Greek translation of Michael’s writing
From Contrainfo
Γεια χαρά! Καλώς ορίσατε στη σελίδα μου, Anarchy Live!
Τ’ όνομά μου είναι Μάικλ Κιμπλ, είμαι ένας 49χρονος μαύρος ομοφυλόφιλος αναρχικός, κι εκτίω ποινή ισόβιας κάθειρξης για τη θανάτωση ενός λευκού ομοφοβικού ρατσιστή μισαλλόδοξου.
Βρίσκομαι αιχμάλωτος στο σωφρονιστικό κατάστημα υψίστης ασφαλείας Χόλμαν του συστήματος φυλακών της Αλαμπάμα – στη φυλακή όπου λαμβάνει χώρα η νομιμοποιημένη δολοφονία (θανατική ποινή) από το κράτος. Έχω εκτίσει 28 έτη, κι αναμένω να εξεταστεί πάλι η υφ’ όρων αποφυλάκισή μου τον Δεκέμβρη του 2015, ύστερα από απανωτές απορρίψεις.
Κατά την πρώτη περίοδο του εγκλεισμού μου ενστερνίστηκα τον κομμουνισμό για λίγα χρόνια, επειδή ο κομμουνισμός φαινόταν υποστηρικτικός κι αναφερόταν στην καταπίεση μαύρων, φτωχών, έγκλειστων και ομοφυλόφιλων. Τελικά όμως εγκατέλειψα τον κομμουνισμό λόγω της αυταρχικής του δομής, κι έγινα αναρχικός μερικά χρόνια αργότερα. Ο αναρχισμός ταιριάζει καλύτερα στο ταμπεραμέντο και στο σκεπτικό μου. Άσε που είναι πιο πρακτικός. Ο αναρχισμός δεν αφορά την οικοδόμηση μιας ιεραρχικής δομής για την απελευθέρωση κάπου στο μακρινό μέλλον, αλλά το να ζεις τη ζωή σου, ΤΩΡΑ, με τρόπο απελευθερωτικό. Είναι λοιπόν πιο πρακτικός.
Είναι κόλαση να ’σαι στη φυλακή, κι είναι ιδιαίτερα δύσκολο για όσους ανθρώπους από μας αυτοπροσδιορίζονται ως γκέι, κουίρ ή μη συμμορφωμένοι προς το φύλο. Η φυλακή είναι φασισμός με κοντινό πλάνο σε τρισδιάστατη εικόνα. Είναι επίσης ένα σούπερ-μάτσο περιβάλλον όπου ο καθένας φοράει μια μάσκα προκειμένου να επιβιώσει. Ο φόβος, η απάθεια, η απελπισία, η κατάθλιψη και η βία βασιλεύουν μακράν. Περίπου όπως συμβαίνει στην κοινωνία.
Ωστόσο, παρ’ όλη την ασχήμια, έχει απομείνει λίγη ανθρωπιά. Παράδειγμα: θα περίμενε κανείς πως όσοι κρατούνται αιχμάλωτοι έχουνε γίνει άσπλαχνοι και ανάλγητοι εξαιτίας του ανάλγητου, βίαιου μηχανισμού προσαρμογής στις συνθήκες που παράγεται απ’ το υπερσυνωστισμένο περιβάλλον των φυλακών, ότι δεν μπορεί να εκδηλωθεί κανενός είδους ανθρωπιά, κι όμως η ανθρωπιά αφθονεί. Υπάρχουν μερικά γατιά στο συγκρότημα των φυλακών, τα οποία έχουν αναλάβει να φροντίζουν ορισμένοι κρατούμενοι, και πρόσφατα είχαμε κι ένα νιόφερτο – γεννήθηκε ένα κατσούλι. Είναι μαυρούλα μ’ ένα γκριζωπό-λευκό κολάρο γύρω απ’ το λαιμό της. Είναι πανέμορφη και αφάνταστα γλυκιά, κι είμαστε τρελά ερωτευμένοι μαζί της. Προσπαθούμε να προσφέρουμε στα γατιά την καλύτερη ζωή που μπορούμε. Ξέρουμε από σκληρότητα και πόσο σάπιος μπορεί να ’ναι αυτός ο κόσμος. Ελπίζω σύντομα ν’ αναρτήσω μερικές φωτογραφίες τους (των μωρών μας).
Έχω μερικά χόμπι, ας πούμε φτιάχνω αφρικάνικες μάσκες, συνθέτω μουσική στον υπολογιστή εδώ πέρα, διαβάζω ριζοσπαστική πολιτική ιστορία, DIY και βιβλία τρόμου, ιδίως βιβλία με βρικόλακες. Μάλλον ταυτίζομαι με τα βαμπίρ, επειδή είναι μοναχικά, απόβλητα, και γίνονται αποδεκτά μονάχα αναμεταξύ ατόμων του δικού τους είδους, και υπάρχουν σ’ έναν κόσμο που φοβάται και θέλει να τα καταστρέψει.
Ευχαριστώ που μπήκατε στη σελίδα, και να επικοινωνήσετε μαζί μου. Είναι μοναχικός ο κόσμος εδώ μέσα.
Μέχρι να ’μαστε όλοι/όλες ελεύθεροι/ελεύθερες!
Michael Kimble #138017/B-107
3700 Holman Unit, Atmore, AL 36503, USA/ΗΠΑ
Repression of the Free Alabama Movement
As all yall who have been visiting my site are aware, the Free Alabama Movement called for a statewide work strike in protest to the slave system in Alabama prisons, and the conditions prisoners have to exist in that are deplorable. From January 1 – 15, 2014, prisoners at Holman answered the call of the Free Alabama Movement. The strike was suspended on the 15th because Alabama legislators who were in negotiations with F.A.M. supporters agreed to address the grievances of the F.A.M., but put those same grievances on the backburner once the strike was suspended and the special legislative session began.
So, the F.A.M. planned to resume the strike on April 1, 2014, but due to internal problems (divisions) among prisoners and repression from the pigs, the strike was further put on hold. Since the planning of the April 1, 2014 strike some of the key organizers have been placed in segregation for encouraging prisoners to strike. The F.A.M. has been designated a Security Threat Group (STG) and those who are identified as F.A.M. members/supporters have been labelled as “terrorist.” I, myself, was questioned and interrogated, threatened, and classified as a STG member because I admitted that I was a member of F.A.M. and encouraged other prisoners to take part in the planned April 1, 2014 work strike.
The prisoners in segregation need your help. None of them refused to work since they were not assigned to any job, but simply expressed their constitutional rights of free speech and peaceful assembly (association).
This is how you can help and show solidarity. Call and express your outrage and demand that these prisoners be released from segregation back into general population. The prisoners are James Pleasant and Abdullah Sabir.
Call:
Commissioner Kim Thomas
Phone: (334) 353-3883
Fax: (334) 353-3967
Governor Robert Bentley
Phone: (334) 242-7100
Fax: (334) 353-0004
Warden Myers
Phone: (251) 368-8173
Message from Michael on the Alabama work strike
Clenched-fist salute!
I’m Michael and yes, I’m locked down in one of Amerika’s many prisons in the state of Alabama. But that does not excuse me from the struggle for a better world. And I believe that anarchism is the best alternative to what exists now. I believe this without reservations. Anarchism is not about building state power, but rather, destroying the state and building new humyn relationships based on mutual aid and cooperation and freedom.
I’m not a public speaker, but a warrior in the struggle to build that new humyn relationship, mutual aid, cooperation, and freedom from all coercive power, rather than a soldier, because a soldier is someone who is ordered about without thinking for him/herself in a hierarchical structure. A tool of a ruling power.
Right now there is a struggle going on in Alabama’s prisons demanding a change in the horrendous, unsanitary, and inhumane conditions in the prisons. In the prison I’m at, Holman, birds fly around the kitchen dropping bird shit on prisoners and/or their food, industrial light fixtures are falling from the ceiling injuring at least one prisoner seriously, during the winter months the showers are cold, the dorms are also cold in the winter, inadequate medical care, inadequate outdoors exercise time, inadequate nutrition, harassment of family members during visiting hours, and a host of other serious problems too numerous to list (see “Justice or Just Business” for more). But most of all, we are fighting and struggling for our dignity and humanity.
Prisoners have very few options against the prison system. We have the options of: (1) filing lawsuits, (2) rioting, (3) hunger strikes, (4) work strikes. These four are the most common practices used by prisoners throughout the world. A work strike is what is going down in Alabama right now. The reason a work strike was chosen is simple. To cause the state to lose the profits it rests in off of prisoners’ labor and to force them into making the changes in the conditions that’s demanded.
In January 2014, prisoners in Alabama staged a work strike demanding changes in the laws, sentencing, and prison conditions. The present work strike is a continuation of the January 2014 work strike.
Of course, as an anarchist I know that only by smashing the state and its oppressive institutions will people receive true humyn rights. I say people and not prisoners because there will be no prisons. Also, as an anarchist, I’m an enemy of the state and its rotten institutions and those that support them, invest in them, profit from them even if it’s a wage.
Another option or weapon I didn’t mention until now is the people on the outside in what some of us call minimum kustody (society) and what others call “free-world.” What’s free about it? Anyway, the people on the outside are the greatest weapon we can employ. Those on the outside can use the media (print, TV, social media) to expose the inhumynity going on in Amerika’s prisons. This is a priority. Through exposure, people can be educated as to the true nature of prisons and motivated to move against the state. Also, outside folks can carry out actions such as the George Jackson Brigade actions in solidarity with prisoners in Washington state who was struggling there, the actions carried out by the Red Army Faction in Germany to show their solidarity and disgust with the state, and most recently by anonymous warriors in Indiana in support and solidarity with the prisoners on hunger strike there. There’s real risks in these actions for the people carrying them out and one must give it the seriousness it deserves. But one must also understand that prisoners are at serious risk of physical violence against them, possibly death, continued incarceration, isolation just to name a few outcomes. I myself don’t look to come out of this latest work strike unscathed.
But my solidarity with my fellow prisoners is more than lip service. We are already experiencing violence due to the fucked up conditions we all suffer under. A person can’t be so oppressed that they can’t find a way to fight back in some way. And one must use the weapons at their disposal. It’s on!
Tutashinde Mbili Shaka! (Together we can win!)
Death 2 the State!
Until we all are free!
Abolish prisons!
We expect retaliation, possibly including beatings of prisoners who are labeled as agitators.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We ask that you make phone calls to the Warden, the commissioner of the Alabama Department of Correction, and the Governor of Alabama, to check on the situation, our condition, demands, and welfare.
Please call:
Warden Gary Hetzel (Holman Prison): (251) 368-8173
Commissioner Kim Thomas (Alabama DOC) (334) 353-3870
Governor Robert J. Bentley: (334) 242-7100
Justice or Just Business
In 1901, the State of Alabama adopted the constitution on 1901, by which they created a legal structure, necessary for building an economy with “cheap labor” as its foundation. Since its inception, the state of Alabama has built its economy from the economical exploitation of those they considered beneath them. For many years, Alabama has misused its judicial system to feed its needs for “cheap slave labor.” The combination of poverty, crime, arbitrary laws, and disparate application of laws has caused the prisons to overflow. Prisoners working for “little or nothing” is one of Alabama’s biggest work forces. We are talking business: the more people in prison, the bigger the potential work force.
As we can’t marginalize the great strides made during the civil rights movement. There has been many corrective steps taken since the writing of the constitution of 1901. However, there is so much more to be done. There has been no effective strategy for purging Alabama of its economical and political addiction to cheap (slave) labor. Just think from the status quo’s stand point, it makes too much sense to let it go. Like with most addicts, it takes a little tough love to help them.
FREE ALABAMA MOVEMENT
Free Alabama Movement is proposing that “tough love” in the form of a state-wide (non-violent) protest for civil and human rights. One solid year of solidarity saying we will no longer provide free labor without compensation. We will no longer allow our families to be exploited. Inmate labor saves the state millions of dollars each year, yet the inmate receives no benefit for the labor he provides, no investment in his rehabilitation and re-entry into society. Alabama’s judicial system is more interested in the profits made from inmates’ cheap slave labor than the genuine rehabilitation of the individual. Which has created a prison system that houses more industries than trade schools. They’ve placed less emphasis on education and rehabilitation, while more for free inmate labor. We, as a people, must free Alabama from its 1800s way of thinking, which aggressively pursues new laws, with longer sentences, to ensure long-term inmate labor. We must free Alabama from its lock ‘em up and throw away the key policy which they are misusing to feed their assembly line of inmate labor.
ISSUES
- To put an end to the system of free labor within the Alabama Department of Corrections, as free labor serves no purpose towards rehabilitation and is only a slave-styled system disguised as a system of truth, justice, and punishment for crime. The reality is that free labor of Alabama’s prison system is a continuation of the enslavement and exploitation of black, brown, and poor white people. The name changed, but cheap or free slave labor is still the game.
- To put an end of inhumane living conditions, under which Alabama’s prisoners are forced to live, which stems from Alabama’s choice to warehouse large amounts of people, overpopulating all of its facilities and refusing to put the health of the inmate above cost. These type of living conditions only make incarceration (more) dangerous, and overcrowding contributes to (more) violence, disease outbreaks, and an overall unhealthy living environment. Every aspect of an inmate environment is substandard; from food and water to health care.
- To abolish life without parole sentences and expedite the process of overhauling Alabama’s current parole system; in order to release more deserving people. Life without parole is a cruel sentence which provides the inmate with no incentive to seek rehabilitation.
- To put an end to certain laws targeting certain specific race groups, which is followed by outrageous and arbitrary sentencing. One prime example is Alabama’s drive-by shooting laws, which have been codified in the capital murder statute of 13a-5-40. Studies show that Alabama, with intent, designed these laws for young black males, as when white people have committed the same exact crime, it has been renamed “road rage.” Road rage for one and a full fledged congressional act for the other. Look up Shirley Henson and Phillip Fondren. Read House Joint Resolution 575.
WHAT WE WANT
- We want an end to free labor. Providing free labor deprives us, our families, and our communities of valuable resources, which should be provided to us for our labor. Putting an end would offset the many costs incurred by inmates for every service the Department of Corrections provides.
- We want an end to overcrowding and two-men/women cells. We want a reduction in the prison population, consistent with its design to “humanely” house approximately 16,000 inmates. Today it houses approximately 30,000 inmates – almost double its capacity. It has been a topic in the media for over a decade, yet there has been no effective strategy implemented. Overcrowding contributes to the inhumane living conditions, the sub-par food and water, as well as to the increase in violent altercations.
- We want control of our money and the money our families send us.
- We want a state-wide reform in the youthful offender law and the creation of an adult first time offense law.
- We want life-without-parole sentences abolished.
The Free Alabama Movement (F.A.M.) is founded for and dedicated to supporting Alabama prisoners’ non-violent and peaceful protest for civil and human rights (NVPPC&HR).
A FEW OF ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS’ UNJUST “COMPENSATIONS”
An inmate is required to war a plastic armband at all times. If that plastic armband should break, the inmate is charged $3 for a replacement.
An inmate is required to fill out “sick call slip” for any ailments. The inmate is given a Motrin, referred to the doctor, then charged $4.
An inmate is required to take random urine tests. For lab’s time, the inmate is charged $33.50.
If an inmate is found to be in possession of a cell phone, they are charged $25 on the first offense, and $25 extra with each offense.
If an inmate refuses or misses a scheduled medical appointment, dental appointment, or diagnostics testing, the inmate is charged from $4 to $20 as copayment.
And there are several more money-grabbing schemes of the Department of Corrections. They are preying on families of incarcerated people. As the inmate works for free, so his money has to come from his loved ones.
As you can see, the inmate is charged for basically every service the state provides, yet the state refuses to compensate the inmate for any services he/she provides. This is the same underlying concept that produced the institutions of slavery. But now it may be worse than slavery. Because the slaves were not also charged additional fees for being a slave. And yes, we as inmates are slaves, by the very definition of the word. We provide free labor and receive no benefits from our labor. If that ain’t slavery then what do you call it?
We must put an end to Alabama’s practice of exploiting the families of inmates, with all of their hidden fees. Pay us or stop charging us. We must free Alabama!
Can’t U See?
Can’t u see
in a cell is where I dwell / sippin’ coffee, smokin’ bulger, plottin’ the future, goin’ straight 4 tha jugular / incarcerated, never intimidated, just fightin’ 2 be liberated from these chainz and fences / no repentance while doin’ this life sentence / killingz and drug dealingz goin’ down in this shit called tha game / brothaz lookin’ 4 fame, dying 4 gangz / when it’z tha system that must be changed / revolution is tha solution, not prostitution / i’m aimin’ at tha system and tha ones pimpin’ tha sistaz / they birth tha future.
Can’t u see
pain, sweat, and tearz, over 400 yearz / oppression, gender suppression, mass incarceration, kapitalist exploitation, it’z time 4 self-determination / this shit is deep, sometimez i weep / fueled by past and present images of brothaz & sistaz bein’ railroaded and given lengthy sentencez & being misplaced in that census
i exist in tha undaground, in a cell, a hellhole, yet have i folded / i’m not in hiding, not jiving, alwayz ready 2 face tha cold / that’z why I be so bold in my maneuvers, i see a beautiful future
as i started 2 grow in tha undaground some tried 2 kill what i feel / that’z tha real deal, otherz claimed I was out of season / how can that be correct reasoning, using tha logic of a heathen / ignoring tha bleeding / refusin’ 2 read tha signz of tha timez, that’z why I designed this rhyme
Can’t u see
subprime mortgage schemes, prison overpacked / crack, heroin is back / fatcat CEOs being paid obscene salaries in stackz, off tha backz of tha working classez, tha holice usin’ tha hood as shootin’ galleries, callin’ me faggot, politicianz lyin’, young folkz dyin’, motherz cryin’ / brothaz and sistaz neglictin’ responsibilities, hidin’ instead of protectin’ tha community by ridin’ / overpriced gas pricez, a real crisis / phony electionz, defectionz / warz being fought with toyz of destruction / tha game of elimination is being employed / that’s why i propagate what i feel / hopin’ u see what’z real
Can’t u see
they keep us locked up in these cages and that’s why i rage
Can’t u see
How to Support Michael
If you would like to support Michael by making donations of books/zines, financial assistance for commissary, stamps, letters of solidarity and encouragement, please follow the instructions below.
- Books/zines must be from a publisher/distributor & only two (2) books at a time. No hardback or damaged books.
- Stamps. Only 20 (1 book) stamps a week.
- Financial assistance online at www.inmatedeposits.com or by phone (866) 345-1884; or just write or email Michael and request a deposit form if sending a money order.
- To purchase one or more of Michael’s keyfobs under “Arts/Crafts” write to Michael
- Letters of solidarity, unity, or encouragement should be mailed to Michael at the address below:
Michael Kimble
#138017 / B-107
3700 Holman Unit
Atmore, AL 36503
Introduction
“Affective struggle changes those struggling, as well as the world around them.”
Clenched-fist salute! Welcome to anarchylive. Anarchylive is a support site for Michael Kimble, but more importantly, a space for promoting radical/anarchist thought, smashing the state and building unity among anarchists and all those who desire to radically transform this corrupt and rotten world into a world worth living in for humyns and wildlife alike.
This is a vehicle to put forth, push and implement real world possibilities. This is crucial because in this 21st century world, an agenda of assimilation into the current corrupt and rotten political, economic, and social status quo is being aggressively promoted in every arena, not only by the capitalist ruling class, but by neo-kolonial, petty-bourgeois, and what the BPP called illegitimate kapitalist (hustlers, robbers, etc.) elements, and many are falling victim to this harmful ideology. Not truly understanding that this ideology that’s being aggressively promoted translates into slavery, super-exploitation, and death for millions of people and wildlife. It is my belief that anarchism is the best alternative to what exists today for humyn and wildlife.
Although i and others are presently being held kaptive in the prison slave kamps, does not mean that we should be inactive in the social war taking place throughout the world or that our vision should be narrow and confined to so-called prison issues. We must come to understand that the so-called prison issues are connected to and an outgrowth of the political, economic, and social system of kapitalist democracy.
We are under no illusion that the struggle for a better world is easy as making a cup of coffee, but it is possible and worth fighting for.
“The war goes on wherever one finds him/herself on bourgeois dominated soil.”
A Brief Synopsis of a Workstrike
The Free Alabama Movement is a collective of prisoners throughout Alabama prisons. The purpose of this movement is to affect change in the conditions of Alabama’s prisons. There is no chairman, president, or particular leader of FAM, which is much different than what has normally formed in the prisons. FAM does not classify itself as anarchist or anti-authoritarian because it’s not. There are prisoners of all persuasions part of this movement.
On January 1, 2014, the FAM called for a statewide workstrike. Only 2 prisons answered, but others gave their moral support. Holman maximum security prison is the first prison to go on strike, then St Clair maximum security prison followed suit a few days later. The FAM was demanding higher wages for all prison industry workers, a change in the parole system, and change in the judicial system (arbitrary laws).
The commencement of the workstrike started with the kitchen workers refusing to report to work. Not all prisoners took part in the strike. As a matter of fact, most industry workers reported to work. They were threatened with permanent termination of their jobs if they didn’t report to work. Only two dorms took part in the strike at Holman. Many prisoners claimed that they were not informed of the details of the strike. This was bullshit! Because three months before the strike, there was postings placed all over the prison and we had been informally discussing it with them.
The FAM gained the outside support of the NAACP, ACLU, Ordinary Peoples Society, among other groups and individuals. The Rev Al Sharpton dedicated segments of his radio program to the discussion of the workstrike. Many prisoners called in and voiced their anger with this rotten system, along with people from all over the country. There were protests held outside of the prison and marches in different cities in Alabama. The beautiful thing about the strike was that there was no particular leader, but a network of prisoners who kept everyone abreast as to what was going on with the other prisons and their ideas. We democratically discussed and agreed on what steps to take. Anarchism in action.
The prison officials threatened violence by prancing the CERT (Corr. Emergency Response Team) before the forms in an attempt to intimidate us.
Due to the refusal of prisoners to work in the kitchen, the pigs had to cook and serve us.
For all prisoners that reported to work in the two dorms, in rebellion their personal property was thrown out the door and they were told not to return.
The Alabama legislature was presented with legislation addressing the arbitrary laws, parole system, etc by outside representatives. They agreed to address it in the next legislative session in February 2014. Now they are in session that started on the 14th of January, 2014 and decided to put our grievances on the backburner until 2015.
So we are gearing up for another workstrike with new ideas. The workstrike ended the day that the legislature went into session. It lasted 14 days. I’ll keep you all posted as to what’s going down as it happens.
About
Hi!
Welcome 2 my site, Anarchy Live! My name is Michael Kimble and I’m a 49 yr old, black, gay anarchist serving a life sentence 4 the murder of a white, homophobic, racist bigot.
I’m being held kaptive in the alabama prison system at holman maximum security correctional facility. The prison where legalized murder (capital punishment) by the state is taking place. I’ve served 28 years and I’m up 4 parole again in December 2015, after numerous denials.
I embraced communism during my first few years of being locked up because communism appeared supportive and spoke 2 the oppression of black, poor, incarcerated, and gay folks. But I eventually left communism because of its authoritarian structure and became an anarchist a couple of years later. Anarchism best suits my temperament and reasoning. Plus, it’s more practical. Anarchism is not about building a hierarchical structure for liberation somewhere in the distant future, but about living your life, NOW, in a fashion that’s liberating. It’s more practical.
Being in prison is hell and especially hard for those of us who identify themselves as gay, queer, or gender non-conformist. Prison is fascism up close in 3-D. It’s also a super-macho environment where everyone is wearing a mask 2 survive. Fear, apathy, despair, depression, and violence reign supreme. Much like society.
But despite all the ugliness, there’s still some humanity 2 be found. Example: it would seem that those who are held kaptive would be uncaring and callous due 2 the callous, violent conditioning created by the overcrowded prison environment, that no humanity would manifest itself, but humanity abounds. There’s a few cats on the prison compound that some prisoners take upon themselves 2 care 4, and recently we had a new addition, a baby kitten was born. She’s black with a grayish white collar around her neck. She’s absolutely beautiful and sweet as can be, and we are crazy in love with her. We try 2 give them all the best life we can. We know about cruelty and how rotten this world can be. I hope 2 post some photos of them (our babies) soon.
I have a few hobbies such as creating tribal masks, composing music on the computer here, reading radical, political history, DIY, and horror books, especially vampire books. I guess I identify with vampires because they are lonely, outcasts, and are only accepted among their own kind, and exist in a world that fears and wants 2 destroy them. Thanks 4 visiting the site and please do contact me. It’s a lonely world in here.
Until we’re all free!
Michael Kimble #138017/B-107
3700 Holman Unit
Atmore, AL 36503
anarchylive.noblogs.org