Summer 2007 “Any movement that does not support their political internees is a sham movement." - O. Lutalo Issue #48

WHAT IS THE

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

In the carly decades, the organization had
chapters. throughout Europe and North
America. These chapters worked together to
provide assistance o prisoners only in
Russia. Soon other groups, such as the
Latvian Anarchist Red Cross, emerged to
provide aid in other Eastem Etropean coun-
tries. Armed with the deas of mutual aid and
solidarity, these groups worked tirelessly to

provide support to those who were suffering
because of thei political belicfs.

In 1919, the organization’s name changed
tothe Anarchist Black Cross to avoid confu-
sion with the_International Red Cross.
Through the 1920 and until 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
reemerged in 1967 in London, England
Once again ABC chapters spread throughout
the globe providing support for imprisoned
comrades. Sadly, by the end of the 19705
only a handful of ABC chapters still existed.

Introduction:

“Crucally important to maintaining the anarchist integrity of this organization

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

s the fact that Branch Groups and Support Groups are freely autonomous to

OJORELUTALO BILL DUNNE
take on whatever nitiatives they can to further the Unity of Purpose of the 59860/ Box 81 10916.086
Trenton, NJ 08625 Box 2068

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]

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

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

Eimore, AL 36025

The following definitions are used to describe the below terms whenever JRANLAAMAN, 210
they appear in the ABCF Update or any other ABCF literature. South Walpol, MA
a2t
Political Prisoner (PP): A person incarcerated for actions carried out in ABCF GROUPS
support of legitimate strugles for self determination or for opposing the
illegal policics of the government and/or its political subdivisions. [Special | | NAABS, LY Ay
International Tribunal on the Violation of Human Rights of PPPOWS in Coming Soont Phiadelpha. PA
US. Prisons and Jails, Dec. '90] JAxABC 19101
oSS0 e ABc
Prisoner of War (POW): Those combatants struggling against colonial and | | Jcisonvie 3091 Albar St
alien domination and racist regimes captured as prisoners are to be accorded Winieg, anicb,
the status of prisoner of war and their treatment should be in accordance with | | MONTREAL ABC
the provisions of the Geneva Conventions Relative 1o the Treatment of fl0B 42053 SUCC LansC
Prisoners of War of 12 August, 1949 (General Assembly resolution 3103) Monireal QC opox ne
MontrealQC o Wnitier, CA 90603

Néw lssue of 4struggiemag PRIPOWS
I5sue #9 Out Now! Wiitngs by Polical
Prisoners and edited by Jaan Laaman. Avaiabis

online at: www.dstrugglemag.org.

o gy

Herman Bell + Mumia Abu-Jamal «
aura Whitehorn + Gord Hill + Mima
bdo + Joy James + lonah Fertig +
aniel McGowan + Tom Manning *
Ashanti Alston + Robert Seth Hayes «
Assata Shakur + David Gilbert » Claude
Marks + Noam Chomsky + Sofiyah
Elijah + Safiysh Bukhari + and more!

Writers include: Jaan Laaman, Judy
Greenspan, Mike Novick, Russell Shoatz, etc.

Paper copies are available (four dollars, free
1o prisoners) by emailing
montrealabcf@gmail.com

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW!
$15/59 for prisoners

or writing to:
astrugglemag

P.0. Box 42053
Suce. Jeanne Mance

Certain Days c/o QPIRG Concordia
1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. O.
Monireal, QC H3G 1M8 CANADA.

NEWS FR

M THE FRONT

Death Penalty Trial for Zolo

Thursday, May 10, 2007 the Indiana
Supreme Court reversed Boone County
Superior Court Judge Steve David's ruling
that barred the state of Indiana from pursu-
ing the death penalty in the case of Zolo
Azania. Lake County Prosecutor Bernard
Carter appealed Judge David’s ruling,
which resulted in oral arguments before the.
Indiana Supreme Court on June 27th, 2006,
Zolo, who was convicted of murder in
1982 has spent the last 26 years in Indiana
prisons, most of that time on death row.
The Indiana Supreme Court has twice
overtumed Zolo's death penalty verdict,
due to_prosceution’s suppression of evi-
dence favorable to the defendant, ineffec-
tive assistance of counsel, and systematic
exclusion of African Americans from the
Jury pool. CONTACT: Howard Emmer
7734256716

Daniel McGowan Transferred

Daniel McGowan, eco-prisoner serving
84-months for his participation in various
ELF actions, has been transferred to USP
Sandstone i Minnisota. McGowan has
been to at least five federal detention cen-
ters in the last month. But now it seems like.
this may be McGowan's home for a while.

For now Daniel can be contacted at the.
following address:

Danicl McGowan

63794.053

FCI Sandstone

Post Office Box 1000

Sandstone, Minnesota 55072

Kamau Sadiki Seriously Il

Kamau Sadiki -Former Black Panther,
aka. Fred Hilton #115 06 88 is seriously il
and incarcerated in Augusta State Medical
Prison. Apparenly there has been a change
where inmates are not allowed t sleep
aver § hours on weekends or holidays.
“This has had a negative impact on his and
other prisoners health. He is taking a
stand against this injustice and is sending
out an urgent call that all of us notify the
administration (o voice our indignation and
concern. | urge you to please pass this on
o our friends and comrades.

Augusta State Medical Prison
3001 Gordon Highway
Grovetown, GA 30813

Dr. Mutulu Shakur Moved

‘We have learned that Dr. Mutulu Shakur
has been moved again! As many of you
know, in mid-March Dr. Shakur was
moved in the middle of the night out of
USP Coleman in Florida and transferred to
USP Pollock in Louisiana, followed by

transfers to Atlanta and Oklahoma before
ending up at USP Florence in Colorado. We
will update you as soon as we have more
information:

You can write to Mutulu at:

Dr. Mutulu Shakur #83205-012
P.O. Box 8500

Florence, CO 81226

USP Florence Admax

Jamil Al Amin Transferred

Imam Jamil Al-Amin has been trans-
foreed to Federal prison after the state of
Georga stated Al-Amin’s case 1o be too
difficult for them too handle. While there
was know clarity about the meaning of the
statement, it is clear that this move has
taken Al-Amin from his support base.

‘Al-Amin’s new location is at the notori-
ous ADX Florence in Colorado. Florence is
designed for high-security prisoners. Many
of the political prisoners we support have
reluctantly called this place home,

Jamil's new address is the following:

Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin #99974-555
USP Florence ADMAX

P.O. Box 8500

Florence, CO 81226

William Gilday Seriously lll

Supporters of William *Lefty’ Gilday
have received letters from him indicating
he has fallen ill. Recent visits have con-
firmed Gilday's statements. According to
reports Lefty has lost about 100 Ibs in
recent months.

Lefty was Supposed to gt his pacemak-
ex fixed months ago, but he s stll waiting.

Members of Boston Jericho are trying to
et attorney visits in hopes of having Lefly
sign a medical release form. The form
would allow a Jericho Boston member and
doctor to represent and advocate Lefty on
medical issues.

“There is talk among supporters about
the possibiliy of getting a commutation of
sentence, based on_his age and medical
condition (Lefy is 78), and also possibly
based on some serious wrongdoing during.
his trial. Supporters are beginning to reach
out to lawyers and are researching the pos-
sibilities. 1f there is no progress with the
doctor, call-in‘write-in_ campaign will be
announced. For right now, sending Lefly
get-well and solidarity cards is definitely
needed. He can barely write though, so you
may not get a quick response.

Gilday's address:

William “Lefty’ Gilday
PO. Box 1218

Shirley, MA 01464-1218
MCI Shirley

Seven Arrested in Germany
Scivists were arresed while allegedly
atemping to set i to four army trucks in
while in’ heir homes. All have been

Germany Wants McAliske)

‘Adefense lawyer has told an extradition
hearing in Belfast that County Tyrone
woman Roisin MeAliskey was not in
Germany at the time she was allegedly
involved in an explosion there.

“The IRA bombed a British Army base in
Germany in 1996 and Ms. MeAliskey, a
daughter of former civil rights leader.
Bermadette Devlin McAliskey, is being
sought by the authorities there 10 stand trial.

Roisin MeAliskey, now 35, was three
months pregnant ten years ago when she
was first arrested because of a German
extradition warrant.

She was released from Holloway prison
just in time 10 give bith to her daugher,
whereup she was sent to a psychiatric hos.
pital

“The British home secretary, Jack Straw,
then ruled out extradition on health
grounds,

The Crown Prosecution Service exam-
ined the case and found that there was no
prospect of conviction.

Despite that, the German authorities are
again secking her extradition but her
lawyer said on August 22 that she was
working in the North at the time of the IRA
bombing.

Spokane Anarchist on Trial

“The FBI have accused Travis Richl of
vandalizing a pair of recruiting stations in
October of 2005. Reihl is a member of
Spokane Lack of Action Collective
(SLAC), a group that advocates non-vio-
lent property destruction.

‘The attacks involved throwing a rock
through the Air National Guard's window
and spraypainting the words “leave us
alone™ as well as an anarchy symbol on
another window at the North Washington
recruiting station.

Agents recovered a Fuji Film Finepix
2600 camera from Richl’s home. The FBI
Claim the camera was used to take pictures
of the destruction of the recruting offices.

Feds also secretly recorded Reihl at his
home allegedly admitting responsibiliy for
the actions as well as knowing those who
set a Humvee on fire at a dealership in
2004, The Earth Liberation Front claimed
responsibiliy for the action.

Travis Richl will stand trial in October
for the attacks on the recruiting offices

Fred Burton Still Battling the Courts

On July 10th attorneys for Fred
“Muhammad’ Burton (Philly 5), presented
oral arguments to the ~Pennsylvania
Superior Court. The arguments were over
an appeal filed earlier this year, citing
fraud n his original trial. Muhammad's
lawyer, Jonathan Gettleman said this is
unusual for the courts to take this step in &
PCRA filing, given the time for filing an
appeal is long past. Usually the courls will
reject anything filed past the 1-year time
bar, but_obviously the brief filed by
Jonathan has raised some serious issues of
fraud commitied by the Commonwealth.
The court’s decision is expected in within
the next couple months.

FAMILY PORTRAIT: Discussing his
father’s potential release, Frederick
Burton Jr. says “it's time to set the record
straight”

On an August night 37 years ago, two
police officers pulled their cruiser into a
Cobbs Creek guard house at 63rd and
Catharine streets. A young man flagged
them down. It looked Tike he needed help.

Instead, the man jogged up 10 the pas-
senger window, pulled out handgun and
lodged a bullef into one of the officers’
jaws. His parmer jumped from the car,
opened fire and called for backup. An
officer from 2 nearby precinct heard the
call and radioed Fairmount Park Police
Sgt. Frank Von Colln, who was in the
‘guardhouse. They wanied to know what
the trouble was. “I'm not sure,” said Von
Colln, 42 “Through the crackling radio
camethe sounds of several more gun-
shots. Someone else snuck in and pumped
five bullets into an unarmed Von Colln,
it was an ambush, planned by several men
on a remote police substation.”

Two years and three months later,
Judge Peter Hagen Jr. gave the jury some
Very pointed instructions before they were
asked to decide if Frederick Burton was
guilty of Von Colln’s murder: “If you
feject the testimony of Mrs. [Marie]
Williams, the prosecution’s star witness,
10 the effect that the defendant was one of
six men who conspired 0 kill policemen,
then the Commonwealth's case against
this defendant falls, and he must be found
not guily.”

Burton's _conviction hinged on
Williams' testimony. The jury believed
her.

‘Three years into Burton’s lfe sentence,
he got into more trouble. While in
Holmesburg Prison in 1973, Burton and a
fellow inmate set up @ meeting with two
wardens to arrange for an Islamic prayer
toom. When the request was denied, they
atiacked and killed the wardens with

sharpened kitchen knives. Burton, 27 at
the time, was convicted of second-degree
murder. He is now at the State
Correctional Institution in Somerset.

“Two families were
devastated by this
murder: ours and the
Von Collns. Two fami-
lies grew up without a
father around. But it's
time to set my father's
record straight."

-Fredrick Burton Jr.

Since then, Burton's lawyers have filed
dozens of challenges to Burton’s original
conviction. All have been rejected. But
last week, one finally stuck

Recently, Burton’s fiancee, Ethel Paris,
and friend Lee Wells found two docu.
‘ments while rooting through dusty court
recards that never came up during trial: a
letter from Williams to the district attor-
ney and her sworn statements during a
closed immunity hearing. Williams said in
both documents that her festimony against
Burton was coerced.

In July, Jonathan Get-tleman, Buron’s
current attorney, will argue that these doc-
uments should become evidence, even
though the 60-day time frame for using
them has expired. The result could breathe
new life into Burton's case and spur more
hearings. “These are documents the gov-
ernment suppressed.” Gettleman says.
“While we knew during the trial thai
Williams lied, this shows the extent of her
lies and the extent that the government
coerced her to tell those lies.”

During the original nine-day trial, the
case against Burton rested on several
picces of evidence: first were spent car-
tridges, a 9-mm shell and homemade
renade found in Burton’s home, similar
1o those at the scene. The second was
Williams, who told the jury she heard six
men, including Burton, talk about “elimi-
nating pigs” in her West Philly basement
during a meeting of an alleged offshoot of
the Black Panther Party. Between Aug. 30
and Dec. 7, 1972, Wiiliams flipped her
story at least four times, according to offi-
cial documents. Sometimes. Burton was at
the meeting. Other times, he wasn't. Still
other times, she said she never overheard

the conversation.

District Attorney’s Office
Spokeswoman Cathie Abookire, however,
isn't buying it. “The Von Colln case has
been reviewed by a dozen courts, all of
which have rejected his claims. There's
nothing new here,” she says.

Even so, Burion will soon return to
court for the first time in 20 years. The
decision (o hold the hearings in July, made
by a_three-judge appellate pancl in
Superior Cour, has quietly resurrected the
most trying of fimes for two very different
familics.

Since Von Colln’s murder, his son Kurt
and daughter Barbara Grimes have both
oined and retired from the police force.
My father was called the *gentle giant,”
says Kurt Von Colln, “He kept his gun in
a drawer. He played basketball with the
neighborhood kids on his breaks. That's
the man who was taken away."

As for Burton, Gettleman says, “We're
not trying to make sure everyone knows
hes the best human being on Earth. We're
just making sure everyone knows he’s
served his time.” If his long-shot legal
maneuverings result in exoneration,
Gettleman thinks Burion has already
served his time for murdering the warden
and will walk free.

Meanwhile, Burton's son, Frederick

Burton Jr, who lives in a one-room apart-
ment near 16th and Master streets, is

ecstatic. “Two families were devastited
by this murder: ours and the Von Collns".
he says. “Two families grew up without a
father_around. But it's time to set my
father's record straight.”

Rod Coronado Trial Ends in Deadlock

After more than two ful days of deliberation, a 12-person jury
informed Judge JefTrey Miller they were hopeléssly deadlocked.
Attorneys were informed that the majority was vting for acquit-

tal of the environmental / animal actvist

‘The case stems from 3 talk Coronado gave in San Diego on
Aug. 1, 2003, about 15-hours afte Earth Liberation Front bured
an under-construction University City condo complex to the
‘ground. Coronado did more than four years in prison for destroy-
ing buildings and equipment at numerous fur farms in the carly
19905, and he served as a spokesperson for various militant envi-

ronmentalist groups, including ELF.

Autorney Tony Serra, part of Coronado’s legal team stated, if
these prosecutors opt 1o re-try this case, then they are the puppets.
we know they are, in the business of suppressing Constitutional
rights. We hung the jury probably 10-2 or 9-3 (that specific infor-
mation was ot available from the jurors). so we know they can
never win. So they would be fools to retry, but this is political and
their agenda is political If they re-try, we will win again.

Important Message from Leonard Peltier

Greetings My Relatives,

You know | was just thinking there
should be a degree one could receive for
having expertise on doing prison time. |
think | would be called Professor Peltier,
PhD. with 30 years tenure. A friend of min
said once, PhD where he is from stands for
post hole digger. | think | would at this
time, embrace being a post hole digger,
although | don'trelish the thought of fenc.
ing anything in after being fenced in
‘myself for 30 + years.

On being imprisoned, | want o touch on
that subject a bit. There are some who have
voiced their opinion in one way or another,
that I should give up after all these years of
trying to win my freedom. Aside from the
oppressors who put me here, some of them
are people who were at times, part of the
Leonard Peltier Defense Commitiee; oth-
ers, on the fringes. My answer, to put it in
a simple, colloguial phrase, that anyone
canundérstand, it ain't gonna happen!
‘There are many reasons, both physical and
mental, spiritual and social. The number
one reason is that there arent any women
in here. That should cover the social. Eh!

Another reason is that the struggle is not
just about me. Its about life on carth, the
struggle to survive, the onslaught of
destructive technology, wealth mongering,
by those who see the common man as noth.
ing more than expendable beings to further
their personal quest for power and afflu-
ence. I-am here because, as a common man,
along with other common men, I chose 10
try 10 stop the exploitation of my people. |
know the Creator sent other common men
at other times and other places and to other
races to do the same. | am honored to be
among common men. | know they tried to
cause us to separate from alliances by

color, religion, and geographic locale but
our siruggle is the same. 115 against people
taking more than they ned. In my culture
it is taught that you should not take more
than you need. In Christianity, Buddhism,
and Zen, as well as most other spiritual
teachings, it is taught that gluttony is a sin.
Violation of this teaching is the teason for
elobal warming, and the reason for world
wars, including the war in Iraq at this time.

Because of people who always seck to
take more than they need, my people have
sulfered greatly. They are the poorest of the
poor yet most still cling to the original
teachings. They have fought for several
‘generations for the exploitation of our land,
Hllegal occupation of our land, unjust treat”
ment in the U.S. judicial system, and most
of all, government lies and liars that have
led the American people to believe all this
exploitation and violation of treaties is in
their best interest. | waich TV from time to
time, and T notice there are those who try to
make the wars like a war between reli-
ions. 1 tell you my relatives, it s only a
Tuse 1o get young men to die for those who
crave wealth and power over the common

If the many denominations of religions.
would stand together as one against the
violation that jeopardizes life_itself, it
would make a major difference throughout
the world. Today, more than any other time

in history, you are either part of the prob-
lem or part o the solution. I may, by now,
have written more than you care to read.
But, from where | sit myself, is the best |
can do. The Defense Committee that bears
my name struggles 1o help enlighten people
of events and needs of people in jeopardy.
I don't use the word struggle lighily. Aside
from trying to raise money for attorneys
and office expenses, ctc.. we raise money
for food and clothing for needy people on
reservations in urban areas. In my world,
the poor are common. | am honored to be
one of them, t0 represent them from time (o
time, though it be from afar. We as Native
People look o the Creator's greatest mani-
festation for teachings, Mother Earth and
her system of nature, along with personal
visions, from time to time. In that, we see
grass though encased in concrete, pushing
its way through the cracks. We see the trees
and water break down the structures of man
that imprison them. We see everywhere, all
life rying to follow the original instruction
given by the Creator. If | were a blade of
arass, T would grow out of here. If I were
water, 1 would flow away from here. If I
were a ray of light, I would bounce off
these walls and be gone. However, I am not
and unless 1, at some future tim, receive
my freedom that was unjustly taken in the
same manner as was the freedom of so
many Native People before me. | can only
leave here through my paintings, written
words, and some other forms of communi-
cation that are sometimes available. | am in
my 60's now. If | end up spending all my
days body flows to the sea, and the cle-
ments of my being make the grass grow
and the tees flourish, make no mistake
they can Kill my body but they can' kill
me. L am a common man.

The Leonard Peltier Defense
Committee will continue working on my
behalf and towards my freedom unless you
the supporters tell me o close down the
Defense Committee. Having said all this, |
wish t0 ask you, if you can in any way help
us, meaning the Defense Committee, send
any donation to;

Leonard Peltier Defense Committce
3800 N. Mesa A2
El Paso, Texas 79902

Pease do so, it s a common cause. If my
case stands as it is, no common person has
real freedom. Only the illusion until you
have something the oppressors want. Back
1o being a post hole digger. I'd rather be a
free post hole digger than Professor

Update on San Francisco 8

Eight former Black Panthers were arrest-
ed January 23rd in Califomia, New York and
Florida on charges related to the 1971
killing of a San Francisco police officer
Similar charges were thrown out after it was
revaled that police used torture to extract
confessions when some of these same men
were artested in New Orleans in 1973,

Richard Brown, Richard O'Neal, Ray
Boudreaux, and Hanik Jones were arrested in
California, Francisco Torres was arrested in
Queens, New York. Harold Taylor was
arrested in Florida. Two men charged
Herman Bell and Jalil Muntagim have
been held as political prisoners for over 30
years in New York State prisons. A ninth
man - Ronald Stanley Bridgeforth is still
being sought. The men were charged with
the murder of Set. John Young and conspir-
acy that _encompasses numerous acts
between 1968 and 1973,

Harold Taylor and John Bowman
(recently deceased) as well as Ruben Scott
(thought to be a government witness) were
frst charged in 1975. But a judge tossed out
the charges, finding that Taylor and his two
co-defendants made statements after police
in New Orleans tortured them for several
days employing electric shock, cattle prods,
beatings, sensory deprivation, plastic bags
and hot, wet blankets for asphyxiation. Such
“evidence" i neither credible nor legal

Since the artests carler this year, four of
the men have been released an bail. It is
expected that two others will be released
soon. Herman Bell and Jalil Muntagim are
not eligible for bail because of their prior
convictions.

Court dates thus far have been held to
dispute bail amounts. The DA has used the
testimony of Ruben Scott as a reason for
high bail, Scolts testimony was proven to
be perjurious in the past. Scot has recanted
cooperative testimony by explaining that he
was tortured in New Orleans in 1973 along
with other Black activists and he was given
complete immunity by 2 2004 grand jury in
San Francisco for any role he might have
played in 1971 connecting him to the death
of a San Francisco police officer at the
Ingleside Station - this in exchange for fur-
ther cooperative statements.

“The District Attomey has also argued
that the eight men were members of a

“gang” that conspired to attack police offi-
cers and that the allegations alone are suffi-
cient to deny atainable bail.

Ray Boudreaus's Bail Hearing
Ray was the first to have his bail hearing.
He was met with a courtroom full of sup-
porters. At one point his attorney asked that
all those who supported Ray's motion to rise:
the eniire courtroom rose and stood in sup-
port of the motion and the SF 8, and
remained standing for several minutes.

Richard O*Neal's Bail Hearing

Both Boudreaux and 0"Neal appeared at
court together. During their hearing, their
attomeys argued that all eight men should be
present at the bail hearings. The judge, sid-
ing with the District Atiorney, reject this
argument

James Bustamante, Richard O'Neal's
attorney, presented arguments in favor of
reasonable and atainable bail. He, like
Michael Burt, Ray Boudreaux's atiomey,
argied that the only evidence linking
Richard to the case were statements made by
Ruben Scot whose testinony was proven o
be perjurious by two courts in the past.

Richard Brown’s Bail Hearing

chard Mazer, representing Richard
Brown presented the case for Richard's bai,
showing that Richard is not a flight isk due
10 his very deep community tes. His many
years of devotion to his family and commu-
ity as well as his service as a Community
Court Judge Arbitrator were emphasized to
ounter the litany from the prosecutors that

Leonard Peltier, PhD.
May the Creator bless you with all you
need.
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, who never
‘gave up. All my relations,

Leonard Pelfier #89637-132
USP LewisburzPA.

PO Box 1000

LewisburgPA 17837

Case

the only issue relevant to bail is the "killing
ofcops.”

‘Attorney Mazer also emphasized that the
only government evidence is weak and
based on the contradictory and perjurious
testimony of Ruben Scott, whose role as a
government informant was bought by offers
of immunity. Mazer said Richard Brown's
incentive 1o appear is great, Just as it was
when he and others appeared for the Grand
Jury hearings in 2005, because "when the
defendant knows the government’s case is
weak, he has reasons (0 stick around."

Francisco Torres Bail Hearing

Speaking on behalf of Francisco Torres,
Chuck Bourdon presented Cisco's family
and described his personal history: VISTA
volunteer, Vietnam Vet, long time communi-
ty organizer, and devoted family member.
Cisco is loved by his community, and is
known as someone who helps everyone. He
has been showered with leters of support,
Ciscois the primary caretaker of a son with
sickle cell anemia, who was 100 il o join his
family at the hearing today.

Summarizing the bail issue of "flight
risk," Bourdon emphasized that the men are
not flight risks because the case is totally
weak. Previous attempls at prosecution have
been thrown out, and there is o new evi-
dence. The men expect to win. One concrete
new example of this is that the defense
leamed today that in contrast to the results
of fingerprint tests with "new” techniques
that would implicate Cisco, current DNA
testing contradicts those results. All of the
DNA evidence obtained at the scene does
not match any of the cight defendants
Result: No new evidence.

Hank Jones Bail Hearing

Jones” attomey, Joha Philipsborn, intro-
duced Hank's family. He spoke of Hank's
history of activism throughout his life and
the FBI repression he faced because of his
activism. Despite Hank never having been a
member of the Panthers. active with the
Black Student Union at the time- Hank's
attomey stated the the Panthers could be
compared to the African National Congress
in South Africa, ie.,illegal organizations at

Continue on pg. 9

Omaha Two Retrial Hearing Continues

by Michael Richardson

Omaha, Nebraska, _birthplace of
Malcolm X, has a long history of racial
tension. In September 1919 a white
crowd of 4,000 burned the Douglas
County Courthouse to gain access to an
accused black prisoner, Will Brown
Brown had been erroncously accused of
the rape of a white woman and was in
custody at the courthouse when the lynch
mob gathered in the streets of downiown
Omaha.

Mayor Edward Smith sought to quiet
the mob and was dragged to a lamppost
and hanged with a makeshift noose.
Pulled down by a quick acting policeman
the mayor hovered near death for several
days. Will Brown was not so lucky. The
mob hanged Brown and then dragged his
body through the downtown streets
behind a car before burning it on a street

Fifty years later an Omaha policeman
shot a 14 year-old girl, Vivian Strong, in
the back fo disperse a crowd. The death
of the youngster triggered a year of
intense tension between Omaha police
and the black community.

Chief eritics of the Omaha police were
Black Panthers Ed Poindexter and
Mondo we Langa (formerly David Rice).
Poindexter and Langa were the leaders of
the Panther group National Commitice to
Combat Fascism and were at the center of
attention.

But it was not just the Omaha police
that were watching the two Panthers, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation was con-
ducting a nationwide secret war against
the Panthers code-named COINTELPRO.
Poindexter and Langa were targets of
COINTELPRO agents.

It all came 1o a head one night in
August 1970 when police were called to
2 vacant house to investigate an emer-

gency call about 2 woman screaming.
Instead. a suitcase bomb was waiting for
the police. Officer Larry Minard was
killed and seven others injured in the
blast.

Police dragnets swept up dozens of
people, multiple arrests were made but in
the end a 15 year-old, Duane Peak, con-
fessed to placing the bomb. But the
COINTELPRO operation did not want a
1S year-old in custody, they wanted to
silence the Black Panthers in Omaha
Freedom of Information requests have
revealed that the FBI worked closely
with Omaha police on the case and that
critical information was later withheld
from defense attorneys for Poindexter
and Langa who were charged with the

Peak was given a deal and sentenced
as a juvenile in exchange for his testimo-
ny against Poindexter and Langa. The
tape of the emergency call was withheld
and later destroyed without ever being
heard by a jury. Evidence implicating an
uncle of Vivian Strong was not pursued
by police. Conflicting testimony by
police was made over dynamite allegedly
found in Langa’s residence.

Poindexter and Langa both denicd
their involvement in the crime and con-

tinue to proclaim their innocence from
their prison cells, thirty-six long years
after the trial that resulied in life sen-
tences for the pair.

However, a now-deceased police dis-
patcher, perhaps suspecting COINTEL-
PRO dirty trick tactics would be used in
the case, quietly made his own copy of
the emergency call that lured police to
the deadly trap. It took years for the exis-
tence of the copy to become known but
finally, in May of this year Douglas
County Distriet Judge Russell Bowie lis-
tened to the tape in open court and heard
testimony from an expert witness that the
Voice on the tape was not that of Peak.

“The Nebraska chapter of the American
Civil Liberties Union has filed an amicus
brief with the court bringing judicial
attention to the abuses of COINTELPRO,
a then secret operation unknown 10 the
jury that convicted Poindexter and
Langa,

Judge Bowie has spent the summer
reviewing the 1971 rial transcript, study-
ing the legal briefs and considering the
contradictory testimony of police detec-
tive Robert Pheffer who claims he found
dynamite in Langa's home-dynamite
never seen by the erime scene evidence
technicians.

While the public waits for Judge
Bowie to conclude his review of the
COINTELPRO tinted trial, two men
wait more anxiously than the rest from
their cells in the Nebraska State
Penitentiary. For Ed Poindexter and
Mondo we Langa justice is long overdue.

Author's Bio: Michael Richardson is a
freclance writer based in Boston.
Richardson writes about politcs, election
Law, human nutrition, ethics, and music. In
2004 Richardson was Ralph Naders
national ballot access coordinator.

Chip Tranferred as New Parole Date Nears

As Romaine “Chip Fitzgerald is rescheduled for
another parole hearing, we have received word that he
has been transferred. Chip is @ former L.A. Panther held
since 1969 for an altercation with a California Highway

Patrol offcer.
For the last several years Chip has been held at CSP-
Lancaster, a location close to his ailing mother and sup-
port_community. Suddenly without notice. Chip was
notified that he was going to be transferred. Chip soon
found himself transferred to CSP-Centinela, near the
Arizona/California border and far away from his sup-
port.
For the last year Chip’s support community has been
s parole hearing. Friends and family

preparing for
believe this is the best chance he has 1o be released after

38 years in prison. His original parole hearing was
Scheduled for March 29, but was cancelled. A new date
for his parole hearing has been released: September 26,
2007

“This new date is rather short notice, so we ask all
supporters to view LA ABCF's support site for chip at
the following address:

hitp://wwwv.abef.net/la/laabef.asp?page=lachipl

Chip’s new address i the following:

Romaine 'Chip' Fitzgerald B-27521
FC-2-110

PO Box 921

Imperial, CA 92251

Love Park 4 - Anti-Racists Activists Arrested

On Monday July 23rd, four anti-fascists
from the Philadelphia, PA area were arest.
ed at what was supposed to be a Ku Klux.
Klan rally in Center City, Philadelphia
Jared Schultz, Tom Keenan, Jason Robbins
“all of Philadelphia Anti-Racist Action -
and Jim McGovern - of the Progressive
Labor Party - were arrested and changed
with a series of trumped up misdemeanors
in'a situation that, for all practical purpos-
es, was entrapment.

Rumors spread through Philadelphia
starting Friday July 20th that the Ku Klux
Klan was supposed to show up for an 11 am
rally on Monday at Love Park. While anti-
fascists were present in the arca starting at
10:30AM, no one showed up for the rally
until noon, when two men wearing what
appeared to be neo-Nazi t-shirts showed up
in'the area. Anti-fascists approached the
men, confirmed they were neo-Nazis and
told them to leave. Words were exchanged
between the Klansmen and the ant
cists, and then the neo-Nazis said they were
leaving. The anti-fascists then followed
behind them 1o make sure that they kept
their promise.

Strangely. Civil Aflars cops remained
o the other side of the Park the entire time
and made no efforts to follow the sroup
even when they were out of their sight. The
nea-Nazis got into an SUV around the cor-
ner from the park. As they attempted to
drive off, conveniently blocked by traffic, 3
verbal confrontation ensued with the anti-
fascists lasting several minutes. During the
conflict one of the windows fo the SUV
was smashed. Apparently the other occu-
pants of the car were cops. The driver
who could have flashed his badge at any-
time to disperse the crowd - ordered three

Morristown 3 -

Three anti-racist activists, now known
as the Morristown 3, were arrested on
July28th, 2007 after defending themselves
from an attack by white supremacists. The
Morristown 3 were_ attending a counter-
protest to the Morristown mayor Donald
Cresitello’s racist anti-immigrant rally,
when the attack took place. Cresitello
wants to allow Morristown police officers.
to check into the immigration status of
anyone pulled over for a waffic infraction

The actual attack took place behind the
town hall when Erick Weigel - from the
white power group, Stormfront- and his
wife, Annette, jumped out of their truck
armed with baseball bats and knives and
assaulted a_crowd of immigrant rights
activists. The assault stemmed from
Weigel being out-ed as a Nazi carlier at the
rally

anti-fascists (Schultz, Keenan, Robbins and
McGovern) against the wall

The arresting officer was Philadelphia
Police Department detective, howevr, the
SUV was, according to paperwork received
by the arrestees, the vehicle of FBI Special
Agent Sean Brennan, also present during
the amests. What an FBI agent was doing
escorting neo-Nazis away from the park
remains mystery

After the arrests, al four of the anti-fas-
cists were transported 1o the 9th Police
Precinct, where they remained for approxi-
mately 37 hours, awaiting notice of their
changs and bail amounts

Initally, the armestees were informed
that Internal A ffairs was investigating their
case and that they would be facing 10
changs - 4 felonics and 6 misdemeanors.
Inthe end, however, all of the felonies were.
dropped, leaving the arrestees with § mis-
demeanar charges of varying degrees upon
being bailed out. The fact that the charges
were dropped so quickly proves how
trumped up these charges are. However
there's sill a lot at stake for The Love Park

4,

Currently, everyone is facing the same §
changs - Possession of an Instrument of

ANTI-RACIST
Ja &l

ACTION

ol

Crime With Intent, Criminal Conspiracy,
Engaging with Possession of Instrument of
Crime with Intent, Institutional
Vandalisn/lllegal Possession, Reckless
Endangering Another Person, Resisting
Anest, Criminal Mischief, Harassment -
Subject Other to Physical Contact, and
Disorderly Conduct/Grading.

At this point, everyone is out of jail,
doing fine and relaxing for a few days
before what could be a lengthy and expen-
sive legal ordeal. All of the defendans are
scheduled for court on October 3rd, and are
in the process of establishing a legal
defense fund and securing legal counsel

We are confident that with the right
resources, all of the anti-fascists arrested
will be able to defeat these outrageous
chans, which could resul in tens of thou-
sands of dollars in fines and years of jail
time.

The Love Park 4 are asking for
resources 1o win this legal batle and you
can help right now!

Simply go 1o hitp://wwwpaypal com,
click on the "send money” tab and make &
donation 1o cyndipitt@gmail.com. 1f you
wish to send funds through the mail with a
check or well concealed cash to

Heartsville Community Space
PO Box 5917

Philadelphia, PA 19137,

(Make sure to note that it is for *The
Love Park 4.")

Write to philly_ara@yahoo.com to
receive updates on how you can lend a
hand. They'll be plenty of work to do and
will need your help

Anti-Racist Actvists Arrested

When Wiegel lunged at the anti-racist
activist with a knife. He was quickly dis-
armed and fell to the ground. Wiegel then
pulled a bat from the back of his truck and
began to attack the anti-racists with i

By this point, more anti-racists activsts
began rushing the scene. Weigel and his
wife tried o flee the scene but were
stopped. Police rushed in and confiscated
Weigel's weapons.

Weigel told the police they were victims
of an unprovoked attack. Police took his
word for it, arfesting anti-racist activists
several blocks away.

Weigel suffered a few scrapes and his
wife sulfered a bloody lip. Those attacked
with basehall bats and knives suffered
injuries to their knees and logs. Once
again, no Nazis were arrested.

‘Onie of the anti-racists was charged with
two counts of unlawful possession of a

weapon. Others were charged with simple
assault, disorderly conduct, improper
behavior and causing bodily injury.

Itis important to note the only Weapons.
involved in the incident were used by
Weigel and his wife. Fingerprint analysis.
supports these claims.

Bails were set at between 52,500 to
$5,000. All activists were bailed out within
three hours of being transferred to. the
Morris County Jail

Weigel and his friends are posting on
Stormfront lists that he was assaulted.
Nazis are currently posting pietures of anti-
racists at rallies (o target.

The Morristown 3 is asking for your
help. They are asking for people to donate
1o help cover legal coss.

For more information, check out the
support site for the Morristown 3 at
myspace.com/morristown3

heartening to see a political prisoner issue
thrust into the living rooms of everyday
Americans. CNN and even Fox News have
broadeasted the tragic story of the Jena Six
across the world, giving viewers a brief
glimpse into the sordid affairs of those who
end up on the wrong end of State power.
"The tale of the Jena 6 i certainly no cause.
for celebration, but one does take heart in
the popular furor that has arisen in protest
against the injustices plaguing the small
town in upstate Louisiana.

Jena is a town of 4,000 people, the vast
majority of whom are white. The local
high school, Jena High, matriculates black
and white students, who ofien separate
themselves by race in and around the
school.

As we know, incidents of racism in this
country cannot oceur withou the long ten-
tacles of white imperialism and domination
numbly dragging along. They do not
appear out of thin air. Such is the case of
the Jena Six, which nominally began on
August 31st, 2006. During a school assem-
bly. a black Freshman asked the principal if
it would be okay if his friends could sit
under a tree in the schoolyard where white
kids normally socialized. Even though
principal responded that students can “sit
anywhere they want,” the question was
symbolic of the segregated nature of the
school. As proof of this, the next morning
studens walked into school to find three
nooses in_school colors dangling from
branches of the tree under which white kids
traditionally sat.

Later it was discovered that three white
students were responsible for the act and
received a thrce day in-school suspension.
The school superintendent, Roy
Breithaupt, was quoting as saying
“Adolescents play pranks. 1 don't think it
was a threat against anybody.” He over-
ruled the principal's decision to expel the
white students responsible.

lowing weeks, and were doubiless exacer-
bated by the visit of a local distict attorney
10 the school, where he reportedly told stu-
dents at an assembly 1o stop making a fuss
over “an innocent prank” He then noted
that he could end students’ lives with the
stroke of his pen while looking at a group
of black kids sitting together in the audito-

On December 1st, 2006—in the days
leading up to what is popularly known as
the “Jena Six Assauli—a black student,
Robert Bailey, attended an all-white party,
where he was beaten up and had a bottle
broken over his head. One person reccived
minor charges and probation, in effect a
warning. The next night, at a convenience
store, a white man at the party the night
before pulled a sawed-off shotgun on three
black male students, ane of whom was
Robert Bailey. The siudents took the shot-
un from the man and ran away, frightened.
In a telling twist, the three were later
chargd with thefl of 4 fircarm, second-
degree robbery and disturbing the peace.

December 4th will be a day forever
engrained in the minds of Jena students. A
white student, Justin Barker, was walking
with the thres students responsible for the
noose-hanging and allegedly boasting
about Robert Bailey being beaten at the
party. Six black students jumped him and
subsequently beat him to the ground, where
he was kicked until unconscious. Justin
went to the hospital and was released three
hours later. He was well enough to attend
a ring ceremony later in the day, where he
was “laughing” with friends.

“The next day and the day after, the Jena
Six were charged with aggravated second-
degree battery. The charges were later
increased to aitempted second-degree mur-
der and conspiracy to commit second-
degree murder, which in Louisiana requires
a deadly weapon. The “deadly” weapon:
sneakers.

‘The six, Mychal Bell, Bryant Purvis,
Robert Bailey, Theo Shaw, Carwin Jones,

The Case of the Jena 6

In dark times as these, it is especially

‘and an unnamed minor, were expelled from
school in January. Three of the six posted
bail, and the fourth, Bailey, was released
pending trial. To this day, Shaw and Bell
are behind bars.

Mychal Bells tral began in the spring,
and with an inept public defender who did
not call a single witness in the trial that fol-
lowed. and an all-white judge and jury, the
16 year old was convicted afler & mere 3
hours of jury deliberation. He was tried as
an adult and faced up to 22 years in prison.

Since the procedures in the courts
began, people of all creeds and colors have
increasingly stood behind the Jena Six and
their families by creating ad hoe support
aroups, signing a peiition sent to Governor
Blanco of Louisiana—which boasted over
280,000 signatures.— and sending in money
1o the defense fund. The NAACP and the
ACLU have also played positive roles in
the case, by providing adequate defonder
for Bell, On September 20, a huge rally
will be held in the small town, where thou-
sands are expected to attend in a show of
solidarity. For our part, LA-ABCF wrote a
statement of unity with the Jena Six.

An otherwise no-good-news case has
taken a few turns for the better in recent
weeks. In September, a Louisiana appeals
court threw out the convictions against
Mychal Bell, saying he should have been
tried as an adult. The charges for three of
the i, including Bell, were also reduced
10 aggravated batery, where they initially
stood.

“Though it cannot be said for certain that
the path ahead for the six teenagers will
continue to lighten, what progress that has
been made can be attributed to the right-
cous effort to oppose the often racist judi-
cial system in this topsy-turvy nation. 1f
only all the political prisoners behind bars
in America received such widespread
attention and support

For more information about the Jena 6,
please check out their support ste at.

W jenasix.ong

Continued from pg. 5

war with a "legitimate” government, with
the ANC banned in South Affica and the
BPP made de facto illegal by J. Edgar
Hoover's FBL. "What do bail issues mean”
Philipsborn asked, "when actions are a result
of community perception of being
oppressed and marginalized?”

Harold Taylor’s Bail Hearing

During Harold Taylor's bail hearing. his
attorney challenged the _distortion” of
Talor's previous case by the prosecution.
Taylor went to trial in 1976 for a Los
Angeles case, which the government is now
using as part of their current theory of con-
spiracy. Taylor and others were accused of
initiating a shootout with eight police who
had stopped their car. However, Taylor testi-
fied in court that the opposite was true, that
the police began shooting at the three men in
the car and the men had shot back in self
defense. The court saw it Taylor's way and
he was acquitted of all charges.

‘Taylor was also arrested in Louisiana in
1973 35 4 suspects in the Ingleside police
shooting, Harold, along with John Bowman
‘and Ruben Scott, was brutally tortured by
the New Orleans police for five days until he
and the others signed a pre-writien confs-
sion. The case was subsequently thrown out
of court when the judge recognized that tor-
wre had produced the “confessions.”
Ignoring that court’s ruling, Atiorney
General David Druliner now suggesis that
torture never took place. In addition to the
legal issues, the torture has had a profound
personal effect on Taylor, according to his
attorney stated. Taylor suffers from both
ongoing back and neck injuries as well as
constant nightmares resulting from PTSD
(post traumatic stress syndrome)

Despite the District Attorneys arguments
on August 22, the judge reduced bail on six
men. Here is Wher their bails stands now.

Richard Brown: § 420,000

Hank Jones: $ 600,000

Richard O'Neal: § 200,000

Harold Taylor: $ 350,000
Erancisco Torres: $ 660,000

First Five Out on Bail

Richard ONeal was freed on bail
‘Wednesday. August 29 and Richard Brown
was freed on bail Thursday, August 30. Ray
Boudreaux was freed on bail September
1th. Harold Taylor was freed on bail
September 12th. Hank Jones released on
September 181,

Next hearing September 24

‘The next court date for the SFS case is
September 24th at 9:30 am in Department
23, 850 Bryant Street, 3rd floor.

On a side note, Richard Brown has dete-
riorating vision. He has lost sight in one eye
and has severely reduced vision in the other.
Richard was just diagnosed with narrow-
angle glaucoma. If not treated agaressively
can lead to total loss of vision. Now that he
s out he can sehedule surgery and begin
proactive treatmen regimen.

PFLP Leader to Stand Trlal in Israel

‘The military trial of Ahmad Sa‘adat,
General Secretary of the Popular Froni
for the Liberation of Palestine, is sched-
uled to begin November 4th at Ofer
Military Base in Ramallah, Palestine
The trial, which was last scheduled on
August 20th, has been delayed on multi-
ple occasions.

Sa'adat has been imprisoned since
January 2002. Since his imprisonment he
has been held in custody by the
Palestinian Authority under U.S. and
British Guard, and then by the Lsracli
military after their atack on Jericho
Prison on March 14, 2006. He has never
been tried. Sa'adat, with five other
Palestinian political prisoners, was kid-
napped from the Palestinian’ Authority
prison in Jericho on March 14, 2006,
during an armed Isracli military ‘assault
on the prison waged in order fo abduct
these prisoners.

He is charged with a laundry list of
“security offenses,” all political in
nature, including membership in a for-
bidden organization, holding a post in 3
forbidden organization, and incite-
ment," for a speech condemning the
Isracli military's murder of the man who
held his post before him, Abu Ali
Mustafa. Sa'adat refuses to cooperate
with the court, pointing out that it is an
illegitimate court enforcing an illegal
military occupation. He believes the
court i acting as a weapon of the oceu-
pation to persecute Palestinian leaders
and political activists and to undermine
the Palestinian people's political activity.

During his entire time in Palestinian
Authority prisons, Sa'adat was never

tried or charged. Saadat was a nominal
prisoner of the Palestinian Authority, but
was in fact guarded by U.S. and British
guards, at the behest of Isracl. The

Palestinian High Court of Justice ruled

that Sa'adat should be immediately
released, as did numerous international
buman fights organizations. Following
his election in January 2006 to the
Palestinian Legislative Council, Sa'adat
remained imprisoned at Jericho, despite
growing calls for his release. On March
14, 2006, the U.S. and British guards
assigned to Jericho Prison abandoned
their posts in order to allow for an sracli
military assault on the prison that ended
with the capture of Sa'adat and five other
Palestinian political prisoners, the deaths
of two Palestinians, and the injury of 23
Palestinians.

Following the abduction of Sa'adat,
the Isracli military courts admitted they
lacked sufficient evidence to try Sa'adat
under more serious charges, and have

instead charged him with an array of
political offenses.

Sa‘adat joins over 11,000 other men,
women and children, held in Isracli jails
as political prisoner for struggling for
the tights of their people. These IT.000
Palestinian political prisoners reprosent
political activists, organizers and lead-
ers. The systematic imprisonment of
Palestinians has been calculated by the
military occupation in order to disrupt
Palestinian political life and extend the
illegal military oceupation

“The military courts trying Sa'adat and
the other Palestinian prisoners are entire-
ly institutions of the illegitimate military
occupation. They function solely as a
means of maintaining that occupation
and repressing any and all resistance to
its perpetuation. As such, these military
courts are illegitimate eniies of an illc-
gal military occupation that has been
condemned by every leading internation-
al body and human rights organization.

‘The situation of Palestinian political
prisoners is a human rights. crisis.
Palestinian parliamentarians and politi-
cal leaders and activists are routinely
subject to detention and lengthy terms of
imprisonment for their political work on
behalf of their peaple. In order to shed
light on their situation and create the
kind of pressure that is necessary to
ensure justice, the voices of internation-
al human righis organizations are desper-
ately needed.

For more information:
hitp:/vww freeahmadsaadat.org

Press Release by the lawyers of the Cuban Five

Oral argument in the appeal_of
Gerardo Hernindez, René Gonzdle:,
Antonio Guerrero, Ramdn Labaiiino and
Fernando Gonzilez, five Cubans unjustly
held in United Stares* prisons since 1998

ATLANTA, Agosto 20 Oral argument
in the appeal of Gerardo Hemindez, René
Gonzilez, Antonio Guerrero, Ramén
Labanino and Fernando Gonzilez, five
Cubans unjustly held in United States” pris-
ons since 1998, took place before the three
judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of
‘Appeals on August 20, 2007.

‘At the hearing, as at the wo prior hear-
ings held in March 2004 and February
2006, both parties, the Government and the
Defense, asserted their arguments and
responded to questions from the judges.

This hearing is one more step in the long
appeal process of these five men since they
were sentenced in 2001. As in the past, the
Government of the United States was once
again unable to refute the arguments of the
Defense and sustain the accusations against
the five.

FREQUENTLY U

promoted a

accusations
onage and conspirax

ED

For its part, the Defense, demonstrated
irmefutably that the improper conduct of the
Government during the entire legal process
against the five constituted a flagrant viola-
tion of due process that influenced the
entire proceeding, primarily by the way in
which the Prosecttor invented the charges.
hostile
‘manipulated the evidence and the jury
Other key arguments of the Defense that
demonstrate the arbitrariness of the process
is lack of evidence to sustain the two main
“conspir:

the first degree” and the imposition of
pletely irrational and unjustifiable life sen-
tences. The Government itself admitted
during trial that it could not present a single
Secret document 1o prove espionage and
that it faced an “insurmountable obstacle”
o prove the charge of murder.

Throughout the tainied process the
Government admitted that ts real concern
was to protect the anti-Cuban terrorist
groups that operate with total immunity in
Miami and to punish those who fight
against them.

Next September 12, these five men,
accused of crimes they did not commit, will
begin their tenth year in prison only
because they attempied to protect Cuba
from terrorist acts. Cuba like the United
States and any other country of the World
has o legitimate right to’ defend itself
against the scourge of terrorism that has
harmed so many victims.

We trust in the professionalism of the
panel of judges and that soon or later jus-
tice will prevail for Gerardo, René,
Antonio, Ramén and Fernando.

environment and

¢y to commit espi-
to commit murder in

Acronyms/ Terms

ABCE: Anarchist Black Cross Federation - anti-authoritarian feder-
ation of ABC groups who support and defend PP/POWS.

ABC-BG: Branch Group - ABCF group with more 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
‘group 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-
FC: Federation Council - decision-making body of the ABCF.
MOVE: Not an actonym, the name of

Philadelphia whose members are commitied o the teachings of John
Aftica. Their belef is in “lfe.

BC: Prisoner’s Committee - rotating body of S PPPOWS on the
ABCF's FC

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 as preparation for
self-defense are legal activities within the confines of the U.S.)
Self Determination: The right by virtue of which all peoples are
entitled freely to determine their political status and pursue their
economie, social, and cultural development. All peoples may, for
their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources
without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international eco-
nomic cooperation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit and
international law. In no case may a people be deprived of their own
means of subsistence,

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

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

WUO: Weather Underground Organization - first the Weathermer
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-

Ricardo Palmera, FARC Negotiator, Found Guilty

‘The U.S. war on the Colombian revolu-
tionary movement took a serious turn on
July 9 when a Washington, D.C., federal
court convicted Ricardo Palmera of con-
spiring to kidnap three U.S. defense con-
tractors in 2003

Palmera, the lead negotiator for the
Revolutionsry Armed Forces of Colombia,
was captured in Quito, Ecuador, and later
extradited_to the United States in
December 2004,

‘The three US. agents at issue worked
for Northrop Grumman, a defense con-
elomerate contracted by the Peniagon to
carry out spy work in Colombia.

‘After an initial trial last year ended in a
hung jury, this second trial ended in incon-
sistent verdicts on the various_phony
changs levied against Palmera. The jury
found him guilty on one count of conspira-

ey, but told Judge Royee C. Lamberth that
they could not reach a consensus on the
remaining three charges of taking hostages.
and a final count of providing material sup-
Port o a "terrorist” aganization.

Conspiracy is a charge that is always
used by U.S. prosecutors in political cases.
Aconspiricy is an agreement between peo-
Ple to commit a_substantive crime. By
using the charge of conspiracy, the govern-
ment does not have to prove any underly
ing crime. I’ a loaded, “catch-all” charge
that almost always results in a guilty ver-
dict

“This case was no different. After the
verdict, Kenneth Wainstein, assistant attor-
ney general for national security, said
“Anyone involved in the hostage-taking
‘and murder of Americans anywhere around
the globe should pay close attention 1o this

verdict. This prosecution demonsirates we
will spare no effort 10 apprehend, prosecute
and punish any individual who participates
in the abduction of our citizens.”

‘Two days after he was found guilty, the
U.S. Department of Justice indicated that it
would seck a reduced sentence for Palmera
if the FARC released the three CIA agens.
‘The DOJ also said it would not make “con-
cessions to terrorists.”

Palmera still faces trial in the Untied
States on patently false charges of drug
trafficking and dozens of additional
changs in Colombia.

Palmera’s conviction comes days after
another FARC member, Anayibe Rojas
Valderama, also known as Sonia, was sen-
tenced to 17 years in a US. prison on
wrongful charges of cocaine trficking.

[See Below]

FARC Member ‘Sonia’ Sentenced to 17 years

Washington, D.C. - Anayibe Rojas
Valderama, 3 member of the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia
(FARC) also know as *Sonia’, was sen-
tenced here, July 2 by Judge James
Robertson o nearly 17 years in federal
prison on charges of shipping cocaine o
the United States.

“What took place in this courtroom
today was anything but justice. This is a
frame-up, pure and simple,” stated Mick
Kelly outside the D.C. courtroom. Kelly,
who helps lead the defense work for
another Colombian political prisoner,
Ricardo Palmera, added, “In the course of
the trial the prosecution called on a band
of professional liars to testify. There was
the §15,000-2 month DEA informant,
Rocio Alvarez. Then there were the tales
of the retired Colombian National Police
officer, Mauricio Moreno, who spoke of
plots 10 sell cocaine 1o the paramilitaries
and then steal it. And then there was *Juan
Valdez” whose testimony was a collection
of lies.”

During the sentencing hearing,
defense_attorney Carmen Hernandes
pressed for a new trial. She cited the fact
that the testimony of “Juan Valdez' was
completely discredited and this amount-
ed 1o new evidence. She also pointed out
that her interviews with the jurors after
Sonia’s_conviction indicated that they
were influenced by the *Juan Valdez' tes-
timony. Judge Robinson agreed that the
“Juan Valdez' testimony was dubious at
best, but then he ruled against a new trial.

Gutside the courtroom, defense attor-
ney Hemandez told the press that the
trial s not the way things are supposed to
work under the constitution. Hernandez
was not allowed to make needed investi-

gations and the instructions o the jury
were flawed.

Sonia speaks out
{old the court that she was innocent of the
chargs. She repeatedly proclaimed. her

Sh related that she had been born t0 a
{0 attend school barefoot because of her
shoes at age 14. It was because of the on-
FARC guerillas.

She was arrested in February of 2004
the United States 13 months later on
Cocaine to the United Staes - the charge

She asked how it can be explained tht,
Have enough t cat. She iso sad tht fam-
could not afford airfare o visit her
bership. Because of that label, she was

only twice a week - and then only in hand-
cuffs. Sonja described her solitary con-
finement as “psychological torture.”

Sonia noted that during a brief period
she had been held in the general popula-
tion of the District of Columbia jail and
had been able to study and learn some
English. She asked that the “terrorist*label
be lifted from her so that she not be held
in maximum security and would be able to
continue to study and learn.

“It is sad that a lie has become justice
i this court because | have not done what
they say I have,” said Sonja.

More to come

According to US. Assistant Atiomey
General Fisher, “The prosecution of these
FARC members, the first of its kind in the
United States, was made possible because
of the exceptional cooperation of
Colombian authorities and the hard work
and efforts of the DEA agents and federal
prosecutors who, working together, were
essential to the successful conclusion of
this important case.”

“Tom Burke of the National Commitice
to Free Ricardo Palmera responds: “This
case demonstrates that the Bush adminis-
tration will stop at nothing to eriminalize
the struggle for free and independent
Colombia. Sonia is not a drug dealer. She
is hero who is being made to suffer for her
efforts to bring justice to Colombia. Her
frame-up was made in the US.A. and was.
assisted by Colombia's death-squad gov-
ernment.”

Burke urges all progressive people o
support these Colombian political prison-
ers held in the U_S. prison system.

There are no addresses. available for
these prisoners as of today.

RUNNING DOWN THE W

Los Angeles

the Walls (RDTW). We held the cvent on Sept. $h at Whitier
owo ke, which provided a great apportunity to reflect on the
veminded of the othe soldanty runs taking place USP Big Sandy.
MCT Walpole, Boston and West Massachusets.

port the event and enjoy the weather. In the past. we have had Rob
Stiddaugh and Sara Jane Olson at our run. Both supported the
oner, Matt Lamont, was at the run. (We hope this changes the
at Running Down the Walls)

LA Food Not Bombs raciously provided food the event. We
wish to personally hank them forther efforts. We would aso ke
AK Press. We thank AK Pres fo their genctous prizes.

Wit thirty peaple ptiipating, we raised close to $1.700 for
the ABCF Warchestand the black Rder Liberation Part. Thanks
10 allthat participted in this year's Running Down the Wall.

Western Massachusetts

On September 8th at Ipm we headed up Mt. Norwottuck for
the first annual Western Massachusetts' Running Down The Walls
Sk hike done in solidarity with other RDTW events. At the top of
Mt. Norwottuck with the sun shining down and a spectacular view
of the Pioncer Valley the names of over a hundred political pris-

ALLS 200

PORT

‘oners were read out loud. We then hiked over to the Horse Caves,

amazing overhanging rock ledges where Daniel Shay and his men
supposedly hid out during the Shays" Rebellion. 1t was a really
reat day. $335 was raised

Boston

On Sunday, September 9th, prisoners in Walpole, Mass,
Elmore, Alabama and all over the country were running down the
walls. On the outside, about 30 people in Boston ran the SK
around Jamaica Pond. It was 4 great event and we would like to
thank everybody for participating, and for their generous support.
With everybody's participation and solidarity we raised S110011
Half of the funds will go to the Leonard Peltier Defense
Commitiee in honor of Leonard's birthday, and the other half will
0 10 the San Francisco .

So thanks again for coming out and running. We hope 1o sce
‘you you at next year's Running Down the Walls and on December
3rd for Jericho's cvent recognizing the Intemational Day in
Solidarity with Political Prisoners.

The Anarchist Subsistence Program

The Anarchist Subsistence Program secks to provide
material aid to those PP/POWs who come from our own
anarchist/anti-authoritarian community.

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

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

The two functions of this support campaign include a
monthly nancial assistance and forty 41¢ postage stamps
per month. Supporters of the Anarchist Subsistence

Program send whatever funds they can to Philadelphia
Subsistence Report for 2007

AN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG
NJHATES C 1 0 o 0o 0 0 0
RYAN/ALSKA 015 0 0 0 0 0 0
E26/N) 0 0 0 o o0 0 0
28X 0 0 0 2 30 0 0 0
TONY/KS 035 0 0 0 0 0 0
CHRIS/NY 0 0 10 10 10 0 10 0
RYAVALASKA 0 0 15 15 15 15 15 15
ANNEJERICHO 0 0 0 0 0 0160 0
ToTAL 0 50 25 45 45 115 185 15

ABC (who facilitates the program) who in turn distributes
the funds among anarchist political prisoners who parti
pate in the program. All U.S. supporters also take tums
Sending the Stamps directly 1o Philadelphia ABC.

Listed here are the monthly check documentation and
rotation of groups sending stamps. If you want to support
this important program and help us expand the number of
Anarchist Subsistence Program campaigns we run, con-
tact 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.c., send March funds in the 3rd week of February).

(" Stamp Schedule
Sept- Philadelphia
Oct- Los Angeles.
Nov- Philadelphia
Dec- Los Angeles

Send a check or money order to Philadelphia ABCF made
lout to Tim Fasnacht for forty 41¢ stamps in the last week of|
the month before the month for which you are responsible.

Philadelphia ABCF

P.0 Box 42129
Philadelphia, PA 19101

“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 Odinga (New Afrikan Prisoner of War)

| Name: Ph:
| Street Address:
| City/State/Zip:

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

| Ll commit 6 months [ ] 1'l commit to 1 year

$50,000 Raised Through the Warchest Program
SUPPORT THE ABCF WARCHEST

‘The ABCF has initiated a program designed to send monthly checks to PPPOWSs who
have been receiving insufficient, lttl, or no financial support during their imprison-
ment. PPPOWs requesting funds complete an application of financial questions.
‘When the ABCF has collected sufficient funds to send out another monthly check, the
applications are reviewed by a rotating body of PP/POWs called the Prisoner
Committee, who make a judgement on which applicant s in the most financial necd.
There is also an emergency fund designed to immediately send checks to those
PP/POWS in nced of one-time or emergency
Founded in 1994, the Warchest has provided cor
ing a much- neglected comradely function. Since its inception, the ABCF has raised
over $50,000 with just this one program. Al funds raised go directly to the political prisoners, for which the program is designed.
Despite our success, our comrades are stil in dire need of funds. Endorse this program by giving a monthly or one-time donation
to increase the number of prisoners being supported monthly. A financial report is published that documents all money 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 to:
Philly ABCF e P.O Box 42129 e Philadelphia, PA 19101 ¢ timABCF@aol.com

FUNDSIN___JAN FEB_MAR_APR_MAY JUN JUL AUG_SEPT FUNDS IN
TAABCF/RDTW 100 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 1700 ~Tesq 351
JAX ABCF 0 0 0 30 30 0 0 o [ :ggi ‘;;fi
NJ ABCF 0 0 o0 0 0 0 0 o0 [ Tt
CHRIS/N] 140 20 25 20 20 0 20 0 [ BT T
EZE/NJ 0 0 0 o0 0100 0 0 [ —1999 S84
RYAN/ALSKA 25 35 25 25 25 55 35 35 35 2000 3514
PPROPAGANDI () 0 92 0 0 0 o0 0 2001 5290
JUSTIN/CLEV ) 0 120 0 0 0 o ) 2002 2873
ANON 5 0 0 0 0 0 o0 0 0 2003 1785
JIM/PHILLY 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2004 UNACC*
TONY/KS 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 o ) 2005 4439
ALEJANDRO 0 0 15 0 0 0 0 o ) 2006 3268
SHEILA/LA 0 0 0 0 0 0 o0 35 ) 2007 3842
SHARON SHOATZ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 360 [ TOTAL 50366
W. MASS. RDTW 0 0 0 0 0 0 o0 o0 3475 FUNDS OUT
TOTAL 357 80 115 317 95 175 75 450 2178 1994 120
FUNDS OUT JAN FEB_MAR APR_MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT 1995 2796
SEKOU KAMBUI 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 199 4308
RUSSELL SHOATZ 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 1957 4588
JOSEPH BOWEN 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 1998 6412
HANIFF BEY 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 1999 5191
HERMAN BELL 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 2000 4544
SEKOU ODINGA 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 2001 4637
RUCHELL MAGEE 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 2002 4320
ALVARO HERNANDEZ 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 2003 1300
MALIKI LATINE ) 0 50 0 0 0 30 30 2004 UNACC*
THOMAS MANNING ) 0 0 100 0 0 0 0 2005 2620
TOTAL 240 240 240 290 340 240 240 270 270 2006 2880
2007 2370
(*Funds unaccounted for due to unreported funds from Jacksonville ABCF) TOTAL 46086

&

“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.”