[This post only contains information relevant to Philadelphia and the surrounding area, to read the entire article follow the above link.]
The state uses the imprisonment of political leaders and rank-and-file activists as a bludgeon against movement victories. Their incarceration is a reminder of the strength, potential, and, just as crucially, the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of radical mass movements. As a result, political prisoners serve collective prison time for all those who participated in the movements from which they emerged.
Dan Berger, “The Real Dragons: A Brief History of Political Militancy and Incarceration, 1960s to 2000s”
We return after Palestinian Prisoners’ Day with a renewed commitment to struggle for the freedom of prisoners everywhere, to expand international solidarity, and to tear down the walls that hold hostage the future for which we fight. This month’s In Contempt, a roundup of repression news, political prisoner updates, and prisoner rebellions, is an attempt to prove that repression breeds resistance––but only if we try. Until all are free.
A zine and pamphlet of this column will be available in the coming days to print and share with friends, comrades, and loved ones behind bars.
As always, we welcome contributions at in_contempt @ autistici . org.
The task of revolutionary theory here is to demystify (and thus shrink) the fabricated distance between the various sites/scenes of a global struggle…
Casey Goonan, Lines in the Sand
REBELLIONS
Moshannon Valley Pennsylvania
A hunger strike broke out amongst hundreds detained at the Moshannon Valley ICE processing center after multiple people fell sick due to systemic medical neglect, deteriorating conditions and unhealthy food [2]. Frontline Digity is calling for people to call the Clearfield County Commissioners in support of the strikers and to shut down the ICE processing facility [3]:
BREAKING NEWS: People detained at Moshannon Valley Processing Center have begun a hunger strike.
Reports from inside the facility describe a recent medical emergency where a man lost consciousness and did not receive proper care, along with ongoing concerns about illness, food quality, and access to basic necessities. Nearly 100 people are now participating in a hunger strike to protest these conditions.
A hunger strike is not a small action. It is what people do when they feel they have no other way to be seen, heard, or treated as fully human.
As our Executive Director, Jaime Martinez, shared:
“A hunger strike is a sign that something is fundamentally wrong. No one should have to withhold food to be seen, heard, or treated as fully human. We have an urgent moral obligation to respond to what our neighbors are enduring every day.
When a hunger strike becomes necessary in the eyes of our neighbors, the failure is not individual—it is structural, sustained, and morally indefensible. We cannot normalize it. We cannot look away. We cannot wait.
At Frontline DIGNITY, we name this plainly: this is an emergency of conscience. The conditions that produce this level of desperation must be confronted immediately—not deferred, diluted, or buried in process. Every day of delay deepens harm.
We are calling for immediate action from the Clearfield County Commissioners: shut down the Moshannon Valley Detention Center and initiate a full, independent investigation into its conditions, oversight, and impacts. Anything less is a refusal to confront what is already in plain view.”
This is happening here.
Call the Clearfield County Commissioners:
📞 (814) 765-2641
You can say: “I’m calling to demand the shutdown of Moshannon Valley Processing Center and a full investigation into the conditions inside.”
Demand accountability. Share this. Stay informed. Support the work so we can continue showing up for our neighbors.
Mumia Abu-Jamal
On the International Day of Political Prisoners, long-term political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal sent a message of support to Daniela Klette on Prison Radio, which was played at the solidarity rally in front of the women’s prison in Vechta, Lower Saxony on March 21, 2026.
The trial of Daniela Klette, an imprisoned alleged former RAF militant, has been underway since March 2025. She faces charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of weapons, and attempted and completed aggravated robbery in connection with 13 robberies. After more than 30 years underground, she was arrested in Berlin in February 2024. Last week, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office also filed charges against her, accusing her of participating in three actions attributed to the RAF between 1990 and 1993.
Hello, Daniela Klette,
I send you my greetings of solidarity.
We are dealing with a truly remarkable turn in the state’s policies. I call it “Back to the Past.” You’ve surely heard of the film “Back to the Future.” What’s happening here, however, is a “Back to the Past,” because the state is acting as if it were 1972 or 1980 again. It is obvious that this is now about the political persecution of a person because of their past connections and political actions, in which no one was personally harmed or injured. It is clear that this is a political trial.
So, Daniela Klette should be acquitted – let her finally go free!
Let’s finally return to the present. Okay? It’s no longer 1972. Not even 1982. It’s time to turn the page and embrace life in the new century. The capitalist system is now trying to punish people whose beliefs it rejected years ago and whom it couldn’t catch back then. Punishing them today for their beliefs is utterly absurd.
Freedom for Daniela Klette! Acquittal for Daniela Klette! Now!
Thank you very much. With love, not fear, this is Mumia Abu-Jamal speaking.
And in German:
Hallo Daniela Klette,
Ich sende Dir hiermit meine solidarischen Grüße.
Wir haben es mit einer wirklich bemerkenswerten Wendung in der Politik des Staates zu tun. Ich nenne das »Zurück in die Vergangenheit«. Ihr habt sicher von dem Film »Zurück in die Zukunft« gehört. Was hier läuft, ist jedoch ein »Zurück in die Vergangenheit«, denn der Staat agiert, als wäre es wieder 1972 oder 1980. Dabei ist offensichtlich, dass es jetzt um die politische Verfolgung einer Person aufgrund ihrer früheren Verbindungen und politischen Handlungen geht, bei denen niemand persönlich zu Schaden gekommen oder verletzt worden ist. Es ist klar, dass dies ein politischer Prozess ist.
Also Freispruch für Daniela Klette – lasst sie endlich frei!
Kehren wir nun endlich wieder in die Gegenwart zurück. Okay? Wir schreiben nicht mehr das Jahr 1972. Nicht einmal das Jahr 1982. Es ist an der Zeit, den Kalender umzublättern und das Leben im neuen Jahrhundert anzugehen. Das kapitalistische System versucht jetzt, Menschen zu bestrafen, deren Überzeugungen man vor Jahren abgelehnt hat und die man damals nicht zu fassen bekam. Sie heute für ihre Überzeugungen zu bestrafen ist völlig absurd.
Freiheit für Daniela Klette! Freispruch für Daniela Klette! Und zwar sofort!
Danke sehr. Mit Liebe, nicht mit Furcht, hier spricht Mumia Abu-Jamal.
“Mumia Week 26” takes place April 19-25 commemorating Mumia-Abu Jamal with a series of events throughout Philadelphia:
This events series will celebrate journalist, author, advocate, political prisoner, and ALC client Mumia Abu-Jamal’s mission and message. Honor the innocence robbed by the state & innocence to protect for the future, with a week of programs centered on the fight to free Mumia & the vital, internationalist, abolitionist, and community-affirming work happening in Philadelphia, PA every single day.
Free Them All Sunday Service + Community Dinner Sunday, Apr. 19 | 2:00 PM : Tabernacle United Church
Innocence & Abolition Arts N Crafts Night: Monday, Apr. 20 | 5:00 PM: 4157 W Girard Ave
We! Want! Freedom! Trivia Night Teach-In (21+ w/ valid ID): Thursday, Apr. 23 | 6:30 PM: Tattooed Mom 530 South St
“Mumia Lives!” Birthday Celebration & Film Screening: Friday, Apr. 24 | 6:30 PM: Friends Center 1501 Cherry St
#MumiaWeek’26: March of Innocence: Saturday, Apr. 25 | 4:00 PM: One Art Community Center
Learn more & register for the events: https://luma.com/mumiaweek
Write to Mumia:
Smart Communications/PA DOC
Mumia Abu Jamal #AM8335
SCI Mahanoy
Post Office Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733
Resource Distribution Program / Political Prisoner Support Initiative
Free Tha Land DAPS family, here is an update to our Free Store Program in collaboration with @thelastpoet_hhb & @sol_said_earth_ ! Our distribution program, operating every friday in South Shore, is collecting donations for hygiene amenities and clothing resources. Every donation allows us to continue addressing the needs of the community, fighting back against manufactured resource scarcity in our beloved neighborhoods, whilst providing monetary support for 3 of Our Movement’s Political Prisoners. We are raising our donation goal from $600 to $800 so that $200 can be reserved to support Mumia Abu Jamal, Jakhi Mcray, and Malik Muhammad. We keep each other safe, fed & clothed. Free tha resources, Free tha land!
BIRTHDAYS
Mumia Abu Jamal
Birthday: April 24
Mumia is an award winning journalist and was one of the founders of the Black Panther Party chapter in Philadelphia. He has struggled for justice and human rights for people of color since he was at least 14 years old––the age when he joined the Party. In December of 1982, Mumia, who moonlighted by driving a taxi, happened upon police who were beating his brother. During the melee, a police officer was shot and killed. Despite the fact that many people saw someone else shoot and then run away from the scene, Mumia was convicted and sentenced to death by what can only be called a kangaroo court. During the summer of 1995, a death warrant was signed, which sparked one of the most effective organizing efforts in defense of a political prisoner ever. Since that time, Mumia has had his death sentence overturned, but still has a life sentence with no opportunity for parole. More information: freemumia.com
Philadelphia: “Mumia Lives!” Birthday Celebration & Film Screening: Friday, Apr. 24 | 6:30 PM: Friends Center 1501 Cherry St
Smart Communications/PA DOC
Mumia Abu Jamal #AM8335
SCI Mahanoy
Post Office Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733
As PADOC is a digital mail scanning state, please use single sided letters; books must be sent to Mumia Abu Jamal #AM8335 / 268 Bricker Road / Bellefonte, PA 16823-1667
Casey Goonan
Birthday: April 24
Casey Goonan is an anarchist/anti-imperialist political prisoner incarcerated for actions carried out in solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide in Gaza and response to the repressive actions against the pro-Palestine student encampments in the United States. In January 2025, Casey pleaded guilty to one count of maliciously damaging or destroying property used in or affecting interstate commerce by means of fire or an explosive for the arson attack on a campus police car. As part of a plea agreement, Goonan took responsibility for the other attacks but pleaded not guilty to the additional charges and was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison. More information: freecasenow.noblogs.org
Casey Goonan #24611 511
FCI Allenwood Medium
Post Office Box 2000
White Deer, Pennsylvania 17887
[This post only contains information relevant to Philadelphia and the surrounding area, to read the entire article follow the above link.]
Intro
“Through our ability to help one another articulate our suffering, we help one another to act. And in helping one another to act we help to demonstrate to those around us that something different, something other than what currently is, is possible. When we unabashedly grieve, fully, publicly, without reservation, we invite other to do the same. Every act of resistance sows the seeds of its own replication. When we resist as part of daily life, we sow the reproduction of a daily life of resistance. “
We return, our hearts inflamed for our companions in struggle enduring the worst of state repression, with the latest In Contempt, a roundup of repression news, political prisoner updates, and prisoner rebellions. While repression may be inevitable for any movement for freedom, the future of the prison world is not. Until the day the cages are empty and the prisons are ashes, we must support those fighting inside for freedom.
A zine and pamphlet of this column will be available in the coming days to print and share with friends, comrades, and loved ones behind bars.
As always, we welcome contributions at in_contempt @ autistici . org.
NO ONE WAY WORKS,
it will take all of us shoving at the thing from all sides to bring it down.
— Diane di Prima, Revolutionary Letter #8
Political Prisoners / POWs
Casey Goonan
Casey Goonan has posted a Bookshop.org Wish List where people can purchase books to be sent to them at their new location at FCI Allenwood. Among many other topics, they’re interested in Palestinian history, political analysis, and literature, Black philosophy and critical theory, Autonomous marxisms, Analysis of the George Floyd Uprising, and books by anarchist historian Paul Avrich.
If you purchase books through other outlets please be mindful of the mail rules for Casey’s facility. You can send them as well as letters to:
Casey Goonan #24611-511
FCI Allenwood Medium
Federal Correctional Institution P.O. Box 2000
White Deer, PA 17887
George Floyd Uprising Prisoners
As far as we know, the current prisoners––welcome home Margaret!––from the George Floyd Uprising and their addresses to write letters of support are:
David Elmakayes #77782-066
USP Lee
U.S. Penitentiary
Satellite Camp
P.O. Box 644
Jonesville, VA 24263
Smart Communications/PADOC
Khalif Miller #QQ9287
SCI Forest
PO Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL 33733
As always a printable letter writing zine is available to distro.
Project Salt Box has been investigating ICE property acquisitions: according to their current data, ICE has purchased warehouses for large-scale immigrant processing and detention facilities in Romulus MI, Tremont PA, Socorro TX, Hamburg PA, Salt Lake City UT, San Antonio TX, Social Circle GA, Flowery Branch GA, Roxbury NJ, Surprise AZ, and Williamsport MD; and is currently eyeing locations in Durant OK, Starke FL, McAllen TX, Port Allen LA, Holtsville NY, and Orlando FL.
Birthdays
Mumia Abu Jamal
Birthday: April 24
Mumia is an award winning journalist and was one of the founders of the Black Panther Party chapter in Philadelphia. He has struggled for justice and human rights for people of color since he was at least 14 years old––the age when he joined the Party. In December of 1982, Mumia, who moonlighted by driving a taxi, happened upon police who were beating his brother. During the melee, a police officer was shot and killed. Despite the fact that many people saw someone else shoot and then run away from the scene, Mumia was convicted and sentenced to death by what can only be called a kangaroo court. During the summer of 1995, a death warrant was signed, which sparked one of the most effective organizing efforts in defense of a political prisoner ever. Since that time, Mumia has had his death sentence overturned, but still has a life sentence with no opportunity for parole. More information: freemumia.com
Smart Communications/PA DOC
Mumia Abu Jamal #AM8335
SCI Mahanoy
Post Office Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733
As PADOC is a digital mail scanning state, please use single sided letters; books must be sent to Mumia Abu Jamal #AM8335 / 268 Bricker Road / Bellefonte, PA 16823-1667
Casey Goonan
Birthday: April 24
Casey Goonan is an anarchist/anti-imperialist political prisoner incarcerated for actions carried out in solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide in Gaza and response to the repressive actions against the pro-Palestine student encampments in the United States. In January 2025, Casey pleaded guilty to one count of maliciously damaging or destroying property used in or affecting interstate commerce by means of fire or an explosive for the arson attack on a campus police car. As part of a plea agreement, Goonan took responsibility for the other attacks but pleaded not guilty to the additional charges and was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison. More information: freecaseynow.noblogs.org
Casey Goonan #24611 511
FCI Allenwood Medium
Post Office Box 2000
White Deer, Pennsylvania 17887
[This post only contains information relevant to Philadelphia and the surrounding area, to read the entire article follow the above link.]
In mid-January, government officials went on a series of site visits at the following locations of proposed ICE detention centers. Their plan is to retrofit industrial warehouses to save time and money. If all of these facilities were built it would add up to over 15 million square feet of space and increase bed space by 85,000, which would in turn facilitate more “surge” operations to detain our neighbors en masse. It’s up to us to stop them.
“Mega Centers”
50 Rausch Creek Road, Tremont, PA
Processing Sites
3501 Mountain Road, Hamburg, PA
CONFIRMED purchased warehouses:
3501 Mountain Rd, Hamburg, PA 19526 (capacity 1,500)
Finally! As you may have seen elsewhere, Casey is finally out of the holdover unit at FCI Mendota and is in the transfer pipeline to their designated facility.
At 4 am on Tuesday, 2/11, Casey was woken up, told to pack it up, and then put on the bus before the sun rose. They were transported from Mendota to the SF Federal Bldg and then to the county jail in downtown SF. Casey reported that coming over the hills that morning into the Bay as the sun rose, they felt blessed. Casey, sitting in a van still cuffed up, was able to see the horizon, able to see the sun’s light grow and spread over the city and the Bay.
While at the SF jail, Casey was able to walk around the unit freely, talk to others, and enjoy phone access with their friends and loved ones in a way not possible for months in that shithole holdover unit. Casey and a member of our committee were able to have a loving, hour long conversation that didn’t feel like a rushed whisper through a keyhole. ❤️
Casey didn’t spend long in SF before they were put on a plane. On Friday, Casey showed up on the BOP inmate locator at FCI Allenwood – Medium, one facility of three in a prison complex located in northern Pennsylvania.
A few notes about Casey’s current placement:
This may be an intermediate placement. We have not confirmed with Casey that this is their permanent designated facility and this may well be a temporary location. All prison systems are opaque and move people around at will according to their own fickle bureaucratic criteria. When we confirm this is to be Casey’s designated facility, we will let you know.
It’s always good to write! Address for the facility is below. But know that in addition to this possibly being a short-lived placement, sometimes Casey’s mail has been held by the mailroom for weeks or months. We have also found that multiple pieces of mail have been blocked or “lost” as well. So independent of Casey being at Allenwood permanently or temporarily, know that comms through the mail are goofy as well as slow and fully surveilled.
Conditions have changed already. According to Casey, this current spot is more capable meeting their needs as a diabetic. They are let out of their cell from 8 am to 5 pm, have phone access, and at the time of the last call with fam, Casey was on their way to check out the library (!! of course. If you know Casey…🙂)
At some point, Casey’s counselor told them that they had been given a “Low” security classification. This has not been formally confirmed. So again, we will let you know when we know more. And yes, a Low can be sent to a Medium level facility – Welcome to the byzantine nature of prison regulations and practices.
All property is surrendered on transfer out of a holdover unit so Casey has to start over in terms of personal property and nutritional supplements from commissary to deal with their diabetes. To send funds to keep Casey’s commissary account topped,up, you can Venmo Casey’s fam – @JuliePetersonG
More on the toll of “holdover life”
Casey spent over 4 months in holdover at Mendota. Holdover – the limbo unit for people being received, moved, etc. – is worse than solitary in many respects. You have no property, no programs, limited access to anything but your tiny cell, and no definite date for getting out. Casey had only minimal access to medical care for their diabetes: insulin only dispensed once per day, insufficient blood sugar checks, mediocre diet, and maximum stress and uncertainty. The poor care had started to permanently damage Casey’s eyesight. If they were to continue much longer in holdover, Casey was anticipating needing a new prescription in order to read or see adequately.
Also, every other person that passed through holdover at Mendota only spent a few weeks there. A month in and Casey became in effect the “OG” of the unit, the prisoner housed there the longest, orienting others to the layout and program of the place. Yet again, to those who been locked up or who have years doing prisoner support, the question at some point becomes “Is this bullshit targeted or is it just random, just industrialized abandonment and they don’t give a shit about anybody?”
Well, Casey is a political prisoner. And while everybody inside gets a number and everybody gets put in the uniform, there is nonetheless a wild card or two in the deck for politicals. Consequences can be heavier. And that’s another thing for people on the outside to remember and take to heart regarding risks, expectations, and communications with our loved ones inside.
Legal update
Casey has been working on a habeas petition with another legal team in order to appeal their conviction and sentencing. The deadline for this filing will be 12 months from their sentencing (Sept. 23, 2026) so we will report more on this in the coming months as it develops.
[This post only contains information relevant to Philadelphia and the surrounding area, to read the entire article follow the above link.]
IN CONTEMPT returns with the next monthly prison rebel roundup. Packed in as always are updates, action and analysis we hope helps build inside-outside networks of resistance. Over 100 copies are sent to comrades behind bars each month!
Following the closing of It’s Going Down, a new collective will continue publishing monthly “In Contempt” updates on this noblogs. Please submit any updates and calls to action to the new email in_contempt at autistici dot org.
A lot has been happening, so lets get to it!
Phone Zaps
Call in For Mumia Abu-Jamal!
Political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal is being denied essential medical care
As of February 2026, Mumia has not received treatment for his diabetic retinopathy or agressive glaucoma. His vision has been restored to a point after having a procedure done, but his vision is still at risk without further treating the underlying condition. He needs an opthamologist or he risks going blind!
Please call, email, and write letters to SCI Mahony and the secretary of the Pennsylvania department of corrections this week. They are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST.
Call:
SCI Mahanoy superintendant Bernadette Mason: (570) 773-2158
PA Department of Corrections secretary Laurel Harry: (717) 728-4109 or (717) 728-2573
Berndatte Mason SCI Mahanoy 301 Grey Line Drive, Frackville PA 17931
Basic Script:
“Hello, my name is _____ and I am calling to request that Mumia Abu-Jamal #8335 needs to be seen and treated by specialists, who treat diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. He also needs to be examined for new glasses, a heart healthy diet, filtered water, and regular exercise, indoors and out.”
Bloomgerg reports these locations and bed capacities that ICE seeks to acquire: Tremont, Pennsylvania- 7,500. Roxbury, New Jersey-1,500. Hamburg, Pennsylvania-1,500.
RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER! New date is Saturday 2/21.
Hack the Planet! Come hang with us for a night of cinematic cybercrime as we raise money and support for Casey Goonan! Casey is an anarchist/anti-imperialist political prisoner incarcerated for actions carried out in solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide in Gaza. We’ll be watching Hackers (1995) and writing letters of encouragement for Casey in preparation for their transfer and taking donations for their support fund!
[This post only contains information relevant to Philadelphia and the surrounding area, to read the entire article follow the above link.]
Though with a delay, we return with the monthly news roundup of analysis on prison rebellions and imprisoned freedom fighters that is IN CONTEMPT! Once again, the US has seen unprecedented authoritarian repression confronting determined community resistance. As we enter another insurrectionary moment, we are reinvigorated by the relentless struggles of political prisoners worldwide who continue to inspire collective action through words and deeds.
Following the closing of It’s Going Down, a new collective will continue publishing monthly “In Contempt” updates on this noblogs. We hope this publication helps develop networks of inside-outside solidarity – over 100 copies are mailed to people behind bars each month! Please submit any updates and calls to action to the new email in_contempt at autistici dot org.
“Escalation means that you trade your banner for a sledgehammer, you lock on and get in the way of business as usual.” – Sean Middlebrough, escaped Palestine Action UK prisoner
11 Charges Against the Northumberland 2 Dropped
In December 2025, Philly ABC announced that the judge overseeing the case against the Northumberland 2––Cara and Celeste, accused of freeing hundreds of minks from a fur farm in PA––dismissed ELEVEN charges total between defendants Cara and Celeste—including one count of ecoterrorism and several misdemeanors.
The next step is a pretrial conference in February. After that will come trial.
While this is big and exciting news, the case isn’t over yet. Cara and Celeste still have many charges to fight. Trial will come with extra costs on top of the other legal fees.
“Joe-Joe” Bowen is a Black Liberation Army (BLA) Prisoner of War, serving two life sentences for the assassination of a prison warden and deputy warden, as well as an attempted prison break which resulted in a five-day standoff after his initial arrest.
Joseph Bowen #AM-4272
Smart Communications/PADOC
SCI Fayette
P.O. Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL 33733
As PADOC is a digital mail scanning state, please use single sided letters; books must be sent to Joseph Bowen #AM4272 / 268 Bricker Road / Bellefonte, PA 16823-1667
Hack the Planet! Come hang with us for a night of cinematic cybercrime as we raise money and support for Casey Goonan! Casey is an anarchist/anti-imperialist political prisoner incarcerated for actions carried out in solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide in Gaza. We’ll be watching Hackers (1995) and writing letters of encouragement for Casey in preparation for their transfer and taking donations for their support fund!
from In Contempt[This post only contains information relevant to Philadelphia and the surrounding area, to read the entire article follow the above link.]We return with another monthly roundup of news and analysis on political prisoners and prison rebellions.This past month has a lot of love and a lot of loss. Our hearts are enflamed in revolutionary memory of the past that isn’t past but is what drives our struggles forward.
Following the closing of It’s Going Down, a new collective will continue publishing monthly “In Contempt” updates on this noblogs. People can submit updates and calls to action to the new email in_contempt at autistici dot org. Look out for monthly printable zines!
We’re also interested in providing more up to date roundups about international political prisoners, so please contribute if you can, whether updates or translations.
So much is happening so let’s jump right in!
March for Mumia
The 12 day march for Mumia, which began in Philadelphia on November 28 will end outside SCI Mahoney on December 9, demanding freedom for Mumia, freedom for all political prisoners, and justice for revolutionary elders.
Pennsylvania uses Connect Network/GTL, so you can contact him online by going to connectnetwork.com, selecting “Add a facility”, choosing “State: Pennsylvania, Facility: Pennsylvania Department of Corrections”, going into the “messaging” service, and then adding him as a contact by searching his name or “AF3896”.
Birthday: Monday, December 15
Fred Burton AF3896
SmartCommunications / PADOC SCI Somerset
P.O. Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733
Alejandro Rodriguez-Ortiz
A former Vaughn 17 defendant. While the state has now dropped its attempts to criminalize Alejandro in relation to the uprising, all Vaughn-related prisoners continue to be targets for retaliation. Years later, these prisoners are still being abused for staying in solidarity with one another against the state.
A former Vaughn 17 defendant. While the state has now dropped its attempts to criminalize Jonathan in relation to the uprising, all Vaughn-related prisoners continue to be targets for retaliation. Years later, these prisoners are still being abused for staying in solidarity with one another against the state.
Pennsylvania uses Connect Network/GTL, so you can contact him online by going to connectnetwork.com, selecting “Add a facility,” choosing “State: Pennsylvania, Facility: Pennsylvania Department of Corrections”, going into the “messaging” service, and then adding him as a contact by searching his name or “NU0434.”
Birthday: December 31
Address:
Smart Communications / PA DOC
Jonathan Rodriguez – NU0434
SCI Rockview
P.O. Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL, 33733
Bambule, or ‘Riot’ as it is roughly translated into English from its original German prison slang, tells the story of some adolescent school girls and their struggle against the oppressive detention center they are forced to work and learn in. As the characters plot, scheme, protest, escape, return, love, care, and fight, the movie tries to tackle the question of ‘what does solidarity with students look like?’ Which is ultimately left unanswered, so join us in conversation after the movie as we try to tackle the same question.
[This post only contains information relevant to Philadelphia and the surrounding area, to read the entire article follow the above link.]We return with another monthly roundup of news and analysis on political prisoners and prison rebellions.
This past month has seen an unprecedented rise in repression as Trump further consolidates authoritarian power and unleashes militarized fascist police violence on communities across the so-called US.
Following the closing of It’s Going Down, a new collective will continue publishing monthly “In Contempt” updates on this noblogs. People can submit updates and calls to action to the new email in_contempt at autistici dot org.
So much is happening so let’s jump right in!
George Floyd Uprising Prisoners
As far as we know, the remaining George Floyd Uprising prisoners’ addresses are:
David Elmakayes 77782-066
USP Lee
U.S. Penitentiary
P.O. Box 305
Jonesville, VA 24263
Smart Communications / PA DOC
Khalif Miller / #QQ9287
SCI Forest
P.O. Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL 33733
Political Prisoner Birthdays
Dwayne Staats
One of the two Vaughn 17 defendants to be convicted for taking part in the Vaughn prison uprising of early 2017. Dwayne and his co-defendant Jarreau “Ruk” Ayers bravely admitted to their own parts in the uprising, and then, free to testify openly without fear of incriminating themselves any further, tore holes in the prosecution’s attempts to convict anyone else – as he put it, “we’d accept being stabbed in the chest to present others from getting stabbed in the back”. To learn more about Dwayne in his own words, you can follow his instagram, read his letter to the Kentucky Attorney General, or his contribution to the Vaughn zine, “Live from the Trenches”.
Her name, Assata Shakur, has become an iconic symbol of Black revolutionary resistance to the white nation and American empire. Shot, beaten and threatened with death, Assata lived up to the meaning of her name: “She who struggles.” Born Joanne Deborah Byron on July 16, 1947, in Queens, N.Y., she came of age during the tumultuous 1960s, when young Black people joined movements and organizations devoted to Black liberation. She joined the Black Panther Party and later, the Black Liberation Army (BLA), and emerged as one of its best-known and best-loved members.
When three young Panthers were driving south on the New Jersey Turnpike, they were ambushed by state troopers, and a shoot-out ensued. One Panther, Zayd Malik Shakur and a state trooper, were shot and killed. Assata was also shot, under her arm. The third Panther, Sundiata Acoli, also survived the ambush. Both survivors were charged with murder. Assata endured some 10 trials or so, winning acquittal after acquittal after acquittal. She was convicted once, and the state threatened her with another conviction for killing of Zayd.
A BLA squad went to her jail and set her free. Shortly thereafter, she made it to Cuba, which granted her political asylum. She began teaching in Cuba, wrote riveting poetry, and prayed for social change in America, and of course, freedom for the Black Nation. She served her people and freedom’s cause with bravery, beauty and brilliance. She represented her generation as Harriet Tubman represented hers.
Press Statement: On the ongoing crackdown against West Papuan activists (27th August 2025)
The Merdeka West Papua Support Network strongly condemns the ongoing crackdown on democracy activists in Papua, today, Wednesday, 27 August, in the town of Sorong, following the unlawful transfer of four Papuan political prisoners to Makassar District Court — a clear violation of Article 85 of Indonesia’s Criminal Procedure Code.
Milk Tea Alliance Statement on the Brutality of Policing in Indonesia (29th August 2025)
A rail station tear-gassed, Affan Kurniawan killed by being run over by an armoured car protesters attacked with water cannons, batons, and the brutality of policing. Over 600 people have been arrested. That was just on the 28th of August in Jakarta, when thousands protested against excessive government pay. Yet it is not isolated, protests in Pati a few weeks earlier faced similar police violence, as did the protests against the TNI law earlier this year. This is not okay, the violence by the police and security forces has been brutal, excessive, and indiscriminate. Moreover, journalists have been attacked and media organisations threatened.
Philly ABC held our 25th Anniversary Running Down the Walls (RDTW) on Sunday, September 15th 2024 in solidarity with political prisoners everywhere and Palestinians resisting genocide in Gaza, the biggest prison on earth. This was, to our knowledge, the largest RDTW ever, with 398 comrades on sneakers, rollerblades, and weelchairs, multiple dogs, and a kitten joining us at FDR Park. More comrades participated from within prison walls, including Toby Shone and other prisoners at HMP Garth in the UK, Marius Mason and other prisoners at FMC Fort Worth, Jesse (Tall Can) Cannon at the Sierra Conservation Center, and Jerome Coffey at SCI Pine Grove. We’re thrilled to announce that in addition to being the most well-attended, this RDTW was also the most financially successful: we raised $41,243! All of the proceeds have now been disbursed to the Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF) Warchest and Palestinian mutual aid projects.
The morning began with scholar, facilitator, and yoga teacher Sheena Sood leading us in a warm-up in the grassy area in front of the Boathouse Pavilion. Emceeing the rest of the event was YahNé Ndgo of Homegrown Maroons, the Annual Maroon Legacy Prisoners’ Families Brunch, the Care Space Project, and the Black Alliance for Peace. YahNé got the 5k going in three waves―fast, medium, and leisurely―while supporters lined the path to cheer and hand out water. After reaching the finish line, participants visited tables representing Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, the Philly chapter of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement,Solidarity Food Not Bombs, the Philly Socialist Rifle Association, and others. Black Liberation Army militant and ABCF co-founder Ojore Lutalo was also present to share his most recent art.
Once everyone returned, we gathered to listen to Abu Ali from Samidoun speak movingly about the importance of supporting prisoners and the connections between resistance at home and in the tunnels. Other speakers followed, including Indigo from Philly Queers for Palestine and a representative from Casey Goonan’s support group. We also read solidarity statements sent by imprisoned comrades Xinachtli, Marius Mason, Oso Blanco, Toby Shone, and Jesse Cannon.
All participants received the official event t-shirt. This year we also printed two limited edition shirts in solidarity with Gaza and commemorating the 25th anniversary of RDTW. The remaining stock of all the designs are still for sale on our website.
Ordinarily, we split profits evenly between the ABCF Warchest and a different political prisoner or organization each year. This year, for the first time, we did not designate a specific co-recipient before the event. Early in our planning, we corresponded with people in Cairo who facilitated evacuations from Gaza, but then Israel seized and closed the Rafah Crossing, making this work impossible. Acknowledging that the situation would likely continue to be fluid and unpredictable, we decided to rally simply for “mutual aid in Gaza” and choose specific co-recipients based on the emerging reality on the ground. Given the strength of our fundraising and the urgency of the situation in Palestine, we ultimately decided to send equal amounts to the ABCF Warchest and four carefully selected Palestinian mutual aid organizations: Thamra, the Sameer Project, the Operation Olive Branch Family Encampment, and the Sanabel Team.
Thamra promotes food sovereignty in Northern Gaza through restoring water access, building urban food gardens, and providing fresh produce. It was created by farmer Yousef Abu Ra- bea, whose family has cultivated straw- berries in Beit Lahia for generations, and photographer Leena Almadhoun. Early in the escalation of the genocide, Yousef managed to hastily collect seeds and seedlings from his family farm before evacuating amidst heavy IDF shelling. Upon his return, he scavenged dried-out peppers and eggplants from the ruins. He and his brothers began planting anew in rooftop containers, and in the land between their home and a destroyed kindergarten. Once they could provide fresh produce for their family and surrounding community, they began traveling across Northern Gaza, sharing food, seeds, and water, and creating new gardens. On Octo- ber 22nd ― shortly after Philly ABC learned of Yousef and Leena’s work but before we were able to make contact with them ― we learned that Yousef was martyred alongside another team member, Zakaria Abu Sultan, by a targeted IDF airstrike. Their work is now being continued by the organization Yousef created. We extend our support and solidarity to Thamra in Yousef and Zakaria’s memory.
The Sameer Project is a grassroots aid organization led by four Palestinians in the diaspora. Originating as an informal mutual aid network within an extended Palestinian family, it expanded to coordinate shelter and medical aid in central and South Gaza, and food, water, diapers, and medical aid in north Gaza. We are supporting their recent initiative, the Refaat Alareer Camp, which provides shelter and medical care in central Gaza for perinatal and neonatal people, children with disabilities, and adults with special needs and mobility issues, war injuries, and chronic diseases. The Refaat Alareer Camp is named after the professor, writer, and co-founder of We Are Not Numbers, whose last prophetic poem written to his daughter Shaimaa, “If I Must Die,” has become a touchstone of Palestinian resilience both in Gaza and internationally. In December 2023, after months of death threats, Refaat was martyred in a targeted Israeli airstrike that also killed his brother, sister, and four of his nephews. In April 2024, after being displaced from their home in Shujayya, Shaimaa was martyred alongside her husband and two month-old son in an Israeli airstrike. In September 2025, the Refaat Alareer Camp was targeted by the IDF and had to be relocated. On April 6th 2025, the IDF assigned a “red zone” to the area surrounding the new camp, and it was displaced a second time. In June 2025, camp manager Mosab was martyred. We extend our support and solidarity to the Sameer Team in the memory of Refaat Alareer, Shaimaa, and Mosab, and in the spirit of Alareer’s final printed words: “If I must die, / you must live.”
Since July 2024, the Operation Olive Branch Family Encampment has faced evacuation orders and the closure of humanitarian corridors to provide food, water, medical care, and other necessities to 300 residents requiring urgent perinatal care in Gaza. It is expanding to provide the same level of support to 1000 residents with disabilities and urgent medical needs. OOB is an international organization that links on-the-ground mutual aid projects with international support. The Family Encampment is coordinated by PAL Humanity, two Palestinian doctors and sisters who provide field visits and distribute medical aid; Palestinian dentist Dr. Zayn Eldeen, who distributes infant formula and hot meals; and Palestinian cook Amani Alkahlout, who cooks for hundreds of families in Rafah and runs supply deliveries.
The Sanabel Team is a Palestinian-led mutual aid initiative launched in 2018 to help families in need in Khan Yunis. It has since expanded to provide food, clean water, and basic needs to families displaced internally in Gaza and externally to Egypt. The Gaza team continues to provide daily hot meals despite constant threat of violence and repeated displacement. On at least one occasion (October 7th 2024), the team has been forced to flee their mobile kitchen under Israeli bombardment. On May 27th 2024, Sanabel worker and video editor Muhammad was martyred during the Israeli bombing of a refugee camp that killed 44 other people and wounded more than 200, most of them women and children. Muhammad was 27. We extend our support and solidarity to Sanabel in Muhammad’s memory.
The Anarchist Black Cross Federation Warchest was established in 1994 through coordination between the ABCF and political prisoners Ojore Lutalo, Sundiata Acoli and Sekou Odinga. It covers monthly stipends to political prisoners and prisoners of war with insufficient other sources of support. It also provides one-time grants in emergency situations and when prisoners are released. Many of its recipients are movement elders facing lengthy sentences for significant work in support of Black liberation, decolonial, ecological, and anarchist movements. Longer-term prisoners tend to be forgotten over time―indeed, this is one of the primary goals of their incarceration. By staying in dialogue with these comrades and making sure they remain materially supported, the ABCF not only ensures we don’t leave behind those who’ve given the most for our struggles, it also ensures that their voices are at the center of how we evolve our movements into the future. Please read more about the current Warchest recipients―14 friends and comrades most of whom have spent decades in prison for their beliefs or actions for freedom, autonomy and justice―using the link above. Get involved in our work keeping connections with those locked up by sending them mail or signing up for our announcement list.
Disbursing funds took longer than usual this year due both to the extreme complexity of making sure people on the ground in Gaza would actually receive the funds — including the martyring of intended recipients by the IDF before we could get funds to them — and also the sudden stroke that afflicted our fiscal sponsor, Daryle Lamont Jenkins. A full accounting of money in and out is listed in the tables below.
Proceeds
Event registrations and day of shirt sales
$16,418
Matching donations
$23,250
Post-event shirt sales
$1,575
Total
$41,243
Costs
Wholesale participant t-shirts
$2,440
Benevity (matching program) fee
$779.76
Fiscal sponsorship fee
$400
Total Costs
$3,619.76
Subtotal to disburse
$37,623.24
Beneficiary disbursements
Thamra
$7,575
Operation Olive Branch Family Encampment
$7,575
The Sameer Project
$7,575
The Sanabel Team (+$221 Givebutter fees)
$7,343.24
ABCF Warchest
$7,555
Total
$37,623.24
We send you this reportback with thanks for your support for Philly’s 2024 RDTW and celebration of its success, but also with ongoing concern. The struggle continues both for Gazans facing an ever-intensifying genocide, and for our longtime comrades behind bars, some of whom have now been imprisoned for over 50 years. Let’s stay committed to these interlinked struggles, and continue supporting our comrades everywhere.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.
For Black August we’re screening Eyes of the Rainbow and giving out copies of the new edition of Freeing Assata during open hours. O.R.C.A. is open from 5pm to 9:30pm for open hours and we’ll start the film at 7:15pm.
Eyes of the Rainbow is a documentary that features an interview with Black revolutionary Assata Shakur in Cuba following her escape from prison. Assata discusses her experiences as a prisoner, her life in Cuba, and being part of the African diaspora.
Freeing Assata is a zine that tells the story of Assata Shakur’s liberation from prison by members of the Black Liberation Army. A new second edition includes a second account and is available online as a PDF here.
