International Week Of Solidarity With The NATO 5
28/04/13
The NATO 5 support group are asking for help raise awareness of their cases and support funds for the defendants on the one-year anniversary of their preemptive arrests.
Brent Betterly, Brian Jacob Church and Jared Chase have been charged with 11 felony counts, including material support for terrorism, conspiracy to commit terrorism, and creating Molotov cocktails. All three face up to 40 years in prison each and are expected to go to trial in September.
Mark Neiweem, a fourth arrestee, was charged with soliciting materials for an explosive device, which carried up to 30 years in prison, and probation violation for a previous felony conviction. He accepted a non-cooperating plea deal to the probation violation charge and to solicitation and attempted possession of an explosive or incendiary device. He was sentenced to a 3-year sentence in a state prison.
The fifth person charged, Sebastian Senakiewicz, faced 15 years in prison followed by deportation to his native Poland after serving his sentence for allegedly falsely making a terrorist threat for allegedly claiming that he had explosive materials and wanted to use them during the convention. He also took a non-cooperating plea deal, and was sentenced to 4 years with a recommendation of 4 months in boot camp, which he began serving in late March 2013. He is expected to begin his immigration proceedings immediately after completing boot camp.
More info on the NATO 5 here.
Solidarity Needed For MOVE 9 Defendants
23/04/13
The imprisoned members of the MOVE 9 are asking for a write-in campaign to their parole board. Below is a sample letter:
Date:
PA. Board Of Probation And Parole/ Central Office,
Riverfront Office Center,
1101 South Front Street,
Harrisburg, PA. 17104,
USA.
It is on behalf of the incarcerated members of MOVE—Charles Sims Africa, Delbert Orr Africa, Eddie Goodman Africa, Janine Phillips Africa, Mike Davis Africa, William Phillips Africa, Janet Holloway Africa, Debbie Sims Africa (and 'Merle Auston Africa' who passed away on March 17th, 1998 after 20 years of unjust imprisonment)—that I write this letter. These men and women have served over 33 years of a 30-100 years sentence. They have been in prison 3 years beyond the minimum sentencing and have been denied parole 3 times, despite meeting all the requirements requested of them for parole. All of the MOVE members have maintained their innocence and the evidence presented during their trial points to the same. Judge Edward Malmed, who convicted all nine of the MOVE members of third degree murder, on just verbal testimony from some of the police, admitted after their trial that he didn’t have "the faintest idea" who killed James Ramp, which means the same applies for all those who claimed to have been shot that day of August 8th, 1978.
I write to urge the Board of probation and parole members to correct this great injustice and approve the release of the remaining members of MOVE.
Sincerely,
On behalf of Janine Phillips Africa #006309, Debbie Sims Africa #006307, Janet Hollaway Africa #006308, Merle Auston Africa #006306, Edward Goodman Africa #AM-4974, Charles Sims Africa #AM-4975, William Phillips Africa #AM 4984, Delbert Orr Africa #AM 4985.
Anti-Fascist Pavel Krivonosov Needs Help!
07/04/13
Last autumn, the trial judge in the longstanding case against Nizhni Novgorod anti-fascists demanded a reinvestigation of the case by police following the withdrawal of a key witness' testimony, and for a while it seemed like a final victory. However, contrary to expectations, the case returned to court this spring and things do not look too good.
Pavel Krivonosov is one of the accused of the fabricated case. He is a social activist, a musician and anarchist. As the set-up has been going for a while, number of charges passed the statute of limitations and were tossed out from the court - political "extremist" charges included. However, he is accused still according to part 2 of the statute 213 of the Russian criminal codex (hooliganism committed with a group of people), which carries a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.
It is not doubt that this case was fabricated by Nizhni Novgorod officers of Centre of Counteraction Against Extremism (so-called E-centre). Even the Nazi victims of the assault could not recognise Pavel as the assaulter. Prosecution has one single witness, a taxi driver who is providing false testimony and claiming that assaulter was Pavel. Pavel has an alibi, he was at work, and his employer has testified to prove this. Case of Pavel has been substantiated with a number of other expertises as well. It is obvious, that Pavel did not committed this crime. Repressions against him are motivated solely by his social activism. Currently he is in a need of money to finance legal costs, and we are happy for any kind of help!
Gabriel Pombo Da Silva Fax Campaign
07/04/13
Gabriel Pombo da Silva, currently in Valdemoro prison , has requested a fax campaign to try and secure a transfer to the prison of Pontevedra which is nearer his family, something he has continuously requested since his move from Germany. Show him your solidarity and let him know that he is not alone in his struggle.
FAX numbers (from UK) for Centro Penitenciario MADRID III:
(00 34) 91 894 81 00
(00 34) 91 692 40 60
Model FAX:
Gabriel Pombo de Silva, desde su traslado el pasado Enero a las prisiones del estado español, ya ha pasado por tres prisiones diferentes, siendo la localización de todas ellas lejana a Galicia, donde se encuentra su entorno familiar y afectivo. Gabriel ha pedido formalmente su traslado a la prisión de A Lama en Pontevedra siendo, en cambio, trasladado a Madrid III desde Alicante II.
Según el artículo Artículo 12. de la LOGP, referente a la ubicación de los establecimientos, se establece la intención de contar con un número suficiente de establecimientos en cada área territorial para satisfacer las necesidades penitenciarias y evitar el desarraigo social de los penados y el 25.2 de la Constitución Española dice que las penas privativas de libertad y las medidas de seguridad estarán orientadas hacia la reeducación y reinserción social, en lo que influye sustancialmente la individualización del tratamiento, siendo fundamental para su éxito tener en cuenta el medio al que el preso retornará, su historial familiar y social como se establece en el artículo 63 de la LOGP. Si se le aleja todo lo posible de ese medio, de su familia y su grupo social con medidas administrativas de dispersión, se incurre en un trato que no respeta “la personalidad humana del recluso y los derechos e intereses jurídicos del mismo no afectados por la condena, sin establecerse diferencia alguna por razón de raza, opiniones políticas, creencias religiosas, condición social o cualesquiera otra circunstancias de análoga naturaleza” como ordena el art.3 de la LOGP.
Por consiguiente, reclamamos y exigimos el traslado inmediato de Gabriel Pombo da Silva a Galicia como es adjudicado en Derecho. De lo contrario se estarían incumpliendo los imperativos Constitucionales y la LOGP, además de sus derechos elementales como persona presa.
[Rough translation:
Gabriel Pombo da Silva, since transfer last January to the prisons of the Spanish state, and has gone through three different prisons, locations all far from Galicia, where his family and loved ones. Gabriel has formally requested his transfer to prison A Lama in Pontevedra repeatedly, but has instead been transferred to Madrid from Alicante II III.
According to ARTICLE 12. of LOGP, concerning the location of establishments, sets the need to have a sufficient number of establishments in each territorial area to meet the demands on the prison system and to avoid the social uprooting of prisoners and 25.2 of the Spanish Constitution states that custodial sentences and security measures are aimed at the rehabilitation and social reintegration, should substantially influence the individualization of treatment, and it is essential to its success to consider the environment to which the prisoner will return, including family and social history as stated in Article 63 of the LOGP. If you are placed as far away as possible from that environment, from your family and social group as part of the administrative measures of dispersion, this clearly does not respect "the human personality of the prisoner and the legal rights and interests thereof not affected by the conviction, without establishing any difference based on race, political opinions, religious beliefs, social status or any other circumstances of a similar nature" as mandated by the LOGP art.3.
Accordingly, I ask and demand the immediate transfer of Gabriel Pombo da Silva to Galicia is accorded as per the law. Otherwise it would breach constitutional imperatives and LOGP, in addition to his basic rights as a prisoner.]
New Campaign To Free Leonard Peltier
04/04/13
The Fight 4 Freedom Continues...
In prayer to the 4 Directions, the Leonard Peltier Offense/Defense Committee (LPDOC) of the U.S. and Canada have joined together in setting off on a new campaign to fight for the Freedom of Leonard Peltier.
It is in the air, you can feel it. It is palpable. The energy is building, we feel it too.
This time something is different.
For almost 40 years now, people from all over the world have worked to set Leonard free. His gratitude is endless, his heart is swollen with pride in the people.
At this time, U.S. President Barack Obama is the sole human being with the power to grant Leonard his freedom. It is up to US to demand Leonard’s freedom.
We believe the President will listen to his people. It is, after all, what he has been elected to do; to listen to the people of the United States, and indeed, the entire world.
We are asking for something special. We want you to HAND-write a letter or postcard, putting your voice, your prayer, your demand in physical evidence form. The Electric petition medium has not proven very successful, for Leonard, and in some ways seems easier to ignore.
Let’s go old school. Pen to Paper.
These letters will be held in repository until 2014, when they will be hand-delivered in a visual and physical representation of our demands,through a very special LPDOC event.
Many MANY boxes of letters will be fed down a line of elders, community leaders, political figures, celebrities and indeed many of you, our tireless supporters, for all the world and media to see.
It is our belief that the sheer quantity of physical evidence representing our demand cannot be ignored.
The people demand justice for Leonard. The people demand his freedom.
Any other outcome would be an outrage and a blemish on the history of our nation.
We call to ALL peoples in ALL 4 Directions to hand-write your demand.
Be a part of the Fight 4 Freedom- put your pen to paper, have a letter writing party!
Let your voices be a part of a choir so loud, the whole world (but especially Barack Obama) can hear.
Send your letters to:
Letters 4 Leonard
P.O. Box 4444
Trego, MT
59934
www.Letters4Leonard.com
www.whoisleonardpeltier.info
Canada Letters go to:
Box 5064
Victoria BC V8R 6N3
Canada
United in the quest for Freedom,
The LPDOC of the U.S. & Canada.
Sergio Continues His Hunger Strike
28/03/13
Sergio Maria Stefani has been on hunger strike since January 29. He decided to use his body as an instrument of struggle because this is one of the few instruments one has at one’s disposal between the prison walls.On the contrary the instruments for the struggle are abundant outside, anyone can grab them and they are even more immediate than it seems.
If Sergio has been fighting a solitary battle in all these days, we can’t let things to be the same. During the seven days following March 19 let’s flood the addresses provided below with letters, faxes and messages. Through small but insistent gestures we have to make Sergio’s hangmen understand that our comrade is not alone, that we know what he’s fighting for and that his problem is also ours! It doesn’t take much to be incisive: let’s send a message or a fax, let’s make a telephone call and say that we know what’s going on, who are the responsible for the torture our comrade is enduring, we are aware of the struggle he’s carrying out inside their prisons.
Anyone can do this in this squalid world full of computers, telephones and post offices.
Tribunale di Milano (Court of Milan)
Via Freguglia 120122 MILANO, Italy.
Tel: (00 39) 02 5436 (call centre of the court)
Fax: (00 39) 02 59902341
Email: tribunale.milano@giustizia.it
[source[
Freedom For Thomas Meyer-Falk?
20/03/13
Since October 1996 I've been kept in the dungeons of the German state. I was sentenced to eleven and a half years in prison for one bank-robbery to fundraise money for left-wing projects. Later I was sentenced to a further five years and three months for “insulting” prosecutors, judges and politicians.
I have been a Red and Anarchist Skinhead (RASH) for many years, and the government kept me in isolation (solitary confinement) from 1996 until May 2007. I have been in the general prison population for the past six years and will finish my sentences in July 2013.
But in 1997 the criminal court added the so-called “preventive detention” (PD) to my sentence, based on a Nazi-Law from November 1933 which allows the state to keep a prisoner in custody over and above the end of their regular sentence, if they want to for the rest of the inmate's life.
Recently the courts opened my files to decide if I will go to PD in July 2013. In the end there is not much real chance that the judges will set me free, but it would still be helpful and I would appreciate the solidarity, if people could write some letters and e-mails to the court and support my struggle for freedom.
Send letters of support to:
Landgericht
Strafvollstrekcungskammer
Hans-Thoma-Str. 7
D-76133 Karlsruhe
Germany
Or e-mail: poststelle@lgkarlsruhe.justiz.bw1.de
The file number is 15 AR 1/13
Every kind of support is welcome!
Thanks a lot.
Thomas Meyer-Falk
c/o JVA
Schoenbornstr.32
76646 Bruchsal
Germany
www.freedom-for-thomas.de
https://freedomforthomas.wordpress.com
Gabriel Pombo Da Silva Held Incommunicado
21/02/13
Anarchist prisoner Gabriel Pombo da Silva, one of the Aachen 4, who was recently transferred to Spain and is currently being held under FIES-5, without visits or phone access, and limited mail.
Previously held in Madrid's Soto del Real prison he has just been sent to Alicante II. Please send faxes protesting his treatment to Alicante II prison:.
Tel: 00 34 96 582 34 00
Fax: 00 34 96 582 34 21
Send cards and letters of solidarity to Gabriel at:
Gabriel Pombo da Silva,
Centro Penitenciario Alicante II,
Ctra. N-330, km. 66,
03400 Villena, (Alicante),
Spain.
Update: Gabriel has managed to get word out that his situation is 'normal' for a FIES prisoner and that he is not subject to any 'special' treatment. [11/03/13]
International Week Of Solidarity With Jock Palfreeman 22nd-28th April
29/03/13
Jock Palfreeman is an Australian who, on the 27th December 2007, on a night out in Sofia, Bulgaria; had the courage to stand up against a group of fascist hooligans. Witnessing the fascists chasing and attacking two young Roma boys, Jock ran to the boys' aid. He did his best to keep the fascists at bay but they ended up turning on and attacking him. Left with nowhere to run, Jock had no choice but to defend himself. Andrey Monov, one of the racist gang, was stabbed and later died. Another, Anton Zahariev was injured. The Roma boys ran away. Jock has since been tried and sentenced for murder and attempted murder. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and has been given a fine running into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Andrey Monov's father is well known in Bulgaria and at his funeral there were a mixture of judges, police and politicians. Jock's trial was (not surprisingly) a complete sham – yet another example of corruption, secret handshakes in the judicial system and media bias. The prosecutions case was built on the witness statements made by the other racists that were part of the attacking group, all claiming that Jock randomly attacked and chased them, with the intent of killing somebody. Key people and possible witnesses for Jock's defence were never interviewed by police and CCTV footage from the scene miraculously went missing. Many of the statements made at the time were different to the statements submitted to the court by the prosecution., while Jock's statement has remained consistent from the night in question.
You can read Jock's official statement at www.freejock.com You can also watch a documentary about his case that contains interviews with Jock at the following links:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Jock appealed against his sentence and court hearings took place between October 2010 and January 2011. Despite some police officers confirming his version of events, despite one of the fascists making totally incoherent statements in court trying to explain why he changed his original testimony, despite mounting evidence of judicial errors during the initial trial and despite all other factors pointing to his innocence; his sentence of 20 years was upheld.
(For Jocks statement about this please go to: http://anarchistsolidarity.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/ jocks-sentence-upheld-after-an-appeal)
Jock has now lost all his appeals and the only way left for him, is to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. He is also trying to secure his transfer to Australia to serve his sentence, which is proving difficult as the Bulgarian prosecution service is determined to keep him imprisoned in Bulgaria. Authorities refuse to even discuss his possible transfer until his fine is paid, effectively holding Jock to ransom. Jock's family is currently collecting necessary funds and you can donate by visiting www.freejock.com.
It is now more important than ever, that we collectively put as much pressure on the Bulgarian authorities as possible, to accept Jock's transfer to Australia. Between the 22nd and 28th of April 2013 there will be an, International Week of Solidarity with Jock Palfreeman. We need to let Jock know that he is not alone in his struggle and that we are in it for the long run. Any solidarity actions can go a long way to assure that. He recently helped create the Bulgarian Association of Prisoners (www.bulgarianprisonersassociation.wordpress.com) and because he is its Chairman, he suffers repression from the prison's administration, such as a recent refusal of computer access to continue his university education, which pushed Jock into a 30-day hunger-strike. Jock needs us to act and he needs our solidarity. The more creative the actions the better. Don't let the Bulgarian state bury this courageous man alive in prison! Don't let them think that they can get away with it!
Another important aspect is, especially for people in Australia , to keep the pressure on their government to do something for Jock's case. His case has been too quiet in his home country for far too long. It is time to change that!
If you are short of ideas why not try one of the following:
Organize solidarity actions outside Bulgarian Embassies, Consulates, etc. (for a list of the Bulgarian Embassies and Consulates please see: http://www.buldir.com/ bulgarian_embassies_abroad.html). Phone/write the Bulgarian Embassies and Consulates with your protests.
Help us to swamp the Bulgarian Authorities with letters of protest, condemnation and requests for Jock's appeal to be accepted. It is also vital that we send protest messages to the prosecutors directly responsible for blocking his transfer to Australia. (Please see below for a list of addresses).
Ideally protest letters are best written in your own words..... BUT, we have provided a sample letter (attached) that can be sent if you do not want to write your own. Just print it, sign it and post it, simple as that. Please feel free to reprint it and distribute it to anyone you think may send a copy. We need to get the pressure up, and keep it up!
Addresses to post, fax and email your letters of protest to:
Krassimira Vocheva
Head Prosecutor-Sofia
No.2 Vitosha blvd
Sofia
BULGARIA
Tel: +359 28051500
Email via: http://prb.bg/main/bg/pages/infcenter
[NB: the fields on the form translate as:
To:
Name & Surname:
Full address:
Phone:
Your email:
Complaint or question (10000 characters):
Code:]
Borish Velchev
Head Prosecutor-Sofia
No.2 Vitosha blvd
Sofia
BULGARIA
Tel: +359 28051500
Email via: http://prb.bg/main/bg/pages/infcenter
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria
Address: 2 Aleksander Zhendov Str
Sofia 1040
BULGARIA
Tel: +359 2 948 2999
http://www.mfa.bg/en/contact/ (ready form for sending messages from their website, very helpful)
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria LONDON
186-188 Queen’s Gate
London SW7 5HL
Tel.: (0044) (0) 207 584 9400, (0) 207 584 9433
Fax: (0044) (0) 207 584 4948
Email: information@bulgarianembassy.org.uk
Information, Public Relations and European Communication Directorate
Director: Sofia Vladimirova
Tel: +359 2 971 1408. OR +359 2 971 3778. OR +359 2 948 2218.
Fax: +359 2 870 3041
Email: iprd@mfa.government.bg
Ministry’s Reception Desk
Tel: +359 2 948 2018 or +359 2 971 1054
(opening hrs 09.30 – 12.00 and 14.00 – 16.00)
Ministry of Justice
No 1 Slavanska st
Sofia 1040
BULGARIA
Email: pr@justice.government.bg
Finally, please write to Jock, even if it’s only a ‘good luck’ postcard. Any letters and postcards will help to keep Jock's spirit up and feeling positive. All will be gratefully received. You can write to Jock at the following address:
Jock Palfreeman
Sofia Central Prison,
21 General Stoletov Boulevard,
Sofia 1309,
BULGARIA
------------------------------------------------
To Whom it may concern,
I am writing to you regarding the Australian national Jock Palfreeman.
Mr. Palfreeman is currently imprisoned in Sofia Central Prison in Bulgaria. After defending two young innocent boys from a viscous attack by a group of drunken football hooligans; and later being forced to defend himself against the same assailants, he was sentenced to twenty years incarceration under charges of murder and attempted murder.
He is clearly only guilty of accidental homicide in self-defence.
Mr. Palfreeman witnessed a gang of around 16 men, attacking the two boys and ran to their aid. While trying to keep the gang at bay he suffered a viscous attack and was left with no choice but to defend himself. His version of events has remained consistent since the night in question and is supported by numerous witnesses. All of whom are prepared to testify in his defence.
It has since transpired at his trial, to my astonishment, that key people and possible witnesses were never interviewed by police, that the CCTV footage from the scene went missing and that many of the peoples statements submitted to the court by the prosecution were not the same as the statements made on the night in question. Anything favourable of Mr. Palfreeman's defence was completely disregarded by the judge whilst the prosecutions case was built on the witness statements made by the football hooligans that initially attacked the two boys. All claiming that Mr. Palfreeman randomly attacked them and chased them with the intent of killing somebody. The trial was a farce, as so were all appeals.
I ask that the Bulgarian Authorities stop their attempts to keep him imprisoned in Bulgaria, and allow him to be transferred to an Australian prison where he can be closer to his family.
We will continue highlighting Mr. Palfreeman's case and showing our solidarity with him, until our requests have been satisfied.
Mr. Palfreeman selflessly saved the lives of two young boys, risking his own safety, at the cost of his own freedom. He should be deemed a hero, not deemed a cold blooded killer!
Signed
Anti-fascist Prisoner Jock Palfreeman Ends His Hunger Strike – But Still Needs Your Support
26/02/13
Australian Anti-fascist prisoner Jock Palfreeman, serving 20 years in Sofia/Bulgaria for defending two Roma boys from a racist mob, was on hunger strike from the 13th January 2013. The Director of the Central Sofia Prison had ordered another punishment measure because of Jock's activist work as chairman of the Bulgarian Prisoner's Association. Due to this punishment Jock is now not allowed to finish his studies which is very important to him.
After 30 days Jock ended his hunger strike because he got an answer from the Bulgarian authorities. The prison administration responsible for his case answered that he can only study in a Bulgarian University, and not in a foreign one. But, if he wants to study in a Bulgarian University he cannot do this from prison, so he is not permitted to continue his studies. This 'official' answer means that he can now apply in the courts against the decision. After losing 20 kilos in weight he ended his hunger strike and will continue his protest by legal ways.
Jock is very thankful for the support he received. But the issue of being able to continue his studies is not resolved, so it is still useful for friends and supporters to write letters to the Ministry of Justice in Bulgaria.
The fight continues! Please keep writing letters of complaint to:
Ministry of Justice
Diana Kovacheva
No. 1, Slavanska Street
Sofia 1040
Bulgaria
A week of solidarity action for Jock is being planned for April, more information will be available soon...
For other ways to support Jock:
Write letters of support to:
Jock Palfreeman
Sofia Central Prison
21 General Stoletov Boulevard
Sofia 1309
Bulgaria
Check out these websites for more information about his case:
www.freejock.com/
www.jockpalfreeman.com/
Join the 'Freedom For Jock Palfreeman' page on Facebook for regular news and updates:
www.facebook.com/groups/123586691003205/
Sign this petition to the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice: To Approve Jock Palfreeman's Prison Transfer to Australia
www.change.org/petitions/the-bulgarian-ministry-of-justice-approve-jock-palfreeman-s-prison-transfer-to-australia
Website of Bulgarian Prisoners Association:
http://bulgarianprisonersassociation.wordpress.com/
Support Jock Palfreeman
26/01/13
Anti-fascist prisoner Jock Palfreeman has been on hungerstrike since 13th January 2013 because the Director of the Central Sofia Prison has ordered another punishment measure against him, most probably because of Jock's activist work as chairman of the Bulgarian Prisoner's Association
Due to this punishment Jock is now not allowed to finish his studies which are very important for him.
He asks for solidarity from all of you by petitioning the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice :
Address:
Ministry of Justice
Diana Kovacheva
1 Slavanska Street
Sofia 1040,
Bulgaria
Tel: 00 359 92 37 555
Fax: 00 359 981 91 57
E-mail: pr@justice.government.bg
Please send this information to other people who might support him, also relevant groups and websites.
Thank you!
http://bulgarianprisonersassociation.wordpress.com
Sean Swain: Missing In Action
25/01/13
Long term US anarchist prisoner Sean Swain, who is currently being fitted up by the Ohio prison authorities as an alleged leader of the Army of the 12 Monkeys and responsible for a campaign of prison sabotage, has disappeared deep into the bowels of the Ohio prison system following a security status review and his supporters have been unable to contact him. All the indications are that he is currently in isolation at the notorious Lucasville Prison but prison authorities refuse to confirm this. His support group are asking people to put pressure on the Ohio prison authorities. For further information, contact details and background to Sean's situation, go to: http://seanswain.org/no-communication-from-alleged-anarchist-prison-saboteur-sean-swain/
John Bowden: Time To Get Him OUT!
27/09/12
Militant prisoner John Bowden has been locked behind bars for more than three decades, and the prison authorities continue to do everything they can to keep him there. In the past, he was punished with beatings and brutality to try and break his spirit, and to stop him participating in organised resistance to prison repression. In more recent years the State have used prison-hired quacks like Matthew Stillman, and now Marc Kozlowski, and scumbag Probation workers like Brendan Barnett to do their dirty work. Despite the recommendations of the Parole Board more than a year ago that John Bowden be moved to an open nick and be prepared for release, the screws are determined to keep John inside.
For more information on John Bowden’s situation and the new campaign launched by Leeds ABC see: 1 / 2
John Bowden: International Day Of Action On October 19th
05/10/12
John Bowden has been in prison more than thirty years for the drunken killing of someone who pulled a knife on him at a party. While John’s two co-defendants were released more than twenty years ago, John remains in a high security prison despite the Parole Board’s recommendations that he be prepared for release. John has been at the forefront of the prison struggle throughout most of his time inside, he quickly developed a political consciousness and a deep understanding of the role of prison in society, as well as a tactical understanding of the power relations between the captured and their captors.
Also, throughout his time inside, John has been punished for his role as a prison militant and organizer, and for exposing the barbarity and inhumanity of prison through his writing. The system and the vengeful screws that are its foot-soldiers have constantly tried to break John, viciously brutalising him and subjecting him to the most inhumane conditions. Even today, they are prepared to flagrantly ignore the recommendations of the Parole Board that he be moved to open conditions and prepared for release. John is constantly having to put up with provocations and dirty tricks from his captors, while they do everything they can to prolong his incarceration.
It has been clear for many years that John Bowden is not being held in prison because of the killing he committed thirty years ago, but because of the way he has developed as a human-being despite the worst excesses of the prison system, because he continues to maintain his integrity and humanity, because he has a political consciousness that sees prison for the barbarity that it is, and because he remains unbroken. John Bowden is an enemy of the System, and as long as he continues to hold his head high, the vengeful evil bastards that hold him in their clutches; the spineless dog-turd turn-keys and their sick pay-masters, will do everything they can to see that he is never released.
For his part, John has sworn that if it is a choice between surrendering that part of himself that has allowed him to resist throughout three decades of incarceration, that has compelled him to challenge injustice in spite of the personal cost to himself, he would sooner die in jail.
John Bowden is a comrade who deserves our fullest support, and it is time to FIGHT to get him out. This is a call-out from Leeds ABC for an International Day of Action in support of John Bowden on Friday October 19th. John has remained staunch all these years, he deserves to be shown that he is not isolated and alone. Please organise solidarity actions for October 19th.
Some useful contacts:
Scottish Prison Service HQ, Communications Branch, Room 338, Calton House, 5 Redheughs Rigg, Edinburgh, EH12 9HW. (Telephone 01259 760 471 Fax 01259 762 003 E-mail: gaolinfo@sps.gov.uk
Ian Whitehead (Governor), HMP Shotts, Cantrell Road, Shotts, Scotland, ML7 4LE. (Telephone 01501 824000 Fax 01501 824 001 ).
The Parole Board, Grenadier House, 99-105 Horsferry Road, SW1P 2MX.
Find a British Embassy/Consulate: www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/find-an-embassy/
Please send letters/cards of support to John at:
John Bowden, 6729, HMP Shotts, Cantrell Road, Shotts, Scotland, ML7 4LE.
