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Support Our Six Proud Antifascists

Leeds Anarchist Black Cross | 10.07.2011 13:19 | Anti-racism | Repression | Sheffield | World

“Knowing there’s guys and girls like you on the outside supporting us makes such a difference...It’s really nice not to be forgotten and I’ll be eternally grateful to everyone.” – Ravi Gill



Leeds ABC are an experienced prisoner support group, but with six of our close friends and comrades sent to jail recently, fitted-up for being antifascists, it’s been a stressful time for us. Unfortunately most of the stress has not come from building an effective solidarity campaign for our imprisoned comrades, but from fighting a rear-guard action against those trying to prevent that support. This has wasted a huge amount of time, energy, and personal resources, all of which could have been better spent supporting our prisoners. All sorts of stupid lies and rumours have been circulated, we were repeatedly told for example that none of the prisoners wanted support, that their numbers were all wrong, or that Phil De Souza wanted to be removed from our list of prisoners. All these tales are UNTRUE.

We were gratified to receive a large wad of mail from the prisoners today enthusiastically thanking us for our support. They are absolutely unequivocal in saying that they want to be listed and supported as antifascist prisoners.

While astonished that they were convicted, all remain strong and thank everyone for the support they have received. Their main complaint, apart from being fitted-up, is about the notoriously bad food at Wormwood Scrubs!

These comrades have been fitted-up and deserve our fullest possible support. Please write to them or send a solidarity card (advice on writing to prisoners can be found on the Leeds ABC website). Please send a stamped self-addressed envelope if you would like a reply, or if you can afford it they can receive stamps, stationery, and postal orders (made payable to ‘The Governor’). They can also receive books sent via Amazon.

A solidarity fund has been established for the imprisoned antifascists. If you would like to donate to it please send a cheque made payable to the ‘The Cable Street Society’ to Leeds ABC, 145-149 Cardigan Road, Leeds, LS6 1LJ. Bank details and a PayPal option will be up on the Leeds ABC website within a few days.

We can only hope that those with nothing better to do than spread silly rumours undermining support for our six imprisoned antifascists will now either become involved in supporting them or go and do something else other than making our work as a prisoner support group harder. We would like to thank Indymedia for their support and patience during what has been a confusing period, without Indymedia the prisoners would not have received the support they have.

The prisoners’ details are as follows. As always, assume your letters are being read by our enemies and ensure you do not compromise your own security or that of others. Also please note that Thomas Blak and Austin Jackson are as yet unsentenced.

Andy Baker (21 months)
A5768CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Thomas Blak (Unsentenced)
A5728CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Sean Cregan (21 months)
A5769CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Phil De Sousa (21 months)
A5766CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Ravinder Gill (21 months)
A5770CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Austen Jackson (Unsentenced)
A5729CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Leeds Anarchist Black Cross
- e-mail: leedsabc@riseup.net
- Homepage: WWW.LEEDSABC.ORG

Comments

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We're getting there

10.07.2011 19:48

It seems a bit clearer now. Are the guys who are listed as 'unsentenced' convicted but still awaiting sentencing? Are there any comrades still on trial or yet to be tried? It would be good for those of us in London to go along and give them a bit of support in court. I know from personal experience what a difference it makes to see a few friendly faces when you're in the dock.

Finally, if someone within the movement has been smearing these guys then surely we need to know who they are and what their agenda is. It's such a bizarre thing to do, given the apparently clear-cut moral and political issues involved.

Antifa Angel

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This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

How do we know this is a genuine post by Leeds ABC?

11.07.2011 09:10

Indymedia has no authentication of users so how do we know this post is genuinely by Leeds ABC and not an imposter causing trouble?

(Note: this is a criticism of Indymedia, not of Leeds ABC)

Good luck to all the prisoners anyway.

anon

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This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Because...

11.07.2011 10:40

Leeds ABC have verified it with Indymedia volunteers through personal contact, and obviously it is genuine because it is oo the LABC. Please stop causing trouble.

Leeds ABC
- Homepage: www.leedsabc.org

Solidarity with the prisoners!

11.07.2011 15:16

Love and solidarity to all those imprisoned for standing up to fascism and all those still waiting for their court date. They will never beat us.

Notts antifascist

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This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

re: Because...

11.07.2011 17:19

How do I know it is really the Leeds ABC made this comment for that matter!

I'm not sure what you mean by "obviously it is genuine because it is oo the LABC" - you mean it is on Leeds ABC's website? Maybe it is, I haven't checked. But when reading Indymedia I don't want to have to check every source link to verify it.

Again, I'm not criticising Leeds ABC here, I'm sure you do great work, I'm criticising Indymedia's spam and troll-friendly publishing system.

And even if it is really Leeds ABC in this instance, it might not be next time. Indymedia is the friend of disinformation. I'm not causing trouble, I'm just trying to make people realise the flaws of Indymedia and how it can be improved.

anon

what Solidarity means to me

12.07.2011 09:43

Solidarity is a core value for anti-authoritarian social struggle. It's the basis of our connection with each other and part of how we do mutual aid.

For us to express solidarity with other people, we need to know what it is they did that merits our solidarity. Without that, you would reduce the word to an empty slogan - wishing someone "solidarity" like wishing them Happy Christmas. And of course that's no use to anyone.

So please let us know - If these 6 comrades are "proud" there's no possible reason for not saying what led them to be imprisoned.

antifa

hm..

12.07.2011 12:44

I had been repeatedly stated that since there are more people on trial, nothing in connection with the case will be discussed. Solidarity to anti-fascist activists should be unconditional, but if you really need to know what they have or they havent done exactly before you offer any solidarity and support then to be honest that support is worth shit anyway.

antifascist

Good enough for me

12.07.2011 16:25

Some of these blokes are long-standing activists. They were fitted-up on conspiracy charges after bumping into a couple of fash. That's good enough for me.

Support the prisoners

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This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

opportunism

12.07.2011 21:51

The prisoners do not want this article to be published here. Leeds ABC do not speak for them. Indymedia have already been asked to remove it, but have gone over the heads of the prisoners (to the Leeds ABC hierarchy) who want this report to stay for their own political ends - this is not prisoner support and it is not solidarity.

Read all about it here  http://lists.indymedia.org.uk/pipermail/moderation/2011-July/000071.html

Shame on you indy! Shame on you Leeds ABC!

antifash

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This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

More lies

12.07.2011 22:31

More lies 'antifash'. Most of the discussion on this subject has not been on public lists, but if necessary it WILL be made public to expose the depths a small number of self-serving cowards have been prepared to plumb including a deliberate and mendacious campaign to undermine support for the six prisoners whose boots you scum are not fit to lick.

Antifascist

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IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Can you scum go any lower?

12.07.2011 23:07

Those of us who have bothered to write to the prisoners know they want support (of course). Continuing to spread lies that they do not is about as low as it gets.

I received a letter from Sean Cregan yesterday, it contains the following: "I think there was a misunderstanding about support/lists. The position is none of us mind being on them at all. Don't know where the mix up happened but that's our position mate."

How dare you malign hard-working ABC activists who do a difficult and thankless enough job as it is.

ABC member

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This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

"antifash" my arse

12.07.2011 23:31

Now why on earth would anyone want to remove an article advocating support for prisoners? Unless they were working for the cops of course.

Filthwatch

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This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Sort it out FFS!

13.07.2011 00:39

It seems highly unlikely that committed political prisoners would want to keep the reasons for their incarceration secret. Whatever happened to the propaganda of the deed?

This thread feels like there's something we're not being told.

If there is another trial coming up, a lot of us would like to offer support: not least to those who risk their freedom to oppose fascism.

Antifa Angel

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This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Strange

13.07.2011 07:19

Strange that snme of those in the 2nd trial want to keep it secret. Guess thats their choice but its not very inspiring or proud.. I think the 2nd trial is october or november.

anon

Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

The Prisoners

13.07.2011 07:41

I've known Sean, Phil, and Austen for years - they are anarchists and antifascists. Sean and Phil definitely been inside as political prisoners before and Phil is a long-time ABC activist. The claim being made that they do not want to be supported is total bollocks and anyone saying that is either a cop, a fascist troll or a traitor. Thanks to Leeds Abc for supporting our comrades behind bars.

S Pauli

Please refrain from discussing the details of the case on this thread.

13.07.2011 07:45

There are still people on trial for matters related to the incident, and until those trials are over, speculation about what happened and why should be avoided.

Clearly we should be looking to support those already convicted, and those who are still on trial. Making emotionally charged claims about the events leading up the trial is not helpful.

If you are unhappy with the way that the thread is being moderated, please contact the admins on  contact@lists.indymedia.org.uk to discuss your concerns.

Thanks

ftp

ftp

Solidarity fund

24.07.2011 11:44

A solidarity fund has been set up to support the prisoners in jail and upon release. If you would like to contribute to it please send a cheque (made payable to ‘The Cable Street Society’) to Leeds ABC, 145-149 Cardigan Road, Leeds, LS6 1LJ. Details for bank transfers are: The Cable Street Society. Account Number: 33333334 Reference: 0827/704 169 523. Sort Code: 07 00 93.

Leeds ABC

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