Posts by Philly Anti-Cap

Kevin McNamara, “Webmaster” for the Proud American Patriots Network

  • January 20, 2022 1:00 am

from Community Reseach Opposing Hate

2022-01-26: This article has been updated upon learning that McNamara is no longer working for LVHN.

This past fall, hackers released a trove of data from Epik, a domain registrar and web hosting company notorious for hosting far right content. If you have 180 GB to spare, you can download the entire leak from DDOSecrets’ wiki on Epik. We requested and received a series of csv files containing records for Pennsylvania domain registrar customers from Panic! in the Discord research collective before they closed up shop in November.

The leak includes, among other things, customer names and addresses associated with the Proud American Patriot Network (PAPN), a far right militia with direct ties to the Three Percenters. PAPN has already been covered by Bucks County reporter Cyril Mychalejko and Jared Holt of Right Wing Watch & DFRLab. Our understanding of PAPN depends heavily on Mychalejko & Holt’s reporting.

 

The organization was founded in 2020 by husband and wife Theodore “TJ” and Brittany Kosin of Doylestown. The Kosins initially came onto the right wing activist scene as Three Percenters, but started to distance PAPN from the militia network since the Capitol riot (J6). This has been a trend nationwide, according to Holt. In July, the Canadian government listed The Three Percenters as a terrorist organization.

Picture of TJ & Brittany Kosin
TJ & Brittany Kosin

In late August, PAPN planned a protest of the Bucks County School Board over mask mandates. The event was sponsored by PAPN & “The Parents of Central Bucks School District,” according to flyers. A grassroots campaign against the protest was started on Facebook, and successfully got it shut down. After this failed protest, PAPN engaged in typical public relations, denying ties to the Three Percenters, even denying that they were a militia.

Mychalejko’s research clearly contradicts these statements, as does the site history on the Wayback Machine at archive.org and PAPN’s recent decision to rename their scholarship program after Kyle Rittenhouse.

Latin translates to “Liberty or Death. Never Give Up, Never Surrender.”
Jan 10, 2021, PAPN promotes raising funds for Ashli Babbit’s family. Babbit was killed after breaking into a barricaded area in the Capitol.
Rittenhouse Scholarship
PAPN’s youth scholarship program is now named after Kyle Rittenhouse

The Dox

dox image w/ McNamara in Confederate and skull maskCROH would like to introduce you to Kevin M. McNamara (52) of Allentown. McNamara is a software developer who previously worked for the Lehigh Valley Health Network and webmaster for various domains associated with PAPN, including <proudamericanpatriotsnetwork.org> and <forumpa-pn.org>. Despite being an Epik domain, <pa-pn.org> was not listed in the leaked data. The Wayback machine shows that <proudamericanpatriotsnetwork.org> started to redirect to <pa-pn.org> at some point between April 16 and August 17, 2021, so it is possible that the domain was purchased after the leaked data was obtained. These domain records include TJ and Brittany Kosin’s names, as well.

Screenshot of database records with McNamara's name next to domains associated with PAPN
Some Epik domains associated with Kevin McNamara & PAPN. THEOANDSON.XYZ may be a test site for THEOANDSON.COM, TJ Kosin’s business website.

McNamara’s Facebook profile is full of far right dog whistles and memes. He has posed in a confederate flag mask, as well as the skull mask popularized by the neonazi paramilitary group AtomWaffen Division.

We were able to confirm his former employment at LVHN on his Facebook and LinkedIn profile.

Screenshots

McNamara’s profile banner was created by the white supremacist media outlet VDARE.

McNamara in confederate maskIdentifying Info:

dallas cowboys tattoo
Cowboys tattoo on right arm
Cross tattoo on left forearm
Cross tattoo on left forearm.
chest and shoulder tattoos
Various chest and shoulder tattoos
leg tattoos
Leg tattoos (blurred out puncture wound)

Pipeline Construction Halted in Chester, PA

  • January 10, 2022 1:31 am

from Twitter

#BREAKING Chester Co, PA: a local nurse and scientist lock down to highly controversial Mariner East pipeline construction and halt construction.
[Video Here]

In Contempt #12: New Year, Same Struggle for Abolition

  • January 2, 2022 1:59 am

from It’s Going Down

[This post only contains information relevant to Philadelphia and the surrounding area, to read the entire article follow the above link.]

Happy new year! Welcome to 2022 and the first installment of In Contempt!

In today’s column, we have a lot of news to cover. From updates on political prisoners, to ways to support abolitionist projects, publications, and groups. There’s so much going on, so let’s dive right in.

Political Prisoner News

Perhaps the biggest piece of political prisoner news from the last month is that Russell Maroon Shoatz has died, after 49 years in prison and 52 days out on “compassionate release”. You can read a statement on his passing from his representatives at the Abolitionist Law Center here, and another from the New York Anarchist Black Cross.

Maroon’s passing has also been marked by a poem from fellow political prisoner Sundiata Acoli.

Vaughn 17

There are a number of updates to share around the Vaughn 17. Vaughn 17 prisoner John Bramble, who was recently transferred back to Delaware, and Ronald “Comrade Pound” Maxime have launched a hunger strike demanding to be moved out of Vaughn due to the retaliation they have been facing. At SCI Phoenix in Pennsylvania, Vaughn 17 prisoner Dwayne “BIM” Staats is calling for people to help pressure the prison administration, who are trying to provoke an incident that could sabotage his progress back into general population. The Movement Magazine, published by Pennsylvania’s Human Rights Coalition, has recently published a story by BIM and Jarreau “Ruk” Ayers, telling the story of deceased Vaughn prisoner Kelly Gibbs and his former co-defendant Keith Gibson. Issue 45 can be downloaded from their website.

Finally, supporters are continuing to fundraise for Kevin Berry, a former Vaughn prisoner who was recently released and needs support as he adjusts to the outside world.

Uprising Defendants

Everyone should support the defendants facing charges related to their alleged participation in the George Floyd uprising – this list of our imprisoned comrades needs to be getting shorter, not longer. See Uprising Support for more info. The status of pre-trial defendants changes frequently, but to the best of our knowledge they currently include:

David Elmakayes 77782-066
FDC Philadelphia
PO BOX 562
Philadelphia, PA 19105

You can donate to David’s legal funds here.

Lore-Elisabeth Blumenthal 70002-066
FDC Philadelphia
PO BOX 562
Philadelphia, PA 19105

Philly March Demands Mumia Abu-Jamal Be Freed From Prison

  • December 31, 2021 1:58 am

from Unicorn Riot

Philadelphia, PA – After 40 years of incarceration, the movement to free Mumia Abu-Jamal continues. Hundreds gathered with a giant Mumia puppet outside Philadelphia’s City Hall near the statue of Octavius V. Catto before marching through streets south of Center City on December 11, 2021.

Unicorn Riot was live for the rally and march:

[Video 1] [Video 2]

Mumia, a journalist and radio newscaster for National Public Radio in the 1970s, was sentenced to death after being convicted of killing Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner. The movement that supports him has long seen him as a leading example of a political prisoner punished for supporting Black liberation in the United States, and a symbol of a racist system. He’s always claimed his innocence, and since his incarceration began, the mass movement has continued pushing for the government to release him from prison. Even though his death sentence was overturned in 2001, he was commuted to a life sentence without parole in 2011.

As speakers on the march explained, some supporters believe a new trial could clear him, but the review of his conviction has languished in higher courts. District Attorney Larry Krasner and his team found six boxes of documents that the defense never received. Although Krasner is known as more of a reformer than his corrupted predecessor Rufus Seth Williams, Krasner’s reluctance to push for review of this case drew an investigation from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

A few of the speakers at the December 11 rally included Pam Africa (MOVE), Gabriel Bryant, Rev. Keith Collins, Suzanne Ross, Jacky Hortaut (from France), and Cindy Lou.

During the march, Pam Africa spoke to Unicorn Riot about organizing for Mumia’s freedom since day one. She said just because he’s not free doesn’t mean the movement is weak. “We’re not without, we are with. We’re not 40 years weaker, we’re 40 years strong.“

Mumia has had a myriad of health issues lately and has not received the greatest care while in prison. Besides contracting COVID-19 in prison, Mumia is struggling against hepatitis and trying to recover from recent open heart surgery.

Steve, one of the speakers and participants in the demonstration, came all the way from France with his friend to show solidarity to Mumia—he has been organizing demonstrations in France at locations like the U.S. Embassy for years. During the march, Steve shared with Unicorn Riot their recent experience visiting Mumia in prison. Steve said that Mumia was smiling behind his mask and in good spirits and also writing again.

Unicorn Riot also streamed a similar rally in Philadelphia in April 2021.

Supporters maintain websites about the effort to free Mumia, including FreeMumia.com, BringMumiaHome.com, and the French site, Libérons Mumia!

This Is America #155: Philly and Spokane Heater Bloc; Discussion on Coup Power Point

  • December 31, 2021 1:33 am

from It’s Going Down

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Welcome, to This Is America, December 30th, 2021.

On today’s episode, we are joined with members of Heater Bloc Spokane and Philly, as we discuss how they are responding to attacks on houseless and displaced people in their communities and working on a new mutual aid initiative that involves creating DIY “heaters” that are designed to be (more) fire safe in tents and encampments. For a guide on how to build your own heaters, go here. Check the links above for ways to donate.

Joined by a special guest from Feel the News, we then switch gears and talk about the recent leak of a power point presentation outlining the January 6th attempted coup and how a series of text messages from Fox News anchors directly to Trump officials during the storming of the capitol shines a light on the relationship between the State and the corporate press.

January discussion: the schizophrenic experience

  • December 26, 2021 1:41 am

from Viscera

With the holidays coming up, we’ll be having our next event on Sunday, January 2nd from 1-3, where we’ll be discussing (anti) psychiatrist R.D. Laing’s writing on schizophrenia and social control with a chapter from The Politics of Experience and the Birds of Paradise.

There is no such ‘condition’ as ‘schizophrenia’, but the label is a social fact and the social fact a political event

the schizophrenic experienceDownload

Barring the weather being really awful, this event will be in our backyard somewhere in West Philly where we can have a fire in peace. Please contact us for the address and (optional but encouraged) bring something to burn.

Phone Zap for John Bramble and Ronald Maxime: On Hunger Strike at James T. Vaughn Prison

  • December 23, 2021 1:38 am

from It’s Going Down

Comrade John Bramble (SBI 450202) and Comrade Pound, aka Ronald Maxime (SBI 646319), went on hunger strike at James T. Vaughn prison on Saturday, demanding to get transferred out to another facility. John Bramble was moved back to James T Vaughn prison after filing a successful lawsuit against PA a couple months ago, and has since been harassed by guards, moved to solitary confinement, under investigation, multiple times. Both he and Comrade Pound are both under investigation now in the hole by Lt. Dejesus who is seeking revenge for the 2017 prisoner uprising at C-Building in James T. Vaughn prison.

Both our comrades have not been told why they are under investigation. The guards lied to Ronald and told him he had a lawyer visit, then brought him to an interview room with Lt. Dejesus, where he was told he has a write up for “gang affiliation” (which is not news, and is well documented). Lt. Dejesus has never come to talk to Johnny, but he is supposed to. While under investigation, their mail has been tampered with and access to communication is limited.

Direct Calls:

Commissioner Monroe Hudson – (302) 739-5601

Jaime Young- (302) 857-5347;

Community Relations – (302) 857-5246

Shane Troxler at the Bureau of Prison – (302) 857-5221

Warden Robert May – (302) 653-9261

Governor John Carney – (302) 744-4101

Script:

“Hello, I am calling on behalf of two prisoners at James T Vaughn prison, John Bramble SBI 450202 and Ronald Maxime SBI 646319. They are both demanding to get transferred out of James T Vaughn to another prison facility, as they are not safe at James T. Vaughn since being held under investigation for over a week illegally. They have both been on hunger strike since Saturday. Ronald Maxime wants the warden to come speak to him. I urge you to transfer both of them to another facility.”

Three more Philadelphia Proud Boys have been charged in Capitol riot after taking photos inside a senator’s office

  • December 21, 2021 1:36 am

from Mainstream Media

Isaiah Giddings, Brian Healion, and Freedom Vy are accused of flashing hate symbols inside a U.S. senator’s office and posing on the steps of the Capitol during the insurrection.

From left to right: Brian Healion, Freedom Vy, Zach Rehl, and Isaiah Giddings pose for a photo on Jan. 6 in the office of Sen. Jeff Merkley (D., Ore.), according to federal prosecutors.
From left to right: Brian Healion, Freedom Vy, Zach Rehl, and Isaiah Giddings pose for a photo on Jan. 6 in the office of Sen. Jeff Merkley (D., Ore.), according to federal prosecutors.

Federal prosecutors Tuesday unsealed charges against three more members of the Philadelphia Proud Boys related to the Jan. 6 insurrection, after agents uncovered photos of the men flashing hate symbols inside a U.S. senator’s office and posing on the steps of the Capitol during the riot.

The three men — Isaiah Giddings, 29, of Philadelphia; Brian Healion, 31, of Upper Darby; and Freedom Vy, 36, of Philadelphia — were arrested Friday, and have been charged in federal court in D.C. with unlawful entry on restricted buildings or grounds, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Giddings’ attorney did not immediately return a request for comment. It was unclear whether Healion or Vy had obtained lawyers.

The new charges against the Philadelphia Proud Boys members come after prosecutors have pointed to the chapter’s president, Zach Rehl, as having a top-tier leadership role in strategizing the group’s plan of attack on Jan. 6. And it was, in part, a search of Rehl’s phone that led agents to charge the other three.

In a group chat on Jan. 5 — which authorities found on Rehl’s phone after his March arrest — the men swapped information about their blood types and emergency contacts with an unnamed person before carpooling to Washington, court documents say.

According to the charging documents, contact information for Giddings, Healion, and Vy in Rehl’s phone all included the letters “PB,” and other messaging content led investigators to believe the men knew each other, at least in part, due to their affiliation with the Proud Boys. Investigators have described the Proud Boys, a militant nationwide organization whose members were among Donald Trump’s most vocal and violent supporters, as one of the primary instigating forces behind the Capitol attack.

Zach Rehl (top left), Isaiah Giddings (center), Freedom Vy (bottom left), and Brian Healion (bottom right) on the Upper West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, according to investigators.
Zach Rehl (top left), Isaiah Giddings (center), Freedom Vy (bottom left), and Brian Healion (bottom right) on the Upper West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, according to investigators.U.S. District Court Filings

“Im ready my dudes,” Rehl texted the group just before 4 p.m. on the eve of the insurrection.

That evening, hotel records show the four — Rehl, Giddings, Healion, and Vy — checked into the Darcy Hotel, around two miles from the Capitol.

According to court filings, by 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 6, Vy and Healion were snapping selfies in front of the Washington Monument, flashing the “OK” hand gesture, which has been classified by the Anti-Defamation League as a symbol of hate and affiliated with white supremacy.

And after a large mob breached the barriers around the U.S. Capitol around 1 p.m., Rehl, Healion, Giddings, and Vy posed for a group photo on the Upper West Terrace of the building while flashing the “OK” hand signs, according to court records.

Rehl would later post the selfie to his Telegram group chat on Jan. 7, captioned: “Badass pic in DC.”

Zach Rehl (front), snaps a selfie with Freedom Vy (left), Isaiah Giddings (right), and Brian Healion (back right), according to investigators.
Zach Rehl (front), snaps a selfie with Freedom Vy (left), Isaiah Giddings (right), and Brian Healion (back right), according to investigators.U.S. District Court Filings

According to court filings, publicly available images and video depict the men entering the Capitol building. Agents were able to better view the Giddings’ and Vy’s faces when they lowered their neck gaiters on camera, court filings said.

A photo texted to Rehl from Healion shows the four sitting and standing near a desk in the office of Sen. Jeff Merkley (D., Ore.) during the breach. A photo later published in the New Yorker magazine showed Rehl smoking a cigarette and checking his cell phone in the midst of a mob in Merkley’s office.

Around 11 a.m. on Jan. 7, as the group checked out of their hotel, Giddings texted the unnamed person with an update: “everyone all accounted for all safe […] none of our Philly guys had any PB gear the entire event just plain trump supporters from beginning to end thank for the constant check ups and the law enforcement and news updates.”

Rehl was charged in March in a federal conspiracy case along with three other Proud Boys leaders, and is being held in prison without bail. On Tuesday, Rehl was named in a sweeping lawsuit brought by Washington, D.C., Attorney General Karl A. Racine against the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers militia, seeking costly financial penalties intended to hobble the far-right groups he alleges were at the center of the violence. Rehl is also named in a lawsuit from the Capitol Police that contends Trump conspired with the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and others to commit “bias-motivated acts of terrorism.”

At least 694 people — including more than 60 from Pennsylvania — have been arrested in connection with the Capitol riot.

Liberate Your Fridge

  • December 16, 2021 1:03 am

from Instagram

Photo by North Philly Food Not Bombs on December 15, 2021. May be an image of text that says 'BERAT E YOUR FRIDGE WHO YoU SERVE? POLICE fucki 12 The North Philadelphia Food Not Bombs crew is deeply in need of a new or used refrigerator to continue a hot meal to our most vulnerable neighbors. to our mission of serving a fridge or know someone who does, get in touch. If you have access We can pick up!'.
[The North Philadelphia Food Not Bombs crew is deeply in need of a new or used refrigerator to continue a hot meal to our most vulnerable neighbors. to our mission of serving a fridge or know someone who does, get in touch. If you have access We can pick up!’]

Experiencing lots of Craigslist missed connections lately 🥵 dm if you can help us 😉

In Contempt #11: 2021 Comes to a Close

  • December 2, 2021 1:57 am

from It’s Going Down

[This post only contains information relevant to Philadelphia and the surrounding area, to read the entire article follow the above link.]

Supporters of Philadelphia defendant Lore Elisabeth Blumenthal have now created a new flyer to raise awareness of her case.

https://nitter.net/pic/media%2FFEzicreXwAEkR5m.jpg%3Fname%3Dorig

Uprising Defendants

Everyone should support the defendants facing charges related to their alleged participation in the George Floyd uprising – this list of our imprisoned comrades needs to be getting shorter, not longer. See Uprising Support for more info. The status of pre-trial defendants changes frequently, but to the best of our knowledge they currently include:

David Elmakayes 77782-066
FDC Philadelphia
PO BOX 562
Philadelphia, PA 19105

You can donate to David’s legal funds here.

Lore-Elisabeth Blumenthal 70002-066
FDC Philadelphia
PO BOX 562
Philadelphia, PA 19105

Upcoming Birthdays

Fred “Muhammad” Burton

Fred Burton is one of the Philly 5, a group of men accused of an alleged attack on a police station that left one officer killed. He was sentenced to a life term for murder. Burton has maintained his innocence since his arrest. His preferred name is Muhammad, but envelopes should be addressed to Fred Burton.

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: December 15

Address:

Smart Communications/PA DOC
Fred Burton
AF3896
SCI Somerset
Post Office 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.

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 “NW2883.”

Birthday: December 17

Address:

Smart Communications/PADOC
Alejandro Rodriguez-Ortiz, NW2883
SCI Coal Township
PO Box 33028
St Petersburg, FL 33733

Jonathan Rodriguez

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. More than three 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 Phoenix
PO Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL, 33733

Monday November 29th: Letter-writing for Oso Blanco

  • November 24, 2021 1:56 am

from Philly ABC

images/oso-blanco.jpg

The National Native Day of Mourning (so-called Thanksgiving) marks the invasion, theft of land, and genocide committed against the Indigenous Native People by European colonialists and later by their Amerikan descendants. UFF Ohio 7 comrades, Kazi Toure and Jaan Laaman, will be conducting a 24 hour fast on Nov. 25th and ask you to join:

This fast is to recognize and highlight the genocide of Native People and the theft of Native land. This is NOT just a historical horror – it continues today with all the injustices, abuses and ongoing land and resources theft committed against Native People all across this imperialist – colonialist USA state. In particular we focus on and demand the immediate release of Leonard Peltier – Native Elder, AIM activist, teacher, mentor, sun dancer and our dear friend and brother. Leonard is a political prisoner, in captivity over 44 years! Leonard must be freed – all U.S.-held political prisoners must be freed! Many Native Councils and governments have long called for Leonard’s release. Very recently, 10 US Senators and Representatives have called for President Joe Biden to release Leonard Peltier. We welcome everyone, each one of you, to join Kazi and Jaan in fasting, however long and in whatever way is meaningful for you, on Nov. 25th. Also do all you can, to get Leonard out of captivity NOW– see Leonard’s website for how you can help! FREE LEONARD PELTIER! FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS!

– Jaan Laaman

Philly ABC is hosting an anti-colonialist letter-writing in solidarity with imprisoned indigenous freedom fighter Oso Blanco. Join us Monday, November 29th, 6:30pm online! We’ll be sharing some information on Oso Blanco’s case, as well as updates on several political prisoners. As we write letters, the film ‘Zapatista’ will be streaming since Oso Blanco is being held captive for expropriating funds to support the Zapatistas. We also encourage folks to send birthday greetings to political prisoners with birthdays in December: Fred “Muhammad” Burton (the 15th) and Casey Brezik (the 30th).

November discussion: The Trap

  • November 21, 2021 1:06 am

From Viscera

This month we’ll be watching Adam Curtis’s three part documentary, The Trap: What Happened to Our Dream of Freedom? from (dusts off label) 2007! Curtis examines positive versus negative freedom with examples ranging from the Austrian school of economics to R.D. Laing and anti-psychiatry to neoliberalism and the occupation of Iraq.

If you’ve never watched an Adam Curtis feature you’re in for a treat!

We’ll be meeting in Clark Park on Sunday, November 28th, from 1-3 barring us finding somewhere congenial and heated – meet near the chess tables.

You can find the documentary on YouTube (or elsewhere) – each part is one hour, and we’ll be discussing all three!

In Contempt #10: Anarchist & Antifascist Prisoner News, Political Prisoners Released, George Floyd Repression Updates

  • November 2, 2021 1:26 am

from It’s Going Down

[This post only contains information relevant to Philadelphia and the surrounding area, to read the entire article follow the above link.]

Welcome to the tenth installment of In Contempt, your monthly one-stop shop for state repression news, political prisoners birthdays and updates, and information about how to support those being targeted by the State in the aftermath of the George Floyd rebellion.

With so much to cover, let’s dive right in!

Uprising Defendants

Everyone should support the defendants facing charges related to their alleged participation in the George Floyd uprising – this list of our imprisoned comrades needs to be getting shorter, not longer. See Uprising Support for more info. The status of pre-trial defendants changes frequently, but to the best of our knowledge they currently include:

David Elmakayes 77782-066
FDC Philadelphia
PO BOX 562
Philadelphia, PA 19105

You can donate to David’s legal funds here.

Lore-Elisabeth Blumenthal 70002-066
FDC Philadelphia
PO BOX 562
Philadelphia, PA 19105

Upcoming 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 read his account of the whole case here, check his writings on the Vaughn 17 site, his recent letter to the Kentucky Attorney General, or his contribution to the Vaughn zine, “Live from the Trenches.”

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 “NT0000”.

Birthday: November 10

Address:

Smart Communications/PADOC
Dwayne Staats, NT0000
SCI Phoenix
PO Box 33028
St Petersburg, FL 33733

 

Former Black Panther Russell “Maroon” Shoatz Freed From Prison After 49 Years

  • October 27, 2021 1:13 am

from Truthout

Russell "Maroon" Shoatz is pictured after his release from solitary confinement.

Russell “Maroon” Shoatz, the Black liberationist long respected as a political prisoner and freedom fighter by friends and supporters, was granted a medical transfer on Monday to leave a Pennsylvania prison for treatment and hospice after five decades of imprisonment.

A former member of the Black Panther Party and a soldier in the Black Liberation Army, Shoatz organized inside prisons for decades to abolish life sentences without parole, inspiring activists and attorneys to take up the cause.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is now considering whether a legal challenge to the state’s practice of denying parole hearings to people serving life sentences for certain second-degree murder convictions can proceed. All life sentences in Pennsylvania excluded the possibility of parole, and the state has the highest per-capita rate of people serving life sentences in the nation and the world, according to the Center for Constitutional Rights.

The 78-year-old Shoatz, who remains highly influential within the Black liberation and prison abolition movements, is reportedly terminally ill after being diagnosed with cancer. In social media posts, activists and family members who spent years fighting for his release celebrated on Monday after a judge in Philadelphia agreed to transfer Shoatz from a prison to a hospital.

In 2014, Shoatz was released from solitary confinement after spending 22 consecutive years in “the hole” and later won a $99,000 legal settlement. Supporters say the solitary confinement amounted to retaliation against Shoatz’s efforts to organize other “lifers” and abolish what activists now call “death by incarceration,” or life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Shoatz, who is considered both a political prisoner and prisoner of war by supporters, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison after a 1970 attack on a Philadelphia police station.

As they are today, tensions over racist police violence were running high in Philadelphia during the summer of 1970, when Police Chief Frank Rizzo ordered a crackdown on Black liberation groups ahead a national convention of the Black Panther Party. Anger boiled over after police once again killed an unarmed Black youth, and police were attacked in retaliation, leaving one officer injured and another dead. The attack prompted a raid on the Black Panther headquarters and the arrest of multiple activists.

Shoatz went underground but was arrested and convicted of murder two years later; supporters have said he was falsely accused. Shoatz escaped prison with other Black liberationists twice before being hunted by authorities and captured again. The liberationists were called the New African Political Prisoners of War.

Shoatz spent much of his life resisting solitary confinement, inspiring activists in the free world and working for the liberation of people sentenced to die in prison. Shoatz’s supporters say he is now free to rejoin his family during the final stage of his life.

Monday October 25th: Letter-writing for Dan Baker

  • October 23, 2021 1:24 am

from Philly ABC

dan-baker-letter-writing.jpg

Dan Baker is a social justice activist and former army vet. He went AWOL instead of fighting in Iraq, and then took his training to help defend Rojava with the International Freedom Battalion and was featured on VICE. Dan was also active during the George Floyd rebellion and took part in CHAZ . He was arrested on January 15th, 2021 after the FBI compiled social media posts related to Trump supporters’ actions on inauguration day to build a criminal case against him.

Dan was facing up to 10 years for two counts of transmitting a communication in interstate commerce containing a threat to kidnap or injure. On October 12th, he was sentenced to 44 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. Join us on Jitsi (link will be shared the day of) as we listen to a podcast about the case and write letters of support to him. He is currently held at FDC Tallahassee, but will likely be moved to a longer-term facility in the coming weeks to serve out the remainder of his sentence.

We also encourage sending birthday cards or notes to political prisoners with birthdays in November: Ed Poindexter (the 1st), Joe Dibee (the 10th), Fidencio Aldama Perez (the 15th) and Josh Williams (the 25th).