Report on the EDO prison picket

bristol | peace | news report Sunday April 19, 2009 08:00 by nickleberry

Yesterday afternoon I joined some 40 odd people in parading around the perimeter of Horfield prison in solidarity with Elijah Smith, one of the EDO Decommissioners who is being held inside. It was a noisy old parade as we tried to communicate to Elijah our solidarity, our love, our respect for the action he and his comrades took, and our hope that he will soon be breathing spring air from outside those big old walls.

The action came three months after the Decommissioners took their action against the EDO factory in Brighton. Here's a report of the action if you're not familiar with it:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/418834.html

The picket was somewhat smaller than last time - here's a video of the last one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR77X8ienmc - but it was energetic, and very enjoyable. Passers by were informed of what all the fuss was about, as word about the Decommissioners spreads through Bristol.

It is vital that Bristolians support the EDO Decommissioners as they move towards trial; it is especially vital that those in prison are supported. A couple of weeks ago, Ciaron O'Reilly a long-time peace activist and prison veteran - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciaron_O%27Reilly - spoke at Kebele of the importance of supporting the EDO prisoners. Not only is it vital for morale that they receive postcards and letters, and hear the noise of our protests, it also helps to keep the prisoners safe. If the prison authorities, and other prisoners, know that people on the outside are looking out for James and Robert, then it will help keep them safe from mischief while inside.

So.... make sure you get to the next noise demo! And, in the meantime, send a letter:
Robert Alford VP 7552 HMP Lewes , 1 Brighton Rd, Lewes, Sussex, BN7 1EA
Elija Smith VP 7551 HMP Bristol, 19 Cambridge Rd, Horfield, BS7 8PS

Plenty more information is available here:
http://decommisioners.wordpress.com/
In particular, I am the proud owner of the must-have fashion accessory of 2009. Get a t-shirt in solidarity with the Decommissioners!
http://decommisioners.wordpress.com/resources/

I didn't have a camera with me, so I encourage people to post some pics in comments below!