Swastikas spray-painted on Riverside home on Christmas Day

Police are investigating after swastikas were painted on a brand-new home in west suburban Riverside on Christmas Day.

Officers were called to the home in the 300 block of Lionel Drive at 8:50 a.m. on Dec. 25, and found swastikas and Nazi symbols in purple spray paint on all 25 windows, according to a statement from Riverside police. The house was under construction and partially open.

No physical evidence was found at the scene and no neighbors saw the vandalism take place, police said. The swastikas were removed from the windows after being photographed.

Police believe the incident occurred after 11 p.m. on Dec. 24 because a neighbor said there was no paint on the home at that time.

The potential homeowners, who were in the process of purchasing the home from the builder, are of Indian descent and may have been targeted, police said.

Accused Minneapolis shooters fascinated with guns, militia groups and the Confederacy

Taken from Rawstory.com:

A group of racist white men went looking for trouble at a Black Lives Matter protest in Minneapolis — and when they found it, they opened fire.

Police arrested three suspects in connection with the Monday night shootings that wounded five protesters, and social media posts reveal a fascination with guns, video games, the Confederacy and right-wing militia groups.

Authorities arrested 23-year-old Allen “Lance” Scarsella following a brief SWAT standoff Tuesday afternoon in Bloomington, and two other suspects, 21-year-old Nathan Gustavsson and 26-year-old Daniel Macey, later turned themselves in.

They have not been charged, but they remain jailed on probable cause for assault.

Police questioned a fourth person, a 32-year-old Hispanic man and aspiring model who goes by the name “Saiga Marine” online, but he was released after investigators determined he had not been at the protests at the time of the shootings.

Investigators are likely trying to determine whether the three men acted in self-defense when they turned and fired multiple gunshots at six protesters who were attempting to chase them away from the demonstrators’ encampment.

Demonstrators have been camped for days near the city’s Fourth Precinct to protest the fatal police shooting of 24-year-old Jamar Clark, who witnesses say was handcuffed when officers killed him.

Two witnesses reported that the shooting suspects argued with the protesters, who threw two punches at the men before they fled away from the encampment and then turned and opened fire.

Reisha Williams, communications chair of the Minneapolis NAACP, told CNN that she and other activists believed Minneapolis police were “behind” the shootings or at least stood back and allowed them to occur.

Other witnesses claimed that the gunmen wore the same ski masks as police officers in the bitter cold.

Video appears to show two of the suspects, who wore masks and identified themselves as “Saiga Marine” and “Black Powder Ranger,” driving to the protest Friday and using racist language as they promised to disrupt the protests.

“We are on our way, we’re going to knock this shit out,” said the driver, who identified himself as Saiga Marine and displays a handgun. “F*ck — and we’re going to see what these dindus are dinduing about.”

The word “dindu” is a racial slur derived from “dindu nuffin” — a pejorative term that originated on 4Chan’s /pol/ forum to complain about participants in the last year’s protests and riots.

Emails posted online appear to show the men planning their activities, and protesters complained for several days that masked white men wearing military-style clothing had been recording video and harassing demonstrators camped near the Fourth Precinct.

Nathan Gustavsson

Gustavsson’s Facebook profile picture shows him wearing a Belgian army jacket and holding a rifle, and Macey’s Facebook page has not been verified.

But Scarsella’s Facebook photo shows a mole above his eyebrow that suggests he is the passenger who calls himself Black Powder Ranger in the video.

Scarella’s cover photo shows “Bonnie Blue” Confederate flag, captioned, “This isn’t the somalian flag, (by the way).”

He lists among his “like” several gun shops and pro-gun groups associated with the III Percent militia movement, as well as the OAF Nation military veterans militia group.

The fourth man’s Facebook page shows him carrying weapons and wearing military gear, and he describes his occupation as “Saving the Constitution,” reported the Star Tribune.

The newspaper reported that the man, whose name was not officially released, bears a striking resemblance to the driver who calls himself Saiga Marine.

He appears to be a well-known, although not particularly well-liked, on 4chan’s /k/ weapons discussion forum — where he used the same name he called himself while driving to the protest.

“What an idiot,” one 4chan user wrote when news broke of his possible involvement in the shootings. “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Never should’ve trolled that protest so hard.”

‘White student union’ formed at University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign

Taken from independent.co.uk:

Students at an American university have sparked anger after reportedly forming a white student union to counter what they describe as “terrorism” from black students.

Amid ongoing racial tensions across US and Canadian campuses, a Facebook page entitled ‘Illini White Student Union’ (IWSU) surfaced - saying it sought to “organise against the terrorism we have been facing from Black Lives Matter activists on campus.”

Standing with Her (SWH) - a movement at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC), which says it stands with black women to “keep racist colleges and universities accountable” - wrote an open letter to administrators in the aftermath of a national day of staff and student action called the Student BlackOut.

It urged staff to take action over the apparent formation of the IWSU.

This week’s national day of action saw thousands of faculty members and students from across both countries stand in solidarity with students of colour, particularly the black students of the University of Missouri (Mizzou), which has recently been the focal point of race rows that saw its president, Tim Wolfe, resign.

But according to the open letter, the IWSU told its members: “Feel free to send in pictures you take of any black protestors on the quad so we know who anti-whites are.”

SWH also expressed concern after, it said, the IWSU posted the details of a black female student who spoke out against their Facebook page.

Citing quotes from university emails - which acknowledge how “black students at UIUC are at risk” - SWH urged staff to partner with them in order to “address [the] anti-black terror now occurring on campus.”

The IWSU page was removed from Facebook after it was brought to the attention of the university’s administrators. Some reports, however, have suggested that the mage has not been completely removed and is, instead, being moderated by Facebook.

According to the university’s student newspaper, The Daily Illini, vice-chancellor of student affairs, Rene Romano issued a statement describing how administrators have notified Facebook of the page, asking for its removal because it “violates the company’s own standards.”

Ms Romano said: “We also are reaching out directly to those responsible for the postings, notifying them that the usage of our name is in violation of our trademark rights and ordering them to cease and desist.”

Despite denouncing the content on the Facebook page, The Daily Ilini reported that campus spokeswoman Robin Kaler cited “the creator’s first amendment rights” and said that, if the creator of the page is a UIUC student, the university “will not take any actions against them.”

Crystal Lake IL: Neo Nazi Axel Salemi Accused of Squeezing Kitten to Death

40 Briarwood Cir 

Crystal Lake, IL

According to the Chicagoist, Axel Salemi of Crystal Lake, IL is Currently in the McHenry County Correctional Facility for allegedly killing a kitten with his bare hands. What they don't mention however is that Axel is a proud neo-nazi. His Facebook profile features confederate flags, deaths head skulls, and is where you can find him saying racist quotes such as; "we fly the swastika! we fly it strong and true! we ain't never gonna take it down for the communist or jews!". At the time of his arrest he was a server at a Buffalo Wild Wings. He appears to still be employed at the McHenry location (3343 Shoppers Dr. The Shops at Fox River McHenry, IL 60051-5405).

Taken from Chicagoist.com:

An 18-year-old Crystal Lake man is facing felony charges after police say he killed a kitten with his bare hands.

Police say Axel Salemi killed a 7-week-old kitten with his bare hands, squeezing it to death while he was "in an agitated state of mind," The Daily Herald reports. The alleged killing occurred at Salemi's home, which serves as a rescue shelter for kittens. Police were called to the scene Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. on the 100 block of Briarwood Circle. Salemi was arrested at his workplace, Crystal Lake Patch reported. 

Salemi now faces two felony charges: aggravated animal cruelty and criminal damage to a domesticated animal, according to the Tribune. He appeared in court Saturday where his bond was set at $20,000. He's currently in the McHenry County Correctional Facility. 

Court records dug up by the Tribune show he was charged with domestic battery and consumption of alcoholic liquor by a minor in March. A complaint alleged that Salemi punched a woman in the nose and mouth and grabbed her neck. He ended up pleading guilty to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct. He was placed on court supervision, which was supposed to end next June

Axel Salemi

40 Briarwood Cir 

Crystal Lake, IL 60014-3922

815-526-3292

https://www.facebook.com/axel.salemi.3

Reportback from 2nd Annual TORCH Anti-Fascist Conference

Taken from Philly Antifa:

Our 2nd annual conference was a huge success. Delegates were sent for the private plenary from Antifa Philadelphia, South Side Chicago Anti-Racist Action, Los Angeles People Against Racist Terror (PART)/A.R.A.-L.A., NYC Antifa (who are not TORCH members but were vouched in as observers), Rocky Mountain Antifa and the Antifa International Collective, based out of Quebec (also non-members). Antifa International traveled down to make connections between TORCH and Canadian Antifa, as well as to discuss their International Anti-Fascist Defense fund, which TORCH has endorsed and many of its members will be participating in.

Once the public section started we also met up with members of Asheville Anti-Racists, New Jersey Antifa, independent Anti-Fascists from all over the region, and even a pair of Dutch Antifa who happened to be in the city for holiday. Attendees were treated to a panel discussion and Q&A about Militant Anti-Fascists role in the Black Lives Matter movement, a video of which should be posted online shortly. Afterwards they saw a Russian documentary just recently translated to English “Ivan, in memory of our friend…” about the life and death of Russian Anti-Fascist Ivan Khutorskoi. They also got a sneak peek of the up-coming documentary about the Anti-Fascist movement in the U.S. entitled “No Fascist USA” by seeing a 10 minute trailer that will be uploaded shortly as well.

The conference show/after party featured some of the best bands playing in Philly right now and one visiting guest. Special thanks to Soul Glo, Fuck S.S., Autocracy East, Christopher Walking, Novatore and Leisure Muffin for playing. In addition to the acts we would like to thank The Rotunda for hosting, our panelists for taking the time, Black Orchid foods for letting use use their stuff, and Scranton IWW for providing security during our plenary so that all network members could participate.

It was a privilege to host the TORCH Conference and we thank everyone who attended, especially those who travelled from far away. We are already siked for next one.

In Solidarity,

Antifa Philadelphia

Introducing Neo Nazi and Former US Customs Criminal Investigator; Jack Latham

Jack Latham is a 62 year old neo nazi living in Saint Jacobs, IL. Jack was a former special agent in the United States Army and between 1987-1995 he was a US customs criminal investigator. Jack first came to our attention via Stormfront.org, the worlds largest white nationalist networking forum, where he uses the handle "soldierjack".  He joined Stormfront in October of 2014 and has since posted 11 times. Most of his posts (scroll down to see) consist of him spouting blatant anti-semitism.


How can we be sure that "soldierjack" of Stormfront is Jack Latham? Aside from the name similarities, Soldierjack's email address found via Stormfront ties directly to Jack Lathams facebook where similar anti-semitic rhetoric can be found.  Soldierjack says on Stormfront that he is from Madison County and Jack Latham lives in Saint Jacob, which is a part of Madison County. It is impossible to deny that Jack Latham is the neo nazi known to Stormfront as Soldierjack.

What's wrong with Stormfront? Is it really that bad?  Yes, it is! Stormfront was founded and is currently run by Don Black, the former Alabama Klan leader. It is the home and breeding ground for racists who have murdered almost 100 people in the last five years.

Jack Latham 
9755 4 Corners Lane
Saint Jacob, IL
618-644-5873
thelay@juno.com
SF: soldierjack
https://www.facebook.com/jack.latham.984

Meet White Supremacist DJ Pier Zambrano AKA "Subtropical"

Update 2016: (Has supposedly moved to Seattle)

Pier Zambrano, commonly known as Pier Novikov AKA "Subtropical", is a 43 year old white nationalist DJ living in Chicago. He first popped up on our radar several months back when he was seen making countless anti-semitic and anti-black Facebook posts. Pier clearly seems interested in the preservation of european heritage and has constantly blamed Jews and non-whites for what he sees as the downfall of society. His obsession with survivalism and the idea of returning to a more primitive or tribal lifestyle, along with his aggressive desire for racial separatism, are very representative of a variation of radical right wing ideology called "national anarchism". Pier has iron cross tattoos on his arms as well as slightly altered versions of the deaths heads skull (hand) and the white pride world wide symbol (head). Aside from his sketchy tattoos and overtly racist internet postings, Pier has connections to other white supremacists in Illinois such as National Anarchist Conor Wrigley (2778 Deerpath Park Dr Decatur, IL) and former Portland Volksfront associate "Trigger" Tom Christensen (3007 N Allen). He is also an associate of the virtually extinct Chi-town 77's (read here for info) .

Pier DJ's all around the city. He does an "industrial nation" night at the Charleston 1-2 Wednesdays a month and has/does DJ at Rodan, Analog, and elsewhere. Pier drives a black jeep. He is married to Lora Chasteen, and is also employed by her at Medusas Makeup (4001 N. Ravenswood Ave. Suite 304). He is rumored to carry a gun illegally on his person. Below are two screenshots highlighting some of Piers politics followed by some text detailing his personal info.

Taken and found from paste bin here, here, here, and here: 

Pier Zambrano
AKA Pier Novikov/Subtropical
4123 N Mozart St # 1
Chicago, IL 60618-2708
Drives a black jeep
License plate # F65 5219
Born  April 28th 1971
Works at Medusas makeup
4001 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Suite 304
Chicago, IL 60613

Minnesota Stands United Against White Supremacy

Taken from Unicornriot:

A Facebook event to counter-protest the permitted confederate flag rally, named Unity Against White Supremacy & the Confederate Flag, and organized by the IWW GDC (Industrial Workers of the World | General Defense Committee), drew the RSVP of over 400 people. 

On the early morning of Saturday, September 5th, 2015, the counter-protest marched to the capitol from a location close to the site of Marcus Golden’s death by the bullets of St. Paul police officers.

Before the march took off to the capitol, a speaker announced that the confederate flag rally had been cancelled and that the action was victorious in not allowing space for racists. 

While reaching the Christopher Columbus statue on capitol grounds, the crowd chanted of “tear it down”, referring to the statue, which is a representation of white supremacy to many of the participants. XX

Speakers ranging from Black Lives Matter organizers to Native Lives Matter to IWW and others spoke about the importance of collectively combating racism while a confederate flag was torn apart and burned.

Police Identify Juvenile Suspect in Beating of Sikh Man in Darien

Taken from ChicagoTribune:

Police have identified a suspect, but no charges have been filed as of early Thursday afternoon in a case Darien police are investigating as a hate crime against a Sikh-American man.
The incident occurred about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, police officials said. 

The Sikh Coalition reported that Inderjit Singh Mukker, a 53-year-old Darien resident, said he was driving to a grocery store on South Cass Avenue when another driver began yelling comments to him, such as “Terrorist, go back to your country, Bin Laden.” The driver reportedly kept cutting him off.

According to the coalition, Mukker pulled over near 69th and Cass to let the other vehicle pass, but the driver got out and approached his vehicle. He then allegedly reached in and repeatedly punched Mukker in the face. The coalition said Mukker, 53, lost consciousness, was bleeding and suffered a fractured cheekbone. He was taken to the hospital, where he received six stitches, the coalition reported. 

The police have identified a 17-year-old suspect from a description the victim provided of the offender and the license plate of the vehicle he was driving, Darien Police Chief Ernest Brown said. 

Police officers “briefly” questioned the suspect, Brown said. Sometime after their initial questioning, the suspect was hospitalized, Brown said. The suspect was in the hospital Thursday morning, though Brown would not discuss the reasons he is in the hospital.
“There will certainly be charges filed” once the juvenile is released from the hospital, Brown said. The DuPage County State’s Attorney Office’s juvenile division is reviewing the case to determine what the appropriate charges should be. 

Mukker released a statement through the coalition saying, “no American should be afraid to practice their faith in our country ... Without this being fully investigated as a hate crime, we risk ignoring the horrific pattern of intolerance, abuse and violence that Sikhs and other minority communities in this country continue to face.”
Brown said he is responsible for making sure “everyone gets the best and most professional police service possible. And if one person feels they were not treated fairly, that becomes a problem.”

No one should feel victimized, Brown said.

“It’s essential we nip it in the bud, so that any group, no matter what their origin, does not feel it’s open season on them.”

Mukker’s lawyer, Harsimran Kaur, said the Sikh Coalition is pressing for hate crime charges against the suspect.

“We want the attacker to understand that when he attacked Mr. Mukker, it was an attack against the entire community and the entire community grieves and feels afraid,” Kaur said.

Kaur said that, as one the core tenets of their faith, Sikhs stand up for justice and for those who are in need or oppressed. In fact, the turbans worn by Sikh men symbolize this tenet. 

“Ironically wearing a turban has become a lightning rod but it signifies the exact opposite,” Kaur said. “We hope that when people see a Sikh or meet a Sikh, they understand the purpose of maintaining the Sikh articles of faith is out of love for humanity.”

The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) and several other national civil rights organizations released a statement Thursday joining The Sikh Coalition in calling for a full hate crime investigation and charges.
Chicago Tribune reporter Manya Brachear contributed.

White Supremacist Shot in South Bend, IN After Displaying Confederate Flags and Yelling Racial Slurs

Taken from southbendtribune:

A 28-year-old man was shot Thursday night on Fassnacht Avenue after a confrontation that, according to several witnesses, started after the man displayed a Confederate flag and used racial slurs outside a neighborhood convenience store.

Capt. Phil Trent, a South Bend police spokesman, said the gunfire stemmed from a "verbal confrontation" between the 28-year-old man and a group that included three young men, but investigators Friday had only just begun to sort through evidence and witness accounts.

Police first responded about 6:30 p.m. Thursday to the 1400 block of Fassnacht Avenue after dispatchers received an alert from ShotSpotter gunfire sensors. When officers arrived, they found the 28-year-old man near Fassnacht and Birdsell Street, bloodied from his wounds but conscious and standing.

The man told police he was in his white Ford Explorer when he got into the dispute with the three young men, who were on foot. At one point, one of the young men drew a pistol and fired several shots at the Explorer, hitting the 28-year-old man in the upper back and one cheek, Trent said.

Jessie Chembers, a longtime worker at the J & J convenience store on Fassnacht, said he witnessed the incident.

Chembers said the 28-year-old man, who is white, was driving west on Fassnacht when he stopped his vehicle, with a Confederate battle flag attached, in front of the store and started yelling racial slurs at a group of black people standing outside. At one point, as people shouted at him to leave, the man pulled out a long knife or machete in a black case, Chembers said.

The 28-year-old man eventually started to pull away in his Explorer, then reversed back toward the crowd, and a young man fired several shots from a handgun, Chembers said. A few moments later, the Explorer stopped on the west side of Birdsell Street, facing south, where the 28-year-old man exited the vehicle, Chembers said.

That's where police found the man and the vehicle, which was impounded as evidence, Trent said, adding that detectives were awaiting a search warrant Friday to look for evidence inside.

Several other witnesses interviewed by the Tribune relayed the same details about the confrontation as Chembers.

Trent acknowledged that bystanders at the scene made similar statements to police about the 28-year-old man displaying a Confederate flag and used racial slurs, but he added that it was unclear which, if any, of those bystanders were eyewitnesses.

White Supremacists Arrested After Ordering Hit on Local Individual

Taken from inkfreenews:

Last week, Warsaw Police charged several subjects involved in a white supremacist hit on a local individual.

The investigation began on May 25, when Warsaw Police narcotics officers, along with the Indiana State Police, acted on a tip of a methamphetamine lab in Warsaw. During the meth lab investigation, officers found that a local gang member had ordered an “SOS” (Shoot/Smash on Site) hit. The hit was confirmed through various sources and the individuals involved were identified.

On Thursday, June 11, Warsaw Police located, Ryan Kauffman, who was the alleged hitman, and took him into custody. Kauffman, 33 years old, of Warsaw, had a firearm in his possession along with methamphetamine.

Kauffman was arrested and transported to the Kosciusko County Jail where he is being held on the following felony charges: conspiracy to commit felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, criminal gang activity, possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and possession of methamphetamine. He is being held on a $500,000 bond with a parole hold.

Also located and charged are:

*Mark Holbrook, 37 years old, of Warsaw, is being held on charges of conspiracy to commit felony

aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, criminal gang activity and dealing Methamphetamine. He is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on a $500,000 bond with a parole hold.

*Stacy Sult, 39 years old, of Bourbon, is being held on charges of conspiracy to commit felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and criminal gang activity. She is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
The investigation is ongoing. Additional charges and arrests are pending further investigation. Warsaw Police were assisted in their investigation by the Indiana State Police and the Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Four People Charged in Racially Motivated Stabbing in Canaryville

Taken from Dailykos:

Kristina Fox, a 30-year-old administrative assistant, alongside her younger brother, was beaten and stabbed repeatedly in her back and face while being called "nigger" repeatedly by a racist mob of white men and women in Taylor-Lauridsen Park in Canaryville. Fox told her horrific story on Facebook from the hospital and recently did her first television interview, seen below, as she recovers:

On the morning of Saturday, May 30, 2015, my little brother, Marcus Fox, my daughter's father, Darrius Walton, and myself were sitting in Taylor Lauridsen Park conversing with 3 Caucasian people we had just met (Courtney, Kevin, and Jodie). Everyone was having a nice time. 

Approximately 7-9 more Caucasian people arrived in the park. My little brother being the social butterfly he is introduced himself and began chatting with the new arrivals. After about 30 minutes, one of the guys out of the group we initially met and another from the group that arrived later got into a verbal altercation with each other. My little brother tried to calm things down but this soon escalated as everyone began jumping on him. It was at this point things turned for the worse as he and I fought this massive group of Caucasians consisting of both men and women. 

They were throwing glass bottles, crutches, bricks, and anything else they could find at us. As we continued to fight through this crowd of assailants to get away, more Caucasians came from out of nowhere and joined in brutally attacking us delivering closed fist blows and kicks to our bodies and head. We began the fight of our lives.
This MOB of around 20 Caucasians beat us until we were unable to move and left us laying in the park. My brother & I sustained multiple injuries. I was stabbed eleven times, eight times in the back & right shoulder, twice in the face & once in the head (which the knife was left lodged by one of the perpetrators). 

My brother was stabbed nine times, along his back, right side with one of the wounds causing him to have a punctured lung. NO ARRESTS have been made and the only publicity this received was an irresponsibly written 97 word article in the Chicago Sun-Times riddled with incorrect information. 

If the roles were reversed and had this been a mob of African Americans attacking two Caucasians this would have garnered immediate attention and been plastered EVERYWHERE. We have contacted news stations & have not heard back from anyone. This further proves that America believes- BLACK LIVES DON’T MATTER. Please HELP US GET JUSTICE for this hate crime! Please help us show that OUR BLACK LIVES MATTER! #‎BlackLivesMatter Please help us share our story.

Four people have been charged.
Taken from ABC 7:

Kevin Hoynes, 21; David Rice, 21; Courtney Vega, 19; and Joya Urbikas, 18, were each charged with two counts of aggravated battery to do bodily harm, two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, two counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of mob action, according to Chicago police. All of the charges are felonies.

Kristina Fox, 30, and her brother told police that they were attacked May 30 in Taylor-Lauridsen Park in the Canaryville neighborhood. A fight broke out and Fox was stabbed multiple times. Fox alleges that she and her brother had bricks and bottles thrown at them, and that racial slurs were being yelled as they were stabbed.

The four are scheduled to appear in bond court Sunday 

July 25 International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners

Taken from NYC Antifa:

Antifascists fight against those who—in the government or in the streets—dream of imposing their fascist and other Far Right nationalist nightmares on the rest of us. Throughout the world, Islamophobic, anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, and racist bigotries are on the rise. Antifas are on the frontline in confronting these reactionary politics, and we will not forget our comrades imprisoned in the course of this struggle.

The July 25 International Day of Solidarity with Antifascist Prisoners originated in 2014 as a Day of Solidarity with Jock Palfreeman, an Australian who is imprisoned in Bulgaria for defending two Romani men from an attack by fascist football hooligans. Groups around the world took action: holding demonstrations, benefits supporting the Bulgarian Prisoners Association, writing to Jock, and talking about the plight of the Romani and Sinti people in general.

In 2015 we would like to expand this day of solidarity to all antifascist prisoners around the world. We encourage groups to take the day to plan an event of their choice—whether it is a letter writing, demonstration, benefit, or other action—and to focus on the prisoners and related issues that are of most importance to them locally.

Below is a list of global antifascist prisoners; if there is an antifa prisoner who is missing, please e-mail us with his or her details and the language(s) they can read.

No Pasaran!
Until All Are Free!

Send prisoner updates, announcements for local events, and additional group endorsements to nycantifascistaction@gmail.com.

LIST OF ENDORSING GROUPS:

NYC Antifa (US)
One Peoples Project (US)
RASH Florida (US)
NYC Anarchist Black Cross (US)
Torch Network (US)
Brighton Anarchist Black Cross (UK)
Slackbastard (Australia)
Anti Fascist Action Sydney (Australia)
Projekt Antifa (Denmark)

EVENTS:
TBA

LIST OF ANTIFA PRISONERS:

EUROPE

Belarus
Roman Bogdan

Roman Bogdan was arrested on April 15, 2015, as part of the long-going state repression of anti-fascists in Brest, stemming from a fight between anti-fascists and fascists on May 8, 2013. Roman is facing up to fifteen years in prison on charges of group hooliganism and weapons charges.

He can read Russian and simple English phrases.

Address:
Roman Bogdan
224030
Brest
ul. K. Marksa, 86,
SIZO-7
BELARUS

Dzmitry Stsyashenka

Dzmitry Stsyashenka was arrested on October 4, 2013, for his alleged involvement in a fight between antifascists and neo-Nazis in Brest on May 8, 2013, that sent one Nazi to the hospital. He is also accused of another fight with neo-Nazis during the summer of 2013. He was sentenced to four years in prison, but in 2014 his term was reduced by one year due to an amnesty.

He can read Russian and simple English phrases.

Address:
Dzmitry Stsyashenka
224030
Brest,
ul. K. Marksa, 86,
SIZO-7
BELARUS

http://abc-belarus.org/?cat=3&lang=en

Dzmitry Zvan’ko

Dzmitry Zvan’ko was arrested for his alleged involvement in a fight between anti-fascists and neo-Nazis in Brest on May 8, 2013, that sent one Nazi to the hospital. He was arrested the next day, along with four other people, in a police raid on the homes of known anti-fascists. Dzmitry filed a complaint to the prosecutor about psychological and physical abuse while in custody. He was accused of malicious group hooliganism and serious bodily assault and faced up to ten years of prison. Dzmitry was found guilty and sentenced to five years of prison, but after paying off about 4,000 euro in damages he was granted amnesty, which has reduced his term by one year.

He can read Russian and simple English phrases.

Address:
Dzmitry Zvan’ko
225295
Brestskaya oblast Ivatsevichi
p/b 20 IK-22
Volchi Nory
BELARUS

http://abc-belarus.org/?cat=3&lang=en

Bulgaria
Jock Palfreeman

Jock Palfreeman is an Australian anti-fascist political prisoner serving a twenty-year prison sentence in Bulgaria for the rather mysterious death of a neo-Nazi football hooligan who was part of a group attacking two Romani men in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2007. Jock came to the aid of the Romani, and quickly found himself the focus of the attack. Bulgarian authorities did everything they could to ensure that Jock did not receive a fair trial, and after his sentencing have refused–in contravention of their own treaties–to transfer him to Australia to serve the rest of his time closer to his family. Jock wants donations for him sent to the Bulgarian Prisoners’ Association, which he is part of.

He can read English and Bulgarian.

Address:
Jock Palfreeman
Sofia Central Prison
21 General Stoletov Boulevard
Sofia 1309, BULGARIA

www.freejock.com
http://www.brightonabc.org.uk/jock.html

Russia
Aleksandr Kolchenko

Aleksandr  Kolchenko was arrested in Crimea on May 17, 2014, along with several others, and accused by Russian authorities of participation in a “terrorist group” which planned explosions near the Eternal Fire memorial and the Lenin monument in Simferopol, as well as having sabotaged railway tracks and electricity lines. Aleksandr is also alleged to have carried out two arson attacks in April: against the headquarters of the Russian Unity-Party, and the Russian Community of Crimea. He was transferred to Moscow and is being kept in draconian conditions. His lawyers are under a gag order, and have been refused elementary rights to defend him. He faces fifteen-to-twenty years in a labor camp.

Russian authorities claim that Aleksandr is a member of Right Sektor, a Ukrainian ultra-right nationalist organization, but he has no connection to the group—a fact confirmed by relatives and friends. Moreover, Aleksandr is an antifascist and anarchist who consistently opposed nationalistic movements in Crimea and faced constant fascist attacks for his activism. For example, after a film screening about murdered anti-fascist journalist Anastasiya Baburova, he was attacked by thirty Nazis with knives.

Since this case is highly political, Aleksandr’s legal costs are high, around 850 euro per month. The investigation has created a heavy financial strain on local ABC groups, and there is a call for financial support and information distribution. You can make donations via PayPal to abc-msk@riseup.net or using a bank account (write to the same e-mail address for details).

Address:
Kolchenko Aleksandr Aleksandrovich, (born 1989),
Lefortovskiy val, 5, p/b 201
111020 Moscow
RUSSIA

Please note: Moscow ABC advises that letters in English are seldom accepted in Russian prisons, so please write only in Russian (try using a translation program), or just send photos and postcards.

http://avtonom.org/en/news/repressions-against-crimean-activists-political-context
http://wiki.avtonom.org/en/index.php/Aleksandr_Kolchenko

Alexey Sutuga

Alexey Sutuga is a longtime anarchist and anti-fascist who was arrested in April 5, 2014, for a fight with members of the ultra right in Moscow. He was sentenced on September 30, 2014, to three years and one month in prison for his alleged involvement in the fight.

However, this sentence comes in the context of an earlier case from April 2012, when he was arrested for allegedly taking part in a fight at a punk/hardcore concert in Moscow on December 17, 2011. The conflict began after club security, consisting of members of the far right, provoked guests. The concert was stopped prematurely because of the fight, but the security then attempted to take some of the audience hostage and threatened to call their nationalist football hooligan friends in reprisal. The audience members resisted and the club security opened fire with rubber coated metal bullets. However, the club security was neutralized and sent to the hospital. The case against Alexey and several others was eventually dropped in January 2014 on the eve of the Sochi Winter Olympics as part of the amnesty bill, approved as a PR stunt on initiative of Vladimir Putin.

Address:
Earlier this year, Alexey was in transit to a prison in Irkutsk, Siberia.
We are waiting to confirm his new address.

Please note: Moscow ABC advises that letters in English are seldom accepted in Russian prisons, so please write only in Russian (try using a translation program), or just send photos and postcards.

http://wiki.avtonom.org/en/index.php/Alexey_Sutuga

Sweden
Joel Almgren

Joel Almgren was sentenced to five years and six months for defending a local community-organized anti-racist demonstration in Stockholm against a brutal Nazi attack on December 15, 2013. The peaceful protest—against fascist assaults on local anti-racists and the dissemination of Nazi propaganda in area schools—was attacked with knives, sticks, and glass bottles by the most militant Nazi group in Sweden. Anti-fascists at the scene defended the demonstration from the attack and many were injured themselves.

He can read Swedish and English.

Address:
Joel Almgren
KVA Tidaholm
Skogsholmvägen
522 85 Tidaholm
SWEDEN

https://www.facebook.com/freejoel

Linus Soinjoki

Linus Soinjoki was charged and convicted for actions related to his involvement in the anti-fascist movement in Sweden. He was sentenced to fourteen months in prison and has large financial obligations relating to his trial.

Linus can read Swedish and English.

Address:
Linus began serving his sentence in mid-May 2015, and is moving around the prison system. We will post his address when it becomes available.

http://heyevent.com/event/keiajdw7gqvtga/free-linus-break-down-the-walls

NORTH AMERICA

United States
Luke O’Donovan

On New Year’s Eve of 2013, Luke O’Donovan attended a house party in Reynoldstown, a neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia. Luke was seen dancing with and kissing other men at the party. Later in the night he was insulted with homophobic slurs, and attacked by several people at once. Luke unsuccessfully attempted to escape, at which point several witnesses reported watching between five and twelve men ganging-up on Luke and stomping on his head and body, evidently with the intent to kill him. He was called a faggot before and during the attack, throughout the course of which he and five others were stabbed. Luke was subsequently imprisoned and charged with five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon as well as one count of attempted murder.

Luke’s trial concluded on August 12, 2014, when he accepted a negotiated plea deal. He agreed to a two year sentence beginning that day, and then eight years of harsh probation. The judge  also banished Luke from the state of Georgia for the term of his probation.

He can read English.

Address:
Luke Patrick O’Donovan
#1001372271
Washington State Prison
P.O. Box 206
Davisboro, GA 31018
USA

https://letlukego.wordpress.com/

Jason Hammond

Jason Hammond accepted a non-cooperating guilty plea and was sentenced to forty-one months on January 2015 for his part in an organized direct action taken against a group of white supremacists.

In 2012, a group of racists and white supremacists organized a White Nationalist Economic Summit in the Chicago suburb of Tinley Park. Groups of anti-fascists and anti-racists from the Midwest confronted the meeting and successfully shut down the event through a righteous melee. In the aftermath, five antifascists were arrested, and dubbed the Tinley Park 5. The five were sentenced to upwards of three years and all have since been released. Jason was arrested later, and is the last person still in jail for this action.

He can read English.

Address:
Jason Hammond, M50190
P.O. Box 500
Vandalia, IL 62471
USA

http://freejasonhammond.blogspot.com/
https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/0w0Ma/ab/94SfS3

#OpAntifa Now Accepting New Projects

Now accepting requests!

November 7-8, 2015: 2nd Annual Torch Anti-Fascist Conference in Philadelphia

This November 7th and 8th Antifa Philadelphia is proud to host the 2nd annual Torch Antifascist Network conference. The Torch Antifa network is comprised of autonomous Antifascist groups who share information and resources. We expose, oppose and confront Neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan, Anti-migrant and Anti-Choice groups and individuals, as well as other bigots and fascists.

For more info on our analysis of fascism and our points of unity, as well as contact info for our chapters, go to our website.

We do not believe that these groups are a small problem. Thousands upon thousands of acts of violence and discrimination are perpetrated in this country by people who belong to these organizations every year. Thousands more by people who may not hold formal membership from fear or laziness but have similar beliefs. These cases are isolated and minimized as much as possible because the media has no interest in vilifying sexists or white supremacists the way they do Muslims, Black people and environmentalists.

In reality groups like American Freedom Party, Blood and Honor USA and the KKK recruit, train and embolden the “lone wolf” shooters, bombers and bashers. They also profit from it in money and privilege while injecting their racist, sexist and homophobic analysis into the mainstream political dialogue and making any sort of better world impossible.

The tactics of Torch and groups like us have proven effective time and time again for years all over the world for neutralizing our enemies organizing abilities and recruiting methods. Because Antifa represent another example of people power trumping state authority, specifically its desire to coddle racists and fascists, repression for Antifascists has become a normal expectation. This, partnered with the danger represented by the Fascists themselves, makes attending this conference all the more crucial.

We are calling on all Anti-Racists, Anti-Fascists and egalitarians to join us in Philadelphia this fall to Network and socialize and maybe get involved in Torch.

This conference will include both a public and private portion. The public portion will be open to all interested (no Fascists, obviously). More information on exact events will be released as the conference approaches. The private portion will be only for Torch Network members and potential members who have been vouched in. So crews looking to join the network should contact us via the closest chapter to you (contact info below) as soon as possible.

Housing is available to vouched Antifascists. Food will be provided at the public events.

If interested in attending the conference, send us an e-mail at PhillyAntifascists@gmail.com with “Torch Conference” as the subject line.

In Solidarity,

Antifa Philadelphia and the rest of the TORCH Antifa Network

TorchAntifa.org

Introducing Neo Nazi Christopher Brands

Update 5/28/15: According to Bill Walsh Ford, Christopher Brands has been let go. We are looking further into this to be 100% sure. Thanks to everyone who helped us with this campaign.

Christopher Brands, also known as "big show", is a 33 year old neo-nazi living in Spring Valley, Illinois (1041 W Dakota St). Chris is a manager at Bill Walsh Ford Lincoln Kia located at 2900 Columbus dr. in Ottawa IL. We first came across Chris on stormfront.org, the wolds largest white nationalist forum, where he goes by the username "pureblood14". Since he joined stormfront back in February of this year he has already posted over 100 times. Below are just a few screenshots documenting some of the content found in his his posts. Note that his posts are signed with a quote from Adolf Hitler.

Christopher D BrandsAKA "Big Show"
1041 W Dakota St
Spring Valley, IL 61362
Age 33 (2015)
SF: pureblood14
bigshow4440@gmail.com
6'8" / German
https://www.facebook.com/christopher.brands1

Screenshot 1: "The negroes can't mentally handle themselves, so it's up to their master to make sure they don't crap on the floor.

Screenshot 2: "how about calling for the end of the era of blacks being useless animals"

Screenshot 3: "perhaps we need to put the shock collars back on these animals and teach them a lesson"

Screenshot 4: "the negroes are subhuman. They have no souls."

These are just a few of the many disgusting things said by Chris on stormfront. We want our readers to realize that when you buy a car at Bill Walsh Ford Lincoln Kia in Ottawa, this is the man you are supporting.

You may be asking, "can we be sure that "pureblood14" is actually Chris Brands?"

Yes, we can! In a stormfront private message(view here) between pureblood14 and 14hatedandproud, pureblood14 says his email address is bigshow4440@gmail. As stated before, "Big Show" is Christopher's nickname. Not to mention the fact that this email address is literally attached to the name "Christopher Brands". In the stormfront screenshot found here, pureblood14 says he is 6'8", 291 pounds, 33 years of age, German, and blonde. All of those traits match Christopher perfectly. Finally, pureblood14 says he lives in Bureau County (see here), which includes Spring Valley, the area in which Christopher D Brands lives.  There is no question about it, Christopher Brands is the white supremacist known on stormfront as "pureblood14".

Please do NOT support Bill Walsh Ford Lincoln Kia in Ottawa, IL until Christopher Brands is let go!

Let them know how you feel on their facebook page

South Side ARA Annual Zine #6 (2014-2015)

Readable version here

For a printable version, email us at southsidechicagoara@hushmail.com

Welcome to the sixth edition of the South Side Chicago ARA zine. Every year we put together a collection of our updates on local antifascist work and intelligence, as well as a few relevant articles and updates from other sources.

Usually this blog post would contain the introduction from the annual zine being featured however, this time around we used the "Half decade of South Side ARA" article written a few months back as the intro. Click the link at the top of the page to check it out. We hope you enjoy!

-South Side ARA

Aryan Nations and Other White Supremacists Rally for Gary Yarbrough in St.Louis. Illinois Nazis in Attendance

Susan Yarbrough (left),
Brandon Lashbrook (right)

On Saturday, April 25th, the Aryan Nations and other white supremacists gathered on the steps of the old courthouse in St.Louis, MO to call for the release of Gary Yarbrough. Yarbrough was a member of the Order who was sentenced to 60 years in prison in 1986 for racketeering and weapons charges. Not only was Gary's wife Susan in attendance but there were also some white supremacists out of Illinois. There were some newer names such as  Kris Evans (Lincoln, IL) and Mari Cassidy (East Peoria), as well as some some familiar faces like Jeffrey Stuart AKA "Thomas Stuart" , Art Jones, and our favorite national anarchist karate master, Brandon Lashbrook, of the failed 2014 White Man March. 

Taken from CBSlocal:

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – It was whites rallying against whites on the topic of racism and race relations. 

The Aryan Nation World Headquarters reserved a spot on the steps of the old courthouse in St. Louis on Saturday, to call for the release of Idaho man Gary Yarbrough from prison after thirty years. St. Louis was one of several rally locations picked in the U.S. and two other countries

“Gary Yarbrough matters. The white race matters,” the leader of the group shouted back to those on the sidewalk shouting “Black Lives Matter.” Several of the speaker’s followers yelled mentions of the Michael Brown incident in Ferguson.

Anti-Racist Collective member Emily Bland knew about the planned rally and got a group of about 75 to stage a counter-demonstration, “Racist hate speech is really just the tip of the iceberg. It goes a lot deeper. As white people, it is our duty to stand up for what’s right and to educate other white folks on how racism affects people of color, and to affirm that black lives matter.”

Originally planning to stand silent in the face of the demonstrators on the courthouse steps, Bland grabbed her megaphone and said to them, “Racism steals your humanity just as much as it steals the humanity of black and brown folks.”

Bland’s group had occupied the courthouse steps for about an hour prior to the Aryan Nation group’s arrival. 

As a steady rain fell, metal barricades kept the two groups apart and dozens of police were on standby in the area.

Introducing White Nationalist Mark Wachtler and the Opposition News Network

Mark Wachtler, also known as Mark Watson, is a 45 year old white nationalist living in Chicago. Mark is the founder and editor of the "Opposition New Network", which serves as the headquarters for his three publications; Opposition News, Illinois Herald, and whiteoutpress.com.

Initially, the Whiteout Press site does not appear to be a white nationalist website. Whiteout Press tries to maintain an image of neutrality in order to appeal to a larger audience but after reading close it becomes quite clear where their politics lie. In 2014, Whiteout Press reposted the call out for the "white man march", writing their own preface which stated;

"Readers may disagree with the notion that white people are being discriminated against here in America and around the world. But they can’t rightfully disagree with the fact that the United States really does have race-based laws and programs that specifically discriminate against white people."

They did the same for an article called "white pride in the classroom", which was written by the white nationalist group known as the American Freedom Party (AFP). On Dec 28 of 2013, whiteout press posted their own article titled "Knockout Game Hate Crime Charge Resembles US Apartheid" which reads;

"Whiteout Press readers of all races will plug their ears and run away in disgust at the notion that white people are victims of racism. After all, all white people are rich, racist and evil, right? Heck, blacks and Hispanics are biologically incapable of being racist – it’s physically impossible. And believe it or not, all of the above is actually the law of the land." 

As if these examples weren't exemplary enough, whiteout press posted the article "is the media controlled by Jews?" in which they say;

"That used to be considered a crazy question only asked by bigots, anti-Semites and conspiracy theorists. However, one celebrity after another has fallen victim for simply admitting that the long-held notion is actually true." 

They then reposted information from "National Vanguard Books", a magazine directly linked to the well known neo-nazi group the National Alliance. 

Whiteout Press isn't the only one of these three publications with white supremacist leanings. Opposition News posted an article in favor of the AFP stating;

"One is a passionately pro-white organization (AFP) while the other is as hate-filled as the hate groups they write about (SPLC) and profit from. And like the issue of religion, most Americans believe race doesn’t belong in politics and elections. But since every other race-based special interest group has carved out its own racially exclusive land claim along the US political landscape, it’s blatantly hypocritical to condemn a political party for being the first in modern times to publicly stand up for the rights of whites."

White supremacy is nothing new for Mark, in his autobiography titled Romantic Violence in R World", he admitted to once being part of a white supremacist street gang in Chicago in the 1980's. If anyone has any more information on Mark Wachtler, or anyone else involved with these news outlets, contact us at southsidechicagoara@hushmail.com.

Mark Watson/Mark Wachtler

5658 W Montrose Ave

Chicago, IL 60634

773-427-9259

Born in 1970
editor@whiteoutpress.com

Whiteout Press offices:

5600 W Montrose Ave, 

Chicago, IL 60634

New Pro Discrimination Bill Goes Into Effect in Indiana

 Taken from ifyouonlynews.com:

If you’re gay, non-Christian, non-Caucasian, or could just be assumed to hold any of those or other minority statuses, you probably want to stay far away from Indiana. On March 23, and with a 63-31 vote, the Hoosier State’s legislature passed a controversial bill that now legalizes discrimination. 

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act allows businesses to refuse service to anyone due to beliefs and differences in faith, and which that business itself gets to determine. It allows individuals to cite religious beliefs as defense in lawsuits, as well. And when it comes to employment, the Act “prohibits an applicant, employee, or former employee from pursuing certain causes of action against a private employer.” The Act also overrules any existing anti-discrimination laws that are already present in Indiana cities. 

It had little public support, however, and major employers in Indiana publicly opposed the bill, as well, as did the state’s Chamber of Commerce. Smaller private companies along with citizens of strict faiths were the only proponents. 

The soon-to-be-law bill has a homophobic foundation, Huffington Post recently reported, and with original intentions of allowing businesses to refuse to serve and hire members of the gay and lesbian community based on religious opposition. The discrimination now allowed by the Act could extend far beyond the LGBT community, however, opponents say. 

According to the Human Rights Campaign, the loosely-worded law will allow one’s religious beliefs to interfere with others’ rights. For example, a religious pharmacist could legally refuse to fill a prescription for birth control medication. A police officer could refuse to patrol near a church that’s not of his religion. A pro-life doctor could withhold information from a woman whose life would be threatened by full-term pregnancy, and to prevent her from seeking an abortion. The beliefs of particular Christian sects would also legalize their discrimination against women and divorcees, and even against minorities (remember – the KKK identifies itself as a Christian organization). 

Indiana’s bizarre law could set precedent for other states to follow. At least 85 anti-LGBT bills were recently filed in 26 state legislatures, the Human Rights Campaign says.
Last week Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said he would sign the bill into law shortly after its passage.

Traditionalist Youth Network Protesting Tim Wise March 11th in Bloomington, IN

TYN Hardcore snowman activism

Update 3/12/15: One anti-racist protestor was arrested. Please help donate to their bail fund here.

For the 2nd time, the Traditionalist Youth Network (TYN), a white supremacist and self identified fascist organization based out of Indiana, will be protesting Tim Wise. This time around it will be in Bloomington, IN at Indiana University (107 S Indiana Ave).  Last time TYN tried to protest Tim Wise, them and their supporters were greeted with punches to the face and body.

Taken from the FB event page:

Our demonstration will help educate IU-Bloomington students about Wise's history of inflammatory rhetoric, and how he disingenuously frames himself as a self-critical White American while actually being an anti-White and anti-Christian Jew.

Round 1: Maurer School of Law at 1200 (noon).

Round 2: Whittenberger Auditorium at 1900 (7pm).

Round 3: TBD

Meet the core members of TYN:

Thomas C Buhls
DOB: 06/06/1983
3382 West Spruce Dr
Bloomington, IN 47403
Drivers license: 0130725411 IN
Stormfronthandle: ThomB
tcbuhls@Indiana.edu
thomasbuhls@gmail.com
twitter.com/TomBuhls
other associated addresses:
396 Country View Court, Apt. 13
Martinsville, IN  46151
http://i.imgur.com/yNBTEfN.jpg

Matthew W Heimbach
DOB: 04/08/1991
Heimbach was last known to live with Buhls at the address listed above.
Previous address:
19616 Selby Ave
Poolesville, MD 20837 cell: 301 525 1474
http://i.imgur.com/CyDvxbc.jpg


David M Parrott "Matthew Parrott"
DOB:  07/01/1982
950 South Ridgecrest Lane
Paoli, IN 47454
cell: 317 324 8282
previous address:
1145 Golfview Dr
Apt FCarmel, IN 46032 
Email: parrott.matt@gmail.com
Recently divorced Connie Adams Parrott after 2 years
Lives at his moms house and is unemployed
http://i.imgur.com/tlSAcLS.jpg

Jason Hammond Sentencing Statement

Taken from freejasonhammond.blogspot.com:

I write this statement after pleading guilty to state charges against me for my participation in an organized direct action taken against a group of white supremacists in May of 2012. I would like to share my thoughts about this action. First, major thanks and love to my friends and family who have supported me, for my amazing partner who kept me sane, my band for letting loose and my lawyer Sara Garber who has been ridiculously helpful in fighting this case with me.

While Chicago was in rebellion against the western military super-alliance NATO summit in 2012, a small group of racists organized their own ‘white nationalist economic summit' in the nearby suburb of Tinley Park. They booked a restaurant to hold a luncheon under the guise of the "Illinois European Heritage Association.” For over six months this event was promoted on Stormfront.org, a very popular online forum where racists and neo-nazis converse. Being in a prolonged state of resistance against racism, this summit became known to organized anti-fascists throughout the Midwest. Through research, they had ascertained the time, location, and even some identities of the attendees of this meeting, some of whom were already known as being members of white supremacist groups such as the KKK, National Socialist Movement and Council of Conservative Citizens. Upon becoming aware of this  information, myself and others decided to confront the fascists at their meeting. A righteous melee ensued, many of the ten white supremacists were injured, and we left the scene in less than two minutes.

In the aftermath, the police was called and two of the fascist attendees were arrested one for being a fugitive of pedophilia charges in another state and the other for illegal possession of firearms in their car onsite. Unfortunately after leaving the restaurant, five comrades from Hoosier Anti Racist Movement were also arrested for their involvement by an off duty cop. They are known as the Tinley Park 5, all of whom spent time in Illinois prisons after taking a non-cooperative plea, and have since been released on parole. Please read about their struggles at their wordpress.

A year after the action, in July 2013, I was arrested outside my home by the FBI and Tinley Park Police. I was charged with armed violence and mob action,  the same as the other 5 anti-fascists. My indictment states the Tinley Park Police were given a report from the FBI stating that they had identified me from DNA gathered at the scene and a surveillance video from the restaurant where the meeting was shut down. I was held in Cook County Jail for two months but was fortunate to have friends who raised enough money to release me on bond. I have since been fighting these charges. The wheels of the bureaucratic judicial system moves deliberately slow and another whole year and a half passes. Now, even with the privilege of being able to examine all the evidence and evaluate all of my options while out on bond, I must accept the judge’s offer of 3.5 years. My chances of winning the case were very low, and if I lost, it could potentially mean a significantly higher sentence.

It is difficult to decide whether to plea or not when faced with gambling years of your life in prison, but I also completely detest the narrative of the state and their courtrooms. Their story is that they rightfully apprehended the criminal, tried, and put them away in prison;where they will learn not to do it again while separated from society where they cannot spread their infectious ideas. That system does not work and it never will. I abhor this monopoly of justice and violence; the reality is that the state wants people in their prisons especially people whose political interest are in conflict  to the “business as usual” violence that their police and armies perpetrate. My crime is standing up against the flag of hate and the violence against people of color that it represents. The state, in a petty act, went out of their way years later to prosecute me.

Furthermore, the state has always supported a white supremacist power structure. Even after the endless series of racist wars and hundreds of years of oppression on this soil, they don't see it as a problem when neo-nazis get together and in fact grant permits and have lines of police to protect their free speech. In Ferguson, New York, Chicago and beyond, we see police use military grade equipment in conjunction with the National Guard to combat people protesting the unjust murders of Mike Brown and Eric Garner at the hands of law enforcement. These are not isolated incidents, but rather symptomatic and indicative of a deliberate move to uphold the pillars of white supremacy in this country, which will not change unless we fight against it.

I went into this action following the principles of anarchy, equality and freedom which have guided my life. For many years I have been involved in different projects engaging social justice, from volunteering at social centers, community public libraries and food distribution programs.I have also supported and participated in anti-war, environmental and immigrant rights movements. Through these experiences I became more aware of how the system that governs this society depends on the mass exploitation of large parts of the population and in fact the Earth itself for the profit of the rich and powerful. I was inspired and motivated by the people I met in the movement to strive to make change at the root of the problem, even if it meant possibly sacrificing my own personal freedom. Throughout history, any movement that struggled to change this system was considered dangerous by the government and was met with immense repression and state violence. But there were successful moments within these movements not only because they were justified, but because people fought for them and despite how history is presented like a Disney movie, not all of their actions were non-violent.

Today there still is police brutality, a massive prison industrial complex, there are presidents waging endless wars for profit and power, and there is violence, alienation and marginalization at the crossroads of gender, sexuality, race and class.  It would be naive to think that all of these problems could only be solved through pacifism; working with or within the system, following dogmatic and assimilative reformist agendas that take over and sell out movements; the answer lies in creative resistance that utilizes a wide diversity of tactics. I think some people have always known this but more need to reject the privileged tendency to reject destruction of property, or of the bodies protecting the state as taboo violence instead of as a legitimate form of resistance. As our collective patience is constantly being worn away by failures of government to address people’s actual needs, it is up to our own communities and individuals to decide for themselves what is an appropriate form of self-defense

But I would also like to note that the hyper-spectacularization and priority of violence amongst folks in the movement might also be folly, because I believe it in itself is not sufficient for a real radical transformation of society. People need to look within to make the change they want to see in the world as well as raise hell in the streets. People are improving their communities through their own support, healing circles, discussion groups, rallies, speak-outs, prisoner support, popular education, community health projects and asking hard questions and challenging oppressive thoughts however they manifest.

The ideas and actions that these white supremacists are pushing are dangerous and poisonous and is unfortunately still deeply rooted within the fabric of this society. Racism manifests itself in a number of ways and none can be ignored; from the blatant and overt bigots like those at the meeting in Tinley Park but also the subtle micro-aggressions that people experience on a daily basis. We are all obligated to confront the dead old ways of these oppressive ideologies using every means possible. My actions were in the spirit of continued resistance against racism and fascism and for the rights of people to live without fear of racist attacks. Those in struggle know the risk of jail, pain or death when trying to radically change the structure of society but it is a struggle we cannot ignore and we intend to win!

After the interruption of the meeting in Tinley Park, the organizing group for their economic summit disbanded and the individual who booked the event said that they were “stepping away from white nationalist organizing.” When a comrade is arrested the movement bears a high cost but actions like these can prove affective as they dissuade people from joining hate groups and preventing the work that they do. I feel these tactics could also apply to different avenues of struggle, directed towards exploitative bosses, racist cops, gentrifying landlords, sexists anywhere, and fascist politicians.

Some people have speculated my arrest was part of some revenge plot of the FBI because of the hacking and whistle-blowing my brother Jeremy Hammond has done against various sectors of the government and the private intelligent corporations they work with. While I love and support my brother and his actions 1000% and condemn the FBI and the US government for their own cyber wars they wage, I think it is unlikely that was the reason why I was held in custody. As stated earlier, the FBI did provide a report to the local police putting some of their pieces together which raises questions to why they would consider a bunch of neo-nazis getting beat up a matter of national security. Regardless, my brother and I were both apprehended because our actions were not carried out with absolute precision and every precaution made to disguise our identities and ensure we would not be busted.

However, it is absolutely true that we live in a vulnerable society with extreme governmental overreach, where anyone could be subject to surveillance, entrapment, targeted prosecutions and trumped up treason and terrorism charges purely for ideological reasons. It is a context deliberately cooked up by politicians and the national security complex to create fear and distrust amongst activist circles, as we can see looking at the huge number of dissidents who have been jailed or killed. Again, I’ll state my respect for political prisoners in any country who are staying strong and struggling to fight the power. I would encourage anyone who considers taking direct action to know why they are doing it and do so carefully as to not jeopardize themselves, their comrades, or the movement itself. A person in prison is another person we have to free.

       To those whose worlds were shaken and who are angry or displeased at my actions, remind yourselves humbly of the atrocious history of violence that white supremacy has done and continues to do so to this  society and ask yourself, do I support it? Do I benefit from it? Will this be my legacy? Or do I want to change it?

         I have set up a blog where I will post updates regularly that will also include my mailing address and visiting hours. Also I will have set up an Amazon Wish List where people can send me some love through books. This will be set up once I arrive at the state prison where I will likely carry out the majority of my sentence. While I am here I intend to make the most of my time staying positive and motivated through reading, working out, and meditating. I am interested in continuing communication and having discussions with people through letters, so please write me when you have the chance!

Yours for the struggle!

With love and rage,
Jason Hammond

freejasonhammond.blogspot.com

Synagogue, Garages Spray-Painted with Anti-Semitic Slurs in West Rogers Park

Taken from the Sun Times:

A badly drawn Star of David and the words “F – - – U!” were among the scribblings residents awoke to Sunday morning on synagogues, garages and other buildings in a largely Jewish area of West Rogers Park.

“It’s outrageous, It’s very sad,” said one resident, as she saw the words Monday sprayed in black paint on the back side of the tiny synagogue in the 2900 block of West Touhy she’s attended for two-plus decades.

In all, a dozen or more buildings appeared to have been hit with the racial slurs and other profanity.
About 6:40 a.m. Sunday, police responded to the store-front synagogue. Officers later got word of similar incidents in the 2800 block of West Estes and the 5700 and 5800 blocks of North Talman. Police labeled the incidents as criminal damage to property. There had been no arrests as of Monday evening.

Crews with the city’s department of Streets and Sanitation were out covering over the graffiti with paint early Monday.

One local rabbi, who didn’t want his name used, said the neighborhood generally isn’t a target for anti-Semitic graffiti.

“We’re pretty much a peaceful neighborhood,” the rabbi said. “It’s sporadic here and there. Nobody makes a big deal out of it. I’m from the East Coast. You know how you know you’re in a New York? You see all the graffiti.”

Others were less forgiving.

“We deplore this despicable alleged act of anti-Semitism, which deeply impacts the entire Jewish community and the community at large,” said Lonnie Nasatir, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League of the Chicago/Upper Midwest Region. “This act reflects complete disregard for sacred Jewish institutions and individuals’ homes.  We applaud the Chicago Police Department for taking this incident seriously and investigating it as a possible hate crime.  We hope that the perpetrator(s) will be brought to justice.”