Supporting our comrades on the inside is a key part of antifascism. This page is updated frequently!
Gage Halupowski
Gage was arrested at a counter demonstration against a far-right rally in Portland, Oregon on June 29th, 2019 and had been locked up at the local county jail since that day with a high bail. Then on November 1st of the same year Gage accepted a non-cooperation plea deal, plead guilty to an assault charge, and was sentenced to nearly 6 years in prison. On November 29th Gage arrived at the prison where he spent most of his time so far out there in Ontario, Oregon which is by the Idaho border. Recently Gage was moved to a prison closer to Portland.
If you’re looking for different ways to engage with Gage when sitting down to write that first letter, here are a few things to keep in mind – not only is he an anti fascist but he also is a radical environmentalist and an anarchist. So, discussing history, politics or the ideologies of those movements as well could be a good place to start. He is also into fantasy novels, punk music and graffiti art – all things he’d love to discuss with you.
A fundraiser was recently set up for Gage by gender ended where the funds raised by the sale of Support Gage Buttons will go towards his commissary.
Here is the current address for Gage:
Gage Halupowski #21894460 South Fork Forest Camp 48300 Wilson River Highway Tillamook, Oregon 97141-9799
Be sure to check out the Portland Anarchist Black Cross for any Portland specific events related to Gage Halupowski or any other political defendants or political prisoners out of the Portland area!
Eric King
Eric G. King, a 35-year-old vegan, anarchist, antifascist political prisoner and poet, was arrested and charged with an attempted firebombing of a Congressperson’s office in Kansas City, Missouri in September 2014.
As of July 2021, Eric has just been hit with his third six-month general correspondence ban. His support team report that he is still currently able to receive books.
Eric was charged with throwing a hammer through a window of the building, followed by two lit Molotov cocktails. The criminal complaint states that both incendiary devices failed to ignite. Eric was identified as a suspect by local police because he had previously come under suspicion for anti-government and anti-police graffiti.
On March 3, 2016, he accepted a non-cooperating plea agreement to one count of using “explosive materials to commit arson of property used in or affecting interstate commerce.” Almost three months later, on June 28th, Eric was sentenced to ten years, the statutory minimum and maximum for the charge he pleaded guilty to. His release date is December 27, 2023.
Since his arrest and subsequent incarceration, he has been extremely isolated from his loved ones and has repeatedly been targeted by the guards, who have regularly put him in jeopardy. At CCA Leavenworth where Eric was held in pretrial detention, he was kept in segregation for 6 months at one point and was often subjected to stints in solitary confinement after the guards targeted him. Despite these struggles, he continues to maintain his good spirits and resolve to see this situation through to the end. He is also maintaining his dedication to struggling for a world free of domination and oppression.
Eric is currently facing one count of assaulting a government official for an incident that occurred in August 2018 at FCI Florence. Eric is housed in a segregation cell at FCI Englewood since August 2019 fighting this charge. He faces a maximum of 20 additional years in prison.
Recently a lawsuit was filed by the Civil Liberties Defense Committee on behalf of Eric King, whose constitutional rights have been continually violated since 2018 in retaliation for his political and anti-racist actions while incarcerated.
To stay up to date on what’s going on with Eric King check out the Twitter & website that his support committee posts on frequently.
Daniel Baker
Dan Baker is a social justice activist and former army vet. He went AWOL instead of fighting in Iraq, and then took his training to help defend Rojava with the International Freedom Battalion and was featured on VICE. Dan was also active during the George Floyd Rebellion and took part in CHAZ. He was arrested on January 15th, 2021 after the FBI compiled social media posts related to Trump supporters’ actions on inauguration day to build a criminal case against him.
Dan was facing up to 10 years for two counts of transmitting a communication in interstate commerce containing a threat to kidnap or injure. He was sentenced to 44 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. His legal team is appealing the verdict.
There are specific mail restrictions where Dan is currently being held –letters must be single-sided and no more than 5 pages per envelope. No colored envelopes or photos are allowed.
But here is the current address to send Dan messages of solidarity & support:
United States
Support Group Email: danbakerdonations@gmail.com
Book Wishlist: here
EUROPE
Spain
Rodrigo Lanza
Rodrigo Lanza is an antifascist from Chile who is living in Zaragoza, Spain. In December of 2017, Rodrigo was out with friends at a bar when they were approached by a man who began insulting Rodrigo, calling him “sudaka” (a derogatory term for Latin Americans) and telling him to go back to his country. As Rodrigo attempted to leave the bar, Victor Lainez, a member of the fascist Falange group with many friends in the local fascist scene, pulled a knife. Rodrigo defended himself and in the ensuing fight, Lainez was killed.
Occurring during the movement for Catalan independence and the accompanying resurgence of hardcore Spanish nationalism, the press worked overtime to vilify Rodrigo as a ‘foreigner,’ squatter, and former political prisoner. They claimed that Lainez was attacked at random for wearing Spanish flag suspenders, and built a bogus narrative of an innocent Spanish citizen murdered simply for showing support for his country.
Rodrigo will soon go to trial and faces 25 years in prison, a €150,000 fine, as well as expulsion from Spain.
https://itsgoingdown.org/spanish-media-side-fascist-former-political-prisoner-arrested-hate-crime/
Update:
On November 15th, 2019 Rodrigo Lanza was convicted of reckless homicide after a week long trial. If he would’ve been convicted of murder he could have faced as much as 25 years, but instead on November 26th he was sentenced to 5 years. After already serving 2 years by the time of the trial Rodrigo could be out as early as June of 2020.
Update** After Rodrigo’s first trial the government petitioned for a retrial which they were granted and started on 9/8/2020. On 9/17/2020 the jury came back with a verdict after the 2nd trial was over that was ” guilty of murder” and the prosecutor asked for a sentence of 20 years. Sentencing is forthcoming. For a recap of the trial and analysis around the verdict, check out this aticle –
The gravity of the verdict that the jury came back with after the second trial was over cannot be overstated. Rodrigo Lanza has already been in prison for nearly 3 years while he’s been dealing with the case and could possibly be in prison for another 20. Let Rodrigo know just how much support he has from all over the world!
**Update Rodrigo Lanza did in fact get sentenced to the 20 years the government was requesting.
letters of support can be sent to:
Pablo Hasel is an antifascist rapper from Lleida and on 2/12/2021 he was indicted on “inciting terrorism” charges due to lyrics he put out as an artist that are against cops and the crown. Pablo was given a 2 years and 9 months sentence after being convicted of these absurd charges. For an entire week after Pablo was captured on 2/16 an uprising erupted in cities across Spain in response to his arrest. The uprising was an absolute force against repression and fascism and demonstrated exactly what is possible.
Here’s the Twitter handle for Pablo Hasel’s support team and here’s the website with poems and articles Pablo has written while in prison so far.
To send messages of suppot and solidarity, here’s Pablo Hasel’s prison address:
Pablo Rivadulla Duró Centro Penitenciario De Ponent C/Victoria Kent s/N 25071 Lleida Modulo 7
Belarus
Check out the frequently updated website for the Anarchist Black Cross of Belarus to get all the updates on the antifascist prisoners in Belarus !
Roman Bogdan
**Update** Roman was released in March of this year!
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. In October, Roman was sentenced to 8 years in a penal colony and must pay 3500 Euro in damages. On December 15, 2015 a regional appellate court commuted his sentence by 2 years.
He can read Russian and simple English phrases.
Address:
Roman Bogdan
213010 Shklov
p. Molodezhnyj, IK-17, otryad 12
Mogilevskaya obl.
Belarus
http://abc-belarus.org/?p=6153&lang=en
Vadim Boyko
**Update** Vadim was released in April of this year!
Vadim Boyko was arrested on March 22, 2016, on suspicion of participating in a fight that took place on June 29, 2014 between anti-fascist supporters of FC Partyzan and right-wing soccer hooligans from FC Torpedo. The arrests in 2014 were not followed up until 2016, when a special political department decided to start the case with a series of police raids on the antifascists who were alleged to have been involved. On March 10, 2017 Vadim Boyko was sentenced to 4 years of jail, and was re-arrested in July for transfer to a penal colony.
He can read Russian and simple English phrases.
Address:
https://abc-belarus.org/?p=6874&lang=en
Vlad Lenko
**Update** – Vlad was released in October of 2019!
Vlad Lenko is an antifascist from Ivatsevichi (Brest region). He was arrested on December 27, 2014, and accused of taking part in a fight against local neo-Nazis earlier in December. Vlad was charged with group hooliganism and aggravated bodily harm, and in September 2015 was sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony.
Supporters are trying to raise money to appeal the verdict, which they hope will reduce his sentence by half. They also need to collect 1000 Euro to pay damages ordered by the court.
Fundraising WebMoney:
$ Z418615316084
€ E146518161935
He can read Russian and simple English phrases.
Address:
Lenko Vlad Igorevich
211300 Vitebskaya obl.
Vitebskiy rajon, Vitba, IK-3
BELARUS
http://abc-belarus.org/?p=6240&lang=en
Maxim Yahnieshka
**Update** – Maxim was released on 9/4/2019 !!
Maxim Yahnieshka was arrested after a fight on April 1st, 2015, where he was hospitalized in a fight with right-wing hooligans. Cops were called by hospital staff, and Maxim refused to name his attackers to police. After obtaining surveillance camera footage, the police identified the right-wing hooligans and had them accuse Maxim of prior conflicts. On September 7, 2016 he was sentenced to 3 years of custodial restraint for malicious bodily harm, theft of a hat, property destruction, and threatening to kill right-wing hooligans. Appeals to a higher court in November left his sentence unchanged, and on December 12, 2016 he was transferred to an open-type penitentiary institution.
ABC Belarus encourages supporters to help Maxim’s family cover the costs associated with his imprisonment. The “open-type” penitentiary institution requires Maxim to pay for food and other services out of his own pocket. His costs are primarily shouldered by his parents, who are themselves in a terrible financial situation.
If you feel like supporting Maxim, please send money through ABC Belarus:
– PayPal belarus_abc@riseup.net
– Bitcoin 1CcxWEswKjXZgXQCds5KcHfemzrAASVbuv
– bank account
Account Holder: VpKK e.V.
IBAN: DE 4085 0205 0000 0361 5700
BIC: BFSWDE33DRE
Bank für Sozialwirtschaft
Note: Donation ABC-B
Please make the Note as stated above!
He can read Russian and simple English phrases.
Address:
Maxim Yahnieshka
IUOT No. 7
225140, Pruzhanski r-n, d. Kuplino
BELARUS
https://abc-belarus.org/?p=7161&lang=en#more-716
Bulgaria
Jock Palfreeman
**Update** – On 9/19/2019 a 3 judge panel in Sofia, Bulgaria granted Jock Palfreeman parole! His release from prison is forthcoming!
**Update** – By the end of September the prosecutor appealed to have the parole overturned, so a court date was set for October 7th to allow the prosecutor to attempt to make the argument and of course Jock’s attorney has an opportunity to defend. Well, the court hearing took place and went on for 45 minutes before it was adjourned and now the judge has up to 2 months to make a decision. In the meantime Jock waits in a immigration detention center in Bulgaria.
**Update** – October 15th Jock Palfreeman has finally been released from the immigration detention center in Bulgaria! One hour before he was released officers went to his cell to take his passport stating he won’t be able to leave Bulgaria until a ban on him leaving the country is lifted.
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:
http://www.brightonabc.org.uk/jock.html
Russia
Aleksandr Kolchenko
**Update** Aleksandr was released on 9/7/2019 !!
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:
Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Kolchenko
456612, Chelyabinskaya obl
Kopeisk, ul. Kemerovskaya, 20, IK-6
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
Network
There are 10 individuals being held in what’s come to be known as the the ” Network ” case. Currently 7 are held in Penza who were given atrocious sentences on February 10th, 2020 and their sentences range from 6 to 18 years. The other 3 are being held in St. Petersburg and will be sentenced in the near future. There is a very thorough support site for these 10 anti fascists being held in captivity there in Russian complete with info on the case, bios for each indivual and ways you can support the brave indivulas who have endured so much already. Here is that support site , and the following is from that site:
“On the eve of the presidential election and the World Cup repressions began in Russia. Activists are being kidnapped, beaten up, electrocuted, forced to sign and learn investigative evidence, in which law enforcement investigation interested, by heart. Besides tortures and battery, detainees are threatened to be imprisoned for long time: secret services incriminate participation in mythical terrorist organization called “Network”. ”
Italy
There was a wave of repression leading to 30 arrests in the area of Florence in the summer of 2017 after a rise of anarchist actions in that area over the previous year and a half. Three of those arrests were that of Ghespe, Giovanni, and Paska accused of placing a bomb at a fascist bookstore and meeting place in Florence. When a cop went to inspect the device it exploded and he was injured in the blast. The bookstore is called “Il Bargello” and is owned by the fascist group Casa Pound.
Unfortunately in July of 2019 these three comrades were convicted of the action at the fascist bookstore and sentences were recommended by the government but they are still awaiting a formal sentencing hearing. Paska, Giovanni, and Ghespe are on house arrest while they wait.
Check out the support site, here or the site for the Anarchist Black Cross chapter in Italy for updates.