Call Todd Ishee at NCDPS to Demand Covid-19 Testing in NC Prisons

  • 2020-04-30 11:42
Over the past month, covid19 has blazed through NC prisons like wildfire. 
 
Across DPS facilities, over 600 people have tested positive — roughly the same number of cases in all of Wayne County, which has a population that is 3x larger. One person (at Pender C.I) has already died of complications, and a single facility (Neuse C.I.) has a mind-boggling 466 positive cases.
 
The reason Neuse has so many confirmed cases is that DPS decided to test everyone there–and they should do the same at all facilities with significant numbers of positive cases, such as NCCI Women, where 81 people have tested positive so far. This is the only way to know the full scale of the outbreak and to be able to take appropriate measures to mitigate further spread.  
 
Please call Commissioner of Prisons Todd Ishee on Thursday, April 30 to demand universal testing at four hard-hit prisons!
 
SCRIPT:

Hello, my name is ___. I’m calling because Commissioner Ishee needs to direct Caledonia CI, Bertie CI, Pasquotank CI, and NCCIW to immediately begin testing their entire inmate populations for covid19.  Currently, at Caledonia 17 people have tested positive, at Pasquotank 19 have tested positive, at Bertie 10 have tested positive, and at NCCI Women, the outbreak has already reached disastrous proportions with 81 cases confirmed. 

 
As soon as widespread testing was done at Neuse CI, dozens of confirmed cases became hundreds overnight. We know how quickly this virus spreads, especially at close quarters, so any delay in testing is unconscionable. Facilities staff say they don’t have the authority to make this decision, so Ishee is the one who needs to act. On April 22 after the first person in DPS custody died from complications of covid, Ishee told the press “Any death is a tragedy, and we must continue our efforts to do all we can to try and flatten the curve of COVID-19 in Prisons.”  Ishee needs to listen to his own advice and take action to avoid future tragedies by beginning universal testing at NCCIW, Caledonia, Bertie, and Pasquotank NOW!
 
Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons:
Phone: 919-838-4000
House Phone:  (330)544-4425
Email: todd.ishee@ncdps.gov

COVID19 info zine for NC prisoners

  • 2020-03-25 19:43

Update (April 11th): We’ve updated the zine with new information. The links below have been updated.

COVID19 poses a serious threat in prisons and jails due to the nature of these facilities (overcrowded, cramped, unsanitary) and due to the lack of political, social, and economic capital criminalized people and communities possess.

We’ve developed a COVID19 Info Zine for NC prisoners as a resource to help people inside have reliable info in this crisis, both about the pandemic and about what communities are doing to advocate for folks inside. We encourage anyone who writes to someone inside to send it in. It was compiled specifically for NC prisoners, but the health info is relevant to all and the advocacy steps could be translated to any state or jurisdiction. While the guide is primarily in English there are a few sections with key info (symptoms, how to avoid spread) that are in Spanish as well.

COVID19 for Prisoners Readable PDF

COVID19 for Prisoners Printable PDF

Phone Zap for North Carolina Prisoners

  • 2020-03-22 16:07

Monday, March 23rd 2020, folks are encouraged to flood the phone lines of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and demand the release of all prisoners due to the mismanagement, lack of preparedness, lack of access to free sanitary living conditions for it’s wards in this time of Covid-19 pandemic.  You can call Governor…

A Statement About the Subpoena in Asheville

  • 2019-11-22 13:00

[Declaración sobre la citación en Asheville en Español abajo]

Asheville Anti Racism was recently alerted to the existence of an investigation being conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security on November 4, 2019. Riseup.net received a subpoena requesting any and all records/information related to names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, IP addresses, MAC addresses, payment information for the following email: ashevilleantiracism@riseup.net

Riseup responded to the request on October 21, 2019 indicating that they do not keep records of the information that was requested and that they planned on notifying the account by email after one week of the existence of the subpoena.

ICE is a threat to our communities, regardless of whether you are a citizen or not. We maintain the position that ICE should be abolished and will continue to push back against this investigation. There are no individuals named in this subpoena and we do not know the reason for this request. With the knowledge of the existence of the investigation we bring you a reminder to not talk to agents of law enforcement. Please take care in the ways that you discuss this investigation as to not endanger yourselves or others: Speculation, gossip, and rumors can only harm yourself and you communities. We do want people to not feel afraid to continue to work together, to act, and to stand up for their ideals for a world without borders. Please take time to make sure you have access to an attorney, and to refresh yourselves on your legal rights, security culture and technological security practices.

If you need access to more resources to a lawyer or if you are approached by an agent, please send an email to AshevilleAntiRepression@riseup.net

Reminder that we are not lawyers, and cannot offer any legal advice. Additionally, please do not disclose sensitive information in an email to us. We will connect you with an attorney so you can confidentially discuss the details of your situation.

https://es.crimethinc.com/2017/08/24/when-the-police-knock-on-your-door-your-rights-and-options-a-legal-guide-and-poster

 

On December 6 there will be a a workshop and discussion about building community resiliancy in the face of state repression hosted by BRABC & NC Resists.

 

Declaración sobre la citación en Asheville

El 4 de noviembre, 2019, Asheville Anti Racism fue alertado de la existencia de una investigación llevada a cabo por el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement) y el Departamento de Seguridad Interior (DHS, Department of Homeland Security). Riseup.net recibió una citación solicitando todos los registros e información relacionados a nombres, direcciones, números telefónicos, direcciones de correo electrónico, direcciones IP, direcciones MAC, e información de pagos asociados con el siguiente correo electrónico: ashevilleantiracism@riseup.net.

El 21 de octubre, 2019, Riseup respondió a la petición, señalando que no mantiene registros de la información solicitada y que planeaba notificar a la cuenta, por correo electrónico, de la existencia de la citación después de 8 días.

ICE es una amenaza a nuestras comunidades, cualquiera que sea su estatus de ciudadanía. Mantenemos la posición de que ICE se debe abolir y vamos a seguir resistiendo esta investigación. Esta citación no nombra a ningún individual y desconocemos la razón de la solicitud. Con el conocimiento de la existencia de esta investigación, le recordamos a usted que no hable con lxs oficiales de las fuerzas del orden.

Por favor, tenga cuidado con las maneras en que habla de esta investigación para no poner en peligro a si mismx o a otrxs. La especulación, el chisme y los rumores sólo les pueden lastimar a usted y a sus comunidades. No queremos que el pueblo tenga miedo a seguir trabajando juntos, actuando, y luchando por sus ideales y por un mundo sin fronteras. Por favor tómese el tiempo de asegurarse que tenga acceso a un/a abogadx y de recordarse de sus derechos legales, cultura de seguridad y prácticas de seguridad informática.

Si necesita acceso a más recursos, a un/a abogadx, o si se le acerca un agente, por favor envíe un correo electrónico a AshevilleAntiRepression@riseup.net.

Acuérdese que no somos abogadxs y no podemos ofrecer asesoría legal. Además, por favor no nos divulgue información sensible por correo electrónico. Le conectaremos con un/a abogadx para que pueda discutir confidencialmente los detalles de su situación.

https://es.crimethinc.com/2017/08/24/when-the-police-knock-on-your-door-your-rights-and-options-a-legal-guide-and-poster

El 6 de diciembre habrá un taller y discusión sobre la construcción de la resiliencia comunitaria ante la represión del estado, organizado por BRABC y NC Resiste (NC Resists).

July Prisoner Letter Writing Night

  • 2019-07-03 11:47

Come on down to Firestorm in Asheville from 5-7pm for our monthly political prisoner letter writing night, where we write to prisoners with upcoming birthdays or facing repression. This month, one receiver of our letters is Nina Droz Franco. From NYC ABC:

Nina Alejandra Droz Franco was arrested by the Puerto Rico Police as she sat on the street to block a line of riot cops during disturbances that followed a 2017 May Day march. Later that day, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) took over the investigation. On May 2nd, she was transferred to federal custody and charged with damaging or attempting to damage by means of fire a building engaged in activity affecting interstate commerce. Specifically, she was accused of trying to set fire to the Banco Popular building, which was the target of rage for hundreds of protesters who smashed its glass windows and wrote on its walls. Droz Franco initially pled not guilty, but on July 12 changed her plea after reaching a non-cooperating agreement with the prosecution that recommended a sentence of three years and one month in prison, while her attorney argued for two years. On June 12th, 2018, she was sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years of probation.

If for whatever reason you are not able to join us, please write to Nina:
Nina Droz Franco #50427-069
FCI Tallahassee
501 Capital Circle, NE
Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Trouble #20

Friday, March 1st + Sunday, March 3rd: Trouble #18 (ACAB) + Letter Writing

  • 2019-02-24 13:08

Friday, March 1st is the first Friday of the month and therefore the Trouble Showing at Firestorm Books and Coffee in Asheville, NC. Episode 18, entitled ACAB (for All Cops Are Bastards) airs at 6:30pm and will be followed by a little over an hour of discussion. Preview the episode here.

Then, on Sunday March 3rd, as the 1st Sunday of the month, BRABC will hold it’s Political Prisoner letter writing event, again at Firestorm. The event begins at 5pm, letter writing materials including stamps, prisoners names and stories, addresses and help in writing. If you’ve never written someone a letter or someone in prison in particular, no worries. It’s a nice social time. The event runs from 5pm to 7:30pm.

Trouble #17: Mad Worlds

  • 2018-12-01 12:26

This coming Friday (Dec 7) at Firestorm, join BRABC at Firestorm Books & Coffee​ from 6:30 til 8pm for a screening of the final Trouble (by Sub.Media​) of the year! We’ll watch the mini-documentary and chat about radical approaches to mental health under capitalism. A good way to start your Friday night. Mental Health in…

December Prisoner Letter Writing Night

  • 2018-11-27 18:40

Sunday, December 2nd, as in the first Sunday of every month, we meet at Firestorm to write letters to prisoners facing repression or whose birthdays are coming up soon. Join us, no experience necessary, we provide addresses and stationary and can talk about the cases of folks we’re writing to. Come and write letters to…

Workshop on tech security and preventing doxxing

  • 2018-11-11 15:37

Saturday, Nov 17th @ 4:00pm Abolishing Your Selfie: Managing One’s Online Presence Blue Ridge Anachist Black Cross continues its ongoing series of tech security workshops, this time with a focus on “doxxing.” Come learn what doxxing is and what you can do to keep it from happening from you. Participants will weigh the pros and…