excerpts from occupychicago:
Constructive, fantastic, awesome and fearless comrades remain in jail on false charges. Everyone can help support them. There are numerous ways of doing so. Support our friends emotionally and physically by writing and visiting during their incarceration; financially by donating to our bail fund at www.tinyurl.com/OCbailfund; and generally by letting your social networks know the truth about the recent happenings. Below are instructions and information about visiting and writing letters to our friends, along with some useful tips and resources.
IMPORTANT INFO:
If you are going to visit our arrested comrades, be prepared for Cook County-caliber frustration. The “Department of Corrections” facilitates the decomposition of inmates’ sanity and increases the anxiety of dissenters in general. Do not expect co-operation. Cook County Sheriffs are tools of the state, charged with isolating and terrifying (political) prisoners and their supporters. Bring plenty of patience and possibly this document. You have the information. Use it.
Jail support is not a chance to stick it to the man. This means that you should comply with reasonable requests from officers, such as moving slightly farther away from the precinct, and that you should not antagonize desk sergeants or court officers. When our fellow activists are in custody our behavior outside the precinct can effect their treatment inside.
You will need ID. Acceptable forms include state ID, driver’s license, student ID, military ID, CPD ID, passport. Bring nothing with you other than your ID and your car keys or transit pass. Otherwise, the Sheriff’s department will make you rent a $3 locker.
You can visit Jay, Brent and Jacob once per week.
Visitors are allowed only to communicate with inmates via a bulletproof, AUDIO-RECORDING membrane. DO NOT DISCUSS THE PARTICULARS OF THEIR CHARGES. It could jeopardize their case. This applies to written communication too. It’s also probably something they don’t want to think about in the few minutes they have to interact with people on the outside. If you are uncertain about whether or not a topic of conversation is sensitive, err on the side of caution- don’t mention it. Jay, Brent, and Jacob need general human conversation to let them know someone out there cares about them, that they’re not alone. They need assurance that the non-imprisoned world still remembers, cares about, and supports them. We can, should, and will do so.
Empower others by sharing this information. Let’s demonstrate to the public and to each other that another world is possible and that starts with supporting our comrades.
HOW TO CONTACT JACOB, BRENT, AND JAY
Visit Brian (Jacob) Church (inmate #2012-0519002), Brent Betterly (inmate #2012-0519001) and Jared (Jay) Chase (inmate #20120519003) at 31st and Sacramento in maximum security division 9. It’s down the street from the courthouse, and West on 31st. You can visit them (separately) on Mondays 3:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8 am to 1 pm. Their next court date is June 12 at 2600 S. California, Branch 98.
Visitors can only see Brian, Brent, or Jay once per week.
If you aren’t able to visit, you can mail letters. Books are welcome but need to be delivered to the Occupy Chicago office at 500 West Cermak, Chicago, IL (only “publishers” can send books to prisoners). We encourage people to drop off books or zines. Brent likes to read science fiction, Brian reads nonfiction, and Jacob wants colored pencils and paper. Letters are always welcome and can be delivered directly to Jay, Brent, and Jacob. Address letters to:
Brent Betterly
2012-0519001
PO Box 089002
Chicago IL 60608
Jared Chase
2012-0519003
PO Box 089002
Chicago IL 60608
Brian Church
2012-0519002
PO Box 089002
Chicago IL 60608
with love,
the enraged
* * *
NOTE: Shit’s fucked up and bullshit for these comrades, too. When you’re visiting anyone in the prison system, stop by and brighten these Occupiers’ days as well. And don’t forget to write. Everyone loves letters:
Raziel Azuara, inmate# 2012-0521087 – Help raise $15,000 to free him at Occupy Chicago Bail Fund
Visit him at Division 11 BH, on 3015 S. California on Sundays, from 3:30-8:30 p.m.
To send him letters, address them to:
Raziel Azuara
2012-0521087
PO Box 089002
Chicago IL 60608
Christopher French – inmate # 2012-0522081, help raise $10,000 to bail him out. Donate to tinyurl.com/ocbailfund or see http://freedomforchris.wordpress.com/
Visit him at Cook County Jail Division 6, 2900 S Sacramento
on Mondays from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Next court date is May 30 at Belmont & Western
To send him letters, address them to:
Christopher French
2012-0522081
PO Box 089002
Chicago IL 60608
Yonte Harris, inmate #2012-0521086 – $20,000 needed to bail him out. Donate to Occupy Chicago Bail Fund
Visit him at Div 2, Dorm 4 on Mondays and Saturdays from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 2800 S Sacramento
Next court date is May 29 Belmont & Western
To send him letters, address them to:
Yonte Harris
#2012-0521086
PO Box 089002
Chicago IL 60608
Mark Neiweem, inmate # 2012-0520023, $50,000 needed to bail him out. Donate to Occupy Chicago Bail Fund!
Thursdays 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Sundays 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 26th and California
Next court date is June 13 at 2600 S. California, Branch 98
To send him letters, address them to:
Mark Neiweem
2012-0520023,
PO Box 089002
Chicago IL 60608
Sebastian Senakiewicz, inmate #2012-0520030 only $75,000 to bail him out! Donate at Occupy Chicago Bail Fund
Wednesdays 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Next court date is June 13 2600 S California
To send him letters, address them to:
Sebastian Senakiewicz
#2012-0520030
PO Box 089002
Chicago IL 60608
