A-Infos (en) US, Anarchist Black Cross Network Update - Statement from ABCN Members

[apoc presente <thirdworldwarfare@yahoo.com>]

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Break the Chains Conference Eugene, OR | August 8-10, 2003
Members of various collectives affiliated with the
Anarchist Black Cross Network (ABCN), which formed in
July 2002, met at the Break the Chains Conference,
August 8-10, 2003 in Eugene, Oregon. The Break the
Chains Conference was originally intended to be the
ABC-Network’s second annual conference. We consider
the Break the Chains Conference a success in terms of
bringing folks together and in sharing information
about the struggle against prisons. We managed to meet
several times throughout the weekend, despite a packed
conference and a hectic workshop schedule to discuss
common work and goals. We came up with several goals
for the network during our discussion sessions. These
fall into five areas: 1.) short-term and political;
2.) common work; 3.) communication; 4.) outreach; 5.)
assisting the formation of new ABC collectives.

We feel, based on our meetings, that there is a
continued interest in carrying on the work that was
started at the inaugural ABCN Conference held in 2002.
We feel as though collective participation is key to
reinvigorating that network. Such an organization is
important to achieve the critical mass we need to
successfully agitate against incarceration and
repression.

We the undersigned endorse the “New Draft Proposal for
an Anarchist Black Cross Network” and adopt this
statement as a working document for the ABCN. At this
time, we see this document as neither a draft nor
simply a proposal, but a starting point for our
efforts and the debates that will accompany them. This
statement is signed in personal capacity pending final
approval from our collectives. We request that all
collectives currently affiliated with the ABCN report
back with either approval or clarification regarding
their involvement with the network by September 11,
2003.

Patrick-Houston ABC
Twitch-Austin ABC
Jeff-Fresno ABC
Nicole-Houston ABC
Puck-Southwest Prisoner Support Network
Heather Ajani-Southwest Prisoner Support Network
Clayton-Southwest Prisoner Support Network
Dave Negation-APLAN outside support
Anthony Rayson-Chicago ABC

Goals

The following is a list of goals that came out of a
discussion breakout session during the Break the
Chains Conference, held in Eugene, OR, August 8-10,
2003. It is neither complete nor representative of the
ABCN as a whole, and reiterates many points spelled
out in “A New Draft Proposal for an Anarchist Black
Cross Network,” it is merely a starting point proposed
by ABCN members present at the BTC Conference.

1. Short-term and political

* Adopt ABCN Proposal
* Plan next year’s conference.
* Newsletter (bi-annually)

2. Common Work

* Supporting various campaigns around specific
prisoners and local projects
* Focus on wider issues, such as women and gender in
relation to incarceration

3. Communication

* Methods-phone communication and correspondence via
mail between groups
* Meetings-regional as well as national gatherings
regularly
* Electronic-tightening up list-serves, limiting
list-serve participation to only those individuals
affiliated with active network collectives, using the
rapid/emergency response list-serve as it was
intended, assisting with local website creation,
updating the network website and providing a current
and comprehensive listing of all active
network-affiliated ABC groups.
* Local report backs from each collective (2 per year
for newsletter, 4 per year on listserve—we need to
know what is going on so we can work together more
effectively) [this point was added per Sunday’s
discussion, but was not on the original draft handed
out]
* Print/Literature-for internal communication and for
local report backs as well as for outreach, both
behind and outside the walls.

4. Outreach

* Building ties within our communities (with active
groups and with families of those incarcerated)
* Keeping prisoners involved in communications
* Establishing a more “home-base” feel for the
prisoners we work with
* Finding meaningful ways for traveling comrades to
maintain membership with the network.

5. Assisting the formation of new ABC collectives

* Providing resource guides and address lists
* Providing continuing help for new collectives on
issues regarding internal process as well as
organization and outreach in their communities

**************

Tightening of listserves

In keeping with proposals coming out of Eugene
meetings, ABC Network email lists are being
streamlined

The former network list, abc-net, and all other lists
will be changed to abc-friends, a list for ABCN
supporters and those interested in sharing news and
discussion related to anti-prison work. List info:
http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/abc-friends

abc-ern will be used as a Emergency Response Network
for prison and criminalization issues initiated by ABC
groups and others. List info:
http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/abc-ern

A new list, abcn, will be primarily for those in
ABC/anti-prison collectives interested in building the
ABC Network. Introduction and stated support of the
Draft Proposal requested. List info:
http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/abcn

The anarchistblackcross.org website has been revamped.
Feedback welcome.


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