*prisoner solidarity

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Upcoming event in Glasgow:

Join us on Thursday evening from 6 - 8pm Oct 10th for an evening of letter writing at Glasgow Autonomous Space. Dinner and materials provided!

This event is dedicated to writing to people who have been imprisoned for protesting against the ongoing Palestinian Genocide. Arrive on time so you don't miss our introduction!

If you have any questions feel free to send us a DM, looking forward to seeing you

 

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Even more PA prisoner stuff:
SUPPORT NEEDED FOR PALESTINE ACTION PRISONERS IN HMP BRONZEFIELD

After an action which cost Israel's largest weapons firm over £1million in damages, six of the #Filton10 are remanded in HMP Bronzefield, a female prison run by Sodexo (@sodexogroup). All six of them have been separated and banned by the prison from associating with one another. This condition is completely arbitrary as the four men from the #Filton10 have been kept together in prison, a move which was secured after a mass call in campaign from our supporters.

HMP Bronzefield's punitive actions have led to

- Zoe Rogers, 20, being stuck in the induction wing rather than the youth wing.

- Madeleine Norman categorised as an "escape risk", banned from wearing normal clothes, unable to make unsupervised phone calls and being checked by a guard every hour.

- Some of the prisoners being unable to participate in prison activities.

- A huge reduction in visits as they are unable to be in the visiting hall together at the same time.

- Some of them being unable to attend their own court hearings.

The prison's actions come after each of them were detained without charge in solitary confinement and repeatedly interrogated for a week under the Terrorism Act. The prison is now attempting to further isolate the actionists — but we can not allow that to happen.

Please contact the prison and ask for the governor (Jonathan French) to demand that the prisoners are allowed to associate with each other and they also stop restricting access to books which have been sent to each of them.

+441784 425690

[email protected]

[email protected]

During the calls or in an email to the prison, you can use the names of the prisoners as a reference.

 

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Ryan Dwyer, a Kill the Bill prisoner who had been released from prison, has now been recalled:

Support Ryan Dwyer! | Bristol Anarchist Black Cross

bristolabc.org

 

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Madeleine Norman has been on remand for nearly 2 months, after they were accused of being connected to an action which cost Israel's largest weapons firm over £1million in damages. Upon arrest under the Terrorism Act, Madeleine was kept in solitary confinement, interrogated repeatedly and had two addresses raided. Now, they've been charged with non-terror offences and imprisoned in HMP Bronzefield, but they are facing severe repression inside.

Madeleine has been categorised as an escape risk for approx two weeks now, which means:

- All clothes have been taken away, forcing them to wear a blue and yellow 'escape suit' which is taken off them when they are in the cell.

- A guard checks on them every hour, day and night, disturbing their sleep and constantly invading their privacy

- Madeleine isn't allowed ANY books

- They have been put in a cell with NO phone

- Madeleine has been denied contact with their Scottish legal representatives in relation to a separate case involving an action which disrupted producers of laser targeting systems for Israel's F-35 fighter jets.

The categorisation as an escape risk was allegedly due to a drawing Madeleine made of their cell. However, Yasmin, the head of security who placed Madeleine on the e-list, implied they'd never seen the drawing and the designation was largely due to 'intel' that she couldn't disclose. Yasmin went on to partially justify the decision to place the actionist on the 'e-list' by saying Madeleine 'knew the crimes they had committed'. It's clear that the restriction Madeleine faces is a political decision to target them due to their alleged involvement in targeting Israel's weapons trade.

Do not let them get away with treating Palestine Action's political prisoners like this. Help us pressure the prison by calling/emailing the governor, Jonathan French, to demand Madeleine is removed from the escape list and non-association orders with others from our group are dropped.

01784 425690

[email protected]

[email protected]

HMP Bronzefield is a female prison run by @sodexogroup – You can also comment on their page to end the abuse of Madeleine.

 

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Six of the Filton 10 are imprisoned at HMP Bronzefield. They are accused of costing Israel's largest weapons firm over £1million in damages.

Due to the abuse of the Terrorism Act, they have been facing severe restrictions since arrival. This has included one activist being categorised as an escape risk for over a week, another being targeted by guards and denied their religious rights.

They've all been banned from associating with one another, leading to them only receiving one visit per six visits other prisoners are entitled to.

Join us for a protest this Saturday outside HMP Bronzefield at 5.30pm to demand the CPS drop the use of counter-terrorism powers against all of the Filton 10 and show your solidarity!

Bring torches, pots, pans, noise, banners, flags and get ready to make some noise for Palestine Action's political prisoners.

 

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Thales 5 Support Fund

Donate to support five activists from Palestine Action who've been imprisoned for costing Thales' weapons factory in Glasgow over £1million.
In a draconian move, four of the five were given 12 months sentences. One was handed a 14 month sentence. They will be expected to serve half of their sentences in prison.

Thales is one of the world's largest arms companies - producing armoured vehicles, missile systems and drones. The company works in partnership with Elbit Systems, Israel's biggest weapons producer, to manufacture military drones which are "battle-tested" on the Palestinian people.

Donations will be used to cover costs associated with supporting the activists and their loved ones during their imprisonment, including:

• In prison costs for each activist
• Travel costs to visit the imprisoned activists
• Bills of imprisoned activists

 

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Action Alert: Stand with Muslim Prisoners Resisting State Violence in HMP Full Sutton

On 4th November, in response to ever increasingly repressive conditions in HMP Full Sutton, there was an uprising on a-wing. Muslim prisoners are fighting back against rising Islamophobic abuse, including the prison preventing Muslims from wearing religious clothing. Muslim women visiting...

actionnetwork.org

On 4th November, in response to ever increasingly repressive conditions in HMP Full Sutton, there was an uprising on a-wing.

Muslim prisoners are fighting back against rising Islamophobic abuse, including the prison preventing Muslims from wearing religious clothing.

Muslim women visiting loved ones are being targeted, forced to remove their hijabs and their socks in front of male officers before being allowed on the visit.

Prisoners fought back against violent officers and took control of a wing.

The nationals, a designated team who repress resistance, brutalised those who took part in the uprising.

Eyewitnesses have told us that prisoners were handcuffed behind their backs, then knocked unconscious and severely beaten. their clothes were cut off them and they were sexually assaulted.

The landing was red with their blood.

Over the past 2 weeks, the prison are physically assaulting Muslim prisoners in their cells across the prison, sometimes multiple times in a day.

Some prisoners have serious injuries, including head injuries and broken bones.

They have been denied healthcare.

We must show up for those on the front line fighting state violence. we are in full support of all resistance to the prison system.

Please join us and take action now.

 

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On a lighter note, delighted by this event to celebrate the release of Cyan Bass, a prisoner who served a few years for charges connected to the 2020 BLM protests:

Think pie-eating contests have been sadly missing from UK activism for too long.

 

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‍Trial solidarity demo (again)‍

44 people have now been charged after resisting prison barge transfers and detention earlier this year.

Please come to support and show solidarity with four people on trial in two weeks.

This trial is on Wednesday 27th November, at Stratford magistrates court, E15 4SB (2mins walk from Stratford station). Please come for 8.45am.

There will be speakers from antiraids (@slantiraids), Copwatch (@lambethcopwatch), Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants (@LGSMigrants) and others who attended the resistance on the day.

Stratford magistrates court has restrictive conditions on ‘protest’ trials, to prevent people coming in to court to support. This demo will be outside the court. As much as we would love to fill the court with supporters, only 6 per trial are allowed in. So we’ll make ourselves heard outside.

 

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‍Trial solidarity demo (again)‍

44 people have now been charged after resisting prison barge transfers and detention earlier this year.

Please come to support and show solidarity with four people on trial in two weeks.

This trial is on Wednesday 27th November, at Stratford magistrates court, E15 4SB (2mins walk from Stratford station). Please come for 8.45am.

There will be speakers from antiraids (@slantiraids), Copwatch (@lambethcopwatch), Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants (@LGSMigrants) and others who attended the resistance on the day.

Stratford magistrates court has restrictive conditions on ‘protest’ trials, to prevent people coming in to court to support. This demo will be outside the court. As much as we would love to fill the court with supporters, only 6 per trial are allowed in. So we’ll make ourselves heard outside.

View attachment 451734

So far I think there have been 2 trials, 1st had 5 acquitted, second had 2 convicted (with sentences suspended) iirc.

Not heard about the trial for the bus driver who was arrested for racially aggravated conduct.

 

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‍Trial solidarity demo (again)‍

44 people have now been charged after resisting prison barge transfers and detention earlier this year.

Please come to support and show solidarity with four people on trial in two weeks.

This trial is on Wednesday 27th November, at Stratford magistrates court, E15 4SB (2mins walk from Stratford station). Please come for 8.45am.

There will be speakers from antiraids (@slantiraids), Copwatch (@lambethcopwatch), Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants (@LGSMigrants) and others who attended the resistance on the day.

Stratford magistrates court has restrictive conditions on ‘protest’ trials, to prevent people coming in to court to support. This demo will be outside the court. As much as we would love to fill the court with supporters, only 6 per trial are allowed in. So we’ll make ourselves heard outside.

View attachment 451734

4 more acquitted!

ANOTHER TRIAL WON ‍‍‍

The crown served no evidence

(but not before they dragged everyone there, including the Met Police Bronze Commander and arresting officer).

Another four acquittals!



Next trials on 9th and 10th December!

 

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Absolute shitloads of PA-related trials and court dates coming up, there's ones happening in Birmingham, Leicester, Edinburgh, and Manchester in the next few weeks:





Also, Toby Shone is finally free, but a few weeks before he got out his support network published this:

UK: “Unsurprising Fact” – Letter By Anarchist Prisoner Toby Shone + Fallout From Publication Of “Unsurprising Fact”

darknights.noblogs.org

Nevertheless, over the past few months my lawyers were able to obtain a Security Intelligence Report (SIR) produced by the prison’s anti-terror bureaucrats. This disclosure occurred in the course of a parole motion, which was denied in any event. The Secretary of State opposed my release and used a non-disclosure application to prevent me from seeing or being able to respond to “evidence” used against me on grounds of “national security”. The Parole Board disagreed and granted me access to a scant eight pages of intelligence reports. These cover the time period September 2023 – January 2024 and show an incomplete snapshot of the surveillance and censorship of my correspondence and books, the gathering of information on those that I am in contact with and the intel received about the fireworks solidarity demo at Bristol prison last year when I was detained there. The report revealed the collection of all the names, addresses and personal details of all those who communicate with me. For example, it is noted that one comrade writes that he works as a postman, another comrade “has a daughter in prison”, etc. Also listed in the entries are any personal connections and any details related to affiliations to any groups or tendencies. Geographic analysis using Google Maps has been made to view their locations. The Star and Shadow Cinema in Newcastle upon Tyne is designated a “potential meeting point” and BASE in Bristol described as “a heavily graffitied possible squat or commune.


Thus the level of intelligence and analysis displayed is low and crude but we can anticipate that the data is funnelled to the security services and the police state.

The security regime that I am imposed with is directed from outside the prison by a panel* comprising of senior police, Counter Terror Unit, National Security Division, governmental administration and forensic psychology.


We know that the state is afraid and takes step of repression; however it is rare that we see the evidence and its workings, therefore I am giving this account as my response.


I have nothing to justify.


In this situation I already knew perfectly well before disclosure what the secret “evidence” consisted off – the fact that I maintain my perspective and contacts with the anarchist dependency and with the social movement. The stand that I continue to write “and try to receive” letters and I am sent books and publications with critical content.


I will not apologise one sentence for those things.

 

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Fundraiser for Yulia, currently held on remand awaiting trial for alleged involvement in Palestine Action:

Donate to Solidarity Fund for Yulia, organized by Alex Ross

Yulia is currently on remand in HMP Bronzefield following a violent raid and arrest in November. T… Alex Ross needs your support for Solidarity Fund for Yulia

www.gofundme.com

 

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Brixton prison, NYE:

Anyone know if there'll be any others?

 

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Next week in Lincoln:

Zoe Watts is a trans woman being held on the men's wing of HMP Peterborough.

She has a GRC, a female birth certificate, and in 2021 the same prison put her in with the other women where she could mix freely.

This time, she's kept in her cell 23 1/2 hours a day because the screws say she's not safe around male prisoners - but they won't move her. To make their job easier, they are deciding whether to move her to the male mental health unit or in with the male sex offenders.

We want to begin applying pressure publicly for them to move her to the women's wing. The first step is showing HMP Peterborough that she's not alone on the outside. They need to know that we're watching, and even when transphobic state violence happens behind locked doors, we're willing to fight back.

Please come and join Zoe's friends + chosen family at Lincoln Crown Court on the first day of her hearing to make a lot of noise, in solidarity with her + all trans prisoners. Bring loved ones + loud things!

 

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Mail Phone In Success – #Filton18 Day 144 - Resistance Kitchen

Palestine Action coordinated a phone in requesting people to all phone the prison on the same day politely demanding Fatema Zainab's right to mail be respected. It was very effective and for the first time new mail is trickling in to her.

resistancekitchen.uk

On 28th December the Resistance Kitchen marked 144 days that the #Filton10, now #Filton18, have been unjustly imprisoned without trial for trying to stop the flow of Israeli arms from the UK being used to commit genocide in Gaza.

Abuse Of Terror Powers​

Whilst none of the 18 have been charged with any terrorism related charges, the state has purposely used draconian anti-terror powers in their arrests and left a vague ‘terrorism related’ cloud hanging over them so at every step they have been treated as terrorists. Because of this they have been denied bail, and in prison they are caged as high risk category A prisoners with extra restrictions imposed on them that other remand prisoners don’t face. Many of these restrictions are arbitrary, applied to some of the Filton 18 detainees but not to others. For example the non-association rule where two Filton detainees cannot be in the same area at the same time – like the library or gym – have only been applied to the women, the men have been free to associate.

Denial Of Mail​

Also within the women some have had more restrictions applied. Fatema Zainab has been denied mail. This is illegal. Every detainee has the right to receive mail. This right is enshrined in the United Nations’ Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, and under UK legislation – The Prison Rules 1999. Apparently there is a big box full of photocopies of her mail spanning 5 months sitting in her wing. But security is not allowing her access to it. They say all her mail, including a painting of a smile and heart by her 6 year old pupil with the words “you are the best teacher I miss you” , is being withheld on security grounds as its “inappropriate”!

Phone In Campaign​

As part of the campaign to lift this denial of mail, Palestine Action coordinated a phone in requesting people to all phone the prison on the same day politely demanding Fatema Zainab’s right to mail be respected. It was very effective with hundreds of people phoning in jamming the prison phone lines. Its much harder to ignore than emails which can be deleted with one key press.

Punishing Detainees​

A shameful underhanded tactic the prison often uses it to punish detainees for actions they are not even aware of let alone have any control over. We have seen a detainee punished for receiving a book from an anonymous well wisher, the book was an academic text ordered from a prison approved bookseller. But the prison decided the political subject wasn’t suitable and punished the detainee. When a protest was held outside HMP Bronzefield, the filton detainees inside were punished. Some vists were cancelled for no reason, and all the detainees had arbitrary people on their approved contact list banned from any future contact for 6 months – this included visits, phone calls and even letters. No reason was given. It’s as if the prison is holding the detainees hostage to curtail our legal activity outside of the prison – something incompatible with a democracy.

In the case of the mass phone in, Fatema Zainab was held responsible even though she was not even aware it was taking place. Her intimidation meant it had to be called off, and the post on social media was taken down prematurely.

Mail Finally Trickling In​

It never the less had the desired effect, and now we are seeing new mail gradually trickling in to her. But she is still being denied the backlog box of 5 month’s of mail – hundreds of letters, postcards and the paintings from her pupils.

 

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5K in Glasgow to raise money for Palestine Action prisoners:

!! Winter Running Down the Walls !! ‍‍

Don your sports gear and keffiyeh and join us for a non-competitive 5k run/walk/roll/cycle at your own pace on Sunday 19th of January 11am in Glasgow’s Pollok Park to raise funds for political prisoners!

**

‘Running Down the Walls’ is an annual tradition in its 25th year, originating in the US to campaign for the liberation of political prisoners. Imprisoned activists and their supporters run 5k together, raising money to support them and their loved ones.

There are currently 21 people imprisoned in the UK for their alleged involvement in Palestine Action, a direct action network dismantling British complicity in Israeli apartheid.
18 of these heroes, known as the Filton18, are currently being detained without trial after an abuse of counter terrorism legislation, despite being charged with no terror related offences.

To this we say proudly:

We are all Palestine Action!

As long as Palestinians are resisting, we will resist with them!

**

We will meet at 11am in the Burrell Collection carpark in Pollok Park for speeches and stretches. The run/walk/roll/cycle will commence at 11:30am.

To participate please bring cash/card on the day, or make a donation to the Filton18 fundraiser (link in bio). If you are outwith Glasgow and would like to join remotely on your own route, please do! Just donate to the Filton18 fundraiser and tag us in your photos.

The minimum donation is £5, but if you can donate more please do! You are welcome to participate even if you do not have the funds to donate.

The route is two laps of the North Wood, and entirely tarmac footpaths. There are several medium steepness upward and downward hills throughout the route with flat sections in between.

The run will take place on shared paths so please give way to other park users, staying on the left hand side of the track where possible.

Gender neutral and accessible toilets are available in the Burrell Gallery from 11am.

See you there !

 

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Leeds on Wednesday:

Wednesday 22nd January - Leeds Crown Court.

Show up in solidarity with a young Muslim man facing charges for defending himself against racist and Islamophobic abuse at HMP Wakefield.

Let's fill the public gallery to show our unwavering support.

Hearing expected to start at 10 am, will be listed by 4 pm on 21st so please check back to see the confirmed time.