-St. Denis Resolution approved
by Philadelphi's City Council at the end of

May, for example, contains the erroncous
declaration that “Mumia Abu-Jamal has
exhausted all legal appeals."

Since the federal Third Circuit Court of
Appeals, headquartered in Philadelphiz,
approved Abu-Jamal's request for an
appeal in late 2005, it is factually incorrect
10 contend that Abu-Jamal "has exhausted
all of his appeals.

Not only did the 3rd Circuit agree to
hear the appeal claim that prosecutors used
racial discrimination while selecting the
jury for Abu-Jamal's 1982 wial, the Circuit
‘Court also took an unusual step in granting,
appeal on other items like allegations of
judicial bias during a 1995 appeals hearing
for Abu-Jamal,

The intensity of the bias exhibited by
Judge Albert Sabo during that 1995 hear-
ing offended even Philly's normally anti-
Mumia_mainstream news media to the
point_of their publishing editorials con-
demning Sabo for both making a mockery
of justice and providing Abu-Jamal sup-
porters with additional ammunition to
back their claims of gross injustice.

Interestingly, Peter Wirs does not dis-
pute that Sabo made the racist pre-trial
remark. Wirs readily admits that police did
not follow proper forensic standards while
investigating the murder

et, Wirs contends Abu-Jamal is guilty
as charged, despite seeming violations of
his constitutional rights.

When you look af Sabo's statements

i the tial, they are not per-
fect but they are fair,” Wirs claims. "The
errors and problems with the criminal jus-
tice system in this case do not mitigate

sgainst the fact that Abu-Jamal's gun was
found at the scene. That i the heart of this

The fact that police could not conclu-
sively match bullet fragments removed
from the slain officer to Abu-Jamal's gun is
immaterial according to Wirs.

"This is a circumstantial evidence

said Wirs, acknowledging that he is
working with Philadelphia's police union,
the Fratemal Order of Police (FOP), the
prime group pushing for Abu-Jamal's exe.
cution,

That Philadelphia City Council
Resolution supported a_congressional
Resolution introduced in mid-May by two
Philly area Congresspersons, Republican
Michael Fitzpatrick and Democrat Allyson

Sehwartz
This congressional Resolution contains.
fundamental errors.
The Fitzpatrick/Schwartz Resolution,

in recounting facts of the case, makes th
erroneous claim that "Mumia Abu-Jamal
struck Officer Faulkner four times in the
back with his gur

This claim contradicts the scenario pre-
sented at the il by the prosccutr, as well
as the version of events on the official

“Justice for Daniel Faulkner' Web site. This
site, according 1o its founders, exisls o
provide "an accurate source of informa-
tion"

Rick Santorum, a Republican US sena-
tor from Pennsylvania, also introduced an
anti-St. Denis resolution in the Senate that
‘mimicked the congressional resolution.

"No one ever claimed Mumia struck
Faulkner's back four times. While this may
evoke the image of a heroi¢ officer siiking
back against all odds, it is sheer fantasy."
noted Dr. Michael Schiffmann, the German
author of @ new book on the Abu-Jamal
case, "Race Against Death. Mumia Abu-
Jamal: a Black Revolutionary in White
‘America.

Ac

rding to Schiffmann, "One might

Stop the Execution

N

Free Mumia Abu-Jamal

say such "details” are unimportant, but if
they are so unimportant, why bring them
up?”

Dr. Schiffimann's book presents new.
startling information on this controversial

Schifinann provides information blow-
ing big holes in the ballistics evidence pre-
sented by prosecutors and police:

Further, Schiffmann's book presents
previously unpublished pictures taken by a
press photographer who arrived at the 1981
crime scene before police photographers
that show police personnel tampering with
evidence and manipulating the crime

Peter Wirs recently filed a lawsuit in
Erance, asserting that officials in Paris and
St. Denis violated French criminal law by
respectively issuing the citizenship 1o a
convicted murdererand giving his name to
astreet,

The intense reaction in Philadelphia to
the street naming in far off St. Denis stuns

former St Denis Mayor, Patrick
Braouezec, who sees the reaction as surre-
al

"By doing this, we are just contributing
o the possibility of Mumia having a new
and fair trial and put the issue of the death
penalty on the table," Braouezec said dur-
Ing an September interview while visiting
Philadelphia, where the city's mayor
refused to meet with Braouezee about the
street naming.

“There was no intention on our part to
provoke or offend the memory of the slain
oficer or his family,” said Braouezec, cur-
fently a member of the French National
Assembly, the Congress of France.

Patrick Braouezee finds it difficult "o
conceive that with the problems in the
American criminal justice system and the
Abu-Jamal case that the level of resistance
to this man receiving a fair trial s so
intense.”

The intense resistance, Braouezec said,
i political. There have been lesser cases
with lesser doubts that received new trials.”

Few cither opposed to or supportive of
Abu-Jamal remember the case of Neil
Ferber; a Philadelphia man arrested six
monthi before Abu-Jamal's December
1981 arrest.

Philadelphia_police and prosecutors
framed Ferber for 2 mob-related murder,
sending him to death row for 1,375-days
before his release.

A court ruling in a lawsuit Ferber filed
aver his false imprisonment declared that
“this case presents a Kafkaesque nightmare
of the sort which we normally would char-
acterize as being representative of the so-
called justice system of a totalitarian state.
Unfortunately” it happened here in
Philadelphia.*

This ruling noted that a "variety of
Philadelphia police” engaged in a ltany of
misconduct *for the singular purpose of
abtaining Ferber's arrest and subsequent
conviction on first degree murder hages.”

Evidence also showed that the jailhouse
snitch whose testimony scaled Ferber's
conviction had flunked 4 lie-detector test
ordered by prosceutors but prosecutors.
withheld this information from Ferber's
trial attomney.

Philadelphia officials bitterly opposed
Ferber's lawsuit for compensation.

Ferber eventually received a million
dollarplus settlement for his wrongful
incarceration, however, authorities penal-
ized no police officer or prosecutor
involved in the framing of Ferber.

Didier Paillard, St. Denis' current
mayor, declared during the street naming
ceremony this spring that the Abu-Jamal
case is not just a “symbol” in the struggle
for justice.” Rather, it symbolizes “resist-
ance against a system which has the arro-
gance to reign over the world.

Romaine (Chip) Fitzgerald has been
imprisoned for the past 37 years. He has
the dubious distinction of being the longest
held political prisoner in the United States
Held since 1969, his trial and conviction

me one year after the frame up of
Geronimo Fratt. Both men were members
of the Los Angeles chapter of the Black
Panther Party, which at the time was under
siege by the Los Angeles Police
Department.

Like Pratt, Chip was aceused of a crime
that he did not commit (the killing of secu-
sty guard Barge Miller) Geronimo was
released after serving 27 years when it
became known that the FBI kept informa-
tion away from Geronimo's defense attor-
neys that proved his innocence; Fitzgerald
has yet to see the same justice.

tis believed that Chip was set up for
the murder of Barge Miller due to his mem-
bership in the Black Panthers and his
involvement in @ shootout with the
Califonia Highway Pairol (CHP). This
shootout left both Chip and one CHP offi-
cer injured. Later, the CHP o ficer admitted

‘Chip’ Fitzgerald Freedom Campaign

that the police had orders to shoot members.
ofthe Black Panther Party. Others involved
in the shootout stated that the officer insti-
gated the incident and that the Panthers
acted in self-defense.

The shooting of Barge Miller took place
while Chip was recovering from gunshot
wound to-his head- just three weeks after
the CHP incident. Witnesses all verified
that Chip was at home still recovering from.
his wounds and never left his apartment

Chip was convieted for both incidents,
receiving a death sentence for the murder
of Barge Miller and life for the shootout
with the CHP. The death sentence was later
commuted to lfe, 50 he is currently serving
two-lfe sentences- one conviction for an
act of self-defense- another conviction for
a crime he is innocent of.

In 1998, Chip suffered a massive
stroke. Since, he has been denied proper
medical care.

He was scheduled 1o re-appear before
the California Parole Board on February |
2007, but we have received new that it has
been postponed. No news as to when his

meeting will be rescheduled.

In the past, authorities have denied all of
Fitzgerald's previous release requests,
asserting that he has shown no remorse for
bis crime and he remains a danger 1o socic-
ty. In a previous article, Mel Mason,
spokesperson for the Fitzgerald Campaign,
has responded to their rejections, satin
"Chip has said he is extremely sorry that &
person lost (his) lfe. He's as remorseful s
he can be because he says he didn't murder
the guard

Chip has been a model prisoner with no
prison record of any criminal and/or vio-
ent acts. In fact, he has been a role model,
mentoring young prisoners and helping 10
diffuse violen situations. He is not a threat
to society and his presence is desired back
amongst his loved ones.

We ask that when the times comes,
those reading the ABCF Update will be
moved to act on Chip’s behalf. We hope
that you will do what is needed to see that
Chip is able to taste freedom again. 1t is
time for Chip’s frecdom. Please support the.
Freedom for Chip Campaign.

FREQUENTLY USED

Acronyms/ Terms

ABCE: Anarchist Black Cross Federation - anti-authoritarian
eration of ABC groups who support and defend PPPOWS.
ABC-BG: Branch Giroup - ABCF group with more responsibilities
than a SG.

ABC
than 3 BG.
AIM: American Indian Movement - above ground revolutionary
organization of Native Americans.

Anarchism Free o libertarian socialism. Anarchists are opposed to
‘government, the state, and capitalism. Therefore, simply speaking,
‘anarchism is & no government form of socialism. Types of anarchists
include: Anarcho-Communist, Anarcho-Syndicalist, Autonomist,
Collectvist, Individualiss, and Mutualiss.

'BLA: Black Liberation Army - revolutionary Black clandestine for-
mation formed to defend the Black community and the BPP, ina
tive since the '80s.

BEP: Black Panther Party - sbove ground Black revolutionary
‘roup seeking Black politcal power, disbanded in the mid-"70s.
FALN: english translation: Armed Forces of National Liberation -
revolutionary clandestine group fighting for Puerto Rican independ-
EC: Federation Council - decision making body of the ABCF.
MOVE; Not an acronym, the name of an organization based in
Philadelphis who are committed to the teachings of John Afica. Their
beliefis in “lfe

PC: Prisoner’s Committee - rotating body of 5 PPPOWSs on the
ABCF's FC

fed-

Support Group - ABCF group with fewer responsibilties

PRIPOWS: Politcal Prisoners and/or Prisoners of War.
(See page 1)

Self-Defense: The legal act of protecting one’s life or the life of
‘another with the idea/purpose of self determination and independ-
ence. Armed self-defense is elative 1o the ABCF, specifically in the
USS..in that as the organization grows, S0 t00 grows the need {o pro-
tect ourselves from the armed aggressor of the state,right wing, and
other ideological opponents. (Firearms training s preparation for
self-defense are legal activities within the confines of the U.S.)
Self Determination: The right by virtue of which all peoples are
entitled freely to determine their political status and pursue their
economie, social, and cultural development. All peoples may, for
their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources
without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international eco-
nomic cooperation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit and
international law. In no case may a people be deprived of their own
means of subsistence,

SDS: Students for a Democratic Socicty
edin the 60s.

The Update: This is a quarterly publication of the ABCF.

WUO: Weather Underground Organization - first the Weatherme
Tater known as the WUO, evolved out of the SDS as an underground
formation of primarily white anti-imperialist revolutionaries from
the student movemen,

(The Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF) produces. the
Revolutionanfvlitcal Dictionary with these and other expanded def -
initions of poliical terms. Asailable from Los Angeles ABC for $1 and
o 39 cents stamps.)

e student group found-

Law Enforcement Injustice

by Zolo Agona Azania, New Afvikan Prisoner of War

‘The wanton abuse of police power is not
a mere thing of legend. It a fact of life in
these United States, and elsewhere.

From the moment any awful act of
police misconduct came fo light via the
news media, or testimony in the courtroom,
an entire police department stood by and let
it happen - and then clammed up about
what had taken place.

‘Whatever happened in the past is not
merely history. That s to say, injustice of
today is directly related to injustice of yes-
terday. People who are concerned for fair-
ness and the appearance of justice will not
be able to dismantle police corruption and
abuse of public trust, if they assert (o be
neutral while looking the other way.
Clearly the challenge is that if you stand
neutral or deliberately indifferent because
you have not personally been the recipient
of injustice and abuse in the courts and on
the streets by the swom enforcers of the
Law, then you have to walk in the footsteps
of people, like mysel, where and to whom
these things happened

On August 11, 1981 1 was illegally
arrested by political police and accused of
killing a police officer during an armed
bank robbery. False evidence was invented

and used as a ruse against me, caleulated to
provide a wrongful conviction and death
sentence, cloaked with improper acts with
the state prosecutorial machinery and
resources 1o give it the appearance of pro-
pricty. The credibility of every witness who
testified for the state is in question.

The police made intentional false
reports about when, where and how I was
captured, among other things, to make the
changs against me sound piausible. The
autopsy report about the cause of death of
the police officer was falsified in relation to
the ballistic test-firing of the \weapons.

Two hand-guns, a 38 and 44, were
planted by police and presented to the all-
white jury as incriminating evidence,
which misled and influenced the decision
of the decision making body to which it
was addressed. Prosecutors claimed the .44
was the murder weapon. Donald McDuffic
St a well known loan-shark, testified he
Sold me a 44 pistol. The 38 was traced
back to the Gary police department by
BATE. (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms) agents.

On May 25, 1982 | was sentenced to the
penalty of deaih. Afier years of contesting
the bogus charges, the death sentence was

Los Angeles ABC’s Update

Jaan Laaman

Marisa from LA ABCF was able to
record an interview she did with Jaan and
we are in the final stages of productions of
that CD. Members are currently in conact
with AK Press for possible distribution of
the CD. Proceeds from the interview will
20 10 assist Jaan’s legal fund.

As part of this project, we are also cur-
rently creating 2 pamphlet of the CD inter-
view, which will be out within the next
couple months. It has been 2 long time
since the ABCF has produced a pamphlet
and we are due.

Chip Fitzgerald

AS stated 1n this issue of the Update,
Romaine “Chip’ Fitzgerald has a parole
hearing coming up. Members from LA
ABCF have been in contact with Chip and
his support group and will be assisting in
promoing a letter campaign to the parole
board for Chip's release. We ask that all
members of the ABCF promote the Free
Chip Fitzgerald Campaign when it begins
We currently have a section of the LA
ABCF website dedicated to Chip's
Freedom Campaign. You can check out the
site at: abef. nev/la/laabef.asp2page=lachip |

ABCF Material and Website

Members of LA ABCF are currently
‘going over the ABCF reading material for
proof reading. With the constant changes
taking place in various cases- this seems to
be an on going project- but a project that
e feel someone needs to take on.

We are consistently updating the web-
site s well. So please take note- especially
in regards to PPIPOW address changes.

Research

Members of the group are constantly
researching political prisoners cases. We
are trying to establish files for all the pris-
oners we support, which will include news-
paper artcles and court documents that will
support the case for political prisoner sta-
1us. While the prisoners we support clearly
fall within the definition of the internation-
al community, it can only help to have the
information available ihat proves their
legitimacy.

We are also rescarching prisoners that
other groups have presented as political
prisoners. Some of those individuals we
have confirmed their status and have or
will present them 1o the Federation for a
vote; others we have found insufficient evi-

reversed by the Indiana Supreme Court in
1993, But after a second wial on the sen-
tence only, it was put on me again in 1996

My case does not involve D.N.A. test-
ing. There was a reasonable likelihood that
the knowing use of admitted perjured tesi-
mony, tainted evidence, and police miscon-
duct in both trials, could have affected the
Judgment of at least one juror, and the out-
come would have been different. The jury
trials were rigged against me.

People of Afrikan ancestry (whom I call
New Afrikans) were systematically exclud-
ed from the pool from which my jury was
selected. Rather than monitor and repair a
Jury selection system that was not working
properly, county officials tried to cover up
the flaws by destroying material evidence
and lying about the problem. Every human
being who serves on a jury have the power,
and moral responsibility, within a small
specified group 10 express, affimatively,
the true meaning of democricy.

By Zolo Agona Azania #4969
Indiana State Prison

PO. Box 41

Michigan City, Indiana
463610041 USA

Report

dence for political prisoner status and can
present evidence as 10 why, we, a5 an
o rzanization do not consider these people
political prisoners. There are stll many
cases that cither we have found little evi-
dence on or fall within that grey area on the
definition of political prisoner. In cither
case, we feel his work in much needed and
will become useful at some point. If there
are any individuals chapters wish for us to
rescarch please let us know.

New Political Prisoners

The ABCF has recently reviewed and
approved a few cases brought forward by
LA ABCE. We have writien those
PP/POWs requesting permission to add
them to our list. As a continued policy, we
never add a PPIPOW to our lists unless
given permission by the prisoner directly

However, we are proud to announce that
two individuals have returned lettrs o us
indicating that they wish 10 work with the
ABCE. New Afrikan POW, Zolo Azania
and accused Japanese Red Army member,
Tsutomo Shirosaki have responded to our
requests and have been added to our list
We ask that members of the ABCF contact
these two PP/POWS and begin support

Montreal ABC’s Update \\

e
oo, anscinad vy S B o auman: The Pl 3006

butions from Mumia Abu-Jamal, Bill Dunne, Russell Maroon
Shoats and others. Check it out online at www dstrugglemag.org.

This year, along with several other activists in Montreal, we
also taok over the production of the 2007 Certain Days: Freedom

for Political Prisoners Calendar.

This year's calendar is focused on the theme of immigration,
and features work by many political prisoners and activists.
including cover artist Tom Manning, David Gilbert, Herman Bell.
Alvaro Hernandez, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Jeffrey "Free” Luers, the
MOVE 9, the Cuban 5, Gord Hill, GoreB, Just Seeds, and more.

‘As always, the calendar is a fundraiser. This year's proceeds
will benefit the New York State Task Force on Political Prisoners.
No One Is Hiegal-Kingston, and Addameer, a Palestinian solidar-
ity group.

Help support this important project! Order copies at
wiw.certaindays.org (special bulk and prisoner rates are avail-
able).

Stamp
Schedule

January- Philadelphia
February- Los Angeles'

March- Philadelphia
April- Los Angeles

'Send a check or money order to
Philadelphia ABCF made out to
Tim Fasnacht for forty 39¢
stamps in the last week of the
month before the month you
are responsible for.

Philadelphia ABCF
P.0 Box 42129

Certain Days c/o QPIRG Concordia
1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. O.
Monireal, QC H3G 1M CANADA.

The Anarchist Subsistence Program

The Anarchist Subsistence Program seeks
to provide material id 1o those PPPOWs.
who come from our own anarchist/anti-
authoritarian community.

As with the Warchest, this program is
designed to aid PPIPOWS who receive little
financial aid. However, it is unique because
it exclusively assists those from the anar-
chist/anti-authoritarian community.

Over the last few years there has been an
increase of anarchist/anti-authoritarian
PP/POWs. Most of these new prisoners have.
support. commitees who raise awareness.
and funds on their behalf. Long held anar-
chist/anti-authoritarian PF/POWs have had
their support overshadowed by these new
cases. This program is designed to ensure
that support for them remains consistent.

The two functions of this support cam-
paign include a monthly financial assistance

www.certaind

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW! $15/$9 for prisoners

and forty 39¢ postage stamps per month.
Supporters of the Anarchist Subsistence
Program send whatever funds they can to
Philadelphia ABC (who facilitates the pro-
gram) who in twm distributes the funds
‘among anarchist political prisoners who par-
ticipate in the program. All U.S. supporters
also take turns sending the stamps directly
to Philadelphia ABC

Listed here are the monthly check docu-
mentation and otation of groups sending
stamps. I you want 1o support this impor-
tant program and help us expand the number
of Anarchist Subsistence Program cam-
paigns we run, contact Philadelphia ABC.
Make checks or money orders out only to.
TIM FASNACHT. Funds should be sent in
the last week of the month before the month
the funds will be used (i.e., send March
funds in the 3rd week of February).

iladelphia, PA 19101

JAN FEB MAR APR_MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
PHILLY © 0 0 0 15 0 0o 0 0 0 0 o
N/HAYES 0 0 10 0 10 10 0o 0 0 0o 0 o
LA 0 0 10 0 o0 0 0o o0 o010 0 o
RYAWALSKA 0 0 0 0 0 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
JMMPHILY 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 10 0 10
EZE/N) 0 0 0o 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 50 0
AX © 0o 0 o0 o0 0 0o 0 0 o 0 2
TOTAL 0 0 110 0 25 20 io 75 10 120 60 40

“Thanks much for the support you've been

organizing. I really appreciate it. After not
having any or very little support for so
long, it now seems like people have all of a
sudden realized that I am alive.”

~ Sekou Odmga (New Afnkan Pnsoner of War)

| Name:

| Street Address:

| City/State/Zip:

| ONE TIME DONATION [ ] MONTHLY SUPPORTER ]
| Monthly supporters, please check one of the follow

| P committo 6 mos [] 1l committo 1 year

Ph

SUPPORT THE ABCF WARCHEST

‘The ABCF has initiated a program designed to send monthly checks to
PP/POWSs who have been receiving insufficient, little, or no financial support
during their imprisonment. PP/POWS requesting funds complete an application
of financial questions. When the ABCF has collected sufficient funds to send
out another monthly check, the applications are reviewed by a rotating body of
PP/POWS called the Prisoner Committee, who make a judgement on which
applicant s in the most financial need. There is also an emergency fund
designed to immediately send checks to those PP/POWs in need of one-time
or emergency assistance.

Founded in 1994, the Warchest has provided consistent and reliable financial aid, serving a much- neglected comrade-
Iy function. Since its inception, the ABCF has raised over $46,000 with just this one program. All funds raised go
directly to the political prisoners, for which the program is designed. Despite our success, our comrades are still in
dire need of funds. Endorse this program by giving a monthly or one-time donation to increase the number of prison-
ers being supported monthly. A financial report is published that documents all money received and the prisoner it was
sent to. The prisoners” addresses are also printed so that endorsers may write and hold us accountable.

Send cash,checks or mos made to TIM FASNACHT t
Philly ABCF e P.O Box 42129 e Philadelphia, PA 19101 ¢ timABCF@aol.com

WARCHEST REPORT 2006

FUNDS TN JAN FEB WAR APR WAY JUN UL AUG SEPTOCT NOV DEC tose i
T secr oo 300 00 0 655 o 0 0 10080 ises 30
MIABCF 00 000 0 378 0 0 0 4L 0 ime s
PHLABCE 55 55 0 40 35 0 0 3 0 0 o o o
ISCASGE 120 o0 0 o 0 0 o 0 0 5o 0 _tm e
NJ ABCF 20 20 20 20 () () [ [ 1999 5814
CHRIS/N ] [] 0 0 20 20 [ [ 0 0 (] 0 2000 3514
EZE/N) [) () [) 50 100 00 100 o 2001 5290
RYAN/ALSKA [ [] [ 0 0 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 2002 2873
PROPAGANDL 1130000 o o o o o 30 o 20 s
s T T T—T— T —— " L=
Ao o0 om0 0 o o o o o o X 2
JIM/PHILLY 0 o0 o0 o0 0 o 0 0 o0 10 00 Totar assad
TOTAL 3@ 75 30 T80 45 45 73es 15 35 35 eleds sas (0P 424
e

FUNDS OUT ___JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC . 1995 279
SEROUKAMBUL 30 30 30 30 30 3030 30 30 30 30 3 1% 408
RUSSELLSHOATZ 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 0 i 48
JoserBOWEN 30 30 3030 30 30 30 30 30 30 0 3 128 ez
AN GEY 3030 3030 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 0 b St
HERVAN BELL 30730 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 0 M i
SEKOU GDINGA 30 30 3030 30 30 30 3030 30 30 30 st sz
RUCHELLMAGEE 3030 303030 30 30 30 30 303030 sees 130
ALVARO HERNANDEZ 30 30 3030 30 30 30 3030 30 30 30 ae3uices
ToTAL 340 340 240 240 340 240 340 340 240 240 240 340 —soms s6s0
So0e 560

TOTAL 43716
REMAINING: $2441.94
(“Funds unaccounted for due to unreported funds from Jacksonville ABCF)

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

“You can see many of our concerns addressed in this pam -
phiet.”

- former Puerto Rican POW Carmen Valentin

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

Wihat's the ABC? What's the ABCF? Who are Political Prisoners? Who
are Prisoners of War? Where are they? Why make a criteria? What do
you mean by “documentation”and how do 1 get it? What kinds of sup -
‘por do Polltical Prisoners need? How should 1 o about my work?
What can PPIPOWS gt in prison? What do I need o know if I wans -
ed 10 visit? Can I bring them food packages? What abour clothes?
Wit do you mean' by ‘principled support”? How do I get involved?

This is a practical guide compiled by Political Prisoners and
Prisoners of War themselves, based on concrete history and work
experience. 1t will help answer all of the above questions and more.
The ABCF guide to PPPOW includes definitions that were demo-
cratically agreed upon at an international tribunal, spet
dures ini

" proce-
ob ‘documentation on PP/POW's. information on
visiting, phone contact, food/clothing packages, and the working
policies of the ABCF in our work to support PPPOW's. Send $1
‘and two stamps to

ABCF-LA « PO Box 11223 « Whittier, CA + 90603

LA-ABCF

Branch Group

PO Box 11223
Whittier, CA 90603

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