The Militant is continuing to press Florida prison officials to cease and desist from their unconstitutional censorship of the socialist newsweekly. Florida officials had impounded at least 18 issues of the paper sent to its subscribers behind bars in less than two years, including six issues in a row during the summer. This was unusual even for Florida, which has interfered with the delivery of the Militant more than any other prison system in the nation.
The last impoundment was in mid-September. Since then the Militant has published 13 issues and has not been informed of any further impoundments. This is the direct result of public pressure from Amnesty International USA; PEN America; the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida; the National Coalition Against Censorship, made up of more than 50 organizations; and from other organizations and individuals.
But the prison system’s Literature Review Committee continues to defend the frequent impoundments, while feeling heat and overturning most of them.
Each impoundment, even if later rescinded, infringes on the constitutional rights of the Militant and its readers behind bars. Join the fight!
Get out the word. Download copies of Militant articles on this fight from our website to copy and distribute.
Get statements of support from unions, churches, co-workers and other defenders of workers’ rights and free speech. Send to: Dean Peterson, Library Services Administrator, Department of Corrections, Attn: Literature Review Committee, 501 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2500, or via email to Allen.Peterson@fdc.myflorida.com with a copy to themilitant@mac.com.
Send a check to the Militant, 306 W. 37th St., 13th floor, New York, NY 10018, earmarked “Prisoners Rights Fight.”