It’s now been nearly five months since Militant issue no. 17 was impounded by Jackson Correctional Institution prison authorities in Malone, Florida.
Every day that goes by without the overturn of the ban is a serious violation of prisoners’ constitutional rights to read political literature of their choice, as well as the right of the Militant and other publications to reach their subscribers behind bars.
Since the ban, 19 issues of the paper have been published, reaching working people around the country and growing numbers of prisoners nationwide, including over 100 workers behind bars in Florida.
All these issues, which were delivered to subscribers, as well as the one that was impounded, present a working-class point of view. This includes coverage of the importance for workers and their unions of taking a stand against Jew-hatred and defending Israel’s right to exist as a refuge for Jews.
And this happens to be the political issue that prison authorities found objectionable and used to justify their impoundment of Militant no. 17.
It contained an article reprinting the opening chapter of Pathfinder’s latest book, The Fight Against Jew-Hatred and Pogroms in the Imperialist Epoch: Stakes for the International Working Class. Prison authorities objected to one of the photos, an Associated Press picture widely printed in papers in Florida and worldwide. It shows the body of a Jewish man murdered by Hamas during the Nazi-like group’s Oct. 7 pogrom being driven around Gaza City to cheers by Islamist thugs and their supporters.
Jackson authorities wrote, “Picture shows dead person being paraded around on a motorcycle. Magazine depict hatred toward a specific race.” In fact, this depiction of Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre helps inform the paper’s readers about the character of the reactionary group and the need for it to be defeated to prevent more massacres against Jews.
Authorities claimed the photo and, for unspecified reasons, the whole newspaper, are “dangerously inflammatory,” encouraging “riot, insurrection, rebellion” and “organized prison protest.”
The Florida Department of Corrections Literature Review Committee initially upheld the impoundment at a July 18 meeting, but did not give any reason for its decision. A further review of this decision was scheduled for Aug. 29. It has been three weeks since then and authorities haven’t responded to either emails or phone calls from Militant attorney David Goldstein about whether the committee met and, if it did, what it decided.
They continue to receive letters protesting the ban. More are needed.
“I’m writing to express my deep concern over the recent decision to ban issue no. 17 of the Militant,” wrote Travis Greer, a teaching assistant and member of the Colorado Education Association in Colorado Springs, to prison officials Sept. 4. “I respectfully urge you to reconsider this action, which I believe undermines the fundamental rights of prisoners to access political literature and infringes on their freedom of speech, as protected by the Constitution.
“The Militant provides important perspectives and educational content to its readers, including many incarcerated individuals who benefit from staying informed on national and international issues.
“I respect the safety concerns of your institution but believe that banning literature like the Militant does more harm than good by limiting access to educational and political materials that help incarcerated individuals engage in constructive dialogue and understanding,” he wrote.
See box below for listing of some of the groups and individuals that have sent in letters urging the ban be lifted and the address and email where further letters can be sent.