Civil Disobedience Training Civil Disobedience Training
Jail Solidarity
Jail solidarity may be defined
as complete unity of purpose of those incarcerated or imprisoned.
The ultimate objective of that unity is for everyone committing
the same act to be treated equally and fairly in jail and in sentencing.
Refusing citations, bail, fines, community service or probation
keeps us together as a community with the potential for collective
bargaining to meet that objective.
For jail solidarity to be most effective, the issues surrounding
it must be addressed and resolved to the greatest extent possible
before reaching jail. Jail authorities are not going to patiently
wait for us to reach consensus on solidarity agreements before
they start employing "divide and conquer" tactics to
weaken our bargaining power.
One divisive tactic used by the prison/legal system is different
treatment for certain individuals or groups. These people risking
harsher teatment usually include noncooperators, repeat offenders,
known organizers, people of color, lesbians and gay men. Discussions
of solidarity should always include the issue of how to give these
people the extra protection they need.
Coming to agreements about solidarity goals and tactics is a powerful
but difficult process. To reach true solidarity with the greatest
number of participants, people must have enough information and
time to make wise decisions. Solidarity tactics that are employed
successfully are empowering. Iii-considered, unfocused uses of
solidarity tactics are less successful and drain our energies.
Some of the issues that cause the most controversy around solidarity
include interpretation of the nonviolence guidelines, and under
what circumstances, if any, we will keep solidarity with those
who have previous records, are on probation or have not followed
the nonviolence guidelines for that action.
People's motivations for participating in CD will affect their
attitudes toward the police and jail guards. Some people are motivated
to CD as a protest against the multiple structures in society
which work together to create a weapons industry. The prison/judicial
system is seen as one of these structures.
The effect of this political viewpoint on behavior in jail can
be very dramatic. Often people refuse to cooperate with the authorities
at all. Some ways they do this are by going limp during arrest,
not abiding by prison regulations, and refusing to participate
in arraignment. Some of these acts serve personal moral goals;
others are initiated as levers to make the legal system mete out
equal and fair sentences to all.
Another group may reflect a different set of motivations and approaches.
For some people for example, their fundamental reason for CD stems
from an awareness of the destructive power of nuclear weaponry.
Their fear and outrage over these weapons may be their only motivation
to do civil disobedience. Often these people will stress more
of the need to communicate with the human beings behind the helmets,
uniforms and roles. They will talk to the police, perhaps befriend
the prison guards, and try to use persuasion and dialogue to raise
questions about these roles.
The differences between these two approaches will frequently lead
to conflict. The stress of the jail experience tends to intensify
conflict but by discussing differences beforehand their effect
on jail solidarity can be minimized. Conflicts that arise in jail
must be acknowledged and deal with at the time or they may become
divisive. Conflict is an expression of opposing viewpoints and
should not be confused with violence.
Often it is not possible for everyone to agree to stay in jail
for solidarity purposes. Sometimes there are people who question
the need to struggle inside the jails when the action's primary
goal is something else. Some people, because of out.. side responsibilities,
cannot afford the time jail solidarity may demand. Others find
jail conditions physical. ly or emotionally intolerable. And still
others take the political stand that we're more effective back
on the streets encouraging other people to take a stand. Whatever
the reason for not participating in jail solidarityi individuals
should make this information known beforehand since it may affect
decisions of the group.
Those who must leave jail are not betraying the group -- there
are many ways they can continue supporting those inside: by speaking
to the media, to the movement and the public about conditions
inside by fulfilling responsibilities for those inside, by carrying
messages to family, friends, and employers.
Jail solidarity must never become coercive. In jail, solidarity
is our strength and the strength of our solidarity comes from
the free agreement of all who take part in it.
see also: Advantages/Disadvantages to Disclosing Your Status when Arrested _NEW
ACT UP Direct Action Guidelines
History of Mass Nonviolent Action
Nonviolent Response to Personal Violence
Practicing Nonviolence
Nonviolence Training
Affinity Groups and Support
Steps Toward Making a Campaign
Consensus Decision Making
Legal Issues/Risking Arrest
Legal Flow Chart: What Happens in an Arrest and Your Decisions
Legal Terms: What They Mean
Jail Solidaritysee also the following:
The Demonstrator's Manual (crucial)
Marshal Training Manual
Getting Arrested: Why do we do it?
