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Political Prisoner Periodicals

The modern movements for prison abolition and against inhumane practices and conditions reached an initial high peak of struggle and mass militancy during the 1970s, with rebellions and protests at many prisons nationwide, the writings and example of George Jackson, and the historic rebellion at Attica State Prison. This collection includes a wide range of publications grown out of this ongoing movement, including  the Anvil, War Behind Walls, Big Mama Rag, The Outlaw, The Struggle Inside, Politics of Crime, and Arm the Spirit.

Documents

Grand Jury Forum Part 1 Grand Jury Forum Part 1
Call Number: PM 446Format: Cass A & BCollection: Political Prisoner Periodicals
A forum on grand-jury resistance including former political prisoners and grand jury resistors was held a week before the trial of Pam Fadem for criminal contempt. Pam was the opening speaker and provided her account of when U.S. Attorney Charles Rose threatened her to try to get her to collaborate. Her refusal to collaborate is why she is now on trial for criminal contempt. The host Shelley Miller then introduces Shahim Jabar, member of the New Afrikan Independence Movement and former political prisoner in the Metropolitan Correction Center in Manhattan. His story of his friend Peter Militan who betrayed him to the grand jury tells of the importance of non-collaboration for the survival of these movements. He was similarly targeted to collaborate and join the witness protection program like his friend who gave information against the movement. He also talks of his time in prison and the people he met there from the Puerto Rican Independence Movement, Ramon Soto and Norberto Cintron. His segment becomes inaudible with a loud buzz followed by two musical numbers. Shelley then introduces the main speaker of the event, José Lopez, who is somewhat pressed for time but talks profoundly about the importance of non-collaboration.
Grand Jury Forum Part 2 Grand Jury Forum Part 2
Call Number: PM 447Format: Cass A & BCollection: Political Prisoner Periodicals
A forum on grand-jury resistance including former political prisoners and grand jury resistors was held a week before the trial of Pam Fadem for criminal contempt. Pam was the opening speaker and provided her account of when U.S. Attorney Charles Rose threatened her to try to get her to collaborate. Her refusal to collaborate is why she is now on trial for criminal contempt. The host Shelley Miller then introduces Shahim Jabar, member of the New Afrikan Independence Movement and former political prisoner in the Metropolitan Correction Center in Manhattan. His story of his friend Peter Militan who betrayed him to the grand jury tells of the importance of non-collaboration for the survival of these movements. He was similarly targeted to collaborate and join the witness protection program like his friend who gave information against the movement. He also talks of his time in prison and the people he met there from the Puerto Rican Independence Movement, Ramon Soto and Norberto Cintron. His segment becomes inaudible with a loud buzz followed by two musical numbers. Shelley then introduces the main speaker of the event, José Lopez, who is somewhat pressed for time but talks profoundly about the importance of non-collaboration.