Letter from anarchist prisoner, Emma Sheppard

Letter from anarchist prisoner Emma Sheppard in response to her sentencing, for causing “criminal damage recklessly endangering life” to several police cars. Translations: Français | Português

Saturday 28th February 2015

I just watched myself on TV, which I hope is an experience I never repeat. It cheered everyone up on the wing though! I thought I’d write to try and process some of the stuff that’s been happening. But I’m not feeling at my most eloquent (plus I’m obviously limited by my surveillance) so I thought I’d use some of the quotes that have inspired me since being in prison.

Dolly Parton said, “If you want a rainbow, you’ve got to put up with a little rain.” I feel really lucky to have so many folks in my life to weather the storm with and I am happy to have less rain that I thought I would. It saddens me that this may be due to my portrayal as a ‘good girl gone bad’. Why can’t empathy and anger co-exist? To me they are all part of solidarity. I am not special. I just do what feels right for me. I think its because of my gender (and maybe my class) that these distinctions are made.

“When you’ve been afraid of something for long enough and it comes to pass, the terrible thing is a release. For in the belly of the badness there is no more fear.” – Lionel Shriver

It wasn’t until after sentencing that I realised quite how much I had been dreading it. The media, the horrible ‘good vs. bad character’ discussion, my ‘regrets’. The whole thing disgusts me. But now I feel a weary calm.

They say I am ‘too intelligent’ to dislike the police, and that my actions stopped the police from dealing with the causes of domestic violence and child abuse. Do they not realise how many women are in here with me due to these issues being systematically ignored? The whole thing is rotten to the core!

I was unsurprised, but angry, to see that the court focused on my expressions of solidarity with folks in Jackson and Greece but ignored my very real issues with the police in this country which I listed at length: the deaths in custody and on the street, the immigration prisons and institutional racism, the stop and searches, use of tasers, I could go on and on. I also tried to highlight my own experiences of police violence (targeting myself and my comrades), repression and attempts at infiltration. But I can see why they chose to ignore all these points and divert attention elsewhere.

I regret getting caught and the impact this has had on my family and others I care about. I am determined never to come back here, and I now that as a marked woman I will have to stay on the ‘right’ side of the law. But I am already thinking of lots of ways to support people facing the prison ‘estate’. Not just because I care about other people, but because I’m angry.

I’ll leave you with one of my favourite quotes from Dylan Thomas:

“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at the close of day,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light”

Solidarity, love, rage and tomorrows chip rappers,

Em X

Razor Wire Riddle

I am a terrorist, and a liberal
I am a man, and a misguided woman
I am considerate, and reckless
I am an anarchist, and not an anarchist
I am intelligent, and foolish
I am regretful, and defiant
I am alone, and well supported
I am queer, and discriminatory
I am sad, and unremorseful

What am I? I am me, Em (allegedly).

Since New Year I have been called all these things and I am sick of other people’s judgements. Of the crawling game of the courtroom, which suffocated me. Of other prisoners who question and threaten me. Of my ‘comrades’ who write me off. Of the media who construct an image of me. Of the police who are ‘concerned for my welfare’.

I have never disguised the contempt I have for the police. I have tried to minimise the impact of my arrest has I had on those I care about without selling myself out.

I am still an angry anarchist with a defiant heart. But I am weary. I do not want sympathy. I will keep my chin up and my head down.

Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoner Emma Sheppard

Anarchist prisoner, Emma Sheppard was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment on Tuesday 24th February 2015 at Bristol Crown Court for committing “Criminal damage recklessly endangering life”.

The charge relates to criminal damage of police cars in the Bristol area.

Please write letters of solidarity to:

Emma Sheppard
A7372DJ
HMP Send
Ripley Road
Woking
Surrey
GU23 7LJ

(Please note new address as of March 2015)

Emma can receive cards, stamps and stationary.

For donations, news & any other solidarity efforts email: bristol_abc@riseup.net

UPDATES:

• Letter from Emma in response to her sentence: https://bristolabc.wordpress.com/2015/02/28/letter-from-anarchist-prisoner-emma-sheppard/ (Français | Português)

• Report from Bristol Defendant Solidarity on the sentencing: https://bristolabc.wordpress.com/2015/02/27/report-from-the-emma-sheppards-sentencing-bds/

• Letter from Emma, March 2015 – https://bristolabc.wordpress.com/2015/04/04/letter-from-prisoner-emma-sheppard-march-2015-prisons-do-not-work-for-anyone-except-those-who-profit-from-them/ (Français | Deutsch | Srpskohrvatski )

• Letter from Emma, June 2015 – https://bristolabc.wordpress.com/2015/06/10/police-concerned-about-greek-style-responses-to-austerity-letter-from-anarchist-prisoner-emma-sheppard-june-2015/

• Letter from Emma, August 2015 in support of the International Week of Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoners – https://bristolabc.wordpress.com/2015/08/18/letter-from-anarchist-prisoner-emma-sheppard-in-support-of-the-international-week-of-solidarity-with-anarchist-prisoners/

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Bristol, Royaume-Uni : Solidarité avec la prisonnière anarchiste Emma Sheppard

Le 24 février 2015, la prisonnière anarchiste Emma Sheppard a été condamné à 2 ans de prison au tribunal de première instance de Bristol pour avoir « commis des dommages criminels inconsidérés mettant des vies en danger. » Les charges se rattachent à la dégradation de voitures de police dans la zone de Bristol.

Emma peut recevoir des cartes, des timbres et de la papeterie.

Merci d’écrire des lettres de solidarité à :
Emma Sheppard A7372DJ
HMP Send, Ripley Road
Woking, Surrey
GU23 7LJ (Angleterre)

[Note : addresse mise à jour le 12 mars]

Pour des dons, nouvelles et tout autre effort de solidarité :
bristol_abc[at]riseup.net

Note de Contra info :
Il s’agit de la première condamnation s’inscrivant dans l’opération Rhone ; une investigation menée par 10 officiers CID [Central Intelligence Departement : Département de Renseignements Central] afin d’enquêter sur plus de 100 attaques anonymes dans la zone de Bristol au cours des quatre dernières années, de rassembler des informations sur le mouvement anarchiste au sens large, ainsi que de traquer le camarade fugitif Badger, qui a pris la fuite en août 2011. Cependant, l’arrestation d’Emma et le plaidoyé de culpabilité relatif à un sabotage la veille du Nouvel An se révèlent être des cas à part et ne résultent pas du travail engagé par l ‘opération Rhone – combien même ils ont été impliqué par la suite.

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Bristol, UK: Solidarität mit der anarchistischen Gefangenen Emma Sheppard

Die anarchistische Gefangene Emma Sheppard wurde am Dienstag, dem 24 Februar 2015 vom Bristol Gericht in England zu zwei Jahren Gefängnis für „schwere Sachbeschädigung und fahrlässige in Gefahrbringung von Menschenleben“ verurteilt. Die Strafe bezieht sich auf die Beschädigung von Polizeiautos in Bristol.

Emma kann Postkarten, Briefmarken und Schreibmaterial empfangen.

Bitte schreibt Briefe an:
Emma Sheppard A7372DJ
HMP Send, Ripley Road
Woking, Surrey, GU23 7LJ
(England, UK)

Für Spenden, Informationen und Soli-aktionen mail an: bristol_abc[at]riseup.net

In Reaktion auf ihr Urteil hat Emma Sheppard einen Brief verfasst (teilweise Übersetzung hier).

Anmerkung von Contra Info (en): Dies ist die erste Verurteilung unter der „Operation Rhone“. Eine Ermittlung, geführt von 10 CID Offizieren, um in den über hundert anonymen Aktionen in der Gegend um Bristol in den letzten vier Jahren zu ermitteln und weitreichende Informationen über das weitere anarchistische Milieu zu sammeln und außerdem den geflüchteten Genossen Badger, der im August 2011 floh, zu finden. Emmas Verhaftung und ihr Schuldspruch wegen der Sabotage-Aktion am Silvesterabend scheint jedoch ein allein stehender Fall zu sein und war nicht das Resultat der Arbeit von „Operation Rhone“ auch wenn diese im Nachhinein hinzugezogen wurden.

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Bristol, Reino Unido: Solidariedade com a presa anarquista Emma Sheppard

A 24 de Fevereiro de 2015 a presa anarquista Emma Sheppard foi condenada a dois anos de prisão pelo tribunal penal de Bristol por “cometer danos criminais de forma imprudente colocando em risco a vida.” A acusação refere-se a danos em carros de polícia, na área de Bristol.

Emma pode receber cartões, selos e artigos de papelaria.

Podem se escrever cartas de solidariedade para:
Emma Sheppard A7372DJ
HMP Send, Ripley Road
Woking, Surrey, GU23 7LJ
(England, UK)/ (Inglaterra, Reino Unido)

Para doações, notícias & quaisquer outros gestos de solidariedade email:
bristol_abc[at]riseup.net

Nota de Contra Info:

Esta é a primeira condenação no âmbito da Operação Rhone; uma investigação conduzida por 10 oficiais da CID [Central Intelligence Departement: Departamento Central de recolha de informações ] para investigar mais de 100 ações de ataques anónimos na área de Bristol, ao longo dos últimos quatro anos, permitiu recolheu informações sobre o movimento anarquista mais amplo, bem como a caça ao companheiro fugitivo “Badger”, em fuga desde Agosto de 2011. No entanto, a prisão de Emma e a declaração de culpa relativa a uma sabotagem na véspera de Ano Novo parecem ser um caso isolado e não foram o resultado de um trabalho da Operação Rhone – embora as tenham envolvido nela, depois disso.

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Bristol, Reino Unido: Solidaridad con la presa anarquista Emma Sheppard

El 24 de febrero del 2015 la anarquista Emma Sheppard fue sentenciada a 2 años de prisión por el Tribunal de la Corona de Bristol con la acusación de “cometer daños materiales poniendo en peligro vidas de manera imprudente”. Los cargos hacen referencia a los daños ocasionados a vehículos de policía en la zona de Bristol.

Emma puede recibir cartas, sellos, material de escritura, etc. en la siguiente dirección:

Emma Sheppard A7372DJ
HMP Send, Ripley Road
Woking, Surrey, GU23 7LJ
(England, UK)

Para actualizaciones, donaciones, muestras solidarias en general: bristol_abc[arroba]riseup.net

Nota de Contra Info: Esta es la primera condena en el marco de la Operación “Rhone”, que es dirigida por 10 agentes del Departamiento de Investigación Criminal (CID). El dispositivo pretende investigar más de 100 ataques anónimos en la zona de Bristol durante los últimos 4 años, acumular Iinformaciones sobre el movimiento anarquista en un sentido más amplio, así como perseguir al compa Huw ‘Badger’ Norfolk, que está en fuga desde el agosto del 2011, acusado por el ataque a la sede del periódico Bristol Post. En cualquier caso, la detención de Emma y su asunción de culpabilidad en relación con el sabotaje que se realizó la vispera de Año Nuevo parecen ser un caso aparte y no un resultado directo del trabajo represivo de la Operación “Rhone”, aunque se enmarcó en este contexto más tarde.

Operation GRhone and the Badger hunt

Translation: Français

from the demo at Bristol CID HQ

When Bristol anarchist Huw ‘Badger’ Norfolk legged it somewhere in late-August 2011, word spread fast across Bristol’s anarchist & radical communities. His decision to absent himself from all and any police investigations was immediately apparent to the many friends he’d had no time to say good-bye to. No doubt many suspected this escape to somewhere would be short-lived. Instead nothing, just the one shout-out from online anonymity(1) two months later, in which he stated his non-compliance bluntly.

Fast-forwards to December 2014 and Badger’s face is staring at us from every national and many local media outlets. Crimestoppers and Avon & Somerset Police’s Operation Rhone announce a £10k reward for information, whilst forcing his parents in north-west Bristol into the media spotlight too(2). Badger is wanted for two specific actions, although no evidence is cited for either. It’s made clear the Badger hunt, and the two actions, are just a part of their investigation into over 100 actions by ‘persons unknown’(3) over the last four years.

So why the sudden flurry of police & media attention? In reality the police have been active all the time, supported by their slavish media-hounds at the Bristol Post. We, at Bristol Defendant Solidarity(4), have a timeline of their activity since August 2011, when victims of an unproductive police raid on a Bristol squat contacted us for support and advice. Since then police activity has ebbed & flowed, nothing for months, then intense activity, such as the last 6 months of 2014 – triggered it seems by forces from outside the area(5), which resulted in Operation Rhone being formally set up. As well as finding and arresting suspects, the aims of this operation include gathering intelligence on “the threat from domestic extremism” and to “maintain public confidence”. (6)

It is clear the police know nothing. No leads beyond Badger’s identity and statements posted online by ‘persons unknown’. So like a man blind-drunk in a dark alley, they’ve lashed out at anyone they think could be intimidated, or entrapped. There’ve been numerous arrests leading to extended police bail, and even taggings, with at least 6 since June 2014, but no convictions; searches of homes & vehicles; visits to homes & workplaces for a ‘chat’; phonecalls to private mobile numbers; harassment of individuals current & former partners; stops at airports; endless requests that people snitch; and no doubt countless incidences of covert surveillance. All to no avail, and at huge cost. There has now been one arrest and guilty plea relating to an incident on New Years Eve, but this appears to be a stand alone case and was not the result of Op Rhone work – even if they got involved afterwards. Operation Rhone is said to involve at least 10 CID officers – in any other line of work somebody would’ve been sacked by now!

One harassed individual’s statement sums it up: “One morning a few months ago, I woke up and found my house full of police. When I say full I mean literally – it was hard to move around! They had already arrested the person they’d come for. He was released a bit later with no charges and has now had the case against him dropped completely. If they didn’t even have enough evidence to charge him, I don’t see how they can justify raiding my house in the first place – I don’t think they had anything on him at all. Anyway, as well as taking electronic stuff (like a hard drive and laptop), they seemed to be bagging anything that looked political…”

Some of the police alleged to be involved in the investigation…

So why the wall of silence, and why the lack of police success? On the one hand they are harassing people – anarchists & radicals involved in public activity, musicians, and mere acquaintances – who clearly know nothing at all. On the other hand, the reality is that large numbers of people have a complete distrust of, and hatred for, the police. Whatever personal views people have on the validity of actions by ‘persons unknown’, they wont be co-operating with the police – they are the enemy, the heavy-handed arm of the state, and they have a long list of previous. Hence the many who supported a public ‘Statement against police harassment’(7). In addition to the timeline, Bristol Defendant Solidarity has published advice for people facing police harassment, and helped those who contacted us to get together and plan a response. Among other things, this group organised a protest at the headquarters of Bristol CID, which upset the police so much that they responded with armed officers and a dog unit. (8)

It is generally accepted the police exist to maintain the status quo – the rule of the few over the many. Their history of fit-ups, and denial of what limited rights we have, is endless. Their support for the bosses against workers struggles is continual. Their sexism & racism institutional. Their violence well documented as they kill with impunity(9). Their surveillance powers out of control. Their weaponry & equipment ever more militarised. Their undercover officers act as agent provocateurs and coerce individuals into relationships(10). Their corruption breathtaking. Complaints against them and investigations by the IPCC are rising, even the Chief Constable is suspended and the subject of an IPCC investigation(11). Why on earth would anyone, never mind the anarchists & radicals, have anything to do with them?

By Bristol Defendant Solidarity
(BDS is an independent, self funded group run by local volunteers, formed after the Stokes Croft riots in April 2011. We aim to provide effective, lasting unconditional support and solidarity to anyone arrested or imprisoned as a result of demos, riots, direct action and escalating class war. We take a clear stand against state repression and police brutality)

Notes/Resources:
1. 325.nostate.net/?p=3297
2. www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/05/h…
3. personsunknown.noblogs.org/post/2014/11…
4. bristolabc.wordpress.com/defendant-soli…
5. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-264481…
6. www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/operatio…
7. bristolabc.wordpress.com/2014/10/15/sta…
8. bristolabc.wordpress.com/2014/11/18/act…
9. www.inquest.org.uk/statistics/deaths-in…
10. www.theguardian.com/uk/undercover-with-…
11. www.ipcc.gov.uk/investigations/chief-co…

Spanish State: Conditional bail for comrades detained during Operation Pandora

In the night of January 30th, 2015, the 7 comrades who were still imprisoned following the arrests on the 16th of December 2014 as part of Operation Pandora were released.

One day before, the instructing judge of the Audiencia Nacional (Madrid) permitted access to the investigative file, and what we know at the moment is what has been circulated through the website of Mossos d’Esquadra in a press communiqué. They are facing charges such as membership in GAC (Coordinated Anarchist Groups), attacks against banks, posting parcel bombs (one to the Archbishop of Pamplona, one to a member of the fascist congregation Legionaries of Christ, and others to Italian companies), while “they are linked”—always according to the police—with the explosive attacks against the Cathedral of Almudena in Madrid (February 7th, 2013) and the Basilica of the Pillar in Zaragoza (October 2nd, 2013), the latter having led to the indictment and pretrial detention of our comrades Mónica and Francisco.

The police statement ends with a victorious “according to the investigators, the structure of the GAC/FAI-FRI is disrupted in Catalonia, the stronghold of this criminal organisation with terrorist purposes against the Spanish State”. What these servants of Power do not recognise (and never will) is that they sought to generate fear to all other comrades with this operation, which not only failed, but we can say without a doubt has generated the opposite effect.

No doubt their release from prison and to receive them amongst us is an opportunity to celebrate, because they are no longer locked up, as much because they are with us again to fight shoulder to shoulder against this world of shit. But it is a “celebration” which remains incomplete. The charges remain, as do the bail conditions—obligation to sign three times a week, passport confiscated, etc. Furthermore Mónica and Francisco are still incarcerated… not to mention all the comrades who risk other prison sentences in other cases, and those who have already been convicted.

UNTIL WE’RE ALL FREE!

Benefit Gig for Spanish Anarchists

A BENEFIT FOR SPANISH ANARCHISTS

** SHOT
“female fronted politically distressed/Pissed up Punk Rock n’ Roll from the pits of London, that maintain the anarchist sentiment.” and celebrating the release of their debut album on RSR.

** SPANNER – No introduction needed for these local veterans of everything that is mischievous and militant. They aren’t too bad at that ska punk thing either 😉

** ATTERKOP – Heavyweight Skacore from Bristol

** ZEALAND
nomadic acoustic punk/folk/singsong

+ 1 More to be confirmed

06//02//15
@ The Red Lion, Whitehall Road, Bristol
Door – suggested donation of £3

************ BENEFIT DETAILS ************

On the 16th December Catalan police raided 14 houses and social enters in Barcelona and Madrid, destroying or stealing everything of value. Without concrete accusations and with the greatest secrecy, 11 comrades were sent to a high court in Madrid. 4 have been released with charges and 7 have been locked up (in part for supporting the 2 anarchists who have already been in prison for the past year). So that’s now 7 people imprisoned simply for being anarchists.

The situation in Spain has taken a massive turn lately when the state passed the new ‘Gag’ laws. These laws basically mean complete control from a totalitarian and fascistic regime, here is a few examples of what is now ‘illegal’ and can face hefty fines. Google to find out the full list.

✮ Photographing or recording police – 600 to 30.000€ fine.
✮ Peaceful disobedience to authority – 600 to 30.000€ fine.
✮ Meeting or gathering in front of Congress – 600 to 30.000€ fine.
✮ It allows random identity checks, allowing for racial profiling of immigrants and minorities.
✮ Police can now carry out raids at their discretion, without the need for “order” to have been disrupted.

To show solidarity, Riot Ska Records (us) and Pumpkin Records will be donating any money made through our Bandcamp pages to the Spanish anarchists for legal costs, fines, and whatever they think it’s best used for.

www.riotskarecords.bandcamp.com
www.pumpkinrecords.bandcamp.com

Four people arrested after solidarity actions

On January 20-21 four activists were arrested in Minsk after solidarity
actions with people previously arrested at New Year Punk Party in Minsk.
One person was captured by the police at the prison gates, when people
came to meet their comrades, who were supposed to be released after 10
days of arrest they were sentenced to after the concert.

Four people were sentenced to 15 days in prison for disobeying police
orders. Some activists connect the continuation of repressions with
solidarity actions that were carried out on January 16. That day several
autonomous anarchist groups organised protest actions in three places
simultaneously: at the Court where their comrades had been tried, at the
Prison where they had been kept and at the Police station which had been
in charge of the raid. There they made a picture with hands behind their
heads to show their protest against the police raid at the New Year Punk
Gig and the following detention of three people that were doing distro
tables during the concert.

After the concert police officers started visiting people that gave
their IDs during the gig privately as well. Anarchist Black Cross
Belarus reports at least about one person who got official warning of
unacceptable extremist activity. Several more people reported police
attempts to meet them or arrange “private” talks.

With elections in Belarus getting closer repressions against the local
anarchist movement intensify. Only in January all in all seven people
were arrested six of which got from 10 to 15 days in prison. All these
people face or will face problems at work, some of them had to change
their workplace because of the previous arrests.

Pictures of solidarity action are available here:
abc-belarus.org/?p=5509

Source:
abc-belarus.org/?p=5539&lang=en

Kevan Thakrar Urgently Needs Your Support!

Despite being found not guilty of attacking three prison officers, but instead that he acted in self-defence after months of racial, physical and psychological abuse (a ruling that goes against prison officers is VERY unusual in a court) Kevan Thakrar continues to be held in the prison services ‘Close Supervision Centres’ more than five years later.

The CSCs are places of extremely restrictive solitary confinement where he, and his family visiting him, have suffered constant harassment. Kevan’s solicitor recently arranged for an independent psychologist to make a report on Kevan. Kevan has suffered with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as a direct result of the way he’s been treated by prison guards, since before he was placed in the CSCs. The independent psychologist’s report concluded that as Kevan has displayed no violent behaviour since being in the CSCs, and because solitary confinement and the regime in these units only makes PTSD worse, Kevan should be moved back into the mainstream prison population.

The CSC management did not like the conclusion in this report so have instead decided they want to move him to Rampton high security psychiatric hospital to treat his PTSD. In a place like this doctors will be allowed to force mind altering and damaging drugs on him. Kevan, his family, and supporters are very worried about this proposed move, and whilst he tries to challenge this legally, he needs help to campaign against this happening.The number of people suffering from PTSD in England’s prisons is probably too high to imagine. It is extremely unusual to transfer someone that has PTSD to a high security psychiatric hospital.

For more information about Kevan’s case:
http://www.justiceforkevan.com
http://www.facebook.com/JusticeForKev

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Join the protest:

Monday 16th February, 12pm
HM Prison Service
Clive House, 70 Petty France, London, SW1H 9EX

If you can’t make it to London for the protest please try to find the time to phone/fax the following places on that day (or another day if that one is not convenient).

Please write letters of complaint to:

Rob Davis, Governor
HMP Woodhill, Tattenhoe Street, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK4 4DA
Tel: 01908 722 000
Fax: 01908 722 320

Alan Parkins (This is the main person recommending Kevan’s move to Rampton)
Head of Special Unit/CSC
HMP Woodhill, Tattenhoe Street, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK4 4DA

Claire Hodgson, CSC Operational Manager
HMP Woodhill, HMP Woodhill, Tattenhoe Street, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK4 4DA

Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons
HM Inspectorate of Prisons, Victory House, 6th floor, 30-34 Kingsway, London WC2B 6EX
Tel: 020 3681 2770

Independent Monitoring Board Secretariat
9th floor, post point 9.52, The Tower, 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ
Tel: 0203 334 3265
Fax: 0203 334 3024

Your own MP or Kevan’s (Ian Stewart MP). When writing to any MP the address to use is: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, or you can contact them on-line http://www.writetothem.com

Please write letters of support to:

Kevan Thakrar, A4907AE

Kevan was moved to HMP Full Sutton today (19/1/2015), we do not yet know if this is a temporary move or he is on his way somewhere else. Please check the links to his website and Facebook page above for his correct address.

Interview with Anarchist Black Cross Belarus on repression

In the context of the recent acute increase in repression in Belarus,
the Anarchist Radio Berlin talked to Anarchist Black Cross Belarus about
their work, the situation in the neighbouring country of Ukraine and the
situation of refugees in Belarus. For security reasons we transcribed
the original interview and re-recorded it ourselves.

You’ll find the audio (to listen online or download in different sizes)
here:
http://aradio.blogsport.de/2015/01/09/a-radio-in-english-interview-with-anarchist-black-cross-belarus-on-the-repression-ukraine-and-the-refugees/

The length is: 10:53 min.

Enjoy! And please feel free to share!
You’ll find other English language audios here:
aradio.blogsport.de/englishcastellano

A-Radio Berlin

Greece’s new ‘Type C’ prisons: a brief intro

From: http://rabble.org.uk/greeces-new-type-c-prisons-a-brief-intro/

Over the new year Greece started moving prisoners into the first “Type C” maximum security prison designed to isolate anarchist fighters, urban guerrillas and other rebels.

On 30 December, anarchist Nikos Maziotis, member of the Revolutionary Struggle group, became the first prisoner to be transferred to the new maximum security wing at Domokos prison. On 2 January he was joined by four more prisoners: anarchist comrade Kostas Gournas (Revolutionary Struggle), Dimitris Koufontinas from the Marxist organisation 17 November, and anarchist prisoners Yannis Naxakis and Grigoris Sarafoudis. (All links to articles and tags on 325, which has much more information on these prisoners and their struggles).

The state has continued to transfer prisoners in dribs and drabs throughout the week; the corporate media states that 17 people are now being held there.

Domokos prison, in central Greece, is the first prison to be revamped and classified as “Type C” under a new law passed in July. Type C prisons are the first Greek prisons that will meet Europe-wide maximum security standards. The regime prohibits day release and rules out parole for those serving life sentences before prisoners have served at least 20 years behind bars. The general operation and supervision of the prison will be tightly controlled and prison access guarded by the police rather than screws. Visits and phone calls will be restricted.

Type C prisons are specially made for ‘terrorist’ prisoners (urban guerrillas & revolutionaries), and other detainees deemed to pose a serious threat.

The new Domokos wing opens just as more fighters from the Conspiracy of Cells of Fire are handed prison sentences of up to 25 years.

These are the actions of a state desperate to contain the spread of rebellion in Greece since the explosion of the economic crisis in 2008. One Domokos prisoner, Revolutionary Struggle fighter Nikos Maziotis, has already issued a call for the formation of an assembly in solidarity with political prisoners. Maziotis writes:

“the passing of legislation of the Type C prisons are an expected development in the repressive attack of the State against the armed Revolutionary Organizations and against armed direct action. Subsequently, the legislative changes and reforms that have been under way for about 14 years are directly linked to the political and economic conditions, applicable for years internationally, and none other than the “war on terror” and the neoliberal reforms intended to impose the dictatorship of the markets, and its doctorate of supranational capital.”

If the huge wave of prisoner hunger strikes against the law & recent riots in support of Nikos Romanos are anything to go by, the Greek state can only expect more resistance.

Domokos Priso

Cardiff: 2 anti-militarists up in court on Tuesday

From Radical Wales

Two anti-militarists are up in court this coming week, having been accused of disrupting last year’s DPRTE arms fair in Cardiff. The pair are due to stand trial on Tuesday 6th January 2015 at Cardiff Magistrates Court and could potentially face custodial sentences.

They are accused of damaging the luxury goods of DPRTE arms dealers and organisers -including a £400 suit and a £200 pair of designer shoes – with childrens play paint.

According to it’s website, DPTRE (the Defense Procurement, Research, Technology and Exportability exhibition) is the “UK’s Premier Defense Procurement Event” and is now being hosted annually at Cardiff Motorpoint arena. Their first time hosting the arms fair in Cardiff was on the the 8th of October 2014, with exhibitors at DPRTE include BAE Systems, the world’s 3rd largest arms producer with a very special relationship with the UK government & Saudi dictatorship. BAE also supplies Israel with the tools to wage war on the Palestinans and after the horrors seen perpetrated by Israel over the summer, from bombing a UN school to the killing of children playing on a beach, there is no doubt that BAE systems is complicit in these crimes through it’s arming of the Israeli state.

There has been active opposition DPRTE since 2013. The arms fair had previously been hosted at the UWE campus in Bristol, but was subsequently driven out, hence the move to Cardiff. The protesters involved a variety of actions including blockading the UWE north entrance causing queues trailing back along the A4174.

Having being driven out of Bristol, South Wales Anarchists, Stop NATO Cymru  and others resolved to show the arms dealers that there is no welcome for them in Wales either. Many felt it unjust that whilst ordinary people are struggling and having to turn to food banks or are on the brink of homelessness, these arms dealers are walking around in expensive clothes worth more than most local families’ entire monthly disposable income, all bought with the profits made from mass murder. What does a statistic like 100 000 dead civilians in Afghanistan mean to the arms dealers at DPRTE? In material terms it means a bit of financial security and a couple of nice holidays a year.

One of the defendants said:“Arms dealers are complicit in slaughter all over the world. Perpetual war is in this industry’s interest and this is what’s become the norm. If the law really was a forum for justice, wouldn’t it be them on trial?”In a similar vein, Elliw from StopNATO Cymru said:

“What I would like to know is when have the arms dealers ever had to justify their horrific choice of career? Have the arms dealers ever had to look a mother in the eye and explain why their expensive suits, luxury goods and nice big homes are so much more valuable than the lives of their children, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers? These cowards never have to face the consequences of their career choice. It sickens me that we live in a society that rewards such abhorrent and frankly psychopathic behavior.”

For those arrested opposing DPRTE in 2014 there will be a short solidarity demonstration outside Cardiff Magistrate’s Court from 9:15am on Tuesday 6th January 2015. Anti-militarist banners and well-wishers welcome. Afterwards some will be supporting the defendants from the public gallery.

If you were present at the protest against DPRTE Arms Fair at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena in October 2014, you may be able to provide useful defence evidence. Please email:
bristoldefendantsolidarity@riseup.net