Monday, March 5th: Letter-writing for Cleveland 4 prisoners

  • February 26, 2018 1:51 am

from Philly ABC

We’re back on our normal first Monday of the month schedule in March and will be writing letters to Josh Stafford, Connor Stevens and Doug Wright of the Cleveland 4.

They were arrested on April 30th, 2012. They were accused of plotting a series of bombings, including that of an area bridge.  However, the real story is that the FBI, working with an informant, created the scheme, produced the explosives, and coerced these four into participating.

Connor and Doug took non cooperating plea deals and pled guilty to all charges.  The judge applied a “terrorist enhancement” charge to each of them, elongating their sentences as well as subjecting them to harsher prison conditions.  Doug is serving 11.5 years, Brandon 9 years 9 months, and Connor 8 years 1 month.

Skelly took his case to trial. He went pro se and acted as his own lawyer. The FBI offered him a non cooperating plea deal with a 3 year sentence, if he would have plead guilty. Josh refused to plead guilty to something he wasn’t guilty of doing. He was found guilty on all counts by his jury and sentenced to 10 years. Even though Skelly had the most minimal role, he got the second longest sentence because he took his case to trial.

Doug and Connor plead without an agreement while facing the threat of life in prison. On appeal of there sentencing they were primarily fighting against the life long probation that was handed down at sentencing. Doug also fought against being branded the leader. After months of waiting for a verdict on the appeals, we got word back. The appeal have been denied.

They all continue to fight against the government’s attempt to brand them as terrorists and to expose the techniques of entrapment employed by the FBI and their informants.

Dinner will be served by North Philly Food Not Bombs and we will sign birthday cards for Joy Powell (the 5th), Andrew Mickel (the 13th), Cinque Magee (the 16th), and Jaan Laaman (the 21st).

[6:30 pm at LAVA (4134 Lancaster Ave)]

Whammo!: MOVE9 Parole; Addicted to Screens; Anarcho-Syndicalism in Kosovo

  • February 21, 2018 2:12 am

from The Final Straw Radio

This episode contains three segments:

Move 9 Parole
“Stare Into The Lights My Pretties”
Anarcho-Syndicalist Organizing in Kosovo

Audio Player

00:00
00:00

MOVE9 Parole

First, there’s the interview that Bursts held with Michael Davis Africa Jr., a member of the MOVE organization.  MOVE is a Philadelphia-based black liberation group founded by John Africa in 1972. The group lives communally. During the conversation, Michael Jr. talks about the case of the MOVE9, who were 9 members of that group who were arrested and accused of the killing of a police officer in 1978 in Philadelphia, a charge they each deny.  Officer James Ramp was killed following a year of the Philly PD blockading the house for a year under an eviction order and the police besieged the house on August 8th, 1978.  The MOVE 9 have been incarcerated for almost 40 years now, with Merle & Phil dying behind bars.  Police and white supremacist affiliated groups have successfully gotten parole denied for Eddie, Michael and Delbert Africa over the last 9 months as they do for many Political Prisoners from the 1960’s through 80’s in the U.S.  There are upcoming are parole hearings for Janet, Janine and Debbie Africa and more info on who to petition for their release can be found at http://onamove.com/move-9/. The name of the D.A. who prosecuted the MOVE9 in 1978 and who is still on the paperwork and has a say on the parole of the MOVE9 40 years later is named John Straub.

Coming up this Saturday, February 24th starting at 4pm there’ll be an event called “Framed In America: The Making of Political Prisoners”.  This will take place at The National Black Theater, 2031 5th Ave in Harlem, New York and will include presentations by Ramona Africa, Fred Hampton Jr, Pam Africa, Roger Wareham, Betty Davis, Ralph Poynter and Johanna Fernandez.  More info can be found on the Justice for the Move 9 fedbook group.

J20 info session and support dinner

  • January 21, 2018 7:57 pm

from Facebook

Greetings Friends,

Many of you may have heard that there was a substantial victory this past week in the cases of the more than 200 people (collectively referred to as the J20) arrested and charged at last year’s Inauguration Day protests in Washington DC. 129 people had their charges dropped, while 59 people still face multiple felonies and potentially decades of jailtime.

In an article appearing in The Intercept on Friday, one of the defendants, Miel Macchio, who was acquitted in the first trial, notes that “the dismissals are a testament to the success of the defendants’ collective defense strategy. By refusing to plea and instead coordinating their defense, the accused succeeded in thwarting the government’s effort to collectively punish dissent. ‘What we are [now] seeing, is a strategic narrowing of the government’s case,” Macchio says, “Those still facing charges are now much more vulnerable as a smaller group.'”

On this coming Sunday, January 28, from 5:30-7:30pm we will be hosting a J20 InfoSession and Support Dinner at 5835 Hadfield Street in West Philadelphia. This will be a chance for folks to gather in one place in order to be updated on the current situation, to learn how they can get involved and provide support for those still facing charges, and to generally share food and company together.

We will be making a big batch of vegan chili and some cornbread, but it would be great if others could bring and contribute food to the mix as well!

Again, the basic details:
What: J20 InfoSession and Support Dinner
When: Sunday, January 28 from 5:30-7:30pm
Where: 5835 Hadfield Street, Philly 19143

Hope you can make it!

In struggle,

Emily & Layne

Vegan Brunch Spectacular!

  • January 13, 2018 12:21 pm

from Facebook

That’s right, it’s time! Us North Philly Food Not Bombadiers wish to honor the one year anniversary of a day that shook this planet: January 20th of 2017, the day trump seized the mantle of control of this (lol) ‘democracy’. To oppose trump and his zombies, there were some brave and marvelous souls that took to the streets, galvanized into fierce action, and kicked off a wave of rebellion that has not ceased yet (we hope it never does!). Essentially they put their lives on the line, as hundreds are facing what amounts life sentences for their public defiance.

We want to offer up another all vegan brunch fundraiser as a means for people to get together, forge bonds and to hold space for this important day. Everything will be completely vegan and delicious. We will invite some other wonderful radical groups into the mix too, there will surely be some fantastic books and art.

Please make it out! Each brunch we’ve done has been better then the last. We will update menu and location as soon as confirmed!

[10AM to 3PM January 20 Location Cindergarden-Ask a skunk!]

Nightfall / Serqet (RVA) / Somnium Mori / Schiamachy

  • December 2, 2017 7:48 pm

From Facebook

Nightfall – Hardcore and noise against the bloodsuckers
https://nightfall.bandcamp.com/

Serqet (RVA) – Anarcho-Goth featuring members of Asylum & Lost Tribe
https://serqet.bandcamp.com/

Somnium Mori – Darkwave punk
https://somniummori.bandcamp.com/

Schiamachy – Melodic driving crust

Proceeds will go to the J20 Defense Fund
$7-10 sliding scale
8pm

[December 9 at Cousin Dannys]

Call to fight: Do sabotages the activities of those bastards!

  • November 19, 2017 1:51 pm

Submission

We see that the repressive campaign on the anarchist movement does not cease. Examples are enough: the operation Fénix (https://antifenix.noblogs.org/) case in the Czech Republic, the case of the Warsaw Trinity (https://wawa3.noblogs.org/), charges of bank robbery (https://solidariteit.noblogs.org/) in Aachen, courts with rebels against the G20 summit in Hamburg
(https://unitedwestand.blackblogs.org/) and other cases.

Cops, judges, prosecutors, masmedia. They are haunted, imprisoned, robbed, manipulated. This is a challenge to all Revolutionary cells and other groups and individuals. Do sabotages the activities of those bastards. Turn them into terrain, technology and structures. Organize resistance. Support the fugitive and their loved ones.

What destroys us will stop by fighting.

The goal is clear = freedom, justice, anarcho-communism

Network of Revolutionary Cells (SRB)

::::::::::::::::

– translated from the web: https://revolutionarycells.noblogs.org/

– source:
https://revolutionarycells.noblogs.org/post/2017/09/22/vyzva-sabotujte-tazeni-tech-hajzlu/

– web in english:
https://revolutionarycells.noblogs.org/post/category/english/

J20 Rally for Solidarity Reportback

  • November 13, 2017 1:01 pm

from Facebook

Thanks to so many who came through to show support. Despite unseasonably cold weather we danced our asses off, called to drop the charges and raised awareness about our upcoming trials. Moreover we triumphed over the unnecessary antagonism of the Philadelphia Police Department who pushed us off of the plaza in front of the Rocky Steps and on to the sidewalk stating ridiculously ‘the grey squares are private property. You must stay on the brown squares’. In fact the ‘grey squares’ of the Plaza are part of Fairmount Park which is as public Philly property as it gets. We stood our ground and used their ridiculous aggression to illustrate how law enforcement stifles, harasses and silences those who dissent. A very helpful member of Up Against The Law googled videos of past demonstrations on the Rocky Steps and kept engaging the cops and pointing out how they were out of line and eventually they conceded. We took the grey squares with a cry off ‘we’ve won the grey area.’ And after all that’s what we’re fighting for right? Some grey area in a world marked by straight line thinking and black and white authoritarianism. Long live the grey area! Let’s get our communities what they need and deserve. Let’s stand up for those who stand up for all of us. Let’s defend J20! If you want to get involved in ongoing efforts to support J20 defendants please message us.

Defend J20 Resistance

  • November 10, 2017 1:05 am

from Instagram

#defendj20resistance graffiti spotted over 76. Hang with us tonight, go to the rally on Saturday.

Philly J20 Rally for Solidarity!

  • November 4, 2017 1:46 am

from Facebook

Saturday November 11th from 1pm to 2:30pm come join the Philly J20 Solidarity team on the Rocky Steps at the Art Museum to help raise public awareness about the mass arrest of over 200 anti-Trump protesters on January 20th and to bolster support for defendants with upcoming trials (November. 15th and December 11th). These outlandish charges mark a new level of political repression and could set a disturbing precendent of how dissent will be handled in the future by our government.

We urge you to join us in expressing and protecting our 1st Amendment rights by participating in a J20 Dance Party and Rally, complete with a live DJ, puppets, signs and a fun environment. Come prepared to make noise, dance like nobody’s watching and have a good time. Come learn about the importance of these cases, how to support defendants and how to raise awareness about J20.

Invite your friends, family and neighbors to join us in having fun, banding together in an era of state repression and raising awareness about J20.

We thank you for the support and are excited to see you there!

To learn more about J20: http://defendj20resistance.org/

Can’t make it? Donate to the Philly J20 Solidarity Fund here: https://www.everribbon.com/ribbon/view/62860

“We won’t stop til the charges are dropped”

Bail Fundraiser for Disrupt IACP Arrest 10/21

  • October 22, 2017 1:46 am

from YouCaring

A young protestor was arrested today at the Disrupt IACP actions while helping other protestors who were being assaulted by assembled police forces. Please help us get them out of jail ASAP!

Please DONATE and SHARE this fundraiser to support action against police brutality in Philly! Any funds you can give would be deeply appreciated and will help get this person out of jail as soon as possible!!! Any additional funds will go to the PHL Anti-Repression Fund to help support future arrestees.

[Donate Here]

Tell the ADL: End Deadly Police Exchanges

  • October 15, 2017 12:26 pm

from Facebook

TELL THE ADL: END DEADLY POLICE EXCHANGES. Militaristic policing doesn’t make us safe!

Why will the Anti-Defamation League, a self-professed civil rights leader, have a table at a conference of police chiefs?

Join JVP Philly for this action outside the International Association of Chiefs of Police annual conference. We’ll be out there to call on the Anti-Defamation League to stop running exchange programs between U.S. police departments and Israeli military. These exchanges exacerbate racist police violence, militarization, and surveillance both here and in Israel/Palestine.

Policing doesn’t make us feel safe, and we reject safety built on militarized, racist, Islamophobic policing.

We’re working towards a world in which safety for all people is created through community and justice, and not for some people only through violence against others.

This action is part of the #DeadlyExchange campaign to end police exchanges between the US and Israel. To learn more and get involved with this local campaign email philly@jvp.org.

#EndtheDeadlyExchange #AbolitionWeekend

[October 22 from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM at Convention Center 1101 Arch St]

Jewish Voice for Peace Action & No IACP Bail Fund

  • October 11, 2017 12:33 pm

from Disrupt IACP

An online fundraising page has been set up in coordination with the Philly Anti-Repression Fund to preemptively prepare for any possible arrests during the mobilization against the IACP.

From the No IACP Bail Fund:

Organizations and individuals will be mobilizing in mass demonstrations and have called for decentralized, autonomous actions throughout the weekend to oppose this gathering, and we need your help! Any funds you can give will go towards bail in the event of arrests that weekend, and it’s crucial that we fundraise in advance in order to show people coming out for this mobilization that we support them.

Please donate what you can – anything you can give helps!

** All funds not used for bail during the IACP conference will be donated to the Philly Anti-Repression Fund to support future arrestees. **

Check out phillyantirepression.wordpress.com for more information on the Philly Anti-Repression Fund!

Jewish Voice for Peace – Philadelphia has called for an action on October 22nd outside the convention center targeting the participation of the Anti-Defamation League in the IACP conference. Their call, titled Tell the ADL: End Deadly Police Exchanges, reads:

TELL THE ADL: END DEADLY POLICE EXCHANGES. Militaristic policing doesn’t make us safe!

Why will the Anti-Defamation League, a self-professed civil rights leader, have a table at a conference of police chiefs?

Join JVP Philly for this action outside the International Association of Chiefs of Police annual conference. We’ll be out there to call on the Anti-Defamation League to stop running exchange programs between U.S. police departments and Israeli military. These exchanges exacerbate racist police violence, militarization, and surveillance both here and in Israel/Palestine.

Policing doesn’t make us feel safe, and we reject safety built on militarized, racist, Islamophobic policing.

We’re working towards a world in which safety for all people is created through community and justice, and not for some people only through violence against others.

This action is part of the #DeadlyExchange campaign to end police exchanges between the US and Israel. To learn more and get involved with this local campaign email philly@jvp.org.

#EndtheDeadlyExchange #AbolitionWeekend

A facebook event for the JVP event can be found here.

Notably, the ADL recently released a “primer for law enforcement” on antifa activity which included recommendations that police “plant undercover agents among antifa activists, and … film protests.” This sort of collaboration on the part of ostensibly progressive “civil liberties” organizations is a key component of the counterinsurgency strategies that the IACP promotes.

Let’s shut them all down.

True Moon•Allvaret•Ruddland•J20 Benefit

  • October 10, 2017 8:42 pm

from Facebook

True moon (Sweden) https://lovelyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/true-moon-true-moon
Spooky post punk that’s slightly poppy?

Allvaret (Sweden) https://erstetheketontraeger.bandcamp.com/album/ett-047-allvaret-skam-och-skuld-lp
FFO- the vicious, terrible feelings

Ruddland(Phl) your favorite Paul Rudd-Sisters of Mercy coverband

[October 17 at 7PM at Cousin Danny’s]

October Letter Writing & Disrupt IACP

  • September 25, 2017 2:29 pm

from Philadelphia ABC

When: Monday, October 2nd, 2017 . 6:30-8:30 PM

Where: LAVA, 4134 Lancaster Avenue

ftp2
October is a significant month for the anti-police struggle. In June of 1996, a diverse coalition of organizers came together to strengthen the peoples’ resistance to police brutality. October 22 was the date selected for a National Day of Protest (NDP) against police brutality and the criminalization of a generation. O22 has been bookmarked for anti-police demonstrations ever since.

This year, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is hosting their annual conference at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia on October 21-24th. In response, opposition has called for mobilizations to disrupt the IACP conference.

Philly ABC endorses disrupting the IACP conference and supports diverse community resistance to police terror.

In the spirit of fighting back, we’ll be featuring anti-police struggle political prisoners at our upcoming letter writing event on October 2nd, at 6:30pm at Lava. Join us for tasty vegan treats, as we ensure our imprisoned comrades, Alvaro Luna Hernandez, Reverend Joy Powell, and Josh Williams, know they are not forgotten. We will also be signing birthday cards for political prisoners with birthdays this month – Skelly Stafford (October 3rd), Jamil Al-Amin (October 4th), Mike Africa (October 6th), David Gilbert (October 6th), Malik Smith (October 8th), Seth Hayes (October 15th), Jalil Muntaqim (October 18th), and Eddie Africa (October 31st). If you cannot make it to the event, consider dropping one or more of them a line this month. This time is also dedicated to the hundreds of lives lost to badge-wearing, uniformed gang members who kill with impunity.

Brick x brick – wall x wall – free them all!
Philly ABC

– –
Rest In Power Chris Monfort. We’ll never forget you.

INFILTRATOR ALERT at Camp White Pine

  • September 16, 2017 12:33 pm

from Facebook

PLEASE SHARE, INFILTRATOR ALERT

Back in June 2017, Camp White Pine experienced an uptick in attempted infiltration. SOME entity sent no less than three infiltrators to the Huntingdon area who used various tactics to try to scheme their way into the movement.

One of them called herself “Aly Patrick.” She made contact with a local person who had been prominently in support of the Gerharts’ efforts to #StopETP since last year while that local was working in a public place. She befriended them, claiming she had moved to the area because of the lake, and because her online job allowed her freedoms. She asked a lot of questions, but couldn’t even answer the question of who her specific “online” employer was. She came to public rallies and was incredibly enthusiastic. However, she strategically avoided cameras at those events.

“Aly” claimed not to use any social media platforms. We found a picture of her anyway, taken at one of the rallies she attended. She was last seen driving a white sedan with Virgina plates and gave a phone number with a Tennessee area code. Please share with your networks, and help make sure “Aly” never succeeds in infiltrating any water protector movements.

For more insight into dirty disruption tactics read the section “Social Engagement Plan” of this article from The Intercept: https://theintercept.com/…/leaked-documents-reveal-securit…/

And this follow-up article under the section “Use as many locals as we can”: https://theintercept.com/…/dapl-security-firm-tigerswan-re…/