Running Down the Walls 2024 Recap

  • October 1, 2024 1:56 am
[This post only contains information relevant to Philadelphia and the surrounding area, to read the entire article follow the above link.]
What follows are recaps from many of the runs that took place on September 15, 2024. This was the 25th anniversary of Running Down the Walls. Since 1999, prisoners and supporters throughout North America have participated in this annual event, often running or walking simultaneously in many cities and prisons at once. As reportbacks come in, they will be posted here. Read more about Running Down the Walls and the ABCF Warchest.

If you missed the chance to donate, you still can via these links:
https://fundrazr.com/RDTW2024ABCF
https://fundrazr.com/supportpdtw24
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nycabc

Philly

Philly ABC held 2024 RDTW on Sunday, September 15th in solidarity with Palestinians resisting genocide. Philly ABC’s RDTW cleared 400 participants: 2 from inside prison and 398 outside plus multiple dogs and a kitten. People rolled in wheelchairs, bikes, and roller skates aswell as participating on foot. A Samidoun member joined us to speak about their important work supporting political prisoners in Palestine.

In addition to our very popular main shirt design by Sugarbombing, wemade two limited edition shirts in solidarity with Gaza and commemorating 25 years of RDTW. We are selling the last of the stock on our website at phillyabc.org/merch/, with the proceeds going towardsthe ABCF Warchest/Gaza mutual aid split.

Due to ongoing shirt sales, our total funds raised is still growing. Wealso are working with two matching donors to maximize the impact, which should help us clear over $40,000 in total. We will post the full reportback with details to phillyabc.org in November.

Call to Action: Oct 7 Week of Rage

  • September 28, 2024 1:40 am

from Never Sleep

LET the FLOOD of AL-AQSA DROWN the SETTLER EMPIRE!

Call for a Week of Rage from October 7–14: Direct action in solidarity with the Palestinian Resistance and anti-colonial movements in Turtle Island.

To act alongside the Al-Quds Axis and ‘bring the war home’ requires nothing less than a revival of anti-colonial militancy in this occupied continent. Free Palestine means death to amerika.

In commemorating one year of Operation Toufan Al-Aqsa, this is a call to go beyond the routine stage-managed ‘protest’ parades; this is a call to organize and sustain attacks on all entities, institutions, and infrastructures of the genocidal u.s.-zionist settler-imperialist order. Strike fear into the hearts of the comfortable colonizers, unsettle the settlers, just as the Palestinian Mujahideen have done.

Honor the martyrs through action. From Palestine to Lebanon to Yemen, to the millions of Native and Afrikan peoples across these lands—carry on the fight of those who dared to resist the settler-invader hordes and their capitalist slaveocracy. Target the many politicians, pigs, and profiteers that uphold the amerikan settler empire and its zionist spawn.

Share this graphic online, print and disseminate this call to action at demos, gatherings, study groups. [PDF: AlAqsaWoR]

Organize a crew—at least three people—map out the terrain, assemble necessary tools, make a plan, and go on the offensive. For ideas, check out past actions and tactical resources on unityoffields.org, and submit a report back to the_unity_of_fields@proton.me.

As Al-Qassam urban guerrillas have demonstrated, a small dedicated cell can do untold damage upon the enemy. In the midst of total genocidal devastation, the Resistance is still able to obliterate the zionist entity’s tanks with just a few men. Let’s muster the courage and conviction so we too can learn from their revolutionary example.

GLORY to the MARTYRS
VICTORY to the RESISTANCE
WHAT IS COMING IS GREATER

Monday September 30th: Letter Writing for Georges Ibrahim Abdallah

  • September 23, 2024 1:01 am

from Philly ABC

Georges-Ibrahim-Abdallah-letter-writing.jpg

Join us on Monday September 30th at 6:30pm Wooden Shoe Books as we send letters to Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a Lebanese militant for Palestinianian liberation and the single longest-held prisoner in Europe. We’ll also send cards to prisoners with birthdays in October: Jamil Al-Amin (October 4th), Malik El-Amin (October 8th), and Toby Shone (October 20).

From prisonersolidarity.com :

Georges Abdallah’s case has built significant support in Lebanon and in France, and Palestinian prisoners have highlighted the importance of Abdallah’s case as part of the struggle of the Palestinian political prisoners for freedom and liberation. He has always refused to in any way capitulate or renounce his political vision and commitment to the Palestinian cause, to the people of Lebanon, and to international struggles for liberation. He remains a committed anti-Zionist, anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist. In part because of that very refusal, he remains today imprisoned in the French prison of Lannemezan.

Legal Case

He was sentenced to life imprisonment in France, accused of participating in actions in France targeting U.S. and Israeli interests during the Israeli invasion and occupation of Lebanon. During his arrest and trial, one of his original lawyers was a spy against him, working for French intelligence. He has been eligible for release under parole since 1999, yet has been repeatedly denied. At times when his release to Lebanon has been approved by the French judiciary, the highest forces of the state, including then-Interior Minister Manuel Valls – with the clear involvement of the U.S. government, including the personal intervention of Hillary Clinton – have intervened to keep Georges locked up in French prison.

The imprisonment of Georges comes alongside the persecution and arrest of BDS activists in France for urging the boycott of Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian people, ongoing racist targeting of Arab and Muslim communities in France and the “state of emergency” being used to repress popular movements for justice, while the French state promotes itself as a supporter of “peace” in the region while acting directly in support of the Israeli occupation and Zionist colonization.

Life in Prison

Throughout his time in prison, Georges has remained politically active and, indeed, a leader, extending solidarity and full support to struggling prisoners and peoples’ movements around the world. He and fellow prisoners – Basque and Arab, among others – in Lannemezan prison returned their meals in solidarity with Palestinian hunger striker Bilal Kayed, and he has previously participated in hunger strikes in solidarity with Palestinian individual and collective strikes for justice and freedom. He recently expressed his solidarity with Toulouse BDS activists under attack and has constantly remained an active thinker on Arab, Palestinian and international liberation struggles.

If you can’t join us in person this month, you can still write to Georges at:

Mr. Georges Ibrahim Abdallah 2388/A221
CP de Lannemezan
204 rue des Saligues
BP 70166
65307 LANNEMEZAN
France

techno dystopia film series

  • September 20, 2024 1:43 am

Submission

🚂🥷 Breached: a chronicle of cargo theft
09/26 7pm
https://orcaphilly.noblogs.org/events/event/breached-screening-and-discussion/

🇵🇸🪂 Gaza Is An Image Of The Future
10/03 7pm
https://orcaphilly.noblogs.org/events/event/gaza-is-an-image-of-the-future-screening-and-discussion/
O.R.C.A
Anarchist Social Space in Philly
https://orcaphilly.noblogs.org/

UPenn Benjamin Franklin Statue Vandalized

  • September 17, 2024 1:42 am

from Instagram

🇵🇸 UPENN IS COMPLICIT IN THE PALESTINIAN GENOCIDE
At the heart of campus, the Benjamin Franklin Statue stands proudly as a symbol of imperial violence and colonialism.

This morning, an autonomous group poured red paint over the statue: a visual reminder of the over 186,000 martyrs and the university’s complicity in genocide.

The University has tried to supress the student intifada, supressing Palestinian voices, all in the name of “campus safety.” There are NO Universities left in Gaza. There are NO first days. The education system of Gaza has been systematically destroyed, and the genocide has only expanded.

DISCLOSE. DIVEST. THE STUDENTS WILL NOT STOP, THE STUDENT MOVEMENT WILL NOT BE STOPPED. UNTIL PALESTINE IS FREE.

Coverage of Protest Against Presidential Debate

  • September 13, 2024 1:45 am

from Mastodon

Several arrests were just made during a violent escalation by the Philadelphia Police after a flare was lit at tonight’s protest against the presidential candidates, the debate and Israel’s ongoing genocide on Palestinians.

Watch LIVE: unicornriot.ninja/2024/protest

Pro-Palestine/anti-occupation graffiti seen on & around the US Post Office/Passport Office after tonight’s demonstration outside the presidential debate was forcefully dispersed by riot police

“Free Palestine” spray painted in black under a sculpture next to the fancy govt building entrance to the US Post Office and Passport Office in center city Philadelphia

ALT
“Fuck Isra-Hell” spray painted in black above a black upside down triangle on a wide sidewalk

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“Free Gaza” spray painted in black on a sidewalk

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“Intifada” spray painted in red on a sidewalk

Graffiti at US Post Office/Passport Office in Philly, cont’d:

“Amerikkka” written in red all capital letters in spray paint on the stone wall just to the right of the rounded off entryway in front of thick turnstile style brown metal doors with thin window slots in them by large glass windows in the front of the US Post Office and Passport Office in center city Philadelphia at night

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“Fuck PPD” written in all caps in black spray paint on a stone wall just below the US Post Office/Passport Office window through which a well-“85 lobby is visible with about a half dozen green triangles seen protruding from the walls which read “All Services”

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Arabic lettering written under a similar looking widow view as shown in the last image

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“Free Palestine” written in all caps in black on a sidewalk close to the street in between a square venting grate on the bottom left and a computerized parking meter and street lamp base on top right

Protest Near Harris-Trump Presidential Debate Opposes Bipartisan Support for Israeli Genocide in Palestine

  • September 11, 2024 1:32 am

from Unicorn Riot

Philadelphia, PA – Protesters opposing the ongoing Israeli genocide in occupied Palestine are gathering near the security perimeter erected outside the National Constitution Center — the site of the first debate between 2024 presidential candidates Kamala Harris (D) and Donald Trump (R). A call to “shut down the presidential debate for Gaza” was announced by the Philly Palestine Coalition to rally at City Hall, which is east of the debate site.

Pennsylvania is considered the largest swing state in the presidential election. The statewide winner will take all 19 electoral votes. Street closures entered effect Tuesday morning on Arch and Market streets between 4th and 7th streets in Philadelphia’s historic Old City east of Center City. Eastbound lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge are also closed. Watch our live coverage.

A flyer from the Philly Palestine Coalition circulated online

While Trump has promised he would help Israel “finish the problem” in Gaza, the Biden administration, which includes Kamala Harris as Vice President, has repeatedly gone out of its way to continue arming, funding and politically supporting Israel throughout its deliberate mass killings of displaced civilian children, women and men alongside the targeting of life-supporting infrastructure in Gaza, including the destruction of hospitals and water treatment plants and the torture of healthcare workers.

As of September 10, at least 41,020 Palestinian residents of Gaza have been reported killed and 94,925 injured, while 692 Palestinians in the West Bank were killed and more than 5,700 injured. At least 1,139 Israelis have been killed and 8,730 injured, according to Al Jazeera, based on regional agencies’ data.

Protests outside the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July criticized Trump and the Republican Party’s alignment with Israel’s racist and far-right government; demonstrations during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago late last month highlighted the fact that no Palestinians were allowed to speak onstage at the party’s national gathering.

Clips below from Milwaukee and Chicago highlight the scope of Palestine protests that have been the most visible element of dissension around the presidential race.

While paying lip service to talk of a ceasefire, the Biden-Harris administration has continued directly enabling Israel despite the International Court of Justice’s findings that allegations of genocide are “plausible” in regards to the invasion of Gaza and that Israel’s occupation of Palestine is illegal under international human rights law and should be ended.

Recent reporting has also shown that Israeli authorities are subjecting Palestinians held in crowded administrative detention camps such as Sde Teiman to rape and torture at a mass scale – a revelation that has apparently not impacted Harris’ public, unconditional support for Israel in recent media appearances.

For more from Palestine click on image below.

Backyard Target Practice pt.1 : JLG Equipment Services Inc.

  • August 4, 2024 1:16 am

Submission

On June 20th, the Human Rights Council and the UN issued a statement identifying the major weapons manufacturers and investors in the US who are complicit in sustaining Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people. “These companies, by sending weapons, parts, components, and ammunitions to Israeli forces, risk being complicit in serious violations of international human rights and international humanitarian laws.” [Full article on ohchr.org “States and companies must end arms transfers to Israel immediately or risk responsibility for human rights violations: UN experts”]

Here is their list

Weapons manufacturers : BAE Systems, Boeing, Caterpillar, Gen Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Oshkosh, Rheinmetall AG, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, RTX, ThyssenKrupp

Investors supporting the weapons manufacturers: Alfred Krupp von Bohlen & Halbach Stiftung, INVESCO Ltd, JP Morgan Chase, Amundi Asset Management, Bank of America, Citigroup, Fidelity Mgmt and Research, Black Rock, Capital Group, Causeway Capital Management, Harris Associates, Morgan Stanley, Norges Bank Investment Mgmt, Newport Group, Raven’swing Asset Mgmt, State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance, State Street Corporation, Union Investment Privatfonds, The Vanguard Group, Wellington & Wells Fargo

These megalithic corporations have tendrils reaching across the globe, the country, the cities, our neighborhoods, right into our backyards. Time to take “not my backyard” to the next level. It’s worth doing your own research if you have the time, but we thought we’d lighten the load and roll out interesting details as we find them.

This week’s spotlight : JLG Equipment Services Inc. – a tendril of the massive weapons manufacturer Oshkosh Corporation (no seeming relation to the children’s clothing brand, confusingly).

JLG has their headquarters in McConnellsburg, PA and manufacturers some heavy machinery – one of their staples being the big lifts that are used at airports, but you can find their equipment and lifts making guest appearances at construction sites all over the city. Recently, at least 2 of these massive lifts were spotted in the Penn Campus zone of Spruce street between 38th and 34th streets. You’ll know them by their particularly fluorescent vomitous orange color and the JLG initials printed on the side.

We’ve also heard there are a few equipment rental / retail spots that stock them in Philadelphia —

Herc Rentals Inc
6951 Norwitch Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19153

Sunbelt Rentals
7700 Holstein Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19153

United Rentals Inc
3880 E Thompson St
Philadelphia, PA 19137

~ yours in love & rage ~

“israeli” flag redecorated

  • July 21, 2024 1:10 am

from Instagram

Spotted early this morning on the Ben Franklin Parkway in Philly – an “israeli” flag was redecorated ❤️‍🔥

LOCKHEED MARTIN GET FUCKED

  • July 18, 2024 1:37 am

from Never Sleep

In the unholy hours of early July we placed caltrops on the driveway of Lockheed Martin in Archbald, Pennsylvania. Hope they fucked up your genocidal vehicles. Quit your jobs. Until you do none of you fools deserve to feel safe. Free Palestine!

Ghost Robotics CEO Townhome Vandalized

  • July 18, 2024 1:32 am

Submission

In the early morning hours of July 9th, while Ghost Robotics CEO Gavin Kenneally was out of town at the Military Robotics and Autonomous Systems USA conference, several of his neighbors paid his Fairmount townhome a visit.

We threw paint and tagged the messages Ghost Robotics Kills and Murderer on the garage door and front entrance. We refuse to live in a world where Palestinians and migrants crossing the border must fear for their lives at the hands of killer robots, while the makers and war profiteers sleep peacefully in our city. We know where they live.

Running Down The Walls

  • July 16, 2024 1:49 am

from Philly ABC

rdtw-2024-sugarbombing.jpg

Sunday, September 15, 2024
11 am sharp (Yoga warm-up at 10am)
FDR Park

RDTW 2024

Philadelphia Anarchist Black Cross invites you to our seventh annual Running Down The Walls (RDTW)! This year marks the 25th anniversary of this non-competitive 5K and political education event in support of political prisoners and prisoners of war. Every year we split the proceeds between the ABCF Warchest —which has provided over $240,000 in stipends and other material support to prisoners with little or no other financial means—and a specific political prisoner, organization, or movement we want to uplift. This year we’ll be supporting and amplifying the voices of people struggling for freedom in Gaza, the world’s largest open-air prison.

Resistance is a continuous endeavor.

– Bassel Al-Araj, Palestinian scholar and former political prisoner, martyred

How will proceeds go to support Palestine? If you’ve participated in previous years, you know that we announce the recipient from day one. We have to take a slightly different approach this year due to how rapidly the situation is changing in Palestine. Given the unpredictability, the exact recipient(s) are subject to change. For example, in our initial planning meeting we were in touch with people in Cairo gathering funds for evacuations. With Rafah crossing since closed, other potential beneficiaries include vetted mutual aid groups in the Gaza Strip, and we will coordinate with trusted folks on the ground to distribute resources appropriately after the event. More information will be made available in the reportback.

Running is not required! You can also walk, roll, or cheer. We’ll begin with warm-up stretches at 10am (bring a mat if you can). At 11am, those who want to participate in the 5k will take two loops around the park; at a walking pace, this takes about 45-60 minutes. Afterwards, stay for socializing with speakers, tabling, and light refreshments.

Remote participation is encouraged! Every year we are joined by incarcerated comrades who take part in this by running, walking, or otherwise exercising at the same time as us–from behind bars. If you can’t attend the event at FDR Park for any reason, leave your shipping address in the comment box at registration, and we’ll mail you a t-shirt. If you would like to make an additional contribution beyond your own registration, please sponsor a participant either outside prison, inside prison, or one of each. Contact us for more information on sponsoring.

Due to the abominable conditions that political prisoners and freedom fighters are subjected to, let’s drum up support now more than ever. Join us as we celebrate our successes this last year, including the releases of Veronza Bowers and Eric King, and build momentum for the struggles ahead!

Pennovation Center Windows Smashed

  • July 13, 2024 1:04 am

Submission

In the early hours of July 9th we smashed every window of the entrance to the Pennovation center, a ritzy research compound in Philadelphia. The lone security guard must have been so surprised when we appeared out of nowhere and started smashing, because he didn’t even try to stop us! And we couldn’t believe how long it took for the police to show up…

The Pennovation center is home to Ghost Robotics, a company that manufactures so-called “robot dogs.” Israel has been buying these robot dogs for $150,000 apiece and using them in their ongoing extermination of Palestinians. While the University of Pennsylvania continues to enable the research and manufacture of these weapons, Israel has destroyed every university in the Gaza strip, and continues to bomb schools where Palestinian refugees are taking shelter. Breaking windows is a small retaliation, but every time we act emboldens us.

Until Palestine is free, and even then, we will never stop!

From Philly with Love

  • July 11, 2024 1:56 am

from Indybay

graffiti for Casey Goonan
graffiti for Casey Goonan
original image (1898×1068)

FUCK TURFS (TERFS) OF ALL KINDS

  • June 26, 2024 1:08 am

Submission

On the evening of May 30th we took vengence on the machinery that is laying astroturf in the Kingsessing Rec center in West Philadelphia. We hit 3 machines, pouring sugar in the gas tanks, painting windows, and taking an impact drill to all of the tires (something that is incredibly easy and effective).
Astroturf is an environmental diaster as well as a public health concern & we reject its creation and its presence through out our city, at this site and the FDR meadows. Modern convenience at the the sacrifice of Earth and the health of aniamls (including children) will be fought back against. May this be a warning to all redevelopment projects that offer convenience to some while continuing to ravage the black and brown communities who take in the most pollution from redevelopment and benefit little to none.
Land defense is not only about pushing back against the destruction of green spaces but resistence to gentrification and settler mentality. Fighting the aesthetic desires of the rich & the continuation of a society of modernities that alienates us from each other,Earth & feeds the beast of capitalism. We will be back.
In the Lenape language “Kingsessing” means “a place where there is a meadow” May grass prevail and the industrial sports complex perish! May the youth be safe from further contaminates in their limited play spaces.
Also fuck Caterpillar industries! These bastards sell construction equipment to Israel to bulldoze homes in Palesitne.

We are anti-turf, anti-terf

Almost a month later, we have noticed that all the rolls of astroturf have been removed from the Kingsessing Rec Center as well as any machinery. Without more research, we can only assume the action we took has stopped construction for the time being and scared developers of further sabotage.

Join us as we avenge the FDR meadows, Haddington Woods (construction is starting up again on the Golf Course), Bartrams North & all the sall but precious greenery in between. Keep it wild sluts.