Rebel Prisoner Birthdays for April

Inspired by the spirit of the Political Prisoners Birthday crew, here’s a short listing of some rebel prisoners who have upcoming birthdays in April.

For an introduction on how to write to prisoners and some things to do and not to do, go here. If you have the time, please also check IWOC’s listing of prisoners facing retaliation for prison strike-related organizing. And congratulations to Joseph Buddenburg, a former animal liberation prisoner who’ll be celebrating his birthday in freedom this month after being released last year!

Delbert Orr Africa: One of the MOVE 9. The MOVE 9 are nine men and women were imprisoned in August 8, 1978, following a massive police attack on their home in the Powelton Village neighborhood of Philadelphia. The raid was a major military operation carried out by the Philadelphia police department under orders of then-mayor, Frank Rizzo. During this attack, heavy equipment was used to tear down the fence surrounding their home, fill the house with tear gas, and flood it. One of the cops on the scene was killed by a single bullet, most likely fired by another cop from above during the raid. All nine members of the MOVE organization were put on trial and convicted of murder.

Birthday: April 2
Address:
Smart Communications/PA DOC
Delbert Orr Africa #AM4985
SCI Dallas
Post Office Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733

Charles Sims Africa: One of the MOVE 9.
Birthday: April 2
Address:
Smart Communications/PA DOC
Chares Sims Africa #AM4975
SCI Dallas
Post Office Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733

Georges Ibrahim Abdallah: Lebanese revolutionary political prisoner held in France.
Address:
Mr. Georges Ibrahim ABDALLAH
2388/A221
CP de Lannemezan
204 rue des Saligues
BP 70166
65307 LANNEMEZAN
France

Romaine “Chip” Fitzgerald: Black Panther political prisoner, held in prison since 1969 for his participation in a shootout between police and Panthers, as well as being framed on a separate murder charge.
Birthday: April 10
Address:
Romaine Fitzgerald B-27527
CSP- LAC
P.O. Box 4490
B-4-150
Lancaster, CA 93539
United States

Janet Holloway Africa: One of the Move 9.
Birthday: April 13
Address:
Smart Communications/PA DOC
Janet Holloway Africa #OO6308
SCI Cambridge Springs
Post Office Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733

Walter Bond: Imprisoned ALF activist serving 12 years for animal liberation arsons.
Birthday: April 16
Address:
Walter Bond 37096-013
FCI Terre Haute CMU
PO Box 33
Terre Haute IN 47808

Vadim Boyko: Antifascist football/soccer fan from Belarus, serving a four-year sentence for a fight with far-right hooligans.
Birthday: April 19
Address:
Use this handy form from ABC Belarus who can translate your message for you, or send mail in Russian or Belarussian to:
IK-17, ul. Pervaya Zavodskaya, 8
213004, Shklov, Mogilevskaya obl.
Belarus
Boyko Vadim Sergeyevich

Roy Brown: Ferguson rebel convicted of looting during the Ferguson uprising, along with other unrelated robbery charges.
Birthday: April 20
Address:
Roy Brown #1310047
11593 State Highway O
Mineral Point, MO 63660

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.
Birthday: April 24
Address:
Smart Communications/PA DOC
Mumia Abu-Jamal #AM8335
SCI Mahanoy
Post Office Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733

Janis Mathis: A former Vaughn 17 defendant. While the state has now given up on its attempts to charge Mathis in relation to the Vaughn uprising, Mathis deserves respect for staying in solidarity with his codefendants throughout the process and refusing to cooperate with the prosecution.
Birthday: April 24
Address:
Janis Mathis
SBI# 00492275
Sussex Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 500
Georgetown DE 19947

Janine Phillips Africa: One of the Move 9.
Birthday: April 24
Address:
Smart Communications/PA DOC
Janine Phillips Africa #OO6309
SCI Cambridge Springs
Post Office Box 33028
St Petersburg, Florida 33733