Running Down the Walls 2011

Los Angeles

On Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 10 a.m., the Los Angeles Anarchist Black Cross will host a 5k run/walk/jog/bike around the festive paths of MacArthur Park. This run/walk/jog/bike is designed to raise much-needed funds for the ABCF Warchest program and Revolutionary Autonomous Communities (RAC).

We are attempting to reach the goal of $3,500 with the run. Funds will be divided between the two programs:

ABCF Warchest: The ABCF Warchest program is now almost 17 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. These funds have been used by prisoners to pay for stamps, shoes, clothes, as well as assisting their families with what little they can. www.abcf.net/la

Revolutionary Autonomous Communities (RAC): In the aftermath of the May Day 2007 police riot targeting migrant workers who dared stand up for our human rights, members of the MacArthur Park area and others joined together to support those with no papers and those with no means. RAC-LA came forward to aid the community in self-organizing such that with the help of each other we might make an inhuman way of living a bit more bearable while at the same time acquiring the means to one day transform this system into an image of our own humanity. revolutionaryautonomouscommunities.blogspot.com

Solidarity Runs: Every year, prisoners and supporters of political prisoners organize solidarity runs with Running Down the Walls. In sync with each other, 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. In past years we had runs in Albuquerque (NM), Arcata (CA), Ashland, (OR), Bellefonte (PA), Boston (MA), Connecticut River, Dannemora (NY), Denver, (CO), Detroit (MI), Elmore (AL), Guelph (CAN), Inez (KY), Los Angeles (CA), Marion (IL), Mexico City (MEX), New York City (NY), USP. Navosta (TX), Pelican Bay (CA), Phoenix (AZ), Sandstone (MN), Tucson (AZ), USP Tucson (AZ), and Guelph and Toronto (CAN).

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 finds 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 says, “Any Movement that does not support its political internees is a sham movement.” So please help us help them! Help us help you!

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.

Guelph

On the last Saturday in July, hundreds of people across the country will participate in solidarity 5k runs in communities and prisons. This collective event, known as Running Down the Walls, has been held annually since 2002. Each year, Anarchist Black Cross chapters, prisoners, and allies participate in these runs to raise funds for the Anarchist Black Cross Federation Warchest (a fund that sends monthly stipends to political prisoners across North Amerika), and other support efforts for political prisoners and prisoners of war.

Last year, Guelph’s Running Down the Walls drew 30 participants, and we raised over $2000, which was split between the ABCF Warchest and the G20 Support Fund.

This year, we are aiming to double the amount of participants and also, in turn, double the amount of funds raised. The money raised from this year’s Guelph run will be split between the ABCF Warchest (see above for info) and living expenses/rent for two G20 defendants: Kelly Rose Pflug-Back and Ryan Rainville.

Living Expenses/Rent for Kelly & Ryan: Kelly Rose Plfug-Back and Ryan Rainville are two individuals from Southern Ontario facing criminal charges stemming from last year’s G20 summit protests in Toronto. While on house arrest, as well as other court-ordered conditions, it is difficult to earn an income and also retain legal aid as the amount of money one can earn is quite low. Thus one is essentially forced to “choose” between being unemployed/precariously employed or crippled with legal debt. So that is why we are raising money for Kelly and Ryan’s living expenses—to help our comrades get back on their feet (and back to their communities!) after their legal situations are resolved. To make this effort successful, we need YOUR support!

Who is Kelly Rose Pflug-Back? Kelly Rose Pflug-Back is a grassroots anti-poverty activist from Guelph. She was arrested over the G20 weekend on conspiracy charges and released on bail. On July 21, police issued a news release announcing that she was wanted for 6 counts of mischief over $5000 from the G20 protests. After weeks in jail, she was released on strict house arrest bail conditions. Her conspiracy charges have been since dropped. She remains on house arrest far from her friends.

Who is Ryan Rainville? Ryan Rainville is an indigenous anarchist who was arrested at the G20 and released on bail. About a month later, he was rearrested on more charges related to the G20 including mischief and assault. He was in jail for almost three months and was rejected bail multiple times. He was finally released on bail on November 9 with very strict conditions. His trial was on April 12, 2011 and is now awaiting sentencing.

If you are not able to attend, but want to support this fund raising effort, please mail donations written out to Tim Fasnacht:

c/o Toronto ABC
P.O Box 97048
RPO Roncesvalles Ave
Toronto, ON M6R 3B3, Canada

Or contact guelphabc@riseup.net to work out a way to donate. Solidarity with our allies on both sides of the wall!

Denver

Saturday July 30th
9:30 am- 1:30pm
Starting at La Raza Park (38th and Navajo)

Over the last weekend of July, hundreds of people across the country will participate in solidarity 5k runs in communities and prisons. This collective event, known as Running Down the Walls, has been held annually since 2002. Each year, Anarchist Black Cross chapters, prisoners, and allies participate in these runs to raise funds for the Anarchist Black Cross Federation Warchest (a fund that sends monthly stipends to political prisoners across the country), and other support efforts for political prisoners and prisoners of war.

Last year, the Denver Anarchist Black Cross event drew 30 run participants, and we raised over $700, which was split between the ABCF Warchest and our local Mutual Aid Fund.

This year, we are aiming to double the amount of participants and also, in turn, double the amount of funds raised. The money raised from this year’s Denver run will be split between the ABCF Warchest and MOVE political prisoner Mike Davis Africa, who will use his funds to purchase a bass guitar and an amp so he can start a revolutionary jazz band behind the prison walls.

To make this effort successful, we need YOUR support!

Run/walk/bike in the 5k: We need participants who can run/walk/bike the 5k and are able to collect financial pledges to offer as donations to the run. If we get 60 participants, who each raise $50, we can double our goal for this year’s run!

Volunteer for the run: We need folks who are willing to staff a registration/literature table, hand out water, bike the route as street medics, and help chalk the route before the march.

Donate to the run/sponsor a participant: If you are not able to attend, but want to support this fundraising effort, please mail donations to Denver ABC, 2727 W. 27th Ave Unit D, Denver CO 80211. Or contact denverabc@rocketmail.com to work out a way to donate.

Want to participate? Want to volunteer? Want to donate? Contact us at denverabc@rocketmail.com.