Jalil Muntaqim Encourages Revolutionaries Around the Nation to Support Prison Lives Matter

When looking at the years of struggles from the Attica insurrection to the murder of Comrade George Jackson, there has been a continuum of prison struggles and organizing. In light of the Black Lives Matter tendency and trends, it is necessary for progressive and revolutionary prisoners in the era of resisting mass incarceration to evolve and build a sustainable and pragmatic determination inclusive of the overall struggle opposing white supremacy and capitalist exploitation and repression. The Prison Lives Matter is part and parcel of this (r)evolutionary development of oppressed peoples applying the principle concepts of We Are Our Own Liberators. These are ideologically astute and determined incarcerated people deciding, in their own capacity to take control of their destiny in alignment with the struggles outside of their confinement. It is imperative that progressive-minded folks join and support Prison Lives Matter as they have rallied around the #BlackLivesMatter. In this regards, the development of a National/Regional structure is crucial to not only propagate the determination of those inside prisons, but to develop liberating structures that will develop alliances and cooperating working relationships with those who oppose mass incarceration, support the liberation of political prisoners, like the National Jericho Movement, and other formations.

The National Jericho Amnesty Movement and the Northeast Political Prisoners Coalition and other formations have joined "In the Spirit of Nelson Mandela" to again bring our struggle to the attention of the international progressive communities, demanding the International Jurist hear testimony on the issue of We Cry Genocide - commemorating the 70th year anniversary of the original petition submitted to the United Nations by eminent Paul Robeson and William Patterson in 1951. Prison Lives Matters is a representative organization in support of this endeavor. educating and broadening the base of support among incarcerated people and encouraging them to build cadres that are Future Focused toward the eventual establishment of a national united front. The Prison Lives Matter determination is important to ensure the struggle of incarcerated peoples are included in any forum and conference on the issue of mass incarceration, racist brutality, and political repression as it confronts poor and oppressed peoples, especially those who identify themselves as New Afrikans.

It is with this understanding, I am petitioning the New Afrikan and other formations to engage Prison Lives Matter and assist their determination to forge a national/regional structure to further unify and strengthen their capacity to give voice to the incarcerated in their fight to become their own liberators!

rev. love & unity -

Jalil Muntaqim

co-founder of the National Jericho Amnesty Movement