On October 17th, 2014, comrades Carlos López, Mario González, Fernando Bárcenas and Abraham Cortés called off their hunger strike that began on October 1st.
The comrades are well, without complications or physical damage. They will soon make the reasons and motives for ending the strike public.
For now this is all the information we have.
Freedom for all! Down with the prison walls!
Anarchist Black Cross of Mexico
h/t Anarchist News
From Anarchistnews.org:
Brian Jacob Church of the NATO 3 is scheduled to be released in November of this year, so we’ve launched a campaign to raise money for his release. Donate today to help welcome Jacob home!
https://www.youcaring.com/JacobChurch
On May 16th, 2012, just prior to the NATO summit in Chicago, three Occupy activists were arrested and eventually charged with 11 felony counts, including four under the never-before-used Illinois terrorism statute. Brian “Jacob” Church, Brent Betterly, and Jared Chase came to be known as the NATO 3. The case went to trial in January of 2014, and the NATO 3 were acquitted of all of the terrorism charges.
Unfortunately, the jury found them guilty of two felonies each—possession of an incendiary device with the intent to commit arson and possession of an incendiary device with the knowledge that another intended to commit arson. They were given sentences ranging from 5 to 8 years. Jacob is the first of the three to be released. He is scheduled to return to us in early November!
Please donate to his release fund to help ease the transition after two and a half years behind bars. Donations are needed to help pay for Jacob’s living expenses while he works to get back on his feet during the immediate aftermath of his incarceration.
https://www.youcaring.com/JacobChurch
If you’d like to write to Jacob, please address envelopes to:
Brian Jacob Church
M44717
P.O. Box 999
Pinckneyville, IL 62274And if you have any questions, you can email us at freethenato3 (a) gmail (dot) com, or check out our website at http://freethenato3.wordpress.com.
If you’d like to write to Brent or Jay, their addresses are:
Brent Betterly
M44724
4017 E. 2603 Road
Sheridan, IL 60551Jared Chase
M44710
2600 N. Brinton Avenue
Dixon, IL 61021Brent is scheduled to be released in May of 2015 and Jay is scheduled to be released in May of 2016, though he is still facing other charges that he received while in custody at Cook County Jail.
Political prisoner Joel Bitar has been granted his parole as reported on AnarchistNews.org and his blog, Locked Up Yet Liberated:
For folks who have been following my blog over the months you may have noticed that I hadn’t posted anything in a while. There was a reason. Back in mid-August my parole (parole for deportation) was granted!
A couple of days ago, 2 weeks after my parole eligibility day, I was driven to Niagra Falls by Canadian border police in handcuffs and dropped off on the U.S. side. U.S. Customs and Border Police then took my fingerprints, scanned my passport for outstanding warrants and eventually a door was opened and my freedom became official.
My parole conditions are basic: don’t associate with anyone with a criminal record, attend counseling and don’t attempt to return to Canada. If I return to Canada they can hold me for the duration of my sentence, which is September, 2015.
So it’s finally over, I can’t believe it. Getting out of jail is one of the best freaking feelings in the world. It’s also kind of overwhelming. Emotionally speaking, I got out of there relatively unscathed. I did pick up a bunch of scars, bumps and injuries (mostly all connected to jail soccer games, therefore totally worth it). All-in-all I feel the same. If anything the experience made me tougher, stronger and wiser. I hope to be a source of information and support for those who will inevitably be put through the prison system in the future.
I want to thank everyone who submitted parole letters on my behalf. The parole board received over 30 letters (they couldn’t believe it, they were shocked) and they read every single one. Each letter was integral in winning my freedom. Thank you to each of you who took some time to do that, I wouldn’t be free right now if it wasn’t for you.
I also want to thank everyone who corresponded with me over the past 7 months and I want to apologize to those whom I never replied. Each letter I received made my day a little brighter and allowed me to maintain emotional stability during dark times. My incarceration was a case study in how to do solid prisoner support work. The amount of solidarity I received throughout the process was outstanding and I wouldn’t be in such good shape right now without it.
So thank you, thank you, thank you folks. I can’t wait to give you all a hug when I see you. My heart is filled with so much joy right now.
Freedom is a must!!!
Originally found on the Chelsea Manning Support Network site
“This time last year, I publicly asked that I be provided with a treatment plan, to bring my body more in line with my gender identity. Unfortunately, despite silence, and then lip service, the military has not yet provided me with any such treatment,”
Chelsea Manning. August 22, 2014
A full year after Chelsea Manning’s initial request for appropriate gender-related healthcare from her military captors, the Army is still denying her treatment at the Fort Leavenworth military prison.
A month ago, an unnamed military spokesperson reluctantly stated that the Army would provide a “rudimentary level” of gender-related health care to Chelsea. This statement was made after receiving public scrutiny for their failure to provide treatment thus far, and after the Army failed in their attempt to avoid responsibility of Chelsea’s medical needs by transferring her to a civilian prison. However, so far the Army’s public statements have been just talk–Chelsea has yet to receive the medical attention she needs.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has been retained by Chelsea Manning to represent her gender-related healthcare interests:
“Our constitution requires that the government provide medically necessary care to the individuals it holds in its custody. It is cruel and unusual punishment to withhold from Ms. Manning the care that the military’s own doctors have deemed medically necessary, “states Chase Strangio, Staff Attorney with the ACLU’s LGBT & AIDS Project. “The Army is withholding her care for political reasons, which is simply not permitted by our Constitution.”
ACLU preparing to sue Army over Manning’s gender treatment (August 12, 2014)
This morning, Chelsea Manning issued the following statement bringing to light the Army’s negligence:
This time last year, I publicly asked that I be provided with a treatment plan, to bring my body more in line with my gender identity. Unfortunately, despite silence, and then lip service, the military has not yet provided me with any such treatment.
Treatment is, as a lather of law about medical necessity. Such as treating depression of anxiety. But, receiving treatment is very important to me, as a person. It has a little bit to do with the perception of myself- the sense of unending discomfort with the gender that has been imposed on me-but not out of vanity.
However, prisons- and especially military prisons—reinforce and impose strong gender norms—making gender the most fundamental aspect of institutional life. The US Disciplinary Barracks restricts my ability to express myself based on my gender identity.
For example, in my daily life I am reminded of this when I look at the name on my badge, the first initial sewed onto my clothing, the hair and grooming standards that I adhere to, and the titles and courtesies used by the staff. Ultimately, I just want to be able to live my life as the person that I am, and to be able to feel comfortable in my own skin.
I also want to make it clear that my request is about how I am confined, not where. I have never requested for any transfer to a civilian or female facility. Prison is prison regardless of whether you are military or civilian, and regardless of what gender you are.
Overall, the support I have received outside has been overwhelming—from cards and letters, to public statements of support. I am especially grateful for all the people who have respected my wishes, used the correct pronouns and titles when referring to me, and given me their best wishes and warm love and support. You have given me a deep well of hope and optimism to gather energy from.
With Warm Regards,
Chelsea Manning
Chelsea Manning can be written to at this address:
Chelsea E. Manning 89289
1300 North Warehouse Road
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 66027-2304
Birthday: December 17