https://www.ainfos.ca/01/nov/ainfos00241.html
A Statement for the Third Annual New England Anarchist Bookfair October 26, 2001
Greetings Comrades, Friends and Supporters!
My name is Ali Khalid Abdullah, and I am a founder of the political
organization ‘Political Prisoners of War Coalition’ (PPWC). I am saddened
that I am not free where I can attend this function with all of you, or
be apart of the activities that will be going on there, but I hope you
will accept my words of solidarity and the spirit I send by way of this
letter, to show my undying support for us (as Anarchists) to come
together, work together and support one another during these most tragic
and unfortunate times we are all facing at the moment and perhaps into
the future.
Since the September 11th tragedy that has taken place with the World
Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the crashing of the plane in
Pennsylvania, and now the recent anthrax scare, there is going to be alot
of government repressions coming down on many of us. George W. Bush and
the Congress has just passed a new Anti-Terrorist Bill which will allow
the FBI, CIA, Justice Department, and other agencies to wiretap all
phones, tap into all computers and even mail, along with these agencies
being able to walk into our homes and places of work or businesses —
without a search warrant or prior notice — and gather whatever
information they are looking for. So we are under a new form of
government extreme or fascism that the government has subjected us to.
We are also facing a new list of alleged “terrorist” activities or groups
whom the government will target and assume/accuse of being terrorists in
their newly defined and over-broad bill. Thus, we can be assured that
Anarchists the world over will be targeted and placed on this listing of
suspects, which means all of us are going to be challenged as we have
never been challenged before. Public dissent, protesting, demonstrations
against the government, corporations, police brutality, racism and other
social/political ills will be viewed as anti-Amerikan, and thus place us
on the governments “hit lists”. We must be careful, yet we must be sturdy
and strong in our resolve not to yeild or bow down in submission to the
whims of government pressure or other reactionary tactics they may come
with.
This is a time that we must test ourselves, and our fellow comrades, and
lift one and other up and stand firly together. We must not fail or we
are doomed. All of us are doomed because what happens today will
determine our lives and the lives of millions and millions of people
throughout the world.
As you attend this gathering and talk and mingle with other people, and
examine the various tables that will be before you… think about the
people who have prepared the various information that’s presented and
consider the fact that, each ‘zine, pamphlet, book, article, newsletter
or paper that’s been written was written with a purpose. Written out of
unselfish love for others. That is what we are, and that is what we do.
We give to one another in ways that will broaden the next person’s
consciousness and enlighten them to grow further and give them the
courage to stand in ways they have never stood before. Therefore, do not
just see tables and tables of printed materials, but see the very heart
and soul of the movement. Of a collective carrying of people reaching out
with the only real thing that they have that will last… their words,
and appreciate what is before you. Get to know one another, and set aside
differences or outlooks on things. We are all we have, and thus should
respect the fact that we are uniquely family.
I do hope that each of you take something away from this bookfair that
will strike the necessary chord within you and empower you to move
forward and begin that true journey of collective love, sharing, and
working constructively together. I thank each and every one of you for
your support, even if you have not supported me of PPWC personally, but
the mere fact you support the call for ANARCHISM is enough.
May you all live long and positive lives!
Ali Khalid Abdullah #148130
3225 John Conley Dr.
Lapeer, MI 48446