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Anarchist Black Cross vilified as terrorist organisation

Anarchists | 17.04.2007 07:40 | Repression | World

UK State attempts to keep John Bowden behind bars

Urgent: From Leeds ABC, 15th April 2007

John Bowden is a long-term prison resister who has spent most of his life behind bars, including 25 years of a 'Life' sentence. After being moved to 'open' conditions last year, and being let out for fortnightly home-leaves, the indications were that John would be released on licence this June. However, as John predicted in his recent pamphlet 'Tear Down The Walls':


"I'm sure the system was hopeful that I would not survive my term of life imprisonment, and indeed inflicted such treatment on me over the years that survival was unlikely. I'm sure too that it's intention now is to prevent my release for as long as possible; Few lifers are released unbroken or at least severely diminished in terms of their ability to ever again defy the system."


In the past the weapons John has faced are the boots and fists of prison guards, years of isolation, constant transfers, treatment often amounting to torture. Now, as John should be preparing for release, he faces the lies and calumnies of a right-wing prison social-worker. This individual, Matt Stillman is attempting to block John's release by highlighting his contact with the Anarchist Black Cross, and vilifying it as a terrorist organisation. In an official report, dated 12th March 2007, Stillman states:


"Bowden has written for a self-proclaimed anarchist website called ABC Brighton, and says he supports many of their ideals and actions. A review of this website brings into question the nature of this group. The members of this group appear to be primarily eco-terrorists or para-military members involved in what they see as battles against political systems and principles.


"In a previous report from HMP Edinburgh it was reported that Bowden had received visits from people involved in terrorism."


This statement is quite clearly not only an attack on John Bowden, but a vicious smear, without any foundation whatsoever against a legitimate prisoner support organisation. To characterise the ABC as "para-military" or "eco-terrorist" is quite simply the basest of lies, and something that needs to be strongly challenged. The visit Stillman refers to was a visit to John by two members of Brighton ABC. John Bowden has been supported by the ABC for many years, and we will continue to support him to the best of our ability.


The Parole Board will sit on John's case in just two week's time. Therefore, please write urgently to:


Matt Stillman, H M Prison Castle Huntly, Longforgan, Dundee, DD2 5HL, Scotland.
Fax (FAO Matt Stillman): 01382 360510


The Parole Board for England and Wales, Grenadier House, 99-105 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2DD, England.
Fax - 020 7217 0118


You can e-mail the Chairman of the Parole Board, Duncan Nichol at:  duncan.nichol@paroleboard.gov.uk


Send letters/cards of support to John Bowden at the following address (if possible please enclose a few stamps):
John Bowden, 6729, H M Prison Castle Huntly, Longforgan, Dundee, DD2 5HL, Scotland.


"For having stood up to and resisted unlawful and inhuman treatment in prison, and retained some basic human integrity and humanity in the process, I probably shall now remain imprisoned far beyond what even a reactionary judge deemed an appropriate period of time all those years ago. Hell will freeze over, however, before I surrender that part of myself that had the courage and integrity to fight back and resist when resistance often seemed futile."


John Bowden (from Tear Down The Walls, available from Leeds ABC.)


Please circulate as widely as possible.


LEEDS ABC, PO BOX 53, LEEDS, LS8 4WP. ENGLAND.





Down with the prison walls!

Anarchists
- e-mail: LeedsABC(-at-)riseup.net
- Homepage: http://www.myspace.com/leedsabc

Comments

Hide the following 8 comments

John Bowden Ghosted

19.04.2007 17:19

The long-standing campaign of harrassment against John Bowden continues, with John now having been 'ghosted' back to closed conditions at HMP Glenochil. He is in urgent need of support and solidarity. Please write, enclosing postal orders and/or stamps if possible, to John Bowden, 6729, HMP Glenochil, King O' Muir Road, Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, FK10 3AD, Scotland. More information will be posted about John's situation as and when available.

Leeds ABC


The truth?

06.05.2007 01:05

"John Bowden was a young man living in Southern London. Along with two alcoholic friends, Bowden harassed many young women. After long months of bothering
young women, Bowden moved onto murder.

Donald Ryan was lured to Bowden's apartment. When he arrived he was hit over the head with a machete. Ryan then was pushed into a bath tub filled wiht scalding
hot water, it was then when Ryan fainted. At this point Bowden carried Ryan into his bedroom. Bowden then used a machete, a saw, and an electric carving
knife. First, Ryan's arms were severed, then his legs. Finally, he was decapitated.

The body was discarded the body in the streets of South London, except for the head. Bowden kept the head in his refrigerator. He later dumped the head
in a dustbin, where it was found by dustmen.

After finding the head, the police were notified. The police later picked up Bowden in his home. He was sentenced for a minimum of twenty five years in
jail."

The same as

"More than a quarter of a Century ago, John Bowden, then a young man, who had already spent most of his life in the “care” of the State, committed what might
be characterised as a ‘stupid, drunken, murder’."

If the former is an acurate representation, the writers of the Indymedia artical quoted above, can go fuck themselves. What an utterly distorting, propergandest load of shit.

That's you.
 LeedsABC@riseup.net

xenon


What would you know about the truth?

08.05.2007 07:56

What would you know about the truth you worthless trolling cunt? John Bowden, who you are spreading lies about all over the internet, is worth 10 of you. I just wish there was more room in my fridge.

Support John Bowden


Troll

08.05.2007 08:40

Xenon - You have taken a pack of lies and posted it here to undermine support for someone being kept in jail for their politics. You have been doing this under various different names all over the internet. It isn't hard to see your agenda. What are you some bitter disgruntled screw? Or you just some sad idiot who couldn't tell the truth from a tulip?

Anarchist


THE TRUTH

08.05.2007 08:56


There isn't half some bollocks on here! Where do you get this stuff?! John Bowden, 'Ginger' as he was known back then, killed Don Ryan after a row over a game of cards were knives were pulled. It happened in Shirley Brindle's flat in Camberwell. They were all pissed (the others were Dave Beyley and Mick Ward) and after Ryan was killed they had to get rid of his body, so thats why it was cut up. The head was the hardest thing to get rid of because obviously Ryan could be easily identified with it. John Bowden may have just been a drunken young thug back then at the end of the 70s, but he has won a lot of respect from other cons over the years. Like Harry Roberts it is long overdue that he was released.

...


john bowden is now a political hostage

10.05.2007 10:27

the fact is john was in an open prison, and got sent back not cos he broke any rules, but cos he stuck by his politics.

it ain't a fkn police state yet. u can still think for yourself.

michelle


So how did the Demo go?

25.05.2007 22:24

No Doubt John will Write and let me know in a few days. it's just a shame i could'nt make it.

Yes he committed a despicable crime but 25 years served seems long enough.

So he Cut the body up. I agree wuth an above post that he was trying to get rid of the body, and smaller pieces would be the best way to go if you needed to get rid of the evidence.

Lets nto forget what this is about though. John was already on day and home release and in an open prison. Its this link to a "terrorist" group which is keeping him locked away now.

It's a piss poor excuse and I feel deeply saddened and sorry that he is not being released I expect the parents of his victim would be very happy at this news unless they agree too that 25 years is time enough for some one to realise what a major lack of control on that terrible night caused. maybe they even forgive john after all this time who know's.

As I have stated in other forums (to try to spread awareness) I do think that John should be released and I know he is deeply regretfull and constantly feels regret for his act or taking a life.

But he has served the 25 years he was given for this crime. if we are to believe that prisons can reform people and then the prison service personal decided john was fit for day release and to take on work and be qualified in teaching and also be allowed to visit his wife then what has gone wrong.

Can the words of one man this social worker who wrote the report in question really succeed in seeing john locked up for the rest of his life. or can the words of many who feel that he has served his prescribed term fight and be successfull in helping him gain release?.


I dont know. I would like to think the words of many but I think this "terrorist" accusation is a nail in the coffin. It's dispicable and should be protested against..

FREE JOHN BOWDEN

Ricardo bowden


I support John Bowden

29.05.2007 10:44

I have been actively involved in prisoner support for some time and have to hesitation in supporting John Bowden at this time an dhave written accordingly to the relavent bodies - having visited ABC Brighton and Leeds several times i in no way accept that they are anything other than legitimate prisoner support sites and i would wish to be known as being shoulder to shoulder with john (who I've corresponded with) and all who truly support him

George Coombs
mail e-mail: georgecmbs@aol.com