Running Down the Walls 2010
When: Saturday, August 7th, 2010, 10 am - 2 pm
Where: South Gate Park, 9615 Pinehurst Avenue, South Gate, CA - (323) 357-9613
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 anyone 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 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 on August 7th was killed 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 sponsor 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
-Jaan Laaman, UFF Political Prisoner Statement of Solidarity
October 19th 2002 My Brothers,
"Thank you for running at this special event that means so much to many of us all over the world, both free and imprisoned. In a relative way, we are all political prisoners because it is the politics of this system of things that is exploiting, crushing, imprisoning, and destroying the masses all over the world and the earth itself. Then there are those who know this and take actions against those who seek to deny us our rightful place on earth as common human brethren. Those are the ones we run for and seek to help... whom sacrificed their family, freedom and lives, so that our lives may be better! The fact that you ran with us is a sign that when the red-hour comes, you will not be caught asleep. You are conscious and you too are willing to represent. The potential in you is great. Thank you for running for the cause!"
"As we ran we were thinking and talking about all the runners in Los Angeles and how we'd love to be out there running with them. We also spoke about the other political prisoners who were running with us in at least some other prisons."
Running Down the Walls 2010
When: Saturday, August 7th, 2010, 10 am - 2 pm
Where: South Gate Park, 9615 Pinehurst Avenue, South Gate, CA - (323) 357-9613
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:
PO BOX 11223
Whitier, Ca 90603
http://www.abcf.net/la/laabcf.asp?page=la%2Frdtw
www.abcf.net/la
la@abcf.net
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