Prison Break: Always On the MOVE

The year is now more than halfway over. We have received all art and article submissions and are busy compiling the 2020 calendar already. As you flip your 2019 Certain Days: Freedom for Political Prisoners Calendar from June to July, take notice of Alec Dunn’s amazing artwork, an ode to “nurses who did work in palliative and hospice care during the early days of HIV/AIDS.” The essay for July is written by Dr. Barbara Zeller about her partner, and is titled “The Life and Work of Alan Berkman.” If you are not familiar with the amazing and revolutionary work of the late, great Dr. Alan Berkman then you should most definitely read this essay.

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A lot happened in June, from hung juries to Running Down the Walls to The International Day of Solidarity with Marius Mason & All Long-Term Anarchist Prisoners. Here’s a round-up of what happened in June and a run-down of what’s happening this month:

Political Prisoner Birthdays in July:

If you haven’t written political prisoner Nina Droz Franco, now’s your chance; she has a birthday at the end of this month. Arrested following a May Day demonstration in Puerto Rico, Nina was taken into federal custody and just over a year ago, she received a 37 month prison sentence with three years of probation. Be sure to write and show your love. Also, there are seven political prisoner birthdays in August, so it’s a great time to plan a letter-writing and birthday card event!

July 30, 2019
Nina Droz Franco #50427-069
FCI Tallahassee
501 Capital Circle, NE
Tallahassee, FL 32301

Ongoing Cases:

Vaughn 17: On June 12, the State of Delaware dropped the charges against the three remaining defendants in relation to the 2017 uprising at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna, Delaware. Remember though that these defendants remain incarcerated, and support is still critical.

Veronza Bowers

Scott Warren / No More Deaths: On June 11th, jurors in the case of No More Deaths humanitarian activist Scott Warren were unable to reach a unanimous decision, resulting in a hung jury. As Warren so aptly pointed out, at least 88 bodies have been found in the Sonoran Desert since his arrest in January 2018, and yet the government may still decide to use its abundant resources to try him again.

Chelsea Manning: As of this writing, Chelsea Manning remains behind bars because of her principled resistance to Grand Jury inquisitions. She needs your support, so write her a letter and, if you’re able, she could use financial assistance as she is forced to move her belongings into storage.

Parole:

Veronza Bowers: Former Black Panther and long-time political prisoner Veronza Bowers was recently denied parole. Imprisoned since 1976, Bowers deserves his freedom. Learn more about him and send him a letter.

Hamilton Running Down the Walls

MOVE 9: On Friday, June 21, Eddie Africa was released from prison, being the fifth MOVE 9 member to gain their freedom in the last two years. While we cherish and celebrate the recent releases of Debbie, Mike, Janine, Janet, and Eddie Africa, we do so knowing that the battle is still raging. Chuck and Delbert Africa remain imprisoned and we are not stopping until they are all free. The Abolitionist Law Center, a recent recipient of Certain Days proceeds, and The People’s Law Office have been integral in securing these releases. Sign the petition to support Chuck Africa, who has a parole hearing scheduled for December. Delbert has an upcoming parole hearing scheduled for September. Additionally, both Janet and Janine are working to rebuild their lives on the outside, and any help with their fundraiser is greatly appreciated.

Also in the News:

If you write to any of the three political prisoners known as the Virgin Island 3, then take notice that they have been transferred. Their new addresses are as follows:

Abdul Azeez* #16-047
Citrus County Detention Facility
2604 West Woodland Ridge Dr
Lecanto, FL 34461
*Address envelope to Warren Ballentine

Hanif Shabazz Bay* #16-001
Citrus County Detention Facility
2604 West Woodland Ridge Dr
Lecanto, FL 34461
*Address envelope to Beaumont Gereau

Malik Smith* #16-024
Citrus County Detention Facility
2604 West Woodland Ridge Dr
Lecanto, FL 34461
*Address envelope to Meral Smith

Now in its 15th year, The International Day of Solidarity with Marius Mason & All Long-Term Anarchist Prisoners has grown exponentially. Read letters of support and solidarity from Jeremy Hammond, Kevin Berry (of the Vaughn 17), Marius Mason, and also be sure to listen to a recent Kite Line podcast featuring interviews with long-term supporters of Marius Mason.

Running Down the Walls in NYC

The Fight Toxic Prisons 2019 Convergence took place mid-June in Gainesville, Florida. Immediately following the weekend-long gathering, activists converged on the Florida Department of Transportation, which has a contract to lease unpaid prisoners to do road work for the State. Those attending the FTP conference also participated in a Father’s Day Bailout rally, in solidarity with incarcerated fathers in Alachua County.

Political prisoner Bill Dunne was given a 15 year hit at his last parole hearing, which was four years ago. Bill just wrote a moving article on the role of Parole Commissions, which you can read here. If you’re not familiar with Bill or his case, write him a letter and show your solidarity.

Bill Dunne, #10916-086
FCI Victorville Medium I
PO Box 3725
Adelanto, CA 92301

Sign the petition to save Mumia Abu Jamal’s eyesight. Deteriorating conditions require surgical procedures to maintain Mumia’s vision, and pressure is needed to convince the prison to allow Mumia to receive this surgery.

Eddie Africa discusses not being able to purchase water despite having issues with the plumbing in doc facilities. pic.twitter.com/vFNcjUF6Un

— Abolitionist Law Center (@AbolitionistLC) June 27, 2019

Hamilton, Ontario’s June 15 Pride was met with violence by far-right zealots. In the aftermath, Hamilton Police Services (HPS) have been targeting activists, anarchists, and Pride participants and organizers. Hamilton anarchist Cedar Hopperton has since been arrested and is currently on hunger strike.

Certain Days to Keep in Mind:

A quick glance of your Certain Days calendar shows July starting off with anniversaries of major prisoner-led hunger strikes in California, from the indefinite hunger strike at Pelican Bay in 2011 to the food strike at Soledad prison in 1963. Among many other radical dates you’ll find, there’s the July 11, 1990 Oka Crisis, when Quebec police attacked Indigenous activists in Kanehsatake. Also, Assata Shakur has a birthday on July 16th.