Correspondence

Fight the power

by Kristen Lombardi

Sunday nights at the progressively hip Harvest Co-Op Market in Cambridge are now even more hip.

This summer, supporters of the Boston Revolutionary Anti-Imperialist League (RAIL) -- a group bent on ending racial oppression -- are gathering on Sundays at the co-op to ponder communist politics.

But they don't just talk among themselves. Instead, members grapple with big-theory questions -- like how the proletariat can "seize power in the socialist revolution" -- via letters to New England prisoners.

As RAIL sees it, the US prison system, particularly given the disproportionate numbers of racial minorities behind bars, epitomizes imperialism. "The prison system itself," explains RAIL organizer Kate Walker, "exposes the colonialism in the United States."

Hence RAIL, affiliated with the Maoist Internationalist Movement (MIM) communist party, tries to "support prisoner struggles and fight U$ imperialism" by sending prisoners MIM-sponsored books and newspapers. Inmates, though, must abide by certain rules to participate in the program: they must write to RAIL chapters nationwide every three months -- not nice letters, but serious ones discussing how to organize.

Typically, letters begin "Dear Comrade." Inmates scribble drawings of clenched fists and even portraits of themselves behind bars. One Massachusetts prisoner salutes "brothers and sisters imprisoned in the US gulag" and thanks RAIL for its material. After reading it, he says, he's more dedicated to the "fighting the pig oppressor."

Occasionally, RAIL's letters are sent back, marked "return to sender." It's a sign of censorship, the biggest problem for RAIL members. Prison administrators tend to argue that politically motivated materials incite violence among inmates and thus represent a security risk.

RAIL members disagree. "In reality," Walker maintains, "it has more to do with books educating prisoners and giving them power."

RAIL takes its anti-censorship crusade seriously. Massachusetts inmates used to be hard-pressed to find MIM notes in their cells -- until RAIL repeatedly reminded the state prison commissioner that denying prisoners mail meant denying them constitutional rights.

RAIL may claim victory at home, but not everywhere. Its latest battlefront is Connecticut. Recently, RAIL supporters received a letter in which one prisoner there wrote, "The newspaper you sent me I couldn't have because the oppressor said that the paper incites disobedience."

The issue isn't going away soon. But neither will the RAIL folks -- the book program's been a staple since the 1970s. Anyone interested in fighting the power is encouraged to attend.

RAIL's Free Books for Prisoners Program meets Sundays at 5:30 p.m. in the Harvest Co-Op Community Room. Call RAIL at (617) 499-6997.