Category: Prison Struggle
Chile: Two years after our imprisonment. Monica and Francisco’s words from prison
We have always prioritized not having intermediaries when it comes to communicating, that no one speaks for us and in these days that we will be two years since those who support the hegemony of power and force locked us in these concrete pits called prisons, will be no exception.
This second year of imprisonment will bring with it the end of the investigative period of our legal process, that is to say that the period in which the prosecution and the ten prosecutors could gather information against us, will end. The closing of the investigation opens an intermediate process prior to the trial.
The judicial investigation against us has spared no resources; the police have made great efforts not to leave any loose end. The aim with us is to give an exemplary sentence that will frighten anyone who makes the practice of political violence their own, especially with regard to the placing and sending of explosive devices. Furthermore, we are not unknown to the powerful; on more than one occasion we have been seated in the dock, and in all of them we have made clear our anarchic position. Our current legal situation is closely linked to our previous judicial processes.
We are self-critical with respect to our mistakes at the time of our actions, each one of them are part of our experience and learning, which we hope will also serve for others. We feel part of a long road of struggles against domination, a historical road that changes according to the different conflict scenarios. Continue reading “Chile: Two years after our imprisonment. Monica and Francisco’s words from prison”
Call for International Week of Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoners 2022 // 23 – 30 August
The fact that capitalism does not focus on our needs but on profit, is demonstrated with all its brutality in times of climate crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and the collapse of socioeconomic systems all around the world. Those who profit from capitalism enrich themselves through times of disaster. But with ongoing crises we are also experiencing a new era of uprisings from below.
Resistance to the war in Ukraine, Sudanese protests against military rule or the social revolt in Chile are some examples that not only show us the possibilities of organizing and collective struggle. They also highlight how important it is for social movements to learn from each other and support each other in these times. Not only outside the walls but also behind them.
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve seen fierce struggles against imprisonment, reminding us that incarcerated people are the ones most affected when everything goes down. Breakouts from Brazilian and Italian prisons, people in jail setting fire to a prison in Thailand and ongoing hunger strikes like those we see in Greece or in polish refugee detention camps are examples of the courage people in prisons are showing to smash the walls.
In all of these struggles, anarchist ideas and values are the fuel for collective resistance. Unsurprisingly the repression against anarchists is increasing and solidarity is needed more than ever. The capitalist system of domination can function because of the continued isolation between people, endless competition, and overlook our real needs and desires. We need solidarity within our friendships, at work, in the neighborhood, in our communities. Those outside and those inside their walls.
Let’s break out together! That is why we are calling again for International Week of Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoners. Do some action of solidarity! Write letters, organize speeches or film screening, make our comrades visible on the streets with a banner drop or a graffiti and let them show that they are in our hearts and that we are fighting together.
Let’s remember those who fought against this injustice and payed with their lives.
No one is free, till all are free!
If you have any questions or comments, if you would like to send us a picture, a short text, a recording of your event or action, please write to us.
Poster download: Poster2022_en
Source: solidarity.international
UK: Letter for the International Week of Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoners August 23rd – 30th by Imprisoned Anarchist Toby Shone
Letter for the International Week of Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoners August 23rd – 30th by Imprisoned Anarchist Toby Shone, UK
“Does this rising generation know that those who inaugurated the 8 hour day were put to death at the command of Capital?”
Lucy Parsons, The Haymarket Martyrs, November 1926
“Although we are not reformists, the struggle to obtain improvements in one’s immediate situation (wages, housing, health, education, occupations etc) sees the anarchists present, but they do not see these struggles as ends in themselves. They push the exploited towards this form of struggle so that they can develop the elements of self-organisation and refusal of the delegate which are indispensable in order to develop direct action at all other levels.”
Alfredo M. Bonanno, What are Anarchists?
Despite being in prison, news occasionally reaches me of the many repressive operations and terrible circumstances that our comrades are confronting. That’s why I am in agreement with the proposal once again put forward by the Anarchist Black Cross for a week of solidarity at the end of August. This date is chosen to mark the State murder of anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti. We cannot give in to resignation or become complacent in these times. It is more important than ever to explain and make accessible the anarchist analysis and to put it into practice immediately.
Anarchism is internationalism, self-management, mutual aid, solidarity, and direct action: incisive, voracious and alive. That’s why our spaces are raided and evicted, our publications seized, our communities hunted, beaten, imprisoned and killed around the world.
During my interrogations, the Counter-Terror cops at one point focussed on the International Week of Solidarity with anarchist prisoners, accusing this event of supporting terrorism, glorifying terrorism. That’s because part of their strategy is to try to illegalise the Anarchist Black Cross. Their aim is to destroy all solidarity and counter-information structures which spread information about and provide material support for the legal cases of anarchist comrades who are locked up. Continue reading “UK: Letter for the International Week of Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoners August 23rd – 30th by Imprisoned Anarchist Toby Shone”
URGENT: Critical health condition of 65-day hunger striker Giannis Michailidis
URGENT: Critical health condition of 65-day hunger striker Giannis Michailidis
On Monday 25 July, after 64 days of hunger strike, the court of appeal in Lamia held a hearing for his release. Although there was a commitment on the part of the council to issue the decision in time, we understand that the timeframe for respecting the hunger striker has passed. Indeed, they have been elapsed since the Amfissa council delayed a month in issuing its decision. Any further delay on the part of the Lamia council constitutes further torture and an attempt to eliminate our comrade.
As for his health, comrade Giannis Michailidis estimates that he will not be able to drink any water until Thursday, as his body is so badly damaged that he suffers constant palpitations, which make swallowing water impossible. He has now lost 20.6 pounds, more than 28% of his original body weight. In general he states that he has no strength, moves very little and has severe pain in his spleen, left kidney and chest. He is also forced to sleep sitting up due to constant stomach upsets. His blood sugar has dropped to 71 and his blood pressure is 8 and 6. He is very dizzy and cannot concentrate.
The rejection of decisions and proposals so far, and the fact that the council was set on a date when the comrade was on 64 days of hunger strike, blatantly shows that the state and bourgeois justice have two weights and measures. They exterminate, torture and force to death an anarchist militant, while releasing scum murderers and rapists such as Korkoneas, Filippidis, Horterias, Leventis and Lignadis. Justice is class-based, and it is our responsibility to bring justice to the streets by joining forces and fighting actively to end the extermination of Giannis Michailidis. To rally and fight with all our strength for the release of our comrade. To support and accompany the solidarity calls of the coming days:
GATHERING AT SYNTAGMA ON TUESDAY 26/7 AT 19:00
SOLIDARITY ASSEMBLY: Tuesday 26/7, 20:30, Strefi Theatre Continue reading “URGENT: Critical health condition of 65-day hunger striker Giannis Michailidis”
Chile: On anarchist prisoner Marcelo Villarroel’s sentence computation review hearing
Today, July 5, the sentence computation review hearing in favor of Marcelo Villarroel took place before Judge Carolina Gajardo, of the 7th Guarantee Court of Santiago. In this hearing, Marcelo’s defence denounced before the Court the illegality of the Gendarmerie’s action of increasing by 21 years the minimum time of his effective sentence to be eligible for parole. Before this modification, he could have applied for parole in December 2019. This action, covered by the modification of DL 321 by law 21.124 in December 2019, violates a series of fundamental guarantees, especially the non-retroactivity of criminal law and the principle of in dubio pro reo, established in the Constitution (art. 19 n3), in the Criminal Code (art. 18) and in a series of international human rights treaties ratified and prevailing in Chile.
The Prosecutor’s Office was also present, represented by prosecutor Arturo Gómez, who argued that Marcelo must still serve sentences of more than 30 years, given the sentences of the Military Prosecutor’s Office, and that this request of the defence had already been resolved in a negative manner by the Court on repeated occasions, and should therefore be rejected (despite the fact that this is the first action for sentence computation).
In the pleadings, the National Institute of Human Rights also appeared, whose delegate referred to read the general conclusions of a report they prepared in the year 2021 on this matter, in which they provide the grounds for which this modification of Decree Law 321 has been applied in violation of fundamental guarantees of persons deprived of liberty. However, at the hearing, this entity did not express its opinion in relation to the specific case for which its assistance was requested and which was being discussed (despite the fact that this same report explicitly refers to the case of Marcelo Villarroel), even stating that this matter should be resolved by the trial judge.
Finally, Judge Carolina Gajardo rejected the request, basing her decision on the fact that this discussion had already been settled previously and in various instances, and that she was not competent to rule on the actions of the Gendarmerie, leaving Marcelo without legal protection.
The legal team is already preparing the appeal to this resolution, as well as the different motions that will continue to be filed until Marcelo is released.
AGAINST THE PERPETUITY OF THE CONVICTIONS!
FOR THE ANNULMENT OF THE SENTENCES OF MILITARY JUSTICE FOR COMRADE MARCELO VILLARROEL!!!
AGITATE, PROPAGATE, INSIST, PERSIST!!!
Legal Team
Anticarceral Solidarity Network with Juan and Marcelo (RSAJM)
July 5, 2022.
Source: athens.indymedia
Via & Translated by Act for freedom now!
Greece: Giannis Michailidis – Rape after the murder of the concept of justice
For Greek “justice”, a rapist of a child (D. Lignadis) has been sufficiently rehabilitated and is not a danger to society after less than 1.5 years in prison. A racially motivated murderer (Ath. Hortarias), has been sufficiently rehabilitated and is also not a danger after 2 months in prison. The murderer of 15-year-old Alexandros (Ep. Korkoneas) does not deserve life imprisonment. Another rapist (P. Filippidis), earns his freedom prematurely as he is not considered dangerous because of his celebrity. This is the “epic” of crony Greek “justice”.
However, for Greek “justice” an anarchist bank robber and escapee, after almost 9 years in prison and 7 months, after completing the required 3/5 of the sentence, “risks committing new crimes as he has not spent sufficient time in prison”.
What I understand is that robbing a bank and escaping from prison is far worse than rape or murder. Especially if the rapist is a close friend of ministers or the killers kill troublesome kids or marginalised people. After all, isn’t the role of the state to protect capital? Also, it will obviously show more vindictiveness towards someone who has actively challenged the feared institution of prison, absolutely necessary for disciplining society.
And as for bank robberies, now that we’re impoverishing you, don’t get any ideas. If you want to rape a kid, a wink to a minister will do the trick! This is the clear message of Greek “justice”.
I received it. That’s why I started a hunger strike. To expose all those arbitrary acts against me, which I list at the beginning of the text. However, from what I can see they don’t need me. They have made their own judgments. Not even for appearances.
I think they are even using the hunger strike as an example now. They’ve set my appeal hearing for 7/25. On that day I will have done 64 days’ hunger strike. The aim is clear. To exhaust me. A possible permanent disability reinforces the message they are sending. Perhaps my eventual death, which becomes more likely with each passing day. Such a perversion of the concept of justice is unthinkable. Let them enjoy their “justice”. Enjoy your careers.
As for me, who do not have access to their villas with their lavish tables paid for with bribes, I can greet this world fasting, but with the spiritual fullness of total existential conflict with their rotten system.
15/7/2022,
On hunger strike from 23/5, Giannis Michailidis
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Source: athens.indymedia
Via & Translated by Act for freedom now!
Italy: On the sentence of the Operation Scripta Manent trial
SCRIPTA MANENT SENTENCE
The hearing of the Scripta Manent trial took place on July 6 at the Court of Cassation (Supreme Court). The court reclassified the facts of the explosive attack to the Carabinieri students school in Fossano (Cuneo) on June 2, 2006, claimed by Rivolta Anonima Tremenda – Federazione Anarchica Informale, for which Anna and Alfredo were prosecuted, in “massacre & political” (art, 285), returning the process to the court of Torino for the punitive recalculation of the sentence. All the other sentences were confirmed, between 1 year and 9 months and 2 years and 6 months, for 11 comrades, and the acquittals for the rest of the defendants, which thus become definitive.
There will come times for more detailed reflections. What does seem evident to us is the determination of the State to break the anarchist movement and the revolutionary struggle, making even worse what happened before the Court of Assise (National Court) of Turin, with a sentence that does not seem to presume any margin for criticism. While the contradictions on which society is governed become more and more unmanageable, before the social tension takes forms that the power does not know how to manage, the State tries to give a blunt blow to the movement and a warning to those who do not desist: two or three years for those who publish a newspaper, dozens of years or even life imprisonment for those who act.
The recent decision to lock Alfredo up in 41 bis, shamelessly taken, moreover, on the eve of this sentence, is perfectly qualified in this State reprisal: the decisions have been taken, Alfredo has to stay buried, literally, in prison. His ideas, his actions, his contribution must be silenced, condemned to oblivion.
But forgetting the prisoners of the social war means forgetting the war itself: revolutionary solidarity with the anarchists Anna Beniamino and Alfredo Cospito. Death to the State and capital, long live anarchy.
The addresses of the imprisoned comrades:
Anna Beniamino
C. C. “G. Stefanini” – Rebibbia
via Bartolo Longo 92
00156 Roma (Italy)
Alfredo Cospito
C. C. “G. Bacchiddu” C.C.
strada provinciale 56 n. 4
Località Bancali
07100 Sassari (Italy)
Italy: We will not stay warm during the storm
We receive and disseminate this text-proposal, which we will gladly return to in the near future:
Let’s be clear: we want Alfredo out of 41bis.
Our proposal is not that of a specialized campaign against 41bis or against prisons: not because we like these institutions or because we think anyone should remain locked up in them, but because we think it is urgent to start from a “simpler” goal, knowing full well that when we have achieved it we will not have even begun in our struggle, which is for social revolution.
A struggle for the destruction of the prison cannot be won as long as there are states and authorities: therefore, these are battles that must be carried on continuously, but we would like, in this case, to try to give ourselves an attainable goal even in the short or medium term.
The fight against prison is – in itself – a fight against the existing, because the end of prisons means the end of the state, similarly the fight against 41bis, in Italy, goes to touch some of the foundations of the Italian state, which since its introduction has made it the workhorse of the “fight against the mafia.” Let’s face it clearly and humbly: 41bis is one of the ideological pillars of the Italian state, which has among its mottos “41bis or death!” The anti-mafia war has shown us this: the state, instead of giving up 41bis, has been willing to make the population pay for mafia bombs, such as the massacre of Via Georgofili in Florence or Via Palestro in Milan. So we find it difficult that on the abolition of that prison regime specifically (as, moreover, of prison in general), we can make pressures, whether harmless or violent. Whereas we think it is different to lobby specifically for the downgrading of Alfredo. This is not to say that our speeches, or our actions, should be watered down. The radicality of our struggle must be ensured, even in the case of a “partial demand” such as Alfredo’s demotion, by never disjointing the goals we can and must set ourselves with the social-political reasons for our anarchist actions. The radicality of action, propaganda, and agitation are the only antibody to strongly reiterate that our struggle is for the destruction of the existent, without mediation, preventing our demands, from that of the liberation of a comrade to stopping this or that project of capital, from being assimilated into a power-compatible reformism. Continue reading “Italy: We will not stay warm during the storm”
Greece: A letter from the special cell of Lamia Hospital – Giannis Michailidis
The scorpion is an insect that differs little from its ancestral species, which were among the first animals to walk on land hundreds of millions of years ago. It has been observed that individuals of this species, when trapped among the flames with no visible escape route, do a remarkable thing: they turn their sting on themselves and commit suicide! A behavior that offers no evolutionary advantage, as on the slim chance that the fire would go out, the surviving animals could continue to reproduce. A behavior that contradicts the theory that insects are biological robots because they exhibit standardized behaviors.
The simplest way I can explain this behaviour is that the evolution of life does not build robots, but instead creates neural systems for information processing and decision making. Recurring patterns of behaviour emerge from the complex operation of self-organised neural circuits, which in most cases do indeed favour maximum reproductive potential. So then, these tiny nervous systems with several orders of magnitude fewer neural synapses than our brains produce a behaviour that betrays evidence of their internal functioning:
- These animals experience pain, meaning pain as a stimulus that the animal tries to eliminate.
- These animals experience fear, meaning fear as an internal mental projection of a future situation.
- They have knowledge that they possess a murderous tool with which they kill their prey and defend themselves from their predators: the stinger.
- They associate the feeling of pain with their body as they point the stinger at themselves.
- The association of pain with self-consciousness, since pain is an elementary form of mental state, and consciousness is thought upon thought, constitutes a primitive form of consciousness. So pain is in a sense conscious.
Continue reading “Greece: A letter from the special cell of Lamia Hospital – Giannis Michailidis”