PRISON? event at The Cube (Bristol)

Bristol Indymedia and Bristol ABC, in association with Bristol Anarchist Bookfair, present PRISON? – a one man performance written and performed by Charlie Ryder. This is a true story which is creatively told using a variety of theatrical devices including puppetry, masks, physical theatre and dance.

In solidarity with Silvia, Billy and Costa – Against the isolation tactics of Swiss prisons

Costa, Silvia and Billy continue their struggles from the Swiss prisons they’re locked up in. They’re accused of possession, transport and attempted use of explosive materials, and of planning to attack an IBM centre under construction. An IBM centre that will be among the focal ones in Europe’s nanotechnology research.

The conditions of our comrades give the strong and clear impression that Swiss authorities aim at wearing out and isolating their resistance struggles. The censorship and requirements imposed on their correspondence show unequivocally that the system is trying both to stop their friendships and relationships and to isolate them from their contacts with the Movement.

Interview with the Campaign Against Prison Slavery

Recently Joe Black of CAPS, one of the most knowledgeable anarchists involved in prisoner solidarity work, was interviewed for the lefty rag Solidarity (organ of trot group Workers Liberty). Its a wide ranging interview covering diverse prison and prisoner-resistance related topics, and well worth a read, so we’ve cut and pasted into our blog below. You can read the original online version here if you think you can handle exposure to WL! We also recommend a visit to the CAPS website where there is plenty of info, facts and politics.

Solidarity with the 14 kidnapped by the Chilean ’democracy’.

On Saturday the 14th August, special police forces violently raided 3 squatted social centers and many private homes in 5 communes in the cities of Santiago and Valparaíso in Chile. The police intimidated people with weapons of war, broke windows and doors, and took many personal items from the houses. 14 people were detained without being informed of the reason for their detention for 3 hours.

Later 6 people were released on probation for lack of evidence against them. As for the people that remain imprisoned, they were put in isolation cells in maximum security jails where they are awaiting a 180 day-long investigation process and potentially a 20-year sentence for alledged illegal terrorist association.

Call-out for international solidarity with Marco Camenisch

Marco Camenisch, known for his active role in the anti-nuclear movement of the 70s, has been a political prisoner for almost 20 years. As a militant green anarchist he has been taking part in struggles, campaigns and protests in and outside prison during all these years. He is currently detained in Regensdorf, near Zurich.

In two years Marco should be granted conditional release (which is the norm in the Swiss prison system). However his situation is a particular one: he’s been refused all special privileges and preparatory measures for release. The medical treatment he needs continues to be insufficient (Marco has cancer). Day releases and parole are refused on the grounds that he does not renounce his political convictions and has to many friends all over the world who might help him escape – yet having good social contacts is one of the criteria for conditional release.

August prisoner support list and letter-writing solidarity night

Public solidarity letter-writing night on 11 August

Bristol ABC’s August 2010 list of prisoners requesting support is available here as a pdf: prisoners list_AUG 2010
We are aware these lists may not be 100% correct, especially for international prisoners, but we do try! Where possible the list includes links to support websites and other resources. If you have any confirmed updates or additions please email us. Thanks.