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Sep 24, 16

Defend the Strike: Anti-Prison Action and Support After September 9th

Originally posted to It’s Going Down

One thing is not in question: September 9th is now officially the largest prison work strike ever to take place within the United States.

This strike against prison slavery that began on September 9th, the 45th anniversary of the Attica prison uprising has now entered it’s third week. According to organizers with Support Prisoner Resistance:

As of 9/21 we have tracked 46 prisons and jails that experienced some kind of disruption between September 8 and 21st. This total includes both lockdowns reported by officials (some of whom deny that the lockdown was protest related) and reports of protests from prisoners and supporters (some of which did not lead to lockdowns or full strikes).

Of these, 31 facilities experienced a lock-down, suspension or full strike for at least 24 hours. Those 31 facilities house approximately 57,000 people. That is a guess at the minimum number of prisoners affected by the nationally coordinated strike.

There is likely much more going on behind the prison gates that we do not yet know about. We receive new information on a daily basis. In some places the strike lasted a day or a weekend, but in some, it seems to be going strong 12 days in.

The strike has also grown out of the original expectations of many organizers. For instance, the strike has spread into both men and women’s prisons, into county jails, and has lead to not only work strikes, but hunger strikes, organized marches and protests inside facilities, expanded communication of prisoners to the outside, and full fledged uprisings. Despite a media blackout that is fueled by the advertising of corporations that make billions from prison slavery while the mainstream press drones on about politicians which vow to only expand it – the strike is only continuing and bringing more people into our networks.

On the outside, thousands of people took to the streets. In Durham, NC and Brooklyn, NY, freeways were blocked. In Oakland, corporations profiting from prison labor were attacked. In Portland, streets and stores profiting from prison labor were occupied and shut down. In Austin, people shut down a facility showcasing products made by prisoners, and demonstrations, marches, and rallies were organized throughout the South. Across the US, noise demonstrations outside of prisons were organized, marches were held, and graffiti, banners, and posters were placed around the walls, freeways, and towns and cities of the US. Across the world, people also took action in solidarity with the prison strike. From Serbia to Sweden, Greece to Australia, Mexico to Spain, people released statements of solidarity, held demonstrations outside of prisons, and took action against corporations that profit from prison slavery.

What September 9th Shows Us

September 9th didn’t come out of nowhere, but it is simply the latest and largest step forward in a long struggle against prison slavery that has already included riots at Holman prison, work strikes in Alabama and Texas, hunger strikes in Wisconsin and Ohio, and much more. The prison strike shows us the power of building relationships and organizing in a physical movement that pushes forward as well as grows and expands along with the changing terrain. In other words, we aren’t just waiting for something to pop off, but we also aren’t afraid to engage with eruptions of revolt when they come. Instead, getting organized, forming relationships, and building infrastructure now means that we are prepared for what come ahead of us and whatever is sure to pop off in the future. This means letter writing nights and working with families of prisoners just as much as it does organizing noise demonstrations and attacking corporations involved in prison labor.

Moreover organizationally, the prison strike has shown that anarchists and autonomous anti-capitalists don’t all have to organized within one set organization, but overall we must get organized. Whether working with the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee (IWOC), Anarchist Black Cross (ABC), in support roles of organizations such as the Free Alabama Movement (FAM) who are on the front lines, to a wide variety of prisoner support groups and projects, or even just as individuals, we all have to put in work in supporting those on the inside and this diversity has shown in the wide range of actions that have taken place both in the US and across the world. Each and every wheat-pasted poster, dropped banner, letter writing night, statement of support, autonomous action, and conference organized helped push us to this moment. And we did it all without a massive budget, hardly any mainstream media attention, and with all our comrades locked down inside facing massive repression.

Let us remember what it took to get to this point; as prisoners have provoked a massive shock wave within this society that doesn’t have an end point other than the destruction of all prisons. Moreover, this comes at a time when the elites in this country are attempting to force down our throats this latest election cycle and moreover bury autonomous social movements back into politics or under the boot of the police. All of the struggles that appear before us now, from the riots on the freeways of Charlotte, to the prison uprisings in Alabama, to the ongoing defense of water in North Dakota. None of these things began – nor will they end with politics. These are manifestations of popular anger, rage, and action that come from the grassroots and can only find their end in the overthrow and destruction of the present system of domination and control.

The question now, with the strike still unfolding before us is: now what? 

Building Defense of the Strike, Organizing Capacity

The strike is not over.

As we speak, actions are still being taken by prisoners. There are currently hunger strikes in Wisconsin, California, Ohio, and elsewhere. Prisoners are still on strike from work in various facilities in Alabama and South Carolina. Prison officials are working overtime to transfer prison rebels in Michigan and Florida to isolate “political” and “rebellious” elements from the general population.

We now have three tasks ahead of us.

The first, to offer direct, material, and concrete solidarity to the prisoners that are taking action on the inside. That means holding demonstrations outside of their facilities if we are able. It means calling into the prison and demanding that demands are met. It means spreading the word about their struggles. It means holding benefits and raising money to support these comrades. It means making contact with these prison rebels and starting to form relationships. Towards this end, we call on all groups, crews, organizations, and individuals in solidarity with the strike to began to organize and continue to take action, in order to develop this solidarity and to foster relationships with those taking action on the inside.

The second, is to build up our organizations, whatever form those take, on both sides of the prison walls, in order to carry out this work and to get ready for the next wave of struggle. Whether you are involved in FAM, IWOC, Anarchist Black Cross, The Jericho Momement, the black liberation struggle, a group of friends that meets at your house, or a prison support organization, now is the time to pull people into your organizing and grow your organization for the battles that lie in front of us and ahead.

The third is to keep the flame of prison revolt, on the inside and the outside alive. This means continuing to organize noise demonstrations on the outside. It means continuing to take action against corporations that profit from prison slavery. It means connecting the ongoing prison strike with over movements for liberation, such as the struggle against the Dakota Access  Pipeline and the battle against police

If September 9th showed us anything, it is that we can do a lot when we put our heads together, but also we have also have to grow as a movement and bring in more people in order to carry out this work. And it is that ability to grow out of moment of struggle and continue on, stronger and better organized than before, that distinguishes a moment – from a movement. 

Take Action, Get Organized

People need to develop a strategy around supporting the strike. This means figuring out if and how you can support prisoners taking action in a facility near you, how you can link up and build connections with those prisoners, how you could build up your organization or crew to carry out this activity, and also how you could carry out actions which push forward and expand the strike.

Towards this end, here are several resources:

1.) Support the Strikers:

  1. Hold a demonstration outside of the facility.
  2. Hold a demonstration outside of a corporation connected to prison labor in solidarity with the strike (especially if that is what the prisoners are working to create).
  3. Hold a call-in campaign to the prison to demand that the prison meet the prisoners demands (if there are any) and end repressive measures against them.
  4. Hold a letter writing night to make contact with the prisoners. Contact IWOC for more information if you have no established contacts.
  5. Hold a fundraiser for established groups such as the Free Ohio Movement or the Free Alabama Movement. Remember prisoners are the front lines of this struggle. We must support them and their activity!

2.) Build your Squad:

  1. Raise money so you can continue or begin to engage in prison support work.
  2. Host a letter writing night to better connect with prisoners already engaged in action.
  3. Host a call-in event with a prisoner who can discuss the conditions that exist where they are striking and how people on the outside can support them. Contact IWOC for potential speakers.
  4. Host a speaker, Skype presenter, or open discussion on the strike to move people from passive support to active participation. Plug people into the organizing and get them involved.
  5. Organize a BBQ or social event where people discuss the strike, update people on what is happening, and read off actions and communiques.

3) Keep it Lit:

  1. Organize a noise demonstration outside a facility taking action or one closest to you.
  2. Organize and take action at a corporation profiting from prison slavery. Get creative!
  3. Drop a banner in solidarity with the prison strike.
  4. Organize a night of wheat-pasting flyers. Get people together and go out on the town and put up posters and flyers supporting the strike. Write graffiti and drop banners. Take pictures and send it to itsgoingdown.org.

Already, our comrades across the world are standing with striking prisoners in solidarity. In a statement released by the ABC Solidarity Cell in Greece, they have called for international supporters to also take action in support of the ongoing strike on October 1st.

The September 9th strike has been inspiring, but to also stop taking action now when prisoners across the US are still on strike, still on hunger strike, and still risking their lives would be to betray everything that they have worked for. Now is the time to bring new people into our networks and struggles; building our capacity and growing our numbers.

Now is the time to build. Now is the time to grow. But it is definitely not the time to stop.

Victory to the Strikers!
Fire to the Prisons!

Submit here or email us at info [at] itsgoingdown [dot] org

Prisoner Resistance and Updates

View the 1st 10 Days Here

September 15th

  • Keith “Malik” Washington (New Afrikan Black Panther Party – Prison Chapter), placed in long term solitary confignment for his role in prison strikes. He writes:

On September 15, 2016, I was escorted to the Security Threat Group Office at the H.H. Coffield Unit and informed by TDCJ employee Sergeant Robert Walker that I was being classified as a leading member of an organization determined to be a Security Threat. I was told that high-ranking prison officials in Texas wanted me placed in long-term solitary confinement, better known as Administrative Segregation. This step was taken in response to my peaceful organizing of prisoners for the September 9 National Prison Work Stoppage.

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However, I am sad to report that my work in Coffield Unit was sabotaged. Approximately 3 weeks earlier, a member of the Islamic community in Coffield who had never posted anything about the September 9 work stoppage posted a threatening message concerning the strike. I was not informed nor did I have any input about the message; I was totally blind-sided.

Prison officials on the Unit, including Lieutenant G. Richards, were well aware that I have never promoted violence in my education and organizing efforts. Nevertheless, in a blatant act of sinister deception, Lieutenant Richards wrote a Major Disciplinary Infraction against me, charging me with responsibility for the threatening message!

Sisters and Brothers, I tell you I have never threatened the people or the prison guards with violence – Never!! I have always operated by the philosophy that violence would be counterproductive to our efforts. And I must tell you that prior to the posting of this volatile message by one of my own “Muslim Brothers,” my organizing efforts here on Coffield Unit were going great!

Please know that, behind the scenes, some horrible deals are being made between “the oppressor” and brainwashed members of the oppressed, seeking to actively harm leaders of this movement.

To abolish prison slavery – and one day to abolish prisons altogether – is a daunting task. Capitalists who operate prisons in Amerika feel very threatened by the media attention and strong show of solidarity by prisoners and their supporters. It is only natural for prison officials and law enforcement agencies in the United States to go after organizers such as Imam Siddique Abdullah Hasan and Sean Swain of the Free Ohio Movement. We must seek to protect Kinetik Justice of the Free Alabama Movement. We must not allow the capitalist oppressors to hijack our movement.

Please continue to amplify my voice and the voices of all the members of the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee.

Dare to struggle, dare to win! All power to the people!

Keith “Malik” Washington, #1487958
Coffield Unit
2661 FM 2054
Tennessee Colony, TX 75884
https://comrademalik.com/

September 18th

  • Prisons in several states have censored the Bay View Newspaper, a radical black liberationist publication that has long featured articles on prison abolition and political prisoners. According to Oakland IWOC:

The San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper, a communications network for the Black community worldwide, has hundreds of subscribers in prison. Because of an article about the prison strike, the paper has been rejected from New Folsom prison in California – and subsequently from the entire state of Pennsylvania.

The Bay View is still developing its response, and their editor’s letters include calls for support. Until more direct actions are decided upon, consider supporting the paper by donating or subscribing.

Here is a letter on the situation as it unfolded by editor Mary Ratcliff. In part she writes: “Thanks to each and every one of you for caring that the Bay View survives and reaches its subscribers behind the walls, where, according to CDCr, it persuaded 30,000 California prisoners to participate in the 2013 hunger strike. Many of you know that we’re currently hanging by a threadbare shoelace financially; if it breaks, CDCr can claim the victory. But if we’re able to keep printing the paper, I’ll be damned if CDCr gets away with censoring it.”

September 21st

Due to the continued misinformation from Merced Sheriff’s Administration and County Counsel detainees are gearing up to resume their strike in full effect. A lot of things are said behind closed doors but it’s time for the public to take note. There is tactical oppression taking place here and it’s been going on far too long!!!! The detainees in good faith and for negotiation purposes began consuming breakfast, lunch (packaged by General Population at Sandy Mush), and making court movements ONLY on Monday. Those hoping for resolution are on Blocks 1 & 3 at Merced County Jail and dorms 501 & 502 John Latorraca Jail. As of right now Lt. Moore has continued to strategically place himself in CONFLICT at the center of these matters. 4 block is not making any movements or eating at this time. They do not believe Corrections staff are going to follow the law, they joined the strike on 9/16/2016

September 21st

Just ten minutes ago members of the riot team and warden entered c dorm and attempted to confiscate a cellphone from a prisoner and whole c dorm rose up and forced them out of c dorm. The resistance at Holland prison in Alabama is strong. Fuck the police! 9/21/16 /2:48

We were able to force them [out] by showing a collective front of unity. Remember, a pig was just stabbed and died from his injuries for refusing a prisoner an extra of food. This happened on Sept. 1st.

On solidarity from the outside:

We feel it… knowing folks got our back.

On situation at Holman with guards quitting and refusing to work:

Pigs are still quitting and that opens up space for more actions.

September 23rd

  • South Carolina prisoners get several demands met thanks to supporters calling in. From Mask Magazine: 

“Hey I heard from Broad River Correctional. Thank everyone for calling. The guys finally did get showers and hot meals. Everyone knows its due to people calling in. The prison official complaining about why they can’t be men and just take instead of having people call in complaining. Can you believe the nerves of these pigs?! Extending a thank you.”

September 24th

Last night at Holman prison an emergency situation developed as ALL of the officers assigned to the second shift waged a historic work strike for the first time in the history of the Alabama Department of Corrections.

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Assistant Commissioner Grantt Culliver was dispatched to the prison, where he then had to order supervisors from another prison, Atmore CF, to report to Holman prison just to be able to serve meals. The officers at Holman, who have been defying ADOC policy and speaking publicly to the media, had communicated their plans to F.A.M. members, and expressed their support for non-violent and peaceful demonstrations against the human rights conditions existent at Holman.

Officers have also complained about overcrowding and the need for a mass release, more education and rehabilitation programs, as well as issues with disease and filth. Officers reserved their harshest criticism towards the Commissioner’s officer and what they perceive as a lack leadership from Commissioner Dunno and Culliver.

First hand audio account available here.

FREE ALABAMA MOVEMENT

September 24th

  • Call to support Sun of Kinetik, accused of stabbing the warden of Holman prison during a rebellion at the facility. From a call from FAM:

In March of this year, the Sun of Kinetik was accused of stabbing Warden Davenport at Holman prison in Alabama. He was then shipped to Donaldson. He has since been assaulted, harassed, and tortured in Solitary Confinement. If you support FAM and the work we do then let Kinetik’s Sun know his sacrifices for change were not in vain. Those willing, drop him a postcard and those able, put a small donation on his books via the ADOC website.

Amir “Jaja” Davis #268646
G-4 WE Donaldson CF
1000 Warrior Lane
Bessemer, AL 35023

September 26th

  • Jailhouse Lawyers write:

One of our inside organizers is being retaliated against, and on the verge of punished for the Millions for Prisoners Human Rights March! This is the first case of political repression of a prisoner relating to this March. Assist us: Instructions laid out below!

From Jean Douthwright: We need your help! I visited Jalil today, Monday, September 26, 2016. Jalil told me that he was “given a disciplinary misbehavior report; Tier III for unauthorized organization (sic) and soliciting for corresponding in support of the August 2017 Million Prisoner March. There is no evidence of organizing in this prison or in NY State. This is an issue of censoring political speech. They are trying to prevent me from supporting community-prison activism. They are repressing political prisoners from being engaged in community development.” Jalil asked that we all call: Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci, New York State Department of Corrections 518-457-8134 And write to: Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci Office of the Commissioner Bldg. 2, State Campus, Albany, NY 12226-2050 Let the commissioner’s office know that you are calling to say that all prisoners, especially political prisoners like Anthony Jalil Bottom #77A4283, should be allowed to communicate with people by mail about what is going on in our communities.

https://twitter.com/4StruggleMag/status/781211878748028928

Another organizer wrote:

Anyone can call Attica at (585) 591-2000 and ask if Anthony Bottom has had his hearing yet. Since his counselor will be back on Monday, it might be good to do this on Monday.

September 27th

  • IGD releases interview on prisoner rebellion in Turbeville C.I. prison in South Carolina. View it here.

September 28th

  • Turbeville, SC: Guard attacked and quits.

  • Oakland IWOC write: Merced hunger strike in two jails is about to resume. Administration engaged in fake negotiations to attempt to manage and dissipate the collective action of the strikers.
  • Warden at Holman Prison in Alabama quites three months after being stabbed in uprising.

September 29th

  • Prison strike continues in South Carolina:

September 30th

October 1st

ATTENTION: The #MercedCOUNTY John Latorraca & Main Jails#HUNGERSTRIKE will resume effective 12 a.m. October 1, 2016! Please contact the page for more information. Merced County Jail block 4 has been on strike since 9/16/2016.

  • Report from Holman:

Clenched fist salute: this is a short update to info everyone that the riot squad did not arrive at Holman prison as was expected , but we do believe that they will most likely come sometime this week. Holman prison is at a real shortage of pigs. They are quitting, some just refuse to come to work. We are having an impact and know that the state has the intentions to  destroy the resistance here and regain total control of our bodies and mind. Will keep you posted.

October 2nd

At shift change tonight,  On October 2, 2016, NONE OF THE REGULAR SHIFT reported to work at HOLMAN CF and a handful of CERT TEAM OFFICERS are manning their post.  However,  there isn’t enough to adequately run the Facility,  as no Officers are in the SEGREGATION UNIT to do Showers nor have they did Pill Call.  ITS OFFICIAL, that true to their word,  the entire shift has walked out on the Administration.

Maybe now they will RELEASE the people that are eligible to be RELEASED and CLOSE THIS HELLHOLE DOWN.

Can you imagine the look on BENTLEY , WARD,  DUNN AND CULLIVERS FACE?

October 3rd

The riot squad hit C – dorm like a tornado. Destroyed much of our property. Confiscated [manty items] and I don’t know how many phones. They came early this morning, Monday the third of October, in full riot gear. They are now searching other dorms. I’m going silent now.

  • It was announced that Siddique Hasan is facing repression for speaking out about the national prison strike. From a press release:

Last Wednesday Ohio prisoner Siddique Abdullah Hasan called in to On Point
with Tom Ashbrook using the prison phone line. He participated in a conversation about the national prisoner work stoppage and protest.

The following day a prison official told him that he will be facing disciplinary action for exercising his first amendment rights to free speech and freedom of the press. This is the second time in two months that prison authorities have targeted Hasanin relation to his participation in the Free Ohio Movement and his support for nation-wide prisoner struggles. The official did not reveal exactly what Hasan would be charged with or when.

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) is also facing an
civil liberties lawsuit on the grounds of the 14th amendment’s equal protection clause from Hasan, other survivors of the Lucasville Uprising, and various reporters who have
been unconstitutionally denied official access to interviews over the years.

Read a letter from Hasan describing the conversation about the impending disciplinary
action against him.

Links:

1. The On Point episode.

2. Details on previous ODRC silencing efforts.

3. The existing civil liberties lawsuit.

4. Hasan’s letter.

October 4th

  • In Merced, the CERT team attacked. Live Free Merced wrote:

4 Block was hit by the Sheriff’s C.E.R.T. team, dogs, before 8 a.m. We are not sure If there are any injuries at this time. If you have a family member on this block contact us ASAP!!!! Call the Merced County Jail (209) 385-7419 and DEMAND the cease using violent acts on PEACEFUL PROTESTERS!!!! 4 Block has been on Hunger Strike since 9/16/2016…
#HuelgaDeHambre #PrisonStrikes #FireLtMOORE #StayReady #LIVEFREE

October 5th

  • Free Alabama Movement releases new video:

October 7th

Reporting from Holman, Oct. 7th at 2:00 am there was/is a disturbance where prisoners in C-Dorm got into an argument with other prisoners and the riot squad pigs that are temporarily working at Holman. A chain was placed on a cell door, locking everyone in. Now pigs waiting on full riot squad to arrive. Crip gang say they will fight. I don’t know if you got this report so I’m reporting with the latest.

The full riot squad arrived about 4:00 am and just stood outside the cell looking in. Then, about twenty minutes ago, the riot squad entered C-Dorm and escorted two prisoners with their property out the dorm to place them in lock up or transfer them. These prisoners are influential within the Crip gang.

https://twitter.com/FREEALAMOVEMENT/status/784729370174877697

October 8th

  • Ohio State PenitentiaryL Siddique Hasan, among others, have reported being punished by guards and prison administrators for talking to reporters about strike organizing.

October 9th

JALIL MUNTAQIM in ATTICA prison NY was given a ticket for promoting the upcoming Demonstration on Washington. A 1st amendment (freedom of speech) violation. For those that don’t know, Jalil was also an organizer for the 1st Political Prisoners Demonstration on Washington, and he was also instrumental in having the UN review u.$ political prisoners to be designated officially. The birth of Jerico Movement was born out of these actions by our brother.

After many supporters called about this ticket he received behind this March, it must have made the prison re evaluate the ticket. The ticket was dismissed! (But we are hearing they’re restricting his correspondence to instate only when it comes to organizations). We expect more prisoners to be discipline behind this March as it gets nearer. We will continue to respond. Salamu!

October 10th

  • IWOC reports:

On October 10, 2016, the day after we sent you the attached press release concerning recent protests at Kinross Correctional Facility, an inmate named Charles Lee Johnson died there. According to the family member of another inmate, Mr. Johnson asked for medical attention, but even after he became unresponsive medical staff did not arrive for approximately 15 minutes. Another report states that “sources familiar with the case say he should not have died….” Other prisoners at Kinross have added inadequate medical care to their grievances.

Mr. Johnson’s death marks at least the third death of an inmate within Michigan correctional facilities within a month. An inmate died of an alleged overdose at Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson, Michigan, on the night of September 10, according to other inmates. An inmate died at Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia after being shot with a taser; the inmate’s family blames the use of excessive force.

October 12th

September 9, 2016 was the start of the largest prison strike in U.S. history. Over 72,000 incarcerated workers in 22 states refused to provide their labor to profit the prison industrial complex. California forces 5,588 incarcerated workers to labor in exchange for little or no compensation.1

Another 4,000 earn $2 a day fighting Californian wildfires with inadequate training and equipment.2

The prison system in California reaped $207 million in revenue and $58 million in profit from forced labor in 2014-15.3 Each incarcerated worker in California generates $41,549 annually in revenue for the prison system, or $10,238 in profit.4

The financial losses to the California prison system were as much as $636,068 in revenue, or $156,736 in profit, for every day of the prison strike.

October 13th

  • Kinetik Justice from Holman prison in Alabama was transfer to another facility. As one article wrote:

One of the leading voices behind the national prison strike against slavery was transferred to Kilby Correctional Facility, known among Alabama prisoners to be a “bully unit,” where prisoners deemed disruptive are brutalized.

Kinetik Justice-Amun, also known as Robert Earl Council, is a member of the Free Alabama Movement and was previously incarcerated at the Holman Correctional Facility. He used contraband cellphones to communicate with journalists and publish videos and audio recordings from his solitary cell at Holman. The videos showed how prisoners like him are treated.

“That’s bad,” an anonymous prisoner reacted after he learned where Kinetik was transferred.

“Kilby is our bully camp,” said the prisoner, who is also a member of Free Alabama. “That’s where inmates go who they deem to be problems that they have to iron out with brutality. You understand what I’m saying? When they send you to Kilby, that’s where they break your arms and break your legs.”

The prisoner wondered where Kinetik went, and was concerned because he knew Kinetik was conducting interviews in the press using his name.

October 14th

ALERT:
Merced County Jail Block 1
Man down. Taken to medical due to complications from the Hunger Strike.

These men are suffering… But have come together in solidarity to fight for a greater good.

ALERT:
John Latorraca Jail (Sandy Mush)
1 Man down this morning in dorm 501. Please pray for this man. We are already reaching out to the family.

These men are sacrificing their bodies for change. To end the systematic oppression within our County. Stand up and join us faith leaders and clergy! These souls need you!!!!

Diary of Actions

View the 1st 10 Days Here

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September 19th

      • Oregon: Call-in campaign organized to support striking prisoners. More info here and here.

September 21st

      • Hamillton, ON: Banners in solidarity with the prison strike. Photos here.

September 22nd

      • Oakland, CA: Graffiti in solidarity with the prison strike. Photos here.

September 24th

September 25th

      • Athens, Greece: Clashes break out with riot police and anarchists in solidarity with the prison strike. Molotov cocktails thrown. Report here.
      • Seattle, WA: Noise demonstration outside of Gig Harbor Women’s Correctional Facility. Report here.

September 26th

      • Athens, Greece: 22 comrades were arrested after they occupied a building in solidarity with the strike and refused to give their finger prints to the police. From a comrade:

22 comrades have been arrested since they occupied the Hellenic-American Union building in Athens supporting the struggle of the American prisoners. They have been arrested with the charges of domestic disturbance and resisting the authorities because they denied to give fingerprints to the pigs.

Real solidarity with massive proletarian struggle in prison in the United States, against forced labor, against all slavery.

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September 27th

      • Thessaloniki, Greece: Posters put up in solidarity with the strike. Info here.

September 28th

      • Mexican anarchist political prisoners launch hunger strike against repression and in solidarity with US prison strike. From a statement:

During a press conference on September 28, anarchist prisoners announced the beginning of an indefinite hunger strike. They are compañeros Fernando Bárcenas and Abraham Cortés, prisoners in North Prison, Luis Fernando Sotelo, prisoner in South Prison in Mexico City, and Miguel Peralta, prisoner in Cuicatlán Prison in Oaxaca. The strike is in rejection of the 33 year and five month sentence given to Luis Fernando Sotelo, to mark three years since the arrest of compañero Abraham Cortés on October 2, 2013, and in solidarity with the prison strike underway in the United States against the exploitation of prisoners’ labor and in support of the revolts against the killings of African-Americans by police in the U.S.

September 29th

September 30th

      • San Bernadino, CA: Banner dropped in solidarity.

      • Athens, Greece: Banners dropped in solidarity.

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“Support the resistance in US prisons, against slavery and exploitation of prisoners. Brothers/sisters, in this struggle you’re not alone!”

      • Gig Harbor, WA: Noise demo in solidarity with prison strike at facility that had targeted several strikers. Report here.

October 1st

      • Korydallos Prison, Greece: Prisoners go on strike and hang banners inside their facility in solidarity with US prison strike. Photos and report here.

2

Korydallos Prison, Greece

      • Chino, CA: Protest outside of California Institution for Women. From a report:

Approximately 200 people today convened at CIW in Chino for marching, chants, and speeches from family members who have lost women. At least 7 women have died needlessly from a lack of medical care and denial of mental health treatment in the past 3 years. Most of those attending were family members. It was sponsored by the California Coalition for Women Prisoners. When we were close enough to one of the yards to communicate with prisoners, the guards promptly ordered them all inside. One of today’s demands – that the Warden meet to consider the other demands – has been won.

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October 2nd

October 8th

Solidarity Events

View Past Actions Here and Reports Here

Pacific Northwest

      • September 4th, Olympia, WA: Letter writing. More info here.
      • September 29th, Seattle, WA: Queer and trans prisoner letter writing night. More info here.
      • October 2nd, Seattle, WA: 5:30 PM, Pipsqueak Infoshop, 16th Ave and E. Spruce Street.
      • October 13th, Portland, OR: IWOC open meeting. More info here.
      • October 17th, Portland, OR: Prisoner letter writing night. More info here.
      • October 23rd, Olympia. WA: Harvest Feast for Prisoner Support. More info here.

Southwest

Central

      • September 27th, Houston, TX: Letter writing night. More info here.
      • October 12th, Denver, CO: ‘Striking a Blow,’ An Audio Documentary of the Prison Strike. More info here.
      • October 13th, Denver, CO: ‘Empty the Cages,’ a night with former political prisoners. More info here.
      • October 20th, Denver, CO: Prison strike letter writing night. More info here.

Mid-West

      • September 19th, Detroit, MI: Prisoner letter writing night. More info here.
      • September 22nd, Chicago, IL: Letter writing to striking prisoners. More info here.
      • September 23rd, Minneapolis, MN: Letter writing to striking prisoners. More info here.
      • October 3rd, everywhere: Phone Zap Against Repression of Kinross Prisoners. More info here.
      • October 3rd, everywhere: Phone Zap for Wisconsin prisoners. More info here.
      • October 13th, Minneapolis, MN: Film screening for the prison strike. More info here.
      • October 22nd, Minneapolis, MN: Noise demonstration. More info here.
      • November 3rd, Minneapolis, MN: Letter writing night. More info here.

South-East

North-East

      • September 26th, New York, NY: Letter writing night. More info here.
      • September 27th, Brooklyn, NY: Countering prison strike retaliation letter writing night. More info here.
      • September 29th, Middletown, CT: Letter writing night. More info here.
      • October 4th, Utica, NY: Film screening and discussion on September 9th strike. More info here.
      • October 15th, Brookly, NY: ‘Abolish Prison Society’ open forum. More info here.
      • October 29th, Providence, RI: Letter writing night. More info here.

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In search of new forms of life. It's Going Down is a digital community center and media platform featuring news, opinion, podcasts, and reporting on autonomous social movements and revolt across so-called North America from an anarchist perspective.

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