We Never Sleep

Newsletter of the Anarchist Prisoners’ Legal Aid Network
December 2001/ January 2002 - Vol: 2 No. 8

Anarchist Prisoners’ Legal Aid Network
818 SW 3™ Ave PMB #354 / Portland, OR / 97204 / USA
aplan@tao.ca

“We Never Sleep was the name of a ‘zine put out by former prisoner Paul-X, who worked to
bring néws from prison to the community before taking his own life when the pressures
outside prison became unbearable. The name reflects our nature and resolve as anarchists.”

APLAN Outside Support News

‘We hope you find this issue o be worth
the wait! It has been a busy few months for the
outside support group - the changed political
climate has placed new demands on us, while we.
continue to work ahead on day-to-day network
activities and to build a steadier base for the
prisoner network.

The outside support group is very much
interested in building up our prisoner legal
contacts at this time. A “Legal Roundtable” is
not included in this issue of the newsletter, as the
circumstances of a number of contacts have
made its inclusion infeasible. We would tll love
1o work with anyone who has some legal
experience to share, and still want to hear from
those who have specific legal questions they
‘would ike answered. With a bi of luck and
plenty of hard slog, we’ll get the “Roundtable™
idea going again soon! Contact us if you think
you can help the work along.

Last issue, we presented some difficult
questions before the group:

I Whatis the position of APLAN to prisoners
charged with rape, sexual assault and other
such crimes?

2. Does this apply equally to those who claim
innocence or rehabilitation?

3. What should the network do (o prevent entry
of those who act or have acted contrary (o
network beliefs and goals? Do we need to
send them a survey? What about requesting
face-sheets, references from other prisoners
o anarchist groups, or other documentation?

‘We're grateful for the responses we
received. We are delaying putting forward any
Sort of provisional statement on this issue for one
more issue, so that others may make their voices
heard. We want to work towards some sort of
understanding on this issue within the network,
but realize that it's more important to o things.
properly than to rush.

Nextissue, we hope 1o look back at
APLAN’s performance in 2001 — what we did
well and what we could do better. APLAN
outide support willry to bring forward some
honest evaluations of our activity, and ideas
about where to g0 from here. We hope some
network members will share their thoughts on
this, 0. We will also be updating our mailing

list, and sending out questionnaires with our next
newsletter.

Finally, we are still inviting prisoners to
write about resistance to prisons, anti-repression
struggles, and anarchist politcal prisoners and
prisoners of war, for inclusion in maerials o be:
distributed at the “Tear Down the Walls”
conference for US political prisoners, being held
at the end of March.... So send ‘em on!

A personal note from Dave Negation:
From this issue on, I plan to step aside as the
primary editor of this newslettr, allowing a
commiltee to take the task on. It seems important
that the newsletter becomes more of a collective
responsibility, and thatskill are shared and
developed within the outside support group. T
willstill help as I can with the newsletter, but
plan to focus on other actvities within APLAN
over the coming months, such as catching up on
‘mail and helping to develop resources for
network members. To all who have kept me
inspired and active as I've put together these:
pages ~ thank you'!

Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin Speaks

in Portland

On October 23, members of APLAN
outside support brought former anarchist
political prisoner Lorenzo Komboa Ervin o
speak in Portland. Lorenzo, who spent 15 years
incarcerated, spoke on the importance of a
widespread international prisoner support
movement, the current political climate
following September 11, and the necessity of a
mass community organizing movement.

Lorenzo shared his personal stories as
well as his politcal analysis and opinion. His
talk was inspiring, interesting, and of great
impact. Following the talk a lively questions and
answers session took place. The event was very
well atended and raised a good deal of money,
half of which went to our comrades Matt and
Petey in Santa Cruz.

Lorenzo on September 11*:

... Well, our time of mourning has to
be tempered with the cold understand that we.
have t0 look out for our interest, not the
Pentagon’s or Wall Street's. We regret the
thousands of deaths of people who dicd in the
process at the World Trade Center, but we know
itis Washington's faultthis happened... The real
terrorists are i the Pentagon, the executive
boardrooms on Wall Stret, and in the White
House, where they have always been”

| e e e

%&F}Tfi of e bl

Free Matt, Free Petey

Animal liberation activists Matt
Whyte and Peter Schnell were arrested last
January in Santa Cruz, CA for the alleged
possession of materials that could be made
into "destructive devices". Both were
released last February on bail and federal
charges were filed against them. As of
Octaber 15 the two pled guilty to possessing
incendiary devices (consisting of empty
gallon jugs, candles, gasoline and matches).
They confessed their intention o use the
devices to disable trucks in a dairy
distributor's parking lot. Both took plea
bargains and are looking at a minimum of
12-14 months for Matt and 33 for Petey.

‘They face a maximum of 10 years
and a$250,00 fine. Matt and Petey will be
sentenced on January 28, 2002. Funds are
needed as well as wide spread support. For
more info please contact
santacruztwo@hotmail.com. Remember these
are our brothers, our comrades, our friends.
‘Their freedom depends on our ability to act.
If not now, when? If not you, who?
Santa Cruz 2 Defense Fund / PO Box 917/
Santa Cruz, CA 95061 (USA)

Free and Critter Updates

Jeffiey “Free” Luers was moved on
September 18 10 Oregon State Penitentiary in
Salem from Two Rivers Correctional Institution.
His co-defendant Craig "Critter” Marshal was
moved to Pendicton and then a few weeks later

moved again o Snake River Correctional
Institution in Ontario. Free and Critter's
supporters say, “Is this game of “musical jils”
being played o keep them from recciving
consistent mail and visis, 10 confuse their
supporters, to keep them from accomplishing
their minimal goals, to stop them from making
riends, or to test them out with diferent jail
informants?”
Craig Marshall #13797662/ SRCI /777
Stanton Bivd. / Ontario, OR 97914 (USA)
Jeffrey Luers #13797671 / OSP / 2605 State St.
7Salem, OR 97310 (USA)

Also, Free requests that letters be sent
10 Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber about his
case and his outrageous sentence of 22 years.
Write to:
John Kitzhaber, MD / Governor of the State of
Oregon / State Capitol Building / 900 Court
Street NE / Salem, OR 97301-4047 (USA)

Ruckus Gets Three Years

Robert Middaugh, AKA “Ruckus”, has
been sentenced to three years in a California
State Penitentiary, charged with assaulting a
police officer during the 2001 May Day police
riotin Long Beach, California. During a
“Reclaim the Streets™like action, approximately
200 protesters ~ many in a large anarchist black
bloc - were attacked by police. Over 100 people
were arrested.

On Ruckus's day in court, the.
prosccutor threw everything he could at Ruckus,
charging him with assault on a police offcer,
refusal to comply with a police officer,
conspiracy to commit a crime, and riot. These
charges totaled in 14 years and ten months.
Ruckus was already on probation from an earlier
incident where he was charged with assault on a
police office and was given a srike under the
California “Three Strikes” Law. With the most
recent charges, Ruckus was looking at 16-17
years in prison, plus another strike against
Judge Richard Romero guaranteed Ruckus that
he would be in prison for 3-4 years whether or
not he was convicted for the May Day event
because of his parole violation.

With no other option, Ruckus took a
plea. The courts dropped most of charges except
the parole violation and the assault charge on the
police officer. He was given three years each for
both charges and these sentences were (0 run
concurrenly. In addition, he was given his
second strike. When released, if he is convicted
of another stike, he i facing 25 years to lfe.

Ruckus is presently in the Los Angeles
County Jail and is awaiting transfer. Support this
‘comrade  he has been an active member of the
LA community for many years.

Rob Middaugh #6859467 / PO Box 86164/ Los
Angeles, CA 90086-0164 (USA)

Most of those arrested from May Day
faced less serious charges than Ruckus and
“pleaded out” with one year of probation. Six
others stil await rial. Many individuals working
on this case, including the lawyers themselves,
have reported police harassment as they worked
10 help those facing charges.

For additional information contact

Los Angeles Anarchist Black Cross

PO Box 3671 / Anaheim, CA 92803-3671 (USA)
A_blackeross@hotmail com or

Blackeross fo.net

Against Patriarchy Conference
Radicals in Eugene, Oregon will host
the second “Against Patriarchy” conference from
January 25" - 27" 2001. Members of the
'APLAN outside support collective will attend
this gathering and hope (o put forward prisoner
perspectives. We are interested in exploring
issues of prison as a patiarchal (male-
dominated) insitution, women in prison, prison
rape and related topics. Writen contributions
from prisoners will be compiled and distributed
atthe event. If you wish to get involved around
i event, please promply send your texis (0 us.

From www.mumia2000.0rg website (edited):

Struggle Overturns Death
Sentence

Next Step: Free Mumia!
By Monica Moorehead and Larry Holmes

USS. Federal District Judge William
Yohn, in a 272-page ruling issued on Dec. 18,
threw out the death sentence for Mumia Abu-
Jamal that resulted from his 1982 trial. But Yohn
upheld Abu-Jamal's conviction on charges that
he shot Philadelphia police officer Daniel
Faulkner .

“There can be no question that lfting the
1982 death sentence — a concession wrested by
the worldwide movement in support of Abu-
Jamal — s a painful, bittr pil for the cops and
judges in the court system in Philadelphia to
swallow. They want (0 kill Abu-Jamal. And had
it not been for the movement, he would be dead.

“The continued frame-up of Abu-Jamal
has generated massive rallics, marches and dircct
actions — from San Francisco to Paris. For years
demonstrations in the U.S. and around the world
have demanded freedom for this gified Black
journalst who has never stopped being the
“voice of the voiceless.” And twice, mass
protests stopped the clock a the 11th hour when
‘Abu-Jamal was o have been executed.

‘Yohn's ruling comes on the heels of a
Dec. 8 police attack on a peaceful march of more
than 1,000 in Philadelphia calling for justice in
Abu-Jamal's case. Several activists were injured
in the cop riot and six face multiple felony
charges.

‘Across the U.S. and all over the world
Abu-Jamal s renowned as a political prisoner,
framed up on a murder charge because of his
political beliefs.In fact, & man named Arnold
Beverly has confessed on videotape that he — not
‘Abu-Jamal ~ shot Faulkner. Yet Beverly's
testimony has not been heard in a court and Abu-
Jamal remains on death rov.

Judge Yohn was assigned o Abu-
Jamal's case in October 1999. He was charged
with determining whether Abu-Jamal should
have an evidentiary hearing. Such a hearing
would have allowed suppressed evidence o
finally be heard and entered into court ecord
that could prove Abu-Jamal's innocence. This
would have included the Beverly confession and
the testimony of witnesses who describe being
coerced by police to lie for the prosecution in the
initial trial.

But Yohn's uling denies Abu-Jamal the
right o any evidentiary hearing. And the judge’s

decision ignores the fact that police and
prosecutorial misconduct at the 1982 trial was so
blatant that it obliterated the possibiliy of any
Kind of fai rial for Abu-Jamal. It doesnt
overturn the unjust first-degree murder
conviction. And it doesn't open the door for
Tong-suppressed evidence to be heard.

Yohn threw out the death sentence
based on his findings that instructions to the
1982 jury were flawed. The judge concluded that
information was withheld from the jury that
could have led t0 a different sentence.

According o a Dec. 18 Associated Press report,
‘Yohn ordered the state of Pennsylvania to
onduct a e-sentencing hearing within 180 days.
A re-sentencing hearing could result in life
imprisonment for Abu-Jamal. Or it could impose:
the death penalty again.

‘An appeal by cither the prosecution or
the defense, however, could lead to an
overturning of Yohn's decision.

Abu-Jamal's lawyers plan to seck a new tial for
‘Abu-Jamal. They are appealing Judge Yohn's
ruling to a federal appeals court (Associated
Press, Dec. 19). Philadelphia District Attorney
Lynn Abraham said her office would appeal the
lifing of the death senence.

“The dangerous part of Judge Yohn's
decision s that it no doub will be used in an
attempt to close the book on Abu-Jama's case. It
aims t0 cover up the sham trial in 1982 and the
conspiracy (0 suppress evidence that could have
proved his innocence, and to keep Abu-Jamal in
Jailfor the est of hslife.

‘The unyielding movement to save Abu-
Jamal's Jife has exerted pressure on the legal and
political institutions of racist repression that have:
been trying to legally lynch Abu-Jamal because
of his revolutionary, anti-imperialist and an
capitalist beliefs.

For more information, contact:
International Concerned Family & Friends of
Mumia Abu-Jamal / PO Box 19709 /
Philadelphia, PA 19143 (USA)

Tel: 215/476-8812 Fax: 2154767551
icffimaj @0l com www.mumia.org

‘Donations for those facing charges after
the December 8° police riot in Philly may be
sentto:

Philadelphia Direct Action Group / PO Box
40683 / Philadelphia, PA 19107 (USA)

Make checks payable to “PADG” and
‘specify “December 8" Legal Fund” in the memo
line.

International Anarchist Black

Cross News
Houston
On October 2", the Houston chapter of
the Anarchist Black Cross Federation lef the
Federation and established tself s an
independent organization. In its communiqué on
this departure, the Houston group stated its
intention to remain a collective and to continue
on ts tradition of community activism and
education work. The new Houston organizing
group was involved in the production of a “New
Draft Proposal for an Anarchist Black Cross
Network”, reprinted in this newsletter. The
Houston group may be contacted at:
PO Box 667233 / Houston, TX 772667233
(USA)
Ph (713) 5952103, ext. 7585
Email: may19x@yahoo.com [Emesto Aguilar]
Brighton
Brighton ABC now has a new postal address.
Letters may now be sent to:
Brighton ABC/ PO Box 74 / Brighton/ BNL
42Q/UK
‘They are also keeping their old address as a
backup, which can be used by prisoners who
can’t write to PO boxes:
Brighton ABC /6 Tilbury Place / Brighton /
BN22GY /UK
Brighton ABC have also moved their website. It

is now located at wovw.brightonabe org.uk

Their email remains the same:
brightonabe @email.com

Anarchist Black Cross - Melbourne.
also has a new postal address:

ABC Melbourne / PO Box 300/ East
Brunswick / Victoria 3057 / Australia

New International Campaign to
Free Ali Khalid Abdullah

A new international coalition has been
formed for the purpose of working t0 support
and free politcal prisoner, Ali Khalid Abdullah.
Ali Khalid Abdullah is a New Afrikan anarchist
‘whohas been in prison in Michigan for 12 years
on charges relating to his attempts to shut down
a major drug dealer. While in captivity he
founded the Political Prisoners of War Coalition,
and has been extremely active in struggles to aid
and educate other prisoners and oppressed
people in general. He has also written
extensively on various subjects relating to

history, revolutionary-theory,-and social citique,

and has remained a steadfast opponent of
patriarchy, heterosexism, racism, environmental
destruction, and capitalism despite repression
and marginalization.

Since imprisoned, Al has been denied
for parole 5 times for reasons that have never
been explained or justified by the Michigan
parole board. He is up for parole again in
February 2002 and is in some serious need of
(and deserves) solidarity, mutual aid, and loving
support

For more information on Ali, his
writings, and what you can do 10 help him,
please contact the following address. Funding is
especially needed.

International Campaign to Free Ali Khalid
Abdullah c/o Pushing Forward / 2716 SE 215t
Ave. /Portland, OR 97202 (USA)
frecali@disinfo.net

A web page i in progress:

fire comyde/frecali/

"To contact Ali himself:

Ali Khalid Abdullah #148130 / Thumb
Correctional Facility /3225 John Conley Drive /
Lapeer, MI 48446 (USA)

From Antiprison (edited).
Chris Plummer Granted Parole

- Out in January

Afier more than 8 years of
imprisonment, Christopher Lee Plummer has
been granted parole in Texas. Chris was placed
in prison on a 15 years senence for an ani-
fascist action in Houston, Texas.

‘While imprisoned he faced severe
repression by both the state and nazi gangs in the
prisons. Several attempts on his lfe were made,
resulting in permanent injures that will effect
him forever. Much of his time in prison was
spent in solitary confinement for his efforts to
organize prisoners and fellow anarchists. During
his 4 years stay in solitay the prisoncrats went
50 far as o accuse him of attempting to smuggle
a pistol into the prison. The state went all out to

stop him. Afier more than ten times of being
tumed down for parole he has finally been
approved for release on 1/2002.

Chris will be facing huge difficulty
when he is released, will need all of our support
and solidarity. While he has many friends and
family it will take large amounts of money to
secure an attorney 10 represent him while on
parole. He feels that if he does not have an
attorney t0 stand by him, he will certainly be sent
back to prison for any minor violation. One of
the conditions that he has had to comply with for
release is ‘super intenslve parole” this means that
he will be placed on a monitor and will have to
reportin person twice a week, this type of parole
is normaly reserved for sex offenders and
murderers.

Chris asks that folks work to raise funds
for his release over the next few months. The
movement needs to support this dedicated
anarchist political prisoner. This is the crucial
time.

If you can offer any help, please contact
Rebecea Plummer / PO Box 101 / Austin, TX.
78767 (USA)

From ELP North Americ:
Long Island Activist Charged
with “Terrorism” Relating to

Earth Liberation Front Actions

Activist Connor Cash, who was charged
with ELF actions several months ago, was
officially charged with “providing material
support o terrorists” on September 27°.

‘Connor was previously charged with
arson and vandalism for a seies of actions
claimed by the ELF last year in Long Island.

Cash is accused of aiding ELF activists
when he drove them to unspecified Suffolk
County sites where acts of vandalism and arson
were committed, and of buying the gasoline used
1o set fire o five homes under construction in
Mount Sinai in December.

He already could be sentenced (0 up to
40 years i prison if convicted of the arson
charges. The additional count could add another
10 years in prison.

Such a lengthy sentence would be
unlikely under federal sentencing guidelines,
however.

‘The government claims it is
coincidental that an ant-terrorism satute was,
used against Cash s0 soon after the attacks on the
'World Trade Center and Pentagon. This seems to
be the first example of the government using the:
WTC attacks to further increase repression on
the Earth liberation movement.

For more information see:
hitp://www Jongislandrevolt.org

Or contact:

Connor Cash Support Committee c/o Long
Island Animal Defense League (ADL) /

PO Box 1117/ Huntington, NY 11743 (USA)
(631) 3404708

freeconnorcash@yahoocom

longislandadl @excite.com

Sundiata Acoli in Isolation Since
September 11"

Following the attacks of September
11, many politcal prisonersin the US federal
prison system were thrown into isolation, and
denied access to their lawyers. Those who were
held incommunicado for near o (or over) two
‘weeks include ant-imperialist Marilyn Buck,
United Freedom Front prisoners Ray Levasseur
and Richard Williams, and several Pucrto Rican
independenistas. Sundiata Acol, a Black
liberation poliical prisoner, hasstillnot been
released from isolation! It was October 24"
‘when he was inally abl (0 speak (o his lawyer,
after almost a month and a half of being denicd
access to her. The Bureau of Prisons is
attempting 1 terorize and repress s political
prisoners, and has singled out Sundiata for even
‘worse than the others — one of whom describes
being held incommunicado as a “nightmarish
experience”. Iis a clear pririty o do what it
{akes o prevent the BoP from refusing basic
ighs again, and to organize to get Sundiata into
‘general population. Sundiata has requested that
leters b sent on his behalf to Attorney General
John Asheroft and to Federal Bureau of Prisons
Director Kathleen Hawk Sawyer:

Attorney General John Asheroft/ US
Department of Justce /950 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW / Washinglon, DC

Email: AsKDOJ@usdoj gov [and indicate for
Attorney General in subject]
Kathleen Hawk Sawyer / Director, Federal
Bureau of Prisons / 330 First Street, NW /
Washington, D.C. 20534

‘Also, Sundiata would welcome contact:
Sundiata Acoli (n squire 39794-066) / USP
‘Allenwood / PO Box 3000/ White Deer, PA
17887 (USA)
For more information:

USA PATRIOT Act Signed into

Law
Paving the way for more government

intrusion and terror, Bush jr. signed HR 3162,

the USA PATRIOT Act, into law on October

26 The “Uniting and Strengthening America

by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to

Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act” (his act's

full title) consolidates gains previously made by

the federal government against the populace,
grants the state more power in several areas, and
narrows the already limited field of
constitutionally-protected civil libertis.

Immigrants in particular willbe negatively

affected by the passage of this act. Some

noteworthy features of the USA PATRIOT Act
are below:

« “Terrorism” Redefined: The USA
PATRIOT Act has created a new crime of
“domestic terrorism” — activity in the US
involving acts dangerous (o human lfe that

violat either US law or state law. These
acts must appear to be intended:

1. to intimidate or coerce a civilian
population;

2. to influence the policy of a
‘government by force or coercion;
or

3. twaffect the conduct of a
government by mass destruction,
assassination or kidnapping.

‘The act also includes in is definition of
“terrorism” the use of “a weapon or other
dangerous device o cause substantial
damage 1o property”, even when damage
causes no risk of injury. The “domestic
terrorism” category is substantially broader
than previous definitions of terrorism, and
could include some marginally
confrontational, non-violent protest and
activism.

Detention of Immigrants: Detained
immigrants certified by the Attorney
‘General as risks to national security are
required to be charged with a criminal
offense or immigration violation within
seven days. Those not deportable for
terrorism but with an immigration violation
could be detained indefinitely by the
Attorney General following a finding of
“reasonable ground to believe? the.
individual was involved in terrorism, or
activiies posing a threat to national security
or the safety of the community. While a
“case review” would occur every six
months, the state is never required to prove
their allegations in any rigorous manner, as
is supposed to occur in criminal trials or
deportation hearings — nor is it bound to
provide these trals or hearings themselves at
any stage.

Guilt by Association: The Secretary of
State is permitted to designate groups that
have ever engaged in “violent” actvitis as
a terrorist organization. Non-citizens who
are members of these targeted groups can
then be detained and deported by the
govemment.

Secret Surveillance: The USA PATRIOT
Act amends the Foreign Intelligence
Surveillance Act, which allowed the FBI to
perform secret searches and surveillance o
obtain “forcign intelligence informati

that the FBI is now allowed to perform these.
actions to obain evidence of a crime without
demonstrating probable cause. Also, FBI
agents can apply to any FISA court or

federal magistrate for an order requesting
books, records, documents or other items to
be produced by a person or business. The
order must be issued upon application — and
without judicial discretion - in cases where
the materials are claimed to be for a forcign
intelligence investigation.

“Sneak and Peek” Search Warrants: In
any kind of case, “sneak and peek”
authorization may now be issued for
searches for any kind of physical or
electronic evidence. In “sneak and peck”
searches, notfication of the search is
delayed. In order to obtain a warrant of this
sort, which allows police to search a
person’s property, the government needs
only prove that an investigation may be
jeopardized if immediate notice s given.
The “Sneak and Peek” tactic is nothing new,
butits use may now become more common,
as it is subject to less limitation.

Telephone and Internet Surveillance: The
FBI may now wiretap and obtain a lst of
numbers called without the requirement of
probable cause. On the Internet, the FBI
may now capture address information,
without any real guarantee that the actual
content of communications will remain
confidential

Domestic Spying by CIA: The USA
PATRIOT Act has placed the CIA in charge
of leading intelligence gathering within the
US. Law enforcement s permitted to share
sensitive information gathered in
investigations, including wiretaps and
Internet captures, with the CIA. No court
order is required. The CIA may then share
this information with other agencies,
including foreign governments.

Financial Privacy: Banks are required to
report “suspicious activity” to law
enforcement agencies and the CIA; this is
notlimited to terrorism. The CIA and other
federal agencies have access to individual
credit reports in secret. Notification is not
given and judicial review is unavailable.
Student Privacy: Law enforcement may
now obtain a wide range of student
information without demonstrating a
suspicion of wrongdoing. Student data
collected for statistical research under the
National Education Statistics Act (NESA)
‘was previously srictly confidential; now, a
court order to tap NESA data s available in
cases where to government asserts

relevant to an investigation.

Sources: "What the USA PATRIOT Act Will
Do” and “Things You Should Know About the
USA PATRIOT Act” fact sheets

So Much For “Attorney-Client
Privilege”.
‘The attacks of September 11* have also
rved as a pretext for the federal government 0
tack the “Attorney-client privilege” of federal
prsoners suspected of tis o “erorism”. This
“privilege” is one of the most basic civil rights of
“political” and other prisoners. What follows is
the text of 28 CFR Parts 500 and 501 It has
alrcady been implemented, withoutobservance
of the legally mandated period of public review
and comment. The original regulation s from
1997, but the amendiment s recen, and can be
found in the Federal Regiser
National Security; Prevention of Acts of
Violence and Terrorism; Final Rule

= In addition, in those cases where the
Atorney General has cenified tha reasonable
Suspicion xiss 1o believethat an inmate may
use communications with attomeys or their
agents o urther or facilat acts of volence or
\erorism,this rule amends the existing
regulations o provide tha the Burean s
with ttoreys in order 0 deer such acts, subject
10 pecific procedural safeguards, 0 the extent
permitcd under the Constitution and aws of he
United States.

Finally, thi rle provides that the head
of each component of the Department of Justice
hat has custody of persons for whom special
administrative measures are determined to be
necessary may exercise the same authoriy (0
impose such measures asthe Director of the
Bureau of Prisons.”

“Those wishing comment on this to
government officials should conact:

Rules Unit, Office of the General Counsel /
Bureau of risons, HOLC Room 754320 First
Suet, NW / Washingion, DC 20534 (USA)
Sarah Qureshi / Office of the General Counsel,
Bureau of Prisons

Phone: (202) 307-2105.

The Attorney General, and the director
Ofthe Federal Bureau of Prisons, may also be
contacted - see the article on Sundiata Acoli.

Anarchist Groups on

“Terrorist” List
Greek and Italan anarchist groups were
included in a December 5™ list of thirty-nine
organizations on the USA PATRIOT Act’s
“Terrorist Exclusion List". These groups were
designated as “terrorist” by US secretary of state
Colin Powell, in consulation with attorney
‘general Asheroft. The anarchist groups included
on the list are “Black Star”, “Anarchist Faction
for Overthrow” and “Revolutionary Proletarian
Nucleus”, The state infends 10 exciude from the
US those seen as “supporters” of these groups,
and to deport those already here. Ominously, a
government press statement noted “This round of
Terrorist Exclusion List designations is by no
means the last.”
Source: Dec. 6 Press Statement, Philip T
Recker, Deputy Spokesman Washington, DC

IN PRISON

News in Brief
Barry Horne Dies on Hunger Strike

Animal liberation prisoner Barry Home
died on hunger strike December 5* in a hospital
in Worcester, England. He had been on hunger
strike since the summer. Barry had been
sentenced in December 1997 to cighteen years
imprisonment, having been convicted of arson
and attempted arson relating to a nationwide,
animal liberation firebombing campaign. In
1998, he had survived a 68-day hunger strike in
protest against vivisection.

Poland - Anti-fascists Charged

In Bialystok, Poland an anti-fascist
activit s facing serious charges after
participating in fight, when nazis attacked an
“antifa” crew. 18-year-old Slawomir "Lapa”
Lapinski is charged with assault with dangerous
item and grievous bodily harm. As he was on
probation for another assault on nazi, he is facing
a serious threat of serving few years in prison.
You can send messages of support to him, which
will be translated from English, via
s0ja2@poczta.onet.pl Funds are also needed.

In another recent case, tis time in
Warsaw, three punks were sentenced t0 3 -5
years of prison for the alleged assault and
Tobbery of thee nazi skinheads. A fourth
defendant was cleared of charges and remains
free. Contact the above email address for more
information.

Turkey - Six Anarchists Arrested

6 anarchists who the Turkish
‘government claims are members of Upak
Anarchist Autonom have been arrested and will
be judged in State Security Court - SSC (Deviet
Guvenlik Mahkemesi ~ DGM). SSCs are special
courts which were established for revolutionary

leftsts and Kurdish militants; this s the first
eventin Turkish anarchist history that a group of
“anarchists” are being sent to SSC. They are said |
10 be members of an illegal organization; the |
reason for the arrests is simply an anarchist
leaflet they distributed in a trade union |
demonstration on December 1°.
Eduardo Garcia Free!

Spanish anarchist Eduardo Garcia was
released under parole on October 22" afier a
year in jail. Even though the media, the police:
and the judges have tred by any means to charge
him with the mailing of letier bombs to
Journalist, and despite the several hearings he
as had in court, the evidence against him
remains nil. Eduardo will sill need 10 g0 t0 court
i the fture; the frame-up against him is not
completely finished. For more information,
contact cruznegra @alayam com
Nikos Maziotis Released

Afier serving only 34 years of what
was originally a 15-year sentence, Greek
anarchist Nikos Maziotis has been released! His |
sentence had been shortened to 5 years earlier in |
2001

Prisoner Notes

From Ali Khalid
Abdullah:

Our Struggle is Global
Prisoners are Fighting Back
Revolutionary greetings —

“The repression against politically and
socially active prisoners has become an
international struggle that knows no borders or
boundaries. Our fightis one that calls on the
powers that be to lsten and for the general public
(non-incarcerated persons) to take heed.

Many prisoners are fighting back with
the only thing they have — their words and their
Voices. These acts of struggle are to be
commended and respected by the many. For

Due (0 space and other considerations, we are currently unable (o print everything we receive for We.
Never Sleep. We intend t0 build the newsletter as a legal resource, publishing legal information, queries
and advice. We also prioritize prison news and updates, as well as items relating to anarchist organizing
and t0 the prisoner network. If we do not print an item, we will note its aival i the “also received” section
and make copies available upon request. As we wish o get this newsletter (o those who need it, we may not
publish items likely to cause instittional mail rejections. We also prefer if disputes between network
members are discussed directly between the relevant partes. Comment is always welcome on editorial
decisions. Views printed in the Prisoner Notes section are those of the individual contributor and not
necessarily those of the network as a whole (or of the outside support collective). Please clearly mark “For
We Never Sleep” on everything intended for publication in the bulletin. - Outside Support Colle

“many of us who dare speak out or stand up in the
only way we can (our words) are being crushed
under the heels of repression and disregarded by
the masses who could help uplift us, as we try to
encourage you to remain positive and strong.

“The prisoners in the FIES prisons in
Spain have shown a determination and defiance
inthe face of adversity unmatched by none and
equal (0 the comrades in the Turkish prisons who.
have resigned to sacrifice teir lives by death
hunger stikes in order to draw the world's
attention 1o their plight and the plight of all
prisoners who are being treated with inhumanity
and indifference.

‘We have many prisoners right here in
the United States who are also suffering all kinds
of psychological and emotional tortures in
Control Units, Special Housing Units, Isolation
Units and on death row.

Like the comrades in the FIES and in
the Turkish prisons, we prisoners must be
decisive. We must make a decision as to what we
plan o do and what we will do, because the
conditions in which we suffer isn't going to get
better but worse, since the September 11 attacks
on the World Trade Center (the symbol of
kapital) and the Pentagon (the symbol of
Amerikan militarism). If we are going to find
and salvation, if we are going to find any
comfort,then it must come from our role as
activists. It must come from our voices
collectively exposing the brutality and the
hardships in which we live, and set the course to
a better and just world by holding our respective.
political leaders accountable, as well s those not
incarcerated. Not by violence or destructive
measures — we see that these measures are not
profitable and are to be applid only in an effort
of self-defense. But, we must show them that we
are humane and that thir actions are not
humane, and the win the people’s support to this
end.

“Time isn’t promised to any of us, 50 we
must make use of the time we have now by being
there for one another and supporting one another,
and helping each other. If you are able to do that
evenif it i a promise kept to another, then we,
can prevail no matter how hard the task is.

In the trenches... ~ Ali Khalid Abdullah
November 2001

Al Khalid Abdullah #148130 / 3225 John
Conley Drive / Lapeer, MI 48446 (USA)

out of segregation in this new place last week -
straght into three-day lock-down - just my luck!
Tve had a lot of petty "nickings” (internal
Kangaroo courts), a ot of hassle with my mail
and have had my legal papers and property
withheld from me for several months. The lack
of legal papers at  crucial time in my appeal has
‘made things very difficult. Nonetheless I've
been very busy politically, and have been trying
10 get several new nitiatives off the ground.

One of these i a solidarity iniiative in support
of the Turkish prisoners on hunger strike, and the
struggle of the SpanishF.LE.S. prisoners.
Political prisoners across Europe have launched
similar initiatives, and since the start of monthly
action here we have been joined by over 30 Irish
Republican prisoners, and by Belgian political
prisoner Geert Wneymans. T hope that APLAN
prisoners in the US will also consider joining us,
‘while the action is very modest it has meant a lot
10 the Turkish comrades, and its also a good way
of building consciousness within prisons.

‘Thank you for the copy of “The
Defiant”, which I eventually received after a
successful legal intervention (one of many this
year). My campaign has just put out a new book
called "In the hands of the Enemy", a project
which also took up a ot of time.

‘Apologies to anyone whose been
waiting on a letter from me. I have a lot of legal
work I need to get on with urgently, but Il ry to
get on top of my mail backlog ASAP.

‘Always in struggle - Mark

Prisoner-acivists Mark Barnsley and John
‘Bowden (HMP Bristol) have issued the following
statement:

e

From Mark Barnsley:
Dear Comrades,

Revolutionary greetings! Sorry that I've
not been in touch for a while, but for the past
three months T've been in segregation again, and
it was not possible for me to write. 2001 has
been another difficult year overall -four different
prisons, four different seg units, five months
segregation, and a lotof shit in between. 1 got

Solidarity with the Turkish Prisoners |
On 30 June 22 year old Zehra Kulaksic
died following 221 days without solid food. She
was the fifth person to di on the hunger strike
being staged by TAYAD (the Association of
Families and Friends of Political Prisoners) in
solidarity with Turkish political prisoners. Her
death brings to 53 the total of those who have.
cither dicd on the death fast or were murdered by
the state in is vicious onslaught against
protesting prisoners on 19 December 2000. The

prisoners are continuing their protest against the

regime’s attempts to destroy them by confining

them t0 isolation cells in the new F-type prisons.

Call for International Solidarity

Many of you will be following the
‘courageous life and death struggle currently
taking place in the Turkish prisons. In the FIES
units of Spain (equivalent to our CSC units)
prisoners have recently launched an initiative in
support of the Turkish prison struggle and in
support of their own 3 demands. This initiative,
‘which is supported by prisoners in France,
Greece and by Basque and Kurdish prisoners, is
in the form of a hunger protest on the first
Saturday of each month. The three demands of
the FIES prisoners are as follows:

1. Anend to the FIES units

2. Anend to "dispersion", whereby prisoners
are moved away from their families

3. The release of allterminally il prisoners,
and those who have spent more than 20

i prison because of their political
beliefs and militant attitude.

In solidarity with our comrades n the
Turkish prisons and those fighting for justice
throughout the world, we propose the launch of
ive along the same lines as the Spanish
prisoners; a food strike on the first Saturday of
every month. Since the Whitemoor and
Parkhurst escapes of 1994 and 1995, there has
been a concerted atiempt t0 crush the British
prison struggle once and for all; a war of atrition
the state has all but won. By making this simple:
act of solidarity we are taking the first siep
towards renewing the struggle and asserting our
humanity and our defiance.

Like the FIES prisoners, we arc
proposing three reasonable and achievable
demands of our own:

1. A minimum of one hour's daily exercise in
the open air. It is appalling that at a time
‘when prisoners are once again being locked
two and three t0 & cell, the statutory.
allowance of daily exercise has been
reduced to only half an hour.

2. The right of all prisoners to wear their own
clothes. Twenty years after Bobby Sands
and his comrades died on hunger strike, the
ight of prisoners to wear their own clothes.
s stil not enshrined in the prison rules.
Because of this, governors regard the
wearing of civilian clothes as a “privilege”
‘which can be withdrawn at any time. This is
increasingly happening with prisoners
placed on “basic.”

3. The abolition of compulsory
‘We are currently sceing the growing
exploitation of prisoners’ labor by private
companies and by the state. If prisoners
choose to work in return for remuneration,
they should have that choice — but
compulsory work is nothing less than
slavery.

‘These are the three demands that we
propose. We ask that all militant prisoners,all
those who have not been crushed by state
repression, all those not bought off by the arse-
lickers' chartr of the Incentives and Earned
Privileges Scheme, all those who have an instinct
for solidarity and the courage to stand up against
‘oppression, support this proposal. Our numbers
may be few but they have the potential to grow.
Spread the word. Support the protest. The fight-
back starts here.

~ Mark Barnsley and John Bowden.

For more information, email:

‘basleycampaign @hotmail.com

www freemarkbarnsley.com

Letters of solidarity to John and Mark:

John Bowden / HMP Bristol / 19 Cambridge

Road / Bristol / BS7 8PS / UK

Mark Barnsley WA2897/ HMP Whitemoor /

Longhill Road / March, Cambs / PE1S OPR /

UK

[A new book, In the Hands of the Enemy,

containing writings by Mark and his supporters,

is now available from:

Justice for Mark Barnsley / PO Box 381 /

Huddersfield / HD1 3XX / UK]

From Chris Bellender:

[12/07] L just got to general population
today here at Oregon State Penitentiary. Free and
Rob are here, though I have yet to see them as I
am on restrictions still. But it is g0od to know
that there are some good comrades here.

A few people sent me shout outs in the
ast newsletter, which, due to my stintin
segregation, | was unable to respond to. Thanks
for everyone's encouragement and support, and
cheers to youall.

1 can’t wait for the next WNS, nor can T
wait (0 get the pen rolling again and write
something worthy.

From OSP, in revolution — Chris
Chris Bellender #11934625 / OSP / 2605 State
Street/ Salem, OR 97310 (USA)

From Free (Jeff Luers):

1 ihink it is important for us o know
about the people involved as prisoners in
APLAN. Just like in any other campaign I'e
worked on - direct action or otherwise. It s vital
10 know who you can and can't rust

1 don't want to see APLAN get used or
abused. The whole reason 1 got in that fight out
a1 TRCI was because a guy cam into my unit
claming 10 be a “Eugene anarchist”. He tred to
be my friend and use me as a reference. He is a
rapis. 1 produced the paperwork tht biew his
cover. We ended up fighting over it

1 personally want nothing t0 do with a
rapist, rehabilitated or not. But that’s my own
bias / prejudice.

We should do
background checks on
people we want o be
part of APLAN. The
casiest way 10 do that
would be for members
10 be sure of who they
are passing APLAN
onto. T'm sure most new
members were tuned
on by other members.
Let's ask them 10 supply
references or be open
about why they're in.

“This may not
be the best resolution,
buttis a sart. 1 even
g0 first. Many of you
might know me or know
of me. T am currently
serving 22 years - For
muliple counts of arson
and bomb charges. My
acts were a part of the
Earth Liberation Movement(s).

“Thanks for all the support you have
thrown me and others - Free
Jeffrey Luers #13797671/ OSP / 2605 State St.
7 Salem, OR 97310 (USA)

From Jason Hayes:

1 mustpick up the ball where my
brother eft off o the misconceptions of anarchy
(Mike Lan, WNS Sept / Ocs. 1),

Tknow a guy here in the “Snake Pit”
who says he hats anarchy. When asked why, he
didn'teven have any rhetoric 0 spout off at me.
T was rather depressed by that

Now this is an ex-Navy person, who
was given 317 months of a robbery he didn't
commit - Some patriot.

Tiried to put it in terms that anybody
should be able to understand, and it went
something like ths.

Anarchism is the belief that all systems
of government, by their very nature, are fucked.
The concept of having somebody my
‘grandparents” age, in a mansion four thousand
miles away, telling my children how they can or
can'tlve is preposterous. Exery man and woman
should have the right o live and dic in the way
they sce fit... without having a bunch of old
swindlers and hypocrites tell blue-suited bullies
how to rain on their parade. That is how that

‘word “freedom” is
supposed 1o be. It
doesn't have to be
bedlam in the sreets

Maybe I should
say it “didn’” have t.
Freedom is a birthright,
but sometimes you have
1o fight or die just o
take back and protect
whatis yours already.
We all do our little part,
and hopefully our
grandkids will have a
beter future... if we
make it happen.

No human has
the right o rule me, my
family, friends.... even
my encmies. But how
do T explain that o the
sheep known as
“society"? How do you
show the moronic
masses that they don’t have t0 put up with Bush,
or any fat-cat poliician?

1 will probably die without getting those:
two questions answered. But I will be sure to
leave a mark in many minds. I got less time for
fighting with a cop than T got for selling drugs —
Hmmm....!7! Like I said, sometimes you must
fight o get back what is rightfully yours,
however you can fight. Write the media,
organize demonstrations, [...] chain yourself 10 a
tree, call your comrades with encouraging words,
‘mail out ‘zines.... Everybody lace up your boots,
take t0 the streets, and do your part.

Revoltingly - J-Rok
Jason Hayes #11507807 / SRCI/ 777 Stanion
Bivd. / Ontario, OR 97914 (USA)

From John Two Names:
Dear Sisters & Brothers,

Osiyo (Hello) ~ I want to say thank you
0.1l of you that have sent cards, leters, and
caring words to my mother at this time in her
life. Indeed this rape was an act of vicious in
. Like most rapes, however, this one was
not for sexual release, but one of asserting and
proclaiming power over a female. It was their
way of tring t0 intimidate her into slence;
make her feellike it was her fault, In ess
Was 10 “put that Indian bitch in her place,” as
T've heard they told her.

Like the torching of her home, a few
‘years ago, the pigs have not taken this
investigation serious at al. This crime happened
in broad daylight, yet no one has been
questioned (o see if they may have saw
something. Like the time her home went up in
flames, the people tha did this will not be looked
for. “She’s justan Indian.”

Many have expressed their concern for
my mental /spiritual wellbeing. 1 am fin 1o
answer: Yes, my thoughts of vengeance do play
in my head, but it does not cloud my thinking. T
would love nothing more than o meet the
perpetrators of this violence. This is natural.
don’t dwell on those 3 individuals demise
though. It's the system that supports and
encourages people to dominate and exploit
others that I want t0 kill. 1 am fine, and like my
mother, we will survive, we will fight, and we
will overcome.

‘Once again, Wado for all the kind
words. 1 love each and every one of you
Remember ~ they can't get us all! Keep fighting!

Instruggle ~ John Two-Names
Andy Riendeau (John Two Names) #193786
C-3-6T / Staton Correctional Facility / PO Box
56/ Elmore, AL 36025-0056 (USA)

From Thomas Tripp:
Comrades -

As you may know, on 28" February
2001, seven comrades and I engaged in the take-
over for two hours of a housing unit at Two
Rivers prison in Umatilla (Orcgon). The
morivations for the eight o us to participate in
this action were varied. For some, it was pure
setaliation; for others, merely a release of prison
angst. Contrary to what that state organ, The
Oregonian, has said, none of us are white
supremacists. 1 have already enumeratcd my
reasons for participation in WNS (Vol. 2) #5/6.
However, they can be summed up as: the cutling

of the education programs at Two Rivers, racial /
religious discrimination against Native American
prisoners, and abusive, disrespectful guards.

For my partcipation in this action, I
was served on 12° October with a three-count
indictment, originated by the grand jury of
Umailla County. 1 have been charged with the
following: riot and criminal mischief I - both
Class C felonies camying up to five years apicce
~ and possession of a weapon by an inmate - an
un-classed felony that carries up to twenty years
in prison. My case number is CFH010242 - DA
#386092 and my araignment i scheduled for 23
October, by way of video court. 1 did not come
10 prison as a political prisoner, but it scems that
the Umatilla County DA is preparing an attempt

10 create one in me.
T cannot speak for my comrades, as the
Oregon Department of Corrections has separated
us by putting the seven of them in Inmate:
Management Units at Salem and sending me
here to Ontario (his separation could be because
of my politics). 1 would, however, like to request
the assistance of APLAN, the outside support
group and anyone else in the radical community
who s interested and has the available time and
resources, in creating a legal defense fund. I have.
no family on the street that I can reliably turn to
for help of this magnitude, so 1 am turning 10 all
of you ~ my comrades in the struggle. [Outside
collectives interesied in helping with ihis, please
contact APLAN outside support) 1 am currently
ten months from release, and after three years in
prison, I can almost aste freedom. Some may
chide me for being stupid enough to engage in
such an action when 1 was so close to the gate ~
and they may be right — but I personally do not
see it that way. Rather, I feel that I was bold
enough, in the courage of my convictions, to
demonstrate physically my refusal to adhere to —

and my fight against - the dictates and very
existence of the uniformed enforcers of this

perverse social “order”. Lask all of you to help
me to continue that fight.

Tknow nothing of creating a defense
fund — or even f it is possible in my case — but
greatly fear being left in the hands of a public
“defender” who s in n0 way interested in me,
my case, or in secing me leave prison any time
so0n. The charges I am faced with are not as
serious as, say, murder. However, these charges,
along with a fascist prosecutor — judge combo
(who will most likely stoop low enough to use
the events of 11 September to their advantage)
stand poised to steal away a large chunk of my
immediate future. Knowing nothing of the rules
and strategies governing their burcaucratic chess.
game, Lam in no position o defend myself
against such thievery. For an adequate defense I
will need interested, professional help, and the
capitalist-commoity system being what it is, to
obtain that help T will need the assistance of
APLAN and revolutionary comrades
everywhere. [...]

Please contact me f you can help me ~
any support you can give will be greatly
appreciated.

In defiant solidarity - Thomas Tripp
Thomas Tripp #12032560 / SRCI / 777 Stanton
BIvd. / Ontario, OR 97914 (USA)

From Jonathan

Vandersloot:

To APLAN and We Never Sleep on the
issue of rape, gender violence, sexual assault,
and the position APLAN on this subject - Based
‘on my own opinions, it’s not an easy question to
answer. And how do you place yourself in the
position to answer those questions not knowing
or understanding why a person would or could
do something like this or participate in acts
against humanity like this? As everyone knows
they are so many different circumstances or these
names things. Innocent? Guilty? Statutory? At
one end of the tick it says no, these types
shouldn’t be a part o the network; but am I
being discriminatory? On the other end I want to
say yes, casting people out doesn’t build unity
Support i support and picking and choosing is
oppression. Itis pretty much impossible to give &
definitive answer to these questions. The only
definite answer, 1, myself haye is on child
molesters, pedophiles, and any crime against
children, any type of forced rape.

Tam nota “basher” of these so-called
people, but 1do not involve myself with them,
nor judge them. I don’t know their story(s) nor

doT want to know. I myself believe that
everyone has the capability and capacity to do an
evil act. It's nature. But what gives someone the
idea to carry out such a gross act? To take away
the innocence of a precious child to me is the
ultimate, wrong, sin, whatever you want to call

it. The same with forced rape on women. What
gives anybody the heartless and ill will to force
anyone into anything against their will -
everything anarchism is against, everything I'm
against.

‘What should the network do to prevent
entry of those who act or have acted contrary to
network believes and goals? My question would
be under our desired beliefs and ways in a “free”
society, how would deal with these issues in a
desired society would apply to how to deal with
this. These are just my own feelings on this
subject, maybe my thoughts are right and maybe
they're not. T once read that it takes a good
‘comrade o tell you your faults. Any constructive.
critcism or dispute of my opinions is welcomed.
Thave a free and open mind.

‘With this, I'll eave it here for now with
a small message for my comrades in Oregon to
et you all know that a comrade from Montana
has been transferred to Oregon on a detainer.
His name is Weasel — Mike Lane. He's a good
friend of mine. If any of you happen to run into
him send him my greetings. With much respect
and love for Humanity, that's all for now.
Jonathan Vandersloot #4917 / PO Box 916 /
Shelby, MT 59474 (USA)

From Jerome White-Bey:

T received the APLAN We Never Sleep
newsletter and I wish to answer the three
questions on behalf of the Missouri Prison Labor
Union and our members [...]

Tam not innocent of the crimes that
landed me in prison, which are robbery and
‘murder. Though I did not personally kil anyone,
T was present when this crime was commitied so
Tam equally guilty according to the legal system,
501in regard to the question:

1.) Whatis the position of APLAN to prisoners
charged with rape, sexual assault and other
such crimes?

“We recognize the inherent dignity and
inalienable rights of all members of the human
family and the principle that the recognition and
adherence of said rights s the basis of freedom
of all humans and requisite o peace inthe
‘world.” As a group this is very easy to say but as
an individual it is very hard to put into practice,

because no one loves the rapist, those who
sexually assault, or commit other such sick-
minded crimes. However as an anarchist poltical
prisoner my position is clear. We are all rapits.
‘We have all committed sexual assault, etc. We
are allthe guily and the victim. We are living in
a capitalist society and as a result we are all sick
all over. We can reach the rapist, the murders,
the robbers and sick-minded. For someone
reached me and now I realize the real crime 1
committed was when I failed to stand up against
the injustice. Our positionis clear comrades.
2.) Does this apply equally t0 those who claim
innocence or rehabilitation?
Tnnocence or rehabilitation would be

nice!

3.) What should the network o to prevent eniry
of those who act or have acted contrary 10
‘network beliefs and goals? Do we need 1o
send them a survey? What about requesting
Jace-sheets, references from other prisoners
‘or anarchist groups, or other
documentation?

‘We should send all prisoners and non-
prisoners questionnaire sheets and we should not
extend support to anyone or group whose actions
are contrary o the network's beliefs and goals. T
also believe we should try o teach more on the
real anarchists in America. Comrade, I love
APLAN and the work itis doing. APLAN is my
second love, next to MPLU and we have been
faced with the same problems. | understand there
are no easy answers o these questions. We are at
war against a sick capitalit society and we
cannot turn our backs ag

In Struggle / Solidarity ~ Jerome
Jerome White-Bey #37479 / Jefferson City
Correctional Center / PO Box 900 / Jefferson
City, MO 65102 (USA)

From Joe Zabick:

Every day we evaluate people by their
interaction with us. Should there be some
“special criteria” or privileged state of mind in
dealing with prisoners, convicted criminals?
Should they be categorized according to their
crime?

A person who commits a crime, or is
accused of doing so, is not defined by their crime
~ their crime is nof their master-status.

‘The anarchist community and activist
‘communities suppose to, among other things,
offer people ideas to unclog mental constipation.
Many individuals prior o their imprisonment
never had a chance to asses themselves or the
society they were immersed in; they had no
exposure to ideas and concepts such as offered
by anarchist/ activist communities. Many take
this time in prison to re-evaluate and perhaps
build themselves with new ideas and concepts.
Many may have very well committed terrible.
acts against their fellow human beings at one
time. This is now; shotld they in their possible:
search for meaningful ideas for a way of life be
cut off, ostracized, or labeled, categorized by the
very people who claim the want of abolition of
all forms of oppression?

1 deal with hearts and minds, with
human beings and this prison s my daiy realty.

“Tell me how the very nature of your
proposal is not bourgeos, reactionary and
objectifying?
Joe Zabick #668361 / Rt. 3 Box 9800/ Dayton,
TX 77535 (USA)

Also Received:

Rick Romanoski wrote to thank those.
who sent him reading materials, especially the
legal resources. He is having trouble
communicating with some people because of
regulations concerning prisoner-to-prisoner
correspondence.

Rick Romanoski #955280  SHU / Wabash
Valley Correctional Facility / PO Box 1111/
Carlsle, IN 47838 (USA)

New Draft Proposal for an
Anarchist Black Cross Network

Introduction

Former Black Panther, poliical prisoner and a
longtime anarchist revolutionary named Lorenzo
Komboa Ervin wrote "A Draft Proposal for an
Anarchist Black Cross Network” in 1979. The ABC
movement was one of those organizations
instrumental in helping see Komboa frc, and
Komboa spoke passionately for the development of a
united movement around issues of incarceration and
prisoner suppor. In the 1990s,these ideas were a
catalyst in helping many ABC groups find focus. Hi
ideas, while written years ago, embody principles that
define our movement:

The stated purpose of the Anarchist Black
Cross Network s 10 actively assist prisoners
in their fight to obiain their civil and human
ights, and 10 aid them in their struggle
against the State/Class penal and judicial
system. The prison system is the armed fist
of the State, and i a system for State
slavery. It s not really for "criminals” or
other “social devians,”and it does no exist
for the “protection of society.

Itis for State social control and political
repression. Thus it must be opposed at every
turn and ultimately destroyed aliogether.
The aboliton of prisons,the system of Laws,
and the Capitalist State is the ultimate
abjective of every true Anarchis, yet there
seems 10 be no clear agreement by the
Anarchist movement to put active effort to
that anti-authoritarian desire. We must
organize our resources 10 support all
politicallclass war prisoners if we truly wish
10 be their allies, and we must give
something more than lp service.

Organicing against the enemy legal and
penal system s both offensive and defensive.
Itis carried on with individuals, groups and
‘among the masses in the communiy. We
must inform the people on a large scale of
the atrocities and inhumanity of the prisons,
the righteousness of our siruggle, and the
necessity of their full participation and.

support. We must organize our communities
10 attack the prison system as a moral and
social abomination, and we must fight 10
free all politicallclass war prisoners.

Since Lorenzo Kombod Ervin wrote those words, he
has stated in recent lectures support for uniting with
all prisoners, understanding the profound gulfs of
race and class as they relate to incarceration, and of
anarchists aking a stronger rol in putting prison
abolition, incarceration and criminalization on the
global agenda of resistance.

“The network proposal i the result of several
dialogues over the last six months. Among the
questions that arose was perhaps the most cri
one, "in considering criminal injustice, ates of
incarceration, racial disparities, the spirit and nature
in which laws are applied and, of course, our
collective analysis as people concerned about
increasing repression, class warfare of haves against
have nots, and for a freer, more just society... what is
political? And aren't we waging a common struggle,
despite the ‘single issue’ work?"

‘What s political about the injustice system, how laws
are applied, who goes o jail and how bias factorsinto
that?

‘Whatis political about the factors that play into
“crime” and how sanction is applied?

And are we, as revolutionaries, ltle more than
collaborators in genocide if we do not stand up?

“This understanding is not so much a critique of terms
such as "political prisoner,” but of analyzing the
politics of prisons, social control, law, sexism, racism
and power. For years, the ABC and anarchist
‘movements have grasped how each of these issues
profoundly affects the lives of people, and have acted
inthe interests of freedom by building resistance.
‘This must continve.

From country to country and state t0 sate, figures are
staggering, but the facts remain the same: Third
World/indigenous/people of color and the working
class and poor are forced into existences in which
‘communites are gentified; in which they are
targeted over race and class or worse if they are
*illegal” immigrants or refugees; health care, child
care, food and rents go out of reach in costs; and their
“choices" are nothing more than setups to lock them
away. Public policies target youth in systematic and
insitutional ways that hinder the realization of

human rights. Racist and discriminatory institutions
and organizations, such as the police, prisons, and
border controls and police target people, particularly
“Third World/people of color and immigrants, via
public policies. Revolutionaries who speak out and
fight against the conditions of society are imprisoned
or killed. And we are expected to stand by uniil they
come for us, if they haven't done it already.

‘What follows i a new proposal for an Anarchist
Black Cross Network. It reconsiders and adopts many
of Komboa's old ideas, as well as makes practical
suggestions for building an anarchist network of
independent groups united in fighting incarceration,
repression and injustice worldwide. Many of the
European ABC comrades have already taken the
iitiative 0 start the building process of this network,
50 the idea is not new. This effort is merely (o put an
explanation 10 a tendency that s already developing
and will continue (0 grow.

Purpose

‘The Anarchist Black Cross Network should be a
decentralized and cgalitarian network of
organizations committed to the original ideals of the
Anarchist Black Cross movement -- of seeing prisons
and the poverty, racism and genocide that
accompanies them o be symptoms of a social order
whose last days are near. The proposed purposes of
the ABC Network are:

* Tounite the many autonomous prisoners,
activists and organizations working for
prisoner support, defense and freedom in
a decentralized, anti-authoritarian
fashion. There has been some
fractionalization of the struggle, for various
reasons, over the years. Certain groups
defended certain prisoners, while paying lip
service 1o others, Certain activist stayed
focused in a particular issue, but didn't have
the resources to get involved elsewhere. The
purpose of the ABC Network should not be
one of waging battes over differences, but
of finding ways to unite us in a way that is
still decentralized and anti-authoritarian.
‘Whether you do work around earth
liberation prisoners, “social prisoners," those.
recognized internationally as political
prisoners, anti-colonial/independence
prisoners, juvenile injustice,
refugee/immigrant criminalization, the roots
of prisons (i.c. poverty, capital, racism, et
al) should only be important to an ABC
Network as far as how the unity of many
groups that truly see ‘an injury to one is an
injury to allcan help your work. The job of

anetwork, clearly, s not to change a group's
current work, but o be a compliment o the:
work already being done.

To serve as a clear and easy-to-use
communications tool for activists,
prisoners, organizations, families and
supporters around issues related to the
‘movement. If it is to be effective, the ABC
Network must primarily serve as a
communications and working base for
prisoners, community people, activists,
‘groups (ie. autonomous ABC groups and
anarchist, prisoner, liberation, freedom,
justice, anti-colonial/independence and/or
ssue-oriented community groups, etc.) and
others who engage in activiies consistent
with the basic spiit and vision of the ABC
movement. So often, groups and organizers
change, prisoners are transferred, new.
‘campaigns start and old campaigns end. This
would be an effort o facilitate
‘communication around varied issues — from
the latest ransfers, o disbanded collectives
10 intemnational support efforts and so on.
To support, discuss, learn from and

state repression increases, more and more
activists are facing fines, prison time,
detention without charge, etc. for speaking
out. Refugees/immigrants are being
eriminalized over race and class. Prisoners
who were incarcerated for explicitly
political acts e being denied parole again
and again. Prisoners who went 10 prison for
*“Social crimes" are coming to consciousness.
about the true nature of incarceration. And
prisons will continue to be built in the name
of law and order. These are issues ‘regular’
people are aware of and which activists are
often fighting around in a regional,
Sometimes isolated, way -- not necessarily
by choice, but because all-around support
needs to improve. As those familiar with
anarchist prisoner Ali Khalid Abdullah's
"Where Was the Suppor for Lorenzo
Komboa Ervin and the Chattanooga 37" will
recall, one of our major issues is around
 The ABC Network is aimed at getting
prisoners, community people, activists,
groups (i. autonomous ABC groups and
anarchist, prisoner, liberation, freedom,
justce, anti-colonial/independence and/or
ssue-oriented community groups, etc.) and
others learning from each other,

around the various campaigns, and finding
‘ways of educating each other with our
experiences in a clearer, yet anarchist, way.

« To connect with a movement that

understands the "single issues" are part
of a much larger movement for freedom,
and to work actively to see that struggle
grow globally and in all communities. On
the surface, fighting for politicalclass war
prisoners, supporting earth liberation
prisoners,challenging juvenile injustice,
political repression, dealing with
criminalization of communities
marginalized by the sate (such as
refugees/immigrants, the homeless and the
working class/poor), the death penalty and
race/gender disparities i incarceration seem
like a mix of issues. In reality, most
anarchists and others see these are part of a
campaign by the state 10 attack communities
and people. The ABC Network should be.
part of a movement that understands we all
Wage a common struggle.

Clearly, a network could take on more goals, but

these are merely a start

Goals

‘The ABC Network should serve to support
collectives around the work they currently do rather
than coordinate a set of tasks for collectives in which
o participate. Tasks that most community people,
activists, groups (i.c. autonomous ABC groups and
anarchist, prisoner, liberation, freedom, justice, anti-
colonial/independence and/or issue-oriented
‘community groups, etc.) and others engage in
already, and which affiliates of the ABC Network
should serve t0 help with via strength in numbers
include:

Defense and Freedom Work of the Network

Defense work involves meeting the needs of the
prisoners: whether those needs stem from the daily
oppression of the prisons, police, courts o the intense.
repression by State/Class authorities of prison
organizers. Prison support by ABCs meets these
needs in many ways:

1. Forming outside support groups on a local
and national basis in order to ensure
prisoners'defense and survival from enemy
attack and from inhuman prison conditions.

2. Organizing defense committees on behalf of
prisoners framed or railroaded through the
Capitalist courts for their political and social
beliefs or prison organizing.

3. Organizing supportfor activists jaled for
their outside work andlor repression by
authorities.

4. Securing Anarchist and other revolutionary
maerials for prisoners to read, and fight for
their right to receive thi litrature if prison
officials try to ban or prohibit such literature
for any reason.

5. Organizing emergency response calls,
letters, faxes and email to continually
contact "corrections" and other authorities
about the treatment of prisoners.

6. Organizing legal defense funds to raise
funds for legal fees and to assst prisoners
and outside activists and groups.

7. Organizing correspondence for people to
write o prisoners and find out about prison
conditions and o show their solidarity and
human concern, and observers (0 g0 ito the
prisons, vsit the prisoners, investigate their
complaints, question the officials and
‘monitor the prison for violation of prisoners'
rights.

Freedom work means dircctly challenging the

existence of prisons and this work also involves

actively campaigning against prison conditions, and
propagandizing the actual cases of politica/class war
prisoners (i.¢. prisonersjailed for specific political
reasons and those who have become politically aware
of the reasons for their oppression while in pison, as
well as victims of frame-ups) o the largest possible
audience.

Some protest actvities many prisoner support, anti-

prison and ABC groups engage in today:

1. Linking up the struggles against
criminalization and imprisonment with
associated social ils: poverty, homelessness,
hunger, gentrification, racism, raciallcultural
profiling, anti-refugee/immigrant actions,
privatization, globalization, the drug war
and many other issues.

2. Exposing the fallacy of the Capitalst system
of cops, laws and prisons being for the
protection of society or as  social necessity.

3. Educating the community, prisoners and
others about the class/racist nature of the
prisons and the legal system and how to
fight against it

4. Holding protest rallies, marches and street
demonstrations in support of prisoners”
rights and against the repressive actions of
State/Class authorities.

5. Writing press releases and holding news
conferences for the Third World/people of
color, alternative and radical news media
(and sometimes the Capitalit news media)

appearing on television and radio news.
and/or talk shows 10 discuss prisons.

6. Organizing and/or participating in coalitions
with poor people's movements, prison
support, Third World/people of color,
‘Women's rights,
Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender, Church,
Left-wing, and other diverse groups, s0 as to
‘winthem over and 1o integrate the prison
struggle into the general movement for
social change.

7. Assisting prisoners in getting parole,
probation or a pardon by demanding their
freedom when they become eligible for
parole or are secking exccutive clemency.

8. Working against the death penalty and

itas an instrument of racial

and class and political repression.

9. Demanding the freedom and amnesty of

politicaliclass war prisoners, and the
abolition of prisons. Especially demand the
immediate release of prisoners who have:
served unnecessarily lengthy sentences.

10. Demanding the immediate closing of all
controlfisolation/supermax units in prisons.

Any ABC Network that forms should encourage, but

not mandate, adiversity of tacics as suggested here

and more. The network’ proposed communications
purpose could certainly also be utilized to help build

‘unity around regional cases and tactcs (i..

demonstrations at consulates, etc).

Structure and principles

‘The ABC Network should foremost intended to
accomplish the goals above among the many
autonomous groups that are doing the grassroots,
day-to-day work around campaigns, prisoners,
criminalization and liberation. What unies us are the
principles mentioned by Komboa — of struggling to
‘expose injustice, corruption and oppression;
supporting prisoners who (consciously or
unconsciously) are combatants against the state;
providing advice and support to actvists who put
their bodies on the line in defense of freedom and
revolution; and seeing our continved activism,
‘campaigns, etc. in the larger picture of prison
abolition and revolutionary change - as well as our
‘own experiences in creating conditions for change.
‘There should be no *party line” of the ABC Network.
As anarchists, we believe in building a culture of
resistance rather than legislating it. How you or your
group conducts your effort must solely up to you,
although you may want to link up to some activists
and resources, work through ideas, learn together and
Telp in others’ campaigns. But regardless, how you

organize your group must still up to your local
conditions and membership.

“The ABC Network should do its work in a broad,
nonsectarian manner. You should not have to be
explicitly named an ABC group to join. Conformity
10 certain naming, uniform moral/"security” codes,
focus, etc., all correctly critcized in previous work,
‘cannot be part of a successful initiative. This is a
fundamental difference between the proposed
Network and previous initiatives — having the
involvement, input, comments, criicisms and efforts
of local organizers, prisoners and groups is a
necessity and privilege for an ABC Network to take.
shape. Itis not a necessity or privilege for a network
o form and communicate with actvists... lose,
unannounced networks are alrcady happening. Thi
merely an effort to make it stronger and unite many
around the ideas we're already struggling toward.
Prisoners should be involved in discussions and with
area collectives or those collectives supporting the
particular prisoner. In many cases, collective-prisoner
relations already are building, and everyone should
seck t0 learn how those communications are
coordinated and developed among groups. How
prisoners fecl about the development of the Network
s ritial o its success and they should be consulted
about all ofis facets.

Tssues of racism and sexism are critical to deal with
in the movement as a whole, and all groups should
take genuine measures to involve women and Third
World/indigenous/people of color in campaigns and,
as often as possible, local groups — not only by
having their bodies around, but engaging minds and
seriously taking those ideas/comments and crit

0 heart. Too often, male- and white-dominated
groups have not made the efforts to broaden and
involve other communities, or women's input has not
been taken with the consideration and seriousness
needed. Add to this the need to build stronger ties
‘with women prisoners. This must be improved, and,
ideally, an ABC Network can dialogue around
strategies groups are utilizing to be more egalitarian
in approach.

If we are to improve an ABC Network, hearing
comments and critcisms should be a regular part of
discussions. About every six months, affliated
groups with the ABC Network, activists, prisoners
and others should be asked to give their comments,
eritcisms and suggestions for how to make the
Network better, stronger and more helpful to each
others' needs. While the purpose of this is not to
develop "legislation," it s intended to get people
regularly thinking about how we work together and
how the Network stays relevant to our unity.
However, please know that the floor should be.
always open to raise comments/ideas/critiques, etc.

‘We must welcome these ideas, because discussion,
debate and joint resolutions are how we become more
effective.

Conclusion

In June 2001, Anarchist Black Cross groups from
around Europe met in Ghen, Belgium. People from
Tualy, Poland, Czech Republic, France, Luxemburg,
UK, Holland, Germany and Belgium agreed that a
network of autonomous groups would be formed to
further the aims of the ABC. In thir post.conference
statement, atendees concluded:

“We believe in the abolition of the prison
system, but not only that, but the destruction
of capitalism and all kinds of authority. We
believe the struggle against the (in)justice
system, as it is against capitalism, is
international. Therefore recent attempts by
European governments ( e.g. Europol in
Spain 2001) to criminalise the anarchist
movement must be opposed by all
revolutionaries. We respect the variety of
ways people resist government violence and
terrorism, and will support those
incarcerated by the state. We strive to
provide practical and material aid for class
struggle prisoners and 1o encourage support
Jor them.”

The groundwork s already laid for an international
ABC network to unite autonomous groups. In
Europe, this network has alrcady come into being. It
is a network that respects the autonomy of each group
to act within the different circumstances of their own
local situations. It is a network urging support for
political prisoners. And it is one that understands that
supportis only one part of our true struggle - for
freedom, revolutionary change and anarchy.

Over the last 15 years, the Anarchist Black Cross and
‘anarchist prisoner support movements have inspired
new awareness in repression, of the need to work
with those criminalized by society in an effort to
build a more liberated world, and to develop tactics
and strategies addressing prisons, law and social
problems. The ABC movement was building on these
efforts long before these issues got attention from the

mainstream media. Nevertheless, our siruggle can
continue 10 grow and see more victorics.

Many of these ideas restate Lorenzo Ervin's original
draft proposal, although many ideas presented therein
are worth supporting, such as an ABC conference (to
potentially unite the North American section of the
network, since a European conference happened in
2001) or a newspaper that reaches out to people on
incarceration. Uniting the many prisoner-written
Zines into a "news service” of information could also
be helpful. In addition, working with various forces
1o create ABC-oriented radiofInternet programming
could also come together. Uniting our organizing to
develop theory and strategy around crime, class and
tiberation is another possibility.

Comments / Criticisms /
Interest

1If you have comments, (any kind of) eriticisms and/or
suggestions to improve this proposal or are interested
in dialoguing locally and possibly building a group or
affliating your own group, get in contact with the
initiating group (Antiprison, Austin ABC, Houston
organizing group) via email at abe-
net@anarchistblackeross.org or via post at P.0. Box
667233, Houston, Texas 772667233, USA.

Al comments, criticisms and/or suggestions received
by January 31, 2002 will be compiled (we won't use
your verbatim statements unless you ask) and an
update (0 those interested. Get in touch.

New Draft Proposal issued on 5 November 2001
Anniversary of the 1862 death sentence for 303
Santee Siowx for taking part in a Minnesota uprising
US President Abraham Lincoln commutes many
sentences, but 38 chose 1o hang ai Mankato, singing
their death song on their scaffold.

Anniversary of the 1928 banana workers' strike in
Colombia against the United Fruit Company, in
which 1,000 workers were killed.

Anniversary of the 1916 Everett, Washington,
Massacre, in which seven Industrial Workers of the
World (IWW) labor activists are murdered by
Everett's police as part of a campaign 1o suppress
working class resistance.

Revolutionary love and solidarity!

APLAN Publications
“The following publications continue to be
available through APLAN.
+ The Defiant - Prisoners in the Global Resistance
dited by Rob los Ricos and APLAN
“This long-awaited pamphlet contains writings
by anarchist prisoners Rob los Ricos, Harold
Thompson, Mark Bamsley, Ali Khalid Abdullsh
and Shaka N'Zinga, as well a a eprint of Nikos
Maziots' “plea” to the Athens Criminal Court. The
Defiant also features prisoner profiles and a
lengthy contact / resource section.
« The People’s Voice edited by Ali Khalid Abdullah
“This pamphlet contains a wide variety of
writings, many by prisoners. Some contents include.
information about the Poliical Prisoners of War
Coalition, the struggle against FIES maximum-
securityunits in Spain, October 22" anti-police
brutality events, the case of Siddique Abdullah
Hasan and a reprint of “Watts 1965 - The Decline
and Fall of the Spectacle-Commodity Economy”

‘Some Useful Cor

Several prisoners also provide leters, commentary
and perspectives

« New Afrikan Criminology Journal
(Introductory Issue) by Abdul Olugbala Shakur

“This pamphiet deals with how racist “bell-

curve” theories have contaminated the media, white
Amerika and insttutions throughou the land. It
spells out the damage this has done (o New Afrikan
communitis, especially in the vastly
disproportionate numbers of this community now
incarcerated. The pamphlet debunks myths and
traces solutions.

‘The Defiant and The People’s Voice are
available from APLAN for donations, on a slding scale
Of §3 - $5 per pamphlet. The New Afrikan
Criminology Journal is avalable for $1. We seck
distibution for these pamphlets ~ please get n touch if
you would ke a bundle (o sell i your area.

Due to our current (poor) financial ituation,
we are asking for prisoners who want these pamphiets (o
send donations of stamps f they can. All our prices are
“more if you can, less if you can't”

‘The Defenestrator / PO Box 30922/ Philadelphia, PA 19104/ USA
(The Defenestrator is an occasional radical newspaper — free to prisoners on request)
Houston ABC / PO Box 667614 / Houston, TX 77266/ USA
Mutual Aid Legal Fund / PO Box 95616/ Seattle, WA / 98145-2616 / USA
Northwest Anarchist Prisoners Support Network / PO Box 11331/
Eugene, OR 97440/ USA
(Same address for North American Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network)
Political Prisoners of War Coalition / PO Box 554/ Lincoln, MA 01773 / USA
South Chicago ABC Zine Distro / PO Box 721/ Homewood, IL 60430 / USA

APLAN Statement

‘The Anarchist Prisoners' Legal Aid
Network (APLAN) i a network of prisoners and their
allies working to end the prison system. As anarchists,
we strive for a better world, by ending class society
and all other forms of domination. The global
capitalist order has got to go! We recognize the
eradication of white
supremacy, patriarchy,
homophobia and all
other forms of
oppression as crcial in
this struggle. Inemally,
we work on
antiauthoritarian
principies. APLAN
respects the autonomy
of all oppressed people
10 self-determine forms
of sruggle and liberation.
'APLAN supports ongoing action by and for
‘anarchist prisoners, and against prisons. It s through
our projects and our groups that we make our

anarchist vision areality. We are no frend of the law,
but support and faclitate ltigation when useful. We
recognize that many non-anarchists make valuable
contributions towards an antauthoritarian, ant-
capitalist and anti-prison movement. Our resources are
scarce, but we stand by these people. Our newsleter is
‘open to their perspectives
However, we also oppose the
‘manipulation of grassroos
efforts by authoritarians and
reformists.

‘As opponents of
‘white supremacy, patriarchy
and authority, we refuse to
‘work with people that
promote oppressive
Viewpoints or behavior.
Racists, misogynists and
homophobes are not welcome i our network.

Those actively involved in anarchist projects
within the prisons make decisions, and help guide and
shape the network.