Anarchists and the Prison Issue

by Ali Khalid Abdullah

 

 

Many, many people are incarcerated, especially here in Amerikkka. There are close to or over two million people in prison, jails or juvenile facili­ties. Disproportionately, the vast majority of these people are people of color, mainly Black and Latino. There are many professed Anarchist/anti­authoritarians who aren't reaching inside these prisons to either work with us known anarchists or to establish ties with politically active/conscious prisoners so they can be utilized in the struggle. This is sad. A sad statement, yet one which is true and must be discussed openly if we are to change our present day thinking. There are Anarchist prisoners scattered all over the world who aren't getting the real support they need. This says much about where we are headed as Anarchist anti-authoritarians.

In Spain, there are many Anarchists languishing in prisons under to­tally inhumane conditions. These brave and dedicated prisoners are staging hunger strikes and open rebellious protests hoping to draw the attention of An­archists globally. Are you listening?

In Germany, we have an anarchist comrade, Thomas Meyer Falk, who is in total isolation. Living in a cold, damp prison cell. He needs help. Is the Global Anarchist Community listening?

In Italy, Anarchists are repressed and arrested for all manner of trumped up charges... Is the Global Anarchist Community listening?

In Mexico, Anarchist students are protesting the government's attempt to privatize education - are you listening? In Poland, the Czech Republic, Aus­tria, and, and, and - Anarchists are subject to brutality, murder, beatings, incar­cerations... Are you listening to those of us who languish in prisons and jails still believing in the spirit of Anarchy yet getting little to no support? It is vital that the Anarchist Collective World Wide begins to make the words anarchy and anti-authority mean what they say by action. But again I say, this move­ment cannot and will not be totally effective until the overall Anarchist Collec­tive includes, endorses and has more people of color deeply involved. Anar­chists must reach out to the people needing the most help and work diligently with them.

Prisoners