The World says: “Hands Off John Bowden!”

26th May 2007

Friday 25th May marked the first International Day of Solidarity in
support of John Bowden and in defence of the ABC. John is a long-term
prison resister, who has spent more than a quarter of a Century fighting
for prisoners’ rights, and is now being kept in jail because of his
politics rather than because of his original conviction.

Until very recently John was in an open prison at Castle Huntly in
Scotland. He had spent two years working unsupervised in the outside
community as a volunteer on projects for the mentally ill and socially
vulnerable, and had qualified as a literacy tutor for people with learning
difficulties.  For almost a year he had also been allowed frequent home
leaves, and was not regarded as any form of risk to the public. All this
changed however, when Matt Stillman, a right-wing American social-worker
(who for example, insists on calling Irish people ‘Micks’), accused John
of having links with a ‘paramilitary’ and ‘terrorist’ organisation –
namely the Anarchist Black Cross (ABC), in reality a legitimate prisoner
support organisation that can trace its history back to Tsarist Russia.
This easily refuted lie was used as an excuse to move John to a maximum
security prison at Glenochil, and damaging allegations (Stillman’s lies)
hang over him, which we believe are specifically designed to prejudice the
parole board and prevent John’s release.

Since Stillman launched his smear against the ABC, eagerly taken up by the
Scottish Prison Service (SPS), who ‘ghosted John to Glenochil, a campaign
has been launched to demand ‘Hands Off John Bowden!’ And to defend the
good name of the ABC.

The focus of yesterday’s International Day of Solidarity was the Scottish
Parliament in Edinburgh, where more than 25 of John’s supporters
demonstrated for nearly 2 hours, demanding a full and swift investigation
and an apology for the lies that have been told. Supporters came from
various parts of Scotland and England to attend the demonstration, and
from as far as the Basque country. Hundreds of leaflets were distributed
in support of John, with placards and a large banner demanding an end to
the harassment he is enduring and to the vilification of the ABC.

A statement, specially written by John Bowden for the demonstration reads:
“I am currently isolated in a maximum security prison and being denied
release because of my association with the Anarchist Black Cross movement.
That movement has been labelled as “terrorist” by an employee of the
Scottish Prison Service, which represents an attempt by the state to evoke
a mood of outright repression against the ABC and a policy of indefinite
imprisonment against me. I am grateful for the support and solidarity
shown by people attending this demonstration and am with you there in
spirit.

As part of the ongoing support campaign, a large stack of postcards were
delivered to the headquarters of the Scottish Prison Service, and these
flooded in by post from all over the world, as did faxes, telephone calls,
and e-mails. Glenochil prison had to set up a special system to divert
incoming calls in support of John Bowden, and the SPS closed their
headquarters early at 4.00pm.

Around the world, from Japan to the USA, supporters of John picketed
British consulates and embassies, organised phone and fax blockades, and
held info meetings and mass card signings.

In the coming weeks, until the Scottish Prison Service withdraw the
allegations against John Bowden and the ABC, we urge supporters to show
their solidarity and continue to put pressure on the SPS liars. Please
publicise your actions and events.

In London there will be a solidarity demonstration on the 8th June in
support of John Bowden’s parole application.

Thank you to everyone who has seen through the state’s lies to support
John Bowden and defend the Anarchist Black Cross.


Some Ways You Can Help:

Find out more at: www.myspace.com/friendsofjohnbowden

Send a postcard reading ‘Hands Off John Bowden!’ to Scottish Prison
Service HQ, Communications Branch, Room 338, Calton House, 5 Redheughs
Rigg, Edinburgh, EH12 9HW.  You can also e-mail them at
gaolinfo@sps.gov.uk Phone them on 01259 760471. Or fax them at 01259
762003.

Write to Glenochil prison, where John is being held: Audrey Parks,
Governor, HMP Glenochil, King O' Muir Road, Tullibody, Clackmannanshire,
FK10 3AD. Telephone: 01259 760471. Fax: 01259 762003.

Complain to the Care Commission about the lies being told by Matt
Stillman, who is employed by Perthshire Social Services: The Care
Commission, Headquarters, Compass House, 11 Riverside Drive, Dundee, DD1
4NY. Telephone: 01382 207100. Fax: 01382 207289.

Send John a card or letter of support: John Bowden, 6729, HMP Glenochil,
King O' Muir Road, Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, FK10 3AD.

Become involved in the support campaign for John by e-mailing
handsoffjohn@reborn.com