Please attend this Friday's demonstration in Edinburgh in support of John Bowden - 2.00pm outside the Scottish Parliament. Bring placards and banners. If you are unable to attend you can still help. Around the world supporters will be expressing their solidarity.

HANDS OFF JOHN BOWDEN!
STOP THE HARRASSMENT

John Bowden is a long-term prisoner who, until very recently, after over 25 years in jail, was in an open prison at Castle Huntly. John has spent two years working unsupervised in the outside community as a volunteer on projects for the mentally ill and socially vulnerable, and has qualified as a literacy tutor for people with learning difficulties. For almost a year he has also been allowed frequent home leaves, he was not regarded as any form of risk to the public.

All this has recently changed though after a right-wing American social-worker accused John Bowden of having links with a ‘paramilitary’ and ‘terrorist’ organisation. This is a base and easily refuted lie. WE are the so-called ‘terrorists’, John’s friends and supporters within the Anarchist Black Cross, an entirely legitimate and perfectly legal prisoner support organisation that can trace its history back to Tsarist Russia.

John Bowden is now being punished for challenging these lies. He has been moved to ‘closed conditions’ at HMP Glenochil, and damaging allegations hang over him, which we believe are specifically designed to prejudice the parole board and prevent his release.

The Scottish Prison Service has to take responsibility for this matter, with the eyes of the world watching, it cannot continue to cover it up and bury John Bowden in maximum-security conditions. We demand a full and swift investigation and an apology for the lies that have been told.

Find out more at: www.myspace.com/friendsofjohnbowden

Send a postcard reading ‘Hands Off John Bowden!’ to Scottish Prison Service HQ, Communications Branch, Room 338, Calton House, 5 Redheughs Rigg, Edinburgh, EH12 9HW. You can also e-mail them at  gaolinfo@sps.gov.uk Phone them on 01259 760471. Or fax them at 01259 762003.

Write to Glenochil prison, where John is being held: Audrey Parks, Governor, HMP Glenochil, King O' Muir Road, Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, FK10 3AD. Telephone: 01259 760471. Fax: 01259 762003.

Complain to the Care Commission about the lies being told by Matt Stillman, who is employed by Perthshire Social Services: The Care Commission, Headquarters, Compass House, 11 Riverside Drive, Dundee, DD1 4NY. Telephone: 01382 207100. Fax: 01382 207289.

Send John a card or letter of support: John Bowden, 6729, HMP Glenochil, King O' Muir Road, Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, FK10 3AD.