Marius Mason, an environmental and animal rights activist, anarchist, writer, artist and trans advocate, was serving the longest sentence to date for acts of environmental sabotage. After 17 years of incarceration, we celebrate his release as he was moved to a half way house on May 14 this year.
Inside prison, he never gave up, but stood up for himself and others, advocated for trans prisoners and strongly resisted the prison system. All the years before for International Week of Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoners and Trans Prisoner Day of Action, we called to write to him. Now, we are excited to remove him from our letter writing list and instead join forces again on the outside.
Still, there are many remaining in prison and on our letter writing list, and ever new ones are being added. Solidarity is key to be able to fight this repressive system. Solidarity can carry us through the darkest times – a postcard or a letter, a ralley in front of the prison, a visit means the world and gives energy. A story of a comrade in prison shared on an event multiplies with those present. It is our responsibility to let their ideas and with them the persons themselves travel beyond the prison walls. By not forgetting those in prison, solidarity can grow.
That’s why we call every year for the International Week of Solidarity with Anarchist Prisoners.
Times are getting harder, fascism is rising,and states, fascists and conservatives make us again the targets of their opposition – as progressive forces, Queers, Antifas, and Anarchists. They try to crush us such as in the recent convictions at the Prairieland case where people are facing up to 100 years in prison. Or the attempt to suppress the anarchist movement in Indonesia, where again after the May Day clashes ten anarchist are imprisoned and face serious charges.
In the face of that adversity, we need to stick together and act in solidarity. To strengthen our communities and support the most vulnerable. Let’s not forget the prisoners and instead fight side by side. People are not just prisoners, they are our comrades. Marius showed a great example of how we can reach out to each other to fight a shared struggle.
Join the International Week of Solidarity for Anarchist Prisoners!
Organize a letter writing, solidarity event, film screeening, direct action, ralley, banner drop or whatever comes to your mind and send us pictures and a small report!