*prisoner solidarity

[hitmouse]

Support anarchist and antifascist prisoners in Belarus

After protests against dictator Lukashenko amount of political prisoners, among them anarchists and antifascists increased dramatically. We collect money to support those prisoners and their families to resist oppression of authoritarianism.

www.betterplace.org

 

[AmateurAgitator]

Support anarchist and antifascist prisoners in Belarus

After protests against dictator Lukashenko amount of political prisoners, among them anarchists and antifascists increased dramatically. We collect money to support those prisoners and their families to resist oppression of authoritarianism.

www.betterplace.org

Thankyou. I have shared this to social media.

 

[hitmouse]

Related to a post above, Daniel Baker, the first antifascist prisoner of the Biden era, just got convicted on two charges of making threats online:

GUILTY: Jury delivers verdict in Daniel Baker trial, Florida Capitol threats case

He was arrested Jan. 15 by FBI agents after posting a “Call to Arms” on Facebook and his YouTube channel calling for people to rise up “with every caliber available” to confront “armed racist mobs” that never materialized.

eu.tallahassee.com

For background on the case, I'd still recommend this article:

To See the Danger of a Domestic “War on Terror,” Look No Further Than This Florida Case

Convinced his state capitol was set to be attacked by violent, far-right extremists, a Florida man called for armed resistance on social media and was promptly jailed. The episode is a case study of how easily a domestic

jacobinmag.com

Dunno how it took so long between the trial and sentencing, but Baker was sentenced today, 3 and a half years:

Man found guilty in ‘Call to Arms’ at Florida Capitol sentenced to 3.5 years in prison

Daniel Baker has been sentenced to 44 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

www.wctv.tv

Daniel Baker sentenced to federal prison in Florida Capitol threat case

Daniel Baker, an Army veteran turned overseas militia member, had posted online calls to rise up to confront\u00a0\

eu.tallahassee.com

Note how the prosecutor and judge present him fighting with the (US-backed, ffs!) YPG against ISIS as proof that he's a dangerous criminal.

 

[hitmouse]

News from Bristol:

 

[hitmouse]

Update on Dan Baker's situation:

Update: Daniel Baker sentencing, 10/12/2021

This Tuesday, October 12th Daniel Baker appeared for sentencing in the court of Judge Allen Winsor. For those who love and care for Dan, this resulting sentencing was bittersweet. Dan was facing up to 10 years and a combined possibility of $1,000,000 in fines on 2 counts of transmitting a communication in interstate commerce containing a threat to kidnap or injure for which a jury found him guilty in early May. Tuesday Afternoon after 2 hours of debate between council and the Judge Dan was sentenced to a total of 44 months in prison, $200 in special assessment fees, and 3 years supervised release upon completion of his sentence. In addition to his sentence, the court found that the two guns in his apartment at the time of the arrest were subject to forfeiture. What does this mean? Of the 44 month sentence (two counts to be served concurrently), he will be in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for an additional roughly 28 months, have to pay $200, and complete 3 years probation after his sentence has been served. He may also be eligible for a slightly earlier release pending competition of specialized programs within the prison system itself. We are respectfully withholding details on those programs pending permission from Dan himself to share more information publicly.
At this time, we are not sharing too much beyond what is public record out of respect for Dan and his loved ones in this very difficult time. This was not the sentence we were hoping for, but it is a far cry from the worst he could have received. The defense argued that other similar cases, typically politically right, with tangible victims and clearer means and motives to execute the threats with which they were charged received far lesser sentences than the suggested sentence Dan was facing. Judge Winsor was of the mind that these cases were too dissimilar and that the more widespread nature of the distribution of the perceived threat(s) Dan posted on the internet posed more danger to the community/public and warranted a longer sentence.
Dan’s attorneys will begin the appeals process within the next two weeks to have a panel of judges in the
11th circuit court review and possibly return a lesser sentence. He will be housed at the Federal Detention Center in Tallahassee, Florida for the next estimated 3-6 weeks before receiving placement in a more long-term detention center.
If you’d like to support Dan, you can do so by sending donations to his PayPal account: DanBakerDonations@gmail.com or write him a single sided, fewer than 5pg letter (no photos, no colored envelopes, no address labels) directly at the address provided below. We will post an updated address when he is placed at a more long-term facility.

Daniel Baker
Reg. No. 25765-509
FDC Tallahassee
501 Capital Circle NE
Tallahassee, Fl 32301

Also, fwiw, not much new in it but slight update about Toby Shone:

 

[hitmouse]

Lore Elisabeth Blumenthal, who's been held awaiting trial since summer 2020 on charges connected to her alleged participation in last summer's protests/uprising, has a birthday coming up soon:

welovelore.com - welovelore Resources and Information.

welovelore.com is your first and best source for all of the information you’re looking for. From general topics to more of what you would expect to find here, welovelore.com has it all. We hope you find what you are searching for!

www.welovelore.com

Please join us in showering messages of love, solidarity, and support on Lore Elisabeth for her birthday on Wednesday, October 27 You can send letters, cards, and postcards to:

Lore-Elisabeth Blumenthal #70002-066
FDC Philadelphia
PO Box 562
Philadelphia, PA 19105

You can also send photos straight from your mobile device by following these easy steps.
This will be Lore’s second birthday in federal prison even though she has not been convicted of any crime. But reading and responding to your messages nourishes Lore’s soul while she is kept away from her family and community.
Let Lore know that she is loved and not forgotten

 

[hitmouse]

Former Black Panther Russell Maroon Shoatz just got compassionate release!

Former Black Panther Russell “Maroon” Shoatz Freed From Prison After 49 Years

Shoatz was transferred to a hospital in Pennsylvania amid a legal challenge to life in prison without parole.

truthout.org

 

[hitmouse]

Fundraiser for Maroon:

Donate to Medical, Illness & Healing, organized by Theresa Shoatz

MAROON HAS MET HIS HIS THREE GREAT GRANDSONS For nearly 50 years, a man of faith by t… Theresa Shoatz needs your support for Medical, Illness & Healing

www.gofundme.com

Also:

Urgent Action: Stop racist abuse at HMP Frankland

Racist violence continues at HMP Frankland. This week, 6 white supremacist prisoners attacked a prisoner of colour on G-wing, enabled by officers. The man who was attacked is now in solitary confinement in segregation. There has been no repercussions for the officers or prisoners involved in the...

actionnetwork.org

 

[hitmouse]

Please write to the Kill the Bill Prisoners this Christmas! You have no idea how much difference every single card makes in terms of making people feeling supported and able to keep going.

These folks have all been sentenced (except two who are on remand) for their role in the Kill the Bill demonstration this March in Bristol. We all love sharing pictures of burning vans on social media but once the riot porn fades, people are serving years behind bars for a night of defiance.

They took action to defend themselves against the cops, resisting the state and its legislation set to expand police powers and incarceration across the board.

Show them they are not alone!!!!!! Get a card in the post Please share these graphics too!

Ryan Dwyer A4276AT
Kane Adamson A1103ER
Kain Simmonds A9381EQ
Brandon Lloyd A0806EE
Shaun Davies A4075ER
HMP Portland, 104 the Grove, Easton, Portland, Dorset, DT5 1DL

Ryan Roberts A5155EM, Benjamin Rankin A1261AY. HMP Bristol. 19 Cambridge Road, BS7 8PS

 

[hitmouse]

 

[hitmouse]

Bit last minute, but:

Urgent Demonstration for Ryan Roberts

Ryan Roberts is due to be sentenced for riot & arson after the kill the bill protests in Bristol. Let’s show our solidarity with him and all KTB defendants and prisoners at Bristol Crown …

bristolabc.wordpress.com

There's also now an updated list of addresses at:

Kill The Bill Prisoner Info

Writing to Prisoners Writing to prisoners is one of the most important acts we can do to break the isolation that prisons enforce on people. It can make a huge difference to prisoners knowing that …

bristolabc.wordpress.com

 

[teqniq]

14 years??? FFS

 

[Pickman's model]

14 years??? FFS

sorry, looked online and none the wiser about how the sentence breaks down, if it's 14 years consecutive or 10 years for riot plus a spot for the other charges concurrent - i think the maximum for riot is ten years.

 

[alfajobrob]

Urgent Action: Stop racist abuse at HMP Frankland

Racist violence continues at HMP Frankland. This week, 6 white supremacist prisoners attacked a prisoner of colour on G-wing, enabled by officers. The man who was attacked is now in solitary confinement in segregation. There has been no repercussions for the officers or prisoners involved in the...

actionnetwork.org

I fail to have any sympathy.

A man was today found guilty of the gangland execution of three men. Miran Thakrar, 24, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of the murders of Keith Cowell, 52, his son Matthew Cowell, 17, and friend Tony Dulieu, 33.​

The trio were killed with a Mac 10 sub-machine gun at the house in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, in August last year.
The jury took 44 hours and 30 minutes to reach unanimous verdicts on three counts of murder.

Thakrar also denied the attempted murders of two women in the house at Plaw Hatch Close - counts on which the jury has not yet reached verdicts.

 

[hitmouse]

I fail to have any sympathy.

A man was today found guilty of the gangland execution of three men. Miran Thakrar, 24, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of the murders of Keith Cowell, 52, his son Matthew Cowell, 17, and friend Tony Dulieu, 33.​

The trio were killed with a Mac 10 sub-machine gun at the house in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, in August last year.
The jury took 44 hours and 30 minutes to reach unanimous verdicts on three counts of murder.

Thakrar also denied the attempted murders of two women in the house at Plaw Hatch Close - counts on which the jury has not yet reached verdicts.

I take it you've fully examined both sides of the story, then?

Kevan Thakrar, a Victim of Joint Enterprise and Miscarriage of Justice - Justice for Kevan

Justice for Kevan – The Case 1. Original Incident On 28th August 2007 at around 9.30pm…

justiceforkevan.org

 

[alfajobrob]

I take it you've fully examined both sides of the story, then?

Kevan Thakrar, a Victim of Joint Enterprise and Miscarriage of Justice - Justice for Kevan

Justice for Kevan – The Case 1. Original Incident On 28th August 2007 at around 9.30pm…

justiceforkevan.org

The appeal was for Miran who is the one suing and currently in HMP Franklin for triple murder?

Who hasn't looked at the facts, or do you support all prisoners regardless of crimes committed?

 

[alfajobrob]

sorry, looked online and none the wiser about how the sentence breaks down, if it's 14 years consecutive or 10 years for riot plus a spot for the other charges concurrent - i think the maximum for riot is ten years.

The sentence was for Arson with intent to endanger life plus riot no doubt.

 

[alfajobrob]

I take it you've fully examined both sides of the story, then?

Kevan Thakrar, a Victim of Joint Enterprise and Miscarriage of Justice - Justice for Kevan

Justice for Kevan – The Case 1. Original Incident On 28th August 2007 at around 9.30pm…

justiceforkevan.org

I'm sure Kevan is a lovely person btw and a massive credit to the community.

The article you posted wasn't about him though.

 

[hitmouse]

The appeal was for Miran who is the one suing and currently in HMP Franklin for triple murder?

Who hasn't looked at the facts, or do you support all prisoners regardless of crimes committed?

Ooops, got mixed up there cos they're brothers and were convicted for the same incident. As to whether I support all prisoners regardless of crimes... sort of, depending on what you mean by support? Like, I'm against the death penalty so I support all prisoners' rights to not get executed or tortured, and similarly with this case, the incident posted about on this thread seems to be a racist attack on him by six other blokes. I think that's not OK regardless of other circumstances, do you reckon getting gang beatings is part of an appropriate punishment?

 

[alfajobrob]

Ooops, got mixed up there cos they're brothers and were convicted for the same incident. As to whether I support all prisoners regardless of crimes... sort of, depending on what you mean by support? Like, I'm against the death penalty so I support all prisoners' rights to not get executed or tortured, and similarly with this case, the incident posted about on this thread seems to be a racist attack on him by six other blokes. I think that's not OK regardless of other circumstances, do you reckon getting gang beatings is part of an appropriate punishment?

Yes, you did.

The other brother run away to Northern Cyprus (no extradition) as he was obviously innocent and had no part in the multiple murders.

The fact you give a fuck about their rights is laughable.

It undermines decent people's cases.

 

[Pickman's model]

The sentence was for Arson with intent to endanger life plus riot no doubt.

Yeh but how long for each and consecutive or concurrent?

 

[alfajobrob]

Yeh but how long for each and consecutive or concurrent?

I don't know?

I didn't study the sentencing only browsed the main charges?

Easily available if you care.

 

[Pickman's model]

I don't know?

I didn't study the sentencing only browsed the main charges?

Easily available if you care.

If it's so easily available then you'd have posted it up by now

 

[hitmouse]

Yeh but how long for each and consecutive or concurrent?

Some info here now:

Ryan Roberts – 14 year prison sentence

Ryan Roberts was sentenced on the 17th December 2021 at Bristol Crown Court to a total of 14 years in prison. He was convicted of riot and four counts of arson. Three of the sentences run consecuti…

bristolabc.wordpress.com

Three of the sentences run consecutively and only one concurrently, hence the brutal sentence of 14 years. As it is over seven years, it means he has to do two thirds of the sentence. He will do just under a decade in prison.

Didn't know about that seven-year rule.

 

[hitmouse]

The fact you give a fuck about their rights is laughable.

It undermines decent people's cases.

I think if you reckon rights only apply to "decent people", and there's a category of people who don't get rights, you end up on some fucking dodgy ground very quickly.

 

[Pickman's model]

Some info here now:

Ryan Roberts – 14 year prison sentence

Ryan Roberts was sentenced on the 17th December 2021 at Bristol Crown Court to a total of 14 years in prison. He was convicted of riot and four counts of arson. Three of the sentences run consecuti…

bristolabc.wordpress.com

Didn't know about that seven-year rule.

Thank you - to put it into some sort of context I don't think anyone got so long from the poll tax riot or j18

 

[Pickman's model]

Yes, you did.

The other brother run away to Northern Cyprus (no extradition) as he was obviously innocent and had no part in the multiple murders.

The fact you give a fuck about their rights is laughable.

It undermines decent people's cases.

Either everyone has rights or no one has rights

 

[Serge Forward]

From ACG website:

14 years! Political sentencing from a brutal ‘justice’ system

For his participation in the Bristol Kill the Bill demonstrations in March, during which police viciously attacked demonstrators, Ryan Roberts has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. Clearly, it’s one rule for the police, who got a pat on the back and lauded in the press for beating protestors with batons and battering them with the edges of their riot shields… and another rule for those who dared to resist the police violence, whether peacefully or otherwise.

Make no mistake, the State has a monopoly on violence, and anyone who dares to challenge this monopoly can expect little mercy from this rotten society, with a ‘justice system’ which exists first and foremost to protect the rich and powerful. But as the current far right populist UK government is keen to outlaw all forms of effective protest, what with the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, along with several other highly repressive pieces of legislation, then we have no choice but to continue to build and spread our resistance across the wider working class.

And alongside that resistance, we have to give solidarity too, with people like Ryan Roberts, and others also inside for resisting the system. With this in mind, we republish in full the statement from Bristol Anarchist Black Cross:

 

[hitmouse]

Former Black Panther Russell Maroon Shoatz just got compassionate release!

Former Black Panther Russell “Maroon” Shoatz Freed From Prison After 49 Years

Shoatz was transferred to a hospital in Pennsylvania amid a legal challenge to life in prison without parole.

truthout.org

By the way, Russell Maroon Shoatz died this week:

Rest easy, and in power. Long live Russell Maroon Shoatz.

It is with overwhelming sadness, we join our communities in sharing this news. Our beloved friend, comrade, mentor, client, and inspiration, Russell Maroon Shoatz transitioned from this life on Earth…

abolitionistlawcenter.org

49 years in prison, 52 days spent dying after his release.
Long article about his life here from just before his release, from a very Christian pacifist viewpoint but still interesting:

The End of Rage

Ashley Lucas on the story of Russell Maroon Shoatz, a former Black Panther who spent three decades in solitary confinement, and the reckoning with violence past and present.

www.plough.com

The Dragon and the Hydra is definitely worth a read:

The Dragon and the Hydra: A Historical Study of Organizational Methods

Investigation by Russell Maroon Shoatz into the methods of organisation used by maroons in Suriname and Jamaica, and the conflict between hierarchical and decentralised forms of organisation in the Haitian revolution.

libcom.org

 

[Sasaferrato]

I take it you've fully examined both sides of the story, then?

Kevan Thakrar, a Victim of Joint Enterprise and Miscarriage of Justice - Justice for Kevan

Justice for Kevan – The Case 1. Original Incident On 28th August 2007 at around 9.30pm…

justiceforkevan.org

He stood by whilst his brother did this:

Miran Thakrar shot the family dog and then lined up Keith Cowell, Matthew Cowell and Mr Dulieu, and shot them dead as his brother Kevan looked on.

The brothers also shot and stabbed Ms Jennings and attacked Ms Evans with a knife as she tried to shield her three-year-old daughter.

They got less than they deserved in terms of sentence.

I really do not understand why you can support those vile vile people.