International Day of Solidarity with Trans Prisoners – January 22nd 2016

All around the world this day will be a chance to stand in solidarity with trans people in prison. Join us for letter writing nights, film screenings, workshops, forums, vigils, actions, fundraisers and parties. Check the EVENTS page to see what’s happening near you. Or we can support you to host your own event.

This grassroots project, lead by trans prisoners and their supporters around the world, is an annual event to give solidarity and support for those behind bars, amplify the voices of trans prisoners and to organise with others both inside and outside.

See more about the day below. If you’d like support in organising anything in the UK please contact: info@prisonabolition.org

More About the Day

This grassroots project was initiated by Marius Mason, a trans prisoner in Texas, US. This annual event is being lead by trans prisoners and their supporters from around the world. It is a chance for those on the outside to remember those behind bars, give real solidarity and support and raise awareness about issues facing trans prisoners. It is a chance for those on the inside to have a voice and organise together.

As queers we know the terror of scrutiny, disgust and isolation; we have all be denied the ability to live our lives. For trans people in prison, those problems are doubled by the physical and emotional restraints of a literal cage. For decades, early queer activists showed active solidarity and support for their imprisoned brothers and sisters – they wrote letters, had marches, and demanded not just that they be treated with respect and dignity, but their total and unconditional release. Queer and trans prisoners organized with each other and the outside world. Join us in reviving that tradition.

We hope that events will happen in as many locations as possible around the globe. They will include: letter writing, film screenings, presentations, workshops, queer-friendly shows or parties, fundraisers, vigils and actions. A key feature will be the opportunity for those on the outside to write letters of solidarity to those on the inside. Check out a full list of events HERE.

We will be producing a zine (small DIY publication) featuring writing and artwork from trans prisoners and former prisoners from around the world and the grass roots organisations and groups who support them and who advocate for an end to oppressive prison systems. This will be distributed to those inside as well as be available at events. We will also be producing a postcard series featuring artwork by prisoners.

If you have contacts in prison, you might be able to help us reach out to trans people to invite them to organise with us, contribute to the zine and postcard projects, or go on the list to receive letters from the events. We welcome contact from trans prisoners regarding other ideas for support they would like to see from this project.

To get involved contact us: transprisonersolidarity@riseup.net

Join us on January 22nd in shining a light on the plight of trans prisoners. On this day, and every day, get involved in projects that support other trans and queer prisoners, and look into the other struggles which Marius participates in – it’s one fight against the society that is killing us, one way or the other. Live your life with pride, joy and freedom, and extend those feelings to others; don’t let the walls of prison or society act as a limit.

Prison Abolition Debate in Bristol

See the facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1527787087537835

University of Bristol, Queens Building, Room 1.8

Thursday, December 3

at 6:00pm – 7:30pm in UTC

A joint event hosted by Bristol Think, the Howard League for Penal Reform and Bristol Left will be bringing together a panel of four to debate whether we should be fighting for prison reform or prison abolition. Speakers will include those involved in prison abolition and prison reform activism. It will take place Thursday 3rd December in Queens Building at the University of Bristol.

Invited speakers include:
– An organiser in Bristol Anarchist Cross
– An organiser in the Empty Cages Collective
– Michael Naughton – Senior lecturer in Sociology and Law at the University of Bristol addressing issues in crime, justice and specifically the wrongful conviction of the innocent (https://twitter.com/DrMNaughton)
– Final speaker tbc…

On the panel we will be looking at questions:
What is wrong with the prison system?
What is wrong with the criminal justice system?
Is the prison system actually tackling harmful behaviour in our society? And if not, why not?
Does prison work help to “rehabilitate” prisoners or is it a form of forced labour?
Should we abolish prisons or should we reform them?
What alternatives are there to prisons?
What do we do about the really dagerous people?
And we will be taking questions and points from those in the audience, in what will hopefully lead into a more open discussion.

For anyone wishing to inform themselves a bit more about the UK prison system and about prison abolition and reform here are some things to get you started:
http://www.howardleague.org/weekly-prison-watch/
http://www.prisonabolition.org/new-article-prison-industrial-complex-occupied-times/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtoy0uHsn9Y (Juliet Lyons on the need for prison reform)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4WSHvZetkw (Reina Gossett on prison abolition and what about the really dangerous people)

ALL ARE WELCOME TO COME!!!

Visions of Abolition Film Showing in Bristol

Fundraiser for Eric King

Winter Warmer 2015

Surround Yarl’s Wood – Detention Centres – Shut ’em Down!

More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/755942137885113

Saturday, November 7 at 1:30pm

Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre

MK41 6 Bedford, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom

The demonstrations and resistance inside Yarl’s Wood have been the most important fight in Britain for women’s rights and for immigrants rights, because they have been inspiring – because the people in this struggle are fighting to win the most basic of demands as human beings.

The next National Demonstration at Yarl’s Wood is for ALL those held like cattle in the UK’s detention system around the country. For ALL looking to break out from under the shadow of detention. It is for ALL those at the borders of Europe challenging the cynical leaders a demanding in real life the promise of democracy and freedom, of which sanctuary is fundamental.

The MFJ, and our friends and allies around the country organising for justice and equality and fighting racism, we have been breaching the walls and fences of detention centres, reaching inside with chants of FREEDOM. Our detainees friends, partners in struggle, though locked up have made their voices ring out.

This growing optimistic, powerful, militant movement presents optimism for our societies and our future. The next demo must be huge.
We need the help of every single person who was cheered by the Freedom Marchers who were ready to march the 100 miles to Germany, and by their determination brought down the resistance of the state.

The oppressed can’t wait for the permission of the rich and powerful to claim freedom and safety – power concedes nothing without a demand. We must build a movement, organise and lead, speaking the plain truth about racism and unafraid of the power of the oppressed, and we can win change.

LONDON COACH TICKETS: https://yarlswood7nov.eventbrite.co.uk/

BIRMINGHAM COACH TICKETS: http://yarlswood7novbham.eventbrite.co.uk/

NOTTINGHAM COACH TICKETS
http://nottsgotoyarlswood.eventbrite.co.uk/

2 – 8 November 2015: Week of Action Against the North Wales Prison & the Prison Industrial Complex

About the Week of Action

A week of action has been called to encourage people all of the UK & the world to take action against the construction of the North Wales Prison in Wrexham.

The prison will be the second largest prison in Europe, holding more than 2100 people and costing £250 million to build. Australian contractor Lend Lease was awarded the contract to build the Wrexham titan prison by the government in May 2014.

Local people have resisted the prison for over half a decade; objecting to planning applications, lobbying, going to meetings. Full planning permission was eventually granted in November 2014 despite local resistance. It is now a construction site and this place of abuse and oppression is being built as we speak.

Our aims are to resist it, slow it down and send a message to the state and the prison industry that it is not acceptable to profit from caging human beings. The Government wish to build more prisons in the UK, this is our opportunity to intervene and prevent this industry from expanding. We must take the offensive against prison expansion and the social control of our lives. We are fighting until all are free.

What is taking place?

• Demonstrations at the prison and its suppliers. Find your local prison profiteer here: http://www.cape-campaign.org/prison-profiteers

• Noise & solidarity demos at prisons all over the UK

• Information nights, workshops & film showings to ignite more resistance to the prison industrial complex in the UK

The CAPE Campaign will also be supporting existing events taking place during the week including:

• The United Families and Friends Campaign (UFFC) Annual Procession on 31 October. The UFFC is a national coalition of families and friends of those that have died in the custody of police and prison officers as well as those who are killed in immigration detention and secure psychiatric hospitals in the UK. Assemble 31 October 12Noon at Trafalgar Square for a silent procession along Whitehall followed by a noisy protest at Downing Street.

• The Surround Yarl’s Wood Demonstration at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre on Saturday 7th November: https://www.facebook.com/events/755942137885113/

How to Get Involved

• Contact Community Action on Prison Expansion – info@cape-campaign.org

• Most people will be taking action locally, however we are organising transport and accommodation for people from further afield to stay in the North West. Please get in touch!

• Contact a local group close to you – http://www.cape-campaign.org/about/local-groups

• Tell us about something you are organising so we can help promote it

 

2 – 8 Tachwedd 2015: Wythnos o Weithredu yn Erbyn Carchar Gogledd Cymru & y Cymleth Diwydiannol Carchardai

Am yr Wythnos o Weithredu

Dyma alwad am wythnos o weithredu i annog holl wledydd Prydain a’r byd i weithredu yn erbyn adeiladu Carchar Gogledd Cymru yn Wrecsam.

Hon bydd yr ail garchar fwyaf yn Ewrop, yn dal mwy na 2100 o fobol ac yn costio £250 miliwn i’w hadeiladu. Enillodd Lend Lease, contractiwr o Awstralia y cytundeb i adeiladu y carchar Titan yn Wrecsam gan y llywodraeth yn Mai 2014.

Mae pobl lleol wedi bod yn gwrthwynebu’r carchar ers dros hanner degawd;  yn gwrthwynebu ceisiadau cynllunio, lobio a mynd i cyfarfodydd. Caodd caniadad cynllunio llawn ei roi yn mis Tachwedd 2014 er gwaethaf y gwrthwynebiad lleol. Ar hyn o bryd mae’n safle adeiladu a mae’r man yma o drais a gorthrwm wrthi’n cael ei hadeiladu yr eiliad hon.

Rydym am ei wrthwynebu, ei arafu a gyrru neges i’r wladwriaeth a’r diwydiant carchar nad yw yn dderbynnadwy i elwa o gaethiwo pobl. Mae’r Llywodraeth yn dymuno i adeiladu rhagor o garchardai yng Ngwledydd Prydain, dyma ein siawns i atal y diwydiant yma rhag ehangu. Rhaid i ni ymosod ar ehangu carchar a’r rheolaeth cymdeithasol ganddo dros ein bywydau. Rydym yn cwffio tan bo bob un ohonom yn rhydd.

Be sy’b digwydd?

• Protestiadau yn y carchar a’i chyflenwyr. I ganfod busnesau lleol sydd yn elwa o garchar ewch yma: http://www.cape-campaign.org/prison-profiteers

• Protestiadau swn a cyd-sefyll ar draws gwledydd Prydain

• Nosweithiau gwybodaeth, gweithdai a dangosiadau ffilm i gynnai rhagor o wrthynebu y cymleth diwydiant carchardai ygn ngwledydd Prydain.

Bydd yr ymgyrch CAPE hefyd yn cefnogi digwyddiandau sydd yn bodoli’n barod sydd yn digwydd yn ystod yr wythnos gan gynnwys:

• Prosessiwn blynyddol United Families and Friends Campaign (UFFC) ar y 31ain o Hydref. Mae’r UFFC yn glymblaid cenedlaethol  o deuluoedd a ffrindiau y sawl sydd wedi marw yng ngofal yr heddlu a swyddogion carchar yn ogystal a’r sawl sydd wedi eu lladd mewn canolfanau carchardai mewnfudo (immigration detention centres) a ysbytai seiciatrig diogel (secure psyciatric hospitals) yng nghwledydd Prydain. Cwrdd am 12 ganol dydd ar y 31ain o Hydref yn Sgwar Trafalgar am brosesiwn tawel ar hyd Whitehall a wedyn protest swnllyd tu allan Stryd Downing.

• Protest Amgylchunu Canolfan Carchar Mewnfudo Yarl’s Wood ar ddydd Sadwrn y 7fed o Dachwedd: https://www.facebook.com/events/755942137885113/

Sut i Ymunno a’r Gweithgarwch

• Cysylltwch a Community Action on Prison Expansion – info@cape-campaign.org

• Bydd y mwyafrif o bobl yn gweithredu’n lleol, serch hynny rydym yn trefnu trafnidiaeth a llety i bobl aros yn y gogledd ddwyrain. Os gwelwch yn dda cysylltwch!

• Cysylltwch a grwp sy’n lleol i chi – http://www.cape-campaign.org/about/local-groups

• Rhowch gwybod i ni am rhywbeth rydych chi yn ei drefnu a gallwn eich helpu i’w hyrwyddo.

Oppose Fascism in Bristol this October

Fundraiser for Political Prisoners – Cake & Art!

Upcoming Czech Film Night, Prisoner Solidarity & Discussion! (with food!)

Tuesday 18 August 2015, 7 – 9pm

Hydra Bookshop, 34 Old Market Street, BS2 0EZ Bristol, United Kingdom

Czech anarchists have faced a wave of repression and intimidation due to the recent ‘operation fenix(phoenix)’.

Houses were raided, squats evicted, organising spaces attacked, dozens arrested & injured, draconian ‘anti terror’ legislation used, and websites taken down (including that of our Czech & Slovakian sister organisation Anarchistická Federace).

What led to this repression? What have activists been doing on the ground in the Czech Republic? Most importantly, how can we offer our solidarity?

Czech activists, and friends of those arrested, will be discussing the repression and activism in the Czech Republic. From forcing a resurgent neo nazi movement off the streets, to campaigning for animal rights and combating a rise in Islamaphobia and anti-Roma rhetoric.

We will also be showing the award winning documentry Dust Games (86minutes), which tells the story of the battle against the IMF and World Bank in Prague – perhaps the largest mobilisation since the formation of the Republic.

There are important lessons to be learnt for us in the UK, as well as an oppurtunity to put our ideals of international solidarity into practice!

We’ll be asking for donations to send to Czech comrades to help with legal defence and prisoner support, and will be offering food prepared by a chef at a popular local Indian restraunt aswell as Hydra’s usual selection of drinks and snacks!

For more info about the repression visit: http://antifenix.noblogs.org