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Apr 2, 24
Filed under: Featured, In Contempt
In this column, we present our monthly roundup of political prisoner, prison rebel, and repression news, happenings, announcements, action and analysis. Packed in as always are updates, fundraisers, and birthdays.
There’s a lot happening, so let’s dive right in!
Political Prisoner News
The call for support to get adequate healthcare for longterm Black Liberation prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal continues, with a request to keep the pressure up on the Pennsylvania prison system. You can read a report from a recent visit with Mumia here. A new fundraiser has been set up to help the fight for Mumia’s medical treatment.
It’s been confirmed that long-term anarchist prisoner Bill Dunne has been moved to FMC Butner to begin cancer treatment, having had to demand this treatment for over a year. Write to Bill at his new address:
Bill Dunne # 10916-086
FMC Butler
PO Box 1600
Butner, NC
27509
The National Lawyers’ Guild held a ‘Week of Abolition’ in early March, with contributions from former political prisoners Red Fawn Fallis, Michael “Rattler” Marcus, and Eric King. You can watch the talk on Rattling the Cages here. Eric also recently appeared on the Antifada, Rattling the Bars, and the Uncivilized podcast. Firestorm Books will be hosting an event on April 27th, bringing together former political prisoners Eric King, Herman Bell, David Gilbert and Susan Rosenberg.
Chicano anarchist political prisoner Xinachtli is preparing for an upcoming parole bid, and has broadcast a new interview about his case and parole campaign on the Final Straw Radio. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact the parole campaign at 2024xinachtlifreedomcampaign (at) gmail.com.
A gofundme has been set up for longterm indigenous political prisoner Leonard Peltier, to help him fight for his freedom and adequate medical care to stop him losing his eyesight.
It’s Going Down has published a new letter from Mexican anarchist prisoner Jorge “Yorch” Esquivel. A current update on his situation wrote:
Jorge is currently incarcerated in the Reclusorio Oriente prison in Mexico City. The legal process is still in the evidence stage. Several hearings have been postponed and Jorge’s process is being delayed and prolonged to keep him in what is called “preventative imprisonment” with no sentence, which is common for cases of political prisoners in Mexico. Despite the fact that there is no evidence to keep him in prison, the strategy of the State is clearly to drag it out as long as possible, which is a tortuous level of uncertainty for all of us close to Jorge.
Thanks to the solidarity of individuals, collectives and networks, it has been possible to cover Jorge’s expenses inside the prison, which have been very high due to the corruption that reigns in Mexican prisons. We are raising funds to support his legal costs and basic needs to be able to survive in this unjust incarceration, and to re-join the community on the outside as soon as possible. We call upon the solidarity of our friends and compañerxs around the world to help us in supporting our compañero Yorch.
To Donate: https://gofund.me/ebca5f6d
Updates on Instagram: @yorchlibre
Uprising Defendants, Stop Cop City and other Ongoing Cases
Building on their work defending groups such as Rising Tide North America from legal harassment, the Civil Liberties Defense Center is holding an upcoming training on defending yourself from SLAPP (SLAPP—Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation—meant to silence critics and dissent) suits. The session will be held as a webinar on April 17th at 3:30 PST, with registration information to be available soon. In the meantime, you can view previous CLDC webinars here.
The ATF have been conducting a full-scale investigation around Charleston, South Carolina, with a number of subpoenas being issued and houses visited, apparently in connection with the Stop Cop City movement. New York-based prisoner support project Mongoose Distro also report that one of their volunteers was recently visited by the FBI at their home.
Jack Mazurek
Stop Cop City defendant Jack Mazurek has been bonded and released from prison. From Jack’s support site:
In a significant development in Jack’s legal battle, on March 29, a judge in Fulton County Court granted him bond! With this decision, Jack will be released from jail in the coming days, reuniting him with his loved ones and community. Fulton County often delays releasing people who have been granted bond, but we will advocate rigorously to ensure his quick release.
The cash bond amount was set for $75,000 and Jack was ordered 24-hour house arrest. There were a number of other conditions set by the judge that restrict Jack’s ability to work, engage in community, or even to meet with his lawyer at his office.
As Jack prepares to transition back to freedom, continued support remains crucial. Letters of encouragement and books sent to him during his time in incarceration have provided a lifeline, and we encourage supporters to maintain this solidarity.
Additionally, sustained advocacy and legal efforts will continue, with funds raised being allocated towards covering legal fees and the high costs associated with home detention and the inability to work while under house arrest.
Together, we are committed to ensuring Jack stays free!”
To donate to Jack’s fundraiser, please head to the link below:
Stay updated on Jack’s case by following his support website. In early March, supporters of the movement held a rally and punk show outside of the Atlanta courthouse in solidarity with one of Jack’s court dates.
A legal fundraiser has been set up for “Protest Mom” Aeshna, who is facing charges related to a drag defense action in Fort Worth, Texas. You can find shareable graphics with information on the case here. Supporters of her co-defendant Chris “Big Tex” G have shared a recent update on his case. As part of the SmashbySmashwest counter-festival in Austin, a benefit show was held for the two defendants, where a message from Chris G was read out.
The It’s Going Down podcast recently interviewed Jeremy White, a defendant in the ongoing San Diego “Antifa” case dating back to January 2021.
Support is also needed for Southern California based antifascist prisoner Tall Can. Head over to Pushing Down the Walls for more info. From their Instagram:
Most times when Tall Can’s name is is mentioned the response is, “he’s a real one.” For two years TC has made the trip up to perform for PDTW attendees. He has been about the support for political prisoners even before being locked up because he already knew how important this work is.
Let’s do what we can to make sure our comrade knows he’s got folks on the outside who love him as we fight to get him back with his family!
Peatmoss Ellis has recently been sentenced to a month in jail for spray-painting a Custer statue. You can donate to them via CashApp or Venmo at Peatmossss.
There’s a call for people to donate to Chío, a Mexican prisoner prosecuted for defending herself against a homophobic attack who is now facing a heavy fine. Funds can be sent via PayPal to @CatherineCVS.
René Goddard, one of the Arkansas George Floyd Uprising defendants who recently began her sentence, has an upcoming birthday on April 16th. Her address is:
Renea Goddard #22810-509
FCI Aliceville
P.O. BOX 4000
Aliceville, AL 35442
A new anarchist podcast, No Spiritual Surrender, just broadcast an interview with Epona Rose, a trans defendant who’s been facing charges for defending herself from an attack. You can learn more about Epona’s case at her support site.
Three people facing charges connected to Palestine solidarity protests in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, have a court date on April 3rd, and are asking people to show up in support.
Hassan
Hassan, AKA Vibez, is a George Floyd uprising defendant from Portland who is due for release shortly, and you can donate to his post-release funds here.
Kevin “Rashid” Johnson
The most recent update on imprisoned organizer Kevin “Rashid” Johnson is that he has come off his hunger strike after winning a transfer:
Rashid has been transferred to the Eastern part of Virginia, closer to medical facilities as we all have been demanding!
Here is the new address for letters:
Kevin “Rashid” Johnson #1007485
Greensville Correctional Center
901 Corrections Way
Jarratt, VA 23870-9614He reports much better health. He had lost a lot of weight during the hunger strike, but he has already gained back much of it. He has had his tablet restored, so he is somewhat able to communicate via email. Phone communications seem to be in the process of being restored.
He is not in solitary confinement as he was at Red Onion State Prison.
This report is incomplete, as communications remain somewhat spotty.
Rashid has recently published two new articles, “How Prison Officials Manufactured Gangs And Gang Wars In Virginia’s Prisons” and “Spotlight on Virginia Prisons.”
Northwest Detention Center Hunger Strike
Via @laresistencianw
Another hunger strike has begun at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, after Charles Leo Daniel died while in solitary confinement there. Over 200 detainees are reported to be taking part in the strike, while organizers from La Resistencia and Tsuru for Solidarity have begun a solidarity hunger strike outside the facility. There’s also a call for mass direct action against the detention center on April 27-28. Check out La Resistencia and Tsuru for Solidarity for more updates.
General Prison News and Abolitionist Media
The Certain Days collective is calling for submissions for their 2025 calendar. From their website:
The Certain Days: Freedom for Political Prisoners Calendar collective will be releasing our 24th calendar this coming autumn. We are doing an open call for abolition-related art and article submissions to feature in the calendar, which hangs in more than 6,000 homes, workplaces, prison cells, and community spaces around the world. We encourage contributors to submit both new and existing work. We especially seek submissions from people in prison or jail, so please forward this call to any prison-based artists and writers.
Left Coast Right Watch have published a report on the Free Alabama Movement’s current strategy and recent prison strikes.
Former political prisoner Eric King is appealing for people to get involved in supporting his friend Randy “Smiles” Platt, a prisoner at USP Florence Admax who fights to defend antifascist and queer prisoners. Smiles is currently in solitary confinement after being set up and attacked by another prisoner with a hammer. You can write to Smiles at:
Randy Platt
#20764-081
USP Florence ADMAX
PO Box 8500
Florence, CO 80501
Prisoners at Maine State Prison have recently begun a hunger strike over conditions in solitary confinement.
Prisoners in Sioux Falls, SD engaged in several nights of unrest “at South Dakota’s largest penal institution.” According to one report:
Tea Storm Chasers, a nonprofit media outlet based in Tea, started a livestream video of the incident shortly before midnight Thursday. As on Wednesday, the disruption centered on East Hall, one of two large cell blocks at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls.
At points in the 27-minute video, inmates can be heard yelling “we have rights,” and “water.” The noise had quieted by the end of the livestream, but the interior lights inside the cell block remained on until at least 3 a.m. The lights typically go out overnight, and were out in West Hall, located on the other side of the penitentiary.
A correctional officer was injured during a similar disruption on Wednesday, according to Gov. Kristi Noem. That incident was sparked by an attempt to confiscate inmate tablets, the governor said in a recorded interview, on which calling and messaging have been restricted since March 8 as a result of an investigation into what Noem called “nefarious” uses by some inmates.
Inmates could be heard chanting “we want phones” during the first incident, which began late in the afternoon. DOC Secretary Kellie Wasko sent a statement to media organizations at 8:30 p.m. that night to announce that order had been restored.
It’s unclear if any injuries to staff or inmates occurred in the second bout of unrest, which took place Thursday evening into early Friday morning.
Ferguson uprising prisoner Josh Williams had a parole hearing on March 14th, and may be due to be released soon. At time of writing, it is not clear what the outcome of his hearing was.
Anarchist prisoner Michael Kimble is preparing to file case for a sentence reduction, and is raising funds to secure proper legal representation.
The Michigan General Defense Committee have organized a phone-zap for Hunter Poppenger, an anarchist prisoner who has been assaulted after being threatened and set up by staff. The Ombudsman has now confirmed that they are looking into the incident, and Hunter’s family say that there has been some improvements, but further action may be needed if Hunter is not transferred, so keep an eye on Michigan GDC’s social media to see how the situation develops.
Michigan GDC have also been supporting the campaign to get medical clemency for Krystal Clark, a prisoner suffering severe health effects from mold. You can learn more about her situation at the Free Krystal website.
Source: Free Krystal Clark
The Pennsylvania network of abolition study groups have organized a campaign in solidarity with prisoners at SCI Rockview, a prison where guards hung nooses up and prisoners who complained were sent to solidarity. You can read the original call for a phone zap here, along with an update for the second week of the campaign here. They also have documentation of the mass grievance letter-writing campaign that was launched by comrades inside the prison, and a set of broader reflections on abolitionist strategy.
In the Indiana prison system, IDOC Watch have organized phone/email zaps to support Aaron Isby, who’s been denied access to the law library, and Khalfani Malik Khaldun, who’s been moved out of general population and into a semi-segregation unit. They’ve also published an article by Landis Reynolds, a prisoner reporting on a new IDOC policy that would potentially allow rape victims to be punished for “nonconsensual sexual activity.”
Virginia prisoner Uhuru Rowe is due to be released soon, and you can donate to his release fund here. Uhuru will be releasing a new zine, Conscious Prisoner, in the near future.
A new book, “Books Through Bars: Stories from the Prison Books Movement” has been published, collecting accounts from participants in books-to-prisoner programs. The Final Straw interviewed Mac Marquis, one of the editors and contributors.
The Final Straw Radio also recently broadcast a new interview with James “Jay” Ward, an Ohio prisoner involved in several struggles on the inside, including the national 2018 prison strike.
Michigan Abolition and Prisoner Solidarity have published a new issue of their zine, The Opening Statement.
Baltimore is building a new jail, estimated to cost $1 billion, and described as “the most expensive state-run project in Maryland’s history.”
The Prison Policy Initiative have published a major report, The Whole Pie, examining the current state of mass incarceration.
People involved in working with Kentucky prisoners have reported that the prison system has begun censoring outside mail if it contains messages from other prisoners. Anyone with experience of working around this kind of issue is invited to reach out to the column to share ideas.
Finally, It’s Going Down now has a zine creator that turns a daily version of the website into an easy to print several page zine. Perfect for distros and sending into prisons. Check it out here!
International
The Final Straw Radio recently broadcast an interview with UK anarchist prisoner Toby Shone. Bristol ABC also have a report from a probation office demo for Toby. You can read a recent article from Toby, The Subversive Written Word, here.
Long-term Slovakian animal liberation prisoner Ladislav Kuc has now been released. You can read an interview with Ladislav here, and contribute to his release funds here.
The Final Straw Radio recently broadcast an interview covering the Tymen case in Russia. Three of the defendants are musicians, and a compilation has been released bringing their music together as a fundraiser for their legal defense.
Antifascists across Europe are organizing in solidarity with the defendants who are threatened with extradition to Hungary in the Budapest antifa case. You can find information on how to donate to the defense campaign here. A day of solidarity with the defendants was held on March 18th, and you can see a collection of graffiti from the day here. A court has just rejected an application for house arrest from one of the defendants, meaning Ilaria will continue to be kept in prison pre-trial.
Source: Antifa International
In Chile, Mapuche political prisoner Claudia Nahuelan has just been transferred to a prison closer to her family, which the state is attempting to appeal against, while anarchist Tomás González has just been sentenced to 16 years. You can read a statement from Tomás here, and fellow Chilean anarchist prisoners Mónica Caballero Sepúlveda and Marcelo Villarroel Sepúlveda have also recently published new writings. Mónica’s co-defendant Francisco Solar has just had a new appeal heard, although the court appears to have upheld his entire 86-year sentence.
In Italy, anarchist prisoners Alfredo Cospito and Anna Beniamino are due to have a new hearing on April 24th, which may lead to a change in their sentences.
Greek anarchist prisoner Dimitris Chatzivasiliadis has been transferred to solitary confinement.
Uprising Defendants
See Uprising Support for more info, and check out the Antirepression PDX site for updates from Portland cases. To the best of our knowledge they currently include:
Tyre Means 49981-086
USP Atwater
P.O. Box 019001
Atwater, CA 95301
Margaret Channon 49955-086
FCI Tallahassee
P.O. Box 5000
Tallahassee, FL 32314
Hassan Muhammad #19203494
Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP)
2605 State Street
Salem, OR 97310
You can donate to Hassan’s post-release fundraiser here.
Malik Muhammad #23935744
Oregon State Penitentiary
2605 State Street
Salem, OR 97310
Cyan Waters Bass #23905849
Oregon State Correctional Institution
3405 Deer Park Drive SE
Salem, Oregon 97310
Montez Lee 22429-041
FCI Ray Brook
Federal Correctional Institution
PO Box 900
Ray Brook, NY 12977
Matthew White #21434-041
FCI Terre Haute
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. BOX 33
Terre Haute, IN 47808
Matthew Rupert #55013-424
USP McCreary
P.O. Box 3000
Pine Knot, KY 42635
José Felan #54146-380
FCI Terre Haute
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 33
Terre Haute, IN 47808
David Elmakayes 77782-066
FCI McKean
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 8000
Bradford, PA 16701
Andrew Duncan-Augustyniak
Smart Communications/PA DOC
Andrew Duncan-Augustyniak / QN9211
SCI Rockview
PO Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733
Anthony Smith
14813-509
FCI Fort Dix
Federal Correctional Institution
Satellite Camp
P.O. Box 2000
Joint Base MDL, NJ 08640
Ellie Brett 14822-509
FCI Petersburg Medium
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 1000
Petersburg, VA 23804
John Wade 14762509
FCI Beckley
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 350
General & Legal Mail
Beaver, WV 25813
Alvin Joseph 1002016959
Hays State Prison
PO Box 668
Trion, GA 30753
Richard Hunsinger 16066-509
FCI Forrest City Low
P.O. Box 9000
Forrest City, AR 72335
Diego Vargas 55070-424
FCI Allenwood Medium
PO Box 2000
White Deer, PA 17887
Howard Eugene Nall #586907*
Newberry Correctional Facility
13747 E. County Road 428
Newberry, MI 49868
T’Andre Buchanan 67637-060
Milan FCI
PO Box 1000
Milan, MI 48160
Renea Goddard #22810-509
FCI Aliceville
P.O. BOX 4000
Aliceville, AL 35442
Aline Espinosa-Villegas #22814-509
FMC Carswell
P.O. Box 27137
Fort Worth, Texas 76127
Upcoming Birthdays
Georges Ibrahim Abdallah
Lebanese revolutionary political prisoner held in French prisons since 1984 for actions targeting U.S. and Israeli officials. You can find a statement calling for an international day of solidarity with Georges on April 2nd here, and April 17th is traditionally observed as Palestinian Prisoners’ Day.
Birthday: April 2
Address:
Mr. Georges Ibrahim ABDALLAH
2388/A221
CP de Lannemezan
204 rue des Saligues
BP 70166
65307 LANNEMEZAN
France
Hanna/Anna Pyshnik
Hanna Pyshnik (Chympajesh) was detained on 22 March 2022 in Mozyr and shares anti-fascist views. According to the prosecution, she “shot a video of helicopters and sent it to a destructive media resource.”
Belarusian prisons will usually only accept letters in Belarusian or Russian, so if you don’t speak one of those languages your best bet is to email your message to belarus_abc(AT)riseup.net or use this online form and they should be able to translate your greetings and pass them on.
Birthday: April 2
Address:
(Belarusian or Russian letters only – use this form for English messages)
Pyshnik (Chimpoyesh) Anna Gennadyevna
IK № 4, ul. Antoshkina 3, Gomel, 246035
René Goddard
René Goddard is a George Floyd Uprising defendant from Arkansas, serving an 18-month sentence for setting a number of police cars on fire.
The Federal system uses Corrlinks, a system where a prisoner must send a request to connect to someone on the outside before they can exchange emails, so if you’re not already connected to René then you’re best off just sending her a card or a letter.
Birthday: April 16
Address:
Renea Goddard #22810-509
FCI Aliceville
P.O. BOX 4000
Aliceville, AL 35442
Roy Brown
Ferguson rebel convicted of looting during the Ferguson uprising, along with other unrelated robbery charges. Missouri uses Jpay, so you can send him a message by going to jpay.com, clicking “inmate search”, then selecting “State: Missouri, Inmate ID: 1310047”.
Birthday: April 20
Address:
Roy Brown #1310047
Potosi Correctional Center
11593 State Highway O
Mineral Point, MO 63660
Pavel Shpteny
Pavel Shpetny was detained on March 2nd, 2021 under a criminal case against the anarchist movement from Brest region. ABC Belarus add, “We are unaware of his political views, but since he is detained under the anarchists’ case, we consider it important to support him in every possible way.”
Belarusian prisons will usually only accept letters in Belarusian or Russian, so if you don’t speak one of those languages your best bet is to email your message to belarus_abc(AT)riseup.net or use this online form and they should be able to translate your greetings and pass them on.
Birthday: April 22
Address:
(Belarusian or Russian letters only – use this form for English messages)
IK № 2, ul. Sikorskogo, 1 g. Bobruysk, 213800, Belarus
Pavel Aleksandrovich Shpetny
Mumia Abu-Jamal
Mumia is an award winning journalist and was one of the founders of the Black Panther Party chapter in Philadelphia, PA. He has struggled for justice and human rights for people of color since he was at least 14 years old; the age when he joined the Party. In December of 1982, Mumia, who moonlighted by driving a taxi, happened upon police who were beating his brother. During the melee, a police officer was shot and killed. Despite the fact that many people saw someone else shoot and then runaway from the scene, Mumia, in what could only be called a kangaroo court, was convicted and sentenced to death. During the summer of 1995, a death warrant was signed by Governor Tom Ridge, which sparked one of the most effective organizing efforts in defense of a political prisoner ever. Since that time, Mumia has had his death sentence overturned, but still has a life sentence with no opportunity for parole.
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 Mumia as a contact by searching his name or “AM8335.”
Birthday: April 24
Address:
Smart Communications/PA DOC
Mumia Abu-Jamal #AM8335
SCI Mahanoy
Post Office Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733
Janiis Mathis
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 “NU0423.”
Birthday: April 24
Address:
Janiis Mathis
SBI# 00492275
Sussex Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 500
Georgetown DE 19947
