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| Running Down the Walls 2010 Saturday, August 7th, 2010, 10 am - 2 pm South Gate Park,
9615 Pinehurst Avenue, South Gate, CA On Saturday, August 7th, 2010 at 10 a.m., the Los Angeles Anarchist Black Cross will host a 5k run/walk/jog/bike around the bustling sports fields of South Gate Park in South Gate, Los Angeles. This run/walk/jog/bike is designed to raise much-needed funds for the ABCF's Warchest program, and Corazón Del Pueblo. We are attempting to reach the goal of $3,000 with the run. Funds will be divided between the two programs: ABCF Warchest: The ABCF Warchest program is now almost 16 years old; funds for the Warchest are divided and distributed through monthly stipends to political prisoners who receive little or no financial aid. Prisoners use this money to cover the basic necessities of everyday living. Funds have been used by prisoners to pay for stamps, shoes, clothes, as well as assisting their families with what little they can. Corazón Del Pueblo: Corazón del Pueblo is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective, and community cultural center, that promotes peace, social justice and cultural understanding through the arts, education and social action. Official Runs: The ABCF is a Federation of ABC chapters that span across the country and is holding two official Running Down the Walls runs. Both New York and Los Angeles will be holding official runs on the morning of August 7th. In sync with each other and other solidarity runs, we will collectively pound the pavement with our feet and bike tires as we exhibit our strength and stamina as examples of our tireless effort to free our imprisoned comrades. Solidarity Runs: Every year, prisoners and supporters of political prisoners organize solidarity runs with Running Down the Walls. Last year, we had runs in Albuquerque (NM), Arcata (CA), Ashland, (OR), Bellefonte (PA), Boston (MA), Denver, (CO), Elmore (AL), Inez (KY), Los Angeles (CA), Marion (IL), New York (NY), USP Navosta (TX), Pelican Bay (CA), Phoenix (AZ), Tucson (AZ), and Toronto, Ontario. We raised just over $1,000, with funds being distributed between the ABCF Warchest, Romaine Chip Fitzgerald Homecoming Fund, and Ojore Lutalo's Homecoming Fund. This year we hope to expand the amount of runs in prisons and other cities, as well as increase the amount of funds raised for community projects. This year we hope to have even more runs in cities, towns, and prisons all across North America. Raising Funds: The Warchest program was created in November of 1994. Its purpose is to send monthly financial support to Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War (PP/POWs) who have been receiving insufficient, little, or no financial support during their imprisonment. Support the Struggle: We must remember that many of those arrested in the past or present are not far from us. Many of them were and are community and labor activists, queer, and environmental activists; people who decided to speak out against various forms of oppression and paid the price of their freedom for their actions. We must remember that any one of these people could have at one time stood beside us in a demonstration, at a speak-out, or even at an organizing meeting. At any given moment it could be us who find ourselves in this situation, so it is imperative that we ensure that a strong enough community of support exists for these people as well as ourselves. The strength of our movement is determined by how much we support our fallen comrades. As Anarchist and former POW Ojore Lutalo say, "Any Movement that does not support its political internees is a sham movement." So please help us, help them! Help us, help you! Why August 7th: We chose the date of August 7th as the day to run down the walls to commemorate the life of revolutionary Jonathan Jackson who was killed on August 7th in an attempt to free the Soledad Brothers. On August 7, 1970, Jackson brought guns into the Marin County Court house during the trial of James McClain, William Christmas, and Ruchell Magee. Jonathan Jackson demanded the release of the Soledad Brothers as he and the three prisoners took the Judge and four others hostage. As Jackson and the others entered his van in an attempt to leave, the authorities open fired on the van, killing Joanathan Jackson, James Mclain, William Christmas and Judge Harold Haley. Ruchell Magee was injured but survived the onslaught and remains in prison to this day. We encourage people to participate in helping us raise funds for the Warchest, which can be done in the following ways: Be a runner: We are asking people or groups who are running to collect as many sponsors for the run as possible. Remember the money received is going to help imprisoned comrades who need your help. The person who collects the most amount of funds will be given a prize for their involvement and dedication to helping our fallen comrades. Sponsor a runner: This can be done through a flat donation to the runner of your choice; each flyer is a sponsor sheet. We ask from those who wish not to run to actively support those who are running in hopes of collecting as much for our comrades as possible. Sponsor Running Down the Walls: Any amount helps. Contact the Los Angeles Anarchist Black Cross if you wish to simply donate money to the cause. Donate to: The Warchest: Send funds directly to the Los Angeles ABCF (PO Box 11223, Whittier, CA 90603) or to the Philadelphia ABCF (PO Box 42129, Philadelphia, PA 19101) Make checks or money orders out only to Tim Fasnacht. Corazón Del Pueblo at 2003 East 1st St., Boyle Heights, CA 90033 • 323.780.9080 Get involved in the planning of Running Down the Walls: We always need help with organizing the event and we encourage people to contact us if they would like to get involved. You can do this by contacting the LA Anarchist Black Cross, www.abcf.net/la, la@abcf.net Registration fees: $12 preregistration; $15, the day of the run. (Make checks out to Tim Fasnacht) For more information
contact the Los Angeles Branch Group of the Anarchist Black Cross Federation New York City: Running Down the Walls 2010 On Saturday,
August 7th, 2010 at 3pm, the NYC Anarchist Black Cross will
host a 5k run/walk/jog in solidarity with the Political Prisoners and
Prisoners of War held in North America. We'll be running on the same
day
as other ABCs and other organizations around the country as well as some
of the prisoners who will be running in the rec yards. We will be passing
the hat to raise much-needed funds for the ABCF's Warchest program. This
will be followed by a spirited picnic afterparty at 5pm. Vermont Action for Political Prisoners Connecticut River Running Down the Walls A 5K run, walk or bike ride to benefit U.S. Political Prisoners. Saturday, August 7, 2010, 10am-2pm Greenfield River
Swimming & Recreation
Area, Be a runner, walker, or cyclist: We ask that participants gather as many sponsors for the run as possible For more information, please see the registration and sponsorship form attached to this email. Those who do not gather sponsors may participate in exchange for a donation of $12. All participants will receive refreshments, lunch, and a gift bag of fresh produce from local farms as a prize for their involvement. Sponsor a runner: This can be done through a flat donation to the runner of your choice. Donate directly to Running Down the Walls: Any amount helps. Please send checks directly to CRRDTW, c/o Prison Book Project, P.O. Box 396, Amherst, MA 01004. Make checks payable to Prison Book Project with the note line: CRRDTW 2010 Benefactors 100% of funds raised at CRRDTW will benefit the following: The Vermont Action for Political Prisoners and Anarchist Black Cross Federation Warchest Funds: For more information on the ABCF or PPs, please see: http://www.abcf.net/ or http://4strugglemag.org/ political-prisoner-profiles/ The Marie Mason Support Fund: For more information, please see: http://freemarie.org/ Solidarity Runs Connecticut River Running Down the Walls will take place in conjunction with over a dozen other RDTW events taking place in cities, towns, and prisons across North America, including Los Angeles, CA, Albuquerque, NM, Arcata, CA, Ashland, OR, Bellefonte, PA, Boston, MA, Denver, CO, Elmore, AL, Inez, KY, USP Marion (IL), USP Navosta (TX), New York, NY, USP Pelican Bay (CA), Phoenix, AZ, USP Tucson (AZ), and Toronto, Ontario. Black August CRRDTW is scheduled to coincide with observation of Black August, a month designated for reflection on the lives and lessons of Jonathan Jackson, George Jackson, and other Black revolutionaries who perished during the prisoners' movement of the 1960s and 70s. For more information on Black August, see http://4strugglemag.org/2009/ 08/10/black-august-a- celebration-of-freedom- fighters-by-doc-holiday-et-al/ Directions Take interstate 91 to exit 26 (MA-RT2) towards Greenfield At the traffic circle take the 1st or 2nd exit onto MA-RT2 West / Mohawk Trail ( First if coming south; second if coming north on I-91) It will look like you are headed into strip mall land. (drive .3 miles) Take your first right onto Colrain Rd. (drive 1.4 miles) Turn right at Nash's Mill Rd. (drive .2 miles) Park on the right opposite the swimming hole in the open parking area. For more information on CRRDTW, please contact VAPP at vermontaction@gmail.com Co-sponsored by Prison Legal News www.prisonlegalnews.org/ Toronto Running Down the Walls On August 7th there will be a 5k run, walk, bike, or roll to raise
money for political prisoners and prisoners of war, and to support the legal
defence of those recently arrested at the G20 in Toronto. RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event. php?eid=105811432805598 National
Jericho Movement • P.O. Box 1272 • New York, NY 10013 |