North East England

Call for Submissions: Zine on Property Destruction

Entering the radical community, many quickly find themselves constantly hearing about debate over property destruction. Is it violence? Does it matter if it’s violence? Is it effective? Is it alienating? And on and on. I’ve been hearing this argument pretty much since I regularly started attending protests. At this point, I almost don’t want to deal with the subject. Naturally, you’re asking, “Then why the hell do you want to make a zine about it?”

The answer is simple: I may be sick of the debate, but that’s just me. As the war in Iraq drags on (dragging bloodied Iraqi corpse upon bloodied Iraqi corpse with it) and discontent and disillusionment with this whole socio-political-economic system increases, more people are getting involved in the fight against capitalism and its machines of war (both the armies abroad and the police at home). For many, when they start going to protests and demonstrations, they have at best mixed feelings about things like property destruction, violently resisting the police, or even just marching in the street without a permit. And some apprehension about these tactics is completely understandable. After all, everything in this system is designed to teach us that property (or perhaps more accurately, corporate property) is sacred, that police should always be obeyed (or else) and that breaking the law, even small laws, is morally and ethically wrong and can never be justifiable.

And so, this is a call for articles, stories, art, or anything else about the tactic of property destruction and its merits for a zine that seeks to give those on the fence about this issue a gentle nudge (and maybe convince them to rip down the fence!). Since this is meant to be a zine for people new to social movements, I respectfully ask that the tone of the articles keep that in mind when choosing their words. To put it plainly, please no anti-liberal rants–they piss me off too, but this is supposed to be the case for property destruction, not the case against liberals (maybe next time!).

When I say articles, I mean previously published or unpublished articles arguing for the validity or effectiveness of property destruction. It doesn’t even have to be something you wrote. If there’s an article that you think is really great and think that it should be included, tell me about it (things like, where I can find it, who wrote it, and how I can get ahold of them). There’s two kinds of stories that would be really great to have for this zine: personal accounts and “historical” accounts. Personal accounts would be something talking about witnessing or even committing an act of property destruction, how it made you feel, what impact it had, etc. Obviously this is very sensitive, so trying to be relatively vague is best (and also see the next paragraph for the best way to submit things like that). A “historical” account would be more of a general story (preferably contemporary) of how property destruction put pressure on an institution to win a concrete goal. Art would be anything that would be an image. A cartoon, a cool drawing, whatever.

If you have anything to contribute, please send an email to tacticaldiversity@gmail.com. I may want to edit some of your submission for various reasons (most likely space). Any edits or cuts will be run by you first. If for some reason you can’t or don’t want to submit something online, send an email and we can discuss other methods of submission. As was said above, sending personal accounts about property destruction over email is not necessarily a good idea. In fact, for both our sakes, it’s a bad idea. Any personal accounts should be submitted will an anonymous email service like www.willselfdestruct.com (be sure to make it at least 1 view). If you want me to respond somehow, you can leave an email address in the willselfdestruct message and I can respond in kind. If you don’t leave a way to respond to you, I may make edits without running them by you first. Also, a major goal is to make sure that every piece published is published with the creator’s permission. This zine isn’t going to be sold anywhere and will be distributed for free, but I still don’t want to use other people’s stuff in this zine without their express permission. So yeah, don’t submit other people’s work acting like it’s your’s and get people pissed at me. If you run an infoshop or any other radical space that could distribute this zine upon completion and are interested in receiving copies, drop a line and you’ll be kept in the loop when it comes time to publish.

In love and rage,
Casey Ford

Reclaim Power — 15min film version online

In the summer of 2006, 600 people set up a Camp for Climate Action in the shadow of one of the biggest C02 emitters in Europe: Drax coal-fired power station in Yorkshire / UK. With over one hundred workshops on a wide range of topics, the 10 day camp was a space of collective learning, sustainable living and taking direct action on the root causes of climate change. The gathering that showed practical low energy solutions in action, culminated in a day of protest and mass direct action in an attempt to shut down Drax.

You can download this 15 min version of the film ‘Reclaim Power — voices from the camp for climate action’ here:

http://video.indymedia.org/en/2007/04/821.shtml

order the multilingual DVD 62 min + several extras — or this 15 min version in DVD quality here: orders@cinerebelde.org or networking@climatecamp.org.uk

More information about the camp 2007: http://climatecamp.org.uk

You are welcome to post or link up this 15 min clip on your websites. Please include a link to cine rebelde: http://www.cinerebelde.org/site.php3?id_rubrique=166〈=en

On how to block just about everything

The upcoming actions against the G8 summit in Heiligendamm will present considerable challenges for the creativity and stamina of activists. After all, the idea is to effectively block all the entry points. The problem is that an enormous army of security and public order forces will be present and try to prevent the same. But history has shown that everything can be blocked. Below you will find some useful stories about the practice of blockades. This text will be updated as new ideas pour in.

Original version of the article, with many illustrations, can be found here: http://www.globalinfo.nl/content/view/1200/30/

Also written by the affinity group Wilnis: 8 good reasons to block the G8 summit ( http://www.globalinfo.nl/content/view/1209/30/)

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The roads to Heiligendamm come in all shapes and sizes. Except to the airport, there are no big motorways, which require their own expert approach to blocking. Most of the roads that will be used to transport people and goods to the G8 summit are dual carriageways, sometimes with a crash barrier inbetween the lanes, often with crash barriers (and cycle paths) along the sides of the road.

To begin an effective blockade is not that difficult, but the skill lies in keeping it going. Good preparation is half the work. You can start with preparing a few days before in the action camps, but it will be even easier if you have made plans before and have organised yourselves in a so-called affinity group. Then you can think beforehand about how you want to do actions, what you need for it, you can also practice already beforehand, etc. During the preparations, you can ask others for advice, learn certain techniques, etc. It is important to form a group of people who more or less agree on the manner in which they want to do actions, so that not too much time goes into discussions or disagreements. If you have not organised yourself in a group yet, or if you have questions, you can always try and find contact through activist meetings. Convergence centres, for example, are going to be set up in Berlin, Hamburg and Rostock, amongst others for this purpose. In the Netherlands, you can find fellow activists at the dissent meetings.

Moreover, during the preparations as well as the implementation of the actions you should expect that the blockade is going to be successful and that it will last long. The G8 summit goes on for 3 days, and the blockades will be implemented for that period of time. Make sure, therefore, that at least for the first hours you have enough to eat and drink and some form of entertainment. Boredom is often one of the biggest problems with successful blockades and occupations.

Inbetween blockades, you can hold sports competitions, lectures, teach-ins, etc. Or you can think about which new function Hotel Kempinski will have afterwards… Also, make sure (especially if you’re in a big group) that you are accompanied by activist first aid and legal observers, activist media, etc. Make sure you have communication channels with other blockades and action camps so that you know what’s going on. If the blockade perseveres, better communication and supply structures can be started later and you can communicate to others that the blockade has started and that other people can help to secure it.

It can be useful to have (in a side street nearby?) one or more cars so that people can get materials there and back.

Make sure you have nice decorations for the blockade, banners, flags and, for example, these things (link to demo units: http://www.demotech.org/d‑design/d‑construct.php?p=69), so that it is clear to the viewer what it’s all about.

The most simple way to blockade is to just sit on the street with a few people. This is already enough to stop car traffic and if there’s a lot of it, the resulting traffic jam will create even more problems for mobility in the surroundings. The more people take part in the blockade, the more difficult it will be to break it. However, past experiences have shown that if the police really want to, they can chase away the blockade fairly easily. There are methods to make the blockade somewhat stronger. For example, by linking arms or by practicing resistance methods against being dragged away. This will delay the eviction. But keep in mind that the police can apply forceful measures: water cannons, tear gas, horses and even dogs. Moreover, it often uses violence when dragging people away (twisting of arms, fingers in the nose, battering with the stick, etc.) Make sure cameras are directed towards the police, that might restrain them in their violence.

On a (hopefully unnecessary) side note: before you sit on the street, the traffic has to have stopped. You also have to make sure that newly arriving cars cannot drive into the blockade. There are many ways to stop traffic, you can also decide to choose a spot near traffic lights. Make sure you have a group of people warning the traffic some hundred metres before the blockade that they have to stop. If blockading roads at night, make sure there is sufficient lighting. Never block a road with traffic on it or if you are not sure that the traffic has been stopped, and never block a road just after a curve. Also, do not just throw things on the road and walk away, this can cause accidents. Once the road is out of use, by police or activist intervention, then throwing things on the roads is, of course, possible. In practice, however, a blockade that is defended by people is much more effective than just some objects left behind.

Using lock-ons is another way to make your blockade stronger. You can get them in all shapes and sizes. (link: http://www.eco-action.org/rr/ch12.html) Most often they are metal pipes in which you can stick your arm in one side and another person in the other, this way you can make human chains. You can, for example, make a circle of people and link this to another circle, etc. By making barrels with concrete shortly before blockading you can link the lock-ons to heavy objects. Remember though that the police does not shy away from being heavy-handed against you in this situation either. Make sure that you can always free yourself and that there are other ‘unlocked’ people around you (who can also bring food, scratch your back, etc.)

The more material you have, the more stable the blockade. You can use materials you find in the area around you (wood, stones, containers, etc.) or by planning the blockade in areas where you have a lot of material at your disposal. You can also bring your own.

A famous example is the tripod. (picture)

The higher it is the more difficult it is for police to break it down. You can make it from tree trunks, metal pipes, etc. But tripods can cause accidents; you have to know what you’re doing, first practice and ask advice from people who have used them before. Also keep in mind that sometimes the police is willing to let people fall, as was the case during the G8 summit protests in Lausanne.

It is easier to strengthen the blockade with different kinds of material. First make sure the blockade is erected, then you can make it stronger. Speed is essential, if the blockade has been secured well before the police arrives, it will be more difficult to push it to the side. Organise groups of people to get materials and make sure there are always enough people left over to form the blockade. Sometimes it is useful to have thought in advance about what you need to get the materials there: ropes, if objects have to be towed, or saws if you want to cut bits of woods loose. Depending on the situation, you can also fix cables inbetween the crash barriers or trees. Make sure, however, that you make them clearly visible with flags and keep in mind they can be a hindrance for you, too, if you need to get away.

Always try and stay friends with people living in the neighbourhood. Do not use their front garden fence for you barricade and explain to people what the blockade is about. Invite them to have a look at the action camps. Be prepared that not all of them will be friendly. The same applies to car drivers. It can be useful to decide beforehand who will act as a spokesperson (certainly for the media). It can also be useful to have one or more person(s) acting as a contact person to the police.

The response of the police will depend on the circumstances and the time they have at their disposal. If there are blockades everywhere, they will not able to tackle them all at the same time. In any case though, you have to expect an attack by the police at some point in time.

They can arrive with vehicles to push aside the blockades (armoured cars, picture), with water cannons to attack groups of people or with groups of police officers wearing protective gear to attack people with batons, etc.

It is important to have discussed in advanced about how you want to defend the blockade. In Seattle, it appeared that a big group of determined people can be much more effective than strong materials. Make sure the atmosphere on the blockade is good. Prevent people being surprised by fellow activists using methods that not everyone supports. But also prevent people from being intimidated and leave the blockade sooner than necessary. It often takes hours before police takes heavy handed action and most of the time you can predict their actions by watching their moves closely. For example, you only have to start worrying about tear gas when they put on their gas masks. Keep in mind that the police that is keeping you busy cannot be deployed elsewhere.

Another strategy to delay the breaking of a blockade is to sit down and link arms. But be prepared for police being heavy handed in hauling you away. The fact that you do not use violence is not a guarantee that they will not use it either (in fact, often the opposite seems to be the case). There are, of course, other and more militant ways to keep the police at bay. A sudden attack by clowns can also considerably disturb the plans of the public order troops. There is little you can do against armoured police vehicles (unless the barricade is very stable indeed) but they do, for example, hate paint on the windscreen. In fact this applies to all police vehicles. And it has been proven that even armoured cars and water cannons can get stuck in a ditch.

Setting a barricade on fire helps also during a ‘manual’ eviction by the police, that is without vehicles. Do consider that after a while the barricade will be gone. Also make sure the fire cannot spread to nearby objects or areas such as a forest. This would be the last effect you would want your ‘protest’ to have. If located near buildings, make sure they are not endangered. Do not leave bottles with inflammable fluids lying around, they can cause nasty accidents.

There are ways of making a road unusable for longer term, but that often takes a lot of time and/or specific hardware. During the anti-nuclear protests in Gorleben, for example, local inhabitants and activist dug tunnels underneath the roads so that trucks could no longer pass. If you want to stop regular cars, you will have to take off the top layer of asphalt or concrete as well, for which you need a jack-hammer, pickaxe and shovels. Naturally, if the road is not asphalted you can dig holes in it. Non-asphalted roads sometimes lead to bigger roads that you might want to block and they are often used by police as access road to the blockade. If you dig a hole, pile up the sand on ‘your’ side, if it lies on the side of the police they simply shovel it back in. During evictions in Amsterdam some people even managed to get a dragline excavation machine going which was parked in the neighbourhood…

Until now, we discussed the traditional road block/blockade. There are many more ways to intervene in road traffic. Keep in mind that the police also knows them and undergoes training programmes to deal with them, so be creative and invent new methods! Sit in a tree next to the road, that’s difficult for police to evict and often they do not dare to continue let traffic go through, at least not their higher vehicles. Even better: choose two trees standing across the road from each other, tie a rope between them high above the street and hang in them, that’s a so-called walkway. The idea is that police and other road users will not risk driving underneath the rope as they fear the people hanging in it will drop something or jump down onto the street. This methods requires a lot of experience. Make sure you have a good accompanying group with you and stop the traffic during the setting up. Do not start hanging in the ropes before the traffic has been stopped!

You can also park one or several cars on a crossing and lock yourself to them (picture Gleneagles). Again, take all the above-named precautionary methods. You can also secure the barricades with turned over cars (for example old cars you took with you).

Most action methods are criminalised and made illegal in order to make it difficult for activists and be able to dish out punishments afterwards. But it is, of course, not explicitly illegal to drive really slowly with your car. Or to have a break-down in the middle of the road somewhere…

The experience from Gleneagles has shown that a blockades that uses different methods in one is the most difficult to break. One road, 3 km from the summit, was chosen because it passed a small bridge. On both sides of the bridge people built barricades from materials they found in the forest (tree trunks, car tires, etc.). Inbetween, two groups used lock-ons and just after the bridge people had started tree-sitting. When the police rushed to the scene, five minutes after the start of the blockade at 6 am in the morning, we heard them discuss the situation and they estimated they needed “at least 80 men and a crane” to get rid off the blockade, which they simply did not have at their disposal. The road block lasted the whole day and people even left to secure another blockade a few streets further which had been broken off and was taken up again.(pictures here: http://www.indymedia.nl/nl/2005/07/29208.shtml)

If the blockade is broken up by police, those that have not been arrested should swarm out (link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swarm_Intelligence) (look out for each other, try not to panic, try and make sure each group that swarms out has people who know the way or have a map, accompaniment by members of first aid and legal teams, etc…). You can swarm out to new places to continue blocking. Small groups of people can also be disruptive. It also helps to randomly block police cars, even if they use roads not used for the summit. You thereby stop them from breaking up blockades elsewhere or transporting arrestees.

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There are, of course, other means of transport that will be used for the summit. These are mainly helicopters and ships. They are more difficult to block, but also for the authorities more difficult to use. Only a small number of people can be transported by helicopter. Helicopters can also be blocked; especially take-off and landing spots, but also in mid-air: in Gorleben, for example, people used sky rockets and some people flew around with hang gliders which forced helicopters to leave. You can also think about taking with you helium balloons on very long ropes so that helicopters do not dare come closer. The sea can also be blocked, even though you need boats, which are expensive when they get damaged or confiscated. But you can always block the entrances to the harbour, so that people cannot be transported to the ships to leave.

In short: we will win this battle, if everyone joins in!

(Affinity Group Wilnis, Dutch Polder)

Websites with more information on methods and techniques:

ENGLISH:
http://www.uhc-collective.org.uk/webpages/toolbox/index.htm
Delia Smiths basic blockading guide (pdf): http://www.sprayism.com/dawiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?id=guides&cache=cache&media=guides:basic_blockading.pdf
Everything about doing direct action: http://www.sprayism.com/dawiki/doku.php?id=guides

On Affinity Groups: http://www.rantcollective.net/article.php?id=30
(Noam Chomsky: “If you assume correctly that whatever group you are in is being penetrated by the FBI, when something serious is happening, you don’t do it in a meeting. You do it with some people you know and trust, an affinity group and then it doesn’t get penetrated. That’s one of the reasons why the FBI has never been able to figure out what’s going on in any of the popular movements.”)

DUTCH
dissent.nl and dissent.be
http://www.directe-actie.nl
Article on the history of direct action: http://www.globalinfo.nl/content/view/1068/41/

Support the Eco-Prisoners, Easter 2007

Spirit of Freedom (Easter 2007)
Produced by EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

“I thank you all dearly for writing” (Jon Ablewhite, Animal Rights Prisoner)

Spirit of Freedom (Easter 2007)
Produced by EARTH LIBERATION PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK

“I thank you all dearly for writing” (Jon Ablewhite, Animal Rights Prisoner)

Welcome to the Easter 2007 edition of Spirit of Freedom. First off I’d like to apologise in the delay in publishing this edition of Spirit of Freedom.
A lot of things have been happening recently for ELP’s volunteers and a delay was inevitable. However, despite the delay in publication ELP has some fantastic news. For the first time in ages ELP is able to bring some good news! A lot of the ‘Il Silvestre’ prisoners have been released! Marco Camenisch has had his sentence reduced at appeal! Jeff Luers may have his sentenced reduced! Rod Coronado has been released! Garfield Gabbard has been released! And long-term prisoner Dave Blenkinsop has been released!!!
This is all brilliant news. However despite our celebrations, ELP has also seen a number of new prisoners added to our list. So lets celebrate the good news of our friends and then lets support the news prisoners. Also before we end this editorial we’ve been asked by Joyanna Zacher to remind everyone on ELP’s policy towards police informants. We do not support them! Regardless of how long they are jailed for, we do not support them. Regardless of who they are, we do not support them. A police informant relinquishes their right to be regarded as an eco-prisoner as soon as they inform. ELP supports eco-prisoners, not police informants. But remember, no matter where you are in the world, support the real eco-prisoners and no compromise in defence of Mother Earth!

COURT REPORTS & LEGAL UPDATES

MARCO CAMENISCH APPEAL NEWS
In mid March 2007 ELP received some news from Switzerland that at his appeal, Marco Camenisch, has had his 17-year prison sentence, for allegedly killing a Swiss boarder guard, reduced to 8 years. The Appeal Court ruled that the original Judge had not taken into account Marco’s time spent in prison in Italy for destroying electricity pylons, nor had the Judge fully considered the outstanding prison sentence Marco had to serve for destroying electricity pylons in Switzerland. Added altogether (39 years), the prison sentence was excessively long and so was reduced so now Marco is serving an 18-year sentence.

JEFF LUERS APPEAL UPDATE
On Valentines Day (Feb 14th) the American media announced that the Court of Appeal has declared Jeff ‘Free’ Luers, 22+ years prison sentence is too long and suggested it should be reduced to between 11+ to 13+ years. ELP will bring you more news as we get it.

ARRESTS IN MEXICO
On the 30th of November 2006 two Mexican anarchists, Oscar Santa Maria Caro and Sacramento Delfino Cano Hernandez, were arrested for as yet unknown reasons. Oscar is a well known animal rights activist who is involved with RATA (Resistance Against Animal Torture). Reports are coming out of Mexico alleging that both Oscar and Sacramento have been tortured whilst inside. There are also reports alleging that their interrogators have threatened to rape female political prisoners if the two men do not confess to their alleged crimes. ELP is trying to obtain more information about these arrests and will bring you more news as we get it.

ROD CORONADO UPDATE
In late March, American Earth First! activist, Rod Coronado, was released from prison having served his sentence for sabotaging a mountain lion hunt. ELP has learnt that Rod’s trial for “demonstrating the use of a destructive device,” relating to a speech he gave in San Diego in 2003, is scheduled to begin in June.

FINNISH ‘GREEN SCARE’
ELP has learnt that the authorities in Finland appear to be copying American tactics and are targeting known animal rights and environmental activists. No matter how minor the ‘offence’ the Finnish police seem determined to prosecute. One person ended up in court for ringing the doorbell of an animal abuser whilst on a demo. The activist was fined for “disturbing home peace”. Another activist was questioned for ‘criminal damage’ after they allegedly spat on a fur shop window! Two more activists were raided and questioned for allegedly putting a leaflet through a post box and putting a sticker on the window of a fur shop. The police accused them of ‘criminal damage’.
ELP’s Finnish friends, who wish to remain anonymous for obvious reasons, say these are just a few examples of the types of police activity happening in Finland at the moment.
ELP is informed that the police have set up a special unit to investigate animal rights activists and the unit has said intend to get activists involved in the early stages of activism ‘before it gets more serious’. Translation, the police want to intimidate people away from activism.

SERIOUS ORGANISED CRIME!
Every so often ELP brings you stories of ridiculous prosecutions of non-violent activists under Britain’s new ‘Serious Organised Crime’ legislation. Who can forget the fines imposed on two peace activists for reading out the names of the British war dead, killed in Iraq, whilst standing next to Britains main war memorial! Sadly the courts have now moved beyond just fining people and have started to hand out prison sentences to activists under this new law. In early March three British animal rights activists were jailed for between 15 months to 4 years for their part in a non-violent campaign against Huntindon Life Sciences.
According to the BBC, the three were accused of being key figures in a campaign against companies with links to HLS. They were accused of entering the offices of the companies and demanding that those companies cut their links to HLS. They were also accused of organising loud demonstrations against the companies buildings. Plus they were accused of taking photos of the people who worked for the companies.

MAN ARRESTED IN AMERICA
At the end of March the American media reported that a 24-year old man, Grant Barnes, had been arrested accused of setting fire to SUVs in Denver, CO. The media quoted the cops as saying incendiary devices were used to damage the vehicles and one of the vehicles had ELF spray painted on it. The police also stated they did not believe that Grant Barnes was a member of the ELF.

IL SILVESTRE UPDATE
At the end of February 2007 the Italian courts ruled that Silvia Guerini and Federico Bonamici should be released under house arrest. This means that only three Il Silvestre members are currently imprisoned. They are Benedetta Galante, Francesco Gioia and Costantino Ragusa.

ECO-DEFENCE PRISONERS

Fadalla Idris Alajaimy (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the construction of a dam.

Mohamed Ahmed Alajaimy (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the construction of a dam.

Tre Arrow, CS# 05850722, Vancouver Island Regional Correction Center, 4216 Wilkinson Rd., Victoria, BC, V8Z 5B2, Canada. On remand accused of involvement with an arson on logging trucks and an arson on vehicles owned by a sand & gravel company. Both arsons occurred in the USA. Tre is fighting his extradition to the USA.

Grant Barnes #1533241, PO Box 1108, Denver, CO 80201, USA. On remand accused of setting fire to a number of SUV vehicles. On one of the vehicles the letters ELF was spray-painted.

Nathan Block, #1663667, Lane County Jail, 101 W 5th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401, USA. Awaiting sentencing having admitted involvement in an arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted involvement in a conspiracy to carry out direct action in Oregon.

Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland. Serving 18 years. 1) Ten years for using explosives to destroy electricity pylons leading from nuclear power stations. 2) Eight years for the murder of a Swiss Boarder Guard whilst on the run. In ’02 Marco completed a 12-year sentence in Italy for destroying electricity pylons in Italy.

Ibai Ederra, Carcel de Pamplona, C/San Roque. Apdo. 250, 31080 — Iruñez Pamplona, Navarra (España), Spain. Serving just under 5 years for sabotaging machinery at the controversial Itoiz dam construction site.

Benedetta Galante, Casa Circondariale, Contrada Capo di Monte, 82100 — Benevento (BN), Italy. Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 3 years 6 months for promoting & participating in COR direct action. Also awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy.

Francesco Gioia, Via Maiano, 10, 06049 Spoleto, Italy. Il Silvestre activist sentenced to 5 years 2 months for promoting & participating in COR direct action. Also awaiting trial for escaping from house arrest.

Jeffrey Luers, #13797671, OSP, 2605 State St. Salem, OR 97310, USA. Serving 22 years & 8 months for arson on a SUV dealership & the attempted arson of an oil truck.

Ali Mohamed Alhassen Massad (address unknown). Sudan anti-dam protester on remand accused of Waging War against the State for protesting against the construction of a dam.

Eric McDavid X‑2972521 4E 231A, Sacramento County Main Jail, 651 “I” Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA. On Remand accused of planning to destroy the property of the U.S. Forestry Service, mobile phone masts and power plants.

Costantino Ragusa, Casa Circondariale, Via Prati Nuovi 7, 27058 Voghera (PV), Italy. Il Silvestre activist serving 7½ years. 1) Five years for promoting & participating in COR direct action. 2) 18-months for burgling and firebombing a multinational company. 3) 12-months for organising an anti-GM protest. Costanino is also awaiting trial accused of using explosives to damage an electricity pylon in protest at nuclear energy.

John Wade #38548–083, FCI Petersburg Low, Satellite Camp, PO Box 90027, Petersburg, VA 23804, USA. Serving 37 months for a series of ELF actions against a number of targets including McDonalds & Burger King; urban sprawl; the construction industry; and an SUV dealership.

Joyanna Zacher #1662550, Lane County Jail, 101 W 5th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401, USA. Awaiting sentencing having admitted involvement in an arson against a Poplar Tree Farm and an arson against an SUV dealership. Also admitted involvement in a conspiracy to carry out direct action in Oregon.

ANIMAL LIBERATION PRISONERS

Jon Ablewhite TB4885, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Madeline Buckler PR7492, HMP Morton Hall, Swinderby, Lincoln, LN6 9PT, England. Serving 2 years for sending hate mail to a family who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Jacob Conroy #93501–011, FCI Victorville Medium I Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 5300, Adelanto, CA 92301, USA. Serving 48 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Donald Currie TN4593, HMP Whitemoor, Longhill Road, March, Cambs, PE15 OPR, England. Serving an Indeterminate Sentence, of not less than six actual years, for carrying out arsons against targets associated the vivisection industry including HLS.

Josh Demmitt 12314–081, FCI Safford, Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 9000, Safford, AZ 85548, USA. Serving 30 months for an ALF arson on a University animal testing facility.

Darius Fullmer #26397–050, FCI Fort Dix Satellite Camp, P.O. Box 1000, Fort Dix, NJ 08640 USA. Serving 12 months for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Lauren Gazzola #93497–011, FCI Danbury Route #37, 33 1/2 Pembroke Road, Danbury, CT 06811 USA. Serving 54 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Sarah Gisborne, LT5393, HMP Cookham Wood, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3LU, England. Serving 5½ years for conspiracy to cause criminal damage following the damaging of 8 vehicles owned by people linked to Huntingdon Life Science.

Joshua Harper #29429–086, FCI Sheridan Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 5000, Sheridan, OR 97378 USA. Serving 36 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Joseph Harris TN5728, HMP Bullingdon, Patrick Haugh Road, Arncott, Nr. Bicester, Oxon, OX25 1WD, England. Serving 2 years for damaging the property of people associated with Huntingdon Life Sciences. (His original sentence was reduced on appeal).

Kevin Kjonaas #93502–011, FCI Sandstone, PO Box 1000, Sandstone, MN 55072 USA. Serving 72 months imprisonment for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Josephine Mayo PR6508, HMP Drake Hall, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, ST21 6LQ, England. Serving 4 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Trish Portwine, TM7153, HMP Cookham Wood, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3LU, England. Serving fifteen months for her role in loud demonstrations outside the offices of companies with links to HLS.

John Smith TB4887, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

Andrew Stepanian #26399–050, FCI Butner Medium II Federal Correctional Institution, PO Box 1500, Butner, NC 27509 USA. Serving 36 months for helping organise the SHAC-USA campaign.

Mark Taylor TT6636, HMP Belmarsh, Western Way, Thamesmead, London, SE28 0UB, England. Serving four years for organising loud demonstrations outside the offices of companies with links to HLS.

Suzanne Taylor, TM7154, HMP Cookham Wood, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3LU, England. Serving two and a half years for helping organise loud demonstrations outside the offices of companies with links to HLS.

Kerry Whitburn TB4886, HMP Lowdham Grange, Lowdham, Nottingham, NG14 7DA, England. Serving 12 years for attempting to blackmail a farmer who supplied guinea pigs for vivisection.

PLOUGHSHARES PRISONERS

Helen Woodson, 03231–045, FMC Carswell — Admin. Max. Unit, POB 27137, Ft. Worth, TX 76127, USA. Serving 8 years 10 months for actions that focused on the interrelationship of war & the destruction of the natural world. The actions included pouring red paint over the security desk of a federal court and making threatening communications. Previously Helen had served 20½ years for: 1) Using a hammer to disarm a nuclear missile silo. 2) Burning $25,000 on the floor of a bank whilst denouncing war, environmental destruction & economic injustice. 3) Mailing warning letters with bullets attached to Government & corporate officials.

OTHER ANTI-WAR PRISONERS

Brendan Walsh, 12473–052, FCI Allenwood Low, PO Box 1000, White Deer, PA 17887, USA. Serving 5 years for an arson on an army recruitment office in protest at the War on Iraq.

THE LECCE FIVE
The Lecce Five have been charged with ‘subversive association’ accused of damaging Esso petrol pumps to oppose the War on Iraq; sabotaging the cash machines of a bank which funds an immigration centre; and targeting the multinational company Benetton in support of Mapuche land rights activists in Chile. All of the defendants are currently either under house arrest or released on bail.

ANTIFA PRISONERS

Lasandra Burwell W063658, Ohio Reformatory for Women, 1479 Collins Ave. Marysville, OH 43040, USA. Serving 5 years for taking part in an anti-fascist demonstration which turned into a riot.

Vahtang Devitlidze, ul. Libbedova 42, UO 68/2, otryad 14, brigada 142, g. Hagyshensk, Krasnodarskiy Kray, 352680 Russia. Serving 2½ years for stabbing a neo-nazi in the leg whilst defending himself from attack.

Augustin Kraus, Vazebni veznice, PP‑1, Litomerice, 41 201, Czech Republic. Serving 14 months for his participation in attacks against local neo-nazis. His charge was “bodily harm”. He speaks Czech, Slovak and Polish. You can also write him short postcards in English.

Tomasz Wiloszewski, Zaklad Karny, Orzechowa 5, 98–200 Sieradz, Poland. Serving 15 years for accidentally killing a neo-nazi whilst defending himself.

PARTY & PROTEST
Around the world there have been several massive protests against global capitalism and its environmental impact. The following have all been jailed in connection with the protests.

Jonathan Philip Robert, Crisp County Detention Center, 197 Ga. Hwy. 300 South, Cordele, GA 31015, USA (12 months)

OTHER PRISONERS

Oscar Santa Maria Caro, CERESO, Miahuatlan de Porfirio Diaz, Oaxaca en Hall B, Cell 5., Mexico. On remand. The exact charges against Oscar are unknown but Oscar is a member of RATA, a known animal rights group.

Sacramento Delfino Cano Hernandez, CERESO, Miahuatlan de Porfirio Diaz, Oaxaca en Hall B, Cell 5., Mexico. On remand. Co-defendant of Oscar Santa Maria Caro.

Olga Aleksandrovna Nevskaya, UU163/5, 7 Otryad, pos. Dzerzhinskiy, Mozhaysk 140090 Moskovskaya oblast, Russia. Eco-activist serving 6 years for arson, criminal damage and causing explosions in protest at the war in Chechnya. Due for release in 2009.

Fran Thompson, #1090915 HU 1C, WERDCC, PO Box 300, Vandalia, MO 63382, USA. Serving Life for killing, in self-defence, a stalker who had broken into her home. Before her imprisonment Fran was an eco, animal & anti-nuke campaigner.

MOVE
MOVE is an eco-revolutionary group who carried out protests in defence of all life. There are currently eight MOVE activists in prison each serving 100 years after been framed for the murder of a cop in 1979. 9th defendant, Merle Africa, died in prison in 1998.

Debbie Simms Africa (006307), Janet Holloway Africa (006308) and Janine Philips Africa (006309) all at: SCI Cambridge Springs, 451 Fullerton Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403–1238, USA.

Michael Davis Africa (AM4973) and Charles Simms Africa (AM4975) both at SCI Grateford, PO Box 244, Grateford, PA 19426–0244, USA.

Edward Goodman Africa (AM4974), 301 Morea Rd, Frackville, PA 17932, USA.

William Philips Africa (AM4984) and Delbert Orr Africa (AM4985) both at SCI Dallas Drawer K, Dallas, PA 18612, USA.

Mumia Abu Jamal, (AM8335), SCI Greene, 175 Progress Drive, Waynesburg PA 15370, USA. In 1981 Mumia, former Black Panther and vocal supporter of MOVE, was framed for the murder of a cop. He was originally sentenced to death but is currently awaiting re-sentencing following a court hearing in 2001.

MAPUCHE PRISONERS & OTHER LAND RIGHTS PRISONERS
Due to space limitation we cannot publish the names & addresses of the Mapuche & Land Rights prisoners in this edition of Spirit of Freedom, however if you would like a list please contact Spirit of Freedom.

STATEMENT ON VIOLENCE
Some people listed in this newsletter have carried out violent actions. ‘Spirit of Freedom’ does not condone violence. But we are also against censorship & believe people can decide for themselves who they wish to
support.

ABOUT E.L.P. SUPPORT NETWORK
ELP is an international eco-prisoner support network founded, in Britain, in 1993 to support jailed eco-activists. We support the prisoners by producing various regular prisoner lists:

Spirit of Freedom is ELP’s international bimonthly publication (available via e‑mail or in a paper version). If you would like to receive a copy contact Spirit of Freedom, BM Box 2407, London, WC1N 3XX, England. Or e‑mail ELP4321@hotmail.com

Urgent ELP! Bulletin is an e‑mail service that distributes the names of any new eco-prisoner as soon as ELP gets their details. For more info e‑mail ELP4321@hotmail.com

On-Line Newsletters ELP has a number of websites that provide news, prisoner lists and additional info about ELP & the prisoners.

English language ELP Website
www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk

North American ELP Website
www.ecoprisoners.org

Turkish language ELP Website
www.geocities.com/yesilanarsi/elp.htm

ELP Extra is an e‑mail group that circulates the details of political prisoners, ELP learns about, who do not fall within the remit for support by ELP. To subscribe to the list e‑mail ELP4321@Hotmail.com

Belgium ELP.SN is our Belgium contact. For more info e‑mail elp_bel@hotmail.com

German ELP.SN is a prisoner led initiative run by eco-prisoner Marco Camenisch. For more info contact Marco Camenisch, Postfach 3143, CH-8105 Regensdorf, Switzerland.

North American ELP is our North American contact. For more information e‑mail naelpsn@mutualaid.org

Turkey ELP.SN is our Turkish contact. For more info e‑mail yesilanarsi@yahoo.com

North American ELP Prisoner Fund. The North American ELP group has set up a fund where people can pay money, for North American Eco-Defence and Animal Rights prisoners, which will then be distributed to the North American prisoners. For information about the Fund and how to make a donation please contact naelpsn@mutualaid.org

DEDICATION
This Edition of Spirit of Freedom is dedicated to Russian antifa activist, Stanislav Korepanov, who died in hospital on the 31st of March 2007, having been attacked a few days earlier by an armed gang of neo-nazis. Stanislav is the second Russian antifa activist to have been brutally attacked in recent months. On the 14th of January 2007 vegan animal rights activist, Ivan Elin, was surrounded and attacked by ten neo-nazis in St. Petersburg after he had taken part in a weekly “Food not bombs” peace rally. Ivan suffered 21 stab wounds and was rushed to hospital where he is making his recovery. Following on from the knife attack on Ivan, on the 4th of February, with a small bomb exploded in Vladimirskaya Square of St. Petersburg, near to where Food Not Bombs organise their weekly protests. The bomb was hidden in a kiosk selling flowers. Luckily the bomb only damaged the kiosk and did not injure anyone.
This is not the first time neo-nazis have used knives or explosives to target Russian activists. On the 22nd of December 2006 a number of police were injured whilst trying to defuse a device, which set to murder antifa activists in Moscow. In August 2006 eleven people were killed in Moscow when a neo-nazi bomb exploded in Cherkisovski marketplace. The brutal murder of Stanislav Korepanov and the attack against Ivan are a reminded of why fascism must never be allowed to go unchallenged. ELP wishes Ivan Elin a speedy recovery from his injuries and we congratulate the Russian ‘Food Not Bombs’ movement for not giving into this neo-nazi intimidation.
Our thoughts and sorrow are with the family and friends of Stanislav Korepanov who was only 18 years old when he died.

Climate Camp organising gathering April 21 and 22, Liverpool

Organising for Climate Camp 2007 is well under way and it looks like being bigger, better and more inspiring than last year…so come along to our next gathering, find out what it’s all about and get involved…doesn’t matter if you haven’t been involved before, everyone’s welcome. Saturday will focus on camp-wide and how we network the Camp, Sunday is mainly working group time. Again, new people more than welcome in all working groups.

Venue: St Michael’s and Lark Lane Community Asscociation, The Old Police Station, 80 Lark Lane, Liverpool, L17 8UU. The venue is wheelchair accessible and street-parking is available and free. If arriving by coach or train you take the number 82 bus from the city centre and ask the driver to let you off near Lark Lane, it’s easy to find and people will be able to direct you.

Accomodation, creche, food and entertainment on Saturday night will be provided for the usual £10 suggested donation. Please bring your own sleeping bag and if possible bring your own cutlery and a bowl/plate. If you require accomodation on the Friday night please contact gatherings@climatecamp.org.uk.

For anybody arriving on Friday there is a Critical Mass friday evening, for more information send me an email.

Future planning meetings:

April 21 and 22: Liverpool
May 19 and 20: London (location of camp to be decided here)
June 16 and 17: Manchester
July — TBC

http://www.climatecamp.org.uk

M For Media Malarkey — SchNEWS Alternative Media Gathering 2007

M For Media Malarkey — the SchNEWS Alternative Media Gathering 2007

May 11–13th 2007: Cowley Club, 12 London Rd, Brighton, BN1 4JA

You are invited to SchNEWS’ first multi-media-activist gathering. As well as a coming together of those already involved in web, video, print, photography, and radio in alternative/independent media – as well as activists who use this media — this event will also be for new people wanting to get involved. Starting on Friday evening and going through to Sunday evening, there will be a range of discussions, hands-on practical workshops in the various media, as well as stalls and screenings throughout the weekend to showcase what’s currently being produced.

M For Media Malarkey — the SchNEWS Alternative Media Gathering 2007

May 11–13th 2007: Cowley Club, 12 London Rd, Brighton, BN1 4JA

After discussions amongst SchNEWS, as well as others’ imput, about what aspects of independent media should be highlighted during the gathering, several key points have emerged:

* Promoting campaigns and mobilising communities: evaluating and improving the way independent media helps the campaigns and actions it covers, as well as how campaigns use various media themselves – with speakers from campaigns talking about their experiences, and those working in alternative media.

* Improving Skills: Acknowledging that many people in alternative media come from ‘activist’ backgrounds, and are often getting by with very little ‘training’. For video activists it may be about the battles with technology to produce and distribute video, for writers it may mean they have limited research or ‘journalistic’ skills, and those creating leaflets/flyers/publications would often benefit with more knowledge about design etc. There will be workshops and discussions to help improve skills in these and other relevant areas.

The gathering will accommodate for the fact that while both these topics, and many others, are common to all media, and many people work in several media — there is also areas specific to each — so therefore some of the key sessions will start with the whole group together, then split off into the various types to discuss aspects in more detail.

As well as this there will be talks from those involved in Pirate Radio, mobile Indymedia set-ups for such events as the G8 protest in Scotland, and more to be confirmed.

While some speakers are confirmed, if you have relevant experience in these areas and would like to be involved, please contact SchNEWS now.

Likewise if you want to come along, and need accommodation, contact SchNEWS — we need to know numbers as soon as, so please give us fair notice.

The event will be free/donation, and vegan food will be available during the weekend in the Cowley Club.

email schnews@brighton.co.uk tel 01273 685 913
Keep checking www.schnews.org.uk for updates.

Climate Camp How to Deliver Direct Action Workshops Workshop in Oxford

We have space for some more people to attend a small weekend workshop delivered by Seeds for Change, on HOW TO DELIVER direct action trainings for climate activism. The idea is that people come to this, get trained up on how to give trainings on direct action tactics, talking to the media/cops, some legal stuff, quick consensus decision making, maybe tripod usage etc… So that they can then go off and train people up in the run up to the Camp for Climate Action (14–21 August).

This way we can maximise the effectiveness of our actions, and try to share the workload.

Can you come? It’d be over the weekend of 14–15th April, at the Oxford Action Resource Centre, Princes St, East Oxford.

( http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=452768&y=205877&z=1&sv=princes+st&st=6&tl=Princes+Street,+Oxford,+OX4&searchp=newsearch.srf&mapp=newmap.srf)

Crash space provided.
Let us know as soon as possible at:
actionsupport@climatecamp.org.uk

Action Support at Climate Camp
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk

Local Residents Close Climate Criminal’s Yard

26.3.07 — Today, a group of local residents, inspired by last year’s Camp for Climate Action at Drax power station, but dismayed at plans to increase congestion and pollution on the M1, have visited Jackson’s yard in Sutton in Ashfield, near Mansfield. The citizens locked the gates shut and hung a variety of banners giving the clear message that Jackson’s contribution to a worsening environment was not welcome.

Jacksons are heavily implicated in the ridiculous plans to increase congestion and pollution on the M1 by widening it into four lanes in each direction — their main focus is the area around junctions 31 and 32. Until recently, the yard, on Coxmoor Road, also housed a dodgy Scandinavian outfit called Skanska. These clowns are even deeper in the mire; in asscociation with Balfor Beatie they are engaged in work from the M25 to Luton.

Given that Blair’s government is thoroughly in the pocket of big business, it should be no surpise to anyone that recently, when Roads Minister Stephen Ladyman was churning out the same old lies about road widening for the Nottingham Evening Post, he repeated almost word for word parts of the Skanska website’s M1 page!

Clearly, the sensible response to traffic congestion would involve investment in public transport and increased use of the railways for frieght. However, since these solutions are unlikely to make much profit for Blair’s friends in big business, we are all left choking on the fumes generated by a massively expensive white elephant. The Government is
giving your money to climate criminals and profit terrorists, whilst claiming to take climate change seriously — the time has come for sane and moderate people everywhere to take a stand against this madness.

Maybe the Police are starting to get the idea too — they turned up, but then went away again, allegedly due to a staff shortage.

To get involved in the next Climate Camp, visit www.climatecamp.org.uk

New ‘Writing To Prisoners’ Leaflet

Leeds ABC have produced a new ‘Writing To Prisoners’ laflet. Basic text follows, and it can also be downloaded as a PDF, or a hard copy can be obtained by sending an SAE to Leeds ABC at the address below.

Leaflet — pdf 109K

WRITING TO PRISONERS

Probably the easiest and arguably most important aspect of supporting prisoners is writing to them. One of the hardest things for many prisoners to cope with is the feeling of isolation – being cut off from friends and family and everything they know in their normal lives. A letter or postcard from the real world, even from a complete stranger, helps to maintain a connection with the outside, relieves the infernal tedium of a regime that often involves spending 23 hours of the day in the same cell. For a first-time prisoner, especially in the early stages of a sentence, this type of support can make a huge difference, helping them cope with the unfamiliar and often intimidating surroundings. For political prisoners, victims of miscarriages of justice and those fighting back from within, it’s a simple message of solidarity – you’re not on your own.

In many cases, contact from the outside lets the prison authorities know that there are people on the outside who care and are monitoring the situation. For example, special dietary requirements (vegan etc) are more likely to be adhered to if an inmate is obviously not forgotten.

Please be aware that this isn’t meant to be a list of rules – we’re just trying to honestly answer some of the queries we get asked. And of course, the comments about prison procedure only apply to UK prisons.

WHERE DO I FIND A PRISONER FROM?

Well, there’s currently around 80,000 to choose from in the UK alone but if you want to narrow that down slightly the easiest way is to contact one of the many anarchist / animal rights / prisoner support groups you can find online. Be aware that prisoners are often moved and mail not always forwarded so if in doubt email or write to check details are up to date. You can contact Leeds ABC at the address below for a list of the prisoners we currently support both in the UK and further afield.

SO WHAT DO I WRITE THEN?

Ok this is the bit that trips most people up. You’re worried about what you write might sound stupid, or make the prisoner feel worse or you simply can’t think of anything. Of course if the prisoner is your mate then this bit is easy but what about a total stranger, someone you know nothing about apart from their names, charges and sentence? Well, there’s no formula here but for the first letter you should introduce yourself. Tell them about yourself, what you do, what you’re into, where you got their address and so on. This breaks the ice and also makes a reply easier. Apart from that, just fill a side of A4 of whatever you can think of – crap jokes, reminiscences, what you did last Friday night after 10 pints etcetera. One former inmate commented to us that some of the best letters he received were an ongoing debate about the merits of various Iron Maiden songs which might seem inane but put a great big smile on his face once a week! Here’s a few pointers that we’d like to remind you of:

1. Every letter is read by screws (theoretically at least) so don’t write anything that might incriminate yourself or others in anything dubious. The rule of thumb here is don’t put anything in a letter that you wouldn’t say to a copper’s face.

2. If the prisoner is in for a political charge you should obviously let them know you support their actions but don’t start praising them as some sort of hero to the cause. Rhetoric to the effect of “I’m in awe of your great sacrifice blah, blah…” is frankly cringeworthy. If someone is banged up for a political action they don’t (or shouldn’t!) want to be seen as martyrs – they’re just normal people unlucky enough to get caught, so write to them like normal people rather than fawning!

3. A lot of people seem wary of telling prisoners about ‘fun’ stuff, thinking it will depress them or make them feel homesick hearing about people having a laugh on the outside. This is rubbish! They’ll already be homesick and it’s just reassuring to hear normal life is going on so don’t feel coy about mentioning gigs, parties and raucous nights down the boozer.

4. Always ask a few questions like how they’re doing, plans they have for the future, what their interests are, etc. but try to keep it general and don’t make it sound like you’re being nosey. Bearing in mind that they might be replying to a total stranger, it makes writing a response a lot easier.

5. Similarly, some background about yourself, even seemingly trivial things like favourite bands, football teams etc, can make writing a reply that bit easier…

6. Don’t EVER promise things you can’t deliver. If you build someone’s hopes up about say visiting them, sending things into them, etc then you let them down, that’s well out of order and hardly consistent with supporting them.

7. Political literature – be careful! Unless the prisoner asks for it avoid sending any overly contentious political material in as it can potentially cause them grief. Depending on the prisoner’s situation and how they “choose to do their time” unsolicited subscriptions to lefty newspapers for instance may cause unwanted hassle with prison authorities and other inmates. In some cases, particularly abroad, political literature to remanded prisoners may even be used against them at trial. There’s no problem sending this kind of thing as long as you ask the prisoner first and always respect their wishes.

8. Avoid turgid leftie-isms! Phrases like “my comrades and I have resolved to pass a motion of solidarity” sound pompous and impersonal however well meaning they might be. “We hope you’re doing ok” is a lot more friendly!

I’M NOT SURE I CAN MANAGE A FULL LETTER…

That’s fine. A quick message of support on a postcard can still really brighten up someone’s day or what about taking a card to a gig or the pub and getting a few people to sign it?

HOW DO I MAKE SURE MY LETTER GETS IN?

Well the correct postage would be a start (you’d be surprised!) and the correct address ensuring the prisoner’s full name and prison number are included. Put your name and address at the top of the letter and on the back of the envelope. These don’t have to be ‘real’ if you’ve got any reservations but bear in mind this is what the prisoner will see if they’re going to write you a reply. Some prisons will refuse to accept letters with ‘care of’ or PO Box addresses so it’s best to use a street address. Some prisons have rules forbidding certain imagery (e.g. gang symbols being banned from U.S prisons) and this may encompass political symbols as well so circled A’s, scrawled all over the envelope may not be a good idea! Sometimes hand-made cards with a picture glued to the front may be refused or defaced in case anything’s concealed underneath. If you want to make sure a prisoner gets a letter, you can send it by recorded delivery – then you can check with the Post Office whether the prison received it; and all recorded mail is only supposed to be opened in the prisoner’s presence.

WHAT ABOUT GETTING A REPLY?

Bear in mind that you’re doing this to support the prisoner not to acquire a new pen-pal although the two might go hand in hand. You may not get a reply for several reasons: obviously the prisoner might not have received your letter or they might be getting a lot of post if they’re fortunate enough so might not have time to reply to all correspondence. They may be limited in the number of letters they can write by the prison authorities and prefer to prioritise friends and family. They may not have access to sufficient writing materials or stamps, they may have been moved, or they may simply not be very good at writing letters. Regardless, don’t be put out if there’s no reply and don’t let this deter you from continuing to write.

CAN I SEND ANYTHING ELSE IN?

Unsurprisingly, the file in a chocolate cake routine isn’t going to work. The golden rule here is to ask the prisoner if you’ve got any doubts. You can always try contacting the prison, but they are notoriously elusive, so you could spend ages trying to get through – for instance HMP Armley has one phone line to cover 1250+ inmates. More to the point, screws have a habit of lying through their teeth, so don’t assume that the first answer you get will be anything close to the truth! The rules vary widely between different prisons and are sometimes baffling. Food and toiletries are not permitted in any prisons for obvious reasons but sometimes apparently innocuous items are denied, for instance photographs with the prisoners face on them (actually to stop prisoners forging ID cards!). If you send anything in, clearly write at the top of your letter what you’ve enclosed as this lessens the chances of light-fingered screws having off with it. Some things you might consider sending in are:

Books – you may be able to send used copies in but many prisons will only accept books from a recognised shop, distributor or publisher so check first. It’s possible to get round this in some cases if you know a sympathetic second-hand bookshop who will package a used book with an official lookingreceipt.. Screws may withhold some literature on the grounds of content but this can generally be disputed by the prisoner, citing Human Rights legislation. Books and magazines are only meant to be censored or refused if they’re racially abusive, identify individual screws by name, or threaten “good order and discipline” (however you choose to interpret that!). If you’ve any doubts again ask the prisoner.

Magazines – again the policy varies so as above check first. Surprisingly, widely available publications are more likely to be refused while obscure zines may get through okay. This is because most prisons have an appointed local newsagent which you have to use for ‘off the shelf’ publications. You pay for a magazine, newspaper or puzzle book at the shop and give them the inmate’s prison number and this is forwarded to them. It’s even possible to set up a subscription to a daily newspaper this way.

Stamps – policy varies (can you spot a pattern here?). Stamps are gold dust for prisoners, if they can receive them, not only for sending letters but also as currency. Many prisons will not allow stamps and obviously screws will often pocket them. UK prisons should all allow stamped-addressed envelopes in, which obviously makes it easier for a prisoner to reply. These are the safest bet (after all it’s hardly a huge outlay) but write your address in pencil so the prisoner can remove it if they have a more important letter to send. If you want a reply, an SAE is really a matter of courtesy.

Cash – while the amount most prisoners can spend on a weekly basis is limited, their actual income to spend on “luxuries” such as usable razors, tobacco, paper, phone cards etc is often microscopic, particularly if they are refusing work. On top of this, Aramark, the private company who run prison canteens, only sell expensive brand-named products, and incredibly get away with selling it at more than high-street prices! Funds from the outside can therefore be vital, but cash is not used in prisons and inmates have an ‘account’ with a certain amount freed up each week as ‘spends’. Obviously if you’re sending more than a couple of quid it’s worth checking first, but as a general guide funds should only be sent as postal orders made payable to “The Governor, HMP [prison name]”. It is imperative that the prisoner’s full name and prison number is written clearly on the back, or they won’t get it.

Phone cards – a myth. Not that you can buy them now anyway but even when you could, phone cards from the outside didn’t work on prison phones! If you want to help someone with the cost of calls to friends and family send them a postal order as they’ll have to buy credit inside.

Music, footwear, radios and other miscellaneous goods – this varies so widely that you have to check. Some prisons will accept almost anything, others will flatly refuse everything, often because prisoners are made to save up their spends and buy goods from ‘approved’ mail-order retailers such as Argos instead.

BUT… THEY’RE CRIMINALS!

One concern that is often voiced to us is that that the people you are writing to will be ‘dodgy’ in some way. After all, the media bombards us with the notion that everyone in prison is a smack-addicted, child-molesting benefit-scrounging cannibal, and it’s only to be expected that many people who have no personal experience of prison are wary of contacting those inside. The simple answer is that prisoners are human, and of course there may be a small chance of encountering idiots – about the same statistical chance of encountering idiots anywhere! If you are not comfortable about writing to a particular prisoner for whatever reason, simply end contact – we have heard of isolated cases of people posing as political prisoners to draw in support and letters, but these instances are so scarce that it really is not worth worrying about, and you can be assured that any prisoners supported by organisations like the ABC would be dropped like hot bricks if there was any concern about their integrity.

USEFUL CONTACTS

The internet is a gold-mine of information about prison resistance, but be aware that many sites aren’t updated very regularly, so some details can be inaccurate. We’d recommend the following sites as good places to start:

BRIGHTON ABC — www.brightonabc.org.uk

Brighton’s Anarchist Black Cross group keep a good website with up-to-date news and details of prisoners, as well as links to other groups.

NO MORE PRISONS — www.alternatives2prison.ik.com

This informative site campaigns for prison abolition.

HAVEN DISTRIBUTION — www.havendistribution.org.uk

Haven is a registered charity who run an invaluable service providing UK prisoners with free books and educational materials.

GET IN TOUCH WITH US

If you want any further information, please contact us. We do a regular e‑mail bulletin with updates on prison issues and a list of anarchist prisoners – let us know if you want to be added to this. We also do a distro and publish pamphlets relating to the prison struggle – get in touch for a full list. If you are writing to us, please try to enclose a stamped addressed envelope or International Reply Coupon if you want a reply.

Leeds ABC, PO Box 53, Leeds, LS8 4WP, England
LeedsABC@riseup.net
http://www.myspace.com/leedsabc

Friday 8th June 2007 — International Day of Direct Action against Climate Change and the G8

Direct Action for Climate Justice — Resistance is Self Defense!

We all know the terrifying statistics: a million species extinct by 2050, 19 of the 20 hottest years on record since 1980, Greenland and Antarctica melting, droughts, floods, famines ? the G8 have had over 30 years to address climate change and only succeeded in providing trillions in subsidies to the very industries that are destroying our planet and our future. And while the G8 continues to line their pockets, island states disappear and hundreds of thousands die as a result of the freak weather conditions caused by their irrational and uncontrollable obsession with never ending economic growth.

Direct Action for Climate Justice — Resistance is Self Defense!

We have a ten-year window to act. As the megalomaniac G8 leaders meet in Germany, masked behind a barrier of fences and soldiers, intent on leading us further towards catastrophic and irreversible climate chaos, we must shout, scream and roar ‘no more’. Now is the time to take direct action and shut them down, them and their climate criminal industry friends!

The 8th of June International Day of Action Against Climate Change and the G8 has been called by the International Rising Tide Network. This is a call for autonomous, decentralized actions appropriate for your town, city, or local area. Use this international day of action to support local struggles against oil refineries, gas pipelines, strip mines and coal-fired power plants. Disrupt the financial backers of the fossil fuel industry. Organise workshops to spread sustainable post-petroleum living skills. Find a weak point in the infrastructure of resource exploitation and throw a literal or symbolic wrench in the works. It’s time to visit your local polluters and give ’em hell!

We already know of actions planned across the UK, North America, Germany, Canada and Australia and that’s just the start! By 8th June actions will be planned around the world. Pass this call out on to all environmental justice, climate action, radical sustainability and related movements in all the G8 countries and the Global South.

Rising Tide will create a collection of outreach and agit-prop materials (including this call out in five different languages) that can be used by groups around the world to organise locally. These materials will be downloadable from www.risingtide.org.uk and http://risingtidenorthamerica.org.

Direct action and civil disobedience are the rational response in this time of crisis. Support the 8th of June International Day of Direct Action against Climate Change and the G8! Tell us about planned actions for climate justice being planned in your community. Contact us — info@risingtide.org.uk and contact@risingtidenorthamerica.org

In June 2007 the G8 will understand the meaning of rebellion, revolt and revolution. Their recipe for catastrophe will be met with our worldwide resistance!