Marie mason – Anarchist Black Cross Nijmegen

June 11th, 2014 Reportback

Anarchist Black Cross Nijmegen — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 15:53:48 +0000

We’re humbled by the enormous outpouring of solidarity which comrades all over the world demonstrated on June 11th this year, especially the ways in which people linked Marius and Eric’s struggles in prison with their own struggles against environmental devastation, the prison-world and the forces of capitalist exploitation.

We’d also like to draw attention to the hunger strike currently taking place in Greek prisons, against the construction of new high security wings and entire prison for those convicted on terrorism charges (primarily anarchist and nihilist combatants). We continue to stand in complicity with comrades, near and far, who are struggling both inside and outside of prison walls against the intensification of the systems of control and oppression.

Asheville, NC –
- $500 raised for the comrades, and lots of new faces at the event/show.
Berlin, Germany–
- We began with a call-in from anarchist-communist prisoner Tasos Theofilou, accused of participating in a bank robbery and the murder of a taxi driver, and of being part of the Conspiracy of the Cells of Fire (which he denies). Being able to breach the prison walls in this small way, and to talk directly with Tasos, was very special. Greek comrades discussed the new political uses of anti-terror policy in Greece, as well as the plan to build newly classified ‘special prisons’ modeled on the US’s Communications Management Units. Vegan food was served. Then a comrade from the USA gave a presentation on Eric and Marie’s cases, describing the Green Scare, the question of informants, the problems that “thought-crimes” present for our movements (which has a certain overlap with Tasos’ case, since one of the only pieces of “evidence” against him is a play he wrote), and what all this means for anarchist practice today. We showed the new 20 min documentary, “until all are free”, before concluding with two short films about militant eco direct action in Canada by indigenous peoples, to connect Marie and Eric’s causes to the present day. An extensive multi-lingual anarchist zine library was raided, and shirts & drinks were sold, raising 110eu (148USD) for Eric and Marie. Four people wrote letters to Marie and Eric as well. A follow-up event was proposed by some comrades in the audience, who were inspired by the topics discussed.
Bloomington, IN–
- -For the June 11th day of solidarity with longterm anarchist prisoners, comrades in Bloomington, IN hosted an event which sought to connect outside supporters with those struggling behind bars. We listened to pre-recorded interviews with two rebellious prisoners– Leon Benson, a rebel serving a 60-year sentence in Indiana who has participated in prison struggles and recently got out of a ten-year term in solitary confinement, and Michael Kimble, a black gay anarchist being held captive by the state of Alabama since 1986. Leon was also able to call in to the event and fielded questions from audience members about the conditions of long-term imprisonment and the relationship between struggles outside and inside prisons. Michael was unable to call in due to oppressive state-sanctioned time standardization (time zone misunderstanding). We also read an incendiary statement from anarchist prisoner Sean Swain and signed cards and wrote letters to several long-term anarchist prisoners from the U.S. and around the world, including Marius (Marie) Mason and Eric McDavid. The event raised $600 for Marius and Eric.
- -We attacked the facade of the AT&T building in Bloomington with paintbombs. The company’s cooperation with NSA surveillance efforts was confirmed again one year ago by the Snowden leaks, yet AT&T and other collaborators have escaped any real consequences. We covered the building with graffiti highlighting their massive participation in the machinery of control and repression. This machinery (digital and physical) is everywhere and available to simple attacks like this one. Solidarity with Marie Mason and Eric McDavid in their daily struggles against prison. These revolutionaries are imprisoned for their commitment to struggle in defense of the earth. The same forces that profit from the destruction of the natural world also maintain prisons and require the protection of police and the NSA. Solidarity with Chelsea Manning, Jeremy Hammond, and all rebels whose actions expose and attack the cracks in this control society.
- -We glued the locks of a Bloomingfoods, a local green capitalist “co-operative” enterprise, because we find it disgusting that a town that once nurtured the fighting spirit of Marius Mason pacifies itself with feel-good shopping in the face of environmental destruction. We also painted “death to cops and snitches” on a local bridge.
- -In Bloomington, supporters hosted a late-night pub quiz night at a local vegetarian restaurant. Players formed teams and answered a variety of challenging trivia questions, while enjoying fried vegan snacks and beer. The packed house raised over $250, which was split between Marius’ cats and a local Farm Animal Sanctuary. Funds raised for the sanctuary were matched by a generous anonymous donation.
Briger Forest, Florida–
- We spiked the trees in the Briger Forest.With anger and love we hiked through this southeastern Florida forest and threw 6” nails into the gears of the capitalist death wish. The spikes were driven into countless trees in the areas of Briger already bought and sold for destruction. Slash pines, scrub oaks, saw palmettos, cabbage palms, even invasive melaleuca and Australian pines. Some spiked high, some low—some visible, many hidden. We left nothing safe to cut. Signs were hung near the edges of the forest as a warning to would-be forest levelers:“THESE TREES ARE SPIKED – WILL DAMAGE MACHINERY. FUCK ALTON. <3: YOUR ENEMIES”READ MORE AT @NEWS
Bristol, UK–
- Four cellphone towers burnt. Communique here: http://325.nostate.net/?p=10487 Information about the person arrested for allegedly committing this action: http://www.anarchistnews.org/content/‘bristol-bomber’-police-arrest-man-over-arson-attacks-four-mobile-phone-and-radio If anyone knows of this person’s legal support needs, please pass them along and we will be glad to help publicize them.
Chapel Hill, NC–
Cincinnati, OH–
- Cincinnati recognized its 4th annual J11 with an open house at Soapbox Books (our first infoshop, now in its 2nd year) Food Not Bombs arrived and talks on the necessity of Prisoner Support and Security Culture were given. Then a house show nearby with Decide Today (ex-Realicide), Iron Oath (new sXe hXc) and the Make Overs from South Africa. Zines covering topics of Animal & Earth Liberation, police resistance, political prisoner support, &c were distributed. Donations will be forwarded to those in need.
  www.realicide.com
  www.soapboxbooks.org (A) in 513
Detroit, MI–
- Although Marie remains in heavy lock-down at the Carswell Federal dungeon in Fort Worth, Texas, her spirit remains strong and expresses itself often in oil paintings she sends out with postal correspondence. As our June 11 event, an exhibit of some of her work was on the display at Detroit’s Cass Cafe at an opening Friday, June 13, and remains up for public viewing through June 21. The IWW Detroit Branch was present with a table and banner as per Marie’s request as about 100 people came throughout the night to view the art and take literature.
Durham, NC–
- On Friday 13th, June 2014, around 8:00PM, an angry crowd of about sixty people converged on the Durham County Detention Center in downtown Durham for the June 11th international day of solidarity with long term anarchist eco-prisoners Marie Mason, Eric McDavid, and all others whom the state has imprisoned. The crowd brought banners bearing messages of solidarity with those inside, one even saying “We Are the Bad Luck” with a provocative image of a cop being kicked, drums, a variety of noisemakers, and a giant crow puppet which waved around visible to inmates, until it eventually blended in with the night sky, creating a witchy silhouette. Bandanas were brought along with “How to Do It” posters, which provided info about how to mask and bloc up properly in order to conceal one’s identity from police or random do-gooders who might be filming. Almost immediately, a pig tried to talk to us, but his unwelcomed chit-chat was stopped ultimately when people gathered around him and drove him away with loud, disruptive drumming.
  READ MORE AT @NEWS
Grand Rapids, MI–
- Despite gloomy weather, a crowd of 35-45 people and three dogs gathered at the Treehouse of Horror in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, June 11th. The main draw was the music, a genre-diverse showcase of seven acts; supporters also munched on potluck offerings, wrote letters to prisoners, and perused a large selection of radical zines. A banner hung at the house reading “Solidarity with Marie – you inspire us all” as we talked about why it’s so important to create a culture of solidarity and support with all prisoners. We chose to focus on Marie Mason because of her connection to our home region, but did not limit discussion to her story alone. The atmosphere was relaxed and receptive throughout. Donations collected came to somewhere around $150.
New Orleans, LA–
- In New Orleans for June 11 the documentary If A Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front was screened, followed by a discussion of the history of eco-resistance and its repression by the State in the U.S. The screening, which brought out about 20 people, was the first of its kind to be held at Jane Place, a newly formed and emerging anarchist social center. The discussion focused primarily on the details and relevance of Eric McDavid and Marie Mason’s imprisonment, and money was collected for their commissaries.
Olympia, WA–
- Yesterday a banner bearing the words “Free All Prisoners (A) june11.org” was hung from an overpass over I-5 in Olympia, Washington. It was hung during afternoon rush hour traffic and stayed up for at least 12 hours. Warm greetings to Marie Mason, Eric McDavid, Sean Swain, Michael Kimble, Jeremy Hammond, and all others engaged in revolt against prison society.
Sacramento, CA–
- Sacramento Prisoner Support hosted a two-hour event on June 11th, the International Day of Solidarity with Eric McDavid and Marie Mason, at the Sol Collective in Sacramento, CA.The event was, in part, a prisoner art show. Art has proven to be a powerful medium through which prisoners can express to the world their experiences within prison. We displayed art from several radical prisoners.One section of the art show was dedicated to Eric and Marie. A pencil drawing by Eric McDavid called “Endurance” was on display (along with a powerful poem). There were also a couple of paintings from Marie, including a painting inspired by a tree sit in Tazmania.We also had artwork from TR, a Pennsylvania state prisoner. TR has painted stunning portraits of two incredible individuals, Marilyn Buck and Assata Shakur. He paints with precision, and has also created beautiful pictures on leaves he has collected from the rec. yard, in protest of a prison policy that labels leaves as contraband.We also displayed artwork by anarchist prisoners Larry Pendleton and Sean Swain (prisoners in Nevada and Ohio, respectively). One section was dedicated to the powerful and unmistakable art of the Minister of Defense for the New Afrikan Black Panther Party – Prison Chapter, Kevin Rashid Johnson. We also had art on display by Jose Villarreal, who is in the SHU up at California State Prison – Pelican Bay.We screened “Until All Are Free,” a 20 minute documentary about Marie Mason and Eric McDavid, and then fielded questions about Eric and Marie. After the film there was a brief open mic, where people seemed inspired to talk about books they’ve read and events they’ve been to in the past that pertain to political prisoners and prison struggles. Two members of Sacramento Prisoner Support read written pieces and letters from prisoners, including a powerful poem by Sean Swain.
  The night was capped off with a wonderful 45 minute performance by Straight Out Scribes, a mother/daughter spoken word duo who are very familiar with what it means to stand with political prisoners. They visited Marilyn Buck when she was being held at FCI Dublin, CA, they worked on the campaign to free Huey P. Newton, and they continue to write to many prisoners today. We were honored to have their performance be a part of our June 11th event this year.
  
  The SPS table was full of literature on Eric McDavid, Marie Mason and other political prisoners, as well as a lot of support stickers and T shirts. Some new connections were made and fliers for our next prisoner letter writing night were distributed.
  
  We move forward with Eric and Marie on our minds and in our hearts, along with all the other prisoners we stand with and work for. We find solace in the fact that there are june 11th events happening all over the world, knowing we are part of a movement and that we are making a difference.
Tel-Aviv, Israel/Palestine–
- we held our event last night in Tel-Aviv, We started with a weekend of cooking, we were certain we are making too much food but we were amazed by the fact that more than a 100 people showed up for the event. We served them yummy food, and held a talk about Marie’s and Eric’s case. People than took the time to write letters to MArie and to Eric, which we will make a two zines, one for each of. People got they’re picture taken holding a sign stating they’re support for Marie and Eric.people donated generously, and we managed to raise around 750$ that will be split equally and sent to Marie and Eric. We later screened the film “Life according to Ohad”, a documentary about an animal liberation activist here and his relationship with his family. We were amazed and thrilled by how many people came and helped us in our preperations and by how many people came to the event and showed they’re love and care to Eric and Marie.Of the four years we have been holding this important event this probably the most succesful event yet. lets hope that next year it will even be better
Thessaloniki, Greece–
- On June 11th, at 12:00 we started a microphone demo at the city centre of Thessaloniki to inform people about the cases of Eric and Marie, the cases of other anarchist prisoners, the situation that is going on with the reformation of the prison system with maximum security units, and the Total Liberation and Anarchist struggle.At the afternoon, around 19:00, we gathered at the Terra Incognita squat and made a representation of our brochure about 11th June and the anarchist fight against prisons, state and capitalism. This is written in the banner: No prisoner at the hands of authority. Liberation to E. McDavid and M. Mason. Posters and banners were also hanged at Volos, Larisa, Crete, Athens, Patras, Ksanthi, Kavala.
  Black/Green – Μαύρο/Πράσινο
Zaragoza, Spain–
- Here the event was in general ok. The bad thing was we couldn’t make the painting, but the screening of the movie was ok, around 20 people came. After that people were discussing and getting information stuff we had about Marie, Eric and other anarchist prisoners. The concert and the vegan meal was pretty good, a lot of people came, around 50.

In June 11th, 2014, there were at least 41 events in 39 cities in seven countries, as well as many actions. Anarchy being what it is, we’re sure even more happened.

Our list of 2014 events is here; mouseover for details, if available. You can find the 2014 callout in, thanks to ContraInfo and other friends, Serbo-Croatian , Italian, German, Greek, Spanish , and Portuguese.

Thank you for all the solidarity you show, on June 11th or any day. It means everything.

June 11, 2014 – International day of solidarity with Marie Mason, Eric McDavid, and all long-term anarchist prisoners

Anarchist Black Cross Nijmegen — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 13:48:01 +0000

From: June11.org

June 11th is quickly approaching. As a revitalization of the day of support for eco-prisoners, the International Day of Solidarity with Marie Mason, Eric McDavid and Long-Term Anarchist Prisoners has seen a huge outpouring of support and love for both Marie and Eric from all corners of the globe over the past 3 years.

Significantly, in addition to the wellspring of both material and immaterial support, we’ve seen the proliferation of solidarity actions in many diverse contexts spreading the spirit and contributions to our struggles of those the state has attempted to disappear. Coordinated international solidarity has begun to flourish, with information about long-term anarchist and environmental prisoners crossing many geographic and linguistic barriers.

These efforts have had very tangible effects in the lives of Marie and Eric (and many others). Fundraisers have helped them remain true to their vegan principles, loved ones have been able to visit regularly even across vast distances, new generations of radical folks all over the world have reached out to them in solidarity. In short, June 11th has been greatly successful in helping to keep Marie, Eric and many other long-term anarchist and environmental prisoners in our hearts and minds, and to keep them alive in our struggles.

But this process of remembering – of “keeping alive” – is a tricky thing.

Our struggles and movements are often mired by a lack of memory, and a lack of understanding and connecting with the past as a way to inform our actions in the present. This is both a product of the techno-alienation of our age as well as a consequence of tactical repression by state forces. The state, for the time being, has the ability to kidnap our comrades and bury them alive, to force them to languish in cold steel and concrete for decades on end. They’re ripped from our communities, from our lives. And in their place exists a painful void.

The state, for its part, is banking on the veracity of the old adage “time heals all wounds”; it is hoping that this void will shrink and that we will “forget”. If held in captivity long enough, so thinks the state, the actions of our courageous comrades will fade into the oblivion of history and we on the outside will be left without their constructive and loving presence in our struggles. We must fight against this repressive tendency; we must never forget.

Over the past few years we have seen a sharp increase in ecological defense and animal liberation actions all over the world. In this ever-increasing resistance it is paramount that we recognize the actions and struggles of the past, of the comrades who we must now unfortunately call “long-term anarchist prisoners.” The continuation of their fights – their active remembering – must be kept alive.

To this end, for June 11th this year we’re making a specific call. While in years past we may have emphasized certain aspects of long-term prisoner support (i.e. material support, building international ties, etc), this year we want to make it explicit.

As the June 11th organizing crew, we’ve often used the term “active remembering” to describe a process that feels crucial to us in doing long-term prisoner support. That is, we’ve come to see the necessity of not simply passively holding onto a set of names to “honor and remember,” but to work towards a mode of support that ties our relationships with long-term anarchist and environmental prisoners into action in our/their ongoing struggles.

Marie and Eric, being the focus of our June 11th organizing efforts, are both dedicated vegans imprisoned for acting in direct opposition to the destruction of the earth. In an effort to “actively remember” them and to engage with them in the present by connecting them to a continuance of their fight, we’re encouraging people to tie their June 11th events into actively ongoing eco and animal liberation struggles.

This call is not proscriptive in any way; read what you want in these words and put them into action as you and your crew see fit. But remember, what we’re calling for is not a ritualistic expression of solidarity, a once a year party in which we, for only an instant, call to mind those captured by the State. Rather, ours is a call to live the history of our imprisoned comrades, to take their names, their actions, and their struggles and to turn them back on the world that locks them up. Ours is a call to action.

In solidarity with Marie and Eric; with all long-term anarchist prisoners; in defence of the earth; until all cages are empty!

June11.org

‘Never Alone’ Exhibition June 11-30, 2014

Anarchist Black Cross Nijmegen — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 12:13:55 +0000

From: neveralone

Curated by the Earth First! Prisoner Support Project

This year on June 11 – the International Day of Solidarity with Marie Mason, Eric McDavid & all Eco-prisoners – we will be running the 2nd annual Never Alone online exhibition. It will serve as an avenue not only for fundraising for these political prisoners, but as a way to reach out informatively to a broad audience on issues of earth & animal liberation and state captivity. We would love to invite you to contribute an artwork to this exhibition.

June 11 started back in 2004 as the International Day of Solidarity with Jeff ‘Free’ Luers, an eco-prisoner sentenced to 22+ years in prison in Oregon (U.S.) for an act of arson against 3 light trucks in an effort to highlight the threat of climate change. This threat is now widely recognised, as was the incredibly unjust sentence that Jeff received. An international campaign of support had a massive impact on the fact that Jeff’s sentence was ultimately reduced to 10 years. By the time he was released in 2009 many other activists in the U.S. had been locked up in prison for standing up for a better world. Two of these prisoners – Eric McDavid and Marie Mason – had been sentenced to 20 and 22 years respectively. Both were sentenced severely for their willingness to fight for a world without oppression – be that of the earth, other animals, or our human communities.

Last year the Never Alone exhibition raised important funds for Marie and Eric’s support campaigns. We want to build on all the amazing support shown by artists and art buyers, and make this year’s exhibition an even bigger and more successful fundraiser. You can still see last year’s online exhibition [here].

Marie and Eric are contributing artworks for the exhibition, as well as a number of other amazing artists already on board. We are inviting a range of incredibly talented artists to contribute, whose art regularly touches on themes of liberation, wilderness and political action. We are very interested in contributions of original work, prints and small sculptures, and any other ideas that artists may have. Please feel free to get in touch and discuss with us any ideas you might have.

The exhibition will be online at www.neveraloneart.org, from June 11-30. It will be promoted heavily through our support networks, social media, and through other June 11 events being organised around the world. Artists involved would need to be able to provide suitable images of their artwork/s, as well as details of the dimensions, medium/s and price (incl. cost of postage within the U.S).

We are hoping that any artists involved will be willing to contribute between 100-70% of the sale of any artworks at the exhibition, with funds raised going directly to the support funds of Marie Mason and Eric McDavid. We would also require artists to be responsible for posting any sold artworks to the purchaser, with those costs being reimbursed to you by our collective.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Expressions of interest close on May 1st, 2014. We really hope to hear from you if you are interested in contributing, and look forward to working with you!

In solidarity,
The Earth First! Prisoner Support Project team
[email protected]

www.supporteric.org
www.supportmariemason.org

January 22nd… Writing night to Marie Mason

Anarchist Black Cross Nijmegen — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 11:50:43 +0000

On the 22nd of January we will spend the whole evening writing birthday cards to Marie Mason, on the 26th of januari she will turn 52.

Marie Mason is a loving mother of two and a long-time activist in the environmental and labor movements. In March 2008, she was arrested by federal authorities for charges related to two acts of property destruction that occurred in 1999 and 2000 – damaging an office connected to GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) research, and destroying a piece of logging equipment. No one was injured in either act. She faced a life sentence before accepting a plea bargain in September 2008.

Mason was sentenced on February 5, 2009 in federal court in Lansing, Michigan. She received almost 22 years – the longest sentence of any Green Scare prisoner. An appeal for a reduction in her sentence was denied in 2010.

The Green Scare is the name given to the arrests of animal rights and environmental activists who have been charged with acts of economic sabotage. Federal authorities have sought outrageous sentences (often life in prison) and have publicly and legally labeled the activists as “terrorists” – despite the fact that no one has been killed or injured in any of the acts. For an intro to the Green Scare, see here.

Supporting Marie Mason does not mean agreeing with her acts. It does mean opposing the fear-mongering tactics of the federal government, and the outrageous sentences they have imposed.

Never Alone: Online Art Exhibit for Marie and Eric

Anarchist Black Cross Nijmegen — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 14:18:47 +0000

From: neveraloneart

Sacramento Prisoner Support have curated an online exhibition of artworks for June 11 – the International Day of Solidarity with Eric McDavid, Marie Mason & Long Term Anarchist Prisoners. The ‘Never Alone’ exhibition will run on this website between June 11-30, 2013.

‘Never Alone’ serves as an avenue not only for fundraising for Marie & Eric, but as a way to reach out creatively and informatively to a broad audience on issues of earth & animal liberation, and state captivity. All funds raised will be split between Marie and Eric’s support funds.

FEATURE ARTWORK
Every few days we will be showcasing a different artist’s work here. Please visit the [Exhibition] page to see all the artworks.

Thanks to the amazing artists who have contributed to this exhibition (click on their name to visit their website) Marie Mason, Eric McDavid, Cristy Road, Josh MacPhee, Eileen McDavid, Jeff Luers, Eva Hall, Corina Dross, Pete Maarseveen, Sofia Yu, Ali Cat Leeds, Matt Guack, Pat Perry, J. Ost, Dee Allen and Yank.

Please support this exhibition by printing out some flyers [for pdf file click here] and sharing them around, particularly if you are hosting a June 11 event!

[email protected]

11 juni: Internationale dag van solidariteit met langdurige anarchistische gevangenen

Anarchist Black Cross Nijmegen — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:47:13 +0000

De staat stal Eric McDavid en Marie Mason van ons in respectievelijk 2006 en 2008. In de jaren sinds hun arrestatie voelt repressie minder als een specifieke gebeurtenis dan een onontkoombare, voortdurende nachtmerrie. Veroordeeld tot respectievelijk 22 jaar en 20 jaar, blijven Marie en Eric tot op deze dag in kooien, en kennen deze nachtmerrie intiemer dan de meeste.

De laatste tijd horen we veel gepraat over de eindtijd, en een totale ecologische ineenstorting lijkt aanstaande. Maar wat betekenen deze krachten voor degene in gevangeniscellen? En wat betekenen ze voor ons aan de buitenkant? We proberen om zowel elkaar als stukjes wilde natuur op deze aarde te redden. Onze taak is moeilijk en lijkt soms onmogelijk, want hoe harder we vechten hoe neer repressie ons in de weg staat. Elke dag verliezen we meer diersoorten, meer land, meer vrienden … en dit proces toont geen tekenen van vertraging. Hoe gaan we overleven en blijven we strijden in het gezicht van deze realiteit?

Als winnen ons enige doel was, zou het makkelijk zijn te stoppen. Maar hoewel we wellicht vechten om te winnen, vechten we in deze situatie ook om te leven. Van de buitenkant is het makkelijk om een gevangenisstraf gelijk te stellen aan het einde van alles … maar Marie en Eric vechten nog steeds. Met onze liefde voor hen en onze haat voor hun bewakers intact, vechten naast hen.

Dat betekent niet alleen een voortzetting van onze strijd aan de buitenkant, maar ook interactie met de gevangen op manieren die ze verbonden houd met hun vrienden en collectieven aan de buitenkant. De staat heeft onze vrienden ontvoerd en we moeten ervoor zorgen dat de staat niet succesvol is in zijn pogingen hun te isoleren en te vernietigen. Onze strijd kan alleen doorgaan als we samen strijden.

Juni 11 is een middel daartoe. 11 Juni gaat over herinneren – niet op de manier dat we ons een feit of geschiedenis herinneren, maar een actieve herinnering: een her-innering, het weer in elkaar zetten. Het is vaak makkelijker voor ons om geld in te zamelen en materiële steun te genereren voor mensen die net zijn gearresteerd, dan voor mensen die voor vele jaren zijn opgesloten. Deze dag is voor ons om energie, middelen en liefde te richten op die mensen, die nooit vergeten kunnen worden.

11 Juni is ook uitgegroeid tot een gelegenheid onze internationale banden van solidariteit verder op te bouwen. De laatste twee jaar hebben een ongelooflijke show van steun voor Eric en Marie gezien van mensen buiten de VS, en een aantal pogingen in de VS om solidariteit te tonen met de lange termijn anarchistische gevangenen in andere plaatsen. Dit jaar hopen we meer vertalingen te hebben, meer kruisverwijzingen van onze strijd, en een verdere verbreding van elkaar versterkende solidariteit. We weigeren hun grenzen te erkennen; we willen die weigering tastbaarder maken.

11 juni is slechts een maand weg. Houd een fondswerving, plan een lawaai demo, host een brief-schrijf nacht, of gebruik je eigen context en fantasie om andere mogelijkheden te verkennen. Gebruik je creatieve energie om je kameraden te tonen dat ze niet alleen staan en dat we zullen blijven strijden voor hen, voor de aarde en voor de totale bevrijding. Ze hebben geprobeerd om ons te vernietigen, dat is wat ze doen – maar Marie en Eric, Justin Solondz, Marco Camenisch en zo vele anderen tonen ons die pogingen te overleven. Laat 11 juni een viering zijn van onze gedeelde overleving en weerstand.

De 11 Juni crew

Van plan een evenement te doen op deze dag? Je kan mailen naar june11 [at] Riseup [dot] net. Informatie over gebeurtenissen uit voorgaande jaren en opkomende evenementen is te vinden op www.june11.org.

Woensdag 23 januari: gevangenenschrijfavond

Anarchist Black Cross Nijmegen — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 23:39:04 +0000

ABC-Nijmegen organiseert woensdag 23 januari wederom een schrijfavond voor gevangenen. Zoals altijd is ook de distro van ABC Nijmegen aanwezig en is er (vegan) soep en salade.

De schrijfavond begint van 18.30 en om 20:30 vertonen we de documentaire ‘If a tree falls’. Dit gebeurt allemaal in politiek eetcafé de Klinker (van Broeckhuysenstraat 46) in Nijmegen. Deze schrijfavond vindt elke 4e woensdag van de maand op dezelfde tijd en locatie plaats.

Tijdens deze gevangenen-schrijfavond gaan we schrijven naar Marie Mason. Marie Mason werd in maart 2008 gearresteerd nadat haar voormalige partner Frank Ambrose ging werken bij de FBI als informant. Er hing haar een levenslange gevangenisstraf boven het hoofd. Marie besloot daarom een schikking te treffen in december 2008. Deze schikking hield in dat ze schuld bekende dat ze meegedaan had met het in brand steken van een kantoor welke gelinkt was aan GMO onderzoek en voor het kapot maken van een stuk houtkap gereedschap. Ze werd in februari 2010 veroordeeld tot een gevangenisstraf van bijna 22 jaar.

Meer informatie (in het engels) over Marie is te vinden op: www.supportmariemason.org

If a tree falls: A Story of The Earth Liberation Front

In If a tree falls: A Story of The Earth Liberation Front vertelt filmmaker Marshall Curry het verhaal van het Earth Liberation Front (ELF), een groep radicale milieuactivisten die vanaf de jaren ’90 ondermeer houtzagerijen in lichterlaaie zette om oerbossen te redden. Het hoofdpersonage van de film, Daniel McGowan, werd in september 2005 gearresteerd door de FBI omdat hij betrokken was bij twee brandstichtingen in 2001. Deze campagne werd bekend onder de naam Green Scare*.

Gans de VS raakte in de ban van aanslagen van de ‘ecoterroristen’, zoals ze werden gekwalificeerd, maar over hun motieven – het alarmerende tempo waarin de oerbossen verdwijnen – was en is minder te horen in de media. Mainstream milieuorganisaties noemden de brandstichtingen in de northwest de slechts denkbare PR voor de milieubeweging. Tegelijk kreeg de ELF bijval vanuit onverwachte hoek. Van op een bergtop met zicht op verwoeste bergflanken en valleien naast stukken troosteloze bossen die wel intact gelaten zijn, vertelt Bill Barton, een man die jaren als houthakker werkte: “De industrie noemt de activisten radicaal, maar 95% van de Amerikaanse bossen worden omgehakt. Dat is radicaal.”

De filmmaker ging op zoek naar de drijfveren van Daniel McGowan en brengt dat verhaal genuanceerd. Ook slachtoffers van de branden – hoewel niemand gewond raakte, daar maakte ELF een punt van – komen aan het woord, evenals de onderzoekers van de gerechtelijke politie.

If A Tree Falls viel in de prijzen op de Sundance Film Festival 2011 en werd genomineerd voor de Oscars 2012.

* Green scare: Eind 2005 werden plotseling veel mensen opgepakt, aangeklaagd en beschuldigd van deelname aan acties van het Earth Liberation Front en/of Animal Liberation Front. Deze operatie werd door de FBI Operation Backfire genoemd, maar in de volksmond kreeg het de naam “Greenscare”, naar de heksenjacht die in de koude oorlog plaats vond, de “Red Scare” , die zoveel progressieve bewegingen de kop ingedrukt heeft. Tijdens deze avond zal er meer info & een update gegeven worden over deze Green scare.