Dangerous Convictions for PDF - ADL

Dangerous
Convictions:
AN INTRODUCTION TO EXTREMIST ACTIVITIES IN PRISONS
Other organizations particularly active in supporting alleged “political prisoners”
include the Anarchist Black Cross, an international movement, and the
Oregon-based Anarchist Prisoners Legal Aid Network. Anarchists in particular,
with their cries to “smash the state” and to eradicate prisons, appeal to inmates,
including many convicted of common crimes who only come to believe they are
“political prisoners” after their incarceration.
The example of Ali Khalid Abdullah, a Michigan inmate, illustrates the breadth
of anarchist prisoner support. Abdullah entered the prison sentence as the result
of an 11-20 year sentence for assault with attempt to rob while armed. Abdullah
attempted to rob a business he later claimed was used as a “front” by a “major
drug dealer.” According to Abdullah, “my intentions were to appropriate the
funds and redistribute the majority of it, and keep a portion to fund future operations
along this line.” Regardless of his intentions at the time, in prison he
became an active anarchist as well as an adherent of the New Afrikan movement,
a left-wing black separatist movement that is sometimes racist and anti-Semitic.
He founded a group, the “Political Prisoner of War Coalition,” and became a
prolific essay writer for anarchist publications. Largely as a result of his prison
activism, his own case was adopted by left-wing and anarchist groups around the
world. His story was also sanitized and politicized—according to the Earth
First! Action Update, Abdullah “is serving time for taking political action against
drug dealers. Also for ‘redirecting’ funds from capitalist ventures to community
groups.” Abdullah’s prison writings were translated into many languages,
while his supporters started an international campaign to win him parole (which
he has repeatedly been denied).
Abdullah has taken pains to remain in touch with his supporters; he has also
guided them, even to the extent of drafting letters for followers to send to the
Michigan Parole Board. Supporters are asked not to identify themselves as anarchist
nor to express their true feelings. “It would not serve me or what any of
us are wanting to accomplish (which is my freedom from prison),” Abdullah
explains, “if we display our open hate and disgust for the state and their system....
NEVER LET YOUR ENEMY KNOW THAT YOU HATE THEM,
BUT ALWAYS GIVE THE APPEARANCE TO THEM THAT YOU WISH
TO WORK WITH THEM.”
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