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by Sheila K
Tuesday, Apr. 23, 2002 at 2:23 AM
stungunthesecond@yahoo.com 562-434-1649 Infoshop 684 Redondo Avenue,Llong Beach CA 90815
A short explaination of a clear case of repression by the state against activists! We need help to support our comrade who is in jail!
As some of you may have heard, a comrade and fellow anarchist activist, Matt "Rampage" Lamont from Long Beach has been jailed very recently and remains jailed in Orange County. He was arrested with another fellow activist and supporter of South Bay Food Not Bombs, Max Lucas, a juvenile, also in jail in OC's juvenile detention center. They were pulled over in La Habra and arrested after a search of the car, revealing "gasoline cans" and they are both being charged with possession of an explosive destructive device.
They have been in some contact with a lawyer and comrade, Jim Demaegt, who is willing to help create and participate in a legal team to help free Rampage and Max. We need all the support we can get right now, especially law professors, lawyers, funds, and media contacts. We believe, as does Jim, that this arrest is part of an ongoing conspiracy by the police and federal officers to violate the civil rights of those involved with activism, anarchism, and community organizing. We believe the Long Beach infoshop is being targeted as well, as it has been the sight of police spying and harrassment, due only to their disdaine for our political beliefs. This is repression and it affects all of us. Any work we do to better our society is a threat to the current system and this arrest and the ongoing harrassment and survailence of activists is their retaliation for our efforts, proof that they will not tolerate dissent, "free speech", or any type of activity that encourages the rejection of the status quo. This affects the anti-globalization movement, the animal rights movement, the workers movements, and all the current movements toward liberation of the people of this country and the world.
Matt and Max need our support, we cannot let them face the repression that has been meant for all of us alone. There have been rumors that they were at a demonstration against Nazis, but this is not true, they were pulled over in a car, there was no demonstration. They may have been tailed, set-up, or conspired against. This is real, the repression is serious and the consequences of this affect us all. Please contact the Long Beach Infoshop to see how you can help, or to make donations to the legal support fund. The phone number is 562-434-6934 and the address is 684 Redondo Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815. Please forward this email to any lists you are on or anyone you feel should hear this, especially lawyers, experienced individuals, and political prisoner support groups.
Please feel free to responde via email as well, with questions, suggestions, or contact information. And if anyone knows when the ACLU and the Lawyers Guild meet, please let me or the infoshop know ASAP. We will have an info flyer about this ASAP as well and we need help distributing it.
Thank you!
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by Amina
Tuesday, Apr. 23, 2002 at 4:28 PM
Aminawork@yahoo.com
About this 'Rampage' person that was arrested along with the other young person this past weekend.
It seems very funny that the stories of their arrest are changing in the last 24 hours. I have read on other list servers where supporters collecting money for the two people in jail have posted that the two were in fact going to the Nazi rally, the Nazi rally was even announced even on this list server along with a few other anti war list servers. But now it's being claimed by their supporters that they were not going to a rally.
Also in the other reports that were given on IMC and a few other places, the Police didn't just find a gasoline tank as is being claimed by you all right now, but actual homemade bombs and instructions on the bombs. The IMC report even says that's why the charges are so serious.
As someone that is not white, I applaud you all for wanting to protest Nazis, but the fact that explosives were the way that obviously these two guys were going to put their message across I cannot support or condone or support these peoples actions. The fact that someone else could have been hurt is very sick, and they are lucky they did not hurt themselves or innocent people nearby.
I also find it disturbing that as anarchist many of you are now lying, changing the story or trying to cover up the fact that violence was going to be used just so you can collect money and get someone out that was going to commit an extremely violent act.
I support political prisoners, not a bunch of kids who want to do things like this that will not only put themselves in danger but also bring more oppression on the rest of us who are actually trying to make a change and bring about new ideas. I do not consider these two political prisoners only violent. I also don't use the word comrade for anyone who just easily calls themselves an activist or an anarchist.
If these two people were going to use homemade bombs there is no way that I can with a clear mind support this action, there is no way that they could have made sure no innocent people would have kept from being hurt.
Good luck you all
Amina
Aminawork@yahoo.com
CSU Afghan Student Union
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by Austin Delgadillo
Tuesday, Apr. 23, 2002 at 5:21 PM
nabatconfederation@email.com
Well, the "nazi rally" or the "hitlers birthday party" event was canceled. It's original starting time was around 6pm. These two young men were arrested and pulled over way after that time. Unless anyone has some proof about there being a "nazi rally" after 6pm, last Saturday, these two were not headed for that.
We also have to understand that you cannot neccessarily find out all of the exact details on the spot. Who knows why the stories seem different. Everything is allegation. Maybe some of Matt and Maxs' supporters can clear this up for us in a response.
www.angelfire.com/ca6/reclaimed
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by Sheila K
Tuesday, Apr. 23, 2002 at 11:36 PM
tungunthesecond@yahoo.com 562-434-6943 infoshop 684 redondo ave lb ca 90814
In response to a post sent by aminawork@yahoo.com regarding rampage and max's situation:
The actual story is as follows: both were PULLED OVER IN A CAR NOT AT ANY DEMONSTRATION [there was NO demonstration] and they are being held for POSSESSION of an explosive device. Gas cans were found in the car. Their bail is 50,000. THIS IS WHAT WE KNOW. ALL the other stuff floating around is RUMORS. no one has lied, no has skewed any facts. all the INITIAL reports on IMC PRIOR TO SUNDAY were made prematurely without PROPER INFORMATION. THE CHARGES AND DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE BY CALLING THE COURTHOUSE AND THE JAIL IN ORANGE COUNTY.
PLEASE DO NOT LET PETTINESS AND MISINFORMATION STOP US FROM ORGANIZING OUROUND OUR FELLOW ACTIVISTS AND FREEING THEM! THEY DESERVE OUR SUPPORT, THEIR SITUATION IS OUR SITUATION AND NONE OF US ARE EXEMPT FROM REPRESSION, EVEN IF WE ESPOUSE "NONVIOLENT" IDEOLOGIES. WE ARE TARGETED FOR OUR DISSENT. RAMPAGE WAS TARGETED BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN ORGANIZING TRUCKERS, ACTIVISTS, STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. MAX IS ALSO FACING THOSE CONSEQUENCE AND THEY NEED US NOW!
To the sender Aminawork@yahoo.com --If you do not wish to help us fight for our rights and our dignity, and that of our friends and comrades, please do not slander our efforts or cause harm to those who mean only good. I feel that it is quite malicious to email your personal concerns and accusations [which are mostly unfounded] to large groups of people [rather than to those who sent the original message]. I hope that this will not continue and that, now that we've made clear the facts of the situation, you will decide to help us struggle to free our comrades.
thanks
Sheila
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by sheila
Tuesday, Apr. 23, 2002 at 11:43 PM
stungunthesecond@yahoo.com
Thank you Austin, for pointing out the practicalities of analyzing this situation. We are glad to clear things up and glad that you took the time to post and respond, we especially thank you for allowing us time to respond to requests for clarification BEFORE making conclusions or making accusations. Hopefully the previous comments made by aminawork@yahoo.com did not have malicious or instigative intent, but in any case, I am glad to respond to any questions, as are any supporters of Max and Matt, and we hope for solidarity among all activists who are aware of and seeking to end the repression of our government. Thanks Again!
Sheila K
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by DecapAristo
Thursday, Apr. 25, 2002 at 8:06 PM
To everyone that's jumping to conclusions and repeating half-assed versions of stories-that-they-heard-from-their-friend-that-read-it-on-a-listerv-and-had-it-confirmed-by-a -cop:
the only facts are these: two young people, one a juvenile, are being PHYSICALLY RESTRAINED because they are politically active. Will the arresting officers and their supervisor be prosecuted for this? Will the authoritarian bureaucrats that did this be held accountable?
What about the Sherman Austin debacle? Has the FBI been called out on the carpet yet for interfering with First Amendment rights?
Maybe these two guys had a sinister Snapple bottle or two in their car, huh?
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by riotdrumbeats
Saturday, Apr. 27, 2002 at 9:18 AM
All of this is a blatant attack on the anarchist/activist movement from the state. It's more than just an attack, it's a warfare situation. And one that's beginning to intensify. It's nothing new. But let us learn from our mistakes from the 60's. Passiveness will get us all shot in the back, silenced and defeated. The shit is really hitting the fan now. All over the U.S that is, peoples houses are getting raided left and right. Comrades are beginning to drop like flies. People are getting rounded up and deported like it's nothing. Long Beach/Los Angeles area is indeed a particular "hot spot" for FBI and Cointelpro. This is a warfare situation, thus we should be treat as a warfare situation. We should be prepared to strategically analyze the in's and out's of the system, mobilize in efforts to counter it's agenda, and work in progressive formats to defend ourselves. Do what ever it takes, because YOU could be next. In fact, YOU will most likely be next. And there's not much you can do behind enemy lines. Stay organized, stay strong, practice damage control and security culture. Things are really starting to come down now, and nobody is going to protect us from the state except us, the community. Now is not the time to "take it easy" in fear of being targeted next. Now is the time to release the fire of rebellion in any which way possible. Now is the time to hold our ground. Otherwise we'll be swept off our feet and locked in into shackles and chains. Now is not the time to demand justice. Now is the time to start making justice.
TAKE TO THE STREETS!
PEOPLES ARMY!
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by derrick
Saturday, Apr. 27, 2002 at 2:53 PM
taruc@earthlink.net
Just because we are all "on the same side" does not mean we cannot question each other -be some kind of crackpot that just believes and accepts what is given them. Amina sounds like she had some misgivings, which I personally echo. She may have taken those misgivings to false or extreme conclusions but there is still nothing wrong with misgivings, especially when the facts change as the story progresses. Again, Amina may have jumped to conclusions but I must applaud her for her courage to speak up.
two questions...
what was the gasoline for?
what is this Long Beach infoshop?
(excuse me for my ignorance=) )
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by sheila
Sunday, Apr. 28, 2002 at 2:23 AM
Nobody knows what the gasoline allegedly found in max's car was for, but it is definately not illegal to have gas in your car in case it runs out of gas.. the focus is more why was he being followed, why was he randomly pulled over? activists are being targeted and set up.
the long beach infoshop is a place where you can purchase books and magazines, read from the book library, watch videos, talk with people, have meetings for activist groups. It is collectively run by local anarchists. Food not bombs meets there every sunday to cook, copwatch meets there, as do a few other groups. it is located at 684 redondo avenue in long beach. rampage was frequently at the shop and participated in almost every community group that worked from there. Max was also a frequent visitor, as was jeff [who was arrested at rampage's arraignment for contempt of court, and then held in OC jail].
if you would like to help coordinate with a support team for these political prisoners and for everyone who is being targeted for their political actions, please call 562-434-1649. we need help with a lot of things, NOT just donations!
Thanks
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by veggie van gals
Friday, May. 10, 2002 at 1:02 AM
Are there any updates on this story and an address where we can send money...We love those sweet long beach kids and are trying to raise our fist and funds as we travel - if someone could let us know who to make checks out to that would be rad - if there is a place...
R-adical
A-lright
D-rumming
i-gnite debate
c-eering
L-ove , cause thats what we wanna see !!
-J&A
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