The 4th Annual July 25th International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners Is Almost Here!

International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners

International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners #J25Antifa

You might be wondering what you can do to help support antifa comrades in prison this July 25th—the International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners. Well, here is a handy list of different things you can do!

  1. Do a banner hang. See photos from past years for inspiration! [1, 2, 3]
  2. Put up posters around your neighborhood or school! Go here and here for pdfs of this year’s posters (in pink and grey), and feel free to use last year’s!
  3. Donate money to the International Antifascist Defense Fund outright, or buy an awesome t-shirt to show your solidarity (Only a few more days left to purchase)!
  4. Take a solidarity photo! See below for some awesome examples!
  5. Send letters or postcards to the antifascist prisoners on our list and participate in Rose City Antifa’s Postcards to Prisoners campaign!
  6. Dedicate an action to these comrades!

Remember that together, we can create a flow of solidarity that strengthens our ties to one another and creates a culture of resistance that can withstand the inevitable tides of repression. These comrades are in there for us, so we are out here for them!

¡No Pasarán!

Until all are free!

Use the hashtag #J25antifa

Varis antifascist network distributed literature at the Puntala punk festival in Finland.

Antifascists in front of the Battle of Cable street mural in London.

North London Antifa: so fresh and so clean.

Posted in Call To Action, July25, Solidarity

July 25, 2018 – Fourth Annual International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners

  

Since the last July 25th International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners, the worldwide struggle against the nightmare of fascism and the far-right has grown and intensified. The news bulletins steadily report the racist and bigoted attacks, the harassment of journalists, the demonization of refugees and migrants, and the increasing presence and violence of organized fascist and far-right groups. While the bigoted, nationalist imagination reproduces itself on a global scale, it also attempts to turn us all into prisoners of the border.

Originating in 2014 as a Day of Solidarity with Jock Palfreeman—an Australian man serving a 20-year sentence in Bulgaria for defending two Romani men from an attack by fascist football hooligans—the International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners aims to break down the borders and build an international response against fascism. By having an event, raising money, or dedicating an action to these comrades, we can simultaneously strengthen our local movements by ensuring that those who have acted to protect our communities against the fascist threat are never forgotten, as well as create the links of a powerful international solidarity which can transcend both the prison and the border wall.

This July 25th, we call on antifascists worldwide to act in solidarity with antifascist prisoners—the comrades who have been behind bars for many years, the friends who have just begun their sentences, the mates still awaiting trial—because they are in there for us, and so we must be out here for them!

No Pasaran!
Until All Are Free!

USE THE HASHTAG: #J25antifa

««««««Global List of Antifascist Prisoners»»»»»»

Below is a list of global antifascist prisoners who are currently imprisoned. Hundreds more have been arrested but have not been convicted; we encourage local groups to support the antifascists of their choosing who are in legal trouble. If you are not donating to a specific person, a good option is to support the International Anti-Fascist Defence Fund.

Please contact us: if you know an antifa prisoner who is missing form the list (include their details, and what languages they can read); if you can help translate the call; or if you are planning an event that, so that we can help publicize it: nycantifa@riseup.net.

EUROPE

Belarus
Roman Bogdan

Roman Bogdan was arrested on April 15, 2015, as part of the long-going state repression of anti-fascists in Brest, stemming from a fight between anti-fascists and fascists on May 8, 2013. In October, Roman was sentenced to 8 years in a penal colony and must pay 3500 Euro in damages. On December 15, 2015 a regional appellate court commuted his sentence by 2 years.

He can read Russian and simple English phrases.

Address:
Roman Bogdan
ul. Pervaya Zavodskaya, 8,
IK-17, otryad 12
213010 Shklov
Mogilevskaya obl.
BELARUS

http://abc-belarus.org/?p=6153&lang=en

Vadim Boyko

Vadim Boyko was arrested on March 22, 2016, on suspicion of participating in a fight that took place on June 29, 2014 between anti-fascist supporters of FC Partyzan and right-wing soccer hooligans from FC Torpedo. The arrests in 2014 were not followed up until 2016, when a special political department decided to start the case with a series of police raids on the antifascists who were alleged to have been involved. On March 10, 2017 Vadim Boyko was sentenced to 4 years of jail, and was re-arrested in July for transfer to a penal colony.

He can read Russian and simple English phrases.

Address:Address:
Boyko Vadim Sergeyevich
IK-17
ul. Pervaya Zavodskaya, 8
213004, Shklov, Mogilevskaya obl.
BELARUS

https://abc-belarus.org/?p=6874&lang=en

Tomas Kovinkski

Tomas Kovinski is an antifascist from Minsk who was detained on September 27, 2016 after a fight with a right-wing football hooligan. On January 25, 2017 was convicted of malicious hooliganism and sentenced to 2.5 years in prison.

We just learned that Tomas has had his sentence transferred to house arrest! No letters are needed at this time.

https://abc-belarus.org/?p=8745&lang=en

Vlad Lenko

Vlad LenkoVlad Lenko is an antifascist from Ivatsevichi (Brest region). He was arrested on December 27, 2014, and accused of taking part in a fight against local neo-Nazis earlier in December. Vlad was charged with group hooliganism and aggravated bodily harm, and in September 2015 was sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony.

He can read Russian and simple English phrases.

 

Address:
Lenko Vlad Igorevich
211300 Vitebskaya obl.
Vitebskiy rajon, Vitba, IK-3
BELARUS

http://abc-belarus.org/?p=6240&lang=en

Bulgaria
Jock Palfreeman

Jock PalfreemanJock Palfreeman is an Australian anti-fascist political prisoner serving a twenty-year prison sentence in Bulgaria for the rather mysterious death of a neo-Nazi football hooligan who was part of a group attacking two Romani men in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2007. Jock came to the aid of the Romani, and quickly found himself the focus of the attack. Bulgarian authorities did everything they could to ensure that Jock did not receive a fair trial, and after his sentencing have refused–in contravention of their own treaties–to transfer him to Australia to serve the rest of his time closer to his family. Jock wants donations for him sent to the Bulgarian Prisoners’ Association, which he is part of.

He can read English and Bulgarian.

Address:
Jock Palfreeman
Kazichene Prison
Kazichene 1532
Region Pancherevo
Sofia, BULGARIA

http://www.brightonabc.org.uk/jock.html

Poland
Patryk Cichoń

Patryk is a Polish antifascist recently deported from the UK to Poland to serve a 3-year sentence handed down to him 13 years ago. He was charged with allegedly beating up and robbing a few local fascists. Patryk is only allowed 2 visits per month and one 5-minute telephone conversation a week, and really enjoys receiving letters. There is no limit to the number of letters he can receive.

He can read Polish and English.

Address:
Patryk Cichoń
“Syn Józefa”
Zaklad Karny
Chmielow 662
Chmielow 39-442
Poland

https://www.brightonabc.org.uk/prisoners.html

Russia
Aleksandr Kolchenko

Aleksandr KolchenkoAleksandr  Kolchenko was arrested in Crimea on May 17, 2014, along with several others, and accused by Russian authorities of participation in a “terrorist group” which planned explosions near the Eternal Fire memorial and the Lenin monument in Simferopol, as well as having sabotaged railway tracks and electricity lines. Aleksandr was also alleged to have carried out two arson attacks in April: against the headquarters of the Russian Unity-Party, and the Russian Community of Crimea. He was transferred to Moscow and kept in draconian conditions. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Russian authorities claimed that Aleksandr was a member of Right Sektor, a Ukrainian ultra-right nationalist organization, but he has no connection to the group—a fact confirmed by relatives and friends. Moreover, Aleksandr is an antifascist and anarchist who consistently opposed nationalistic movements in Crimea and faced constant fascist attacks for his activism. For example, after a film screening about murdered anti-fascist journalist Anastasiya Baburova, he was attacked by thirty Nazis with knives.

Address:
Kolchenko Aleksandru Aleksandrovichu, 1989
456612
Chelyabinskaya obl, Kopeisk,
ul.Kemerovskaya, 20,
IK-6, otryad 4
RUSSIA

Please note: Moscow ABC advises that letters in English are seldom accepted in Russian prisons, so please write only in Russian (try using a translation program), or just send photos and postcards.

http://avtonom.org/en/news/repressions-against-crimean-activists-political-context
http://wiki.avtonom.org/en/index.php/Aleksandr_Kolchenko

Russian Torture Cases
There has been heavy repression of anarchists and antifascists by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). In October 2017, FSB officers arrested six antifascists who played airsoft in the woods. The FSB planted weapons and explosives in some of their vehicles, and tortured them in pre-trial detention–beating them, hanging them upside down, electrocuting them, and threatening them with even worse. This torture was used to force the arrestees to validate forged testimony professing that they are part of an alleged terrorist “network.” At the end of January 2018, two more antifascists were arrested in St. Petersburg. They were also beaten, tortured by means of electrical shock, and forced to agree that they too were members of this invented “network.”

As of now, seven anti-fascists are behind bars and another is under house arrest. All are facing up to a decade in prison. We encourage you to read more about the case in the links below. We have included addresses for those who have them listed.

Yuliy Boyarshinov

yuliy.boyarshinov

Boyarshinov Yuliy Nikolayevich , 1991
SIZO-6 Gorelovo
188508 Russia
Leningradskaya obl.
Lomonosovskiy rayon
MO Villozskoe selskoe poselenie
ulitsa Zarechnaya tupik 22
RUSSIA

Andrey Chernov

andrey_chernov

Victor Filinkov

viktor_filnkov

Filinkov Victor Sergeevich, 1994
SIZO-6 Gorelovo
188508 Russia
Leningradskaya obl.
Lomonosovskiy rayon
MO Villozskoe selskoe poselenie
ulitsa Zarechnaya tupik 22
RUSSIA

Vasiliy Kuksov

Vasily Kuksov

Kuksov Vasiliy Alekseevich, 1988
SIZO-1
440039 Russia
Penzenskaya obl.
Penza, ulitsa Karakozova 30
RUSSIA

Dmitriy Pchelintsev

Dmitriy_Pchelintsev

Arman Sagynbaev

Arman_Sagynbaev

Sagynbaev Arman Dauletovich 1992
SIZO-1
440039 Russia
Penzenskaya obl.
Penza
ulitsa Karakozova 30
RUSSIA

Ilya Shakurskiy

ilya_shakursky

Igor Shishkin

igor_shishkin

Shishkin Igor Dmitrievich, 1991
SIZO-3 FSIN
191123 Russia
Saint-Petersburg
Shpalernaya str. h.25
RUSSIA

Please note: Moscow ABC advises that letters in English are seldom accepted in Russian prisons, so please write only in Russian (try using a translation program), or just send photos and postcards.

https://itsgoingdown.org/why-the-torture-cases-of-anarchists-in-russia-matters/
https://rupression.com/en/person/

Spain
Rodrigo Lanza

Rodrigo Lanza is an antifascist from Chile who is living in Zaragoza, Spain. In December of 2017, Rodrigo was out with friends at a bar when they were approached by a man who began insulting Rodrigo, calling him “sudaka” (a derogatory term for Latin Americans) and telling him to go back to his country. As Rodrigo attempted to leave the bar, Victor Lainez, a member of the fascist Falange group with many friends in the local fascist scene, pulled a knife. Rodrigo defended himself and in the ensuing fight, Lainez was killed.

Occurring during the movement for Catalan independence and the accompanying resurgence of hardcore Spanish nationalism, the press worked overtime to vilify Rodrigo as a ‘foreigner,’ squatter, and former political prisoner. They claimed that Lainez was attacked at random for wearing Spanish flag suspenders, and built a bogus narrative of an innocent Spanish citizen murdered simply for showing support for his country.

Rodrigo is currently in prison awaiting trial and faces a lengthy prison sentence as well as expulsion from Spain.

We are currently trying to determine if Rodrigo would like to receive letters.

https://itsgoingdown.org/spanish-media-side-fascist-former-political-prisoner-arrested-hate-crime/

Posted in Uncategorized

New posters for July 25 International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners

A comrade made some new posters for the July 25 International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners. Spread the word and support our comrades!

july25th1.png

july25th2.png

Posted in Uncategorized

Get ready! The 3rd Annual July 25th International Day of Solidarity With Antifascist Prisoners Is Upon Us!

Tuesday, July 25th, marks the 3rd Annual International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners. In the aftermath of the fiery protests against the G20—and the arrests of hundreds of comrades—we are again reminded that the embers of direct action need long-term prisoner support in order to keep the flame of resistance strong. Some forty G20 protesters remain in prison in Hamburg and need our solidarity.

Since the beginning of 2017, scores of antifascists and other revolutionaries have been arrested, and the numbers keep growing. In the Belarus and the United States alone, several hundred antifascists and anarchists have been arrested for taking part in anti-government and antifascist demonstrations. Just this month, in Belarus, Vadim Boyko, was arrested and transferred to a penal colony for a 2014 fight against right-wing hooligans, while in the US, over twenty people were arrested in Charlottesville, Virginia for defending the city against the KKK, and three people were arrested for participating in the violent demonstrations against fascists in Sacramento last year. One person, Mike Williams, a Native American organizer with the Brown Berets, is currently being held in jail on $500,000 bail.

There is something powerful in a worldwide day of solidarity, and there is still time to do something for July 25th to show support for comrades who are behind prison walls, as well as those tangled in a legal process which seeks to separate them from us in the same way. Any action—no matter how small—such as a solidarity photo, or a letter, is meaningful and appreciated. We have heard from many antifa prisoners that the letters and postcards they have received from around the world has made them feel less alone and helped them through the darkness of prison. Please see the Global Antifa Prisoner List for a list of names and current addresses.

Another way to show solidarity is to donate money. A group we recommend is the Bulgarian Prisoners Association, started by antifascist prisoner Jock Palfreeman, an Australian man serving a 20-year sentence in Bulgaria for defending two Romani men from an attack by fascist football hooligans. Jock has specifically asked supporters to donate to the association—which helps Bulgarian prisoners fight against the corrupt Bulgarian prison system and the violations and abuses they endure—for July 25th. Another good place to donate is Antifa International’s International Anti-Fascist Defense Fund, which raises funds for prisoners, as well as money for legal defense, medical costs, and family expenses for antifascists. However, there are many prisoners and defendants—local and international—who need support, and we encourage you to donate to those of your choosing.

We also encourage solidarity actions. You can show support through banner drops, literature distribution on the streets, statements of solidarity, benefit concerts, letter-writings, solidarity photos, and other more creative ways! There is also currently a week of solidarity with the hundreds of antifascist protesters arrested during anti-Trump protests at the US presidential inauguration on January 20th—who are each facing 75+ years in prison—and we encourage people to get involved.

Tweet your solidarity with the #J25antifa hashtag and remember:
Until all are free!
NO PASARAN!

Free Roman Bogdan! Free Vlad Lenko! Free Vadim Boyko! Free Dzmitry Stsyashenka! Free Jock Palfreeman! Free Aleksandr Kolchenko! Free Joel Almgren! Free Mike Williams! Drop the charges!

Posted in Call To Action, July25, Solidarity | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Antifa Journalist Gets Death Threats After Exposing Far Right Media at Hamburg G20 Protest

America is not sending its best people to Germany. A number of Far Right pseudo-journalists attempted to attend the G20 counter-protests in Hamburg, but were exposed by antifa journalist Soeren Kohlhuber. These were Lauren Southern (Canada), Luke Rudkowski and Tim Pool (U.S.), and Max Bachmann (Germany). They were later confronted by activists who were displeased by their presence. Kohlhuber received a slew of death threats in return. He’s in Hamburg right now covering the “Welcome to Hell” demonstrations, but he made time to do a short interview with NYC Antifa.

In Hamburg, Left to Right: Luke Rudkowsky, Lauren Southern, Max Bachmann, Tim Pool (Photo: Sören Kohlhuber)

The Far Right “journalists” were:

Lauren Southern, an Alt Right media figure who is working with European white nationalist Identitarian groups to block refugee boats. She had the chutzpah to wear a “Identity Europa” shirt to the demonstrations, which were so intense that the crowds overwhelmed 15,000 police.

Luke Rudkowski runs the 9/11 Truth “We Are Change” group. He frequently promotes militia leaders and antisemites like his hero David Icke. He even blamed the Denver Anarchist Black Cross for the 2012 Aurora, Colorado theater mass shooting.

Rudkowski and Southern both came to the June 10 counter-protest against the Islamophobic rally at Foley Square in downtown New York. Together, they attempted to come into the counter-protest and videotape people, but were quickly pushed out. Southern claimed she had fox urine thrown on her, and Rudkowski immediately went to the police to try and get people arrested.

Rudkowski claimed he was there as a “neutral” party but it is clear he is acting to facilitate the views of Far Right activists who are less cagey about their real views, like Southern.

Tim Pool, like Rudkowski, made his reputation as a livestreamer at Occupy Wall Street’s Zucotti Square. There the snitch attempted to livestream activists engaged what could be perceived as illegal actions. More recently he has drank the Alt Right kool-aid, too, and is now promoting their movement while also pretending to be “neutral.”

The three were also joined by a German man, Max Bachmann, who runs in right-wing conspiracy theory circles.

1) How did you find out that Lauren Southern, Tim Pool, and Luke Rudkowski were coming to the G20 protests in Hamburg? Did you see them there first, or did you have advance notice?

I walked to the rally and saw a girl with a shirt of the Far Right group “Identity Europa.” I didn’t know who she was.

dsc_0883

Lauren Southern sporting a “Identity Europa” t-shirt at the G20 demo. (Photo: Sören Kohlhuber)

2) After you saw this, how did you publicize it?

I warned people on Twitter, because in Germany “Identitäre” [Identitarians] and other Far Right groups take photos from antifascists and journalists for their files.

3) What happened to the them?

I heard that people attacked them—but I only heard this from Luke Rudkowski’s Youtube channel.

4) What happened to you afterward?

Luke made a Youtube video with my Twitter account and photo. After this I got a shitstorm from the Far Right, Reuters, and others. Now they are harassing me on different kinds of platforms.

For more, see Soeren Kohlhuber’s longer article on what happened (in German): “Rechte Medienaktivisten bei G20 – anschließende Kampagne gegen mich,” https://soerenkohlhuber.wordpress.com/2017/07/08/rechte-medienaktivisten-bei-g20-anschliessende-kampagne-gegen-mich.

Kohlhuber’s social media and webpage:
www.twitter.com/SoerenKohlhuber
www.facebook.com/soeren.kohlhuber
https://soerenkohlhuber.wordpress.com

Posted in Germany | 1 Comment

July 25, 2017 – Third Annual International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners

New York City anti-fascists represent for J25!

As the third annual July 25th International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners approaches, we find ourselves fighting the hydra of fascism and far-right ideology. While its many heads have distinct looks in different parts of the world, this beast spews the same venomous poison of nationalism and bigotry everywhere. It demonizes refugees and immigrants, stokes hatred for Muslims, and attacks LGBTQ and other oppressed groups who are fighting for liberation and their very lives.

The July 25 International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners originated in 2014 as the Day of Solidarity with Jock Palfreeman, an Australian man serving a 20-year sentence in Bulgaria for defending two Romani men being attacked by fascist football hooligans. Whether acting as individuals or as part of larger organized demonstrations, this is the kind of bravery and solidarity which defines antifascist actions against the forces of hate. Since the day of solidarity last year, we have seen this spirit all over the world—in Indonesia, Czech Republic, Brazil, Poland, England, Greece, the United States, France, Syria, Australia, Japan and all points in between.

While antifascism is global, unfortunately so is state repression. In the U.S., hundreds of antifa have been arrested resisting both the Trump regime as well as Far Right street forces. In Belarus, the state continues to harshly repress the antifascist resistance. While many of these comrades are awaiting sentences, there are still many who languish in prison. We will not forget these comrades behind the prison walls!

We call on anti-fascists worldwide to act in solidarity with antifascist prisoners. Consider having an event or dedicating an action to them. They are in there for us, and we are out here for them!

No Pasaran!
Until All Are Free!

USE THE HASHTAG: #J25antifa

The call is now available in German, Greek, French,
Bahasa Indonesia, Spanish, Russian, Swedish, and Finnish.

Contact us if you can translate it into another language!

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

««««««Global List of Antifascist Prisoners»»»»»»

Below is a list of global antifascist prisoners who have been sentenced. Hundreds more have been arrested but have not been convicted; we encourage local groups to support the antifascists of their choosing who are in legal trouble. If you are not donating to a specific person, a good option is to support the International Anti-Fascist Defence Fund.

Please contact us: if you know an antifa prisoner who is missing form the list (include their details, and what languages they can read); if you can help translate the call; or if you are planning an event that, so that we can help publicize it: nycantifa@riseup.net.

EUROPE

Belarus
Roman Bogdan

Roman Bogdan was arrested on April 15, 2015, as part of the long-going state repression of anti-fascists in Brest, stemming from a fight between anti-fascists and fascists on May 8, 2013. In October, Roman was sentenced to 8 years in a penal colony and must pay 3500 Euro in damages. On December 15, 2015 a regional appellate court commuted his sentence by 2 years.

He can read Russian and simple English phrases.

Address:

213010 Shklov
p. Molodezhnyj, IK-17, otryad 12
Mogilevskaya obl.
Belarus

http://abc-belarus.org/?p=6153&lang=en

Vlad Lenko

Vlad Lenko is an antifascist from Ivatsevichi (Brest region). He was arrested on December 27, 2014, and accused of taking part in a fight against local neo-Nazis earlier in December. Vlad was charged with group hooliganism and aggravated bodily harm, and in September 2015 was sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony.

Supporters are trying to raise money to appeal the verdict, which they hope will reduce his sentence by half. They also need to collect 1000 Euro to pay damages ordered by the court.

Fundraising WebMoney:
$ Z418615316084
€ E146518161935

He can read Russian and simple English phrases.

Address:
Lenko Vlad Igorevich
211300 Vitebskaya obl.
Vitebskiy rajon, Vitba, IK-3
BELARUS

http://abc-belarus.org/?p=6240&lang=en

Maxim Yahnieshka

Maxim Yahnieshka was arrested after a fight on April 1st, 2015, where he was hospitalized in a fight with right-wing hooligans. Cops were called by hospital staff, and Maxim refused to name his attackers to police. After obtaining surveillance camera footage, the police identified the right-wing hooligans and had them accuse Maxim of prior conflicts. On September 7, 2016 he was sentenced to 3 years of custodial restraint for malicious bodily harm, theft of a hat, property destruction, and threatening to kill right-wing hooligans. Appeals to a higher court in November left his sentence unchanged, and on December 12, 2016 he was transferred to an open-type penitentiary institution.

ABC Belarus encourages supporters to help Maxim’s family cover the costs associated with his imprisonment. The “open-type” penitentiary institution requires Maxim to pay for food and other services out of his own pocket. His costs are primarily shouldered by his parents, who are themselves in a terrible financial situation.

If you feel like supporting Maxim, please send money through ABC Belarus:
– PayPal belarus_abc@riseup.net
– Bitcoin 1CcxWEswKjXZgXQCds5KcHfemzrAASVbuv
– bank account
Account Holder: VpKK e.V.
IBAN: DE 4085 0205 0000 0361 5700
BIC: BFSWDE33DRE
Bank für Sozialwirtschaft
Note: Donation ABC-B
Please make the Note as stated above!

He can read Russian and simple English phrases.

Address:
Maxim Yahnieshka
IUOT No. 7
225140, Pruzhanski r-n, d. Kuplino
BELARUS

https://abc-belarus.org/?p=7161&lang=en#more-716

Bulgaria
Jock Palfreeman

Jock Palfreeman is an Australian anti-fascist political prisoner serving a twenty-year prison sentence in Bulgaria for the rather mysterious death of a neo-Nazi football hooligan who was part of a group attacking two Romani men in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2007. Jock came to the aid of the Romani, and quickly found himself the focus of the attack. Bulgarian authorities did everything they could to ensure that Jock did not receive a fair trial, and after his sentencing have refused–in contravention of their own treaties–to transfer him to Australia to serve the rest of his time closer to his family.

Jock recently wrote that, “Although I do not want people to forget that I continue to stay incarcerated for defending a Roma man being brutally beaten by 15 neo-nazis, this July 25th 2017 I request that as many people as possible can organize solidarity funds for our prisoners’ union here, the Bulgarian Prisoners’ Association (BPRA).” He also asks that people write  to government officials and request that they meet with BPRA representatives.

He can read English and Bulgarian.

Address:
Jock Palfreeman
Sofia Central Prison
21 General Stoletov Boulevard
Sofia 1309, BULGARIA

http://www.brightonabc.org.uk/jock.html

Russia
Aleksandr Kolchenko

Aleksandr  Kolchenko was arrested in Crimea on May 17, 2014, along with several others, and accused by Russian authorities of participation in a “terrorist group” which planned explosions near the Eternal Fire memorial and the Lenin monument in Simferopol, as well as having sabotaged railway tracks and electricity lines. Aleksandr is also alleged to have carried out two arson attacks in April: against the headquarters of the Russian Unity-Party, and the Russian Community of Crimea. He was transferred to Moscow and is being kept in draconian conditions. His lawyers are under a gag order, and have been refused elementary rights to defend him. He faces fifteen-to-twenty years in a labor camp.

Russian authorities claim that Aleksandr is a member of Right Sektor, a Ukrainian ultra-right nationalist organization, but he has no connection to the group—a fact confirmed by relatives and friends. Moreover, Aleksandr is an antifascist and anarchist who consistently opposed nationalistic movements in Crimea and faced constant fascist attacks for his activism. For example, after a film screening about murdered anti-fascist journalist Anastasiya Baburova, he was attacked by thirty Nazis with knives.

Since this case is highly political, Aleksandr’s legal costs are high, around 850 euro per month. The investigation has created a heavy financial strain on local ABC groups, and there is a call for financial support and information distribution. You can make donations via PayPal to abc-msk@riseup.net or using a bank account (write to the same e-mail address for details).

Address:
Kolchenko Aleksandru Aleksandrovichu, 1989 g.r.
456612
Chelyabinskaya obl, Kopeisk,
ul.Kemerovskaya, 20,
IK-6, otryad 4
RUSSIA

Please note: Moscow ABC advises that letters in English are seldom accepted in Russian prisons, so please write only in Russian (try using a translation program), or just send photos and postcards.

http://avtonom.org/en/news/repressions-against-crimean-activists-political-context
http://wiki.avtonom.org/en/index.php/Aleksandr_Kolchenko

Sweden
Joel Almgren

Joel Almgren was sentenced to five years and six months for defending a local community-organized anti-racist demonstration in Stockholm against a brutal Nazi attack on December 15, 2013. The peaceful protest—against fascist assaults on local anti-racists and the dissemination of Nazi propaganda in area schools—was attacked with knives, sticks, and glass bottles by the most militant Nazi group in Sweden. Anti-fascists at the scene defended the demonstration from the attack and many were injured themselves.

Joel has over 4080 USD in fines, and his supporters are asking for help raising the money.

To donate from a non-swedish bank account:
IBAN: SE0680000832799438650120
Bic: SWEDSESS

He can read Swedish and English.

Address:
Joel Almgren
KVA Tidaholm
Skogsholmvägen
522 85 Tidaholm
SWEDEN

http://www.fanggruppen.com/write-to-prisoners-1/
https://www.facebook.com/freejoel

NORTH AMERICA

United States
Dane Powell

Powell is the first person sentenced of the over 200 people arrested for the January 20, 2017 demonstration against Donald Trump’s inauguration – #DisruptJ20. On July 7th, he was sentenced to 4 months in prison. Dane is a father, veteran, water protector, and active community member.

He can read English.

Address:
Dane Powell, DCDC #358 530
DC Jail
1901 D Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
USA
http://www.dclegalposse.org/support-our-comrade-in-prison/

Posted in Call To Action, July25, Solidarity | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

A New Year’s Update on Antifascist Prisoners

13669088_1009082462538060_5988014648065168917_n12017 promises to be a busy year for antifascists around the world. We will continue the fight against fascism and the far right, and oppose—in every way possible—their relentless campaigns of bigotry against refugees and immigrants, Muslims, Jews, LGBTQ, and people of color. The new year seems like a good time to remind everyone of the many antifascist prisoners around the world, not simply because solidarity is the cornerstone of our various movements, but because it may very well be any one of us behind bars.

Since our last update in July, many more antifascists are in need of solidarity. Maxim Yahnieshka from Belarus was arrested in 2015 after being hospitalized by right-wing hooligans and was recently sentenced to three years in prison. In Sweden, some of the Kungsan 15 have begun serving their sentences, ranging 4-12 months, for an enormous demonstration against a neo-nazi Swedish political party in 2014. Olle Smedberg is one on those who would like to receive letters from the public. We are also overjoyed that two antifascists, Dzmitry Stsyashenka from Belarus, and Michelle Smith from England, were released in November 2016 and could ring in the new year with their friends and family.

Please do not wait for July 25th, the International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners, to show your solidarity with these new prisoners, or those who have been on the Global Antifa Prisoner List since the beginning. A card or letter is an easy way to support comrades who are separated from us by concrete blocks and steel bars. To show how much your solidarity matters, please see the letter below, sent by antifa prisoner, Alexey Sutuga, after their #J25 event last year. Help us make sure that 2017 really lives up to slogan, “They are in there for us, and we are out here for them!”

NO PASARAN!!
Until all are free!

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During the week of solidarity with international antifa prisoners, NYC ABC sent a card to Alexey Sutuga, a Russian antifascist, who wrote back. The note says: “Hello My Friends, I received your letter of solidarity. Before this, I received another one last fall. I was very glad. I didn’t expect that you would be interested in my fate. Although it really couldn’t be any other way for either of us. We’re all united, and that is one thing we have in common no matter where we live. I don’t know many people from the US. (But a big hello to Freddy from Madball NYC). This is why it’s so good that I have new friends. I’ll be happy to stay in touch. Best of luck with everything. Stay strong, brothers, and take care of yourselves.”

 

Posted in July25, Russia | Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Alt-Right Bonus Dox: New York’s Racist Heathens

ALT-RIGHT SERIES BONUS DOX!
Meet New York’s Racist Heathens

Heathens are modern pagans who worship the ancient Norse gods. There is nothing wrong with this of course—but some take Heathenry in a racialist direction, believing that it is a faith only for whites, and seek to build coalitions with political White Nationalists. Anti-racist Heathen groups like Heathens United, Circle Ansuz, and Patheos have denounced this renegade strain, which centers on Stephen McNallen’s Asatru Folk Assembly. They have railed against multiculturalism, Latino immigration, and non-binary gender identity.

Despite the many heathens that criticize and fight against these fascistic sub-groups, racist heathenry has deep roots in the neo-folk and occult scenes, as well as in National Socialist Black Metal (NSBM), a racist and anti-Semitic form of metal. Unfortunately, a common trend in these scenes is that criticism of fellow musicians, no matter what their political affiliations or beliefs, is considered impolite and akin to censorship. We hope that with the obvious uptick in white nationalist organizing, the taboo on rejecting fascist sympathy will be smashed.

Here are a few examples in the New York area:

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Earlier this year Idavox put out an alert about a Nazi Black Metal show happening at the Diamond Club in Ronkokoma, New York. The show was set up by Wolftyr Productions, a NSBM label run by Paul Guhring (aka Paul Tyrinn aka Bobby Dokken). Guhring is an organizer of Heathen Circle, an “art community dedicated to promoting pan-European heritage among the people of its descent worldwide.” Their main project seems to be putting out a zine that praises fascist philosophers, musicians, and racist gangs like the Wolves of Vinland and Soldiers of Odin.

Wolftyr set up a similar show earlier this year at Lucky 13 Bar in Brooklyn with Witchblood, a band that uses the neo-Nazi “Black Sun” symbol in their album art. Wolftyr’s online store also sells books by fascist philosopher Julius Evola, and the white nationalist publication Tyr.  

Paul also sings for Grafvolluth, a self-described NSBM band. The band features Erik Proft, who is involved with the National Anarchist movement, playing music with  National Anarchist founder Troy Southgate. Proft also performs in BELIEVER/LAW, Kama Rupa, and Blood and Sun (with Nazi cosplayer Luke Tromiczak), and is connected to the neo-Nazi music distro “Vanguard Productions” on Facebook. Most recently, Grafvolluth contributed to a tribute album of Polish Nazi band Graveland and a split with Slavecrushing Tyrant.

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Ticket for a Graveland show in last year in Italy

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Wolftyr and Heathen Circle promote Polish Nazi bands like Graveland

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Paul singing for Grafvolluth, with Erik Proft on guitar

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PA Nazi Metal band Wotenorden, promoted by Wolftyr

Another racist tied to the Heathen scene, Stuart Sudekum—a former editor of the pro-fascist blog Heathen Harvest—is still at it in Bushwick. As NYC Antifa previously reported, Sudekum distributes Michael Moynihan’s Tyr  in New York City, and gives classes on tarot card readings at Bushwick’s Tarot Society. Working with Heathen Harvest, Sudekum promoted numerous fascist projects, and started anti-Semitic threads

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Albo and Stuart Sudekum

in their now deleted politics message board. In one, he says he wishes Brooklyn’s Jews “would all buy a one way ticket to Israel…”

Although Sudekum is less politically open these days, he’s still involved in Third Positionist groupings like Attack the System and the National Anarchists—as well as being tight with Counter- Currents’ James O’Meara, National Anarchist organizer Donald Pomeroy, and Blood and Sun’s Luke Tromiczak.

UPDATE 12/31/2016: Both Bushwick occult spaces that hosted Sudekum have dropped his Tarot Reading classes, stating they don’t support his politics.  

Connecting the threads, thanks to the work of the Twin Cities GDC Luke Tromiczak‘s Blood and Sun recently had his entire midwest tour cancelled. In a Facebook post, Luke claimed that not only is he not a fascist, but has a liberal mindset, and would be sickened to even sit next to a racist. Unfortunately there’s a lot of photos of him doing just that.

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Tromiczak performing at a Death in June concert at Home Sweet Home. For those keeping score, the Black Sun and SS Totenkopf are not “pre-Third Reich religious symbols”

We also found this interview where he promotes neo-Volkisch movements and insults Jewish people. His Black Metal label Antitheist Disseminations was working with Nazi bands and labels as recently as 2013. Many of his fans believed his empty defense, but the venues did not. All three cancelled his performances.

If you have any more information about racist Heathens, NSBM bands, or any other fascists in the New York area please email FascismWatchNYC@gmail.com

Posted in New York state, United States

New York’s Alt Right (Part II)

New York’s Alt-Right if you’re a professional who leads a double life as a racist intellectual

Alt Right poster boy of the month Richard Spencer is not the first person to rebrand fascist politics to make it more acceptable. This project usually has a two-part strategy: 1) appeal to racist hipsters, and 2) put on an intellectual air by quoting half-understood lines from Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Evola.

British advocates of this strategy include the London Forum, a regular speaking series which bills itself as “the home of the British Alt-Right.” Now, the fascist Counter-Currents Publishing* have launched a local branch, the New York Forum. The UK monitoring group Hope Not Hate describes the London Forum as:

led by former British Army Corps of Signals officer Jeremy ‘Jez’ Turner. The group has attracted leading national socialists, Holocaust deniers and conspiracy theorists from across the globe to its meetings. More significantly, the Forum, and in particular Turner and his side kick Larry Nunn, have become increasingly influential on the far right, especially with NA [hipster fascists “National Action”].

The New York Forum held its first, private, racists-only meeting in May 2016, on a day they noted was “88 degrees.” Counter-Currents Publishing wrote:

Why a forum in New York City? First, New York is our top city in terms of readership, which makes perfect sense. The primary cause of white awareness of race differences, the Jewish question, and the negative consequences of multiculturalism is direct experience, and New York offers such experiences in abundance. Second, there are millions of people — and thus large numbers of racially aware whites — within a 3-hour commute of New York City. Finally, New York is a transportation hub, so many of our people pass through here.

Counter-Currents Publishing in New York include Margot Darby (aka Margot Sheehan, aka Margot Metroland) and James J. O’Meara. Both are long-time affiliates of the website, and both are careful to hide their fascist organizing from their professional lives. So here’s a little more about that!

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Margot Darby aka Margot Sheenan aka Margot Metroland, 58, of Manhattan

During the day, Margot Darby/Sheehan is a flash developer who has worked for FCB Health, and, according to her LinkedIn, “Penguin Random House, Citigroup, American Express Publishing, Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, The New York Times.” We’re pretty sure she doesn’t tell her coworkers that she spends her nights writing racist essays under name “Margot Metroland.”

On a November 2016 podcast, she brags about attending Richard Spencer’s recent Alt Right conference in DC. She also details her decades-long participation in fascist circles, which includes knowing racist godfather Willis Carto; doing freelance work for the Institute for Historical Review, best known for spreading Holocaust Denial; and being pen pals with neo-Nazi leader William Pierce, the inspiration for the Oklahoma City bombing.

Despite keeping her multiple lives compartmentalized, they all conveniently blend together in her Pipl profile. Her other online profiles include:

www.instagram.com/margotdarby
www.margotdarby.com/news
www.facebook.com/margots
www.facebook.com/margot.sheehan
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009558192606
https://twitter.com/margotdarby
https://disqus.com/by/margotdarby
http://gallerynews.com/minimalist
www.gallerynews.com/current
www.linkedin.com/in/margotdarby

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James J. O’Meara, 60, of Astoria, Queens

The other local Counter-Currents Publishing person associated with the New York Forum is James J. O’Meara, who signed books at the Forum’s May gathering. He lives in Astoria, Queens and in the past worked at the New York Law School and several disability education programs. He also says he volunteered at the Queens art space Flux Factory between 2009 and 2011.

In his free time, he is a featured writer at Counter-Currents Publishing and the author of several books, including The Homo and the Negro, which argues that gay men should be welcome into the ranks of the fascist movement. Just as with Margot Darby, for some odd reason O’Meara seems to keep his writing hobbies off his LinkedIn and Pipl profiles.

If you have additional information on the NYC Counter-Currents Publishing folks, the NY Forum, or other tri-state racists and fascists, send it to: fascismwatchnyc@gmail.com.

* The fascist “Counter-Currents Publishing” should not be confused with the lefty media source “Counter Current News” (http://countercurrentnews.com).

Posted in New York City, United States | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

New York’s Alt Right (Part I)

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There is no shortage of media coverage for the “Alt Right”—the name for a loosely organized group of white nationalists who’ve rebranded their image and learned how to use the internet. The Alt Right’s army of racist trolls call for mass deportations, have reintroduced anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and holocaust denial into public discourse (and Trump campaign ads), spread Islamophobic lies, promote rape culture, and lionize the police murder of hundreds of people of color every year. They’ve been championed by Breitbart’s Steven Bannon, who Trump has appointed as his new chief strategist.

However, the local media has overlooked the Alt Right’s presence in New York. Perhaps this is because organized racists often hide behind the internet’s anonymity in order to spew their toxic stew of Pepe memes and curious fixation on cuckolding. The first step in countering them is pulling off the sheets they are hiding under. These people have jobs and hang out in neighborhood bars. We encourage everyone to get to know your local fascist.

NYC Antifa is going to unmask the Alt Right in the NYC metro area. We’ll be releasing information twice a week for the next couple of weeks. If you have any information to add, please send tips to FascismWatchNYC@gmail.com.

First up, the PROUD BOYS!

New York’s Alt Right if you’re a deeply insecure Hipster

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PBs gather at historic McSorely’s, forcing it to close two days later

Since being kicked out of Vice, the magazine he helped found, Gavin McInnes has been relegated to late-night Fox News punditry and writing for a blog founded by a Golden Dawn-supporting millionaire and formerly edited by Nazi Dork Richard Spencer. He’s an antique of the worst aspects of ’00s hipsters: bad fashion sense, irony covering for insecurity, and deeply reactionary politics.

In the last few months he has compensated for his fall from relevance by starting a personality cult comprised of man-children called the “Proud Boys.” The name plays on the “red pill” concept of convincing impressionable and narcissistic young males that they are somehow victims of feminist, queer, and POC liberation movements. These (mostly) white boys  claim that their general deficiencies as human beings are, in fact, indicators of their “alpha” status.

Pitiful as the group is, and small as their numbers are, the Pasty Bootlickers are an experiment in bringing the prevalence of alt-right trolling to the streets. They served as a security force at the “Daddy Will Save Us” art show fiasco, where they smashed the phone of a lone counter protester, and bragged of beating someone up at a previous event. Nonetheless, much of their internal chatter is about encouraging one another to get over their fears of wearing Trump gear in public.

They are a politically diverse group, but have in common a love of Trump, a hatred of immigrants, refugees, and leftists, and a tolerance of neo-Nazism. Their blog hawks Western Chauvinism, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia on a daily basis.

On election day McInnes hosted a “Trump Victory Party” at the Gaslight Lounge in the Meatpacking district of Manhattan. In attendance were:

Here’s some of the other boys (and two girls):

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Aaron Servilio, originally from Waldwick, NY. Lives in Brooklyn and works for Fox News.

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Richard Fohrelnbach Jr. of Brooklyn. Originally from Milford, CT.  Twitter.

Neo-Nazi Proud Boy Robert Campbell, pictured with Erik Proft of NSBM (Nazi Black Metal) band Grafvolluth, and one of his typical Facebook messages. Campbell is also associated with NATA and racist heathenry

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Alex Caprio of Bayonne, NJ. Works at Matthews Food and Drink and White Star in Jersey City.

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Stephen McCarthy, NY, comedian

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Christopher Posser of Greece/Rochester, New York

 

 

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Rich Donahue of York, PA

 

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Sal Cipolla (left) of Oceanside, NY

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Martina Markota of New York, originally from Red Hook, NY. Burlesque performer under the name Lady Alchemy at the Box and Diamond Horshoe.

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Anthony Valenti or West Islip, NY. Facebook. Twitter.

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Alex Jerez, 28 of Huntington, NY. Reddit. Twitter. LinkedIn.

If you’re not in New York, you can use this handy map to find some Proud Boys in your area, and maybe see how proud they really are for yourself! It should be noted that McInnes and everyone’s favorite LGBTQ Islamophobe Milo Yiannopoulos are on the “centrist” side of a split between Alt-Right neo-Nazis, and “Alt-Lite” racialist conservatives. Antifascist News has a summary of the split, and we agree with their conclusion: “We need to call the Alt Right what it is: fascist.”

UPDATE: We removed the photo of one person who initially joined PB, but has since disassociated himself 

Posted in New Jersey, New York City, United States | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments