itle: Running Down the Walls
START DATE: 9/8/2007
START TIME: 10:00 AM
Duration: 3 Hours
Location: east los angeles, west sgv
Location Details:
Whittier Narrows Regional Park, El Monte, Ca
750 Santa Anita Ave South El Monte, CA 91733
(East side of Legg Lake)
Event Topic: political prisoners
Event Type: 5k run fundraiser
Contact Name: Matt Hart
Contact Email: la_blackcross@yahoo.com
Contact Phone: n/a
DESCRIPTION:
Running Down The Walls is here again! The Los Angeles Anarchist Black Cross Federation is proud to announce the return of Running Down the Walls (RDTW). RDTW is a 5k run/walk for Political Prisoners. Due to increased demand by PP/POWs and community activists, LA-ABCF will be organizing the next RDTW on Saturday, September 8th, 2007. We hope our friends will come out and support the run just as they have in past. Our goal is to increase the number of solidarity runs in prisons and other cities, as well as, raise much needed funds and awareness for our comrades held captive as political prisoners.

As of right now we have solidarity runs in USP Big Sandy, MCI Walpole, Boston and Western Massachusetts.

Proceeds from this run will be divided between the ABCF Warchest and the Black Riders Liberation Party’s Defense Fund.

For those interested in supporting the run. Here is how you can help:

-Be a runner:
We are asking people or groups who are running to collect as many sponsors for the run as possible. Remember the money received is going to help imprisoned comrades and assist the Black Riders in the legal defense from recent police repression.

-Donate to the Warchest:
Send funds to the Philadelphia ABCF, who heads up the Warchest, indicating your desire for those funds to go to the Warchest. (Philadelphia ABCF P.O. Box 42129 Philadelphia, PA 19101)

-Organize a Running Down the Walls in your location:
We wish to expand the solidarity runs in more cities and prisons. Please contact LA Anarchist Black Cross, if you plan on doing this. Also, the LA ABCF welcomes anyone interested in helping us to organize the LA run.

Registration fees: $12 preregistration; $15, the day of the run. (Make checks out to Tim Fasnacht)

For more information, please check out our website at:
www.abcf.net/la or email us at: la@abcf.net

“Not only our pace and spirits soared, but the sun broke through the clouds and the temperature rose to the 60s. So we ran down the walls and ran up the sun and we were glad to be doing it.” – Jaan Laaman at 1999 RDTW

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post that audio interview!

Report From Los Angeles Running Down the Walls 2007
On September 8th, LA ABCF had a great success with this years Running Down the Walls (RDTW). We had the event at Whittier Narrows Regional Park, a large and beautiful park right in the heart of El Monte, CA. The route circled around two lakes, which provide a great opportunity to reflect on the purpose of the day. At the beginning of the run, participants were reminded of the other solidarity runs taking place USP Big Sandy, MCI Walpole, Boston and West Massachusetts.

While the main part of the run began at 10:15 am, the actual event took place over several hours as people came throughout the day to support the event and enjoy the weather. In the past, we have had Rob Middaugh and Sara Jane Olson at our runs. Both supported the event prior to their imprisonment. This year, former political prisoner, Matt Lamont, was at the run. We hope this changes the trend from future political prisoners to former political prisoners at Running Down the Walls.

Also joining us at the event was LA Food Not Bombs, who graciously provided food the event. We wish to personally thank them for their efforts. While we are taking the time to recognize people, we would like to take a moment to recognize two participants of the run: Ami who raised the most amount and Brian who put everyone in his dust, taking first place in the run. Both received $25 to be used at AK Press. We wish to also thank AK Press for their generous prizes.

In all thirty people joined us at this year's run, contributing close to $1,700.

Funds raised will be divided between the ABCF Warchest and the Black Rider Liberation Party. Once again thanks to all that participated in LA's RDTW.

We will put up reports from the other runs as they come.