ABCF UPDATE QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE ABCF Summer 2008 "Any movement that does not support their political internees is a sham movement." - O. Lutalo Issue #50 hat is the Anarchist Black Cross Federation? 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 Easter Etropean coun- tries. Armed with the ideas 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 1920s and until 1958, the organ- ization worked under various other 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. 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 Bumber 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. Introduction: “Crucially important to maintaining the anarchist integri organizafion is the fact that Branch Groups and Support are fieely autonomous to take on whatever nitiatives they can to of this Violation of Human Rights of PP/POWs in U.S. 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) 5k Run/Walk/Bike for Political ‘August 23rd. 2008 ‘The LAABCF is organizing a 5k run to raise funds for PP/POWSs and other local community groups. We are hoping to expand the run to other cities and pris- ons throughout North America. For those interested in organizing a run in your location or joining the run in LA, please contact LA ABCF at la@abcf.net. Please check out our site at: wwi.abef.netla Running Down the Walls ' { The ABCF i Prisoner Committee further the Unity of Purpose of the ABCF. So long as these initia- | BILL DUNNE SEKOU KAMBUI tives do not contradict any preexist Aé %eemcnls (Tactical #10816-086 (W. TURK) Umty) that have been ";adz/by the itis not necessary for | | gy 2068 #113058 / Box 56 o approve of and/or agree projects or ’ e e o e [fmm e ABCF Condhtution || Ine2, KY 41224 SCC (B1-21) o S USPBigSandy Elmore, AL 36025 The following definitions are used to describe the below terms || OJORE LUTALO JAAN LAAMAN whenever they appear in the ABCF Update o any other ABCF || #59860 / Box 861 #Wa1414 literature. Trenton, NJ 08625 BOX 100 Political Prisoner (PP): A person incarcerated for actions car- | 111 o g;;;'; Walpole, MA rid out i sppartof egiimat srugeles fo el dtermination or for urposmg the 1lle%al policies of the government and/or its || #81-A-4469 political subdivisions. [Special International Tribunal on the || Box 51 Comstock, NY 12821 Federation Chapters JAX ABC PO Box 350392 Jacksonille, FL 32235 LOS ANGELES ABC PO Box 11223 Whitier, CA 90603 NYC ABC PO Box 110034 Brookiyn, NY 11211 PHILLY ABC PO Box 42129 Philadelphia, PA 19101 MONTREAL ABC TORONTO ABC PO Box 42053 PO Box 87048 Suce. Jeanne Mance RPO Roncescalles Ave Montreal QC Toronto, Ontario H2W 273 Canada NJ ABC M6R 383 Canada No Current Address $ www.abcf.net 15508 50 SUMMER 20 NEWS FR “Lefty’ Gilday Suffers Stroke It has been reported by the Jericho Movement that -Lefty” Gilday. recently Spent 13 days inthe hospial afer suering sient stroke on his left side. Lefy’ was Feturned to the medical unit a MC1 Shirley but 15 still in bad shape. He can not walk. and can barely gt out of bed. Despite his your support; William “Lefty’ Gilday (W33537) PO. Box 121§ Shirley, MA 01464 Spokane Anarchist Pleads A Spokane Anarchist, Travis Richl, has pled guilty in March to 3 felony county of destruction of government property. He was placed on three year probation and ordered to pay $4,867 in restiution The 24-year old from the Spokane Lack of Action Collective and Aliernative Solutions and Possibilites, was accused of two separate actions. Reihl was accused of throwing rocks through windows of a army recruiting station and a Washington Air National Guard office in Spokane. He allegedly spray painted a window with an anarchy symbol and the phrase “Leave Us Alone.” The damages exceeded $1,000. A conviction for destruction of govern- ment property carries a penalty of not more. than 10-years imprisonment, up 1o a $250,000 fine and up to 3-year tem of court supervision afler release. Reihl targeted the offices because of his apposition to the U.S. occupational wars in the Middle East. He was indicted by a grand jury for the actions in August 2007 Yep, grand jury for broken windows! Chubbuck Transferred In March, Byron Shane Chubbuck was transferred to USP Coleman in Florida. Chubbuck, an indigenous political prison- er, is imprisoned for numerous bank expro- priations aimed at funding the Zapatista movement in Mexico. Afler his original arrest, Chubbuck liberated himself and continued to engage in additional actions to raise funds for the Zapatista movement There was serious concern regarding Chubbuck’s safety when it was reported that his enemies had passed the word of his transfer 1o USP Coleman. However Chubbuck has stated that he is safe. Write to Chubbuck: Byron Shane Chubbuck #07909-051 PO. Box 1033 Coleman, FL 33521 Marilyn Buck Has Surgery Friends of Marilyn Buck have reported thoughts Marilyn Buck #00452.285 Unit CD, Camp Parks 5701 Eighth Strest Dublin, CA 94568 Sundiata Acoli Transferred New Afrikan and BLA Prisoner of War Sundiata Acoli has been transferred. His new address is the following: Sundiata Acoli (Clark Squire) #39704-066 ECI Otisville PO. Box 1000 Otisville, NY 10963 Jose Perez Gonzalez Free ‘On January 18, Vieques political prison- ex, Jose Perez Gonzalez finished his sen- tence and his now free. Jose still needs sup- port. He is facing a $10,000 fine to be paid 1o the US government for his involvement i resisting US occupation of Puerto Rico. Please send any available funds to help him out. Funds should be sent to: IECO/ProLibertad 418 W 145th St New York, NY 10031 Please endorse the check or money orders to: IFCO/Prolibertad and write “Jose Perez Gonzalez Freedom Fund” in memo section. Alberto Torres Transferred Puerlo Rican Political Prisoner Carlos Alberto Torres was transferred 1o the Federal Correctional Instiution at Pekin, linois, approximately 2 hours away from Chicago. Please note his new address: Carlos Alberto Torres #88976-024 ECI Pekin Federal Correctional Institution PO. Box 5000 Pekin, IL 61555 Lépez Rivera Transferred 13, 2008, Purto Rican poliial prisoncr s rights by the organizatons involved in the campaign for his and Carlos Alberto led out for special, more onerous treat- ment, including being required to report to prison staff every two hours,this is the first time in almost three decades that he is in a medium sceurity prison. Buoyed by the warm send-off from his fellow prisoners at the USP (maximum), and by the warm wel- come from those at the FCI (medium), he will adjust to his new surroundings. The National Boricua Human Rights Network celebrates his transfer as a victory and uress all to write to Oscar. More news about the transfer 1o follow, His new postal mailing address: Oscar Lopez Rivera #57 FCI Tarre Haute PO. Box 33 Terre Haute, IN 47808 Luis Medina Transferred Cuban Five Political Prisoner Luis Medina has been transferred to USP McCreary in Kentucky. Please note his new address: Luis Medina #58734-004 PO. Box 3000 Pine Knot, KY 42635 USP MeCreary Veronza Bowers Transferred Former Black Panther political prisoner Veronza Bowers Jr. has been transferred to USP Atlanta. Bowers has been held illegal- Iy for several years by the US government. Please send our comrade a leter of support Veronza Bowers Jr. 35316-136 USP-Atlanta PO. Box 150160 Atlanta, GA 30315 Eric McDavid Transferred Eco-Anarchist_political prisoner has been transferred to FCI Victorville. McDavid was recently convicted to 20 ‘years in prison for conspiracy 1o participate in Earth Liberation Front actions. His con- Viction rests on the testimony of govern- ment snitch and two of his co-defendants turned government witnesses, looking to escape harsh sentences. His new address is: Eric McDavid 16209-097 ECI Victorville Medium 11 PO. Box 5700 Adelanto, CA 92301 New Knee for Tom Manning Tt has ben reported tht Tom Maning 1. So please send him o card Tom Manning #10373-016 PO. Box 4000 Springfield, MO 65501 FORMER IRISH PRISONER. OF WAR DETAINED BY VS IMMIGRATION Former Irish Republican Prisoner of War, Pol Brennan, has been detained by the US Border Patrol and is awaiting possible deportation. Brennan was arrested January 29th at a border checkpoint in southern Texas. He was identified through finger- printing after a search of his background through the Joint Terrorism Task Force and Interpol. In 1974, Brennan was intemed for one year by British authorities without being charged with any eriminal act. Two years later, he was sentenced to 16 years n the H- block section of Belfast’s Maze prison. He partcipated in the dirty protests and at one point shared a cell with Bobby Sands, who later died on hunger stike. In September 1983, thirty-cight prisoners broke free from the Maze. He soon arrived in the United States, where he quietly lived and worked in the construction trade. Between 1992-1994, Pol Brennan and three other lrish Republicans (Kevin Arit, James Smyth and Terrence Kirby) were arrested in California. The men, known as the H-Block 4, fought a lengthy legal battle against an attempt by the British to extradite them. Smyth was extradited to Northern Ircland in 1996 and returned to prison. He was then released in 1998 as part of the Good Friday Agreement. In 2000, the Britsh government announced that exiradi- tion requests for Brennan, Artt and Kirby were being withdrawn as part of the Giood Friday Agreement. The men officially remained fugitives, but in 2003 the Prison Service said they were not being “actively pursued”. Bremnan was granted permission to remain in the US after the extradition case in 2000 was dropped, although his immigra- tion status is still undecided. In 2006 he received a misdemeanor assault conviction after beating a building contractor who had refused to pay him $1.000 in wages owed. Prosccutors have argued that Brennan should be denied bail because of his ques- tionable_immigration status, the misde- ‘meanor conviction and his IRA past. In 2000, President Bill Clinton announced that deportation proceedings against the former IRA prisoners would be halted and they would move into “deferred action” status. Although the action was hailed at the time as a victory for the peace process, the former prisoners’ status remained untesolved. A number of former IRA POWs face the same possible future as. Brennan, the threat of deportation, although they have built new lives and raised their families in the U.S. In response {0 the arrest of Brennan, U.S.-based Irsh groups have joined up with former IRA prisoners living in the U.S. have formed a new group, Thar Saile (Overseas). The group hopes to assist those who immi- eration status is unresolved or who are threatened with deportation. For more information about Thar Saile conact: Thar Saile PO Box 891054, Temecula, CA 92589-1054 Letters to Pol Brennan can be mailed to: Pol Brennan AR 785 324 South Texas Detention Complex 566 Veteran's Drive Pearsall, TX 78061 McGowan Faces Grand Jury in Wisconsin The government is still determined o escalate the campaign 1o undermine the environmental movement. In the recent months, reports have continued to update the prisoner support_community as Danicl McGowan was transferred and forced to stand in front of a Grand Jury in Wisconsin, held in contempt and three more environ mentalist were arrested. ‘While Daniel was in the process of being. transferred to_another fucility, he was informed that he was being transferred to Madison, Wisconsin because of a subpoe- naed to stand before a grand jury. The grand jury was investigating a 2000 atick at a fed- eral orestry research station in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Authorities claim that during the attack SO0 trees were damaged and spray paint and etching cream was used to vandal- ize US. Forest Service vehicles. The esti- mated damage went far beyond $500,00. From June 11 10 July 24, Daniel was transferred back in forth to county jails in Wisconsin, during which time he appeared twice before the grand jury in Madison. Daniel only responded to questions regard- ing his plea agreement and remained silent on attemps o get him 1o confirm the names. of the others the jury intended to indict. Because he refused to give names, the court charged him with civil contempt. The con- tempt charge remained for a week, until the ‘zovernment lifted the charge. Since then, Daniel has been transferred back to Terre Haute. He has been informed that he has been designated to special unit in the federal prison in Marion, Ilinois. He is waiting to be transferred. Meanwhile, three other individuals have been indicted, Katherine Christianson, Bryan Rivera (a.k.a Bryan Lefey) and Asron Ellringer. Daniel is currently an unindicted coconspirator. Also indicted s lan Wallace, a well known government stool. The three have been charged with conspiring to dam- age government property and damaging ‘overnment property. They face up to 15 Years in prison if convicted. The indictment claims the five met at the annual Earth First conference in Tennessee in late June or early July. There, they planned the attack against the facility in Rhinelander. After the attack in July 20th, McGowan and Christianson sent out the ‘communiqué on behalf of the ELF claiming responsibility for the attack. It should be noted that most of the infor- ‘mation in the indictment involves activities, other than the sending out of the commu. niqué, that revolve around or include Mr. Wallace. This must be part of lan Wallace's n-going cooperation with prosecutors into Midwest ELF actions. Woodfox’s Conviction Overturned A federal judge has overtumed Albert Woodfox's conviction. Woodfox, who was held in solitary confinement for over 36 years, s one of three former Panthers known 2s the "Angola Three." The Angola 3 are Herman Wallace & Albert Woodfox, who spent nearly 36 years n solitary and are sill serving lfe sentences in Angola for the alleged murder of Brent Millr, a white correctional officer, in 1972; ‘and Robert Wilkerson, who like Hermian and Albert, was targeted for his activism, and then freed in 2001 afier 29 years in solitary. The three men were targeted because they were organizing for humane treatment and o put an end to segregation in the prison. The three men assisted in organizing wark stoppage and hunger strke in attempt t0 achieve their demands. Their activism angered prison authorities, who were deter- ‘mined to silence them. A combination of fabricated evidence and a racist all-white jury convicted the three men who were sentence to life and placed in isolation to ensure their organizing days were over. Woodfox's conviction was overturned because one of his former lawyers failed to object to a prosecutors testimony about a witness' credibility during his second trial, The judge also found the lawyer failed to abject o testimony from a witness who had died after the fist trial. Woodfox, 61, was convicted of murder in 1973 and again at a second trial in 1998, He was in solitary confinement at the Angola prison from 1972 uniil this year, when he was moved into a maximum.security dormi- tory with other inmaes. One of the "Angola Three" has been released, after 29 years in isolation. Herman Wallace is also appealing his conviction, using similar arguments used by Woodfox. Earlier this year, Wallace, was also moved out of solitary confinemernt, “The state attorney general has sated he is going to appeal the decision, bring the case before the Sth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. State Supreme Court Ruling Against Omaha Two by Michael Richardson ‘The Nebraska Supreme Court denied a pro se parole bid by Ed Poindexter in a decision many expected was a foregone conclusion.~ However, in_ denying a request for parole eligibility the state high court signaled the difficulty Poindexter faces later this year when his request for a new trial is argued by Lincoln attorney Robert Bartle. Poindexter was convicted in 1971 for the bombing murder of an Omaha police- man, Larry Minard, in a controversial tral marted by conflicting police_testimony, withheld evidence, and fainted assistance by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Poindexter and co-defendant Mondo we Langa (formerly David Rice) both deny any involvement in the crime and were both targets of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover under the infamous Operation COINTELPRO which targeted the Black Panthers for “no holds barred” treatment, Poindexter's request for @ new trial omes after sophisticated vocal analysis by Voice analyst Tom Owen in 2006 revealed that the confessed bomber, 15 yew-old Duane Peak, did not make the emergency call that lured Minard to his death. Peak implicated Poindexter and Mondo we Langa making his credibility eritical and Leaving an unknown caller af age Retired Omaha detective Robert Pheffer also contradicted his own trial testimony about finding dynamite that was allegedly used in the fatal bomb in a dramatic and emotion-charged hearing in Douglas County Distriet Court last year before Judge Russell Bowic. At the time of the trial Omaha was gripped by racial tension. Former Nebraska govemor Frank Morrison was Poindexter's Ed Poindexter from Omaha Two court-appointed public defender. Morrison described Omaha in a 2003 deposition. “There was tremendous racial fecling. North Omaha was one of the hottest spois in the whole United States for racial vio- Lence.t In fact, when in 1966 we had to call out the National Guard, they set fire to North Omaha and we hid to bring in the National Guard and take over to preserve order. There was terrible racial fecling.| dont have words to describe it, but there was terrible discrimination and hatred of African-Americans, terrble.” The “terrible racial fecling” Morrison described was fueled in part by COINTEL- PRO dirty ricks initiated by the FBI to dis- rupt the Black Panthers. Both Ed Pointdexter and Mondo we Langa had been sceret targets of Hoover s clandestine oper- ation but the compromised role of the FBI was unknown by Omaha police who were assisted by the federal agents in the search for Minard's killes and unknown by jurors who convicted Poindexter unaware of Hoover's secret directives against the Black Panthers. ‘The FBI, in cooperation with Omaha Assistant Chief of Police Glenn Gates, kept the recording of the emergency call from defense attorneys while the jurors who decided the fate of the two Black Panther leaders never heard the voice of the anony- ‘mous caller. A secret COINTELPRO memo obiained after the 1971 trial under the Freedom of Information Act revealed that release of the emergency tape recording would be “prejudicial to the police murder trial” case against Poindexter and Langa. “The jurors also never knew that Peak. the confessed bomber, brokered a deal where he served 33 months of juvenile detention and then walked free in exchange for his testimony against Poindexter and Langa. Nor did the jurors know that Raleigh House, the supplier of the dyna- mite, would never be formally charged and only’spent one night in jail before being released on his own signature because the police wanted to claim Langa supplied the dynamite. In fact, Omaha Police Captain Murdock Plater did indeed make such a claim in swomn festmony fo a Congressional commitiee contradicting actual rial testimony about the dynamite. Details about the compromised FBI role in the case did not come until years after the trial and only judges, not jurors, have since been_told about the withheld evi- dence, conflicting and contradictory police testimony, about the deal with Peak, and Continued on Page 10 TP TP TP Pannell Gets One Month and $250,000 Fine for Cop Shooting Alleged former Black Panther, Joseph Pannell, who was accused of shooting a Chicago police officer in 1969 and who fled to Canada where he lived for more than 30 years will serve minimal jail time and coniribute $250,000 t0 a police aid fund under a plea agreement reached on February 22 in Cook County Criminal Court. Pannell, S8, who voluntarily retumed to Chicago carlier i February after skipping bail in the 1970s, entered a euily plea to a charge of agaravated bat- tery and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years' probation. He also will contribute $250,000 to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, which aids children of police officers who have been catastrophically injured. This is the same amount raised from community ‘members in Toronto and defense lawyers in Caok County. Pannell had been charged with attempt- ed murder in connection with the shooting of Officer Terrence Knox, who was on patrol near 76th Street and Drexel Avenue when he approached Pannell, then 19, and asked why he wasn't inside nearby Hirsch High School. Pannell is accused of having shot Knox several times in the right arm, striking a major artery and several nerves. Although Knox still has partal use of the arm, the injury eventually caused him to retre from the police force and go into pri- vate business. Knox's family came up with the idea of the $250.000 payment 10 aid the families of wounded police oficers. For decades, Pannell lived in Canada under the alias of Douglas Gary Freeman. He married, started a family and worked a5 a rescarch library assistant nar Toronto. He was arrested in Canada in 2004 afler the Chicago police cold-case squad, with the help of the FBI and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, tracked him through fin- gerprint records. Uniil recently, he fought extradition to the United States in Canadian courts. Pannell was accused of having member- ship in the Black Panther Party in the 19605, but Pannell's attomey, Neil Cohen, has denied this, claiming the accusation is designed to diséredit him. In our view such connetions gives him more not less credi- bilty. Either way, Pannell is now free! Shirosaki Faces Series of Health Issues A series of reports have been sent out of USP Terte Haute regarding the health of Japanese ~ political prisoner, Tsutomu Shirosaki. Shirosaki, who i serving a 30- year sentence for his alleged involvement in the Anti-lmperialist International Brigade, has suffered health issues ranging from near blindness to being infected with the norovirus. Shirosaki's condition is directly caused by the cruelty and incom. petents of the prison authoritics Three years ago, Shirosaki has sugery o his right eye after it was discovered he had cataracts. At the time, Shitosaki was at USP Beaumont and the prison stayed on top on his recovery. During the post-opera- tion check-ups it discovered he also had elaucoma and cataracts in the lef eye as well. He was informed he was going to have surgery to fi the problem, but before it could be done he was transferred to USP Terre Haute. Since his transfer, the quality of medical care has been seriously reduced in Terre Haute. Shirosaki has received litle care regarding his post-operation care, checking the status of his right eye only once. Refills for eye drops have frequently been delayed, causing Shirosaki to be nearly blind in his et eye. Although doctors at Terre Haute have scheduled Shirosaki for sugery, he is con- cerned that if he has surgery the post-oper- ation care he would receive would be equal- Iy as poor as what he is receiving now. However, if he refuses to have the sugery, he will get disciplinary punishment_and may never get the operation he desperately necds. He has opted to risk surgery and hope that he does not become blind. ‘Shirosaki has also requested a transfer in hopes of being sent to prison facility where care s better than at USP Tarre Haute. In early April, a letter was sent to the Los Angeles chapter from Tsutomu Shirosaki, informing the ABCF that the Communication Management Unit at USP Terre Haute was put on lock down due to an_outbreak of the norovirus. Sadly, Shirosaki became one of the victims of the virus, becoming seriously ill. The first victim became sick on the night of March 28th. Shirosaki fell ill the following moming. As the days passed more inmates increasingly became ill. By April 1st, nearly a dozen of the 47 inmates in the unit had fallen ill to the virus. Dactors or licensed medical profession- als only visit the unit once a week. Inmates must submit a sick call form and wait until the doctor comes. Despite the numerous sick call forms submitted by the inmates, according to Shirosaki, no doctor o med- ical professional ever examined the inmates. Instead the inmates were placed on lockdown and were forced to wait out the virus. Originally, inmates thought the illness was caused by bad milk, which Shirosaki states happens “from fime to time.” It was only after the lockdown was announced did the prison authoritics inform the inmates the illness was caused by the Norovirus is transmitted by fecal con- taminated food and water and by person-to- person contact. Outbreaks of the virus ofien occur in closed environments, such as prisons and dormitories Shirosaki is being held in a Communication Management Unit were all inmates are kept isolated from the general public. All correspondence that comes into the unit is monitored by the FBI and the Department of Justice In the letter written by Shirosaki to LA ABCE, he stated that if the virus had been life threatening, he and the others would have died because everyone just assumed it was the milk Please write to Shirosak: Tsutomu Shirosaki 20024-016 PO Box 33 Terre Haute, IN 47808 alela g -, ot ool ] iosst Seven MOVE Members Denied Parole Seven of the cight remaining "MOVE 9° political prisoners have been denied parole throughou the beginning of this year. The MOVE members have been behind bars since the 1978 atiack on the MOVE house that left a Philadelphia Police Officer dead and seven others injured. In April, the three female MOVE 9 members, Debbie Sims Africa, Janet Hollaway Africa and Janine Phillips Africa, were informed of the decision and the rea. sons for the rejection. They were told the denial of their parole was because they had minimized o denied the "nature and cir- cumstances” of the offense, "refused to accept responsibility” and lacked remorse. The following month, Michael Davis Africa and Edward Goodman Africa were denied parole. And in June William Phillips Africa and Delbert Orr Africa. The Philadelphia District Atiorney's O flice urged the board to require the defén- dants to serve the maximum of their 30- to 100-year prison terms. The seven were among nine MOVE members, convicted in a 19-week trial in 1980, An eighth member, Charles Simms will be go before the board in November: Merle Afica, the ninth member, died on March 13, 1998 under suspicious circum- stances. All nine were found guilty of third- degree murder in the shooting death of a Philadelphia Officer and the attempted mur- ders of the others shot and injured that day. when police tried to evict 12 adults and 11 children from their headquarters at 33d and Pearl Streets in Poweltown Village. During the alercation, police surround- ed the headquarters and pumped hundreds of gallons of water into the house and opened fire with high-powered weapons and tear gas. When the shooting stopped, a op named James Ramp lay dead. MOVE adults came out of the house carrying their children through clouds of tear gas and were immediately taken into custody. MOVE claims it never fired any shots and o MOVE members had any weapons when they were arrested. There was no evidence that anyone from MOVE shot Ramp, and there is evidence he could have been shot by police fire. An autopsy showed Ramp was shot from above and behind while MOVE members were in the basement. None of the weapons the police claimed to have "found" in the MOVE house had the fingerprints of any MOVE members on them. No ballistics match linked the weapon that killed Ramp with any weapon connected with MOVE. The 1978 confrontation was 2 pivotal moment in the city’s torturous history with the radical group and ultimately set the stage for another disaster - the May 1985 fire that killed 11 MOVE members, includ- ing five children, and destroyed 61 houses in West Philadelphia. The 11 were killed after police dropped a bomb on the MOVE headquarters and decided 1o let it burn. No cop was ever charged with these murds. The MOVE parole decisions illustrates that the Pennsylvania authorities will stop at nothing 1o continue their repression against the MOVE organization. Anarchist Prisoner Escapes and is Recaptured Anarchist prisoner and long-term prison resister John Bowden went on the run in mid-may while out on routine shopping trip from HMP Noranside. His freedom lasted only a fewe weeks for he was capture on June 6, 2008, He is now back in maxi- mum security in Scotland. Police discovered Bowden hiding on a farm on the outskirts of Glasgow, after they received a tip from an informant, The inci- dent at the farm quickly escalated into o tense siege situation, with armed anti-terror Police surrounded the farm. It was at this point that John feared that this was 2 scene the caps would be only 100 happy for him not to walk out of alive. However with the intervention of sympathetic journalist a line of communication was opened and the sicge ended peacefully after 7 hours, with John and another person arrested. The Scottish media had from the outset portrayed John's being-at-large with pre- dictably sensational headlines (‘Mad Axeman on the loose’, etc..) when in reali- ty he had been on home leave once a month for the past 12 months and on the long road to eventual release. John was convicted for a murder he describes as stpid and a terrible mistake, has spent his entire adult life in prison. Politicized by his incarceration he's regular- Iy paid the price for his resistance through long_periods of isolation, brutal beatings and treatment amounting (o torture. He has never been broken and is one of the UK's ‘most artculate and vociferous prison writ- ers and a powerful advocate of prisoner's rights. Bowden was days away from being reconsidered for parole. He felt, however, this was nothing more than a dog-and-pony show and they were looking 1o ix him. In May 2007 the Scottish Prison and Probation Service (SPS) were involved ina clumsy attempt to prevent his parole by framing him (and smearing the ABC pris- oner support network) with accusations that the ABC was involved in terrorism and that Bowden was therefore associating with ter- rorists! This all spectacalarly backfired, with the SPS issuing a full apology. However it was successful in preventing his parole then and cost him a transfer back to closed conditions for 6 months. In Britain life sentence prisoners are in the hands of the Parole Board who can stretch a prisoner’ term 1o suit their preju- dices. Not having a fixed date to work towards is a form of torture in isel. On top. of that, in May this year, during a routine drug tast he provided a filse positive result for cocaine (a second subsegquent tet estab- lished that he was in fact drug free). Under duress and fearing yet another fit-up was under way to prevent his release and send him back to. maximum security again, he escaped. At the moment John is facing fresh charges over his escape while on home leave (and resisting arrest) and is potential- Iy likely to suffer a major setback o his eventual release. Therefore it is vital that John s supported through these difficult times and the Scotish Prison Service put on notice that it cannot isolate and persecute prisoners at will Wite to John Bowden at John Bowden Prison No. 6729 HM Prison Glenochil King OMuir Road Tullibody FK10 3AD Scotland Notes for 2008 ABCF Conference in L.A. On June 7-8th delegates from ABCF chapters converged in Los Angeles for the first conference in over two years. Representatives from Toronto, Montreal, New York and Los Angeles were present. However, delegates from New Jersey, Jacksonville and Philadelphia were unable to attend but for- warded their positions on some of the most critical issues. Below are the issues addressed at the conference and the outcome of those discussions. Overall, the conference was a success and the ABC Federation was able to address some longtime critical conflicts in the organization. Chapters left with a renewed commitment to the work of the Anarchist Black Cross Federation. Active Groups/Inactive Groups concem about non-active status of some of the groups in the Federation (New Jersey and Jacksonville). Ouicome: Delegates at the conference were made aware of present situation affecting some of the members of those ‘roups. Federation Council agreed to leave chapters on the list of ABCF groups. Los Angeles. will keep ABCF abreast of any updates of the two groups. The Federation should inquire if there is anyone clse in those chapters who can step up and play a more active role. The inactive oganiza- tions will not have a vote at the conference. and their votes will not be reinstated until the criteria of support group has been ful- illed Montreal and Philadelphia Vote Monireal and Philadelphia were not present at conference. Sara (former meni- ber of Montreal) felt she could speak on Monireal's position. LA has spoken with Philadelphia cnough that they felt could represent their position on the major issues. Ouicome: All chapters agreed that Monireal and Philadelphia would get to Vote despite not being at the conference. Drug Policy NYC ABC put forward a proposal to change to by-law #7 of the ABCF constitu- tion. ‘Quicome: By-law #7 will be deleted and replaced with the following language: “All ABCF members should abstain from illegal drug use and from abusing alcohol, tobacco”and prescription drugs “This is to defend our organization against the harm that substance abuse has cause to many organizations and communities of resistance. All members are responsible for doing everything within their power (o pre- vent illegal activity from being associated with members of the ABCE." (This language will apply to both Canadian and US chapters) EL/AL Prisoners ‘A proposal was put forward by the LA chapter that would createguidelines for EL/AL prisoners for ABCF political pris- oner recognition. Outcome: The parameters for EL/AL prisoners for the ABCF list will include: “EL/AL prisoners who aboveground work or communiqué(s) (for actions they have pleaded to) contextualize them as part of the broader anarchist, socialist, anti-cap- italist or ant-imperialst strugeles.” (This language will be worked into the ABCF guide) Prison Council Proposal was put forward that the ABCE should find way to increase involvement of the Prison Commitice (PC), Outcome: The ABCF will encourage the PC to have a greater involvement n the Update (artcles, etc.) and overall general discussions in the Federation. Every group s encouraged to have contact with prison- ers on the PC but specific ABCF members will be responsible to be the main contact from PC members. ‘Contacts for PC: Tim (PH) - Ojore Lutalo Brandan (NYC) - Maliki Latine Matt (LA) - Bill Dunne Andrew (NYC) - Daniel McGowan Additional prisoners will be asked if they are interested in taking on PC posi- tions (Sekou Odinga, Oscar Lopez and Sekou Kambui.) Sara will contact said pris- oners. There is a_concern about role of MeGowan on the PC becase of his trans- for Caucus Proposal put forward to renew some of the caucuses. Sara would like to see stronger support for Women's Caucus in the ABCF. Outcome: Women's Caucus will be established. Men's Caucus and others may be formed as a sign of support and solidar- ity. Website/Listserve ‘There was a concern about how mem- bers cannot get on the list. Yahoo list has not been working properly. There was also concerned about how LA ABC's PP/POWs fiers are difficult o find. ‘Outcome: New lst will be formed and discussions will be transferred to the lis. Al groups are suppose 1o send Toronto ABC a list of all member’s emails who wish to be on the list. Toronio ABC will ‘maintain list. LA ABC will transfer flers on to ABCF website. October 10th March Political Prisoner groups in New York will organize a PP/POW march on o the UN. NYC ABC has asked for a showing from the ABCF. Outcome: Statement of solidarity will be written by Brendan (NYC) and present- ed to the ABCF for edits. Groups are asked 10 sign on to statement Constitution Changes on language on ABCF consti- tution was postponed until next conference. NYC raised concern about term “backward and criminal” used in constitution. NYC concerned about connotations. related to words. They would like similar language that is equally strong but does not have same baggage. FC discussed o need to rededicate the ABCF 1o the constitution and the programs of the organization (Warches). The council also addressed the lack of consistent com- ‘munication and there is a need to formalize communication. There is a concern on how the ABCF can stay on top of the campaigns and medical emergencies of the prisoners. ‘Outcome: The following measures have been agreed upon to increase accountabili- ty in the Federation: The FC will meet the first Monday of the month to address Federation issus. Meetings will take place on the following dates: 7/7, 84, 911, 10/6, 113, 12/1 ‘The FC is calling for a renewed com- mitment 1o the language regarding fundraising for the Warchest. The language insists that Branch groups send in “a rea- sonable amount” to the Warchest monthly. It was agreed that 2 reasonable amount should be consistent with the monthly-mul- tiplier used in the past. All groups will not be expected to do some form of fundraising for the Warchest cvery month. The fundraising of cach chapter will be reviewed at the monthly meetings. A directory of contacts will be created again. Contacts for the listserve will be also The ABCF will begin to develop more month and will discuss what follow they can partcipate i conference i ABCF willaso work o developing _the_organizaton “on September 26-250h 5 vale ] '%' SN2, Pog \’ M Matt and Tim (LA) expressing their opinion Brian (Toronto) and Lane (LA) on the drug Sara (Toronto) and Tim (LA) Jeff Luers’ Sentenced Reduced, Transferred On February 28, 2008, a re-sentencing hearing took placs in the Lane County Circuit Court in front of Judge Billings. “This followed an Oregon court of appeals ruling in February 2007 that Luers original sentence of 22 years § months by Judge Lyle Velure was illegal, and the appeals court remanded the case back to Lane County Circuit Court for re-sentencing Following the appeals court decision, negotiations have resulted in the decision today to reduce Luers sentence to 10 years, bringing his release date to late December 2009, In June 2001, then 23 year-old Jeffrey “Free” Luers was arrested for the burning of three trucks at a Eugene car dealership. His stated purpose was to raise awareness. about global warming and the role that SUVs ‘and trucks play in that process Despite the fact that this action hurt no one, caused only $28,000 in damages and the cars were later resold, Luers received the draconian sentence imposed by Velure. Luers gained support locally as well as all over the world as a political prisoner. It is widely believed that Luers received such a drastic sentence because of the political nature of the action he took. Following his original sentence, Amnesty International and the Eugene Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued letiers of support citing that the sentence appeared to be politically motivated. During the course of his ial, statements were made by the police and prosecuting attorney that indicated it was Luers" political views on trial, not merely bis actions. His defense successfully proved that evidence had been tampered with, officers had lied and that the prosecu- tor had manipulated evidence to get a legal search warrant at his residence. Luers was given a sentence that attempted 10 send the message to environmental and social jus- tice activists that even a merely symbolic act of property destruction could be pun- ished more harshly than many crimes against persons. Prior 1o his imprisonment, Luers was a very well respected community activist in Eugene, Oregon involved with forest defense and cooking free food for the city's homeless population. He has remained active from prison, often writing news arti- cles and monthly dispatches to his growing list of supporters. With a release date on the horizon, Luers future is bright and he plans to pursie courses and looks forward to sharing quality time with his family and loved ones. Statement from Jeffrey Luers: “Today I feel a great weight lfied off of me, and my loved ones. While I believe my new sentence is still more of a reflection of my activism and my dissent than my actual erimes; 1 am looking forward to my much closer release date. 1 am proud of the many things 1 have accomplished wiile incarcerated, includ - lng reaching beyond oceans and borders 1o help raise awareness about global warm - ing and to help combat social injustice. Tam dhankful of my family, friends and the_thousands of supporters and fellow activists from around the world who have stood by me since day one. And I'd especially like 10 thank my attorneys, and friends. Lauren Regan, Misha Dunlap and Shawn Wiley for never aiving up on gerting me out sooner than 22 years. T am happy to say this journey is almost over and I'll be coming home soon.” In mid April, Jeff was transferred to the. Columbia River Cortectional Institution in Portland, Oregon. It is not currently known if this is his final destination prior to his release. Overall, the news for Jeff is fantastic news. JefFis expected to be released by Fall 2009, For those interested in writing him: Jeffrey Luers # 13797671 CRCI 9111 NE Sunderland Ave Portland, OR 97211-1708. Tre Arrow Takes Plea for 78 Months In June 2008, ELF political prisoner, Tre Arrow, pled guilty to two counts of arson, one count for the Ross Island Sand and Gravel incident and one for the Schoppert Logging incident. Arow will receive a sentence of 78 months at his sentence. He will receive credit for the time he spent in Canadian jails and in American jails. Arrow was facing life in prison if convicted of all 14 counts in the Indictment. The twelve other counts will be dismissed at sentencing. Arrow is wanted by the government in connection with the April 13, 2001 arson at Ross Island Sand and Gravel in Portland. Three trucks were damaged in the amount of $200,000. The ELF claimed for the attack. He was also want- ed for an attack a month later at Ray Schoppert Logging Company in Estacada, Oregon, on June 1, 2001 Two logging frucks and a front loader were damaged, resulting in $30,000 worth of damage. The ELF did not claim responsi- bility. but the explosions were similarly ereated by milk jugs filled with gasoline, and a fuse made from incense and a pack of matches. “Arow was connected with the. in dents after Jacob Sherman, who had been detained for over 4-months in connection with the arsons, named three others who participated in the actions: Tre Arrow, Angela Cesario and Jeremy Rosenbloom. Cesario and Rosenbloom entered plea agreements, however they disputed Sherman's claim that Arrow was the mas- termind for the arsons. They claimed Jacob Sherman was the actual master- mind. ‘Arow was indicted by a federal grand jury in Oregon and charged with four felonies for this crime on October 18, 2002. He was listed on the FBI's December 2002 most-wanted list, and appeared on the America’s Most Wanted television program. Arrow sought political asylum in Canada. On March 13th, 2004, Arrow was arrested in Victoria for stealing bolt cutters and was also charged with being in Canada illegally. He was in custody in Victoria's Wilkinson Penitentiary where he unsuceessfully fought extradition back 10 the United States. Atrow has avoided a possible sentence of life in prison with the June 3rd, 2008 plea agreement that will include time served in Canads Amow's family and supporters had expressed concern that he could not receive a fair trial in the United States due to character assassination by the ‘media; several newspapers have referred 1o Armow as an "eco-terrorist”, and the FBI held his capture up as an example of its success in prosecuting terrorists in a 2004 report to Congress. Judges in both Canadian and American cases against him have ruled that the term “terrorist” could not be used during the proceedings against him Continued from page 4 about the voice analysis that contradicts the story of the state’s chief murderous witness against Poindexter. The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that Poindexter's bid for parole must fail because the Board of Pardons has not com. muted his life sentence o a term of years thus depriving the Board of Parole the abil- ity 1o grant a parole request. n responding to Poindexter's arguments that numerous other prisoners serving life sentences have been released on parole after serving less time than he has the court said that a com.- mutation of sentence was a “discretionary state privilege” and that even if “granted nerously in the past” Poindexter had no legal enitlement to similar consideration. While the expected ruling against parole for Poindexter does not presage the out- come of his pending new trial equest some. of the language in the decision does sug- gest that attorney Robert Bartle will have s work cut out for him during oral argu- ments scheduled for this fal In the ten-page decision there were three references to the underlying crime, the murder of Larry Minard. In the opening. summary of the decision the Nebraska FREQUENTLY U degree murder.” ing. | describe dished headlines. Meanwhile, serving life ED Supreme Court properly noted jury convicted Edward Poindéxter of first “There was terrible racial feel- don’t have words to but there was terri- ble discrimination and hatred of African-Americans, terrible.” However, two later references were less neutral and potentially betray a bias of the court to the prosecution case. discussed sentencing statutes, “in when Poindexter committed his offense. In the conclusion of the decision the court repeated the bias and used the statement “when Poindexter commitied his crime” to describe the killing of Minard, Nebraska newspapers, which have not reported on the COINTELPRO manipula- tion of the case against Poindeter, bran- Poindexter Denied Parole following the language of the court decision. Ed Poindexter and Mondo we Langa remain imprisoned at the maxi- mun; seeurity Nebraska State Penitentiary senten T 1971 3 Minard’s Killers, Duane Peak, The con- fessed bomber; Raleigh House, the suppli- er of the dynamite; and the unknown emer- gency line caller walk free. Last week in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, federal Magistrate Christine Nolan recom. mended that_ Black Panther Albert Woodfox, serving a life sentence at Angola State Prison, should be granted a new trial.+ U.S. District Judge James Brady has yet 1o rule on Nolan's recommendation.t The new trial recommendation followed a state court denial of a new trial request last month for co-defendant Herman Wallace.{ Wallace and Woodfox were held in solitary confinement for 36 years and only recently have been moved to regular maximum security cells. The two men, leaders in a prison chapter of the Black Panthers, were convicted for the murder of a prison guard during a riot at the prison in 1972 on the testimony of another prisoner relcased in exchange for testimony against the Panthers. In Nebraska, a decision on Poindexter’s request for a new trial is expected later this The court 1970 about Cop'Killer 1 Richard is a freclance writer based in Boston. He writes about politics, election law, human nutrition and cthics) 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 a no government form of socialism. Types of anarchists include: Anarcho-Communist, Anarcho-Syndicalist, Autonomist, Collectivist, Individualists, and Mutualists. 'BLA: Black Liberation Army - revolutionary Black clandestine 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- EC: Federation Council - decision-making body of the ABCE. MOVE: Not an acronym, the name of Philadelphia whose members are commitied o the teachings of John Aftica. Their belef is in “lfe. PC: Prisoner’s Committee - rotating body of 5 PPPOWs on the ABCF's FC Support Group - ABCF group with fewer responsibilties PRIPOWS: Politcal Prisoners and/or Prisoners of Wa. (See page 1) Self-Defense: The legal act of proteting one’s life or the life of ‘another with the idea/purpose of self-determination and independ- ence. Armed self-defense is relative 1o the ABCF, specifically in the USS. i that as the organization grows, 50 (00 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 ed in 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-imperialst revolutionaries from the student movement, (The ederation (ABCF) produces. the Revolutionanvlitcal Dictionary with these and other expanded def - initions of poliical terms. Asailable from Los Angeles ABC for $1 and o 41 cents stamps.) e student group found- Anarchist Black Cross Avelino Gonzalez Claudio Arrested, Puerto Rican Community Harassed On February 7, the FBI captured Los Macheteros member Avelino Gonzalez Claudio in the Pucrto Rican town of Manati. Gonzalez Claudio, who has been living 23 years underground, was wanted in connection with the 1983 armed robbery of $7.1 million from the Wells Fargo armored car_depot_in Harford, Connecticut. The expropriation was the largest in the United States. Gonzalez was one of 19 people indicted in the planning and participation of the Hartford expropriation. Some of those imprisoned for the action ~(Antonio Camacho-Negron and Juan _Segarra- Palmen) had been supported by the ABCF while imprisoned. The FBI believes Gonzalez he has been living In Puerto Rico since 1985 when he fled after being indicted for the Hartford expropriation. He has been teaching at a private school under an assumed name, Jose Ortega Morales before being captured. ‘Afier two brief court appearances on the istand in February, a U.S. Distrct judge in Puerto Rico ordered him_transferred to Hartford, where he now is scheduled to stand trial for participating in the Hartford robbery Gonzalez is facing 15 charges associat- ed with the robbery, ranging from multiple counts of robbery by force of a federally insured bank, conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, the interstate or for- eign transport of stolen goods, and conspir- acy against the United States. If convicted, ‘Avelino Gonzalez Claudio could face up 10 275 years in prison. Gonzalez has pled not_guilty to the crime he s aceused. In April the court denied bail claiming Gonzalez has as a Righ risk. Also wanted in_ connection to Los Macheteros activity and the Hartford rob- bery are Victor Gerena and Gonzalez's brother, Norberto Gonzalez Claudio. Gerena is believed to be in Cuba, whereas Norberto is believed to be somewhere in Puerto Rico, Additional Charges. ‘Allegedly. the funds seized during the Hartford action were to be used to fund the Puerto Rican independence movement and support other Leftist formations in Latin America. From 1976 to the present day, the Los Macheteros has taken credit for a vari- ety of actions including the attack on 11 fighter jets at a National Guard air based and killing of two sailors during an attack on a US Navy bus. Prosecutors are also trying to link Gonzalez to additional actions believed to be committed by Los Macheteros. In the early *80, two rocket attacks targeted var- fous US institutions in San Juan. The FBI claims they found fingerprints matching those of Gonzalez on the armrest of a Chevrolet parked near the site of one of the attacks targeting the FBI offices on October 30, 1983 Despite their claims of Gonzalez's connection, the FBI admited they cannot_conclusively tie Gonzalez's fingerprints to the attackHowever, the FBI claims they have tied Gonzalez's finger- prints 1o a second rocket attack on the fed- eral courthouse and US post office building in 1985, Renewed Harassment Gonzalez's apprehension appears con- nected to renewed govemment interest in Los Macheteros. In September 2005, FBI agents shot and Killed the leader of the Los Macheteros, Filberto Ojeda Rios, who also had been underground since the late 1980s. Recent investigations have produced scientific evidence that proves the FBI agent who fired the fatal shot that killed Ojeda Rios lied about the justification for killing the revolutionary. The agent claimed he fired because he could see Ojeda Rios pointing a gun at him from inside the residence. The evidence com- piled determined the agent could not have seen Ojeda Rios through the window as he indicated. The agent's bullet pierced a refrigerator before hitting Ojeda Rios. Some reports indicate Ojeda Rios was alive for 15 to 30 minutes before bleeding to death. Other reports indicate he was alive for a consid- erable amount longer before he bled to death. In either case, no medical assistance was given to Ojeda Rios 1o ry to save him. Since Ojeda Rios' death, FBI agents have served search warrants ‘on suspected Los Macheteros members or sympathizers in Puerto Rico and New York. In mid-Apil, FBI agents visited several Puerto Rican independentistas allegedly in connection with an investigation currenly underway. Two people associated withThe New School, Miguel Viqueira and Tania Delgado Soto were harassed and threatened at their homes by agents, but were not informed 2s to what the investigation was about. “The New School” develops political work in public housing and poor communi- ties across the Island and is an integral part of the independentista movement. Some within the Puerto Rican commu- Dity have suggested the harassmen is an attempt 1o provoke a similar_incident 1o what had taken place with Ojeda Rios. 1t seems the government will stop at nothing 1o harassment, imprison and if need be, assassinate the leader in the inde- pendence movement in Puerto Rico. Under the guise of fighting terrorism, the govern- ment is determined to force colonialism of the people of Puerto Rico, even if that means using terrorism to do it 1tis for this reason the palifical prisoner support community_needs to support Avelino Gonzalez Claudio. The ABCF encourages people to write him and do what is necessary to provide assistance to bim and family. Avelino Gonzalez Claudio Northern Correctional Institution 287 Bilion Road, POB 665 Somers, CT 06071 More Grand Jury Hearings ‘Tania Frontera, a graphic designer, and Christopher Torres, a social worker, have been ordered to appear before the Grand Jury at the Brooklyn Federal Court inves- tigating the Puerio Rican independence movement. Two groups: Puerto Rico Committee for Human Rights and the National Boricua Human Rights Network have filed motions (o intervene in support to have the subpenas thrown out on con- sttutional grounds. So far, since the new year of 2008, Puerto Ricans Tania Frontera, graph designer, Christopher Torres, 4 sach worker, Julio Pabon, a filmmaker, Elliot Monteverde Torres, a lawyer and spokesperson for the Vieques Alliance (a New York based coalition that fought to rid the US Navy from the island mun; pality of Vieques, Puerto Rico) and a fifth person, an_independentista and human rights activist, have been subpoenaed o the Brooklyn Federal Court in New York City. They attest that they will not be intimidated nor allow for their political ideas to be suppressed. Historically, the US government has used the federal grand jury since the 1930's an instrument of| political internment of Puerto Rican pro- independence _activists. Those who refused to testify by exercising the estab- lished pro-independence political print ple of 'non collaboration’ to the grand jury can be held in 'contempt of cour” and imprisoned. Fitzgerald Event Illustrates 40 Years of Resistance and Repression On June 28th, supporters of Romaine “Chip® Fitzgerald_gathered together to raise awareness of his case and his July 2nd parole hearing. Chip. who will be ‘going on his 30th year in prison this fall, has the unwanted privilege of being the longest held Black Panther political pris- oner in the United States. His case epito- mizes the culmination of the dirty tricks and tactics the U.S. government employed in its effort to destray the Black Panther Party, ‘Among the organization present at the event were the Commitice to Free Chip Fitzgerald Support, All of Us or None of Us. the Brown Berets, Puerto Rican Alliance, Anti-Racist Action, the Black Riders, and the Anarchist Black Cross Federation. Also represented in the crowd were former members of the Black Panther Party, including Ronald Elder Ereeman, David Hilliard and Elaine Brown The gathering was a reminder of not only the rich history of the Black Liberation struggle found in the city of Los Angeles, but also the nearly forty years of political repression against the Black Panther Party and those groups who have been inspired by the orzaniza- tion, During the era of the Black Panthers, Los Angeles saw some of the brutal repression targeting the party. It is well- documented that, in the late 19605, the FBI and other policing agencies of the ‘zovernment developed and carried out concerted plan to neutralize or wipe out the Black Panther Party, after FBI Dircctor J. Edgar Hoover issued his infa- ‘mous declaration that the Party was the “greatest threal” to the nation’s security. AS a result of the FBI's brutal campaign, many Party leaders were assassinated, falsely imprisoned, imprisoned under extraordinary sentences, slandered and demonized, as Party offices were assault- ed and Parly programs were undermined. L.A. party leadership scemed to be in theit lin of sight. The first Black Panther to be killed was Bunchy Carter's brother, Arthur Morris, who was killed in March 1968 under suspicious circumstances “. In August of 1968, Los Angeles police gunned down Panthers Tommy Lewis, Steve Bartholomew and Robert Lawrence while being pulled over at a gas station. As part of the government plot, the FBI helped to fucl the feud between the Panthers and Karenga's United Slaves. On December 30, 1968, a member of the Party, Frank Diggs, was found dead in an alley the Long Beach/San Pedro area of Los Angeles. Though his death has remained unsolved, some suggest it was connected in the Panther/Karenga feud. The following month, members of Karenga's group killed John Huggins and L.A. Panther leader, Bunchy Carter were killed at UCLA. On March 14, 1969, fol- lowing a student sirike meeting at Victory Baptist Church, an altercation ensued in the parking lof between United Slave members and Panthers. Panther Ronald Freeman, mentioned earlier in the article, was wounded in the chest and groin. Local police watched the fight from their vehicle parked across the street and did not intervene. On September 18, 1969, Nathaniel Matt (LA) & Jenn (Brown Beres Clark was shot in the face in his sleep by “party or parties unknown.” The same month, Chip and several other Panthers were involved in a shootout with a CHP officer and sustained a gunshot wound to the head. He survived this attack, only to be arrested the following month and charged with assault on police and the murder of a security guard. He was con- victed and sentenced to death, which was commuted o life. The same month Chip was arrested, the LAPD shot two other Panthers, Walter Toure Pope and Bruce Richards Pope was killed in the incident. Pope was trying to order food at Jack-in-the-box restaurant when the police shot him, believe he was “trying to rob the place.” The LAPD finished the year with nearly six-hour assault against the L.A. Panther headquarters by the LAPD's newly formed SWAT Team at the same time the Chicago police assassinated Fred Hampton and Mark Clark in Chicago. During the same period of Chip's frame-up. the government was working on convicting Geronimo Pratt for Santa Monica robbery and murder that the FBI knew he was not guilty of committing. He served 27 years in prison before the truth was reveled. At the same time Pratt was being rail- roaded, his pregnant wife Sandra Prait, was found dead on the side of the road Her body was riddled with bullets Same Weapons, Different Era ‘And while some may believe that the tariing the Black Liberation movement and the Black Panther Party in Los Angeles has disappeared with along J. Edgar Hoover and the father of SWAT and former Police Chief Dary! Gates, we Would be strongly mistaken i we believe that to be the case 1t should be no surprise that among those who atiended Chip's event were members of the Black Riders Liberation Party (BRLP). The Riders, who some say is today’s manifestation of the Panther, Has been the target of the LAPD for well over ten years now Last year, the three leading members of the Black Riders Liberation Party, General Wolverine Shakur (ak.a., TACO. - Taking All Capitalists Out), Sechzvan White (aka.. Siress) and Aryana Shakur, were indicted on bogus chane to possess automatic weapons and ‘Sttempted possession of a machine gun “The three have remained in prison with 1 bail of half a million for Aryana to 2 million dollars apiece for T.A.C.0. and Stress. “The District Attomey claimed that the Black Riders Liberation Party attempted 1o purchase weapons in order to further thetr plot to enter and shoot up various LAPD stations in the city. While the prosceutors have developed this outra- eous story, they have not charged the Members of the organization with the plot, only with the weapons charges. However it was this unsubsantiated aile. gation that was the basis to Justify the taids, undercover cops and surveillance direcied at the BRLF. In addition to these charges the . T.A.C.O. from the BRLP (center) District Atiorney attempted add a gang enhancement charge, but that was later dropped. They were forced 1o drop the enhancement charge when_ undercover officers testified that the BRLP claimed no territory, bore no_identifying gang- style tattoos and, in fact, resembled the Black Panther Party. Police acknowl- edged under oath that the Black Riders were proud Africans, advocates for Black unity and avowed communists. This testi- mony makes clear the political nature of the charges and the whole case. In late July, the three Black Riders facing charges pled to attempted posses- sion of a machine gun. Comrades Aryana and Stress were released. General TACO received two years with time served. He s expected 1 be released in six months or less. General TA.C.O. and others formed the Black Rider Liberation Party while being held in a California Youth Authority prison. At the time he was working with New Panther Vanguard, which was formed after the erosion of the Panther Party in Los Angeles. TA.C.O. split the New Panther Vanguard because he felt the organization did not reflect the issue impact young black youth. The BRLP was furthered developed by members of the Blood and Crips, while the organization was working on the gang truce. ‘Although the BRLP have been the tar- gets of police harassment and set-ups for their entire 12-year history, the recent series of busts and high-power raids have taken place in the context of the BRLP popularizing the case of the San Francisco 8, as well as, leading Black resistance and building Black-Brown unity against the racist Minutemen. Combined with the effectiveness of their "Wach programs and their peace-making efforts and political educa- tion with Bloods and Crips street onzani- zation members, these successes brought the BRLP under the cross hairs of the highly political repressive apparatus of the LAPD. The BRLP has been building chapters and making contacts in San Diego, Sacramento and the Bay Area. As their recognition and support in the Black community of south LA, Crenshaw, Watts and the Inland Empire has grown, the police have grown mare intent on dis. rupting their activities. These latest raids. and high bails are furiher proof that the System hates and wants to destroy organ- ized resistance among Black community. Throughout the ongoing campaign by the government against the Riders, for- mer Panthers have continued fo offer their support and experience. The Riders. have continued to provide support for Panthers currently in prison and/or facing charges - like the San Francisco 8. The cvent for Romaine Fitzgerald illustrated 1o all participants both the extent the government will go to repress. resistance movements, as well as, the resilience of revolutionarics to continue the struggle for the liberation. despite the celebratory nature of the event for Romaine Fitzgerald, it was reported a week later that Chip was. denied parole. He was instructed o return in one year. It has been reported that Chip remains strong and s awaiting his free- dom, The Anarchist Subsistence Program The Anarchist Subsistence Program seeks o provide material aid to those PP/POWs who come from our own anarchist/anti-authoritarian community. As with the Warchest, this program is designed o aid PP/POWSs 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/POWSs. Most of these new prisoners have support committees who raise awareness and funds on their behalf. Long held anarchist/anti-author- itarian PP/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 campaign include a monthly Hnancial assistance and forty 43¢ postage Stamps per month. Supporters of the Anarchist Subsistence Program sénd whatever funds they can to Philadelphia Subsistence Report for 2007 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL ABC (who facilitates the program) who in tum distributes the funds among anarchist political prisoners who partici- pate in the program. All U.S. supporters also take turns Sending the stamps dircctly io Philadelphia ABC. Lised here are the montbly check documenttion and sotation of groups sending stamps. If you want to support i important program and help us cxpand the number of Anarchist Subsistence Program campaigns 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). (" Stamp Schedule Aug- Philadelphia Sept- Los Angeles Oct- Los Angeles Nov- Los Angeles NY ABCF 00 0 20 20 0 75 | Sendacheckormoneyorder toPhiladelphia ABCF made LA ABCF 00 0160 0 0 0 outtoTim Fasnacht for forty 43¢ stamps in the last week of| TORABCF 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 |themonth before the month forwhich you are responsible. nX 0 0 0 0o 0 5 o Philadelphia ABCF TOTAL 0 0 0 180 20 50 i35 P.O Box 42129 Philadelphia, PA 19101 Name: Ph Send cash.checks or mos | Street Address made to TIM FASNACHT to: | City/State/Zip. Philly ABCF | ONE TIME DONATION [] Pl commit to 6 months || Tll committo 1 year || MONTHLY SUPPORTER [ ] Monthly supporters, please check one of the following: Box 42129 PA 19101 Philadelphia imABCF@aol.com toll free (877) Amount:s $ $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, littl, 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 reccived 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 FUNDS IN __JAN FEB_MAR_APR_MAY JUN JUL % LA ABCF 0 o 0 0 50 0 0 005 3800 PHL ABCF 20 0 0 20 20 0 25 1996 4143 1997 3544 TORONT ABCF 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 To08 7643 JAX ABCF 0 o 0 o 0 50 0 ~To%o E8ia NY ABCF 0 0 0 20 20 0 201 2000 3514 2001 5290 RYAN/ALSKA 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 5002 2873 PROPAGANDI ) 0 o 0 115 0 005 ires JUSTIN/CLEV 0 0 [} [} 0 0 0 2004 UNACC* 2005 4439 ANON 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 006 3268 TOTAL 45 0 0 40 540 190 326 2007 4312 2008 1141 FUNDS OUT Jan-08 FEB_MAR_APR_MAY JUN JUL ToTAL 177 SEKOU KAMBUI 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 FUNDS OUT RUSSELL SHOATZ 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 1904 120 JOSEPH BOWEN 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 1995 2796 HANIFF BEY 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 199 4308 HERMAN BELL 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 e SEKOU ODINGA 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 —j a2 RUCHELL MAGEE 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 2000 4544 ALVARO HERNANDEZ 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 001 4637 MALIKI LATINE 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 2002 4320 TSUTOMU SHIROSAKI 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 2003 1300 OJORE LUTALO 0 0 0 0 100 0 o0 2004 UNACC* TOTAL 300 300 300 300 400 300 300 2005 2620 2006 2880 2007 3471 FUNDS REMAINING: $2172.50 2008 2200 TOTAL 49132 (*Funds unaccounted for due to unreported funds from Jacksonville ABCF) .fi “Your ABCF Guide to PP/POW Support is great, PERIOD!" - New Afikan POW Sundiata Acoli “You can see many of our concerns addressed in this pam - phiet.” - former Puerto Rican POW Carmen Valentin “Itis extremely well thought out and put together.” - Anti-Imperialist PP Tom Manning What's the ABC? What's the ABCF? Who are Political Prisoners? 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 - ‘port 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 want - 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 bl P PP et o T i o " 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.”