Special Black August Birthday Event for Russell Maroon Shoatz

from Philly ABC

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Sunday 8/23, 4:30pm
Malcolm X Park

This month’s letter-writing event will be a special Black August edition on Sunday August 23rd, the 77th birthday of Black Liberation prisoner Russell Maroon Shoatz. Join us in signing conscious birthday cards, talking about his case and history of struggle, and engage in political education through a raffle!

The PE raffle prizes are four pairs of Nike shoes that were donated in support of this event:

Nike Flight Legacy Men’s size 9 – white/black/red

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Nike Air Max Excee Men’s size 8.5 – black/white/dark grey

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Nike Fly By Low II Men’s size 11.5 – black

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Nike Bendassi JDI Women’s size 10 – black/rose gold

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If you win a pair of shoes in your size, great! Otherwise you can trade or give to someone that fits them. The raffle is a way to engage in Black August study, with each ticket containing information on related topics. We look forward to the discussions that carry on after!

We’ll also be making announcements about the upcoming 5K in Maroon’s honor, as the registration deadline is the following day (Aug 24). If you want to participate but haven’t registered yet, you can do it here! We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and go over logistics. This will also be a good opportunity to submit tabling requests for the event, if you have material you would like to share.

We look forward to seeing you at this special, Black August edition card writing event for Maroon!

Prisoners’ Lives Matter: Dwayne Staats on Hunger Strike in SCI Albion

from AMW English

Prisoners' Lives Matter: Dwayne Staats on Hunger Strike in SCI Albion

Prisoners Lives Matter

by Dwayne “Bim” Staats

-On Wednesday July 8th, Michael Discenko #ME3162 (inmate at S.C.I. Albion, residing in the restrictive housing unit) was tested for COVID-19 because he was due to be released soon (July 15th).

-Sunday July 12th, medical staff (dressed in hazardous suits) went to Michael’s cell to inform him that he’d tested positive for COVID-19, and that another test would be arranged soon.

-Sunday night, a group of us held a meeting to discuss the circumstances. Our conclusion was that the administration was going to quarantine the whole tier without giving the rest of us testing or removing Michael. To counter the inevitable, ten of us decided to go on hunger strike in protest of them leaving Michael on the tier and not giving us testing.

-Monday morning, July 13th, 6:15 am, corrections officer does count and announces that the tier will be quarantined for 14 days… 7:30 am, the ten of us refused our breakfast… 8:00 am, captain and lieutenant come on the tier to investigate why we didn’t eat. They stated that exceptions would be made for us to take showers (which I consider a death trap)… 12:30 pm, inmates from an adjacent tier were brought over to use our showers while we’re “quarantined.”

-Tuesday July 14th, the tier was notified that outside recreation will be available (pretty sure this concession was only offered with hopes that we would start taking trays).

-Wednesday July 15th, 4:30 am, Michael is notified that he won’t be getting tested, and to pack up because they’re releasing him at 6:30 am… 8:00 am, Michael is made aware that they’re (D.O.C.) not putting him on a van. Instead, they’re driving him directly to his house (they never let him warn his family). Michael’s cell was beneath mine, which enabled us to communicate through the vent in our rooms. He expressed that he was a-symptomatic, and like the rest of us in solitary confinement, hasn’t come in close proximity with no one but prison staff. I told him don’t put his family at risk, and when he pulls up to the house, immediately tell his loved ones, “don’t come near me- call the ambulance- I’ve tested positive for COVID-19!”… 1:00 pm, two deputy superintendents and a psychologist came on the tier for a brief moment, then left.

-Thursday morning, July 16th, being that we’ve surpassed 9 consecutive meals, a nurse came on the tier to announce that “those on hunger strike will be charged $5 a day for medical service.” What she failed to mention was, under policy and protocol, the ninth meal signifies that we will be placed in P.O.C. (prisoner observation cells) and monitored by medical and psychologists multiple times throughout the day. True to their nature, policy or protocol wasn’t adhered to. This negligence discouraged a lot of guys from continuing their hunger strike. We were kept in our cells instead of being taken to P.O.C… 11:00 am, medical staff came around to talk to those who remained on hunger strike (Dwayne Staats #NT000, Reuben Henry #HJ3797, Ramon Sanchez #FH7056 and Deshawn Nelson #MN2187). He stated, “Pennsylvania’s governor Tom Wolfe is the only person who can authorize COVID testing for prisoners.” This far, the testing has only been reserved for prisoners who are transferring or getting released. Even those who’ve shown symptoms or have pre-existing conditions are refused testing… 1:00 pm, regional deputies take a tour of the prison. They came to our building, but never step foot on our tier.

-Friday, July 17th, still not put under medical/psychological observation… Guys in hazardous suit spray something in Michael’s old cell. Later on, another inmate is placed inside (yes, we’re still “quarantined”).

-Saturday, July 18th, 11:00 am, medical staff came on the tier, asking to take our vitals (which we all refused) and brag about charging us $5 like it was going into her pocket.

-Sunday, July 19th, 12:30 am, we’re at 18 consecutively missed meals. The guard came around for count and stopped at Reuben’s cell. He kept yelling his name and tapping on the window. This made me get up to see what was going on. Reuben was unresponsive, which caused the guard to alert medical and other officers. A few nurses and guards rushed on the tier. They opened Reuben’s cell and I seen him sprawled out on the floor. Once medical verified “signs of life,” they took him off the tier on a stretcher. About 20 minutes later, he walks back on the tier and the guards secure him back in the cell. Medical said he passed out because of dehydration and low sugar levels… 1:00 am, Reuben is brought peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (but still not put under observation). 6:00 pm, medical personnel finally follows up on Reuben (who still refused trays) and the rest of us who was on hunger strike… To be continued.

In closing, there is a total disregard for prisoners lives that needs immediate attention. Furthermore, all the guys who ended their hunger strikes are now being retaliated against by the prison staff or administration for having the audacity to protest. Until next time, be easy and take care!

Power is the people!

-Bim

Dwayne Staats #NT0000

S.C.I. Albion

P.O. Box 33028

St. Petersburg, FL 33733

P.S. I ain’t on no suicide mission and I ain’t gone let these people get the satisfaction of killing me!

Black August Reading & Discussion

from Facebook

WHAT: Black August Reading & Discussion Group
WHEN: August 21, 2020 @ 7 pm est
WHERE: Video meeting, link will be provided day of

Black August acknowledges the fallen comrades that die, sacrifice and struggle for the self-determination and liberation. Black August originated in the California penal system to honor fallen Freedom Fighters, Jonathan Jackson, George Jackson, William Christmas, James McClain, and Khatari Gaulden. Jonathan Jackson was gunned down outside the Marin County California courthouse on August 7, 1970 as he attempted to liberate three imprisoned Black Liberation Fighters: James McClain, William Christmas and Ruchell Magee. Ruchell Magee is the sole survivor of that armed liberation attempt. He is the former co-defendant of Angela Davis and has been locked down for 47 years, most of it in solitary confinement. George Jackson was assassinated by prison guards during a Black prison rebellion at San Quentin on August 21, 1971. Three prison guards were also killed during that rebellion and prison officials charged six Black and Latino prisoners with the death of those guards. They became known as the San Quentin Six.

On July 8th, 1971, Angela Davis and George Jackson met in a holding cell beside a courtroom in the Marin Civic Center in the company of two attorneys and an outside observer. It was the first time that they would be in the same room together for an extended period of time. About a year earlier, Davis had seen Jackson when she attended his pre-trial hearing. She had been organizing to free the Soledad Brothers. After their July 1971 meeting, Angela Davis began to write a series of letters to Jackson. On August 27, 1971 The LA Free Press published commentary by Angela Davis on George Jackson’s death.
On August 21, 2020 at 7 pm we will honor these fallen Freedom Fighters by reading commentary written by Davis and discussing themes such as prison rebellion and solidarity.

Link to article: http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/White%20Materials/San%20Quentin/San%20Quentin%20078.pdf

“Settle your quarrels, come together, understand the reality of our situation, understand that fascism is already here, that people are already dying who could be saved, that generations more will live poor butchered half-lives if you fail to act. Do what must be done; discover your humanity and your love in revolution.” ― George L. Jackson

A Letter From Safear

from Dreaming Freedom Practicing Abolition

Imprisoned Abolitionist Stephen Wilson was taken to the hole (RHU) today (8/10/2020). His crime? Voicing a concern to the block’s unit manager. The problem was simple enough. We are locked in our cells for 19 1/2 hours most days. When it is time for our recreational periods the guards let us out late and lock us in early. Stevie simply wanted to know why they keep taking time from us. However prisoners are not expected to use their voices during a pandemic. Hours later the guards came to Stevie’s cell, cuffed him, and marched him away. Prison officials allege abusive or threatening language. Really they just wanted to silence him. This act is just the latest in a series of oppressive misconducts against prisoners. Stevie is just the most recent target.

For weeks the guards have been writing people up on bogus charges in an attempt to suppress potential resistance. Others have been given misconducts for actions such as walking up the stairs to ones cell (unauthorized area). Carrying extra prison food (contraband). And now Stevie for using his voice. The prison superintendents voice was broadcast over our TVs just a few days ago. “We want to remind everyone that this is not a punishment. This is for your own safety” he said. Not a punishment? From my cell it sure felt like punishment. No doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the lives of everyone inside and out. Free world people sheltered in place. They ordered food on Grubhub, clothes on MTailor, and everything else on Amazon. Families took socially distanced walks in the park. Or they just went for a drive when they felt like getting out of the house.

Those of us in prison got locked down. In PA we spent 23 hours and 15 minutes in the cell each day. For 45 minutes we were let out of our small box into a larger box. Weeks passed like that.Finally they gave us the “privilege” to be locked in the cell for 19 1/2 hours a day. We are isolated into groups of 40 people on the block. They created short incremental recreational periods. Then they let us out late and watch us fight each other over who gets to use the phone.

Stevie got tired of it. We are all tired of it. Not tired of protecting ourselves from COVID. Tired of being pitted against each other. Tired of the the guards’ oppression. Our only physical visits are from COs searching our cells. But I’m supposed to smile and be grateful for them “protecting me”? Fuck that. Let’s be clear – the only way a prisoner is going to catch the virus is if the guards or staff bring it in. And I do not believe that taking temperatures at the door is going to keep the virus out. Haven’t they heard of the term Asymptomatic by now? Don’t they know that it can take multiple days before a person starts showing symptoms? We don’t want to be in here when one of them brings the virus in. We have to continue the progress that has been made releasing people from jails and prisons.

To those who cage us: You want to protect us? Then let us out of this damn petri dish you call a prison. Let Stephen Wilson out of the hole for expressing a legitimate concern. Stop putting on this hollow performance of safety and security. Open up these gates! To our Allies, Comrades, and Accomplices: Dis-Organize this prison. Call SCI Fayette and give us a voice. Be a voice for Stephen Wilson and tell the administration to let him out of the RHU. Let them know that we have your support.

In Solidarity,

Safear

From Juneteenth in Minneapolis to Jawnteenth in Philadelphia

from Unicorn Riot

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

Meanwhile in West Philadelphia, thousands gathered at Malcolm X Park for their annual ‘Jawnteenth’ celebration. Philly’s Jawnteenth is a “Juneteenth celebration of Black joy, freedom, and resistance.” The terminology of “Jawn” is a Philly slang descriptor for nouns.

The festivities in Philly included food, community resources, DJs, horses, and the Positive Movement drumline.

After a celebratory march, Krystal Strong from the Black Radical Organizing Collective read demands from the community, some of which included freedom for political prisoners, an abolition of the carceral system, the firing of ‘killer cops,’ the dismantling of police, and more funding for schools and communities.

As the United States starts to wrestle with its historical ills, Juneteenth celebrations in Minneapolis and Philadelphia showed the resilience and self-determination of a community which has endured more than 400 years of systemic oppression by the colonialist settler regime that still reigns today.

Disclaimer: The author is a former employee of WE WIN Institute.

interview

Submission

At the beginning of the summer some Philly anarchists were interviewed by some German comrades regarding recent events in the States. This is the transcript of that interview.

How do you explain that the riots and social unrest spread and
intensified so fast in the last month? Do you think the lockdown had an influence on it?

0: I think that coronavirus had a lot to do with it. Before corona people around the world were in revolt and the US was just watching. Hong Kong and Chile and Canada seemed to be going off and people were paying attention to that and learning and talking about it. When the pandemic hit people here lost a lot of work and there was not as much for anyone to do. The protests and riots were a much appreciated break from the quarantine, people got to finally go outside and be together after months, and it was more accessible than if everyone had to be at work.

In other circumstances people would be tied up in work, school, and a larger social life. When the uprising started there weren’t too many places you could be, you could stay home, go for a walk, or go to a riot or protest.

X: I agree, and also think the tension has been building up for some time; and I mean that in a bigger sense than the usual upheaval as pressure release. Many have said that these have been the biggest riots in the States since Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated in the 60’s – so I think in addition to the obvious white supremacy, and the stagnation and poverty under quarantine, there is a growing existential dread from the very real threats of global pandemics, climate catastrophe, fascist terror, rape culture, and many other such things that similarly propelled those global revolts several months ago.

&: Yes, I agree coronavirus was part of the building up. It was a strange, nonlinear build up where many people spent the weeks before trying to figure out how to adapt to isolation and social distancing. Under normal circumstances, you can fantasize about what you would do when the time came to rebel and even speculate about likely time to act. For me, anyway, the virus creates circumstances where it was almost impossible to imagine regularly leaving the house, let alone taking the streets. The virus laid the groundwork for some of the conditions of the riots, creating almost strike-like conditions. But at the same time, there was no clear path to take advantage of them. On the one hand, I think this meant that the activist organizers were not immediately positioned to channel the events in Minneapolis into an ongoing campaign or strategy – allowing for better conditions for a riot. On the other hand, when people watched the news coming out of Minneapolis from their “pods,” they saw these massive self-organized crowds as if they were seeing them for the first time. The sudden, renewed ability to imagine being in the streets together was like realizing how thirsty you are when someone offers you a drink.
It didn’t hurt that, once everyone met up in the streets, many of them were wearing masks. The riot happened right around the time that masks became a normal precaution. Wearing masks took a while to catch on and then kind of went out of style once it got really hot. I hope it gets normalized again.

How was the experience in your local context?

0: In Philly things went wild the last Saturday of May. Center City had intense rioting and looting. People set fire to police cars and stores, fought with the police, and broke into and took merchandise from so many stores. Graffiti against the police was everywhere and many banks were smashed. That night and the next day the rioting spread to other neighborhoods. Stores and malls around the city were looted for the next few days and nights. 52nd St – a main commercial street in West Philadelphia – was the site of clashes with the cops and looting. After that the National Guard came to the city and things slowed down some. There are still protests everyday all over the city but they are calmer and less combative than the first weekend.

Other struggles also escalated briefly while the rioting happened. A labor struggle at a cafe in West Philadelphia was intensified when the cafe was vandalized multiple times and had to end up closing. Gentrifiers in West and South Philly were attacked during the nights immediately following the riots. Mutual aid projects related to homelessness and coronavirus continued while shifting their attention to the uprising.

Housing and homelessness related organizing has seen a big escalation. On one hand a tent camp has been set up right outside of Center City and is growing everyday. On the other hand individuals and families are squatting in city owned properties as a reaction to corruption in the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Both the camp and the squatters are asking for permanent low income housing. This kind of thing would have seemed much more difficult without the context of the uprising.

X: Yeah, there were a few wildcat strikes happening at different businesses that seemed to fit into the slow reduction of combativeness, with at least one still happening. The farther we get from the initial rupture, for that matter, the smaller and more trivial noted actions become.

&: In a similar vein, healthcare workers, anarchists and others tried to occupy an abandoned hospital the other day. It was to be an occupation of the exterior of the building and provide a free clinic. The Hahnemann hospital notoriously remained closed during the pandemic because the investment banker who owns it refused to rent it for an affordable price. The demonstration was more aggressive than most pre-riot demonstrations: the crowd shouted anti-police chants and barricades were rapidly set up to block police in the street leading to the hospital. However, the turn out was much smaller than expected and the police response came swiftly. The occupation was abandoned before the riot police got into formation. So, there are continued attempts at escalation even while crowds are dwindling.

You think anarchists were ready (analytically and materially) and could seize occasions to escalate the revolt?

0: I think many anarchists were surprised at the speed and intensity of the revolt. Many anarchists participated and brought their special knowledge and skills to the table, but I do not think that anarchists were the ones escalating the revolt for the most part. Anarchists out during the revolt were fighting and rioting shoulder to shoulder with other people, many of whom were much more prepared to escalate the situation than anarchists were.

X: We were in the mix, sharing some practical on-the-ground skills, but to some degree I think we were just chasing the intensity. I agree we largely weren’t the ones escalating the revolt, and in fact some participants seemed distrustful of us. There’s also not much of a culture of rioting here, in part because of the whitewashing of history that we’ve long contested, but we don’t have enough of a reach for that to make a significant impact. I think those combination of things, too, meant we weren’t always thinking strategically about our strengths or the state’s weaknesses – though again, in the grand scheme of things, this wouldn’t necessarily prolong the revolt nor significantly weaken our opponents.

&: Yes, I agree. The riot unfolded in a way that exceeded many anarchists’ skills and experience, including my own. At first, the major demonstration followed a familiar – if unforeseen – pattern: a large march made it possible for small groups to fight police and destroy cop cars. I was actually surprised by the amount of cop cars burned and the number of people taking part. At the same time, it was the kind of action – a combination of march and riot – that anarchists are known for in America. It is impossible to say if anarchists were responsible for some of the initial escalations during the demonstrations. What’s clear is that the riots quickly became too decentralized for any one group to be at the center. The looting began, to my knowledge, in the streets near the initial demonstration. But once it began there was a proliferation of flashpoints. It was sometimes difficult to find out where things were happening and, for some time, things were happening at multiple sites at once. The riots took on a shape unlike anything I had been in before.

What forms of recuperation are used and by which actors? And are they successful to channel the uprising back into reformist/democratic discourses?

0: The police and activists sympathetic to them were seen kneeling during demonstrations, a symbolic gesture against police brutality. Many liberals and people on the left are using the popular dissatisfaction to advocate for voting, as though a new politician will change the police. Less often but still present are families of some of the victims of those killed by this racist society who ask that the police investigate and bring to justice the killers.

More insidiously there is a recuperation that masks itself as anti-racism. There are people (black and not) who urge white and non-black people to follow black leadership. The black leadership these people are talking about is always more conservative than the uprising itself. The leadership is always moderate, riotous youth or black revolutionaries are of course never referred to as leadership by these people. This kind of narrative is effective at stopping people who would otherwise take radical or combative action (alongside black people who are already doing the same) by pushing them to feel guilty for not obeying the wishes of black moderates.

&: Not only are riotous youth and black revolutionaries not considered “leadership,” they have been intentionally excluded from the narrative. One way this happens is by replacing them in the narrative with agent provocateurs. Every time something gets broken, burned, or out of control, there’s a corresponding movement to blame it all on agents, provocateurs, outside forces etc. This is in some ways a strategy of recuperation since it seems to be motivated by the desire to separate these bad actors from the respectable protests and their demands. Yet, it’s not exactly a strategy since the there really isn’t a fully-formed activist strategy to recuperate the riots yet. Instead, this attempt to recuperate recent events treats the rioters as a confusing mish-mash of conspiracies. These conspiracy theories stand in for the absent recuperation strategy. Conspiracy theories are spread by a variety of actors–they are not a cohesive group. They are a reserve army of a yet-to-be-initiated activist campaign.

What role play abolitionist ideas (to abolish the police, prisons, etc.) ideas that may be in favor of riots since they bring a topic into focus but at the end of the day pursue a /political/ goal? Is there also a discourse (on the street) around destruction of all power structures?

0: Abolitionist ideas have played a strong role in the uprising. Although the initial cry rang out as “fuck 12” it was quickly turned to “defund/disempower/disband/abolish the police”. Many of the abolitionists imagine on one hand asking people around them to pick up strategies for dealing with life without the police (transformative justice, not snitching, bringing in social workers, etc) and on the other hand asking the government and institutions to disempower police (less money for police, no police in schools, less equipment for police, etc). Many abolitionists understand the rage of people attacking the police but do not imagine that people will remove police themselves and rely on making demands.

Much of the graffiti that came out of the revolt was more pointedly for the destruction of the police. Slogans like “fuck 12,” “acab,” “kill cops,” and “fuck the police,” were all over the walls. The people who push to destroy as opposed to abolish the cops are less present in the discourse but were very present in the street during the rioting. The anarchists continue to push an anti-police anti-prison narrative via a recent noise demonstration outside a prison and via posters and graffiti.

What does it mean that individuals or groups be they militias, gangs or maybe even revolutionaries are armed that heavily in such a situation?

X: We don’t see a lot of it, by our standards, and a lot of it is posturing for the sake of an image. Gun culture is also far less of a thing on the left, or even in anarchist circles.

Much of the “gun control” legislation that has been passed historically serves to disarm the most marginalized people, not least of all Black militants. In the state of North Carolina, for that matter, where it is legal to walk around carrying a gun, a group of black men were recently arrested for doing so at a protest, while there were many instances of white conservatives showing up armed and shaking hands with police.

When it is more than a symbolic gesture toward militancy, though, it often shows how much of a disadvantage those against the establishment are at, since even civilian establishment supporters are much better armed than us and often more willing to use violence. In a larger sense, we see a far-right tendency among mass shooters who obviously cannot be reasoned with. As such, it should mean that anarchists should be better armed and trained, but there are also a lot of hurdles to legally being allowed to carry a weapon most places – including police approval in our city (for which you can be denied based on “character” alone).

What comes next: generalized insurrection, civil war or smart dictatorship?

X: The United States has been extremely successful in pacifying its citizens over the last century; even those moments of rupture that do occur usually serve as more of a pressure release valve followed by reforms that sneak in additional criminalization of protest tactics (i.e. The Anti-Riot clause of the Civil Rights Act of 1968). The surveillance state continues to expand, furthering a smart dictatorship as democracy, but tensions continue to build.

The proliferation of radical ideas (i.e. abolition) in the mainstream is a useful basis of discussion, but as always it’s coupled with a demonization of anarchists, limiting our impact.

Unfortunately, even though I never want to defer to politicians or their lackeys (voters), I think the presidential election in November will be a deciding factor. If the incumbent is reelected we might see attempts at insurrection, whereas if he loses we might see armed white supremacists take the streets trying to kick off a civil war – barring other significant crises derailing everything before then.

A terrible decision

from We Love Lore

Friends, I am so incredibly sorry to inform you that the Federal District Court has denied Lore’s emergency appeal for release on house arrest pending trial. We were horrified to receive the news late today, that the court would accept and repeat verbatim all of the US Attorney’s overreaches, unsubstantiated claims, basic factual errors, and bafflingly obvious falsehoods, to detain her indefinitely.

Lore has languished in detention for more than eight weeks already, including 18 days in solitary confinement, while we all worked and prayed so hard for her release. The Federal Bureau of Prisons offers no hope whatsoever of allowing any of us in her immediate family to see Lore. As you would expect, her abiding concern throughout this ordeal has nonetheless been for you and your welfare. We are absolutely astounded by our US Attorney’s capacity for cruelty against the community of care that feels so much safer with Lore than without her.

We’re inconsolable tonight, but we refuse to stop fighting for the champion who has always fought so hard for each of us. The road ahead is very long, but we are stronger and more determined than ever to walk it with your help. Your character references, support fund donations, and letters of encouragement and love to Lore; all of the public and private support to Lore, her family, and her community, continue to lift and empower us.

Please continue to lend her your strength. We will post further updates about opportunities to share your love and support in Lore’s much more joyous and creative spirit here, on Instagram, and Twitter as we go. Please continue, as our Quaker friends put it so eloquently, to hold Lore in the light ????

Report from August 8th: Protest Against Police Terror & Tribute to Delbert Africa

from Philly ABC

delbert-tribute.jpg

Rest in Power, Del!

Reporting back from the August 8, 2020 tribute to Delbert Africa, we wanted to share some images and video from the event as well as what Del meant to members of Philly ABC.

We corresponded and visited with Del and all remaining Move 9 prisoners (#RIP Merle Africa – 1998) from 2013 to after their release from prison. They maintained the great physical shape that the group was known for, to the best of their ability, inside prison for 4 decades. Delbert’s normal workout for most of his time in SCI Dallas included running on a treadmill that other prisoners respectfully called “Delbert’s Treadmill” and reserved for his use. He laughed when telling us ‘I never told them to save it for me.’

Over the years, Del and other Move prisoners witnessed PA DOC conditions get progressively worse. While funding for basic necessities and important programs were getting cut, there was corrupt spending and overcrowding. Del commented on how he saw an article about the laws regarding the minimum cage size for dogs in overnight boarding kennels in PA – the dimensions of which were LARGER than the size of a cell they put two people in! Prisoners used to be able to work/farm food locally, but around 2010, PA DOC instituted what they call a “heart healthy diet” with the main distinction being smaller portions of the poorer quality food. Therefore, it seems to be a euphemism to couch another way to slim down the budget.

At the same time these cuts were taking place, Del had seen an extravagant amount of money spent on new fencing, new camera systems, nonworking and disabled ion testers, a nonworking fire alarm system, big screen TVs that never made their way out to the unit floor, etc.

delbert-tribute-1.jpg

Del and Phil Africa (#RIP – 2015), cellmates for many years, organized for the benefit of other prisoners, such as dietary improvements, yard privileges in cold weather, movies in the SHU, and lighting in “the dungeon” (the hole). Despite being eligible and meeting all requirements for parole during the last 10 years of his incarceration, Delbert was denied parole time after time. He was diagnosed with cancer, yet was held in prison until January of 2020. The only purpose of continued incarceration of aging prisoners, particularly political prisoners like Mumia, is continued persecution.

Over 40 years of state repression, and none of the Move 9 could be broken of their compassion and struggle. The organization exists to dismantle injustice, protect the earth and life. The struggle will live on in tribute to Delbert. #RestInPower friend and comrade, we’ll miss you.

– Philly ABC

[Photos and video here]

LAVA Update

from Twitter

As you can probably imagine, the ongoing pandemic has dramatically affected LAVA’s ability to raise money for programming, bills and repairs. We are currently surviving through donations and the organizations that use the offices in the building, but those sources are also being stretched thin right now. We are asking folks to become sustaining members by setting up a small monthly donation. You can do this by visiting the LAVA website, and clicking where it says “Keep LAVA in the black!!” lavazone.org/ You can choose a monthly donation amount or set your own by clicking the Donate button and checking the box to set your donations to repeat every month. While the building will not be hosting large events until the end of the pandemic, your money will go towards housing the following projects:

Prometheus Radio Project (an organization that helps community groups set up radio stations and broadcast their own content)
Workers Revolutionary Collective (the group that has been working tirelessly to organize the ongoing James Talib-Dean Camp protest on the parkway)
DiVerse Entertainment (an arts and education project that helps young artists record and promote their work)
Weekly food distribution (Every Thursday beginning around 3PM)
Monthly clothing/toy distibution (2nd Sat. beginning around 9AM)

We are currently working to make the space available for community projects and organizations while keeping the space as clean and safe as possible. If you or your organization is interested in helping with LAVA or using the space in a safe way please contact lavaspace@riseup.net.

With your help, LAVA can survive this pandemic, and give us all a place to meet, perform, organize and rebuild when it’s over. THANK YOU and please share!

Statement from Anarchist Black Cross Federation Regarding “Running Down the Walls” 2020

from It’s Going Down

The following statement comes from United Freedom Front political prisoner Jaan Karl Laaman on the upcoming ‘Running Down the Walls’ events in 2020:

A loud revolutionary shout-out, to all the runners, joggers, walkers, and others coming together this September 6th, for Running Down the Walls 2020. In the midst of this deadly COVD pandemic and the even more deadly centuries-long racist pandemic, we need to come together across the country and on both sides of the walls, this year more than ever.

I believe this is the 21st Running Down the Walls. In 1999, we had a real good solidarity run in Leavenworth and lots of political prisoners and prisoners overall, have been running down the walls in prison yards, control units, and other seg cells ever since.

Here in USP McCreary and throughout the federal BOP prisons, we have been on a pandemic lockdown since March. Hard to say if yards will be open by September. If they are, I along with other conscious-minded convicts will be joining everyone else- outside and in, on September 6th. If I am still locked down, I will join you all in my cell, throwing hard, high and fast kicks for 45 minutes straight! Well, haha, probably with a few breaths in between, but I will be with you all, in strong spirit and focused activity.

OK, let’s kick it off – get to running. Let me finish by telling you about this button I used to always wear when I was a student in 1968 – “Less talk, More action, SMASH RACISM.”

BLM, Jaan Laaman
Ohio 7 political prisoner

Philly Running Down the Walls: September 6th

Sunday, September 6, 2020
11 am sharp (Yoga warm-up at 10am)
FDR Park
Register here.

Philadelphia Anarchist Black Cross presents our third annual Running Down The Walls (RDTW)! Join us for another revolutionary 5K run/walk/bike/skate and day of solidarity. In light of COVID-19, please bring a face mask and follow social distancing recommendations. If you would like to participate in light yoga and warm-up stretches before, please arrive by 10am and bring a mat if you can.

Running is not required! You can also walk, bike, skate or roll. 5K is two loops around the park and at a walking pace will take about 45-60 minutes. Light refreshments and socializing will take place in the park afterward.

This year’s event is co-sponsored by the campaign to Free Russell Maroon Shoatz — long-term Black liberation prisoner held in SCI Fayette. Join us as we celebrate the release of Chuck Africa earlier this year, commemorate the life of Delbert Africa, and raise some funds for the freedom struggle of another Philly comrade, Maroon.

After spending 48 years in prison, Maroon turns 77 on August 23rd while also battling cancer during a global pandemic. He needs our support now more than ever.

Fighting Stage 4 cancer, [I have] for 10 months been on various types of chemotherapy at SCI-Fayette, have watched 3 prisoners die of cancer, and my single cell was taken to make room for suspected COVID-19 prisoners, will be transferred to SCI-Dallas for another operation to remove a cancerous growth soon. The struggle continues!

– Political Prisoner, Russell Maroon Shoats/z

Philadelphia RDTW 2020 is dedicated to amplifying the voices of our comrades behind bars, lifting them up in their struggles, and maintaining material post-release support.

If you cannot make it to the event or would like to make an additional contribution, please sponsor a participant either outside prison or inside or one of each. Contact us for more information on sponsoring!

Proceeds will be split between the Warchest Program and the campaign to Free Russell Maroon Shoatz. The ABCF Warchest program sends monthly stipends to Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War who have insufficient, little, or no financial support.

Register for the 5K

Thanks for your support by running/walking/biking/skating the 5K! Everyone must fill out the following form to register NO LATER THAN AUGUST 24TH so that you receive your official shirt the day of the event.

The registration fee of $40 confirms your place at the event and covers your t-shirt. We can accept credit/debit donations online or cash/check/money order on the day of event. Make checks and money orders out to ‘Tim Fasnacht.” Additional funds over the $40 base fee raised through sponsorships are more than welcome .

After submitting the following registration form, please allow 24 – 48 hours for your confirmation email. Check your Spam folder if the message does not appear in your Inbox. If you did not receive a confirmation email, please get in touch with us at phillyabc[at]riseup[dot]net.

Mumia Abu-Jamal: Delbert Africa revolutionary!

from AMW English

by Mumia Abu-Jamal

He was born under the name Delbert Orr but is known in the world as Delbert Africa, a prominent member of the MOVE Organization.

In the ‘70s in Philadelphia, he was perhaps its best known and most frequently cited member. With more years than most, he was adept at using the media to spread information and promote MOVE purposes.

His country accent around Chicago and his ingenious puns made his remarks interesting and gave them journalistic value.

I regret to inform you that Delbert Africa, who won his freedom in January 2020 after 41 years imprisoned, lost his life a few days ago to the ravages of cancer.

But this is not the whole story. Late last year, Delbert was urgently taken to a nearby hospital due to an undisclosed disorder.

On leaving prison, Delbert consulted with some doctors who were horrified to learn of the drugs he was given while in Dallas prison in Pennsylvania State. A doctor said, “The drugs they used in that prison were poison.”

Still, Delbert ended his stay in prison strong in spirit. He loved the MOVE Organization and hated the rotten system.

Delbert criticized Black people who supported the system and opposed the revolution. He used to call them “niggapeans,” a word I’ve never heard from someone else’s mouth.

More than a decade before Rodney King’s police beating recorded on video in LA, Delbert was beaten by four Philadelphia police officers on Aug. 8, 1978, and the beating was recorded by a local station.

Video shows Delbert left unarmed from a basement window at his home after a standoff with police. With his naked torso, he had raised his arms in a gesture of accepting detention.

Delbert endured everything and walked free with his revolutionary Black soul intact.

Immediately, four officers surrounded him and savagely beat him, hitting him with the handle of their rifles, crushing his head with a motorcycle helmet, and kicking him until he lost consciousness.

Yep, that’s what they did.

Delbert suffered a jaw fracture and a swollen eye the size of an Easter egg.

There was a whitening trial of three of the police officers, in which the judge took down the case by impeaching the jury composed of people from rural areas of Pennsylvania, then declaring an acquittal of the police despite evidence recorded on video of the state brutality.

And that brutality was not limited to the streets of West Philadelphia, nor to the unfair trial and conviction of Delbert and other members of MOVE.

He continued for 41 years in exhausted soul lockdown and sorry health care. Delbert endured everything and walked free with his revolutionary Black soul intact.

As a MOVE member until the end, he continued to follow John Africa’s teachings and lived embraced in the love of his MOVE family and daughter Yvonne Orr-El.

After all, love is the closest thing we’ve come to freedom.

Delbert Africa, after 72 summers, turned to his ancestors.

From imprisoned nation, I am Mumia Abu-Jamal.

© Copyright 2020 Mumia Abu-Jamal. Keep updated at www.freemumia.com. Mumia’s latest book is “Murder Incorporated: Empire, Genocide and Manifest Destiny, Book One: Dreaming of Empire” by Mumia Abu-Jamal, Stephen Vittoria and Chris Hedges, published by Prison Radio in 2018. For Mumia’s commentaries, visit www.prisonradio.org. Send our brother some love and light: Mumia Abu-Jamal, AM 8335, SCI-Mahanoy, 301 Morea Road, Frackville, PA 17932.

Register now to win Black Panther & BLM Gear

from Philly ABC

August is here! There will be a number of events taking place to commemorate Black August – established in the California prison system in the early 1970s to honor Black resistance and fallen freedom fighters.

“The month of August bursts at the seams with histories of Black resistance–from the Haitian Revolution to the Nat Turner Rebellion, from the Fugitive Slave Law Convention and the foundation of the Underground Railroad to the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, from the March on Washington to the Watts Uprising, from the births of Marcus GarveyRussell Maroon Shoatz, and Fred Hampton to the deaths of W.E.B du Bois and George Jackson’s own younger brother Jonathan killed while attempting to free the Soledad Brothers from prison.  We celebrate Black August, commemorating the anniversary of George Jackson’s death while understanding his life as a revolutionary in a long and unbroken line of resistance and sacrifice of Black people throughout history.”

Critical Resistance

Speaking of the birth of revolutionary Russell Maroon Shoatz, we’ll soon be announcing a special Black August edition letter-writing event for him on his birthday, August 23rd. The next day (August 24th) is the registration deadline for this year’s Running Down The Walls 5K in honor of Maroon. Commit yourself during Black August by registering for this fundraiser. This 5K happens only once a year to fund support for Black Liberation Movement prisoners year-round!

Don’t wait until the last minute! Register by the end of this week with an online donation, and you’ll be automatically entered into a raffle for Free the Panthers and Black Lives Matter gear. We have face masks/head-body scarfs, headbands, a flag, a femme watch, Black Liberation logo hat, and a Black Lives Matter beanie. Just indicate in the comments box your preferred item.

These items were donated to the Shoatz family, who wish to see them used for this year’s Running Down The Walls. Don’t miss out on this limited time offer! Register ASAP at: https://phillyabc.org/rdtw/#register

Note: Those who have already registered prior to 8/3/20 are already included, regardless of donation method. Any new registrations (after 8/3) must make their donation online to take part in the raffle.

What else is happening in August?

Political Prisoner and Prison Rebel Birthdays for August

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.]

Political prisoner and prison rebel birthdays and updates for August 2020.

Inspired by the spirit of the Political Prisoners Birthday crew, here’s a short listing of some rebel prisoners who have upcoming birthdays in August. For an an introduction on how to write to prisoners and some things to do and not to do, go here. If you have the time, please also check IWOC’s listing of prisoners facing retaliation for prison strike-related organizing.

The month of August is commemorated as “Black August” by many radical prisoners in memory of George Jackson, August 10 is commemorated in Canada and some other countries as Prisoners Justice Day, and the week of August 23-30 is observed as an international week of solidarity with anarchist prisoners by a number of international ABC groups in memory of Sacco and Vanzetti, so you may wish to do something for some or all of those events.

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. Two incarcerated pre-trial defendants in need of support that I’m aware of are Lore-Elisabeth Blumenthal in Philadelphia and Margaret Channon in Seattle, but there must be many others, possibly some near to you. [Philly Anti-Cap Note: Margaret Channon was released on bail.]

Lore-Elisabeth Blumenthal #70002-066
FDC Philadelphia
P.O. Box 562
Philadelphia, PA 19105

Please do not write anything to pre-trial defendants that could in any way have a negative impact on their trial, and keep an eye out for changes in their status.

Much as I hate to see even more of our lives and communications being enclosed by tech companies, it seems inescapable at the moment, so for anyone who doesn’t want to leave their house to buy stamps/cards/envelopes or to send mail, a reminder that many prisoners can be contacted electronically, via Jpay or similar services.

Lawrence Michaels

A former Vaughn 17 defendant, and contributor to the Vaughn zine, ‘Live from the Trenches’. While the state has now dropped its attempts to criminalize Lawrence in relation to the uprising, he, like all of the Vaughn 17, deserves respect and support for making it through the entire process while staying in solidarity with his co-defendants and refusing to co-operate with the prosecution.

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 “NW2894”.

Birthday: August 14

Address:

Smart Communications / PA DOC
Lawrence Michaels – NW2894
SCI Smithfield
P.O. Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL 33733

Pedro Chairez

A former Vaughn 17 defendant. While the state has now dropped its attempts to criminalize Pedro in relation to the uprising, he, like all of the Vaughn 17, deserves respect and support for making it through the entire process while staying in solidarity with his co-defendants and refusing to co-operate with the prosecution. You can read some of Pedro’s words here.

Illinois uses Jpay, so you can send him a message by going to jpay.com, clicking “inmate search”, then selecting “State: Illinois, Inmate ID: Y35814.”

Birthday: August 17

Address:

Pedro Chairez Y35814
Pontiac C.C.
P.O. Box 99
Pontiac, IL 61764

Russell “Maroon” Shoatz

Anarchist/anti-authoritarian-leaning Black Liberation/Black Panther prisoner, held since 1970 for his alleged involvement in attacking a police station in response to a police murder. Maroon is the author of the classic text “The Dragon and the Hydra: A Historical Study of Organizational Methods,” among others.

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 “AF3855.”

Birthday: August 23

Address:

Smart Connections/PA DOC
Russell Maroon Shoatz #AF-3855
SCI Fayette
Post Office Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733

Help Raise Legal Funds for Imprisoned Encampment Volunteer Daniel Gibson

from Fundrazr

Hello everyone! My name is Christa Rivers. It brings me nothing but pain and anxiety to write to people in our community but I have to tell this story. My partner, Daniel Gibson, had been volunteering with the Occupy PHA encampment in north Philly. PHA police and Philadelphia police have been surveilling the camp. On the night of July 2, 2020 he was on his way home when he asked the police why they were following him. He was arrested that night, and is currently upstate in SCI Coal Township. They beat him; he still has bruises and scratches all over his body two weeks later, still has a swollen and fractured knee, fractured shin bone. The charges they have against him can be fought, we just need to hire a lawyer. Which is why we’re turning to the community for help. I want my loved one home. We believe that hiring a lawyer, whom we have already contacted, will yield the best results. This is going to be a long process because of covid 19 and because the court system is slow, especially for those who are already in state custody. I just want to do everything possible to make his time in prison end sooner than later. As of right now, we are keeping the fundraising deadline open to account for future curt dates. Please help anyway you can, share with people, donate, connect us with a pro bono lawyer–anything.  Thank you, from both of us.

[Contribute Here]

Phone Zap: Release Luis Sierra

from Twitter

Luis had packed all his belongs, ready to be transferred, when the CO’s at James T. Vaughn informed him that the deputy warden is denying his transfer. Call until Luis is transferred to gen population!

[Luis has been held in Solitary Confinement for the past 10 years at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center. Finally, he was approved to be released into the General Population, but the Warden and Deputy Wardens won’t release him and refuse to explain why.

Call the number below to demand that Luis be released into the General Population!

(302) 653-9261
Robert May: Warden
Phil Parker
Natasha Hollingsworth]