Supporters of the rights of workers behind bars and freedom of speech and the press have been fighting to overturn the ban on Militant issue no. 17 by Jackson Correctional Institution prison authorities in Malone, Florida, for five months. More letters demanding the reversal of the ban are needed.
Those who have already sent letters can make further inquiries asking to know why this unconstitutional impoundment has remained in place for so long.
The ban is a serious violation of prisoners’ rights to read political literature of their choice and the right of the Militant and other publications to reach their subscribers behind bars with articles and opinion pieces on breaking world news.
The Militant was informed May 17 that Jackson prison officials had banned this issue on April 29. They claimed an Associated Press photo showing the body of a Jewish man murdered by Hamas and being driven around Gaza City to cheers by Islamist thugs during the Nazi-like group’s Oct. 7 pogrom, “depict hatred toward a specific race.”
The paper 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 wrote that the photo — and the whole issue — are “dangerously inflammatory,” encouraging “riot, insurrection, rebellion” and “organized prison protest.”
But these charges have no basis in fact. Every issue of the Militant, including no. 17, explains the centrality of opposing Jew-hatred as part of uniting working people no matter what their religion or nationality.
Readers of the paper have responded to the outrageous claims the Militant spreads “hate toward a specific race.”
“I am a Canadian hospital worker active in the Hospital Employees Union and a long-time reader of the Militant,” wrote Michael Barker to the Literature Review Committee Sept. 23. “I can attest to the Militant’s opposition to all forms of racism. It does not promote physical violence against individuals or groups.
“The photo and article in question align with its history of opposing such violence,” Barker wrote. “This is more important than ever given the rise in violence targeting Jews and their institutions.”
Upon learning of the ban, Militant attorney David Goldstein immediately filed an appeal. Since then dozens of letters opposing the impoundment have been sent to the Department of Corrections Literature Review Committee.
The committee upheld the ban at a July 18 meeting, but did not look at either the Militant’s appeal or the numerous letters they had received. They gave no reason for the decision. The Militant was not informed about this ruling until Aug. 21. Library Services Administrator Saritza Legault then wrote to Goldstein that the Literature Review Committee at its next meeting on Aug. 29 would review “the Publisher’s Appeal and all of the associated letters of support.”
As we go to press, four weeks later, the Militant has not heard what decision the Literature Review Committee made at that meeting, nor even whether the meeting took place. Authorities haven’t responded to either emails or phone calls from the Militant’s attorney.
This is an unusual situation that the Militant has not previously faced when it has challenged past impoundments of the paper. In the big majority of cases the Militant fought successfully to have those bans overturned. Either way, decisions were promptly reported. The Militant will continue to build and broaden support to get this ban reversed.
“As a teacher and union member in Canada, I advocate for the protection of constitutional rights and political freedoms,” Vicky Mercier writes from Toronto. “I urge you to reverse the ban and allow all subscribers behind bars in Florida to receive their issues of the paper without delay.”
Keep the letters coming. See address below.
