https://themilitant.com/2018/09/15/join-fight-against-prison-censorship-of-militant-in-florida-illinois/
Join fight against prison censorship of ‘Militant’ in Florida, Illinois!
By Brian Williams
Vol. 82/No. 35
September 24, 2018
The fight continues against censorship of the Militant by prison
authorities in Florida and at the federal facility in Greenville,
Illinois. The issues posed are important for defending political rights
won in centuries of hard-fought battles and the right of workers behind
bars to be able to read, study and think about class-struggle
developments worldwide and advance a working-class political perspective.
After authorities at a number of prisons in Florida have banned at least
18 issues of the paper over the past 16 months, the Florida Department
of Corrections Literature Review Committee has overturned most of these
rulings. But prison officials keep at it. Issues no. 25 and 29 remain
impounded. On Aug. 21 Militant attorney David Goldstein of the prominent
civil liberties law firm Rabinowitz, Boudin, Standard, Krinsky and
Lieberman filed an appeal, but as we go to press a response from the
Literature Review Committee is still pending.
Authorities at Florida State Prison impounded issue no. 25 without
informing the Militant, a violation of Florida state law. The reason
given by prison officials for banning the issue, and then the next one,
was the paper’s coverage of its fight against Florida prison censorship.
But the impoundment of issue 26 was reversed while no. 25 was upheld,
even though state officials declined to tell Goldstein what the
difference was.
Similarly, issue no. 29 was impounded by Tomoka Correctional Institution
officials. The reason given was “Page 1-3,” which the warden claims
“depicts, describes or encourages activities which may lead to the use
of physical violence or group disruption.”
But the articles on these pages simply presented a working-class
perspective on issues in U.S. and world politics. Headlines included:
“New Openings for Working Class as Imperialist ‘World Order’ Unravels,”
“Woman’s Right to Abortion Is Debated in Northern Ireland” and
“Protesters Demand ‘Release Video!’ in Cop Shooting of Chicago Barber.”
“The impoundment violates the First Amendment and is unconstitutionally
arbitrary,” Goldstein wrote.
At the federal prison in Greenville, Illinois, the warden banned all
issues of the Militant on the grounds that it’s “associated with the
Socialist Workers Party.” While the subscriber there scored a victory by
getting released in mid-August, the fight against this censorship
continues and is having an impact.
Sara Revell, Federal Bureau of Prisons’ director of its North Central
Regional Office, responded to those who wrote urging the ban be lifted,
saying she has asked the Greenville warden to reconsider.
She quoted from federal regulations on publications, which say a warden
can’t reject something because of its political or social views and “may
not establish an excluded list of publications.” Specific reasons for
barring each and every issue are required, she said.
“Keep the pressure on,” said Militant editor John Studer. “We’re asking
our readers and defenders of political rights to keep sending letters
urging this pattern of censorship in Florida and ban in the Illinois
federal prison be reversed.”
The Militant’s ongoing fight against censorship has won support from
Amnesty International USA, PEN America, Florida Civil Liberties Union,
National Lawyers Guild, and others.
Letters protesting Florida prison censorship should be emailed to
Allen.Peterson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Letters protesting censorship at Greenville should be sent to Sara
Revell, North Central Regional Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons,
Gateway Complex Tower II, 8th Floor, 400 State Ave., Kansas City, KS
66101-2492.
Send copies to the Militant at 306 W. 37th St., New York, NY 10018 or to
themilitant@xxxxxxx.
In This Issue
Front Page Articles •Demand US rulers sign peace treaty with NKorea
•‘Workers need independence from capitalist state, parties’
•Iraq protests demand gov’t provide services, end to Tehran interference
•Liberals’ frenzy against Trump falters in face of workers’ distaste
•Join fight against prison censorship of ‘Militant’ in Florida, Illinois!
Feature Articles •Mexico election registers crisis for capitalist
rulers, parties
Also In This Issue •Steelworkers authorize strikes at U.S. Steel amid
contract talks
•‘Convict Chicago cop who killed Laquan McDonald’
•Workers at Whole Foods, Target take steps to organize
•Sankara books welcomed at NY Burkina Faso festival
•Kentucky UFCW workers strike at Four Roses plants
Editorials •Decay of US rulers ‘world order’ opens room to fight
On the Picket Line •Chicago hotel workers fight for health care, higher
wages
•Miami airport workers rally, press for union contract
Books of the Month •‘First years of Communist Party heroic part of our
continuity’
As I See It •Gangs, drugs and violence are built into capitalist rule
25, 50 and 75 years ago
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