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Report-back from Mike

Well here we go again. This effort I guess is a combination of "OFF OUR KNEES" and "In Which direction". I want to begin by saying a big thanks to all those who have helped this project and myself personally to get over the May tragedy. A big thanks to those on both sides of the wall who gave cash, stamps, and all the hang in theres'. Especially thanks to Prison Legal News and Prison News Service who both ran a blurb explaining the situation and encouraging folks to toss a few dollars.

For this bulletin I have written two pieces. This one will deal with several questions which have been proposed and talked about in some general ways. The second deals with specific proposals and ideas.

The project quite frankly is not where I thought it would be at this time. The main reason is that except for a couple of people, no one in the free world wrote or tossed money into the hat that was being passed around. I thought for sure we would be able to ask supposed comrades and sympathetic people for a few dollars. What we needed to rebuild completely to our former capabilities was between $500 to $600. Not a large sum considering that the value of the work that gets done with that kind of seed money is in far excess of this figure by ten times over. That is if you could put a $$$ figure on the work we do together. I personally don't like using cash as a yardstick but in this instance believe it entirely appropriate. In examining the priorities that I personally am willing to contribute are the study group and production of all related materials, sending self-help publications (especially educational and legal) into the Gulag and the direct support of Comrades inside. In a nutshell the pen-pal network has now been tabled. Additionally the resource guide will be mailed by itself unless there is extra postage to include other material for instance ABC of Anarchism. this is what I am able to do at this point. Any other element of this project as always is free to escalate their involvement according to their involvement. for instance if at all possible to send more then that element should feel free to do so. I for one will not feel resentful in fact hope that someone out there has a rich relative they can rob for the postage money.

RELATIONSHIP TO SELF

I have always seen Raze as being an autonomous project reflect of two basic Anarchist values that of Mutual Aid and Voluntary Cooperation. Participation with in the process is based on what an individual wants to do and according to personal circumstances is able to do. since the inception of this project I have always stated that creating a centralized authority here in Seattle is very dangerous. The recent re-definition of Terrorism makes it basically a federal crime to be a dissenter in the belly of the beast. Thus it becomes more imperative that we continue to decentralize as quickly as possible with other FreeWorld people willing to step forward.

One of the topics I personally believe must be taken on is the question of division of labor. During this recent crises I am grateful that 4th World stepped forward and took on the mailings and continues to do so. I am also grateful to Scott (yep I owe yah a ton of mail) who also pitched in. I can't forget Carol in Florida who has taken on some of the work there. But what concerns me is that this still is an informal process with no real outspoken understanding that if X happens Y is our response. I feel this is really dangerous for if someone gets tossed will we be able to respond in a unified fashion? I truly hope we can, but I'm uncertain of how immediately that response will happen. As more and more comrades inside attempt to start study groups engage in activities to assert their civil, political and human rights we need to have a clear line of communication and understanding of how we as FreeWorld people are not only going to support that effort but how.

As of this writing the relationship between RTW and the rest of the movement holds some promise. We have solid allies in ATS, PLN and of course the PNS Krew. But our relationshipwith other tendencies is poor at best. In fact our relationship with ABC is horrible. Not one has stepped forward and asked what they could do to help. RTW has better relationships with the authoritarian commies then our own supposed friends! The renewed interest in the issue of caging is indeed welcomed. But letters go continually unanswered. Yes there are exceptions to this, namely Claustrophobia (or should I say individuals within that network) but again I am speaking in very broad and general terms. After a year we still remain largely isolated and every step taken to correct this situation has been met with silence. Is there a movement on this side of the barricade or just shadows of what was once a roaring monster?

WHAT IS RAZE?

This is a question I am asked continuously by Prisoners and a few FreeWorld people. Hm that is a good question which I find difficult to answer because I'd like to think we are beyond description :) ! In my own personal interpretation I feel RTW is a network of autonomous individuals who are committed to self-education and expanding/defending the Civil, political and human rights of Prisoners. We are attempting to build and Anarchist/Anti-Authoritarian movement on both sides on the wall. A movement which has as its agenda building a world based Mutual Aid and Voluntary Cooperation. I do not use the word tendency because you cant build a tendency which will defeat the enemy on short term basis let alone on a far reaching long term one. It is only by building a mass movement of autonomous individuals can we ever hope to win. I also see RTW as being explicitly anti-racist in both deed and practice. This I feel is something which is our most essential understanding; because of the nature of the Prison monster which promotes racism to divide prisoners against themselves thus making it easier to attack individuals and formations. We know the fascists are inside recruiting their future army from unconscious prisoners. It is our responsibility as Anarchists to be presenting the idea of building a non-racialist society not only in the future but also in the present. Racism is one of the linchpins of the Prisoncrats authority. A linchpin which we must confront for the authoritarian vampire it is and kill it. I see all of us working together as being one of self-interest. Prisoners on the one hand because in order to take uncompromising positions must be able to rely on outside help. FreeWorld people because we know that one day we could be sitting inside. If we don't build a movement today, where will that leave us tomorrow when we are doing time? RTW is with out a doubt, maintains a rock solid commitment to Prisoners. As FreeWorld people we can only support the effort that go on inside we can not define what those efforts are because we are not the people doing the time. As FreeWorld people we absolutely must be committed to developing an ongoing egalitarian relationship with those inside. Doing anything less will get somebody tossed or at the worst killed.

ON TO THE FUTURE

So I've probably run off too much once again and could probably go on for quite sometime. These are just a few thoughts I just wanted to share with y'all. I think the main question that faces us now is where do we go from here? What work do y'all see us doing. Shall we continue the study group? What should be the focus of our collective efforts? As always this is y'alls thing. I just happen to be the one who has the most time to pick up on all the little details. Anyways that's it for now. Take care, speak with you soon.