Juneteenth 2018: A Call to End Prison Slavery

Request for Mutual Aid in Raising the Public’s awareness in regard to the movement which seeks to abolish prison slavery and Amend the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution

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[The author of this call to action suggested including this video when possible]

ATTENTION! Black Activists, Freedom Fighters, and Concerned Citizens.

From: Keith ‘Malik’ Washington

[FTP Editor’s Note: The following text is one of several articles or published letters where Malik and the New African Black Panther Party have called for international organizing and solidarity actions on or around Juneteenth, June 19, 2018. Further background and context can be found in his article “Battleground UK and Amerika: The Struggle for Prison Abolition Continues,” and “End Prison Slavery in Texas Now!” Additionally, a statement of support for this effort from international organizations is currently underway.]

Peace & Blessings Sisters and Brothers in the struggle!

My name is Keith ‘Malik’ Washington and I am a human rights and civil rights activist who is currently incarcerated in the state of Texas. Juneteenth is an abolitionist holiday in which we celebrate and reflect about the moment in history when Slaves in Texas finally got word that the Civil War had ended.

For two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, rogue slave owners continued to exploit Black people by forcing slavery upon our ancestors. This year during your regular Juneeenth celebrations and fellowship with loved ones and members of your Community—our community—I am requesting you consider doing something that will help raise the public’s awareness in regards to the struggle.

Sisters and Brothers, there is a movement which seeks to abolish ‘legalized’ slavery in Amerika; a movement which is fighting hard to amend the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which has allowed slave-like conditions to continue under the guise of mass incarceration and forced involuntary servitude.

We would like your help in raising the public’s awareness as it relates to ending prison slavery inside the State of Texas and Beyond!

Texas has the largest state prison system in the United States. There are disproportionate amounts of Black and Brown human beings who are trapped inside these modern day slave camps and gulags. We are being degraded, dehumanized, mistreated, and abused and your tax dollars are funding these institution!

For starters, I encourage all of you to arrange viewings of Director Ava Duvernay’s trailblazing film “13th” on Juneteenth.

Let’s create positive conversations and dialogues about this topic. I and hundreds of like minded activists across the Nation would certainly appreciate your help.

Sisters and Brothers, there can be no meaningful change without you!

Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win, All Power to the People!

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Keith ‘Malik’ Washington is a co-founder and chief spokespersyn for the End Prison Slavery in Texas Movement, a proud member of the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee and he is the Deputy Chairman of the New Afrikan Black Panther Party (Prison Chapter). Malik has been instrumental in calling for the abolition of legalized slavery in Amerika and is very active in the Fight Toxic Prisons campaign. Malik has begun to work closely with Heshima Denham who is the Chief Spokespersyn and Chairman of Amend the 13th and is also partnering with Bennu Hannibal Ra-Sun (Formerly known as Melvin Ray) a founding member of the Free Alabama Movement.

You can view Malik’s work at comrademalik.com or you are encouraged to write him directly at:

Keith ‘Malik’ Washington, TDC#1487958, Eastham Unit, 2665 Prison Rd. #1, Lovelady, Texas 75851