BAMN Volume 5, Issue 1

By Any Means Necessary

AYearofReturn, AYearofExpansion,TheMXGMNationalConvening2023Report Back

By JomoMuhammad

OverMLKweekend,theMalcolmXGrassrootsMovementgatheredforourannualnational conveninginAtlanta,GA.Hostedbyourlocalchapter,thenationalconveningbroughttogether ournetworkofNewAfrikanfreedomfighterswhoarebuildingchaptersandleadinglocal strugglesallacrosstheUSempire. ThisyearwasalsoavotingyearforNationalOfficersand NationalCoordinatingCommittee(NCC)representatives.

Thisyearwasourfirstin-persongatheringsincethepandemicstarted. Asanorganizationthat believescommunityself-defenseincludesOurhealth,Wedevelopedprotocolstoprotectour membersandtheirfamiliesfromCOVID.ResourceslikethePeople’sCDCwereusefulin planningasafegathering. Weincludedahybridoptionformembersnotabletotravel.Weare alsoanorganizationthatbelievesthatAfrikansintheUnitedStatesofAmericahavetherightto determineourowncollectivedestiny.Itwascriticaltothisprincipletoincludeasmanymembers aspossible.

Give us the inspiration to fight a thousand lions.

Give us the enlightenment to unravel the mysteries of the universe

Give us the sustenance to travel through the trackless swamps of disharmony.

NewAfrikanLibation

TheconveningopenedupwithourNewAfricanLibation.NamingOurAncestorsandthanking themforguidingusandrequestingtheirprotection. WeaskedtheAncestorstogiveusthe inspiration,theenlightenmentandtheWilltounderstandthemysteriesoflife,trackthroughthe dismalswampsofdisunityuntilWemightfindunityinourstruggleforNationalLiberation. We namedofourorganizationalAncestors:QueenMotherAudleyMoore,RobertandMabel Williams,MalcolmX,HermanFerguson,MamadouUmoja,ChokweandNubiaLumumba, NehandaAbiodun,AhmedObafemi,Damballah,DaraAbubakariand…. Ase.Ase.Aseooooo

TheconferenceproceedingsbeganwiththenationalreportfromtheNewAfrikanPeople's OrganizationandtheNationalCoordinatingCommittee. Belowisthesummaryofthereport providedbyNAPOSecretary

“2022wasapivotalyearfortheorganization.WewereabletobringinaChicagochapter Despiteongoingchallengesfromthepandemic,thingshavestartedtoopenupandmany chaptersaredoingin-personeventsagain.CampPumzikohappenedinpersonwithexcellent attendance;manychaptersheldMalcolmXDayevents,andWearebacktohavingourin-person IdeologicalConferencewithdeeppresentationsongender,workingclassstruggle,mutualaid, expandingthedefinitionofpoliticalprisoners,andabolition. WemadeseriousadvancesinOur fighttofreepoliticalprisonerswiththeorganizingofourFreeMutuluNowCampaignandthe

ShakurSquads,resultinginthereleaseofMutuluShakurafter36yearsbehindthewall. This workhasgarneredtheorganizationnationalattentionandhaskeptusvisibleandrelevantinthe community.

GoingforwardWeneedtofocusoncommunityoutreachandbeingapresenceintheplaces whereWeorganize.Basebuildingisacriticalpriorityforusforthecomingyear.”

AftertheNAPO/NCCreport,chaptersreportedandreflectedontheiryear’sactivitiesaswellas offeredanassessmentoftheirlocalconditionsandapreviewofwhattheywillbedoingoverthe nextyear. Chaptersacrosstheempireareorganizingcampaignsandprogramsaroundpolitical prisoners,people’sassemblies,emergencypreparednessandsurvival,communityself-defense, reparations,andinternationalsolidarity Manyreflectedpositivelyonparticipatinginthe politicalprisonerworkbothlocallyandnationally. Whilechaptersreportedincreasedactivity, onesharedareaofdevelopmentwasbuildingtheirsupportersandmembershipbase. AstheNew AfrikanOrganizerproverbsays, “Many hands make the work of national liberation light.”

OurStateoftheNewAfrikanIndependenceMovementaddresswasgivenbyDr.Akinyele Umoja.Inhisconversationwithus,hediscussedfourpointsofanalysistoconsiderasWebegan toplanfortheworkoftheupcomingyear Firstwasthegrowingthreatoffasciststate governments,particularlyintheSouth.Thesecondpointofanalysiswastheshifting demographicsoftheBlackBeltandgrowingnumberofBlacks/NewAfrikansreturningtothe South.ThestateoftheBlackLiberationMovement,itsinternalcontradictionsandtheexternal conditionsshapingitwasthethirdpointofanalysis. Thefinalfactorforanalysiswasthestateof Ourmovement,theNewAfricanIndependenceMovement,itsweaknesses,strengths,and possibilities.

Thisyear,Wehadanationalelectionandtwomajorproposalsforconsideration:expandingOur 6th Principleonendingsexistoppressionandexpandingthenumberofnationalofficers. Ledby theNewAfrikanWomanistCaucus,Weunanimouslyagreedtoexpandour6th PrincipleonEnd SexistOppression,reaffirmingourmilitantcommitmenttotakeuncompromisingstandsagainst allformsofoppressionOurpeopleface. Tomeettheneedsforchaptergrowth,Wedecidedto expandthecircleofcommandbycreatingtwoNationalofficerspositionsontheNational CoordinatingCommittee. CongratulationstoallOurnewlyelectedNationalOfficersandNCC Representatives. WeextendAsanteSanatoouroutgoingNationalOfficersandNCC Representativesforyourleadershipandservice!

The2023NationalConventionwasasuccess. ALOVESupremetoallofOurmemberswho traveledtobetogetherandthosethatjoinedusvirtually! AsanteSanatotheAtlantachapterfor theirhospitality. MayWecontinuetobuildTheMalcolmGrassrootsMovementfor Self-Determination,Self-Defense,andSelf-Respect!

TheUnitedStates–theColonizersandEnslavers–AreatitAgain: ReportontheFirstSessionofthePermanentForumonPeopleofAfricanDescent

December5-9,2022

Geneva,Switzerland

by EfiaNwangaza

ThefirstmeetingofPermanentForumonPeopleofAfricanDescent(PFPAD)metDecember 5-8,2022inGeneva,andistheUnitedStates’andotherEuropeancountries’—formercolonizers andenslavers—efforttocontroltoday'sBandung-likeglobalreparations-centeredfreedom movement,asevidencedbytheDurbanDeclarationandProgrammeofAction(DDPA).The Forum,aspresentlyconstituted,isamechanismdesignedtowaylay,blunt,andburytheDDPA withhand-pickedgatekeepersandtheracistslurof“anti-semitism.”

In2001,theUnitedStates,ledbythen-SecretaryofStateColinPowell,walkedoutofthe DurbanWorldConferenceAgainstRacism.TheU.S.andotherEuropeancountries—former colonizers—workedtopreventtheglobalconsensusthatwasreachedandhavingfailed,continue toworktoundermineandburyit.

However,inDurban,SouthAfrica,“theworld”—meaninggovernmentsandcivil society—reachedaconsensusandissuedtheDurbanDeclarationandProgrammeofAction (DDPA).Theworlddeclaredcolonialism,slavery,apartheid,andgenocidecrimesagainst humanity,withoutstatuteoflimitationsandwithabasisforreparations!

TheForumiscomposedof10members;fivenominatedbystatesandfivebythepresidentofthe HumanRightsCouncil,“inconsultationwithcivilsociety.”Here,“civilsociety”isnotlimitedto peopleofAfricandescent,asisthecasewiththemembersoftheUnitedNationsPermanent ForumonIndigenousIssues.

TheUnitedStatespressuredgovernmentstovoteforJustinHanford,alegalscholarandhuman rightsactivist.Littleornothingelseisknownabouttherestoftheappointments.ThePFPADis locatedinGeneva,intheOfficeoftheHighCommissionerforHumanRights(OHCHR),instead ofthemoreaccessibleNewYork,underthemoreappropriateEconomicandSocialCouncil.

ThePFPADChair,EpsyCampbell-Barr,isaformervicepresidentofCostaRica,oneofthe world'ssmallestcountriesandcontaininganevensmallernumberofpeopleofAfricandescent; littlemorethan400,000.ThevicechairisAliceAnge'leNkomofCameroon.Sheisthefirst womanadmittedtopracticelawinCameroonandispresidentoftheCameroonianAssociation forDefenceofHomosexuality,co-chairpersonoftheCentralAfricaHumanRightsDefenders Network,andamemberoftheNationalDemocraticInstituteInternationalWorkingGroup.The rapporteur,anindependenthumanrightsexpertwhoseexpertiseiscalleduponbytheUnited

Nationstoreportoradviseonhumanrightsfromathematicorcountry-specificperspective,is MichaelMcEachrane,ofSweden. Hecallshimselfa“mixedrace,academicandactivist.”Asof 2016,therewere110,758citizensofAfricannationsresidinginSweden.

JustinHansford,U.S.member/Pan-Eurorepresentative,isdirectoroftheHowardUniversity ThurgoodMarshallCivilRightsCenter.Heenjoysthegoodwillthatcomesfromtheuseof ThurgoodMarshall'sname.Hansford,presentinghimselfasaBlack“liberator,”dismissedthe DDPAsayinghebelieveshecangetabetterdealundertheruseof“SustainableDevelopment Goals.”

IpubliclyreprimandedHansfordfortryingtogaslightmeandotherswhenthechairattemptedto refusetotakefloorresponsestoMcEachrane'sattempttolimitDDPArelevanceinhis“interim” summaryoftheForum'sfuturework.“TheDDPAwillbeappliedtotheextentitappliesto peopleofAfricandescent,”hesaid.

IchallengedForumparticipants—in-personandvirtually,toreadtheDDPA. Admonishedthem tonotletfancy,obscurelanguage,lackofinformation,age,experience,andashort-termpromise (SustainableDevelopmentGoals[SDG])ofanimmediatebowlofporridgecauseustobetray ourpeoples.Allwerechallengedtofullyclaim,affirm,andasserttheDurbanDeclarationand ProgrammeofActionasourhumanrightofself-determination.

Iremindedthem,“TheDurbanDeclarationandProgrammeofActionistheheartandsoulofthis Forum,withouttheDDPAthisisnothingmorethanafreetripandatalkfest.TheDurban DeclarationandProgrammeofActionisourlifelineandthatofgenerationsunborn.HOLDON TOIT—BLACKPOWER!BLACKISBEAUTIFUL!BLACKPOWER!BLACKPOWERto BLACKPEOPLE!!!ALLPOWERTOTHEPEOPLE!!!”Thecrowdroaredandgavetwo standingovations.BlackPowerandthecallforfidelitytotheDDPArangoutthroughoutthe remainingdays.

The2ndSessionofthePermanentForumonPeoplesofAfricanDescentisscheduledforMay 30-June2,2023,inNewYork.AllareurgedtofollowTheForum'swebsite,register,and participate—virtuallyorinperson—prioritizingSelfDetermination,theDDPA!!!

ThePermanentForumofPeopleofAfricanDescent:Anadditionaltool

By kwame-osagyefokalimara

All peoples shall be equal; they shall enjoy the same respect and shall have the same rights. Nothing shall justify the domination of a people by another.

African Charter on Human Rights, Article 19.

TheUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblycreatedanewPermanentForumofPeopleofAfrican Descent(PFPAD)inJuly-August2021toacknowledgethecenturiesofcrimesagainstAfrikan descendantpeoplesbyestablishingthisvehicletoimprovetheirconditionsglobally. The 193-memberbodyrecognizedthatthelegacyofenslavement,colonization,i.e.racism/white supremacy,wouldnolongerbemarginalizedorsilencedaccordingtotheAfrikanvoiceswho participatedandorganizedatDurbanfortheWorldConferenceagainstRacism,Racial Discrimination,XenophobiaandRelatedIntolerance(WCAR)in2001.

ThesignificanceofWCARisinitsdeclarationthatslaveryis/wasa“CrimeAgainstHumanity,” making“Reparations”ripeforinternationalredressforAfrikanpeoples. Moreover,WCAR producedtheDurbanDeclarationandProgrammeofAction(DDPA),asamechanismto challengeracism,racialdiscrimination,xenophobiaandrelatedintolerance,andallofits manifestations. Education,health,justiceandpovertyarejustafewissuestobetackledbythis instrument.HumanRightsandtheruleoflawisimperative.

ThePermanentForumofPeopleofAfricanDescentisa10-memberadvisorybodythatwill workwiththeHumanRightsCouncilwhichisbasedinGeneva. TheGeneralAssemblysees thisformationasastartingmechanismtopromotetotalrespectoftherightsofAfrikan descendantpeople. Itwillidentifyandanalyzeinformationbroughtbeforeit,however,onemust acknowledgethatitisanadvisorybody

ThePermanentForumofPeopleofAfricanDescenthasfivemembersnominatedby GovernmentsandsubsequentlyelectedbytheU.N.GeneralAssembly.Fiveadditionalmembers wereappointedbytheHumanRightsCouncil. ThePFPADisdesignedtomake recommendationstotheHumanRightsCouncil,theGeneralAssembly’smaincommittees,and otherentitiesworkingonissuesrelatedtoracialdiscrimination. Moreimportantly,itisto advancethefullpolitical,economicandsocialinclusionofpeopleofAfrikandescentinthe societieswhereverthey/Wemayreside.

Asactivists/organizers,WemustalwaysbemindfulalthoughthePFPADarticulatesan affirmationofaglobaldriveforthe“thetotaleliminationofracism,racialdiscrimination, xenophobiaandrelatedintolerance,”itisourresponsibilitytocreatesolidaritywiththose

formationsandpeopleswhosecollectiveinterestsalignwithours(NewAfrikanpeoples). InternationalcooperationisnecessarytoeliminateALLoppressionandexploitation.

We must act as if we answer to, and only answer to, our Ancestors, our children, and the unborn. Amilcar Cabral

Ancestralblessings. FreetheLand!!!

Resources:

PermanentForumonPeopleofAfricanDescent

https://www.ohchr.org/en/permanent-forum-people-african-descent DeclarationonthehumanrightsofpeopleofAfricandescent: PermanentForumonPeopleof AfricanDescent

https://www.ohchr.org/en/permanent-forum-people-african-descent/declaration-human-rights-pe ople-african-descent

AfricanCharteronHumanandPeoples'Rights

https://www.achpr.org/legalinstruments/detail?id=49

UniversalDeclarationofHumanRights

https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

UnitedNationsCharter

https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter

andrecommendations.

by EfiaNwangaza&kwame-osagyefokalimara

UnitedStatesCompliancewiththe ComprehensiveImplementationofandFollow-uptothe DurbanDeclarationandProgrammeofActionandGoalsofthe

InternationalDecadeforPeopleofAfricanDescent

FirstSessionofthePermanentForumforPeopleofAfricanDescent Geneva 5December2022

I.TITLE: ListofIssuesandRecommendationsSubmittedbyBlackBeltCoalitionfor HumanRights:CriminalJusticeTransformationSubcommittee

II. ReportingOrganizationandIndividuals

ORGANIZATIONS:BlackAllianceforPeace,BuildingFearlessFutures,InternationalPeace ResearchAssociation,MalcolmXCenterforHumanRights&SelfDetermination,National JerichoMovement,NationalMillionWomanMarch/SelfDetermination,NewAfrikan IndependenceParty,NewAfrikanPeople’sOrganization/MalcolmXGrassrootsMovement, People'sAdvocacyInstitute,SpiritofMandelaInternationalTribunalCoalition,TheUniversal ZuluNation

INDIVIDUALS:EmpressPhile'Chionesu,SoffiyahElijah,Atty,OmodareJupiter,Atty,Dr. Kwame-OsagyefoKalimara,dequikioni-sadiki,RukiaLumumba,ShepardMcDaniel,Matt Meyer,JalilMuntaquin,EfiaNwangaza,Atty,KhalidRaheem,RussellMaroonShoatz

III. IntroductionandIssueSummary

ThisisthefirstsubmissionoftheBlackBeltCoalitionforHumanRights:Criminal JusticeTransformationSubcommittee(CJTS)tothePermanentForumforPeopleofAfrican DescentandtheUnitedNationsHumanRightsRemediesapparatus. TheUnitedStatesof AmericahascommittedcrimesagainstthehumanityofAfrikandescendantpeoples.Weseek redress,assistance,bytheUnitedNations,becauseitsfoundingmandate recognizestheRightof Self-Determination.ThedenialofthisHumanRighthasresultedinconditionsofviolationsof NewAfrikansovereigntyandtheimprisonmentofthosewhostruggletosecurethehumanrights forallpeoples.Further,itanditssubsidiariesarenowengagingartificialintelligence(AI) technologytoenhancetheseviolativepracticesandshoreupthecarceralstateandmass incarcerationofpeopleofAfrikandescent.Belowaresomeoftheissuesrequiringresolutionand ourrecommendationsofcorrectiveaction.

Federal,stateandlocalgovernmentscollectivelydeploy18,000lawenforcement agenciesanddisproportionatelytargetpeopleofAfricandescent,manytimesinmilitaryfashion. TheU.S.currentlyspendsover$100billionayearonpolicingandanother$80billionayearon jailsandprisons. Capitalismfeedsoffthestatecashbondsystem.Thefederalpretrialdetention withoutbondincreasesthemassincarcerationoftheworkingpoor Theseinstitutionsdestroyour communities,culturallyoppresspeopleofAfricandescent,andinstituteasystemofmodernized slaveryasinmatesarepaidnothing,orclosetonothing,fortheirlabor Atthesametimethey

paypremiumratesforphonecalls,andhigh-calorie-low-nutritionfood.Thesearethesame institutionsthatjailourmostconsciousactivistsandrevolutionariesanddenythempolitical prisonerstatus.

Wearecallingforandintroducingstate,local,andfederallegislationthatworkstocreate systemsthattrulykeepBlackpeoplesafe.Wecallforpublicsafetylegislation,tailoredbylocal communities,andadvancedthroughlegislationatthefederallevelasprescribedbythe BREATHEActframework, https://breatheact.org/ and https://breatheact.org/the-peoples-response-act/. Specifically:DivestFederalResourcesfrom policingandincarceration&endingfederalcriminal-legalsystemharms,includingthe1994 CrimeBill,the1033Program,useof AIforbailandsentencing,andreparationsfortheWaron Drugs,Investinnewapproachestocommunitysafetyutilizingfundingincentives, Allocatenew moneytobuildhealthy,sustainable&equitablecommunitiesforallpeopleand,Holdofficials accountable&enhanceself-determinationofBlackcommunities.

Further,thattheFederalgovernmentestablishTruthandReconciliationapparatusto releaseallpresentlyexiledandincarcerated COINTELPRO/CivilRightsErahumanrights defendersandactivists,provideforacceptanceandreviewoftheirclaims,alongwiththoseof personsandheirspreviouslyincarcerated,andthatthefederalgovernmentincentivizestateand localgovernmentstodothesame.

Sincethiscountry’sinception,therehavebeennamedandunnamedwarsonour communities.Wedemandanendtostate-sponsoredsurveillance,criminalization,incarceration, detention,deportation,andkillingofourpeople,https://m4bl.org/policy-platforms/the-preamble

IV. ListofIssues

ISSUEA:TheUnitedStatesignoresNewAfrikanpeoples’rightofself-determination/National Independence.

ISSUEB:TheUnitedStatesinitsestablishmentofitselfhasviolatedthesovereigntyofnations creatinginternalcolonieswithinitsboundaries.

ISSUEC:TheUnitedStatesofAmericahasprofitedfromthekidnapping,enslavement,murder andtorture,i.e.Genocide,ofAfrikanpopulationsfromAfrikaanditsdiaspora.

ISSUED: 1) TheUnitedStatesillegallycriminalizespovertyresultingfromitssystemofwhite supremacy,capitalismandpatriarchy.

2) TheUnitedStatesillegallyimprisonedpersonswhochallengethesocio,political andeconomicsystemsandignoresanddelegitimizesthepoliticalissuesargued.

3) TheUnitedStatessystemofpolicingandincarcerationwasestablishedto enslavenonwhite populationsinfurtheranceofcapitalistenterprise.

ISSUE E: 1) UnitedStatessystemsofincarcerationdoesnotrecognizeandhonorthebasic humanrightsofmentalandphysicalhealthoftheincarcerated.

2) Thejudicialsystem(capitalistcomponent)oftheUnitedStatesvaluesproperty overhumanlife, thuscreatingmassincarnationwhichaffectseverysegmentofhumansociety andcommunity

ISSUE F: Thereisnotanindependentcheck/balancesystemthatassuresthatcompliancefrom theUnitedStates.

ISSUE G: CapitalismhasplayedamajorroleinbuildingthesystemofslaveryintheUnited States,includingmaintainingtheoppressionandexploitationofpeopleofAfrikandescentand theirresourcesaftertheabolitionofitschattelslavery.

V. U.S. GovernmentResponseto UNandRegionalHumanRightsBodies

WhiletheUnitedStatesgovernmentTheDepartmentofStatePromotestheInternational DecadeforPeopleofAfricanDescent,intheWesternHemisphere,claimsto“promote”the Decade(https://2009-2017.state.gov/p/wha/rls/fs/2016/264204.htm , https://2009-2017.state.gov/p/wha/rt/social/index.htm)andfacilitatedJustinHansford's appointmenttotheForum(https://www.state.gov/the-election -of-justin-hansford-to-the-permanent-forum-on-people-of-african-descent/ , https://www.state.gov/justin-hansford-u-s-nominee-for-election-to-the-permanent-forum-on-peop le-of-african-descent-2022-2024/), ithasnottakenanymeaningfulactiontorealizeitsgoals, institutepublicawareness,education,orremediationofdisparitiesinthecriminalpunishment system.

Further,weareremindedthattheUnitedStates,ledbySecretaryofStateColinPowell, walkedoutofthe2001WorldConferenceAgainstRacism (WCAR2001)anddiscounteditas “anti-semetic”whentheStateofIsraelwascriticizedforhumanrightsviolationsagainstthe Palestinianpeople. WCAR2001producedTheDurbanDeclarationandProgrammeofAction onwhichtheDecadeisbased.

Moreover,TheUnitedStateshasyettocomplywithtreatyreviewconcernsunderthe “CampaigntoPutImprisoned/Exiled COINTELPRO/CivilRightsEraActivistsontheGlobal HumanRightsAgenda,”2010–2016,ledbyEfiaNwangaza,MalcolmXCenterforSelf Determination,theUnitedStates.DuringtheNovember2010UniversalPeriodicReview(UPR) oftheUnitedStatescalledforthereleaseof allimprisonedU.S.politicalactivists;sixofthe historic228RecommendationsreferredtoU.S.heldpoliticalactivists,particularly Recommendations92-153–154. AccountabilityforviolationofICCPRArticle7,aswellas TheConventionagainstTortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentor Punishment(CAT).CATArticles4,15,16and1;Article7(protectionfromtortureandcruel, inhumanordegradingtreatmentorpunishment,andmedicalneglect). August14th,2014,UN CERDCommitteeMemberPatriciaNoziphoJanuary-BardillspecificallyaskedtheU.S. governmentifitknewofandwhatitwasgoingtodoabout,then,"morethan20civilrightsera politicalactivistsandhumanrightsdefendersfromthe1960s. Theofficialreportdirectedthe USAtoanswerinitssubsequentreport. Ithasnotdoneso.

VI. Recommended QuestionstoUnitedStates

A. SelfDeterminationisaninternationallyacknowledgedhumanright,clearly definedandoutlined,writtenintheCharteroftheUnitedNationsandnumeroustreatiesand declarations.WhydoestheUnitedStatesofAmericacontinuetoviolatethesovereigntyofits16 acknowledgedterritoriesandtheinternalcoloniesofNewAfrika(USABlackBeltSouth), Aztlan,andHawaii,whileactivelysupportingUkraineandIsrael(illegalsettlerstate)for example?

B. WhenwilltheUnitedStatesestablishacommissiontostudytheimpactofitsover

400yearsofconsciousandactivecommodification/trading,trafficking,enslavement, exploitation,terrorizationoftheUSAenslavedAfrikans,acceptsurvivor/descendantdefined multi-factoredReparatoryJustice,andsoonafterpaythetransformativemulti-factoreddebts owed?

C. WilltheUnitedStatesestablishaNationalTruthandReconciliationCommission toaddressthehumanrightsabusesandviolationsagainstcurrentlyandformerlyimprisonedand exiledCOINTELPRO/CivilRightsErapoliticalactivists/defendersand facilitatetheir immediate,unconditionalreleaseandmulti-facetedrepairandcompensation?

VII. SuggestedRecommendations

Recommendation A: ConsistentwiththeUnitedNation’sCharteranditsstatutes/treaties recognizingapeoples’righttoself-determination,establishacommissiontosuperviseand monitoraplebiscitefortheNewAfrikan/blackpopulationresidingintheUnitedStatesof America.

Recommendation B: Consistentwiththedecolonizationprocessesandcommissions establishedbytheUnitedNations,createaforumtorecognizeindependencemovements(and theirrepresentativeorganizations,(e.g.theNewAfrikanIndependenceMovement,,American IndianMovement,theSocialistReunificationMovementofMexico, thePuertoRican IndependenceMovement,etc.)withtheobjectivetorecognizetheirsovereigntyovertheir politicalandsocio-economicdestinies.

Recommendation C:MovediscussionofAfrikanpeopleswithintheUnitedStatesoutof therealmofUS-basedhumanrightsviolationsandissuesandontotheworldstageunderstanding NewAfrikan/DescendantsofEnslavedAfrikanspeoplesasstill-colonized/neo-colonizedsubject oftheUnitedStates.

Recommendation D: EstablishaNationalTruthandReconciliationCommissiontoaddressthe humanrightsabusesandviolationsagainstimprisonedandexiledCOINTELPRO/CivilRights Erapoliticalactivistsand facilitatetheirimmediate,unconditionalreleaseandcompensationof allpoliticalprisoners,prisonersofwar(representativesof thelegitimateanti-colonial movements)andpoliticalexiles.AbolishtheUnitedStatePenalSystem.

Recommendation E:Endingfelonydisenfranchisement,humanizeprisonconditions,andend massincarcerationandformaUnitedNationCommitteetoresearchtheimpactofincarceration onfamilies.

Recommendation F:UnitedNationstomonitor(check/balance)onUnitedStatescomplianceon allrecommendationsanddirectives.

Recommendation G: TheUnitedNationstoformaCommitteearoundtheimpactofracial capitalismonthelivesofpeopleofAfrikandescent.

Recommendation H:TheUnitedNationstoestablishaforumtofullyexaminethegross inequityglobally,createdbyimperialism,colonialism,capitalism,sexismandallother oppressionsandexploitations,withtheintentionofchallengingallsystemsandinstitutions

supportingandmaintainingthem.

Recommendation I:TheHumanRightsCouncil,theCommitteeonDecolonization,UNESCO andallrelevantU.N.formationsmustaddressthenumerousactsGenocideinallofitsformsby theUnitedStates.

VII. APPENDIX: ContributorsandEndorsers

LEADEDITORS: EfiaNwangaza,Esquire MalcolmXCenterforSelfDetermination mxcentergvl@gmail.com 864-901-8627

Kwame-OsagyefoKalimara,J.D. NewAfrikanPeople'sOrganization/MalcolmXGrassrootsMovement dr_kalimara@yahoo.com

Section3:PoliticalPrisoners&PrisonersofWar

MUTULUISFREE!

By NyeusiJami

(PhotoCredit:mutulushakur.com)

WhentheNewAfrikanPeople’sOrganization(NAPO)wasfoundedin1984,oneofitsprimary objectiveswastogainfreedomforourPrisonersofWar(POWs)andPoliticalPrisoners(PPs).Dr.Mutulu ShakurwasoneofthefoundingmembersofNAPO,despitebeing“underground”atthattime,avoiding beingseeninpublicbecauseoftheintensesearchforhimthatthegovernmenthadbeenconductingsince

1981.OnFebruary11,1986,MutuluwascapturedinLosAngeles,andhebecameanothernameaddedto thelistofsoldierswhosecomradesinthemovementfoughttogainfreedomfor.Thatfightwould continuefordecades

InApril2016MutuluShakurappearedforaparolehearingatthefederalpenitentiaryin Victorville,CAforwhatshould’vebeenaroutineformality Dr Shakurwassentencedtoprisonin1986 underguidelineswhichdictatedthathereceive mandatory parole after30years Aftercompletingthose 30years,hehadeveryreasontobelievethathewasabouttogofree However,his“mandatory”parole wasdenied,somehow Mutuluwas65yearsoldatthatpoint,andbeginningtosufferfromtheinevitable healthconsequencesof30yearsincaptivity,muchofwhichwasspentinsolitaryconfinement His medicalissuesincludedastroke,Type2diabetes,andglaucoma Theostensiblereasonsfordenyinghis mandatoryparole,likelihoodtoreoffendorhavingfrequentlyviolatedprisonrules,werelaughableat best Nootherfederalprisonerhadbeendeniedparolebecauseofthetypesofinfrequentnon-serious prisonruleviolationsthatMutuluwasaccusedof

AndsobeganarejuvenatedcampaignbytheFriendsandFamilyofMutuluShakur,andthe MalcolmXGrassrootsMovement,togainfreedomforourbelovedcomrade.IjoinedNAPO’smass organization,theMalcolmXGrassrootsMovement(MXGM),inNovember2016.WhenIlearnedabout thislatestinjusticeintheFreedomForMutulusaga,whichhadoccurredearlierthatsameyear,Iwas enraged.Iwasangryatthesystemforseeminglyhavingthepoweroflife-or-deathoverus,thepowerof freedom-or-enslavement.Iwasangryatmygeneration.GrowingupasanavidHipHopfaninthe1990s meant,ofcourse,thatIwasabigTupacfan,aswasprettymucheveryoneIknew.Icouldn’tfathomhow anyofuswhoadoredPacsomuchcouldhearaboutthethreedecadeslongunjustincarcerationofhis fatherandnotbereadytomoveheavenandearthtobringanendtothissituation.

AsBarackObamawasonhiswayoutofofficeinJanuary2017,hehadtheopportunitythatall CEOsoftheEmpirehave,achancetocommutethesentenceofpeopleheldinprison.Freedomloving peopleeverywherewerethankfulthatObamausedthatpowertocommutethesentenceofOscarLopez Rivera,famedfreedomfighterfromthePuertoRicanIndependenceMovement ButObamacouldn’tfind itinhisheart,orinhispoliticalcalculus,tograntthesamefreedomtoLeonardPeltierorMutuluShakur, whoalsohadexecutiveclemencyapplicationsonhisdesk TheWhiteHousereceivedthousandsof signaturesfromthepublicsupportingMutual’sclemency,aswellasnumeroustestimonialsfrom individualswithdirectexperienceofhischaracter

ThereweremanycelebritieswhoshowedupattheWhiteHousetopartyandcelebratethefinal weeksoftheObamapresidency ManyofthosecelebritieswereHipHopluminaries Ihadalotof opinionsaboutwhatshould’vebeenhappeninginthatmoment,whatshould’vebeensaidaboutMutulu

whiletheseculturaliconswereabletoliterallytalkintotheearoftheBlackpresident.Butthatmoment cameandwent,andthecampaigntoFreeMutulucontinuedon.

InJune2017,thefilm All Eyez On Me wasreleasedintheaters Theeyesoftheworldwere focusedontheShakurfamilywiththeproductionofthatfilmanditssurroundingpromotion The membersofMXGMtookthatopportunitytoorganize,gatheringsignaturesfrompeoplearoundtheworld insupportofDr Shakur’sreleaseathisupcoming2018parolehearing Thesameworkofbuilding awarenessandsupportoccurredwheninNovember2017Dr MutuluShakurwasrecognizedbytheBlack PowerAwardsinAtlantaforhisworkwiththeLincolnDetoxCenterandtheBlackAcupuncture AssociationofNorthAmerica(BAANA)

But,alas,inApril2018,Dr Shakurwasdeniedreleasedonparoleagain Hislegalteam’s attempttoappealthatdecisionwasalsodenied Thelegalteamthenfiledafederallawsuitagainstthe ParoleCommissionandtheBureauofPrisonsinresponsetotheflagrantviolationsoftheirownrulesin keepingMutuluimprisoned

InOctober2019Dr.Shakurreceivedadiagnosisoflifethreateningbonemarrowcancer.Forover ayearhehadexperiencedpaininhisbones,buttheprisonauthoritiesdelayedingettinghimaCTscan. Whenthediagnosiswasfinallygiven,Mutulu’slegalteamfiledapetitionforCompassionateRelease, becausenowhisverysurvivaldependeduponhimbeingfreetoreceivepropermedicalcare.Butin December2019,thatpetitionforcompassionatereleasewasdeniedbytheBureauofPrisons.

AfterthatthelegalteampetitionedMutual’soriginaljudge,JudgeHaightinNewYork,tomodify hissentencesohecouldbereleasedimmediatelybasedonhismedicalcondition.Atthesametime,they alsofiledahabeaspetitioninfederalcourtinCalifornia,detailingtheparolecommission’sabuseof discretionthroughtheirpoliticallydrivendenialsofparole.Meanwhile,Mutulu’sNAPO/MXGM comradescontinuedtoorganizethepublictosendhimlettersofencouragementandtomakefinancial contributionstowardhislegaldefense.

InOctober2020,Dr.Shakurstartedamulti-weekstemcelltransplantprocess.Assoonasthat processwasover,helearnedthathehadbeendeniedcompassionatereleaseagain Thesamejudgewho originallysentencedMutuluwasgiventhepowertosaythatMutulu,withterminalbonecancer,wasn’t sickenoughtobereleased Rightafterreceivingthatnotice,MutulucaughtCovid-19,at70yearsold, withacompromisedimmunesystem Butlikethesoldierheis,hewonthebattletoovercomethevirus

HefoughtandbeatCovidthreetimes

2021sawMXGMandtheFreeMutulucampaignworkinghardtogathersignaturesinsupportof hisrelease Thelegalteamcontinuedworkingtosecurehisfreedomthroughcompassionaterelease, clemency,andallotheradministrativeandlegalavenues Dr Shakurwasinconstantpainfromthebone marrowcancerwithnothingofferedhimforpainexceptoxycodone,thesametypeofopioidhehad

developedacupunctureprotocolstodetoxpeoplefrom.Herefusedtotakethedope,preferringtostay sharpandfocusedonhisfightforfreedom.

Duringthistimeperiodthereweretwopiecesofworkthatreallystoodoutinbringingpositive attentiontoMutuluShakur,thehumanbeing Thefirstwasthefilm Dope Is Death, directedby documentaryfilmmakerMiaDonovan ThefilmdetailstheworkoftheYoungLordsandtheBlack PantherPartyindevelopingthefamedLincolnDetoxCenterintheearly1970s Ofcourse,thefilmshows howthatworkwasanchoredbythefearlessleaderandspokesperson,ayoungMutuluShakur Another prominentpiecewasanarticlepublishedinTheIntercept,writtenbyNatashaLennard Natashadidan excellentjobofprovidingcontexttothecampaignforMutulu’sfreedom,andtheabsurdityofthesystem thatcontinuedtoholdhim WeareeternallygratefultoMiaandtoNatashaforprovidinguswiththe opportunitytousetheirgreatworkasorganizingtoolsinourworktoFreeMutulu

InJanuary2022,Dr Shakurwasdeniedcompassionatereleaseforathirdtime,whilerecovering fromhisthirdboutwithCovid,andafightwithpneumonia Hewasalsoreceivinghighlydangerous chemotherapy.

TherewasalegalvictoryinFebruary2022.Mutuluandhislawyershadspentyearslitigatinga habeascorpusintheU.S.DistrictCourtinCalifornia,challengingtheU.S.ParoleCommission’s2016 denyinghimmandatoryparole.Indenyingparole,theParoleCommissionreliedonadisciplinaryticket Dr.Shakurreceivedformakingatelephonecalltoanapprovedphonenumber,whereaprofessorputhim onspeakerphonetotalktoherclass.ThecourtfoundthatDr.Shakur’sconducthadnotviolatedthe regulationandruledthatitwasadueprocessviolationfortheParoleCommissiontorelyonthisincident initsdecisiontodenyparole.Thecourtorderedthathereceivethe“goodtime”lostforthisincident(27 days)andorderedanewmandatoryparolehearingwheretheParoleCommissioncannotconsiderthis incident.

Withthatnews,theFriendsandFamilyofMutuluShakurandMXGMgotasecond(orthirdor fourthorfifth)windinourworktogainsignaturessupportinghisrelease,andtogainlettersofsupport fromelectedofficialsandcelebrities

OnMay16,2022,Dr ShakurwasdeniedmandatoryparolebytheUS ParoleCommission This istheninthtimehehadbeendeniedparolebytheUSPC,andthesecondtimehehadbeendenied mandatoryparole MutulureceivedsupportforhisparolefromformerBureauofPrisonstaff,sitting MembersofCongress,andreligiousandcommunityleaders Despitethisextensivesupportforhisrelease andhisdiremedicalcondition,theUSPCdeterminedthat:

“Afterconsiderationofallfactorsandinformationpresented,atthistime,theCommissionisdenying yourrelease theCommissionfindsthatthereisareasonableprobabilitythatyouwillcommita Federal,State,orlocalcrimeifreleased”

Laterthatsamemonth,Mutulu’shealthtookaturnfortheworse.Receivingweekly chemotherapywhileunderprisonconditionsandeverythingelsehehadtodealwithbegantotakeatoll. However,Mutuluisafighter

AswecelebratedMutulu’s72ndbirthdayinAugust2022,prisondoctorshadgivenhimlessthan sixmonthstolive HislegalteamfiledahabeaspetitioninKentuckytochallengehiscontinued imprisonmentinthatstate JudgeHaightagaindeniedthemotionforcompassionaterelease However, unlikehis2021denialclaimingthatMutuluwasnotsickenoughatthattimetobegrantedcompassionate release,thistimehedeniedthemotiononproceduralgroundssayingthatthecourtdoesnothavethe authoritytogranthiscompassionaterelease ThiscontentionwasbecauseDr Shakurwasan‘OldLaw’ prisoner,and,therefore,theBureauofPrisonswouldneedtograntcompassionaterelease

Andtheydid OnNovember11,2022,Dr MutuluShakurwasgrantedparolebytheUSParole Commission Allofourdecadesofworktofreehimfinallyborefruit OnthemorningofDecember16th, Mutuluwalkedoutoftheprisonandintothelovingarmsofhisfamily Thepowerofloveisanawesome thing.Ithasnowbeenoversixmonthssincetheprisondoctorsdeclaredthatwewouldloseourloved one.Asofrightnow,heshowsnosignsofslowingdown.Heisprovidingwisecounseltogroupsallover thecountryandconferringwithhiscomradesaboutthedirectionofthemovementthathehasgivenhis wholelifeto.

WethanktheCreator.WethanktheAncestors.WethanktheFreedomFighters.MutuluisFree!

Section4:Culture

FirstTime

By HalimaOlufemi

IguessmyoutfitsaidIwantedtoberaped, “Letherlayinthatpuddleofblood,mommawillcleanthesheetslater"

Diditslideyoubetweenmylegsattheexpenseofmyfeelings?Mypantswerepink,couldyouseeme bleeding?

Imeanyoudidwalkmehomeafteryoufinished,couldn'tlookmeintheeyebutIthankyouforyour chivalry

Ain’tnothinglikeyourfirsttime Whenyoudon’tknowit’syourfirsttime Ihurtinwaysyoucan’timagine...

See,IwasforciblyintroducedtothetreacheryoffalseprophetsandrighteouslywhatIlearnedmostisI don’tneedasaviortocrownmytrauma.

LikeFridaKhalo

I’mfragilelikeabombnotaflower

And

ThepainIcarryisn’talwaysmyown,itisresiduefromthevisceralspiritofthieveswhopillagedthe templewithbloodyswordsandvicioustonguestryingtoconquerorbreakortamemyspiritliketheir mastersbeforethem

Demandingrespecttheyhadnointentionsongiving,expectingloyaltyfromanywomantheyshowtheir attentionbecausewe’vebeenconditionedtothinkourlives areoflittleconsequenceabsentthatofa man;manythinkweshouldseektheirvalidation

Weareencouragedtoholdontopiecesofthemratherthanembracethewholeofourselvesand even thoughwewerebuilttorecoverfrompain...Itiscruelandunconscionabletoexploitouremotionsjustto makeyournutmorepleasurable

Weareshamedforouremotionaltiradesthatweretriggeredbyemotionaltyrantswearingleatherbeltsor baseballcapsorbluesuitswithdesignershades Projectingtheirinsecuritiesonourindependence, throwingstonesatshadowsandbricksatshade.

See,Ihavenodesiretoloveunderduressagainstastandardthatwasn'tourstobeginwithmaking unreasonablecomparisonsandunreasonablerequestsusingslavocracyasaguide--

“Well,Damn,baby,yousoundangry?”

No,I'mreallynot

YoujustfeelthreatenedbecauseI'mawarriortooandmytonguepiercespride likeaspearinthehandsofaZulu,wearingamasktowardoffcowardsfightingtoownmetoo

I'mnotsoftenoughforyou,notmodestenoughforyouandI'dratherbealonethantobecontrolledby you

Imeanreally,

Youshouldn'twantmetobeyourslave; Whatthehellistooindependentanyway?

PeopleonlydiscreditthevalueofindependencewhenitcomestoBlackwomenbutembraceourpowerto benefittheircauses Weteachgirlstoshrinkthemselvesandthatsexualityisdifferentforthemandthat weshouldactbeholdentomenfortheinalienablerighttolive,seekpermissionandcatertotheirwhims whenitisuswhokeptthemsafeinsideourwombsbeforetheyknewwhatitmeanttolive.

"Butyoucan’tdowhatamandobaby"

I’msosickofhearingthatshit!

Youdon’thavetherighttotellmehowtoexist whichforcesmeintotheroleofaWOMANISTbecauseyourefusetotreatmelikeahuman

I’mnotapet

Idon'tsteporfetch

SoifItellyoutokissmyassyouattack, questionmyfemininityandlikenmetoaman becauseIwon’t jumpthroughhoopstoserveyou Cookingisalifeskillnotagenderrollandmyappearancehasnothing todowithyou.Sowhocaresifyoulikemyhairshortorlong,curlyorstraight,naturalorfake,makeup onmyface-tryingtoupholdaEuropeanstandardofbeautytoplacateyourpreferencevyingforattention tobeemotionallymistreated

Youcan’tevenimaginewhatitfeelsliketobeawomanuntilsomebodycallsyouaone; thenyoudamn nearhaveaheartattackorwanttofightwhoeversaidit especiallyifitsawoman;youfeelemasculated becausethere'snothingworsethanbeingawoman,right,exceptbeingseenasawomanorcalleda woman,byawoman,whoknowswhatitistobeone

Now,thinkaboutthegravityofthatshit?

Howlittleyouthinkofusandhowlittlewe'vebeentaughttothinkofourselves.

FannieBarrierWilliamssaid:“Whatourgirlsandwomenhavearighttodemandfromourbestmenis thattheyceasetoimitatetheartificialstandardsofotherpeopleandcreatearacestandardoftheirown”

Whobetterthanyoushouldunderstandwhatitmeanstobeforciblytaken,tobeseenaslessthanhuman withamandatetoliveundertherulesofsomeoneelse

It'slikeyoucan'tseesufferingifyou'renotthecenterofattentionandmostofthetimeallweneedyouto doislisten;stopsupportingtheworld'seffortstomisappropriatethestrengthofBlackWomenandhelpus toretainitforourhealing

Andpleaseunderstand,weareacutelyawareofthehatredthatexistagainstblackmenandwefightfor you,

Allwewantyoutodoisfightforustoo

mama’scryin’ causetheirbabieskeepdyin’ transitionin’prematurely unabletofulfilltheirdestinies

thepowersthatbeinthelandofthe“free”continuetoenactbiochemical,psychological,spiritual,and ecologicalwarfareagainstthesurplusofformerlyenslavedAfricansandtheirdescendants

sophisticatedtechnologyisbeing usedtoabuseandsubduetherageandresistanceofthemasses

thisempireisabeast onethatrobsusofour freedom,dignity,imagination,andautonomy

asistruggletodestroythisparasitic(racial)capitalistmachine,thepossibilityofaprematuredeathhaunts mebeitfromthemachineorskinfolkwhoain’tkinfolk

itisimperativetooursurvival andstrugglethatwearegroundedinrevolutionaryideologiesinsteadnotreactionaryideologies.

wemustknowourenemies…

ipraythatwecommitourselves towakin’upfromthespellsofcapitalism,whitesupremacy, imperialism,individualismandother-isms.

wemustbecomeseriousaboutorganizing.wemustchallengeandunlearninternalandexternal contradictions.

wemustresolveconflictandharminwaysthatrestoretrustwithinthecommunity.

wemustbuildnew,healthier,andsustainablemodelsofleadership, communities,andcamaraderie.

wecannotresistchange,wemustencourageitanduseitasacatalysttocultivatetheworldswedesire anddeserve!

wecannolongeraffordtobeafraid

wecannolongeraffordtobezombieswordtofelakuti!

“acalltothemasses” byàngelgriot

Section5:BlackWorkersUNITE!AReportonOurConditionsandHowWEFIGHT BACK!

TheArchitectsofViolence:TheSlave-LikeConditionsofIncarceratedLabor

By GusWood

Oneofthegreatestcriticaltakedownsofcapitalismandslavelaborintelevisionhistory was“AFeasibilityStudy”fromtheoriginal1963-1965OuterLimits—aMarxistHumanistseries thatquestionedthestructureofoppressionbyshowcasingthedialecticofhumancollectivism, resistance,andrelationships.Intheepisode“AFeasibilityStudy,”acivilizationofimmobile, capitalistalienskidnapanentireneighborhoodofpeoplefromEarthtoserveastheirslavelabor ontheplanetLuminous,offeringtheirslavesonlythecapacitytoloveoneanother,worship whateverreligiontheywant,andenjoynodreamsoffreedomorescape.Imprisonedina forcefieldandsufferingfromdeadlybacteriaandunsanitaryconditions,theslavesrebelagainst theiraliencaptorsanddestroythecapacityforhumanenslavementonLuminous.Thecarceral statedepictedintheepisoderesembledthecarceralstateintheU.S.inbothformandfunction, butthefocusneverlefttherebels’useofcollectiveresistanceandstrongrelationshipstobuilda

PhotocourtesyofInnocenceProject9.17.21

revolutionagainstthestateandendcapitalistexploitation.Inotherwords,theshowabandoned themoralityplaysoftenfoundinserieslike“TheTwilightZone,”todepictanoppressivesystem devoidofmoralitybutfilledwiththedialecticsofsubjugationandresistance,likecapitalismand thecarceralstate.

ItisnosurprisethatthecarceralstatewithintheUnitedStatesremainsoneofthemost diabolical,cold-bloodedformsofstructuralviolenceonhumanbeings,particularlyahighly disproportionatenumberofAfricanAmericans.However,onecharacteristicofthecarceralstate rarelydiscussedistheslave-likelaborsystemwithinjailsandprisons.Theuniquepolitical economyofthecarceralstatepitstheprison,apublicagencyornonprofit,oraprivatecompany thesolecontrolovertheincarceratedworker.

Assoonasindividualsareincarcerated,theyloseallrightstorefuseworklegally.As “legally”confinedindividuals,theincarceratedareatthemercyoftheinhumaneThirteenth AmendmenttotheU.S.Constitution,allowingslaverytocontinueuncheckedinjailsand prisons.Closeto80percentofallincarceratedworkersreportedthattheyfacedinhumane punishments,likesolitaryconfinement,forrefusingtowork.Additionally,thepatheticallyweak U.S.laborlawdoesnotcoverincarceratedworkers.ThestatesofAlabama,Arkansas,Florida, Georgia,Mississippi,SouthCarolina,andTexaspayvirtuallynocompensationtoincarcerated workerswhilemostotherstatesliterallypaypenniesperhour.Theaverageminimumand maximumhourlywagesforincarceratedworkersintheUnitedStatesare13centsand52cents, respectively.Cost-of-livingandinflationadjustmentstoincarceratedworkerwagesare non-existent.Forexample,incarceratedworkersinNewYorklastreceivedawageincreasein 1993.WorkersinVirginia’sprisonshavebeenmaking$0.25anhoursince1988!Evenwith theseslavery-levelpayscales,theStateliterallyrobsincarceratedworkers’paychecks.On averageacrosstheUnitedStates,federalandstateprisonsdeductcloseto80percentofincome fromworkersforcourt-imposedfines,taxes,restitution,roomandboardtohaveacell,andother ridiculousfees.ThetheftbytheStateissomonstrousthatin2021,closeto60percentofall wagesearnedbyincarceratedworkersintheU.S.wasstolenbythefederalgovernment.The bareboneswagesleftareusuallynotenoughforworkingclasspeopletobuysurvivalneeds insidelikemedication,warmclothing,nutritionalfood,andhygieneproducts.

Althoughmostlaborperformedbyincarceratedworkersmainlykeepthejailsandprisons running,thetypesofjobsmustbeconsidered“dirtywork,”sweatedlaborthatisunstable,often dangerous,physicallydemanding,andwithoutlivablewagesorbenefits.Theincarceratedwork ascooks,dishwashers,morticians(duringtheheightofthepandemic),janitors,groundskeepers, plumbers,electricians,roadrepairmen,unauthorizedfirefighters,naturaldisasterresponders (sandbagging,clearingdebris,reconstructingareasafterearthquakes,mudslides,etc.), sharecroppers,meatpackers,carpenters,andfactorylinemenwhobuildofficefurniture, mattresses,licenseplates,dentures,glasses,athleticequipment,andclothing.Betweenallthese differentlaborsectors,theincarceratedtypicallygeneratemorethan$2billionayearingoods andservicesfortheworldandover$9billionayearinsustainingtheU.S.carceralstate.

Incarceratedworkersareconsistentlyresistingtheseconditions,fromfilingreportsand lawsuitsagainsttheiremployerstogoingonlaborandhungerstrikes.Particularlyoverthe hundredsofpreventableinjuriesthathappentoincarceratedworkers(manylosebodyparts), over24,000incarceratedworkersorganizedaprisonstrikein2016across24statesandalmost 40menandwomen’sfacilities.Thestrikersorganizedtheirdemandsviaconditionsspecificto theirfacilitieswithmanywinningraises,betterhealthcare,andendingcontractswithprivate businesses.The2016strikefollowedalonghistoryofincarceratedworkerswithholdinglabor,

includingthe2010GeorgiaPrisonStrikewhenthousandsofworkersrefusedtowork.This launchedsimilaractionsinIllinois,Virginia,NorthCarolina,andWashington.Sincethen, hundredsofprisonshadincarceratedworkersstrikingagainsttheirinhumaneconditions—with supportandresourcesfromradicalorganizationsontheoutside.Aswebuildoursocial movementsanddefinewhatourrevolutionlookslike,wemustcontinuetocentralizethe exploitationofincarceratedworkersinthepoliticaleconomyoflabor.OurincarceratedBlack comradesandkinmustbeeducated,organized,andreadytowithholdtheirlaborwhen necessary.Wemustbuildthismovement.TheirstruggleisOURSTRUGGLE.

BAMNStaff:

MakunguAkinyela

NoelDidla

IfetayoM.Flannery

NyeusiJami

kwame-osagyefokalimara

JomoMuhammad

EdwardOnaci

AlanTakeall

GusWood

Contributor:

AngelGriot

EfiaNwangaza

HalimaOlufemi

Designedby:TheCenterforIdeas,Equity,andTransformativeChange

EfiaNwangaza EfiaNwangaza