Financial Support For Political Prisoners And Prisoners Of War New Jersey and Nightcrawlers Anarchist Black Cross have initiated a program designed to send monthly cheques into those Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War who have been receiving insufficient, little or no support during their imprisonment. Currently, with each member giving $5.00 per week, we are able to support 2 P.O.W.'s by sending them a check of $60.00 each month. With guidance from the prisoners, a list of other P.P.s' and P.O.W.'s who are in great need of this type of support is being made. Though it is new and still small, the program is having an impact. As Sekou Odinga (a P.O.W. currently receiving a monthly cheque) writes, "Thanks much for the support you've been organizing, I really appreciate it. After not having any or very little support for so long, it now seems like (people) have all of a sudden realized that I'm alive". We already have more people on the list than we have resources. We ask that you endorse this program by giving $5.00 per week ($20.00 per month) or any other amount to this effort to increase the number of prisoners being supported monthly. A newsletter will soon be published that will document all money received, and to which prisoners it went. The prisoners addresses will published so that endorsers may write and hold us accountable to our claims. Name:_______________________________________________ Street Address:_____________________________________ City:_______________________________________________ State/Province:_____________________________________ Zip/Postal Code:____________________________________ Country:____________________________________________ Check One Of The Following: One Time Donation: Monthly Supporter: If you are a monthly supporter, check one of the following: Six Month Pledge: One Year Pledge: For More Info: New Jersey Anarchist Black Cross P.O. Box 8532 Paterson, NJ 07508-8532 USA Tel: (201) 357 0994 Nightcrawlers Anarchist Black Cross P.O. Box 1034 Bronx, NY 10454 USA Send financial contributions to the New Jersey address and please make out cheques to "CASH". (Source: Anarchist Black Cross Network Update - April 1995, Number One) Letters From Political Prisoners Concerning Support And Solidarity (And The Lack Of Same) (The following letters were written to a member of the New Jersey Anarchist Black Cross concerning the dire lack of practical material support for P.P.'s and P.O.W.'s) "Academic exercise in futility" February 2, 1995 Neil (NJ-ABC) Jaan (Laaman) showed me your letter and fliers regarding, among other things, political prisoners financial support. I commend you highly for your effort. Material support of political prisoners (P.P.) is a practice that is long overdue. Aside from the humanitarian concerns involved, P.P.'s are representatives of the larger outside struggle. Their being left to languish in the enemy's dark concrete corners without support does not look out for the people that fight for it and reap injury and repression in its service and can only conclude it must (unclear from letter -ed.). A movement whose advocates have plenty of literature but not a cup of coffee or a stamp to share will be seen as an academic exercise in futility rather than one that can fulfil the needs of those it must attract. No one joins anything to deteriorate his or her lot. So it isn't only in the prisoners' interest that mutual aid must be rendered. As to who should get this money and/or whatever other material support may be possible, I'd suggest you consider P.P.'s in control units or other long term lock ups first. These joints are poorer because there is no access to the jobs and hustles of general populations and their victims tend to be further from the streets and thus, support. Lockdown makes us cast lighter shadows. Secondly, I'd suggest you develop some sort of criteria for whom you support. There are, unfortunately, opportunists out there who will sing you a silver song that is lies, all or in part. There are also good people out there who don't need another avoidable repetition from which a priority list or some such could save them... As for me, I thank you for your consideration, but I'm financially O.K. presently. I have some comrades who look out for me and am forced to fuck off as a prison slave for which I am paid. The future holds promise! Bill Dunne #10916-086/BL-223 U.S.P. Leavenworth P.O. Box 1000 Leavenworth, KS 66048 USA "Changing our day to day reality" January 26, 1995 Dear Neil (NJ-ABC) ...Concerning the money and fund-raising for P.P./P.O.W.'s, let me say a few things. Probably you are aware of some of this, but what the hell. Pretty much across the board, that is different states and the BOP (Bureau of Prisons), are similar in that the kamps (prisons) do not supply the necessities to prisoners. You get some kind of cell, mess hall meals and some prisons issue clothing and one pair of work boots or shoes. Some kamps provide a limited supply of very cheap soap and razors tooth powder. What that means is that soap, tooth paste, razors, deodorant, shampoo, real tooth brushes, pens, coffee, snacks, food, running shoes, sweat clothes, real towels, socks, combs, cups, fruit, etc., etc... - as well as envelopes, *stamps*, and in some kamps like here, *all* phone calls have to be bought/paid for by the prisoners. Some places have phones where collect calls can be placed; some kamps have both collect and prisoner paid for calls. There are actually many things that one needs or would like to buy. So it's not just a little extras, but basic life needs that must be bought by prisoners. So, it's very good to hear of your project to materially support captured revolutionaries. 20 or 40 dollars a month literally qualitatively, changes your life in the kamps. Needless to say, P.P.'s don't involve themselves in prison house hustles that many other convicts resort to, to get a little $. Also most of us can't or don't work in the UNICOR or the state equivalent prison industries. So few P.P.'s have any money. Also, since most of us come from poor, blue-collar families, our families can't help us much. Most outside $ P.P.'s do get come from family though. For example, during the 4 years of our trials in captivity (speaking of my Ohio 7 folks) we were supported materially by our lawyers and some other outside supporters. It wasn't much, but things like a pair of sneakers, some bucks in the commissary account *and* phone calls. Since we've all landed in the prisons, pretty much, if not totally, this has stopped. For me i know it has. So material support is not only heartening for us behind the wall, in a spirit wise sense, but it improves our day-to-day reality. i would venture to guess the majority of P.P.'s could greatly use material support. Probably comrades in the lockdowns, control unit kamps need it the most. They do not work anywhere and so don't even get $5, $15, $25 a month type "wages" that the typical prison jobs pays (prison industry jobs pay $100-$200 a month, often). Yea, i'm strapped for money - ha, ha -but actually in the past year some socialists (P.D.C.) have been sending me a small bi-monthly stipend, so there are others out there who probably need it more than i do. A couple of people i know are my partner Tom Manning, now in the control unit at Florence. As far as i know, he gets no organized support. Also my comrade Richard Williams in Lompoc in California is in the same situation. My brother Ray (Luc Levasseur) does get support from the same socialists i do. Just a few thoughts based on your descriptions and hopes of your program. Consistency obviously is a big point. Also, until you build up a steady supply (soon I hope!) maybe sending twice as many people a stipend every other month instead of only a few every month makes more sense. In any case good luck, i hope you are successful and it's a good program to work on! Keep struggling, we will too. Jaan Laaman #10372-016 U.S.P. Leavenworth P.O. Box 1000 Leavenworth, KS 66048 USA "Feeling the pinch" December 27, 1994 Greetings Neil (NJ-ABC) I recently received your November 21 letter. Perhaps the name Anarchist Black Cross is what urged my keepers here to return your letter. Who can determine the reason for that? Racism, paranoia? Fortunately, your letter got in this time. Good to hear from you; trust that you are well. Tell bro. Ojore I said good looking out. The truth of the matter Neil is that I can use the bread. You may have heard the state took our (5) five free letters per week, now everybody's beginning to feel the pinch; our commissary are always going up and the state is not increasing the pay we get for the menial work we do around here. So, yes, I could use the bread. And when my situation improves, I'll let you know so that you can send the bread to someone else. I often wondered how Sundiata (Acoli - BLA P.O.W.) arranged to have those "Free Sundiata" shirts made. Sounds good to me - tell me about it in your next letter. Since you're in touch with the brothers, tell them all I said greetings. And you take care; looking forward to hearing from you. Yours in struggle. Herman Bell #79-C-262 Eastern Correctional Facility P.O. Box 338 Napanoch, NY 12458-0338 USA (Source: Anarchist Black Cross Network Update - April 1995, Number One)