[Spooky hip-hop track]
Hello there, I’m Caltrops. The open road
still softly calls, like a nearly forgotten
Jeep commercial from childhood.  Tonight I’d
like to remind everyone that political prisoners and prisoners of war, as many correctly frame
it, remain our comrades.
And hey, many political prisoners have websites. And those websites usually have ways to donate,
including merch you can buy. All well and
good given that even people who oppose capitalism
have to live under it. But no comrade is  
brand, or an objects of admiration or contemplation.
And they are most certainly not charities.
No matter the scope of their deeds they are
people. Often times, given the conditions of prison, lonely people.
In fact, given the conditions of the outside 
world you too are probably
lonely.
Well great! You should write
to a letter to a comrade in prison! The contact information
will be on their website assuming they have
one. The Anarchist Black Cross and the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee also have websites. Where you can get information on comrades in prison.
Including both the prison address and their prisoner ID code
First you need to pick a comrade. Pick anyone. Or, pick someone you share a particular affinity
with. They may or may not write back. They may even have restrictions on how many letters they can send out. But
if you enter a dialogue, don’t keep them
waiting. I once wrote to Eddie Africa, and
he wrote back, and I’m not sure if he expected
a follow-up, but I haven’t wrote back since
then. And this was a while ago. Fortunately
he’s out of prison, now. And has been since June 2019.
On that note, write your return address on
the letter itself. Envelopes may not always
get to the proper recipient. And some prisons don't like receiving letters from PO boxes.
Honestly, prisons are a maze of regulations and different prisons have different rules for receiving
mail. But do not despair! The rules for writing to a prisoner are still less restrictive than
say, for a book report in middle school. Non-gel black or blue pen on 8x11 notebook paper is
good! Some erasable pens fade when exposed to heat, so keep that in mind. No glitter,
no marker, no colored pencils or any of that sort unless you know it’s okay. And for
you trots outs there, no newspaper clippings. If you write multiple pages, number them; so that none go missed,
and that the order clear.
If you and some other comrades have found each other, get them to sign the letter, too. Possibly using pen names.
As for what to write, create a poem, a short story, whatever you like. But please write
a little about yourself, and how you’ve
come to learn of your comrade. Make
sure they know that you are like-minded but don’t, use any signs or symbols that a slack-jawed
bureaucrat might interpret as a gang sign. Gang signs are often forbidden in prison walls.
Keep it personal, keep it spirited. Use details in
your descriptions of the outside world. According
to New York Anarchist Black Cross, details
are a frequent request. Our comrades are complex
and emotional human beings.
Related to this, don’t fall into hero worship.
This may implicate the person you are writing to as a so called
leader.
Y’know, just don’t write anything you
wouldn’t want a cop to see. This a friendly
correspondence under scrutiny of the enemy.
And especially watch what you say if they
are awaiting trial. Don't mention any alleged crimes.
The State is not an honest actor
But like... Obviously you know that.
The State's history of fabricating so called crimes is not esoteric knowledge
Even liberals know that.
Three notable cases, in the so called United States
Are that of Leonard Peltier,
The Haymarket Martyrs,
and the The Move 9.
But as the State makes no distinction, neither should we.
Any comrade in prison must have been doing an effective job
And we can learn a lot from them.
Those of us isolated from broader movements,
who may have been radicalized by memes, or
whatever, and don’t feel like they have
good prospects for making authentic connections
with like minded people, may find fulfillment,
satisfaction and a sense of being part of
a greater project, in making the moment for
some of the most abused and courageous among us.
[shuffling around]
I understand that it can be scary,
but,
it's just an-another person
jus-jus...
just relax.
I'm writing to Marius Mason
Imprisoned for his environmentalist work.
Which may or may not have involved arson.
Something I would never support outside of Minecraft >;)
