Let me start by saying what is almost self-evident, namely that the formation of a solidarity fund for the economic support of comrades and also for people in struggle who find themselves in a state of captivity is very important. Firstly, because it seeks to cover a given need, that of the everyday survival inside the prison walls with conditions of dignity.
At the same time, however, because the creation of such a project states, in my opinion, that we perceive the imprisoned comrades as people in struggle, who are in the hands of the State for their subversive actions and positions, as an integral piece of the milieu to which they belong and which takes on the political initiative to support them and does not consider it an individual case to be carried out by friends and relatives, thus consolidating in practice the concept of camaraderie and solidarity. Obviously at this point I am not referring to any moral obligation or employing some kind of emotional blackmail, but to a practice based on political coherence and consciousness.
In a period where the attack from the side of dominion against the anarchist-antiauthoritarian milieu, as well as against every resisting part of society, has been intensified for obvious reasons, the creation of a fund for economic support acts as a means of defense and, at the same time, of counter-attack, constituting another answer in collective terms and in the terms of self-organization, to the conditions of isolation and atomization that the discourse of authority seeks to put in place and impose on every aspect of our lives.
Although this procedure concerns the formation of a fund and does not claim for itself any exclusivity as to the expression of solidarity, as I was informed in the written briefing which was sent to all the imprisoned comrades, I hope this motion contributes to the bringing together of the a/a milieu, which has shown to have some obvious fissures lately. In acceptance of the differences in political references and positions within the a/a milieu, I continue to believe that those elements that bring us together are much more than those that keep as separate, (without of course wanting to show contempt for the strong questions posed at different times by comrades in relation to a vast variety of issues). Besides, and I consider this perfectly valid, the ultimate goal is not for each group, each collective, or each individual to be integrated into this procedure, on the contrary, other parallel projects of economic support can be created (with possibly different characteristics covering the needs of those participating in the project), which however could coordinate between them for the best possible outcome.
At any rate, as far as my opinion goes, when a milieu with subversive and radical proposals and emanicipatory projects does not attempt to process internally, issues that arise on the basis of solidarity, collective decision-making, and self-organization, in acceptance and by promoting multiform choices in regards to the means of the struggle, then how can it seek to project these externally?
Due to my own past participation in similar efforts, I know the difficulties that such projects face in enduring over time, but this is in the end the objective, for which I will also fight for on my part with all my strength from the position I find myself in, as I would have done if I was out there amongst the comrades.
At this point I would like to make a proposal, which I have already discussed in the past with comrades who usually expressed strong concerns and disagreements. However, I believe that the creation of an area for discussion on these issues is in itself something positive. So, I estimate that at events organized for the economic support of prisoners such as concerts or parties, which may also be organized by the fund, it could be possible to ask for a symbolic entrance fee of ie 2 or 3 euros, an amount that corresponds to 1 or 2 beers. And this because every such event has a clear political context and aim, which is the economic support of people in struggle. And since the most important component of the struggle is the level of consciousness of each person taking part in the struggle, for someone to go to such an event solely for entertainment and without caring for the reasons it is taking place shows a lack of political consciousness. I might be saying things here somehow bluntly, but I have experienced from up close the mentality that prevails at such type of events. This is a position I have expressed since years and of course not just now that I find myself in prison.
In regards to the economic support of other prisoners who adopt a position of dignity and struggle within prison, I believe they should be included in the fund, provided this has succeeded in reaching its initial economic targets. In relation to this, but also in order to convey and share with my comrades outside prison the everyday survival “inside”, for the past six months and still at this moment, I am “sharing a room” with three other people in the same cell. Throughout the time of our coexistence, they have shown me that they face the difficult prison conditions with dignity. The money that each of us receives weekly is used to cover our needs in common (groceries, phone cards etc.). And this is because I consider that even in these conditions, even on the micro level of coexistence in a cell, solidarity and the refusal of distinction and the authoritarian relations this produces based on the possession of material goods (and not only)- even of those bare minimums like a phone card which however in specific circumstances is transformed into an object with massive power and of course with an exchange value- and the pursuit of equality, should be kept alive and remain an objective. As for the unrepentant fighters of the 17N revolutionary group for me their support should be self-evident, so this is the reason I don’t make a specific reference about them.
In conclusion and regarding to the need of comrades, as this was expressed by the July assembly, on all of us ‘within the walls” taking a position on the project, I would like to say that this is also a way for us to continue to participate in procedures taking place within the milieu thus overcoming the obstacle of our physical absence and creating one more communication channel, which I hope will continue over time.
Until the total destruction of prisons, a big thank you and comradely greetings to all the comrades who are taking care that we have dignified living conditions within the greek hellholes.
STRUGGLE BY ALL MEANS FOR THE SUBVERSION OF THE REGIME
STRUGGLE TO THE END FOR FREEDOM, REVOLUTION, ANARCHY
HONOUR FOR EVER TO THE ANARCHIST FIGHTER LAMBROS FOUNDAS
Christoforos Kortesis
24/09/2010
Korinthos Prisons