Letter from Anarchist Prisoner Jorge “Yorch” Esquivel

Letter from Mexican anarchist political prisoner Jorge “Yorch” Esquivel from inside the Reclusorio Oriente prison in Mexico City.

Hi compas, how are you? I’m here and a little bit stressed out with so much uncertainty. After one year and three months of imprisonment, I ask myself: how have I been able to resist in this place?

Well, I feel that I have been able to resist because of the people who visit me. Visits are very important because it is the day that you see the people who you love and those who care about you. They make you feel like it’s a different day because here all of the days are the same, and they are hard. With visits, we prisoners can forget about the situation we face every day.

Also, the food that various collectives and individuals send to me by way of the visits, like that delicious honey that was sent to me. Also, the nutritious greens and vegetables that come from the floating gardens of Xochimilco. This reminds me of a time a few months ago when I shared some quelites (wild edible herbs such as amaranth greens) that I had cooked with another prisoner who has been in here for a long time. When he ate the quelites, it reminded him of the community he is from. That made me feel good because it’s one of those littles things that I wasn’t really aware of when I was on the outside. These kinds of things have allowed me to resist during this time inside.

Another thing that has also helped me a lot are the letters. I have been able to read letters from various friends, and also people who I don’t know but who are supporting me. Thank you for writing because in this environment, it’s difficult to know what’s going on with my friends. We don’t have email so letters are the way we communicate with people and they are what breaks down these prison walls. They also help me to not forget about the people who are with me, and they help them to not forget about me.

What has also helped me has been knowing about the things that have been organized in different countries such as in Spain, Canada, Germany, England, Italy, Australia, Minneapolis, Los Angeles. Seeing the flyers and posters, and knowing what folks are doing to support me, fills me with strength to keep resisting as long as is necessary.

I can’t forget to mention the graphic art, posters, movies, and books. They have been very important to me, and graphic/artwork can say many things to me that sometimes words cannot.

Thank you very much, friends. Keep applying the pressure because that is the only way to free me from prison.

Political prisoners to the streets!

Sincerely,

El Yorchs

March 10, 2024

For more information on Jorge’s case go here. You can write Jorge a letter in English or Spanish and send it to [email protected].