Georgia Prisoner Strike: Call for Vigilance

This is a call for folks connected to alternative media sources to check in with the Georgia DOC regarding the prisoners who have been identified by DOC officials as "conspirators" in the Georgia Prisoner Strike and subsequently moved to other prisons.

In a conversation with Elaine Brown on Thursday, Dec.23rd, she told us that officials informed her on December 17th that they had identified 37 conspirators in the prisoners' strike and had transported them to other prisons. They assured her that they would get the list of the names of the 37 prisoners to her. As of our conversation with her on Dec. 23rd, she had not received the list from the Georgia DOC.

Please assist in finding out who those 37 prisoners are and use your media access to help those concerned keep a "watch" over them to make sure they are not being abused.

Below are some contact numbers for Georgia prisons.

Thanks.
__________________________________________
Macon State Prison is (478) 472-3400.
Hays State Prison is at (706) 857-0400
Telfair State prison is (229) 868-7721
Baldwin State Prison is at (478) 445- 5218
Valdosta State Prison is (229) 245-6450
Smith State Prison is at (912) 654-5000

Police Brutality Case 11.27.10: Naimah Jones.

Thanks for joining us for another edition of On The Block Radio.

On today's show:

PA Prison Report Headlines.

-Prisoner transferred out of state in retaliation for filing grievances

-Continued solitary confinement torture at SCI Coal Township

Interview.

On today's show, we continue our documentation of police brutality incidents occurring in the United States with this post of an interview with Inas Shabazz about the recent acts of police brutality against her sister, Naimah Jones, on November 27th.  In the early hours of the second day after Thanksgiving, Naimah Jones was choked, thrown to the concrete, and tasered several times in front of her home in North Philadelphia as her children looked on.  Her sister asserts that Naimah did not physically resist arrest and the attacks were unjustified.

The attacks were preceded by a verbal exchange between Naimah and a police officer regarding the children she had left locked in her car as went into her home to retrieve some items.

She is facing felony assault charges.  Her sister, Inas Shabazz, tells the story. 

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members.  From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio."  Many thanks.  To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to: www.hrcoalition.org.

Portland and Homeland Security: An Interview with Dan Hendelman of Portland Copwatch.

Thanks for joining us for another edition of On The Block Radio.

On today's show:

PA Prison Report Headlines.

-Historic prisoners' strike in Georgia shuts down six prisons

-Jailhouse lawyer held in freezing cell; stripped of legal property in solitary confinement

Interview.

In the wake of the arrest of 18-year-old Somali-born Mohamed Osman Mohamud on charges of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction in Portland, we speak with Dan Hendelman of Portland Copwatch about:

--Portland's status as a city that has rejected becoming a partner of the FBI in its National Joint Terrorism Task Force

--recent FBI surveillance of Hendelman and Portland Copwatch

--the fear that the arrest of Mohamud might lead to a stronger collusion between the FBI and local Portland police in future law enforcement efforts in the city.

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members.  From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio."  Many thanks.  To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to: www.hrcoalition.org.

Georgia Prison Strike. Interview with Elaine Brown.

On December 9, 2010, prisoners in several Georgia prisons began a peaceful strike in order to pressure prison administrators to meet the following list of demands:

· A LIVING WAGE FOR WORK: In violation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution prohibiting slavery andinvoluntary servitude, the DOC demands prisoners work for free.

· EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: For the great majority of prisoners, the DOC denies all opportunities for education beyond the GED, despite the benefit to both prisoners and society.

· DECENT HEALTH CARE: In violation of the 8th Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishments, the DOC denies adequate medical care to prisoners, charges excessive fees for the most minimal care and is responsible for extraordinary pain and suffering.

· AN END TO CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENTS: In further violation of the 8th Amendment, the DOC is responsible for cruel prisoner punishments for minor infractions of rules.

· DECENT LIVING CONDITIONS: Georgia prisoners are confined in over-crowded, substandard conditions, with little heat in winter and oppressive heat in summer.

· NUTRITIONAL MEALS: Vegetables and fruit are in short supply in DOC facilities while starches and fatty foods are plentiful.

· VOCATIONAL AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: The DOC has stripped its facilities of all opportunities for skills training, self-improvement and proper exercise.

· ACCESS TO FAMILIES: The DOC has disconnected thousands of prisoners from their families by imposing excessive telephone charges and innumerable barriers to visitation.

· JUST PAROLE DECISIONS: The Parole Board capriciously and regularly denies parole to the majority of prisoners despite evidence of eligibility.

After final assessments are made, this may be the largest prison strike in United States history. The strike was orchestrated largely through the use of cell phones, according to Elaine Brown, former chairman of the Black Panther Party, founder of the National Alliance for Radical Prison Reform, and one of the contact persons for information on developments in the strike listed on a press release.

Elaine Brown is interviewed about the strike one day after it had begun. She begins the interview by reading a text message sent to her from one of the Georgia prisoners in which the goals and the make-up of the strikers are stated.

___________________________________________________________

Expressions of solidarity with the prisoners can be made to the various prisons at the numbers listed below or through the Georgia Department of Corrections website and/or main number:

Macon State Prison is (478) 472-3400.

Hays State Prison is at (706) 857-0400

Telfair State prison is 229-868-7721

Baldwin State Prison is at (478) 445- 5218

Valdosta State Prison is (229) 245-6450

Smith State Prison is at (912) 654-5000

The Georgia Department of Corrections is at http://www.dcor.state.ga.us and their phone number is 478-992-5246

To Learn more:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/us/12prison.html

http://blackagendareport.com/?q=content%2Fga-prisoner-strike-continues-second-day-corporate-media-mostly-ignores-them-corrections-offi

http://hiphopandpolitics.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/day-3-of-historic-prison-strike-in-georgia-blacked-out-by-media-guards-committing-violence/

A Sunday update to this story will be posted at Black Agenda Report , about 9AM EST.

Interview with Rich Garella, Co-producer of the Film, "Who Killed Chea Vichea."

This is an interview with Rich Garella, co-producer of the independent film Who Killed Chea Vichea.

In early 2004, Chea Vichea, a prominent labor rights activist, was murdered in the streets of Cambodia outside of a newspaper stand. Afterwards, two young Cambodian men were arrested and charged with Chea's murder. Many believe, based on the lack of convincing evidence of their guilt, that they were framed for Chea's murder.

The two men were sentenced to 20 years in prison, and the prime minister, Hun Seng, who was up for re-election at the time of Chea's murder, was elected prime minister for another term. Many believe Chea's assassination and the incarceration of two young men for his murder were carried out at the behest of the prime minister in an effort to maintain his hold on power in Cambodia.

Over the course of the interview, Cambodia history and politics are discussed in an effort to give context to Chea's murder and the subsequent alleged frame-up of the two men. As well, in relationship to the central concern of "On the Block Radio" show--the United States criminal justice system--comparisons are made between the unethical behavior of police in Cambodia and that of police in the United States.

Update on the Askia Sabur Case. Interview with Tanya Hamilton, Director of "Night Catches Us."

Thanks for joining us for another edition on On The Block Radio, the show that takes a critical look at our criminal justice system.  

On tonight's show:

The Human Rights Coalition Pennsylvania Prison Report with these headlines:

- Pittsburgh march honors wrongful death of pregnant prisoner

- HRC censored by SCI Coal Township

- Possible negligence by Virginia prison in PA prisoner's death

 Next, we will talk with Shesheena Bray of the Askia Coalition Against Police Brutality about the recent court hearing of police brutality victim, Askia Sabur, and upcoming events of the Coalition's anti-police brutality campaign.   Askia Sabur is a young African American male who was caught on video being beaten outside of a Chinese restaurant on September 3rd by police officers from Philadelphia's 19th Police District. According to reports, he was beaten with night sticks in his head until blood spilled onto the sidewalk, resulting in Askia receiving 6 head-staples, a neck-brace, multiple back injuries, a broken arm and other physical and emotional damage. He is also reported to be currently suffering from memory loss.

In the video footage of the attack that can be found on YouTube, Askia is seen surrounded by four cops and being beaten by one with a night stick. Throughout the extent of the video, he is sitting on the sidewalk as he is being beaten, with the exception of two moments in which he is lying or kneeling on the ground.

Askia Sabur appeared in court on Wednesday, December 1st for another preliminary hearing in his case.  Shesheena tells us what took place during that hearing and what's next on the agenda for the Askia Coalition Against Police Brutality in its efforts to make the police department accountable for its acts of brutality against Askia and others in Philadelphia.

Finally, we will speak with Tanya Hamilton the writer, director, and co-producer of Night Catches Us, a film set in Philadelphia in the 1970s which looks at how one neighborhood in the Germantown section of Philadelphia grapples with its memories of the Black Panther Party and the relationships that it forged and tore apart.  I spoke with her by phone from her home in Philadelphia.

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members.  From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio."  Many thanks.  To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to: www.hrcoalition.org.

FBI Informant-Directed Movie Coming to a 'Hood Near You.

Special Post.

This montage on post-9/11 FBI use of informants in the United States was inspired by the cases of the Fort Dix 5, the Newburgh 4, and most recently the case of Mohamed Osman Mohamud.

Song:

Jill Scott/Watching Me.
Spoken Voices:

U.S.A. newscasters.

employee at the NYU Center on Law and Society.

a former FBI Agent.

a former FBI director.

iman of the New York mosque visited by defendants in the Newburgh 4 case.

an aunt of one of the Newburgh 4 defendants.

Be careful of unauthorized movies being made in your 'hood.

Don't let them derail your revolutionary phenomena....channelling discontentment with American society into ugly acts of terror.

Note.
The People at On the Block Radio do not endorse Mr. Mohamud's intentions and actions. However, we are wary of the manner in which the FBI was involved in this case, as well as other recent cases in which United States citizens were arrested on charges of terrorism.

Update on the Askia Sabur Police Brutality Case: Interview with Askia's Sister, Naimah Wilson

On today's show, we will look again at the movement against police brutality that has been re-focused recently on the case of Askia Sabur, a young African American male who was caught on video being beaten outside of a Chinese restaurant on September 3rd by police officers from Philadelphia's 19th Police District. According to reports, he was beaten with night sticks in his head until blood spilled onto the sidewalk, resulting in Askia receiving 6 head-staples, a neck-brace, multiple back injuries, a broken arm and other physical and emotional damage. He is also reported to currently be suffering from memory loss.

In the video footage of the attack that can be found on YouTube, Askia is seen surrounded by four cops and being beaten by one with a night stick. Throughout the extent of the video, he is sitting on the sidewalk as he is being beaten, with the exception of two moments in which he is lying or kneeling on the ground.

In a recent interview, Askia's older sister, Naimah Wilson, updates us on Askia's recovery and on the efforts of the Askia Coalition Against Police Brutality to build a movement against police brutality in Philadelphia and to make the police department accountable for their acts of violence against Askia.

RECENT EVENTS SURROUNDING THE CASE.
__________________________________________________________
Preliminary Hearing (Third and Last Scheduled. Not all police officers showed up to the
first two):

Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Time: 8:00am (usually the hearings do not begin until about 9:00am)
Place: The Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center (CJC) at 13th and Filbert
Room 703
Contact: weareaskia@hotmail.com or info@acapb.com.

Weekly Planning Meetings of the Askia Coalition Against Police Brutality (ACAPB):

Date: Every Monday
Time: 6:00pm
Place: The Conestoga Community Center
5301 Media Street (West Philadelphia)
Contact: weareaskia@hotmail.com or info@acapb.com.

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members.  From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio."  Many thanks.  To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to: www.hrcoalition.org.

Mumia Abu Jamal Radio Teach-In

Mumia Abu Jamal is a prolific writer who scribes from behind the bars of SCI Greene Prison in Pennsylvania. He sits in limbo in his jail cell, between life and death and yet his voice pumps out on a regular basis profound commentary on the society on the outside of his bars.

On Tuesday, November 9th, this man, this writer, this profound commentator on our world will be up against a court system that has for 3 decades kept him, his pen, his body behind bars, but every now and then, lets out bits and pieces of his voice. This Tuesday, November 9th, is a sentencing hearing for Mumia Abu Jamal. It will take place at Philadelphia's United States Courthouse and during the hearing whether he will be executed or spend the rest of life behind bars will be decided.

If the millions of people around the world who heard his voice have their say, he'll be coming home, finally, after years of fighting his incarceration.

Now it's other folks' turn to push their voices in battle with Goliaths, like Mumia has done with his for years, and get him free.

This radio teach-in includes the following voices:

--M1 of the Dead Prez
--the late Pennsylvania Representative Dave Richardson in August of 1995
--Wayne Alexander, the nephew of Mumia Abu Jamal
--Ramona Africa on Mumia and the MOVE ORGANIZATION
--Pam Africa
--Mumia Abu Jamal

The Newburgh 4: A Case of FBI Entrapment.....?

Today's show will focus on the Newburgh 4 case.

On October 18, four men were convicted of planning to blow up Jewish synagogues and shoot down cargo planes from Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York. The four men are David Williams, Onta Williams, Laguerre Payen, and James Cromitie.

They are African American, Muslim, and many believe were victims of an unethical entrapment scheme devised by the FBI.

According to reports, FBI informant, Shaheed Hussain, infiltrated the mosque of one of the defendants, James Cromitie, and convinced him to participate in a plot to blow up synagogues and U.S. military planes. The plot was concocted by the FBI and the bombs were fake, but because of the willingness to take part in the terrorist plot, Cromitie and the other 3 defendants--who were recruited later into the scheme by Cromitie-- were convicted on October 18th of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction in the United States and face the possibility of spending the rest of their lives in prison.

We will speak with Bennett Weiss of the Orange County Peace and Justice Committee and Alicia McWilliams, the aunt of one of the Newburgh 4 defendants.

Bennett Weiss has been organizing actions to bring attention to the entrapment practices of the FBI as played out in the Newburgh 4 case. In this segment, he provides some background details on the Newburgh 4 story.

Alicia McWilliams is the aunt of David Williams--one of the Newburgh 4 defendants just recently convicted of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction in the United States. The charge can carry a possible sentence of life in prison. David Williams is 29 years old. McWilliams spoke with "On the Block" in Harlem last week.

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members.  From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio."  Many thanks.  To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to: www.hrcoalition.org.

Catching Up with Philly's Askia Coalition Against Police Brutality

Welcome to another edition of On the Block Radio, a show that takes a critical at the United States criminal justice system.



On today's show, we speak with Adan X, a member of the Askia Coalition Against Police Brutality. Over the last month, many Philadelphia residents have come together in order to help fight police brutality in the city in general and to bring about justice for Askia Sabur, a young African American male who is one of Philadelphia's recent victims of police brutality. Askia was attacked by police outside of a Chinese restaurant in West Philadelphia, where he had ordered food. After viewing YouTube videos of the attack posted by eyewitnesses, many believe the police beating was unwarranted and excessive.

Adan X provides additional background on the case and updates us on past and future actions.

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members. From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio." Many thanks. To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to: www.hrcoalition.org.

Special Re-Post: Family Members of Mumia Abu Jamal and Troy Davis Speak on Their Struggle.

Thanks for joining us for another edition of "On the Block," a radio program that takes a critical look at the United States criminal justice system.

On today's show, we will hear from the relatives of two prisoners on death row. One is that of Wayne Alexander, the nephew of Mumia Abu Jamal. In the 1980s, Mumia was convicted of the murder of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. He currently sits on death row. Mumia and his supporters have for years proclaimed his innocence; demands for his release have been the focus of a large international movement for the last two decades. Wayne provides us with a perspective on how Mumia's family has been grappling with his imprisonment over the last 20 plus years.

The other voice is that of the older sister of Troy Davis, Martina Correia. Davis is currently sitting on death row for a crime that many believe he did not commit. Martina Correia has been fighting for the release of her brother, Troy Davis, for more than two decades. While battling cancer, she has taken up the fight for her brother who she and many others believe was wrongly convicted for the killing of a Georgia police officer. We talk with her about the status of the case.

Mumia Abu Jamal: Recent Developments and the Continuing Significance of the Case to the African American Community.

Welcome to another edition of "On the Block," a radio show that looks critically at the United States criminal justice system.

On today’s show, in light of recent serious developments in the case of Mumia Abu Jamal, an African American journalist who has been sitting in prison for almost three decades for a crime many believe he did not commit, we will listen to an interview with Pam Africa, of the International Concerned Friends and Family of Mumia Abu Jamal.

On Tuesday, September 21st, the The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit announced its decision to grant oral arguments on the issue of whether Mumia Abu Jamal will continue to sit on death row, or be granted a new jury trial on the question of his death sentence. The arguments will be made before a three-judge panel to be held on November 9, 2010, 2:00 pm in the Ceremonial Courtroom, U.S. Courthouse, 6th & Market Streets, in Philadelphia.

This is significant to the ongoing struggle to save Mumia Abu Jamal's life and win the case for Mumia's exoneration. Previously, Mumia had won a new sentencing hearing, but earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court changed its decision and ordered that the case be again reviewed by the federal court. After some months, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has announced its decision to grant a new sentencing hearing for Mumia Abu Jamal.

Pam Africa.
Another critical development for the movement to free Mumia Abu Jamal--a negative one--was the recent signing of a memorandum by factions of the United States anti-death penalty movement to distance the movement from Mumia's case.
In an interview conducted by JR Valrey, Pam Africa, chairperson of the International Concerned Friends and Family of Mumia Abu Jamal, discusses that recent move and its significance.

M1 of the Dead Prez.
We will also listen to an an excerpt of an interview with M1 of the hip hop group The Dead Prez about the continuing significance of Mumia Abu Jamal's case to the African American community. The interview was conducted by JR Valrey of POCC Block Report Radio.

The HRC and Secret Surveillance by the Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security via the Institute for Terrorism Research and Response (ITRR).
The Human Rights Coalition, in its Pennsylvania Prison Report--a regular feature of "On The Block Radio"--discusses the recent discovery that the organization was the focus of scrutiny by the Institute for Terrorism Research and Response (ITRR), an organization contracted by the Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security to identify and document threats to national security in the United States.

All that coming up on On the Block Radio.

Special thanks to Andy of the Human Rights Coalition and JR Valrey of POCC Block Report Radio. For more information about the Human Rights Coalition, check out their website at www.hrcoalition.org. Block Report Radio podcasts can be found at www.blockreportradio.com.

Prison Letters and Documenting Inmate Abuse in Pennsylvania Prisons.

Thanks for joining us for another edition of "On the Block Radio," a show that takes a critical look at the United States criminal justice system.



On tonight's show, Andy of the Human Rights Coalition talks with us about Write Up, an ongoing event at the Lava Space during which individuals can read and respond to letters from inmates in Pennsylvania prisons. He shares with us the history of Write Up and the Human Rights Coalition (HRC). As well, he describes some of the inhumane conditions that prisoners have written about in their letters to the HRC and how the Write-Up event helps with the effort to document inmate abuse and fight it.

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members.  From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio."  Many thanks.  To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to:www.hrcoalition.org.

The Imprisonment of Mumia Abu Jamal and Troy Davis through the Eyes of their Relatives

Thanks for joining us for another edition of "On the Block," a radio program that takes a critical look at the United States criminal justice system. On today's show, we will hear from the relatives of two prisoners on death row. One is the older sister of Troy Davis, Martina Correia. Davis is currently sitting on death row for a crime that many believe he did not commit. Martina Correia has been fighting for the release of her brother, Troy Davis, for more than two decades. While battling cancer, she has taken up the fight for her brother who she and many others believe was wrongly convicted for the killing of a Georgia police officer. We talk with her about the status of the case.



The other voice is that of Wayne Alexander, the nephew of Mumia Abu Jamal. In the 1980s, Mumia was convicted of the murder of a Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. He currently sits on death row. Mumia and his supporters have for years proclaimed his innocence; demands for his release have been the focus of a large international movement for the last two decades. Wayne provides us with a perspective on how Mumia's family has been grappling with his imprisonment over the last 20 plus years.

Police Brutality Case 09.03.10: Askia Sabur.

Thanks for joining us for another edition of "On The Block Radio."



On today's show, we will look at the movement against police brutality that has been re-focused recently on the case of Askia Sabur, a young African American male who was caught on video being beaten outside of a Chinese restaurant on September 3rd by police officers from Philadelphia's 19th Police District. According to reports, he was beaten with night sticks in his head until blood spilled onto the sidewalk, resulting in Askia receiving 6 head-staples, a neck-brace, multiple back injuries, a broken arm and other physical and emotional damage.

In the video footage of the attack that appears on one of the posts on YouTube, Askia is seen surrounded by four cops and being beaten by one with a night stick. Throughout the extent of the video, he is sitting on the sidewalk as he is being beaten, with the exception of two moments in which he is lying or kneeling on the ground.

In a roundtable discussion, organizers of a mass walk in protest of the beating of Askia Sabur--Dr. Weldon McWilliams, Minista, Brother Tommy, Keturah Caesar, and Adon X--speculate on the sociological basis of police brutality in the United States and explore solutions. We connect up with the roundtable discussion at the point where Adon X points out that while the attack on Askia was taking place, one of the police officers brandishes a gun at a group of by-standers that had gathered around the incident.

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members. From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio." Many thanks. To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to: www.hrcoalition.org.

Conversations with Mumia Abu Jamal's Nephew About His Family's Struggles and Floodlines' Author Jordan Flaherty about Post-Katrina Police Brutality.

Thanks for joining us for another edition of "On The Block Radio."

On today's show, we speak with the son of Mumia Abu-Jamal's twin brother about Mumia as an uncle and how Mumia's family has handled life during the years of Mumia's imprisonment.

Then we will hear from Jordan Flaherty author of "Floodlines" a collection of essays about racism and resistance in Louisiana during and after Hurricane Katrina. In our interview with him, we focus on the incidents of post-Katrina police brutality that he has reported on in his book.

All that coming up on On the Block. But first, the Pennsylvania Prison Report.

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members. From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio." Many thanks. To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to: www.hrcoalition.org.

PA State Representative Ronald Waters and Prison Justice: A Conversation

Thanks for joining us for another edition of On the Block Radio, on Philadelphia's only real community radio station, WPEB Radio, 88.1, Philadelphia.

On today's show we speak with State Representative Ronald Waters about his work on prison justice issues.

Most specifically, we will speak with him about his activism around the issue of solitary confinement in Pennsylvania prisons. In August he convened a hearing on solitary confinement in Pennsylvania prisons in which two ex-prisoners testified about their time in solitary confinement.

Dead Prez's M1 on Mumia Abu Jamal and Luqman Abdullah on Solitary Confinement in PA Prisons: Conversations

Welcome to On the Block, a radio show that looks critically at our criminal justice system.



On today’s show, we will listen to special east coast edition of Block Report Radio in which JR Valrey interviews M-1 of the Hip Hop group Dead Prez on the significance of the movement to free Mumia Abu Jamal.

Then, we will hear from Luqman Abdullah on his report at a special hearing on solitary confinement in the Pennsylvania Prison System that was convened by state representative Ron Waters.

All of that coming up On the Block on WPEB 88.1 FM, Philadelphia.

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members. From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio." Many thanks. To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to: www.hrcoalition.org.

A Conversation with the Partner of Lynne Stewart, Imprisoned Radical Lawyer and a Black August Tribute to George Jackson.

Welcome to On the Block, a radio show that looks critically at our criminal justice system. On today’s show, after the Human Rights Coalition News, we will listen to an interview conducted by JR Valrey of Block Report Radio with the husband of Lynne Stewart. Stewart, well-known as a lawyer who defended such individuals as Larry Davis and Sekou Odinga, was sentenced to 10 years in prison because of actions related to her defense of Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, also known as the blind sheikh.

Then, in recognition of Black August, a month when many in the African American community celebrate and commemorate black liberation struggles in the United States—many of which took place during the month of August—we will listen to an audio documentary in tribute to slain prison activist and social theorist George Jackson, produced by Jackson’s nephew, Jonathan Jackson, Jr. In August of 1971, George Jackson was killed in San Quentin Prison, where he was incarcerated. Prison authorities said he was attempting to escape and had been armed. Others contend that certain circumstances surrounding his death had been staged in order to give the impression that his death was justified.

The documentary was produced in 2001.

All of that coming up On the Block on WPEB 88.1 FM, Philadelphia.

Special Thanks.

The PA Prison Reports are compiled by Andy and Bret of the Human Rights Coalition based on the accounts of prisoner correspondents and the investigations of HRC members. From the compiled data, the reports are re-written by Andy into the narratives you hear on "On The Block Radio." Many thanks. To access written transcripts of the PA Prison Reports, please go to: www.hrcoalition.org.

Also, special thanks to JR Valrey of Block Report Radio. Block Report Radio podcasts can be found at www.blockreportradio.com.