International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Antifascists fight against those who—in the government or in the streets—dream of imposing their fascist and other Far Right nationalist nightmares on the rest of us. Throughout the world, Islamophobic, anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, and racist bigotries are on the rise. Antifas are on the frontline in confronting these reactionary politics, and we will not forget our comrades imprisoned in the course of this struggle.
The July 25 International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners originated in 2014 as a Day of Solidarity with Jock Palfreeman, an Australian who is imprisoned in Bulgaria for defending two Romani men from an attack by fascist football hooligans. Groups around the world took action: holding demonstrations, benefits supporting the Bulgarian Prisoners Association, writing to Jock, and talking about the plight of the Romani and Sinti people in general.
In 2015 we would like to expand this day of solidarity to all antifascist prisoners around the world. We encourage groups to take the day to plan an event of their choice—whether it is a letter writing, demonstration, benefit, or other action—and to focus on the prisoners and related issues that are of most importance to them locally.
Below is a list of global antifascist prisoners; if there is an antifa prisoner who is missing, please e-mail us with his or her details and the language(s) they can read.
No Pasaran!
Until All Are Free!
Send prisoner updates, announcements for local events, and additional group endorsements to nycantifascistaction@gmail.com.
LIST OF ENDORSING GROUPS:
- NYC Antifa (US)
- One Peoples Project (US)
- RASH Florida (US)
- NYC Anarchist Black Cross (US)
- Torch Network (US)
- Brighton Anarchist Black Cross (UK)
- Slackbastard (Australia)
- Anti Fascist Action Sydney (Australia)
- Projekt Antifa (Denmark)
- Antifa International (International)
- Denver Anarchist Black Cross (US)
- Rocky Mountain Antifa (US)
- Varis – antifasistinen verkosto (Finland)
- Anti-Fascist Network (UK)
- Helsinki Anarchist Black Cross (Finland)
- Föreningen fånggruppen (Sweden)
- Rose City Antifa (US)
TRANSLATIONS OF THE CALL:
Finnish and Russian
EVENTS:
Many cities will be holding events and actions, which include New York City, Philadelphia, La Puente, California, Chicago, Denver, and Portland, Oregon (US); Sydney (Australia); Helsinki and Tampere (Finland); Bristol and other cities (UK), as well as Bulgaria, and lots of other places!
LIST OF ANTIFA PRISONERS:
EUROPE
Belarus
Roman Bogdan
[Update 7/12]Roman Bogdan was arrested on April 15, 2015, as part of the long-going state repression of anti-fascists in Brest, stemming from a fight between anti-fascists and fascists on May 8, 2013. Roman is facing up to ten years in prison on charges of aggravated bodily harm.
He can read Russian and simple English phrases.
Address:
Roman Bogdan
224030
Brest
ul. K. Marksa, 86,
SIZO-7
BELARUS
http://abc-belarus.org/?p=6153&lang=en
Vlad Lenko
Vlad Lenko is an antifascist from Ivatsevichi (Brest region). He was arrested on December 27, 2014, and accused of taking part in a fight with local neo-Nazis earlier in December. Vlad is charged with group hooliganism and aggravated bodily harm and faces up to ten years in prison. He is currently in detention and his next court hearing is scheduled for September 2015.
He can read Russian and simple English phrases.
Address:
Lenko Vlad Igorevich
224030 ul. K. Marksa, 86
Brest, SIZO-7, k.39
BELARUS
http://abc-belarus.org/?p=6240&lang=en
Dzmitry Stsyashenka
Dzmitry Stsyashenka was arrested on October 4, 2013, for his alleged involvement in a fight between antifascists and neo-Nazis in Brest on May 8, 2013, that sent one Nazi to the hospital. He is also accused of another fight with neo-Nazis during the summer of 2013. He was sentenced to four years in prison, but in 2014 his term was reduced by one year due to an amnesty.
He can read Russian and simple English phrases.
Address:
Dzmitry Stsyashenka
224030
Brest,
ul. K. Marksa, 86,
SIZO-7
BELARUS
http://abc-belarus.org/?cat=3&lang=en
Dzmitry Zvan’ko
Dzmitry Zvan’ko was arrested for his alleged involvement in a fight between anti-fascists and neo-Nazis in Brest on May 8, 2013, that sent one Nazi to the hospital. He was arrested the next day, along with four other people, in a police raid on the homes of known anti-fascists. Dzmitry filed a complaint to the prosecutor about psychological and physical abuse while in custody. He was accused of malicious group hooliganism and serious bodily assault and faced up to ten years of prison. Dzmitry was found guilty and sentenced to five years of prison, but after paying off about 4,000 euro in damages he was granted amnesty, which has reduced his term by one year.
He can read Russian and simple English phrases.
Address:
Dzmitry Zvan’ko
225295
Brestskaya oblast Ivatsevichi
p/b 20 IK-22
Volchi Nory
BELARUS
http://abc-belarus.org/?cat=3&lang=en
Bulgaria
Jock Palfreeman
Jock Palfreeman is an Australian anti-fascist political prisoner serving a twenty-year prison sentence in Bulgaria for the rather mysterious death of a neo-Nazi football hooligan who was part of a group attacking two Romani men in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2007. Jock came to the aid of the Romani, and quickly found himself the focus of the attack. Bulgarian authorities did everything they could to ensure that Jock did not receive a fair trial, and after his sentencing have refused–in contravention of their own treaties–to transfer him to Australia to serve the rest of his time closer to his family. Jock wants donations for him sent to the Bulgarian Prisoners’ Association, which he is part of.
He can read English and Bulgarian.
Address:
Jock Palfreeman
Sofia Central Prison
21 General Stoletov Boulevard
Sofia 1309, BULGARIA
www.freejock.com
http://www.brightonabc.org.uk/jock.html
Germany
Valentin
Valentin was arrested on July 1, 2015, and is accused of taking part in violent clashes between antifascist ultras and neo-Nazi hooligans after a football match between SV Werder Bremen and Hamburger SV. The violent confrontation began when fascist hooligans from Bremen attacked a group of ultras, identifying them as left-wing antifascists.
Since his arrest, Valentin has been in custody awaiting trial and is charged with aggravated battery and severe breach of the peace (schwerer Landfriedensbruch). The police have presented him as the “prime suspect” in the case and have made clear that Valentin will be used by the state as an example against political violence.
His supporters are asking for donations to help with legal costs, and for letters and messages of solidarity. They ask that people writing keep in mind that the police read these messages, so to not reference anything illegal.
Valentin can read German and English.
Donation Account:
Rote Hilfe e.V. Ortsgruppe Bremen
IBAN: DE71 2001 0020 0481 9122 06
BIC: PBNKDEFF
Postbank Hamburg
Reference: Freiheit für Valentin
(Please don’t forget the payment reference!)
Address:
Infoladen Bremen
C/O Valentin
St-Pauli-Str. 10-12
28203 Bremen
GERMANY
Russia
Aleksandr Kolchenko
Aleksandr Kolchenko was arrested in Crimea on May 17, 2014, along with several others, and accused by Russian authorities of participation in a “terrorist group” which planned explosions near the Eternal Fire memorial and the Lenin monument in Simferopol, as well as having sabotaged railway tracks and electricity lines. Aleksandr is also alleged to have carried out two arson attacks in April: against the headquarters of the Russian Unity-Party, and the Russian Community of Crimea. He was transferred to Moscow and is being kept in draconian conditions. His lawyers are under a gag order, and have been refused elementary rights to defend him. He faces fifteen-to-twenty years in a labor camp.
Russian authorities claim that Aleksandr is a member of Right Sektor, a Ukrainian ultra-right nationalist organization, but he has no connection to the group—a fact confirmed by relatives and friends. Moreover, Aleksandr is an antifascist and anarchist who consistently opposed nationalistic movements in Crimea and faced constant fascist attacks for his activism. For example, after a film screening about murdered anti-fascist journalist Anastasiya Baburova, he was attacked by thirty Nazis with knives.
Since this case is highly political, Aleksandr’s legal costs are high, around 850 euro per month. The investigation has created a heavy financial strain on local ABC groups, and there is a call for financial support and information distribution. You can make donations via PayPal to abc-msk@riseup.net or using a bank account (write to the same e-mail address for details).
Address:
Please note that Aleksandr is currently being moved to a different prison in Rostov. We are waiting to confirm his new address.
http://avtonom.org/en/news/repressions-against-crimean-activists-political-context
http://wiki.avtonom.org/en/index.php/Aleksandr_Kolchenko
Alexey Sutuga
Alexey Sutuga is a longtime anarchist and anti-fascist who was arrested in April 5, 2014, for a fight with members of the ultra right in Moscow. He was sentenced on September 30, 2014, to three years and one month in prison for his alleged involvement in the fight.
However, this sentence comes in the context of an earlier case from April 2012, when he was arrested for allegedly taking part in a fight at a punk/hardcore concert in Moscow on December 17, 2011. The conflict began after club security, consisting of members of the far right, provoked guests. The concert was stopped prematurely because of the fight, but the security then attempted to take some of the audience hostage and threatened to call their nationalist football hooligan friends in reprisal. The audience members resisted and the club security opened fire with rubber coated metal bullets. However, the club security was neutralized and sent to the hospital. The case against Alexey and several others was eventually dropped in January 2014 on the eve of the Sochi Winter Olympics as part of the amnesty bill, approved as a PR stunt on initiative of Vladimir Putin.
Address:
Sutuga Alexey Vladimirovich 1986 g.r
Ispravitelnaya Koloniya № 2
Pervy Promyshlenniy massiv
kvartal 47
d. 6 g. Angarsk 665809
Irkutskaya oblast
RUSSIA
Please note: Moscow ABC advises that letters in English are seldom accepted in Russian prisons, so please write only in Russian (try using a translation program), or just send photos and postcards.
http://wiki.avtonom.org/en/index.php/Alexey_Sutuga
Spain
Sergi Hernandez
Sergi Hernandez was arrested during a protest in Barcelona against a concert organized by the extreme right-wing National Democracy party on October 12, 2011. He and several other antifascists were charged in connection with the beating of Alejandro Fernandez, a promoter of the Barcelona fascist social center Casal Tramuntana, who attended the concert.
The morning of his trial, in October 2014, Sergi’s supporters held a protest calling for his acquittal; they were attacked by several dozen neo-Nazis. The fascist attackers included members from Casal Tramuntana, as well as several Falangists and members of the Third Positionist group Movimiento Social Republicano. The fascists, under the watchful eye of riot police who did nothing to prevent the attack, kicked and beat the antifa supporters, gave Nazi salutes, and shouted “Heil Hitler!” Many of the fascists wore Golden Dawn t-shirts.
In November 2014, Sergi was sentenced to two years in prison for aggravated assault motivated by “ideological hatred.” He appealed to the Supreme Court, who in July 2015, actually increased his sentence to three years! This follows months of repression against anarchists and other activists in Spain. In a statement read at a press conference after the Supreme Court’s verdict, Sergi said that “Barcelona has been, is and will be the tomb of fascism.” He will begin serving his sentence in the next month.
[Update 7/20] He can read Catalan and Spanish.
Address:
We will update with Sergi’s address when it becomes available.
https://sergillibertat.wordpress.com/
Sweden
Note: The fight against fascism in Sweden is very aggressive, and many of the anti-fascists that are in prison are alleged to be involved in extremely militant activities and organizations. There are several more anti-fascists in Sweden who are currently in prison but do not want their names or addresses publicized. If you would like to write these individuals, please contact Föreningen fånggruppen.
Joel Almgren
Joel Almgren was sentenced to five years and six months for defending a local community-organized anti-racist demonstration in Stockholm against a brutal Nazi attack on December 15, 2013. The peaceful protest—against fascist assaults on local anti-racists and the dissemination of Nazi propaganda in area schools—was attacked with knives, sticks, and glass bottles by the most militant Nazi group in Sweden. Anti-fascists at the scene defended the demonstration from the attack and many were injured themselves.
Joel has over 4080 USD in fines, and his supporters are asking for help raising the money. The group can be contacted at the web site below.
He can read Swedish and English.
Address:
Joel Almgren
KVA Tidaholm
Skogsholmvägen
522 85 Tidaholm
SWEDEN
http://www.fanggruppen.com/write-to-prisoners-1/
https://www.facebook.com/freejoel
Dennis Miraballes
Dennis Miraballes was charged and convicted for actions related to his involvement in the antifascist movement in Sweden. He will be getting out on parole in November 2015.
Dennis can read Swedish and English.
Address:
Dennis Miraballes
KVA Saltvik
Box 273
871 26 Härnösand
SWEDEN
http://www.fanggruppen.com/write-to-prisoners-1/
Nick Staffas
Nick Staffas was charged and convicted for actions related to his involvement in the antifascist movement in Sweden. He will be getting out on parole in September 2015.
Nick can read Swedish and English.
Address:
Nick Staffas
KVA Västervik Norra
Box 248 593 23
Västervik
SWEDEN
http://www.fanggruppen.com/write-to-prisoners-1/
Linus Soinjoki
Linus Soinjoki was charged and convicted for actions related to his involvement in the anti-fascist movement in Sweden. He was given fourteen months in prison and began serving his sentence in mid-May 2015.
Linus can read Swedish and English.
Address:
[Update 7/12]We have received news that Linus would rather people contact a Swedish Antifa support page, Föreningen fånggruppen, for his address if people are interested in writing to him.
http://heyevent.com/event/keiajdw7gqvtga/free-linus-break-down-the-walls
Adam Taylor
Adam Taylor was charged and convicted for actions related to his involvement in the antifascist movement in Sweden. He will be getting out on parole in October 2015.
Adam can read Swedish and English.
Address:
Adam Taylor
KVA Salberga
Box 308 733 23
Sala
SWEDEN
http://www.fanggruppen.com/write-to-prisoners-1/
NORTH AMERICA
United States
Luke O’Donovan
On New Year’s Eve of 2013, Luke O’Donovan attended a house party in Reynoldstown, a neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia. Luke was seen dancing with and kissing other men at the party. Later in the night he was insulted with homophobic slurs, and attacked by several people at once. Luke unsuccessfully attempted to escape, at which point several witnesses reported watching between five and twelve men ganging-up on Luke and stomping on his head and body, evidently with the intent to kill him. He was called a faggot before and during the attack, throughout the course of which he and five others were stabbed. Luke was subsequently imprisoned and charged with five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon as well as one count of attempted murder.
Luke’s trial concluded on August 12, 2014, when he accepted a negotiated plea deal. He agreed to a two year sentence beginning that day, and then eight years of harsh probation. The judge also banished Luke from the state of Georgia for the term of his probation.
He can read English.
Address:
Luke Patrick O’Donovan
#1001372271
Washington State Prison
P.O. Box 206
Davisboro, GA 31018
USA
https://letlukego.wordpress.com/
Jason Hammond
Jason Hammond accepted a non-cooperating guilty plea and was sentenced to forty-one months on January 2015 for his part in an organized direct action taken against a group of white supremacists.
In 2012, a group of racists and white supremacists organized a White Nationalist Economic Summit in the Chicago suburb of Tinley Park. Groups of anti-fascists and anti-racists from the Midwest confronted the meeting and successfully shut down the event through a righteous melee. In the aftermath, five antifascists were arrested, and dubbed the Tinley Park 5. The five were sentenced to upwards of three years and all have since been released. Jason was arrested later, and is the last person still in jail for this action.
He can read English.
Address:
Jason Hammond, M50190
P.O. Box 500
Vandalia, IL 62471
USA
http://freejasonhammond.blogspot.com/
https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/0w0Ma/ab/94SfS3