Dear Comrades,
I was hoping I haven't been taken off the list. Maybe I wrote you all too much, huh? I hope not. I justed wanted to write what was on my mind about the system. Did I say anything wrong? Have I been taken off the list or what?
I need to know if these people are messing with my mail or not. I haven't received a paper since June/July. I have a lot of supporters and we look forward to your notes.
How many stamps we need to hussle up? Is everything alright? I'm truly devoted to you all and I'm fighting the courts tooth and nail basically for the main reason to join you all and work hard around the clock to lift up what we represent. I have no kids, no husband, no tie downs. And when I was in the game in the streets... I truly in my heart wanted to find people like you all.
The gang I was in was strong, old players in the crip world. But had nothing solid. We really stood for --the guns--our character, had no solid foundation. I fought only to survive, but I felt empty. I knew something was missing I knew I would belong to something strong, that would lift up a banner that represented more than just survival, a few dollars in my pocket and wake up.
Anyway, I hope to hear something soon. You can rest assured, I am a strong sister. In struggle.
-- A Texas Prisoner, 14 October, 1996
MIM does not stop sending MIM Notes because someone writes too much. Writing too much is not possible. We have been sending MIM Notes to you, so if you are not receiving them you are being censored by that prison. Please continue to keep in touch with MIM and tell us what is going on where you are.
--RCG1, 11Dec96
Letters of protest can be sent to the warden or mail officer: Skyview Unit, P.O. Box 999, Rusk, TX 75785
DELAWARE PRISONERS DEFEND THEIR LIVES
Dear Comrades,
Let me first apologize for not getting back with you sooner. Believe me, it had nothing to do with me forgetting about you, but rather things have just been terrible and ugly here lately. The situation is getting worse. This pigs are coming down hard on us and we have been very busy with trying to defend our Lives. In short to stay alive!
Repression and racism is what rules here and for all those who do not accept this, more repression, isolation, control units, maximum security units, brutality, transfer, trumped-up charges, more time added to your sentence, death threats or even death itself, is what awaits you. Revolutionary activism carries with it consequences and if one is not aware of this before getting involved, then he/she, is in for a rude awakening.
Nothing that happens to me, or happens around me, or anything that my "keepers" happen to do in the way of maintaining control over the downtrodden, surprises me anymore. I now know that we are dealing with a vicious, treacherous, heartless and merciless "pig" who cares little or noting about the unfortunate mass of people who are the victims of this pigs' corruptness, madness and destructiveness. To get in the business of opposing this individual, or this power elite, one must clearly understand the sacrifices and hardships that will come with this job. There is no sense in involving yourself in something that you are not willing to give up your life for. Nothing of any value, and especially freedom, comes without the strain and hard work of struggle.
At present I remain in M.S.U. (Maximum Security Unit) where me and my comrades, or in fact, everyone else as well -- Blacks, Whites, Latinos, etc.-- are the constant victims of unjustifiable and sadistic attacks by the prison officials. The conditions as well as the treatment are horrendous and inhumane. We are kept locked up twenty-three hours and fifteen minutes each and everyday. We are fed in our cells. We are kept separated from one another.
On one side of this unit the prisoners' trays are given to them under the door. Everyone else's trays are slid to them through a slot in the door. Just the other day there was and incident involving one prisoner who was being attacked by 6 or 7 solider- guards that were equipped with batons, shields, body armor, pepper gas, and so on. While this prisoner had to resort to grabbing the mop to defend himself. Because of this incident we are no longer allowed to use the broom or mop to clean our cells. What they give us now are a handbrush and a sponge. This means we have to get on our hands and knees, as well as our stomachs to clean the floor, to reach under the bed.
Yes, the shit is coming down hard on us all. From reading the MIM Notes and other revolutionary publications, I can see that the situation inside these prisons are the same all over Fascist Amerikkka. The things are becoming much worse in here and at the rate it is going, before the year 2000, we are going to see even more destructiveness taking place here. The Amerikan ruling class has no intentions of easing up or doing away with its repressive and murderous policies.
The oppression and suffering of the masses of people in Amerikkka means nothing to the powers that be if it has anything to do with the dismantling of capitalism and imperialistic hegemony. They will never willingly relinquish this dominion for the sake of sharing or distributing the wealth and power equally. They do no believe in "people's government". For them to sit down and even debate it is out of the question. Capitalism and capitalist man just do not operate on this premise.
We are just going to have to get ready for the task of marching onward to educate, unite and organize the working class, the Lumpen-Proletariat to heed the call to arms. Revolution means change, and so as it may be, Let us get on with the business of creating revolution in Fascist Amerikkka.
Please continue sending me the MIM as it is an inspirational uplift to all of us here. Very, very informative, to say the least. It works wonders with aiding us in politically educating the apolitical. Build to Win! --A Delaware Prisoner, 6 October 1996
HOLD YOUR FIRE, EDUCATE AND ORGANIZE
Comrade RAIL,
Upon receiving my first subscription of Under Lock & Key, thus your personal scribe, my interest in writing articles for MIM has grown taller than from my first inspiration.
I try not to deal with the emotional aspect of how I truly feel towards these pigs because we have the interest of the people at heart. What I mean by this is in part, of what you stated in your letter to me which read, "MIM holds that this struggle will not end until armed revolution with the help of the third world proletariat..."
I couldn't agree with you more but lets take a closer look my comrade. Do you really think that we are actually ready to go to war right now at this point in time? These pigs stay target practicing on their farms on the firing range or just straight up for hobby. How many do you know exercising the same talents on our side? Giving the benefit of the doubt, very few...
So many arms are flowing in the streets, but are being misused thus taken for granted & still who are the ones putting the arms out there? Plain insult if you ask me. The nucleus of our struggle is not just taking up the gun but learning how to use it effectively. How do you see it? Something to sit and ponder, thus scrutinize because it's real.... In struggle --A New York Prisoner, 24 October, 1996
MIM agrees that now is not the time to wage armed struggle. As you correctly argue, the other side is much more powerful militarily. MIM's line is that eventually armed revolution will be needed to overthrow the imperialists, because they will not give up power willingly. MIM also agrees that now, is the time to educate and organize ourselves for revolution. That means exposing the torturous conditions of prisons as well as the military tactics of the imperialists. --RCG1 9 December 1996
WE HAVE THE STRENGTH AND POWER OF THE PEOPLE ON OUR SIDE
MIM,
I'm writing this letter to further expound on the article written by one of my Brothers in Arms, entitled "Latinos persecuted in New York". I myself am a member of the Glorious "Almighty Latin King Queen Nation" so I feel bounded by honor to shed some further light regarding our struggle within these walls.
The reason why this rule 105.12 was brought about, was to try and stop those of us within the confines of hell from educating and manifesting the truth to our fellow Latin people. The imperialist have continually attempted to prevent any unification from formulating within these walls.
They are secretly aware that we have the strength as well as the man-power here to make changes. So every chance they get, they persecute us to discourage those who exist in a state of ignorance, if you will, from listening to our massage and coming into the light of self-realization. But the struggle continues.
For we as Kings have an obligation to break the chains of mental entrapment which many find themselves in. Whenever there is a King the light of rightness illuminates the path. We must continue to push on in the struggle against these cowards in gray, blue and green. --A New York Prisoner, 22 October 1996
DETERMINED TO USE INCARCERATION FOR REVOLUTION
Dear Comrades,
First I hope, pray and anticipate that this finds you well and strong...
To begin I am writing for I am very interested in your thoughts as I so understand them; and the reading of MIM Notes are very thought provoking and enlightening and a blessing at this stage of my development. I am writing you in hopes of acquiring any free books and literature on the principle program of MIM that would be of some viable help to me in my growth and rehabilitation. I am not at all financial secure in fact I am indigent but I am rich in my thirst for information.
Due to a lot of misinformation and a lack of working knowledge my incapacitation as a captive soul is compounded. And these imperialist, capitalists do not help prisoners' growth at all. In fact from past experience, they attempt to impede on the growth of political prisoners. I am really tired of sport, play and games of chance, therefore, I am earnestly, humbly and sincerely requesting any books for productivity. However, I would like to know more about the philosophy, creed, and objective of MIM so any information, literature, suggestions, contacts or support you can offer and indigent prisoner would help me a great deal. I am determined to use my incarceration in a manner that will arm me for revolution. But as you can imagine, I am a bit limited in what I can do on my own because of my current position. Please assist me in any way that is within your means before they begin this censoring garbage in the Mikkkigan department of Incorrection.
I thank you for your concern, time, understanding and in advance for your cooperation.
--A Michigan Prisoner, 23 October 1996
PRISONERS WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE OUTSIDE
Dear MIM,
I am writing this in regards to the subscription of ...[my fellow prisoner].... The reason I am writing this is 'cause we are currently on lockdown status and he had no postage supplies in the house when we got locked down. And he had too much money on his books to make use of the indigent postage system we have here. You've got to have $5.00 or less on your books to qualify, and I believe ...[he] ... had around $7.00. So, as it is, he's basically being held incommunicado, as most other people on this unit who are in the same situation.
He would write this himself, but the "postage police" over here try to make a major offense out of acts like that. I guess they figure that we were trying to get over on them with 38 cents or something like that. They call it abusing the indigent supply system.
Anyway, as it stands now, he's hollering across the dayroom to me, giving me the run down on what to write down. He got his second set of MIM Notes today. The September issues I believe. Also, along with it came the final notice about writing to y'all. Please, take this letter as confirmation that's he's been receiving his issues of MIM Notes, and wishes to continues receiving your newsletter, as long as possible.
We should be coming up off lockdown soon, and he says he's gonna write to y'all himself as soon as he can get his hands on some postage supplies.
Thanks a lot for your time and understanding in this matter. Sincerely,
-- A Texas Prisoner, 24 October 1996.
PRISONERS FIGHT CENSORSHIP IN AMERIKKKAN GULAGS
Greetings,
I am writing today to inform you the latest package sent to me here at the KKKamp in Pendelton, Indiana was rejected and confiscated by the staff here. If you would continue you to send them I would like to see the effort done to evaluate the consistency of this investigation of allegedly "threat to institution order", and will I'll keep you updated and/or cancel the prescription.
We all know that this oppressive struggle will only be liberated with armed combat, strong minds and God's blessings. So I salute you brothers on that end for your vigilant source of support. In any even long live life in truth.
--An Indiana Prisoner, 3 November 96
Letters of Protest can be sent to C.I.F., PO Box 601, Pendleton, IN 46064
Dear Publisher,
Enclosed you will find documents relative to the rejection of your paper, which consists of ten (10) pages.
This writer has exhausted all Administrative remedies in an effort to obtain the paper, all in vain. It's my contentions and belief that the Prison Officials are in violation of the publisher and this prisoner's First and Fourteenth Amendment Rights. As well as their own policy, which requires written notification be sent to the publisher in order to appeal the warden's decision.
The Cain case referred to in the grievance has absolutely nothing to do with communicating with a publisher, it deals with catalogs.
It is my wish to file suit in the federal court and I hope that you are able to assist with this legal matter. Thanks for you time and consideration and may I hear from you in the immediate future.
-- A Michigan Prisoner, 6 October 1996
Letters of Protest can be sent to, Ms. J. Smagacz, Mail Room Supervisor, Lakeland Correctional Facility, 141 First St, Coldwater, MI 49036
Dear MIM
I pray to the almighty father that everyone stays strong for the struggle. I enjoy the MIM Notes and I let everyone that is interested in reading them, read them.
I received all your notes and I would like to thank you. The Beast tried to take them as well as my lessons of the A.L.K.Q.N. They got a serious surprise for I fought against them all. They gave me [back] the right to receive MIM Notes.
Now they are starting some new stuff. They are saying that the Notes must come from the distributor. The Beast is complaining about the two different addresses on the envelope. He saw the article on Bill KKKlinton and said that it was cute. I said no, it's reality.
I have set a meeting with the man that runs the library to see if we can get MIM Notes in the library. Also we have a lot of Brothers that want to start a study group. I have a lot of literature on the POW's of Puerto Rico. Pedro Albizu Campos was a great leader and teacher. As well as Lolita Lebron, who on March 4, 1954, they stopped the United Snakes in making Puerto Rico a state. The Beast is always raping other peoples land. It's time to put it to a stop. I'd like to thank you for the MIM Notes and tell everyone to stay strong in the struggle.
-- A New Jersey Prisoner, 22 October, 1996.