I am sitting here reading the July 20, 1997 of a Revolutionary Worker. And as I read about the struggles of my brother Geronimo Ji Jaga -- something he stated in which he asked the people, took me with such force and emotion that I have to ask the same question -- "Why isn't there a state of emergency right now?" Yes! Our Black Nation of children is being locked up under this white man's Amerikkka system of injustice; and the People are sitting around like a bunch of punks while this great injustice continues.
... I welcome any and all responses from the readers out there. My intention is to build dialog on this subject that we can unite together and start doing something about this great injustice. I have done my part holding myself responsible for the crimes I have committed against myself and my people out of my ignorance. I have gone one step further by starting a non-profit organization/corporation for our children. Now I need help from my brothers and sisters in Michigan and across the states to help me build my programs up for the children. I need people to give their time and experiences to the cause and struggle we all face in the threat to our children's future.
... I am sick and tired of their lies and injustice and that I've committed the rest of my life to expose and do something about their evil and wicked injustice. Every conscious person in Amerikkka of color should be organizing to stop prison incarceration of our men, women, and children. White America is making a profit off of our oppression and imprisonment. It's SLAVERY on a new level. Until the next time, I am forever raising to struggle in unity with all my brothers of struggle of all colors.
-- A Michigan Prisoner
MIM RESPONDS: The imperialists declare a state of emergency when the masses are organized in rebellion. The masses in the United Snakes do not yet have sufficient political and ideological unity to pose a strong, organized threat to the imperialists.
But MIM does argue that World War Three -- the war of the imperialists against the oppressed nations - - is ongoing. In the United Snakes, this war is being carried out in part through the proliferation of prisons, and the militarization of the oppressed nation territories with more police. Maoists maintain that the contradiction between imperialism and oppressed nations is principal.
Part of building the solid foundations for a successful attack against the white settler nation, and national liberation in general, is to build political unity through struggle. You mentioned that you read about Pratt in the RCP's Revolutionary Worker.
First, remember that there are people organizing on the outside to rewrite the history of the Black Panther Party. These revisionists portray the Panthers as reformist charity workers -- rather than the Maoist, proletarian revolutionary nationalists and internationalists that they were in their years as vanguard of the Black nation in the late 1960 and early 1970s.
We strongly suggest starting a study group with prisoners to understand the history and legacy of the Maoists of the 1960s and 1970s -- namely the Black Panther Party, the Puerto Rican Revolutionary Workers Organization/Young Lords Party. MIM has a free revolutionary Books for Prisoners Serve the People Program which can help you set up prisoners with relevant reading materials.
Second, we strongly encourage you to study the differences between the RCP and MIM. For starters, check out MIM Theory 1 and 11, which focus on the white labor aristocracy and the material interests of the white nation in Amerika. MIM argues that the white working class is not revolutionary at this time and in fact benefits from imperialism and settler nation colonialism. We argue that it is necessary to end the flow of super-profits which benefit not only the imperialists, but also the labor aristocracy.
This is the path through which the masses will achieve national liberation -- a claim the RCP denies in favor of an opportunistic integrationist line that panders to the majority of settler Amerika. By contrast, MIM and RAIL work toward genuine national liberation -- struggling without compromise against imperialism and against the integrationist line as one component of the system of oppression.
TOBACCO BAN CREATES TENSION
... I am writing to inform MIM that the racist prisonkrats have taken away the tobacco from all the inmates and staff here a Pendleton.
We are currently on a 30 day institutional lockdown because the new warden got scared that a major uprising was about to occur after all the inmates walked off their jobs Oct 15, 1997.
I don't know what's going on in their minds but right now everything here at P-Town is very shaky. Official are scared and in turn many prisoners are paying the price.
I don't know why they've taken all of the tobacco products but something's got to be done before someone's really hurt. Offenders are extremely violent right now. Some are even scared for their own lives. You should see the tension here not to mention the extortion. A can of tobacco, 1 buglar regularly $3.30 is now going for $150.00 - $200.00 dollars.
If they've ever done anything to oppress the people and upset the staff this is it. Could you please give some advice?
-- an Indiana Prisoner, 19 October 1997
MIM RESPONDS: The entire prison system is a tool to perpetuate oppression and social control. To further control prisoners, prisoncrats implement policies which restrict privileges. Smoking stinks and kills, but prisoncrats are not attempting to help prisoners kick addictions, they are exerting control to anger prisoners and instigate fighting between prisoners.
We encourage you to organize others to study Maoism and to develop support for genuine anti-imperialism. Studying Maoism will show that under socialism, the prison system is used to truly make society better, it is not used to oppress.
Likewise, when the people have the power, capitalists are no longer allowed to create industries which profit off deaths of the people. Socialist revolution will smash the economic basis for such death industries and the power of the people under socialism will help to eradicate addiction. Under socialism, the people are encouraged to kick addictions for the betterment of themselves and society. China was able to smash addictions by creating a productive society in which the people's needs were met and participation and creativity were promoted.
Until the people smash Amerikan domination, MIM and RAIL work with comrades to kick addictions, though on a limited basis at this stage. We direct comrades to use their time and money to promote revolution and engage in productive mass work.
We urge you to struggle with other prisoners to develop the understanding that the target is imperialism and white settler nation domination, not one another. Ask other prisoners to write about the lockdown. Prisoners' articles which expose the pigs' justifications for lockdown and the conditions under lockdown will help to educate people on the outside. Urge other prisoners to use their creativity in organizing the people to smash oppression.
HERB LAWSUIT UPDATE
The Arizona Prison officials are not allowing members of First Nations to use specific herbs in their ceremonies. For more information about the below see MIM Notes Issue #146.
... Well I guess the suit of the herbs is coming along slow. We still need money and information to show that cedar, sage, and sweetgrass are not in any way toxic. We know they aren't but the pigs ain't going to hear us. They like fucking with us skins. If any readers have information of the importance of these herbs and on the non-toxic smoke, please send typed notarized statements to: [Send to MIM, we'll forward to this prisoner].
-- An Arizona Prisoner, 16 October 1997
HIS NAME WAS BREEDLOVE, MAY HE REST IN PIECE
One April 28, 1997, I was awakened from sleep by the constant sounds of c/o's [correctional officers] attempting to awake Prisoner Breedlove. The c/o's failed, which resulted in the shift supervisor entering Breedlove's cell, in an attempt to get physical movement from him.
This unsuccessful attempt brought the supervisor to call the medical department. Approximately 10 minutes later, medical personnel arrived to the unit with a stretcher. As they exited, Breedlove appeared to me, not to be moving, breathing, nothing.
Approximately 30 minutes later, a c/o entered the unit with yellow crime scene tape and places it across Breedlove's cell. ... it was obvious to conclude that Breedlove had passed on...
Since April 18, 1997, Breedlove complained of lightheadedness, nausea, stomach pains, and throwing up - all resulted in no professional response from staff. ...On April 28, 1997, Inmate Breedlove died as the result of the system of [the] neglectful state whose employees strive (past and present), using their oppressive, suppressive and repressive method toward mental and physical destruction of the inmates who occupy the $tate run dungeons.
I personally did not know Breedlove, but we did share on thing in common. We were both locked up and witnessed the atrocities going on within Northern Correctional Institution's walls. And then Breedlove feel victim to the cruelty. I witnessed the sounds of cries, coming from the mouths of Breedlove, Brothers, people, boys. Those shedding tears in frustration and rage. Hardened individuals praying to false gods to open these cells. Knowing if that false god sprung those cells, the c/o's on the tier would go straight to hell.
Four months later, Breedlove is not forgotten. There is not a day that goes by that I wonder when it is gonna happen to me. And [you] can't tell me others don't think this way. How hard can it be to kill us off? Shit, we're locked in a cell. They can mess with the food, mess with the air vents, etc. Northern C. I. is the only Connecticut SuperMax, which opened in 1995. We're locked down 23 hours a day, [recreation] in full restraints (leg, hands behind back) and we shower ... in full restraints. Those who want to shower.
Well, Breedlove, you're not suffering any more. These devils can't mess with you. You take it easy and R.I.P.
"All men must die, but death can vary in significance."
-- A Connecticut Prisoner, 28 August 1997
THREE YEARS OF DENIED CARE
... About 3 years ago, i was infected with a fungus that infected 3 of my finger nails to the point where the nail have been infected into the core and are rotten with a green and black discoloration. There are two reasons why i need legal support: 1) Because of the cause of the infections. 2) Because medical staff willfully and deliberately denied me treatment.
(1) THE CAUSE OF THE INFECTION
Because of my struggle, my political stand against The System, I have been oppressed with every method and tactic by these corrupted servants of the system. They have used every measure to break me, and if physically necessary destroy me through various means.
One example is the physical break down of my health and hygiene. After an inmate's spirit has been broken, the inmate could result to stooping down so low by playing with his own feces. Thereby spreading his feces all over his cell: on the walls, door, window, air vent, heat vent and the floor.
After this sick deed was done the wicked prison staff removed the inmate from the cell. And for retaliation purposes against me they would move me into the cell with the stinky, nasty smell of feces smeared everywhere! Thereby forcing me to live under unsanitary health hazard conditions. Refusing me sanitary cleaning supplies. Causing me to live like this or to clean up another mans stink, with no gloves, no supplies, nothing. My requests for such supplies were constantly denied. Therefore i had no choice but to clean it up, as i was only able. As a result, i became infected with fungus of the fingernails.
CAUSE (2): The willful and Deliberate Denial of Medical Treatment. For the last 3 years, I have been infected with this fungus. Medical staff joined the wicked servants of the (MDOC) to further oppress me by denying me treatment. Only very little but inadequate and ineffective treatment was provided in the early stages. For the last full calendar year no treatment whatsoever has been provided.
The fungus has rotted way into the core of my nails. Medical staff have falsified my medical files and made it clear to me that they will not give me any treatment. I have written letters and grievances all the way to the MDOC director's office in lansing, michigan. But all of my complaints and requests were denied. I have copies and return responses of medical kites, grievances.
I don't know anything about litigating my lawsuit. i'm poor, and don't have any money or family support to afford a lawyer. Everyday, i am forced to live with this fungus infection, with not way of treating it. Because these devils are doing their best to make sure i don't get any treatment.
They think I will never have the proper support i need to sue them and put each and everyone of them out of work. That's what the devils do best: Take advantage of the helpless and support-less. But i never fail to pray everyday that some day support and help will come my way. ...
-- A Michigan Prisoner, 29 July 1997
"LOCK 'EM UP" ADVOCATE GETS A TASTE
Just a succinct letter apprising you that the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADOC), had been allowing your periodicals in with no problems, and I have been promptly receiving them. Ever since I filed that suit and won, they have given me your publication. Though the case did not go to court, the authorities conceded and gave me the periodical. That is all I basically requested in the suit. I did not ask for financial compensation.
I did suffer some repercussions behind the suit but the repercussions are hard to prove. I did not pursue a retaliatory suit. Now I'm in a different prison and they have not bothered me, yet. I put nothing past ADOC.
A couple of weeks ago Fife Symington, former Governor of Arizona, was found guilty of seven criminal counts. He stepped down from his position and will be sentenced on November 10th of this year, supposedly. While it is unfortunate that anyone must come to prison, the prisoners of Arizona are ecstatic over Symington's demise and look at as a sort of poetic justice.
Here is an ex-governor whose advocacy of locking them up, taking everything away from them while they are in prison, and throwing away the key, will be going to prison. The unjust ramifications of his conviction are: (1) He gets to take an extensive vacation before sentencing (money). (2) He will not go to a federal penitentiary or federal correctional institution but probably a federal camp. The exclusiveness of the camp will not privy him to a true prison experience like the one he advocates. (3) He will probably get less time than I did ... even though he stole over 25 million dollars. (4) Though he has been replaced, things remain the same and will probably continue to get worse as they did under Symington.
I did not include my sentence for sympathy, I am just using it as a comparative point. I did not steal millions but was caught with millions in contraband. ...
Don't think I condone my former line of work. I don't. I did not need to sell drugs. I am a college graduate who was about to procure a Master's. I was just not enthusiastic about working nine to five making someone else rich. So I threw the karmic dice and lost. I thought I had an agenda, which if correctly implemented, I could have provided for my family until my death.
Anyway, Symington threw the dice and lost but in the end he still wins...
-- An Arizona Prisoner, 13 September 1997
MIM RESPONDS: Congratulations on your censorship victory and thank you for your continuing coverage of Fife Symington.
While, it is true that Symington is a criminal, just because he is being charged with crimes does not mean that the Amerikan Injustice system goes after all or even a significant section of imperialist criminals. Even if he were sent to a federal penitentiary, his conviction in no way vindicates the Amerikan system.
It may be gratifying to see him get a small taste of his own medicine, but we agree with your assessment that things will not change after his conviction. He will only be replaced by another imperialist who will continue to oppress the masses. This is proof that revolutionary work is essential and that reforms or targeting of one or two imperialist crimes is not going to serve the interests of the masses.
With regard to the rest of your letter, MIM discourages people from selling drugs because it is harmful to the masses and distracts people from the revolution. We also struggle against individuals committing illegal acts because we need revolutionaries on the outside, not under direct control of the pigs. Selling drugs can be profitable, but as with other ventures under the current system, profits are made off the backs of the masses. Instead, it is much more valuable to build Maoist revolution and people's liberation.
UNRELENTING ABUSE AT GULF
I am an incarcerated inmate at Gulf Correctional Institution in Florida. Inmates are being abused and our mail is being discarded and no one is concerned. I have written DOC, Fed's and the Civil Rights Justice division in Miami, Florida and received no reply or assistance.
I have been physically abused by an officer here. Other inmates here have been and are still being abused as well.
I was just introduced to an old issue of "Under Lock & Key" and decided to write this brief notation so is could be printed. The untold story is as cruel as they come, and it's really ruff in the Gulf. A little assistance would be a great deal of help to us abused inmates that have none at all. Where is the justice when the law is being broken by their own kind? They make it so they can brake it, until the right assistance comes along.
-- A Florida Prisoner, 12 October 1997
DENIED MEDICATION IN MISSOURI
I am your comrade in the struggle against imperialism. I am writing you in regards to my plight here at the Cross Roads Prison Facility. I am suffering from a lack of medical attention. I am being denied my high blood pressure medication which was prescribed for me at another prison unit. My medical situation is such that if I miss taking my medication for a long period of time it is a possibility that I will suffer kidney failure, have a stroke, or heart attack.
I've not had my medication in 18 days and I am vomiting blood. I also saw traces of blood in my urine and defecation. I can not file a prison grievance because the warden of this prison unit does not allow the prisoner in administrative segregation to have grievance forms.
I am not allowed ink pens, writing paper, or envelopes to write the courts. I am not allowed to have stamps or access to any legal material. I am not allowed to have any law books or assistance from any paralegal. I was fortunate to borrow this ink pen and paper from a prison guard who sympathized with my conditions.
I have civil rights complaint already prepared for the courts, but my problem now is purchasing stamps and envelopes. I am not allowed to purchase the things from the prison canteen that I need to contact a judge or magistrate.
I need some outside support in dealing with this issue. My voice alone will never be heard by the medical staff or prison personnel. These are the people who need to be contacted:
Dona Schrino, Prison Director, Missouri Department of Corrections, 2729 Plaza Drive, PO Box 236, Jefferson City, MO 65102, phone: (314) 751-2851
Governor Moe Cornahan, State Capital Building, Jefferson City, MO 65102 phone (314) 751-3222
-- A Missouri Prisoner, 15 September 1997
PEPPER SPRAY ATTACK
I am a Prisoner in the Texas Penitentiary. Several months ago I was assaulted by an officer on another unit for refusing to house in a dorm with other inmates. What I mean by assaulted, I was sprayed with pepper gas four times, covering most of my body. Then carried to the dorm where I refused to go. The reason I refused is because I am a minimum-security inmate and the dorm I was in was assigned to all medium security inmates.
What is so sad about the whole thing, is the officers had the balls to video tape the whole thing. One officer spraying me with the chemical agent and three more in full riot gear escorting me to the medium custody dorm.
Needless to say I was moved from that unit. I've filed several grievances. Internal Affairs is supposed to be investigating the matter. It's been nine months now and no answer. I've also filed a federal lawsuit. But I'm not too good with civil action suits....
-- A Texas Prisoner, 18 October 1997
BRUTAL SHOWER ATTACK
... I am a Prisoner of War her in one of the many Texas prisons, called the "Wynne Unit". Since I've been kidnapped from society and brought through this racial judicial system, I have witnessed and fell victim to some of the atrocious ways of these korrectional officers, in both mental and physical aspects.
On March 5, 1995, I was being escorted from a shower by two Ad Seg [Administrative Segregation] Officers (Ricky Nelson Timothy Skeide). And for no apparent reason at all, Officer Nelson grabbed me from behind and threw me to the ground and I was then physically assaulted!
So, as usual, I was given a major case (disciplinary report) for "threatening" an officer, placed on level III and I lost good time credits. But to my surprise, another officer (Co. III P. Perry) had written a statement on my behalf stating that officer Nelson has planned to "slam" me when I returned from the shower. And that she witnessed the entire incident.
But nevertheless, I was still found guilty at the disciplinary hearing by Captain Boyd. Even though I had an officer speaking of my innocence! This is just an example of the true meaning of the Texas Department of Criminal Just-Us System!
-- A Texas Prisoner, 15 October 1997