Articles – In Contempt

October 31, 2026

This Month in History (October 2026)

October 1, 1968 — the Tlatelolco massacre took place in Mexico City when police murdered hundreds of students demonstrating peacefully, just prior to the start of the Olympic Games in the city. October 3, 1952 — the so-called "Mau Mau" campaign against British colonialism in Kenya escalated when they killed the first white European victim of the uprising. The British media used the killings of whites to justify their repression of Kenyan poor people, of...

October 31, 2026

Events (October 2026)

Prison Banned Books Week Prison Banned Books Week was held October 19-25 bringing attention to prison censorship through virtual panels and online fundraisers for Books to Prisoner groups. A virtual panel on "Censorship and Resistance: A Prison Banned Book Week Conversation" with Stevie Wilson, Corene Kendrick, Moira Marquis, and Dana Blanchard A FOIA Workshop on prison censorship with the Data Liberation Project, Muckrock, Prison Policy Initiative, the Marshall Project, and Moira Marquis "Mail Scanning Isolated Me From...

October 31, 2026

Media (October 2026)

Kevin Rashid Johnson has published a new book with Kersplebedeb: "The Art of People's War: Selected Revolutionary Art and Poetry" Art as resistance. Poetry as political education. A vision of liberation forged behind prison walls. The Art of People’s War brings together selected revolutionary art and poetry by Kevin “Rashid” Johnson, author of Defying the Tomb and Panther Vision. Featuring more than 50 illustrations, many reproduced in colour, the collection draws on Rashid’s experiences of...

October 31, 2026

International Repression (October 2026)

Argentina On September 30, 2026, the Federal Police raided the homes in Rosario of Mariano Soria, a leader of Izquierda Socialista, and another activist from the same organization who is a member of the Frente de Izquierda. Computer equipment, phones, and documents were seized as part of an investigation aimed, in particular, at finding evidence that could be used to accuse them of “anti-Semitic” behavior in connection with their activities in support of Palestine. These...

October 31, 2026

Phone Zaps (October 2026)

Shaka Shakur A phone zap at Lunenberg after Shaka Shakur was put in solitary confinement following a bogus institutional charge of "refusing to obey a direct order". Shaka was on hunger strike but has since come off it due to the potential of damage to his kidneys. JUSTICE FOR SHAKA SHAKUR! PHONE ZAP FOR SHAKA! On Oct. 27, Shaka was sent to isolated confinement in retaliation for exercising his rights and following VADOC protocols. This...

October 31, 2026

International Political Prisoners / POWs (October 2026)

Chile Mauricio Hernández Norambuena, a communist militant and former leader of the Frente Patriótico Manuel Rodríguez (FPMR), an armed organization opposed to Pinochet's dictatorship, is currently serving two 15 year sentences in Chile for his participation in the murder of Jaime Guzmán and the kidnapping of Cristián Edwards. He had also been convicted in Brazil for the kidnapping of businessman Washington Olivetto. His family categorically denies the reports published by El Mercurio linking him to the...

October 31, 2026

Palestinian Prisoners (October 2026)

Free Hassan Salameh and All Palestinian Prisoners! “The mere fact of our existence and our steadfastness in our land, even in their prisons, is the greatest proof of the falsehood of their narrative. They fear this steadfastness, and that is why they use all their resources and tools to try to break it.” – Hassan Salameh From Samidoun: Imprisoned Palestinian leader Hassan Salameh was brutally attacked by occupation repressive forces on 15 September 2026 — the...

October 31, 2026

Ongoing Cases (October 2026)

Spokane 3 From Support the Spokane 3: What's Going on with the Spokane 3? On May 28, 2026, a jury found the Spokane 3 guilty of federal conspiracy charges. Clearly an unjust and politically motivated case, Jac, Justice, and Bajun face several years in federal prison. The Spokane 3 have a few options to continue to fight this case, although each option ads more time until the case can finally reach a close. Months have gone by...

October 31, 2026

Fighting Detention Centers (October 2026)

Fighting Detention Centers (October 2026) Protests and mutual aid vigils continue outside Delaney Hall immigrant detention center. On October 5th, federal agents attacked protestors, unprovoked, tackling them to the ground and arresting them. Two undercover agents were hanging amidst the vigils but scurried back into the jail once identified. "It's torture": Trans people face abuse at Lousiana immigrant detention center. Three trans women have been detained at the Central Louisana Detention Center in Jena, a...

October 31, 2026

ICE Watch (October 2026)

On October 8th, 27-year old Oscar Belgal was shot by ICE agent Kevin Brodowsky as he was in his vehicle with his 5 year old son. After being briefly brought to the New York Presbyterian Hospital, ICE agents scurried him away before doctors were able to remove the bullet; the NYPD protected ICE's getaway by brutalizing protesters who pushed barricades and threw water bottles, arresting 5. Oscar has since been held in solitary confinement the federal MDC...