Click on the headline to link to more information about the class-war prisoner honored in this entry.
Make June Class-War Prisoners Freedom Month
Markin comment
In “surfing” the “National Jericho Movement” Website recently in order to find out more, if possible, about class- war prisoner and 1960s radical, Marilyn Buck, whom I had read about in a “The Rag Blog” post I linked to the Jericho list of class war prisoners. I found Marilyn Buck listed there but also others, some of whose cases, like that of the “voice of the voiceless” Pennsylvania death row prisoner, Mumia Abu-Jamal, are well-known and others who seemingly have languished in obscurity. All of the cases, at least from the information that I could glean from the site, seemed compelling. And all seemed worthy of far more publicity and of a more public fight for their freedom.
That last notion set me to the task at hand. Readers of this space know that I am a long time supporter of the Partisan Defense Committee, a class struggle, non-sectarian legal and social defense organization which supports class war prisoners as part of the process of advancing the international working class’ struggle for socialism. In that spirit I am honoring the class war prisoners on the National Jericho Movement list this June as the start of what I hope will be an on-going attempt by all serious leftist militants to do their duty- fighting for freedom for these brothers and sisters. We will fight out our political differences and disagreements as a separate matter. What matter here and now is the old Wobblie (IWW) slogan - An injury to one is an injury to all.
Note: This list, right now, is composed of class war prisoners held in American detention. If others are likewise incarcerated that are not listed here feel free to leave information on their cases in the comment section. Likewise any cases, internationally, that come to your attention. I am sure there are many, many such cases out there. Make this June, and every June, a Class-War Prisoners Freedom Month- Free All Class-War Prisoners Now!
************
Letter on the Prison Industrial Complex: March 2007
On behalf of the 170,000 imprisoned Sisters, Brothers and Comrades in California for whom I do not speak but with whom I speak, we embrace you in the spirit of love and solidarity!
In the current atmosphere where people are afraid to be labeled unpatriotic… or terrorist for their progressive and radical beliefs and political dissent- to paraphrase my comrade Fred Hampton of the Black Panther Party, who was assassinated nearly 40 years ago… I REMAIN A REVOLUTIONARY!
The prison system has mutated into a complex, dysfunctional resource-wasting parasite of social control, political repression and revenge! Human beings are warehoused in these concrete and steel bunkers that destroy human sensibilities and the human spirit. Then, following years of continuous antagonism and frustration at the hands of sadistic prison guards, tortured souls are released…. These human warehouses destroy human beings, like the Iraq war is mutilating young Americans. Prisoners are being de-sensitized… and they are frustrated, angry and bitter and unprepared to become productive members of society. These tortured souls, who are our families and loved ones, are paroled with little hope…. This is why California’s recidivism rate is above 75%. The system is now designed to perpetuate itself.
We are again confronted with a parole setting body of individuals known as commissioners, who are racist and revenge-oriented and who operate as if they are exempt from the rule of law, as the CCPOA (Prison Guards Union) and crime victims, all driving the policy of the California Department of Corrections. The intent is to keep these prisons filled to capacity!
From a practical perspective of economic dollars and cents, there is no return on the dollars invested in the Prison Industrial Complex. It’s an enormous drain on the state budget, denying social services to the people, health care insurance and funding for education and social programs for our youth and young adults to prevent them from joining gangs and engaging in criminal activity.
The enormity of the problem may seem overwhelming… and we as individuals, by comparison, may seem insignificant and powerless. But appearances can be very deceptive. In the words of Public Enemy, “Don’t Believe the Hype.”
What is to be done to solve the problem? Let us follow the example of the anti-war movement. Let the politically conscious people of Cali, the progressive and revolutionary people, rise up and seize the day! Organize to halt the perversion of justice and squandering of valuable resources by the Prison Guards Union (CCPOA) and the Prison Industrial Complex. Demand to be active participants in the sentencing/ prison reform process. Demand public transparency as guaranteed by the law. Register and vote out the legislators who have rewarded the campaign contributions of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association with carte blanche to do as they please in the California Department of Corrections—which has resulted in corruption, criminal mismanagement, thievery, brutality and even death!
Romaine “Chip” Fitzgerald
Lancaster State Prison, California
March 2007
No comments:
Post a Comment