Month: April 2017

 

Pittsburgh activism has long and sordid history of cooptation by the police. Liberal organizers invariably honor a tacit agreement in which they guarantee that their “actions” generate minimal material disruption of the prevailing order, in exchange for the cops’ allowing them to proceed unimpeded. The police, notoriously lazy in Pittsburgh, benefit from protest organizers doing most of their work for them, plus they don’t have to tarnish their image by pepper spraying and arresting protesters. Organizers in turn get to boost turnout by offering a risk-free, conscience salving experience, while claiming success based on nothing more than seamless logistics, regardless of the lack of movement toward their claimed goals.

Continue reading “A Response to Filler Collective’s “Solidarity in the Streets””

On April 13th 2016, our friends Shea and Maxx were arrested for protesting then-candidate Trump outside a campaign rally at the David L Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh. Both were charged with felony aggravated assault, felony riot, and resisting arrest. Last week they were sentenced to 3 to 12 months in Allegheny County Jail, in addition to a year of probation, community service, and prosecution costs.

Maxx and Shea need your help! Prisoners at ACJ must pay out of pocket for decent food and other basic needs that people on the outside take for granted. In addition to this commissary money funds will be needed to cover prosecution costs and probation fees.

Please donate if you can! Even small amounts are much appreciated. We are also requesting folks to spread the word on social media, and in real life as well. Tell all your friends!

On March 18th, prisoners at Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania began a 24 hour sit-in. Eighty prisoners took part in the action to demand more case workers, better medical services, and a legitimate grievance procedure, among other things. On the evening of March 20th, a noise demo was held in support of the striking prisoners. While the demo was successful in entertaining and encouraging those confined within, the cops turned up at the end and arrested eleven comrades. Our friends are being charged with multiple felonies each and are facing exorbitant legal fees. Please donate to this fund to help out with the high costs that follow arrest. Solidarity is everything and with help from everyone, we can continue to keep fighting!

Preliminary hearings for the 11 have been continued until April 28 at 8AM at the Pittsburgh Municipal Courthouse. Supporters are urged to show up, but please dress appropriately and follow the courthouse rules. Currently all the defendants have lawyers retained through the prelims, but more funds will be needed for those whose cases go further.