After 41 years in prison, Janet and Janine Africa have been released. Wonderful News! Both women, along with seven others, have been in jail since the 1978 police assault on the MOVE house in Powelton Village by Philadelphia police, which left one police officer dead. Nine members of the organization were convicted of the officers death and were sentenced to 100 years in prison.

In 1998, Merle Africa passed away in prison. In 2015, Phil Africa also died behind the prison walls. In June of 2018, Debra Africa was paroled, followed by Mike Africa in October 2018. Chuck, Eddie, and Delbert are the only Move 9 members remaining in prison.

The Anarchist Black Cross Federation has always attempted to stay transparent in regards to how donations are dispersed. Here is an updated Warchest flier which highlights the most recent donations and disbursements. As indicated on the flier, due to recent fundraising efforts and donations, we have added two more individuals (Abdul Azeez and Ed Poindexter) to the Warchest list. This brings the number of Warchest recipients to 15 political prisoners who receive monthly stipends. With support from the larger community, we hope to add more in the future. http://www.abcf.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Warchest-Funds-Report_compressed.pdf

Alexandria, VA — Today, Chelsea Manning’s legal team will file a reply brief in their appeal asking the Fourth Circuit to vacate District Court Judge Hilton’s March 8 finding of civil contempt. Ms. Manning, a staunch advocate for government transparency, asserted legal grounds for her refusal to participate in what she views as an assault on the free press. She remains in detention as a result of the contempt finding. The Assange indictment disclosed this morning strengthens their claims of grand jury abuse, say Manning’s attorneys.

We have word from Eric. He is being held in segregation at McCreary. He was immediately intercepted by SIS officers upon arriving and put into the special housing unit. It appears McCreary is just a spot to hold him while the BOP is working out where they send him.

Right now he can not receive books, photos, postcards or cards. EVERYTHING needs to be written in blue or black ink on standard paper. Please do not use any thicker stock or borders on the paper. Letters with mailing labels will be rejected. Eric is only being allowed 2 envelopes a week so there is a good chance he will not be able to respond to letters, nonetheless, they are appreciated and something for him to continue to feel connected to the world.

Former political prisoner from Belarus Zmicer Palienka, who is currently kept at a temporary detention facility on suspicion of committing a crime under part 3 of article 339 of the Criminal Code “Hooliganism of a particularly serious nature”, has been maintaining a hunger strike since 24 March.

After nearly 10 years at FMC Carswell, Marius has finally been transferred closer to family and friends. As of this week, Marius is now located at FCI Danbury in CT. 

This statement comes from anarchist political prisoner Miguel Peralta and his compañera Mariana González as he fasts in solidarity with the hunger-striking prisoners in struggle in Chiapas.

In December, Common Pleas Judge Leon Tucker breathed new life into Abu-Jamal’s case by reinstating the former Black Panther’s appeal rights, citing new evidence that emerged during the appeal’s legal discovery allegedly showing that a former Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice who denied Abu-Jamal’s appeal was biased against him.

Abu-Jamal was convicted of killing a city police officer more than 30 years ago, and, during some of the appeals, Ron Castille was Philadelphia district attorney. Castille later became a state  Supreme Court justice, then chief justice of the court, where he was among the judges who rejected Abu-Jamal’s final appeal in 2012.

ABCF’s Annual Running Down The Walls 5K Run

Every year Political Prisoners look forward to the day that we all collectively Run Down The Walls together. These events link us forever in a struggle, together in solidarity we all set out on our paths with the same intentions. We jog for justice, we walk for peace, and we run for our comrade’s freedom.  This event (while only metaphorically liberating) is insurmountably important to those behind the walls, they need to know that we are here and we not only stand with them but we will run with them.

We have set the date for this year’s run on Sunday, June 9^rd 2019. June is coming up quickly and we need to stretch our legs and warm our muscles for the run that has called to us in our sleep for the last nine months. This run means so much to so many people, and now this early summer run will be the first time we will be holding it in June and we hope this time of year allows more of our friends and comrades to make the time to gather with us. We jog for justice, we walk for peace, and we run for our comrades’ freedom.