From A Wing In Greece to Lee Correctional: Solidarity With the #PrisonStrike

A statement of solidarity from Greek prisoners to those in the US participating in the ongoing #PrisonStrike.

Cover Photo: Greek Anarchist Banner Dropped in Solidarity with Prison Strikers

In light of what happened at the “Lee Correctional Institution” prison in the state of South Carolina, U.S.A., which resulted in the tragic death of 7 inmates and 17 seriously injured, an act that is the full responsibility of the prison, the warden and the guards, who knew they were placing members of rival gangs in the same wing, and who are proud about their cowardly result. We, the prisoners of the A’ wing offer our solidarity to all South Carolina imprisoned fighters and all the prisoners of America, and declare our support for the current prison strike; affirming a common opposition to the dirty manipulations of the wardens and the guards which have resulted in the death of our incarcerated brothers.

On January 13, 1970, Nollen and 2 other black prisoners at Soledad prison, were shot and murdered by a guard while they were fighting with white racist prisoners, members of the “Aryan Brotherhood.” Four days later, a guard was beaten to death and thrown from the third floor of the wing. For this action that was considered as an act of retaliation, George Jackson and 2 other black prisoners were accused. The 3 of them became known as “Soledad Brothers” and were facing the death penalty. On August 7, 1970, 17-years-old Jonathan Jackson armed with a machine gun, captured the courtroom in Marin of California, releasing three black prisoners of San Quentin prison and taking the judge, the prosecutor and three jury members as hostages. Jonathan Jackson’s goal was to trade the judges with “Soledad Brothers,” and ask for their safe transport to Cuba. Upon leaving the court, the police opened fire, killing Jackson, the judge, and two of the prisoners.

We will never forgive or forget the corrupted prison system of “Lee Correctional Institution” prison in the state of South Carolina, U.S.A., that led to death 7 of our detained as well as 17 seriously injured. To those who are racist and support murder and torture against Black, Portuguese, and Latin people, we commit ourselves that they will always find us in their way, no matter what. The South Carolina prison pigs, such as all states of U.S.A., must know that for the slaughter they caused on this day that they will pay for this.

The start and end dates of the strike were selected to present the history of struggles in U.S.A. for the abolition of slavery and liberation of Black people. On August 21, 1831, an African-American named Nat Turner participated with other slaves in a major revolt that freed slaves from plantations and executed slave owners. On September 9, 1971, the rebellion in Attica prison began. The 1,200 prisoners captured 3 wings of Attica prison until the 13th of September, holding 38 prison guards as hostages, demanding amnesty, the release of all political prisoners in U.S.A., and the abolition of torture.

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S DEMANDS OF FEDERAL AND STATE PRISONS AND IMMIGRANT DETENTION CENTERS:

1. Immediate improvements to the conditions of prisons and prison policies that recognize the humanity of imprisoned men and women.

2. An immediate end to prison slavery. All persons imprisoned in any place of detention under United States jurisdiction must be paid the prevailing wage in their state or territory for their labor.

3. The Prison Litigation Reform Act must be rescinded, allowing imprisoned humans a proper channel to address grievances and violations of their rights.

4. The Truth in Sentencing Act and the Sentencing Reform Act must be rescinded so that imprisoned humans have a possibility of rehabilitation and parole. No human shall be sentenced to Death by Incarceration or serve any sentence without the possibility of parole.

5. An immediate end to the racial overcharging, over-sentencing, and parole denials of Black and brown humans. Black humans shall no longer be denied parole because the victim of the crime was white, which is a particular problem in southern states.

6. An immediate end to racist gang enhancement laws targeting Black and brown humans.

7. No imprisoned human shall be denied access to rehabilitation programs at their place of detention because of their label as a violent offender.

8. State prisons must be funded specifically to offer more rehabilitation services.

9. Pell grants must be reinstated in all US states and territories.

10. The voting rights of all confined citizens serving prison sentences, pretrial detainees, and so-called “ex-felons” must be counted. Representation is demanded. All voices count.

Freedom to all imprisoned fighters of Lee Correctional Institution prison and all prisons of America!

Larissa Prison, Greece

-127 prisoners of the A’ wing