Prison ban for “Militant” confirmed in Florida, next hearing on August 29. Join the fight! – The Militant

The Florida Department of Corrections' Literature Review Committee has upheld the ban Militant Issue #17, introduced nearly four months ago by the Jackson Correctional Institution in Malone. More letters are needed in the fight to reverse this!

“The seizure was confirmed on July 18,” wrote the head of library services, Saritza Legault, to Militant Attorney David Goldstein, August 21. “I have scheduled the publisher's appeal and all related letters of support for consideration at the next meeting on August 29, 2024.”

No reason was given for maintaining the ban.

“This fight is about more than just Militant. The confiscation violates the prisoners’ constitutional right to read political literature of their choice and the right of Militant and other publications to reach their subscribers behind bars,” said Militant Editor John Studer.

“Now is the time to intensify the fight to lift the ban. Dozens of letters have been sent. More are needed to speak out against this blatant attack on prisoners' constitutional rights. Help spread the word,” he said.

The confiscated copy contained an article that reprinted the opening chapter of Pathfinder’s latest book, entitled The fight against hatred of Jews and pogroms in the imperialist era.

Prison authorities had objected to a photograph showing the body of a Jewish man murdered by Hamas during its October 7 pogrom in Israel being driven through Gaza city to the cheers of Islamist thugs and their supporters.

Officials at Jackson Correctional Institution wrote, “The picture shows a dead person being paraded on a motorcycle. The magazine represents hatred toward a particular race.” They then claimed that the photo and the newspaper itself were “dangerously inflammatory” and encouraged “riot, insurrection, rebellion” and “organized prison protests.”

“It is worth noting that the photograph in question,” wrote David Lefrancois, a professor at the University of Quebec, to the literature review committee, “is in no way intended to promote hate speech or racial prejudice. To understand the meaning of the photograph, it is essential to consider its historical and geographical context, which is well explained in the article.”

“Like other observers in the United States, Canada and elsewhere,” he said, “I appeal to you to resolve the matter as quickly as possible by ensuring respect for the rule of law and constitutional rights.”

When news of the seizure came in mid-May, Militant Attorney David Goldstein appealed. After two months of silence, the Literature Review Committee wrote to him that it would review the ban on July 18. It took another month for the Militant was informed of the Committee’s decision.

Since 2013, prison officials in Florida have been trying to address issues of Militant almost 50 times. The newspaper challenged every ban and won the vast majority.

From the Florida American Civil Liberties Union to the Florida Press Association and Amnesty International USA to numerous Florida inmates, numerous organizations and individuals have sent letters urging the committee to lift the ban. Join them!