VOICES BEHIND WALLS: ANTI-CARCERAL ART IN SWEDEN.

“We are living through hard times, and they are only getting harder. Our movements, friends, comrades, organizations, protests, neighbors and activities are falling more and more on the wrong side of law enforcement, regardless of legality or illegality. Some of us will be kidnapped by the state, to be punished for the crime of seeking justice or even basic survival… … We can neither meet this with despair, nor let the state take away our people so easily.”

Nattsvart Verkstad will hold an art show and education weekend, 20-22 September, at Cyklopen, in Högdalen, Stockholm Sweden. The event will featuring the art, literature, music, and words of imprisoned comrades. Nattsvart have worked together with an international array of anti-carceral groups to make this happen, like Free Marius Mason.

“There will be artwork from prisoners from many parts of the world, letter writing, book table, as well as panel talks and lectures on prison abolition, solidarity and how to get organised in the face of the increasingly rampant carcerality seeping into every aspect of our lives…”

Check out Nattsvart Verkstads website for more information: https://nattsvartverkstad.noblogs.org

PRESOS CASO SUSARON EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE. FOR THE COUNTLESS LIBERATIONS, SABOTAGES AND FUNDRAISING ORGANISED ON THEIR NAME – PRISONER SUPPORT.

[editor’s note: in November 2022, four anarcho-nihilist and animal liberationist individuals were thrown in jail accused of an arson attack at a meat packaging plant ‘Carnes Susaron’, Ten lorries, the administrative offices -including the safe and all their paperwork – and the actual meat factory and refrigeration systems that at the time had seven tones of flesh ready for distribution, were completely destroyed in the fire. Itamar, one of the four accused, had her trial and was sentenced to five years of intensive tag. Earlier in July, another comrade, Panda, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison. Ru and Tortuga are still locked up awaiting trial. Below is a translation of their latest communique from prison.

Please, write them a letter. You can send an email to their support team on [email protected] and they will pass on your love. ]

ENG (translation):

“For those who fight with the enthusiasm that characterizes those who oppose the current.”

Today in this cold season, still locked in this small matchbox that seeks to hide the beautiful immensity of the world, we continue to get up every morning to face the symbolic and graphic morning cold shower of dawn in prison. Washing our body and teeth, with the conviction that that routine morning dagger in the skull, cold as grief, is not something that will last for eternity.

Every morning taking a deep breath and weighing the love for our convictions, which allows us to stay alive and firm in this place built and designed to break people.

Most of those who read this communiqué will know that we were detained, as a result of the events at the headquarters of the bastard company carnes susaron, in the commune of quilicura, Santiago, Chile. In September of the year 2022.

Events that culminated in its entire block burned. Including: all its fleet of trucks, 10 to be more precise, administrative offices; together with its documentation and safe. And the central meat packing plant from where the other branches of the capital’s meat processing plant were supplied; which housed 7 tons of corpses.

Giving to the earth and the wind, a rite of fire in honor of all those lives annihilated in the name of superiority and usual human thuggery.

In addition and not less important, generating a damage of several million dollars for these despicable ones; our frank enemies.

At this time we are approaching almost 2 years of imprisonment, exactly 22 months. In which authorities have identified us as their enemies (because we are).

Extending our process of investigation and preventive imprisonment as much as possible.
At the beginning there were 4 of us detained. And a few months ago one of us, Itamar, managed to get out of prison sentenced to 5 years of intensive probation. As already reported in previous communiqués.
Remaining 3 of us in the Santiago 1 prison.

What is new in this writing is that a few weeks ago, our comrade Panda, was sentenced to 4 and a half years of effective imprisonment because of the intervention of gendarmerie through a negative report that usually and with complete arbitrariness they use to avoid the benefits and probation from the prison Santiago 1. Executed in the following days, his transfer to the prison for convicts Colina 1.

He was received there in a fraternal manner by fellow anarchists already condemned.

Rucio and Tortuga are still waiting for a new date to clarify their fate. Being constantly hindered by tedious and bureaucratic paperwork of the prison system. That always seeks to extend the stay in these human slaughterhouses, for those who declare themselves enemies of the established order and all authority.

In view of the situation where the next destinies for each one of us have been slowly being defined, we ratify more than ever our unwavering commitment to our cause, which is animal and total liberation.

There is nof freezing water, anguishing or claustrophobic afternoon, prison violence, or emotional blow for being separated from our world that makes us regret our ideas and actions.

No day that we do not inflate our chests with pride at the consequences that our decision to stop being spectators has generated around the world.

Because every action that has been dedicated to us, every greeting loaded with praxis where animals have been liberated or places sabotaged has given us the necessary fuel to continue with the same strength and pride with which we have faced this tedious process from the beginning.

That said, we call for the slogans “fire to the slaughterhouses”, “death to speciesism” and “animal liberation” to be put into practice.

As prisoners proud of our cause and ideas, that is all we ask to face this difficult cycle.
Take action!

Because time is slipping through our fingers. Every minute we rest in the calm of our leaflets, millions of animals are tortured and killed. Thousands of hectares of natural habitat are consumed and destroyed. Millions of lives (human and non-human) are cut short by the devastating machinery of capital, speciesism and authority.

We send a special and warm embrace to all the comrades who have been present in the territory and abroad. Whether with letters, drawings, propaganda, organization and attendance at fundraising event which have been essential at the time of paying for this whole process. In terms of expenses for lawyers, expert’s reports, parcels and food.
We always welcome and are grateful for any sign of solidarity that allows us to carry out this process in the best way possible.

Enormous gratitude to all of you, who have made this complex stage of our life as warriors bearable, with all the multiform and refractory solidarity mentioned above.

Let direct actions be multiplied. Sabotage, propaganda and liberations. Let words be transformed into deeds. And let those deeds speak for all those who cannot.

There is no day that we do not miss freedom, but there is also no day that we do not smile remembering the warm embrace of fire.
Because we are prisoners but they will never be able to subdue our gaze and spirit.

Fire to existence.
May every prison for humans and non-humans explode, with their jailers inside.

Don Sergio Olivares, Mónica Caballero, Marcelo Villarroel, Juan Aliste, Lucas Hernández, Aldo Hernández, Javier, Syde, Gerardo and Jordano, free them all!!!

Francisco Solar out of isolation!

Always against all authority and symbols of subjugation, and with immeasurable love:

Anarcho-nihilist vegan straight edge prisoners.
Case susaron.
Panda, Tortuga and Rucio.

C.D.P. Santiago 1.
Cárcel de cumplimiento Colina 1.
Agosto, 2024.  “

VEGAN PEREDACHKI: VEGAN AID TO PRISONERS IN RUSSIA – PRISONER SUPPORT

Vegan Peredachki (VP) is an organization that supports prisoners in so-called Russia, who have problems maintaining their veganism while in prison (and in other types of custody of the Russian state). It involves prisoners, often convicted on trumped-up charges, who have undergone torture and are in prison for long periods of time, living in appalling conditions. Among the prisoners supported by the VP are anti-fascists, anarchists, political activists, people who have criticized the Russian government in various ways. VP provides various types of support to prisoners, such as vegan food, medicines, vitamins and clothing. VP also offers moral support to prisoners in various ways. Like writing letters, and supporting their families.

VP’s operations depend on private donations, also from abroad. More information about ways to donate, and how to support prisoners in other ways, writing letters, can be found on VP’s website,

“Vegan Peredachki emerged on February 24, 2022, with a primary focus on offering aid to protesters detained overnight. Recognizing the complete absence of vegan food and essential supplies for detainees, we expanded our mission beyond protests…” .

WRITE TO MARIUS MASON

Marius Mason is an anarchist, environmental and animal rights activist currently serving nearly 22 years in federal prison for acts of property damage carried out in defense of the planet. After being threatened with a life sentence in 2009 for these acts of sabotage, he plead guilty to arson charges at a Michigan State University lab researching genetically modified organisms for Monsanto. 12 other acts of property damage were included in his plea deal. No one was physically harmed in these actions. At sentencing the judge applied a so-called “terrorism enhancement,” adding almost two years to an already extreme sentence requested by the prosecution. This is the harshest punishment of anyone convicted of environmental sabotage to date.

Marius is a multi talented artists and writes poetry as well as paintings. You can check his art here: 

https://supportmariusmason.org/art/

You should write a letter to Marius, tell him about your day, or about a walk in the woods, or whatever else. Those letters are small cracks in the prison walls that bash through repression and allow prisoners like Marius to feel the outside world.

Write a letter here: 



Marius Mason
04672-061

FMC Fort Worth
P.O. Box 15330
Fort Worth, TX 76119
USA

SOLIDARITY IS OUR BIGGEST WEAPON!

INTERNATIONAL WEEK OF SOLIDARITY WITH ANARCHIST PRISONERS 23-30 AUGUST

The international week of solidarity with anarchist prisoners is coming up, 23-30 August.

“With strength we make this call to action for a week of solidarity with anarchist prisoners. Let our words not die in our mouths but our ideas and actions be realized.

Organize solidarity events, film screenings, banner drops, discussion rounds, direct actions, radio shows, letter writings … be creative!

Let’s remember those who fought against this injustice and paid with their lives.
Let our comrades in prison not be forgotten and let’s show the warmth of solidarity! No one is free, till all are free!”

Read the whole call for 2024, check out new material (flyers in different languages), and find more info about the solidarity week, on the website: https://solidarity.international

Send info about your events and actions to: [email protected].

SIX HUNDRED POUNDS RAISED FOR THE SUSARON PRISONERS

After what feels like a lifetime we can inform you that we have sent all profits from the Susaron fundraiser to their support group. A total of £600 was raised for them thanks to everybody that donated and bought tees and tote bags.

Thank you to @krime_1 for the sick design, and thank you to Carry On Screening for printing against all odds!!!

Every parcel has been sent and they should be with you asap. Thank you all for the support, solidarity if prisoners is crucial to the struggle and you all made it possible.

If you want to support the work we do, please consider joining our patreon or sending some coins over PayPal.

Patreon.com/animalliberation

PayPal: [email protected]

WARZONE DISTRO PRODUCES AN INTERVIEW WITH THE SUSARON 4

Our comrades at Warzone Distro have produced a very nice interview with the people imprisoned for Caso Susaron.

The interview is too long for a short post, but it can be found as a reading version in the Anarchist Library, or as a print version on their website. Both links below.

Reading version:
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/warzone-distro-more-than-just-a-diet

Print version:
https://warzonedistro.noblogs.org/post/2024/07/04/more-than-just-a-diet-a-conversation-between-warzone-distro-the-susaron-4/ 


They also turned the interview we did with Sindre into a short zine, so if you want to print it out for distro tables, you can find it here:

SOLIDARITY IS OUR BIGGEST WEAPON!

JESSICA REZNICEK IS GRATEFUL FOR SUPPORT

Jessica Reznicek is a land and water defender, imprisoned since 2021, for eight years, due actions to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline.

In February the prison forced Jessica to spend about two months in disciplinary segregation.

Jessica is out of isolation since April. Jessica has recently written a public statement, in which she thanks for all support given to her, and expresses solidarity with her fellow prisoners.

Read more on our website, about how you can support, and write a letter to, Jessica:
https://unoffensiveanimal.is/prisoner-support/

SOLIDARTY IS OUR WEAPON

LEONARD PELTIER IS DENIED PAROLE AFTER 50 YEARS IN PRISON – PRISONER SUPPORT

Leonard Peltier is a native american activist, who has been locked up since 1976, sentenced to two consecutive terms of life imprisonment, for murder of two FBI agents. Leonard did not get a fair trial and he has always claimed his innocence. Leonard is 79 years old. Lately Leonard has struggled with health problems, he has diabetes and an aortic aneurysm.

Recently Leonard applied for parole. But on July 2th the US Parole Commission announced that they denied Leonard freedom. The fact that Leonard was not granted parole, and that he won’t be eligible for another parole hearing until June 2026, possible means that the last chance for him to be free, is that President Joe Biden will pardon him, so that he can be reunited with his friends and family, spending the last days of his life in freedom, outside the prison walls.

We stand in solidarity with Leonard, with love and respect for the fight that he waged and the price that he has payed. We continue to spread information about his case, and in various ways fight for a world without prisons.

Leonard has written a statement about him being denied parole:

“Greetings my Friends, Family, Loved Ones and Supporters. Hope is a hard thing here. But I always hold hope in you, My People. Pay attention. The parole decision on July 11 may show you what justice truly means to this nation and to whom it is meant for.

Living in lockdown, time has twisted into something that has nothing to do with minutes, hours or years. They have taken what little freedom I have outside this box. Art — gone. Ceremony — gone. Yet they will never take the Spirit of a Sundancer. I have never given them my integrity. I remain undestroyed.

I am counting on you if this decision does not go my way. I always need your prayers. I need you to demand that this country finally commit one act of Justice. My attorney assures me the battle is not over until it is over — she will not back down. I am counting on you not to back down. My time is running out here, with no medical care. I do not fear death, returning to Mother Earth’s womb, but I do not want to die in lockdown.

In my solitude, my mind often returns to Raymond Yellow Thunder. The profound tragedy of Raymond’s murder sparked change in our people and showed them who the American Indian Movement is.

Raymond was a hard-working man. When he came into town to give money to his sisters, it was not enough for the Hare brothers to humiliate Raymond, strip him and parade him around an American Legion Dance.

Raymond was shoved into the trunk of a car and died the next day. The Hare brothers were charged with second-degree manslaughter and released with no bail. [The Hare brothers were arrested as the primary assailants of Raymond Yellow Thunder, a member of the Oglala Nation, who died from his injuries in February 1972, in Gordon, Nebraska. (Lakota Times, Feb. 23, 2017.)]

Raymond’s sisters were distraught that even that small charge may not stick. The authorities would not release the autopsy report. They would not allow Raymond’s sisters to see his body. The sisters sought help from the BIA [Bureau of Indian Affairs], the Tribal government and private attorneys.

In desperation, they turned to the American Indian Movement. AIM members are Spirit Warriors, not merciless savages. We organized 200 carloads of people and demanded justice. With dignity, we demanded justice. Sheriff’s deputies, state troopers and FBI agents agreed that serious charges should be filed against the Hares and that the local police chief should be dismissed.

Indigenous people started holding their heads up after that victory. They started speaking out against abuses by the BIA and Tribal government and white ranchers profiting off their land. We must not allow Raymond’s fate to befall others.

My mother used to ask with dismay, “Why is it so bad to be Indian?” I find myself wondering why they hate us so. We will triumph over the misguided hate of others. Never, ever, forget who you are. We are the First People.

Mother Earth herself fires the blood that runs through our veins. Protect each other, protect Mother Earth for future generations, and stand with oppressed peoples everywhere. Remember that true strength does not reside in holding power over others. Strength comes from living out of a place of humility and integrity, inspiring others to find their unique strengths.

Oppression is rising, running like black mold through every facet of society. We must stand together and let society know that Indigenous lives are not cheap. The lives of our oppressed brothers and sisters are not cheap. All people are worthy of basic human dignity. Colonialism has all but destroyed us. We must do nothing less than transform society into a place where human beings are not disposable.

Do not weep if I am not granted parole. Cry freedom. Coalesce yourselves, galvanize your relationships, establish alliances.

In the power of our people we find strength. Hold your head up high. It is not over, until it is over.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse. Doksha,

Leonard Peltier”

Read more about Leonard, how you can support, write letters to, him. https://unoffensiveanimal.is/prisoner-support/

LOVE AND RAGE

INTERVIEW WITH SINDRE, LOCKED UP INDEFINITELY FOR ACTIONS AGAINST A MINK FARMER.

We got the chance to speak to Sindre, a Swedish animal liberation activist, locked up in prison indefinitely. (Check out our website for more information, about Sindres case, and how to write to him)

  • Sindre, could you to tell us something about yourself, a brief background?
    I am 22 years old and come from a small Swedish town. Thanks to my parents being lacto ovo vegetarians, I was born into vegetarianism, with a passion for animal rights and when I got older veganism and the fight for animal liberation came naturally. I have now been vegan for about six years. In several ways I have been active for the animals through both direct actions, as well as above ground activism and demonstrations within the organisation Djurfront. I love animals, books, black metal and video games.
  • Anything you want to tell us about your trial? Why you are in prison, and how long you been there, will be there?
    After threatening a mink farmer, I was charged with unlawful threats and attempted assault and summoned to a trial as well as talks with the correctional service to make an evaluation regarding the appropriate punishment. They considered that I needed to perform a psychiatric examination, which indicated a serious mental disorder. An opinion I do not share.
    Then I was sentenced to forensic psychiatric care by the court, which denied my lawyer’s request for a new examination, and I was unexpectedly detained in the middle of the work week, which complicated everything enormously. No reason for the detention other than that there was a risk of new crimes was given. I was detained for three months before I ended up in the psychiatric hospital, in total I have been detained for about nine months now. It is an indefinite period, so unfortunately I have no idea how long I will have to be locked up.
  • How are you doing at the moment?
    I’m fine under the circumstances, but it’s terrible to live trapped with people you don’t know, with staff and rules, to lack self-determination over your everyday life.
  • Anything you want to tell us about the conditions in prison? What does a day look like for you?
    A day usually looks like this. I wake up at 8:00 for breakfast which lasts until 08:30, and after that no food is served, so it’s important that I wake up. Then I take care of my hygiene, shower and brush my teeth. After that, it is usually time to go to the activity center where various activities such as sports, crafts and the like are offered. After that, I usually take a walk on the walking area, which is a footpath outside the rest yards where you can have the privilege of walking without staff during certain times. After that, it’s usually bedtime around 9:00 PM after supper at 5:30 PM. I also read a lot of books during the days when I’m not walking or at the activity center. This is what a day looks like.
  • We heard that you have been permitted to leave the prison, sleep at home sometimes. How does it feel?
    It feels wonderful to come home and see my family and the animal family members who live with us. A moment of freedom.
  • Have you received any support from outside the prison, and what does that mean for you?
    I have received support from my wonderful family and from my wonderful comrades who sent letters already in custody and showed that I was not alone. Since then, my family has visited me regularly and brought things that I need. My comrades have organized so that I received support via letters from all over Europe. I couldn’t be more grateful for all the support.
  • Is there something you need that comrades can help you with?
    Since my finances are arranged through savings and sickness benefit it is probably only mail which would be nice if it continued to come as I feel much less alone in the fight for the liberation of animals.
  • What do you want to do when you are released?
    When I get released, I want to spend as much time as possible with my family and my best friend, a pit bull mix guy named Kenzo. And continue to fight for the animals in every way I can.
  • Are there anything you want to bring up that we forgot to ask?
    No, it’s fine. (I hope my answers were not too long)
    UNTIL ALL ARE FREE