Support Needed for Ashley Williams!

Yet another False Conviction in the Richmond Courts!

For friends in the Richmond area:

Please join us tomorrow morning at the John Marshall Courts Building to support Ashley Williams, a young single mother who is to be sentenced in connection with the tragic death of her 2-year old son. Even though the medical examiner’s office reported the cause of death as “inconclusive,” prosecutors insisted the boy died of malnutrition and neglect. When Ms. Williams’ court-appointed attorney asked a medical expert to review the boy’s medical records, he found no evidence of abuse or neglect and concluded the child likely died from a genetic disorder that simulates malnutrition. The expert was prepared to testify at Ms. Williams’ trial, at no charge, but the attorney was removed from the case. Ms. Williams’ other three children were all healthy, but they were taken from her and placed in the foster care system. Depressed, she pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter without even going to trial and now faces up to life in prison. There were stories of her case in the local papers when she was charged, but none since then.

A coalition of African-American community leaders, including King Salim Khalfani, Sa’ad El-Amin, Marty Jewell and others, has stepped forward to support Ms. Williams. They are calling for people to attend her sentencing hearing, scheduled for 9 am, Wednesday, April 18, before Judge Taylor in Courtroom 302 in the John Marshall Courts Building, 400 N. 9th St., Richmond, VA 23219. The Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality have endorsed the coalition’s efforts and will be at the hearing. Please do your best to help spread the word.

Thanks, Phil Wilayto, for the DefendersFJE

Raleigh, NC: “Occupy” Joins Neighbors and Homeowner to Reoccupy Home

from TriAnarchy:

This morning at 9am, dozens of people started gathering around an empty home at 2633 Pebble Meadow Lane in Raleigh. While some entered and locked themselves inside, others stood in front in the yard and driveway. The occupiers were there, with the support of the original homeowners, to actively reoccupy a home that had been taken by the bank.

Police acted early, sending in squad cars and taping off the road to only allow pedestrian traffic. It appeared that for a good while they were waiting either for clear orders regarding who was the actual owner of the property, or perhaps simply backup.

Throughout the day more folks showed up, and by early afternoon there were roughly 50 folks inside and outside the home, including also media. The environment was peaceful, tranquil even, as folks met old friends, shared food and updates about different struggles, and basically chilled out in the front yard.

Eventually, however, around 3pm the tone shifted dramatically, with as many as 50 police showing up in blue uniforms, marching down the small residential street two by two. They were accompanied by two paddy wagons and more patrol cars, and quickly surrounded the house, ordering folks to leave or be arrested. Most people regrouped at the other side of the street, while some were arrested. Those who regrouped yelled at and argued with the cops, but were eventually pushed farther down the street to view the scene from the yard of a sympathetic neighbor participating in the protest. One teen, who had lived in the house before its eviction, kept up a constant stream of monologue at the cops.

Several police entered the house in riot gear, while others sat with guns drawn facing an open window on the second floor. Two more were pulled out of the house in this manner, the paddy wagons left, and the protest was “over.”

It goes without saying the anger and rage we feel for this army of order-following automatrons, who can simply remove a family from their home at a bank’s will. It’s only equaled by the frustration we feel at our own powerlessness to stop them. There is no easy solution to this problem outside of our own growth, training, and the spreading of ideas and the practices of revolt. What happened today was only briefly planned and of a fairly urgent nature; we can only hope that this practice of home “occupation” spreads, that in the future more neighbors come out to support the actions of a desperate few.

Specifics regarding the number of arrests, ways to support arrestees, background information on the family and their home, as well as photos and video, will probably be available soon at www.occupygreensboro.org and www.occupyraleigh.org.

UPDATED: RVA May Day 2012 Weekend Schedule of Events!

*Compiled by the Wingnut, with some additions (List is still being finalized, so please check back often!):

May Day in Richmond is looking to be the biggest year yet! Since last year, a whole lot has been happening around the world and right here in Richmond, VA. Virginians are facing increasingly intense and repulsive attacks on all facets of the working class. Immigrant people’s workplaces are being raided, women are having an even harder time getting abortions and regular medical care, LGBTQ folks are seeing their spaces increasingly policed and their bodies attacked, and people of color are still being harassed, imprisoned, and gunned down in the street. But through all of the bad, there has been resistance! While all of us face attacks from different angles and in different ways, let us stand together against the power structure that towers over all of us!

In an effort to make this year as broad and active as possible, with out taking too much time away from more immediate struggles, we tried something different. This year will be much more decentralized, but we hope everyone that wants to can attend as many of these events as possible!

Schedule of Events:
(More to come! Please keep checking!)

:::: Wednesday, April 25, 2012: Direct Action Training!
Where: Bainbridge Collective 1300 Brainbridge Avenue | When: 5:30pm (potluck) 6:30pm (training)| Trainer: Jeff Winder | www.waysidecenter.org | www.13ainbridgecollective.tumblr.com

:::: Friday, April 27, 2012: Public Housing Teach-In & Neighborhood Cookout!
Where:1600 Colorado Avenue When: 4:00pm – 7:00pm | http://www.facebook.com/events/123679377755723/

Description: Join RePHRAME and Public Housing Residents for food and a presentation on the issues facing public housing communities and the larger Richmond community, and how they are intertwined.

:::: Friday, April 27, 2012: Pre-May Day Show and Screenprinting!
Where: Wingnut Anarchist Collective, 2005 Barton Ave. When: 7pm-11pm | More Info: [ here ]

Description: Performances by Jake Mayday, Snail Party, My Son the Doctor

:::: Friday April 27, 2012: IWW Worker Solidarity Action
Where: Shuttle from Wingnut Show, 2005 Barton Ave / Meet at Penny Lane Pub When: 11pm – ?

Description:  Show up for details.

:::: Saturday April 28, 2012: Richmond Bicycle Co-Op Open House!
Where: Bike Co-op, 1806 Currie Ave (Near VUU, off Admiral) When: 11am-12:30pm | rvabikecoop.wordpress.com

Description: A Critical Mass Bike Ride will commence at 1:00pm from the Bike Co-op to a destination to be determined.

:::: Saturday April 28, 2012: “Marxism as a Guide to Practical Action” Presentation and Discussion
Where: The Flying Brick Library, 506 S. Pine St. When: 12:00pm

Description: Coffee provided! Bring a breakfast/brunch snack! This is intended as a friendly discussion, not a debate! No extensive theory knowledge required! Hosted by Phil Wilayto

:::: Saturday April 28, 2012: ‘Rebel Voices: An IWW Anthology’ & Labor Discussion 
Where: VCU Student Commons, 907 Floyd Avenue — Forum Room When: 7pm-9pm | more info: [ here ]

Description: Join the Richmond Industrial Workers of the World and organizer Daniel Gross as he reads selected stories from ‘Rebel Voice: an IWW anthology’.

After the readings a discussion will be facilitated by Daniel Gross. Gross is a labor lawyer, author and long time organizer with the IWW. Gross is also co-founder of Brandworkers International, a non-profit organization protecting and advancing the rights of food and retail workers . On the issue of workers’ rights, the New York Times has called him, “earnest, articulate, and dogmatic to a flaw…”. A graduate of Fordham Law School, he serves on the executive committee of the National Lawyers Guild Labor and Employment Committee.

:::: Sunday April 29, 2012: LGBTQIA Picnic in the Park!! ♥
When: 3:00pm Where: Monroe Park| Info: [ here ]

Description: Hey y’all we’re going to get together and eat some food, make some banners for the LGBTQIA Block at the MayDay Parade and hang out in the park! This is also a family day in the park and the day they share food with folks. So bring a dish to share (hopefully vegan), bring banner making materials for the LGBTQIA block at the MayDay Parade. We’ll also share stories about what its like in our many different working environments as LGBTQIA folks!! ♥

This will include folks from SONG, Girls Rock! RVA and many other LGBTQIA organizations from Richmond VA! If you would like me to add a group you work with and you plan to be there. Let us know!

:::: Sunday April 29, 2012: A Children’s March for Sharing!
Where: Monroe Park, off Belvidere, near VCU When: 1pm | http://www.facebook.com/events/311420708928652/

Description: Bring materials to help kids make signs and banners, and march through the park! Bring noise makers!

:::: Sunday April 29, 2012: May Day Potluck with Food Not Bombs!
Where: Monroe Park When: 4pm | richmondfoodnotbombs.wordpress.com

Description: Join FNB for their weekly meal that has been happening for 18 years! Bring a vegan dish and friends!

:::: Monday April 30, 2012: May Day Banner Making

Where: The Flying Brick Library, 506 S. Pine St. When: TBA | flyingbrickrva.wordpress.com

:::: Monday April 30, 2012: Live Nude Girls Unite! Film Screening & Discussion
Where: Flying Brick Library, 506 S. Pine St When: 6:30pm | www.livenudegirlsunite.com/index2.html

Description: Members of the Richmond Industrial Workers of the World will be presenting a documentary about strippers unionizing.  Synopsis: This first person documentary follows Julia Query, lesbian/stand-up comedian/peepshow-stripper, and daughter of a feminist activist, on her raucous journey to help organize the only union of strippers in the United States. Shot on a variety of formats, Live Nude Girls Unite! weaves backstage and dancing footage with labor organizing, street protests, stand-up comedy and comic-book style “animation” making an intelligent and dramatic cutting-edge film.

:::: Monday April 30, 2012: Worker’s Social Night!
Where: Commercial Taphouse (Upstairs), 111 N. Robinson St. When: 8pm-10:30pm

Description: On the last Monday of every month the Commercial Tap House plays host to Workers Social Night!  Local, Legend Draft Beers are on tap, and cheap!   Tip Your Server!

:::: Tuesday May 1, 2012: May Day Worker’s Rally & Parade!
Where: Monroe Park, off Belvidere/Main St When: 5:00pm (rally) 6:00pm (parade)

:::: Tusday May 1, 2012: Occupy Your Stomach
Where: 6th & Broad St. When: 7:00pm-ish (after the May Day March)

Description: A potluck  to feed the marchers will be held at Kanawha plaza after the Tuesday May 1st march. The contact number for the event is 703-859-0393.

:::: WednesdayMay 2, 2012: Post- May Day Country/Bluegrass Show
Where: Wingnut Anarchist Collective, 2005 Barton Ave When: 7pm

Description: Love Banshee (Toronto), Pete Hamilton (RVA), Ben Shirley (RVA) All Ages. Sober. Bring some money for the touring band/band merch!

Elizabeth Kates Day Plant Sale

Where: Virginia Correctional Center For Women
2841 River Road West
Goochland, VA 23063

When: 3pm-6pm

ID needed to present went entering the prison.

The Kates Day plant sale is held the first Wednesday of May (this year, May 2), with profits going toward scholarships for inmates pursuing college and nonacademic degrees while serving time, funded by the Elizabeth Kates Foundation. Visitors buy all manner of foliage nurtured by inmates, who can earn certifications in landscaping, nursery care and other career fields through the horticulture program.

They provide scholarships, work programs (horticultural and vocational) and support enabling women to really turn their lives around. They’ve been doing this since the 60′s. Women who go through their program have ZERO percent of recidivism.

 

Friday, May 4th:::::: VACLAA First Fridays, May Day live Art event!

When: 5pm-9pm     Where: 401 W. Broad St.

VACLAA invites the Richmond community to bring their own favorite quotes from artists, poets, political activists, grandmothers, or their own dog-eared journals on the subject of the power of men and women through work to attain a sense of self worth.

http://www.facebook.com/events/439492806077215/

Corazon del Tiempo (A Zapatista Film) for Sale!

A while back, we did a film screening of the film, “Corazon del Tiempo”, and it was a huge success! At that screening, we sold DVDs for $20, and one of our members took the left overs to sell on her own. They’ve been sitting in storage for a while now, not having opportunities to be sold. So we got them back, dropped the price, and we’re making a blog post all about them.

Come and get ‘em! $8! Pick them up at open hours or at any events we table!

 

Film Description:

“Corazón del Tiempo (Heart of Time) is a film about love in the time of Zapatista Resistance. Things get complicated when Sonia, a Zapatista civilian supporter living in an autonomous community, falls in love with Julio, an insurgente (rebel fighter), because she is already promised to Miguel, a young community leader. The film shows how the community deals with this romantic dilemma. Spanish with English subtitles.

Corazón del Tiempo was filmed in a Zapatista community in the heart of the Lacandón Jungle of Chiapas, Mexico. The actors are all non-professional Zapatista actors who uncovered their faces and opened their communities for the world to see.”

 

Results from Jeremy’s Sentencing Hearing

photo by Las Cruces

Jeremy had his sentencing hearing today. The judge found it appropriate to comment on Jeremy’s political views as an anarchist, telling him that this “society is governed by laws” and that he should rethink his affiliations. The prosecutor, Chris Toepp, felt it was necessary to defame Jeremy’s character, insisting “he shows no remorse” for a crime he maintains he is innocent of. He also demanded Jeremy go straight to jail, despite the fact that Jeremy’s father testified that he was very closely involved with his family, and being Easter Weekend, he would like Jeremy to spend it with the family. The Commonwealth of VA got their wishes mostly, denying Jeremy’s request of work release, and only suspending 6 months of the jury’s recommended 12 months in jail. We did not even get to say goodbye to our friend before he was taken to be processed, for a nonviolent crime he did not commit.

About 20-25 people showed up to support Jeremy, including his mother and father. Many were Jeremy’s close friends, others were comrades in the struggle. Most of us are both.

So what is left to us now? We organize. Jeremy’s close friend Pablo will be setting up a commissary fund for Jeremy to be able to purchase the supplies he needs while he is serving time. Ellen and Janissa will be gathering the paperwork and rules regarding visitation and letter writing, and will be making small business cards to be made available to anyone who would like to send Jeremy literature, zines, or whatever else may be allowed. This blog will make sure to give timely updates on any developments, and allow anyone who wants to show Jeremy support to get the information they need to do so.

Until then, take care of each other, and don’t give up the fight. Jeremy hasn’t.

Mayday Medic Interest Meeting

initial call out for anyone interested in planning medic training/discussing the role of the medic in this year’s may day parade on may 1st [!!]. also part of discussion to include how richmond can build a community of healers to educate/support ourselves.

1st meeting: monday april 2 @ 11 am-2pm[ish] at the Flying Brick Library

anyone interested in participating in this discussion, even if you have little-to-no experience, is more than welcome to attend. this will be an informal meeting.

topics to be included:
basic first aid
mental health
safe spaces
heat exhaustion
basics for diabetics
potential for pepper spray/tear gas
water
herbalism
capitalism
gender
etc etc
plus whatever you want to talk about

Trayvon Martin and the Richmond African Burial Ground

Last Thursday, there was a vigil held for the 17 year old Florida boy who was murdered by a white nightwatchman, for being suspicious. He was wearing a hoodie and “carrying something in his pocket” which turned out to be a pack of Skittles and an iced tea. Around 300 people turned out, with just a couple days notice, and a Flying Brick resident was able to snap this photograph. The Defenders for Freedom, Justice, and Equality organized the event at the Richmond African Burial Ground, a site that was forgotten and turned into a parking lot, until an almost 20 year long struggle to reclaim it finally won last year.

On Monday, March 26th, in the VCU Commons Plaza, there will be a rally at 7pm. The student organizers are asking people to wear hoodies and hold a bag of Skittles and Sweet Tea in honor of Trayvon. More info can be gotten at the event’s Facebook page, here:

http://www.facebook.com/events/177640012355583/

Also on Monday, the African Burial Ground Community Organizing Committee is calling on supporters to show up to the City Council meeting on Monday, March 26, 6pm, in the City Council Chambers, on 900 E. Broad Street. The Slave Trail Commission (a city government committee that manages historic slavery sites in Richmond) is set to deliver a proposal that could eliminate the remaining seats on the commission for community members. Advocates for the Burial Ground have applied to be considered for those seats for years, with no responses, and now the STC is trying to do away with them, citing a lack of interest from the community to be involved. This is absurd and needs to be opposed!

For those that can’t make it to City Council, the VA State NAACP is calling a Press Conference on the issue at 11am. The press conference will be at their offices at 1214 W. Graham Road (behind Virginia Union University). Please, please attend if you can!