2010 Solidarity calendar available now

Once again Bristol ABC is delighted to be helping distro ‘Certain Days: the 2010 Freedom For All Political Prisoners Calendar’, which this year has a focus on Indigenous Resistance.

Calendar back cover showing 12 months artwork

This beautiful 44-page calendar is packed with superb full colour artwork, alongside extensive writings on the prisoners, campaigns and communities represented. It includes artwork by Martin Mantxo, the former Bristol street artivist and co-founder of Kebele social centre, who has now returned to his native Basque country (where he remains extremely active and artistic!). If you are looking for the perfect politically conscious gift supporting some vital causes this solstice/new year, then this is it!

Remember Ian Tomlinson dead for 8 months

and still no cops charged over his death

Lots of waffle in the media over the last week about the G20 policing, and various reports and reviews into their misbehaviour have been announced. But a stunning lack of comment or news relating to Ian Tomlinson, the newspaper vendor who died at about 7.25pm on 1 April 2009, just a couple of minutes after being viciously assauled from behind by a member of the Territorial Support Group (TSG – hardcore riot cops).

Ian Tomlinson was dead about 5 minutes later

The Tomlinson Family Campaign have called a candlelit vigil for Tuesday 1 December, from 6pm, at Royal Exchange, by Threadneedle St, London EC3V. This will be exactly 8 months since Ian Tomlinson died.

Prisoner support cafe and film night on 22 November

Bristol ABC prisoner support group takes it turn hosting the weekly Sunday vegan cafe at Kebele social centre, and lobs in a couple of provocative films to wash down the meal.

Recover from Kebele’s birthday bash with us at 14 Robertson Rd, Easton BS5 6JY on Sunday 22 November.

From about 6pm set vegan meal, for a requested donation of 2 quid. All proceeds to cover costs of meal and pay the bills at kebele social centre.

From 7.30pm a couple of cracking films!

Bristol EDO Decommissioner 10 months on remand

10 months ago yesterday, on 18 January 2009, Elijah (James) Smith and 5 other anti-militarists from Bristol were arrested in Brighton. They had spent the previous night decommissioning the EDO/MBM/ITT factory in Brighton, in an attempt to stop it providing parts for weapons being used by the Israeli army to bomb civilians in Gaza. Nobody was injured or harassed during their action, which was one of property damage/sabotage. They did not resist arrest.

Exactly 10 months on and Elijah Smith is still on remand. Yes thats right – 10 months in prison without trial. And it looks as if he is likely to remain in prison until the trial actually starts, probably on 17 May 2010, by which time he’ll have spent 16 months on remand. British justice?

Elijah is currently at Bristol prison, please write to him in solidarity: Elijah Smith VP7551, HMP Bristol, 19 Cambridge Rd, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 8PS

Charges dropped against Swedish activists and anti-fascists

But 2 remain on remand

We got the following news from Stockholm ABC on 13 November: Yesterday, eight of Fittja 10 were released and met with a spontaneous party. We’re glad they’re out again, while continuing to organize the solidarity work for the two who remain incarcerated.

During the preliminary statutory hearing held today, the restrictions for the two were lifted and one of the charges (preparing an arson) dropped for one of them.

Greek prisoners win concessions as Greece hots up again

Athens 17/11/09

[Update 18/11/09: Yesterday 17 November saw mass protests on the anniversary of the 1973 student uprising against the Colonels' Junta in Greece. Despite heavey repressive policing people marched in Athens, Salonika and elsewhere. In Athens and Salonika protesters fought back against riot police provocation and heavy teargassing, building barricades and targetting corporate businesses. Over 270 were arrested in Athens, and another 13 elsewhere. However it seems that only 8 or 9 have actually been charged, with the rest released. Report here, update here.]

4STRUGGLE issue 14 available now on-line

http://bristolabc.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/4sm14collated.pdf

Toronto ABCF is proud to announce that Issue 14 of 4strugglemag is now online!
Check it out at www.4strugglemag.org.

Help keep this project going! Paper copies of each issue are sent to over 200 prisoners, at no cost to them. Get a “solidarity subscription” – one full year of issues for yourself AND for a prisoner for only $30. Or, make a one-time donation to subsidize the costs of photocopying and postage. Donate online or contact us at torontoabcf@gmail.com.