June 11: Statement from Jennifer Gann

Posted on 2018/05/14 by Bloomington ABC

From June 11

Insurgent greetings from behind enemy lines in so-called California (Amerikan occupied Chumash territory)!

First and foremost, a clenched fist salute to my imprisoned anarchist comrades in the U.S. and around the world!

It’s been 28 years since I was first incarcerated in 1990 for armed robbery. So, to give everyone a quick update on my personal history… I first entered the California prison system when it was racially segregated, and quickly became politicized after coming into contact with anarchists and abolitionists during the 1991 Folsom Prison Food Strike, for which I was sent to solitary confinement on “inciting” charges. As a young prison rebel in the early 1990s, I experienced the brutality and torture of solitary confinement first-hand, from beatings to gladiator fights to food deprivation and murders covered up by the corrupt pigs. I was defiant and resisted these inhumane conditions by single-handedly sabotaging and breaking 13 prison cell windows in the Administrative Segregation Unit (ASU) at Folsom. In retaliation for the beatings and torture I suffered, I attacked a pig and received 16 years added to my sentence! Subsequently, I was charged with possession of a weapon by a prisoner, battery on a state prosecutor during an attempted escape from the Sacramento courthouse, and assault with a deadly weapon on a prison warden, for which I was given multiple 25-year-to-life sentences. All of these events occurred more than 20 years ago, and I spent more than a decade in Pelican Bay SHU.

Now, in 2018, I have a new appeal under California’s Three Strikes Reform Act of 2012 which was “granted review” and is pending in the California Supreme Court. My attorney, Cheryl Anderson, says she expects me to be given a new hearing to determine if I will receive a sentence reduction and early parole date! The recent parole granted to long-time political prisoner Herman Bell gives me hope!

I’ve also recently filed an Application for Commutation of Sentence to California Governor Jerry Brown. The recent commutations of Chelsea Manning’s sentence and Oscar Lopez Rivera also give me hope for that!

I’m currently being reevaluated for sex-reassignment surgery (SRS) under California guidelines implemented as a result of lawsuits by trans prisoners Michelle Norsworthy and Shiloh Quine, seeking transgender healthcare.

I’m very grateful to my support team comrades for setting up a website and organizing an online legal fundraiser on my behalf to pay a legal consulting fee of $3000 to National Legal Professional Associates (NLPA). I appreciate all of the support and solidarity I’ve received, with special shoutouts and thanks to S—, N—, R—,S—, and I—.

I’m involved directly with Maine Anti Racist Action and Bloomington Anarchist Black Cross in bringing together a new anarchist prisoner initiative to build and strengthen our support networks, communications, and collective struggle. A fund and a paper are in the works to amplify the voices of imprisoned anarchist comrades in the U.S. specifically, and toward the concept of an anarchist prisoner conference in North America. We’ve reached out to Marius Mason, Michael Kimble, Eric King, Sean Swain, and Jeremy Hammond, among others, and I’m hopeful that we have a general consensus of the need for a new combative position toward anarchist insurgency, as expressed by our Greek comrades’ international call for Black December.

With that said, I want to express my heartfelt love and solidarity to our dear compañera Tamara Sol! Keep your head up sister! We want our freedom now and all prisons demolished immediately! ¡A la calle!

Solidarity to Antifascists!
Solidarity to Prison Rebels!

Love and Rage!

Jennifer

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“Your Vegan Option is to Take the Meat Off Your Sandwich”

Posted on 2018/05/03 by Bloomington ABC

From Support Eric King

Eric is currently engaged in a long-running fight for adequate vegan food at FCI Florence. Every day there is some degree of struggle with the kitchen staff from the constant dairy and eggs served, the meat on his tray to the guards laughing as he is served soy mush “enjoy your VEGAN slop”. When the facility is locked down or on a holiday schedule prisoners get “sack dinner” which is a bologna sandwich with cheese, Eric included. When he asks for a peanut butter sandwich (which is easy, no assembly required, a single serving of peanut-butter and two pieces of bread) he is told, “Oh we are 100% compliant, your vegan option is to take the meat off your sandwich”.

With the constant barrage of lock-downs there are weeks in which prisoners do not even have access to commissary which is necessary to supplement the BOP’s idea of vegan nutrition. So, lock-downs can often mean living without the knowledge of where food is going to come from.

Eric has filed a complaint on both the quality of the food which is not compliant with BOP regulations for a vegan tray, and the lack of vegan options. Eric is aware the “soy” he is fed comes without a label to confirm it is in fact vegan (a problem in the past). His complaints were denied, and he is now moving to the next level which is filing a complaint to the regional office and he plans to take this as far as it needs to go until there’s substantive change.

—

*Update*

EK submitted a BP-9 about this issue, which is essentially the second step in filing a complaint when it is not addressed.  The BP-9 goes to the warden and asks them to address the situation. It read as follows:

“No where on the National Menu does it say ”soy chunks” or ”soy in water”. On March 12th There was no fruit given, which is against the menu plan. On March 11,12,16,18, and 25, I was served group up soy with no seasoning or additives. The menu says ‘pasta soy’, ‘soy ziti’, ‘soy fajitas’, etc. That is what I am supposed to be getting, and that is not the case. The BP-8 response from the kitchen does nothing to address this issue. It’s been happening for months despite me bringing it to the kitchen boss and being assured it would end, this was over 2 months ago. Will be BP-10 and Law Suit Accordingly”

And here is the warden’s response, clearly ignoring his complaints:

“Your request for Administrative Remedy dated March 25, 2018 and accepted in the A.R. Program on March 27, 2018 has been reviewed. You allege the institution is not providing meals in accordance with the National Menu and policy. Specifically you allege that there was no fruit served on March 12, 2018 and that ”soy chunks” have been served instead of the proper no meat alternative, and that the soy products being served are not seasoned. As relief, you request to be provided with soy meat loaf or tofu lasagna as the no-meant alternative served..”

“..the no-meat alternative served at the institution is in compliance with the national menu. Soy meat loaf and tofu lasagna are not offered as an alternative on the 5 week menu cycle. The use of soy chunks as well as all non-meat options, are purchased from approved vendors adhering to strict specifications”..

—

Please join us in supporting Eric through this time, drop a letter in the mail and please be alert that in the future Eric may need you to take action regarding this particular issue. Thank you so much for you continued support.

In solidarity –

EK defense crew

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Marius Mason and Others Fight for Gender-Affirming Name Changes in Texas Prisons

Posted on 2018/04/28 by Bloomington ABC

From Support Marius Mason

Currently, no person inside a Texas prison can update their name. Winning this case would set a precedent for prisoners state-wide.

http://103.tpride.org/

Please spread the word about this case and donate to the legal fund at the link above.

Three specific plaintiffs—all in federal institutions—are joining together to bring this suit, but the outcome will affect hundreds if not thousands of transgender persons across Texas who have been convicted of a felony and are struggling to live authentic lives. Currently, no person inside a Texas prison or a federal prison in the state can update their name or gender marker, nor can they update their name or gender marker on release until two years after completing all terms of their sentence. Someone serving a life or long-term sentence may never be able to update these important aspects of medically necessary transgender care.

The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution bars denial of medically necessary care as a form of punishment, but that is what Section 45.103 of the Texas Family Code functions to do.

Some may object that this hides a person’s identity and thus should be upheld. As all legal name changes are registered in state identity databases, this statute does not obscure anyone’s identity; it serves no other purpose but state-sponsored harassment, which disproportionately affects transgender persons by creating unnecessary barriers to our survival.

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Urgent call for solidarity with Juan Aliste Vega

Posted on 2018/04/26 by Bloomington ABC

From Publicacion Refractario

THIS IS THE URGENT HEALTH SITUATION OF OUR FRIEND AND AUTONOMOUS, SUBVERSIVE PRISONER JUAN ALISTE VEGA.

WE MAKE A FERVENT CALL FOR SOLIDARITY.

We would like to share this story with all of you containing the details of the current state of his health:

“On December 16, 2017 I suffered an unexpected convulsion, collapsing to the ground and losing consciousness. As a result, I was transferred to the Penitentiary Hospital where my blood, urine and heart were examined. That same day I was given a medical order for treatment by a specialist neurologist in an external hospital or clinic.

After almost 80 days, I was treated by a neurologist at the San Borja Arriarán Hospital on March 6th 2018, who gave a diagnosis of secondary epilepsy after performing an electroencephalogram, an electrocardiogram and a brain scan. This is caused by an arteriovenous malformation as a result of multiple blows I had received, and the amount of time I have been living with the malformation could not be specified. He advised a primary treatment using an anticonvulsant called Levetirasetam and, together with a neuroradiologist and neurosurgeon, will find a way to perform an intravascular intervention as a first step to prevent the growth of the malformation. A further microneurosurgical intervention will then be carried out on the right side of the brain where said venous artery malformation is located.

The deadlines for these procedures are estimated at between 1-2 months, as they are urgent due to a high risk to my life and health, especially in the conditions of captivity which I have been in for 8 years now.

At present I am absolutely prohibited to practice any exercise or any sudden movement that carries a risk of hitting my head. I must rest well, although it is evident that in my circumstances of confinement, this is impossible.

It is a race against time.” Continue reading →

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Hamilton Anarchist Support for Cedar

Posted on 2018/04/16 by Bloomington ABC

From Hamilton Anarchist Support

As It Stands Today: Cedar’s Arrest

This has been a big month for Hamilton. To contextualize Cedar’s arrest, we can start with the Anarchist Bookfair in early March, our first bookfair in 7 years. The event was a smashing success, and brought together people from all over the continent to explore possibilities for radical change, to envision a world without enforced hierarchies and domination, to simply meet each other and learn from each other. The weekend was particularly marked by a small riot through one of Hamilton’s most affluent neighborhoods and down one of its most noxious commercial streets. The “Locke Street Riot” was a collective expression of rage, not only against the rapid gentrification of Hamilton, but against capitalism and the violent world of alienation it fosters. It led to a lot of productive conversations about the inevitability of discomfort in fighting for new worlds, and the importance of clarifying and articulating our politics. The riot also kicked up some toxic Hamilton sediment, including a mass spillage of sentimental tears for small businesses, shrieks of “terrorism” from city councillors, and anti-anarchist fervor from local alt-right trolls who saw this as an opportunity to step into the limelight.

Continue reading →

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June 11, 2018: A Day Against Oblivion

Posted on 2018/04/11 by Bloomington ABC

From June 11th

[PDF for reading] [PDF for printing]

June 11th is an international day of solidarity with Marius Mason and all long-term anarchist prisoners. A spark in the eternal night of state repression. A day set aside for honoring those who have been stolen from us. On this day, we share in songs, events, and actions to celebrate our captured comrades and loved ones. In years past, June 11th celebrations have been international and wide-ranging – from potlucks with friends to various inspiring attacks; fundraising benefits and prisoner letter writing nights to all of the untold and unknown ways we keep the flame alive.

Building up to this day, each year several of us come together to discuss and reflect on lessons from years past and to renew this call for continuous solidarity. This year we invite you to explore and ponder with us how maintaining support for long-term prisoners depends directly on sustaining the movements and struggles we all remain part of. How can we expect to continue through decades of support as movements, groups, and people come and go, burn out, and get caught in the exhausting ebbs and flows of struggle? Going deeper, what can we learn from long-term prisoners and their legacies of solidarity? How can we sustain and improve the health of our movements, and in turn strengthen that support? Continue reading →

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Bond Denied for Kings Bay Plowshares

Posted on 2018/04/06 by Bloomington ABC

[Donate to the Kings Bay Plowshares support fund here]

From Kings Bay Plowshares

Seven Catholic plowshares activists were arrested early Thursday morning at the Kings Bay Naval Base St. Mary’s Georgia.

They entered the base late in the evening of April 4, 2018 in an attempt to nonviolently transform weapons of mass destruction and inspire Americans to reject racism, militarism, and economic injustice. They are being held at the Camden County Public Safety Complex in Woodbine, Georgia.

On April 6 at 9:30 am the seven had a first appearance in Camden County court before Chief Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Lewis. They were charged with two felonies, Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime and Interference with Government Property, and a misdemeanor, Criminal Trespass. Despite their well-established commitment to nonviolence and integrity and a clear promise to reappear, the seven were denied bond for the felony charges. Magistrate Lewis acknowledged the seven posed no flight risk, but claimed they were a threat to the community because she believed they might return to the base.

Continue reading →

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Seven Kings Bay Plowshares activists arrested inside Trident nuclear submarine base

Posted on 2018/04/06 by Bloomington ABC

[Note from Bloomington ABC: Please show some support for the Kings Bay Plowshares by writing them at the address below. We will post further updates as they come.

Clare Grady  65197
Patrick O’Neill  65205
Elizabeth McAlister  65198
Stephen Kelly  65201
Martha Hennessy  65206
Mark Colville  65200
Carmen Trotta  65203

Camden County Detention Facility
P.O. Box 699
Woodbine, GA 31569.

Please note: “Inmates may only receive plain white postcards. Postcards may not have any pictures nor backgrounds on them. Plain white postcards may be purchased at any Post Office.  All postcards are subject to search and /or screening. Postcards should have a return address in situations where the post card must be returned. Inmates cannot receive letters or e-mail.”

From The Nuclear Resister

Seven Catholic plowshares activists were detained early Thursday morning, April 5 at the Kings Bay Naval Base in St. Mary’s, Georgia.

They entered on Wednesday night, April 4.  Calling themselves Kings Bay Plowshares, they went to make real the prophet Isaiah’s command: “beat swords into plowshares”.

The seven chose to act on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,  who devoted his life to addressing the triplets of militarism, racism and materialism. In a statement they carried with them the group quoted King, who said: “The greatest purveyor of violence in the world (today) is my own government.”

Carrying hammers and baby bottles of their own blood, the seven attempted to convert weapons of mass destruction.  

Continue reading →

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Sean Swain on hunger strike

Posted on 2018/04/05 by Bloomington ABC

From SeanSwain.org

From Friends of Sean:

We have not heard from Sean in a week and have received word via a proxy that he is 6 days into a hunger strike.

We have also heard that Sean is facing repression of various kinds, such as false conduct reports, unnecessary/unexplained cell changes, and limitation of his communications.

Although as of yet these issues are unconfirmed, we would like to request that supporters take a moment to call Warren Correctional and inquire about Sean’s status and raise concerns about how he’s being treated right now.

Warren Correctional Institution:
(513) 932-3388 – press 7 to be connected to the Warden’s office.

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Holman Report by Michael Kimble

Posted on 2018/03/30 by Bloomington ABC

From Anarchy Live

Back in 2006 a friend who practiced the Rastafarian religion was cut in the face while asleep by an unknown person. No one was ever charged and my friend sent word to me and another prisoner that he wanted us to hold down the slot he had in the chapel since he was going to be transferred because he had an unknown enemy in the population.

So, ever since 2006 i and the other prisoner have been holding talent shows, Kwanzaa events, Black August events, seminars and Black History Month events under the banner of the Rastafarian religion. Rastafarianism is just another bizarre liberation theology.

Anyway, this year i posted flyers and enlisted the participation of a few young prisoners to do a Black History Month event (speakers, poets, singers, rappers, and our first fashion show). During these events there is no pig (A.C.A.B.) participating or attending. It’s solely organized by prisoners for prisoners alone.

Continue reading →

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