Rockford, IL: “Say No to the New COINTELPRO!,” #FreeAnt Banner Drop

Report on recent banner drop against the continued repression of the ongoing rebellion following the police killing of George Floyd.

The struggle for black liberation has intensified since the anti-police uprising that began in Minneapolis in May. The rebellion spread like wild fire across the so-called United States. In Rockford, we witnessed a black lead multi-racial revolt against the Rockford Police Department on May 30th. Many of our comrades were arrested on that day and throughout the rest of the summer.

Philadelphia Activist Anthony Smith Arrested Amid Protests of Police Killing of Walter Wallace Jr. https://t.co/FlZGXUmLnp

— Democracy Now! (@democracynow) October 29, 2020

Despite the apparent Biden presidency, the state repression of the abolitionist movement will continue. It does not matter who is in office. The Federal charges against Anthony Smith in Philadelphia and others across the United States is proof that the State is attempting to create a new generation of black political prisoners. Repression will continue regardless of who is in power.

We encourage all revolutionaries to organize their communities to defend people being targeted by the State for their participation in the rebellion and radical political action. A truly resilient movement must support people facing state repression for their actions and organization. Let us build anti-repression councils in every city. Say no to the new COINTELPRO!

We hope with our banner to amplify the demands of Philly revolutionaries to #FreeAnt. Furthermore, Ant’s charges and the charges of all others in Philly must be dropped. We also uplift the demands of the Black Philly Radical Collective to for the immediate release of Mumia Abu Jamal, Major Tillery, Arthur Cetawayo Johnson, Russell “Maroon” Shoatz, Omar Askia, Joseph “Jo-Jo” Bowen, and all Black Political Prisoners. 
We cannot forget our revolutionary elders.

Hundreds face trumped up charges following the #GeorgeFloyd rebellion – with hundreds more expected to be swept up in raids + arrests by the State. Anti-repression groups are needed now more than ever. Let's remember the lessons from #J20 and build. https://t.co/Cyx2939JJO

— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) November 10, 2020

It is imperative that revolutionaries in Rockford understand links between state repression in our own city to the larger State strategy to destroy movements for Black liberation. The Rockford Police Department and the Winnebago County Sherriff Office actions to surveill, repress and detain organizers, anarchists and movement participants is not unique to Rockford.

We demand that all protestors across the United States must be granted amnesty. All charges must be dropped. We have unconditional solidarity to all rebels, radicals and revolutionaries facing State repression.

Free Them All.
Fire to the Prisons.
Fuck 12.
Black Liberation Now