Since October 2015, Bloomington Anarchist Black Cross
(https://bloomingtonabc.noblogs.org/) has been providing consistent
monthly funds to anarchist prisoners throughout the United States via
our Anarchist Prisoner War Fund. We are now asking for help keeping this
project going strong into the future.
We have specifically chosen comrades who were receiving very little
money or support from the outside, who have no familial support, or who
were otherwise in need of monetary aid. These funds have been essential
when some comrades did stints in solitary due to activities surrounding
the September 9th prison strike, aiding their survival in the most
oppressive conditions. We also emphasize support for rebellious
prisoners who have maintained the struggle behind the walls. We want to
make it clear to our comrades in prison and those taking action on the
outside that they can continue to struggle without fear of abandonment
if they are caught.
Currently, we provide $40 each month to five anarchist prisoners:
Michael Kimble, a gay, Black anarchist and long-time prison rebel
imprisoned for the self-defense killing of a racist homophobe.
Sean Swain, an anarchist prison rebel in Ohio.
Eric King, an anarchist doing 10 years for attempting to firebomb a
Congressman’s office in solidarity with the Ferguson rebellion.
Jennifer Gann, an anarchist trans woman and long-time prison rebel
in California.
Andy H., a local anarchist comrade in prison for assaulting a cop.
In addition, we have sent substantial amounts of money to other
comrades and projects on a temporary basis: Casey Brezik, the Cleveland
4, Marius Mason, prison rebels facing repression for organizing and
revolt, an anarchist social space in Malaysia in need of repairs after a
fire, and imprisoned fighters of other social struggles.
Thus far, we have raised this ourselves through fundraising, exclusively
through the support of local friends and comrades. This constant need
for funds means our other efforts (two prison zine distros, a monthly
anti-prison info night, letter writing events, a widely-distributed
prison newsletter, correspondence and visits with our imprisoned
comrades, sending monthly packages of zines and books to anarchist
prisoners, maintaining anarchist infrastructure in Bloomington, etc)
sometimes have to take a backseat. We live in a small town, and the pool
of people willing to give money to anarchist prisoners isn’t large. In
an effort to alleviate this, we’re asking people elsewhere to help us
keep the War Fund going.
All money sent to us will go directly to imprisoned comrades:
consistently to those on our list, and periodically to others who need
it.
If we can meet our goal, we will begin sending consistent funds to
additional imprisoned comrades.
We thank anyone who donates, and we carry forth the promise of expanding
and deepening our efforts to set our comrades free and destroy the
prison society that keeps us all confined.
