Prison Break: In the August Heat

The August artwork in your 2019 Certain Days: Freedom for Political Prisoners Calendar should look familiar. This beautifully detailed art by Montreal-based Hikaru Ikeda – is on the cover. The essay for the month is a moving piece on former Canadian political prisoner Peter Collins, written by abolitionist Giselle Dias. Sadly, Peter Collins died in prison at the age of 53. You can read more about him and his struggle here.

There’s a really rad instructional video on how and why to write to political prisoners, a collaboration between the folks at Burning Books and Page One. Be sure to check it out and then write a letter to one of the all-too-many political prisoners in North America and around the world. Here is a round-up of what happened in July and a run-down of what is happening in August:

Political Prisoner Birthdays in August:

There are a ton of political prisoner birthdays in August, so if you have not already organized a letter-writing party, now is the perfect time to do so!

August 2:
Eric King, #27090-045
USP Lee
U.S. Penitentiary
PO Box 305
Jonesville, VA 24263
*New address, Eric arrived 7/31/2019. No cards, but send him letters!

August 3:
Bill Dunne, #10916-086
FCI Victorville, Medium 1
PO Box 3725
Adelanto, CA 92301

August 8:
Dr. Mutulu Shakur, #83205-012
USP Victorville
PO Box 3900
Adelanto, CA 92301

August 15:
Little Feather
Centre, Inc.
Residential Transitional Re-entry Center
100 6th Ave, SE
Mandan, ND 58554
*Address envelope to Michael Giron

August 16:
Hanif Shabazz Bey, #19-1952
Citrus County Detention Facility
2604 W Woodland Ridge Dr
Lecanto, FL 34461
*Address envelope to Beaumont Gereau

August 23:
Russell ‘Maroon’ Shoatz, #AF3855
Smart Communications/PA DOC
SCI Dallas
PO Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL 33733

Ongoing Cases:

Scott Warren / No More Deaths: As expected, the government has announced a retrial in the case of humanitarian aid volunteer Scott Warren, who faces years in prison if convicted.

Releases/Parole:

Little Feather: NoDAPL Water Protector and political prisoner Little Feather has been released into a halfway house, where he is to serve four months before being released on three years of probation. His partner had this to say. Any support you can provide for Little Feather is appreciated.

Connor Stevens: On Friday, July 19, political prisoner Connor Stevens was released from prison. Imprisoned since 2012 as part of the Cleveland 4, Connor needs our support as he readjusts to life on the outside.

Also in the News:

If you write to imprisoned Standing Rock Water Protector Red Fawn Fallis, she has been moved. Her support crew had this to say, “Red Fawn has been transferred to Dublin, CA. This should be a long term location. We are hoping that visitors will be approved quickly. She is happy to be located closer to family. She thanks everyone for continuing to pray for her. She keeps everyone in her prayers.”

Red Fawn Fallis, #16358-059
FCI Dublin
5701 8th Street – Camp Parks
Dublin, CA 94568

Our newest inside collective member, Chicano political prisoner Xinachtli, was recently transferred for serious medical treatment in Texas, for Hepatitis C as well as hypertension. Follow Certain Days on social media to be notified of latest news and current addresses. The extreme heat within the Texas prison system, combined with the inhumane treatment of prisoners within Texas prisons, means that calls and letters of support for Xinachtli are much needed at this time.

Alvaro Luna Hernandez, #255735
Allan D. Polunsky Unit
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston, TX 77351

Certain Days to Keep in Mind:

August is an important month in the history of resistance, particularly for the Black Freedom Struggle. From Jonathan Jackson’s daring liberation attempt on August 7, 1970 to his brother George Jackson’s murder at San Quentin prison on August 21, 1971, Nat Turner’s slave rebellion of 1831 to Prisoners’ Justice Day on August 10, Black August is indeed a time to celebrate, and also a time to double-down on our resistance to repressive systems.