On July 4th, activists from Dallas-Fort Worth participated in a noise demonstration outside of the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas. These activists were there protesting against the detention of immigrants as well as the inhumane conditions these detainees are subjected to. The purpose of a noise demonstration is to demonstrate solidarity with detainees via loud noise, so they can hear audible support. This type of demonstration is especially important when detainees have none of the avenues of communication with the outside world that would typically be afforded to citizens, such as phone calls or communication with an attorney. Nine participants in the noise demonstration were arrested that night. Ten more people were arrested following the demonstration. Of these later arrests in the Prairieland case, the police claim that merely two were also at the noise demonstration. However, the remaining eight were nowhere near the demonstration and have been arrested for dubious reasons, such as their association with the original ten defendants, removing people from signal groupchats or having a box of anarchist zines in their car. The Prairieland Defendants case has far-reaching implications for activists organizing against state repression in this current political climate.
As the people increasingly resist being oppressed and ruled by the rotting corpse of capitalism, the ruling class is choosing to drag our society down a dangerous path: the path of fascism. We see that every passing moment, more and more peaceful activists are arrested for things as simple as documenting the actions of federal agents. Federal agents who steal our family and neighbors, both in the light of day and the dark of night, from schools, churches, and homes. It is no question that this injustice spreads from and intensifies within our prisons and detention centers, where many are subjected to inhumane conditions and without recourse. We must remember that Prairieland is not an isolated case of state repression. From California to Minnesota, we see the state lashing out at its own people as they demand freedom from state terror.
Among all of this state repression, we see everyday working people showing great resistance. There is real collective effort to push back in response to these intrusions. The masses have organized themselves against this terror and support each other as they see the need to organize against this growing threat. Students and workers alike must come together to build lasting resistance in the face of ever-mounting violence and oppression of the state. Part of this resistance is ensuring that basic organizational tactics are not made criminal.
This case has the potential to change the course of political dissent and the broader organizing movement in the US. We ask all who are able and willing to join us in Fort Worth outside of the federal courthouse to show the defendants and their oppressors the support of their loved ones and solidarity of those who are moved by their actions and resolve. For those who would like to support from afar, we have our GiveSendGo fundraiser that will be used for legal fees for the defendants and living expenses for their families. We also call upon supporters to write letters to the defendants to demonstrate support and solidarity. Continue to spread their story through your own events such as fundraisers, teach-ins, and other creative displays of solidarity.
Signed,
People’s Defense Committee
Revolutionary Student Union
New Labor Organizing Committee
Links for support of the Prairieland Defendants:
GiveSendGo: https://www.givesendgo.com/supportDFWprotestors
Defendant Letter Writing information: https://prairielanddefendants.com/write-to-the-defendants/
Prairieland Defendants main website: prairielanddefendants.com
Court Support form: https://cryptpad.fr/form/#/3/form/view/de2db2649067454349ebd5f7cab0752a/
Signal Announcements chat: https://signal.group/#CjQKIMMN7v0UYlaSuRdbR3QeRsdQt_cwTcpBtfhjSTD6d6LmEhB0yEVTjm8PhRzvvUTuQ4PK
