Sounds
In this steel and concrete tomb,
Pondering on things missed.
Foremost is a loving touch,
the feelings after being kissed.
Sounds of night in a woodland,
the sun's warmth on a free day.
The cry of a flying bird,
Gleeful laughter of children at play.
But what is real in these hellish places
are the many sounds of anguish,
from emotionally drained
pain numbed faces.
Sounds of the frustrated,
Missing those loved.
A fact stands out it seems.
Freedom is a mysterious lady,
We only make love in our dreams.
20 June 96
Harold Thompson
A few Words from
the maker of this page: I don’t agree with all of the perspectives expressed in
the following writings (I have done some editing) but I think much of what is
said is important. The essays are from a zine put out by APLAN (Anarchist
Prisoners Legal Aid Network). I write to prisoners to develop affinity with
those on the inside. Much of the prisoner support rhetoric I’ve come across carries
this tone of authoritarian duty to support our comrades behind bars. I don’t
engage in supporting prisoners based on obligation. I do it because it feels
good to make a tangible difference in someone’s life and receive gratitude from
those in the gulags. Most prisoners I’ve read writings from I have significant
differences from. Many are proponents of organizationalism and reformism. I
leave their tactics up to them to decide and aid in those that I agree with,
which doesn’t include litigation or letters to politicians/prison staff, etc. I
do support a few prisoners regularly and highly encourage it as a very
important activity and fulfilling one as well.
Writings
and Statements by Prisoners:
Anarchists and the Prison
Issue
The Importance of
Supporting Prisoners
&
Where There is A
Will There Is A Way
by Harold H.
Thompson
by Rob Thaxton
Writings From the
Anarchist Rain
by Shaka N’ Zinga
[s/n Arthur Wiggins # 196612 / PO Box 534 (MHC – X) /
Jessup, MD. 20794/ USA]
Anarchists and the Prison
Struggle: Revolutionary Solidarity Not Empty Rhetoric and Liberalism
by
Mark Barnsley
(Released)
"Plea" to the
Athens Criminal Court
By Nikos Maziotis
[Nikos has been released. His early release (serving 3 years out of a 15 year sentence, I think) is largely attributed to revolutionary solidarity. That is, there were a dramatic increase in attacks against the state throughout Europe that were dedicated to him. It simply became too costly for the state to keep him in prison.]
Southern
California Prisoners:
Robert Middaugh
#T41137 450 13up
A.S.P. P.O. Box 9
Avenal, CA. 93204
Please let us know if you know of any other Southern California Anarchist Prisoners: omnipresence@ziplip.com
Prisoner
Support Groups:
The Anarchist Prisoners' Legal Aid Network
The Anarchist Prisoners' Legal Aid Network (APLAN) is a prisoner guided initiative, formed to provide legal aid and outside support for imprisoned anarchists. We believe that anarchists need to support those who are arrested and already in jail. This isn't always easy, yet is a challenge our movement needs to take on.
There are dozens of
anarchists in prison, many of whom face abuses by the prison authorities. Some
are even held in segregation units with violent white racists. We can fight
repressive action taken against anarchist prisoners, but it will take effort
from inside and outside the prisons
to do this.
Anarchist prisoners can
contribute to struggles on the outside, but need outside contact to do this.
APLAN aims to facilitate these efforts and thus strengthen anarchist practice
as a whole.
We hope to provide sound
legal advice and aid for anarchist prisoners. This support for imprisoned
comrades is not based upon respect for the judicial apparatus, but is provided
in the spirit of mutual aid and solidarity in struggle. The sharing of research
material and resources will be an immediate goal. We welcome contact with those
who have specific knowledge of legal matters.
We hope for broad
involvement, in multiform ways, from throughout the anarchist movement. Write
for information about current activities and how to get involved.
Anarchist Prisoners' Legal
Aid Network
818 SW 3rd Ave. PMB 354 / Portland, OR 97204 / USA
weneversleep@ziplip.com
The Omnipresence