Vancouver - New Year’s Prison Noise Demo

antiprisonvancouver

On December 31, 2010, we held a noise demonstration at the Fraser Regional Correctional Centre, in Maple Ridge. We acted as part of an anarchist international New Years Eve tradition against prisons and the world that needs them.
About 25 people arrived at the prison in a rented bus. We walked up close to the fences blaring music towards a temporary outdoor prison wing being used until they open a new wing of the prison. Screws (prison guards) lined up between us and the fences. In front, a banner read “Against All Prisons, For Freedom.” We shot off fireworks and flares, sparklers were raised with
helium balloons and we chanted “The passion for freedom is stronger than all prisons”, “Fuck prison”, and “No borders no nations, stop deportation”. We also shouted “Happy New Year!” to the prisoners.
Prisoners shouted and cheered from both the temporary wing and the prison building. We saw silhouettes of prisoners banging on the windows and a couple prisoners were actually able to come outside and view us from behind the fence in the temporary wing.
A short statement was read through a microphone:

“We are here today to express solidarity with the prisoners inside. To tell you that you are not alone that those of us in the outer walls are saying fuck prisons, down with every prison wall. We want you to know that while everyone else tonight is celebrating another year in the prison world, we are here to celebrate a future without prisons. A world where we don’t rely on
the pigs or institutions to solve our problems for us. A world where we are truly responsible to each other, where we no longer have to live in fear of the punishment distributed by the real thieves, gangsters, and murderers!
Fuck the system! Fuck the screws! Fuck Canada!
Tonight all around North America, people are holding noise demonstrations outside of prisons because we will not go silently into their dungeons in ever increasing numbers, just as we will not go silently tonight while they catalog and warehouse you!
Solidarity!”

While leaving our vehicle was stopped by the 6 police cars. No one was identified. The driver was directed to drive us back directly to East Vancouver cutting short our plans to go to other prisons.
Many of us were inspired by the shouts from the prisoners. Prison walls are supposed to impose isolation. Instead, the meaning of those walls was subverted, they became a meeting place and a vehicle of communication.
Today we had further cause for celebration, we just learned that on December 30th, three prisoners escaped while on a prison slave crew near a large park in Maple Ridge. According to corporate news the (ex) prisoners were serving 9-10 month sentences. If you see them be sure to buy them a drink!
As long as prisons exist they are a shadow that hangs over us all and no one is free.

FOR THE TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE PRISON WORLD!
SOLIDARITY WITH OUR IMPRISONED COMRADES ROGER CLEMENT, JOHN GRAHAM AND ALEX HUNDERT! SOLIDARITY WITH ALL

PRISONERS WHO WANT TO BREAK THEIR CHAINS!

Other North America New Years 2011 confirmed anti-prison noise demo’s:

Montreal

Hamilton

Toronto

Tacoma