Political Prisoner

April 30, 2022May 3, 2022

UPDATES AND NEEDS FOR ERIC’S PENDING TRANSFER TO PRISON

WE NEED PEOPLE TO CONTINUE EMAILING AND CALLING STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS EVERY WEEK.

As we continue to address the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and state representatives, we have received nonsensical and conflicting information from the BOP regarding Eric’s pending transfer to USP Lee. For now, Eric is waiting at USP Atlanta, and it seems we have come full circle: originally in 2018, Eric was told at USP Atlanta and USP Lee his life would be in danger by white supremacist gangs if he ever did a long stint at USP Lee, and Eric was originally told the dangers of USP Lee shortly after he was attacked by white supremacists at USP McCreary in 2018. The BOP is knowingly putting Eric at risk with these designated transfers 4 years later.

Here’s a list of mixed messages from BOP’s Mid-Atlantic Regional office, National office, and the DSCC when addressing them about Eric’s safety and prison designation:

BOP directly told Eric he IS designated for USP Lee; Englewood’s Associate Warden and multiple Lieutenants at Englewood (including Lt. Quezada) and USP Atlanta have said so
But BOP told supporters they can’t confirm his designation until he reaches USP Lee
But BOP has also angrily told supporters this week they “know” Eric isn’t designated for USP Lee and “it’s not necessary for people to keep calling” and the number of calls from “concerned individuals” has been “overwhelming”
BOP said Eric would be designated for USP Lee because it’s his “parent prison” (meaning a prison he was originally residing in before being under Marshall custody) despite Eric never doing time at USP Lee until AFTER he was in Marshall custody for being attacked in a broom closet at FCI Florence, and “the only way” to address his designation is with his unit team assigned to him at “his designated facility” USP Lee
But BOP also said Eric should request a case manager to contact the DSCC so they “can have a paper trail” despite not reaching USP Lee yet
But BOP ALSO said Grady County should send information to various BOP offices on Eric’s behalf before they COVID swabbed him to be transferred to USP Atlanta
But BOP ALSO had medical offices express concern and say we should address the transfer before Eric ever reaches USP Lee
But BOP ALSO said Senators and Congresspeople should address their offices before Eric reaches a designated prison
BOP said Eric’s court records of his March 2022 acquittal/not guilty for acts of self defense when attacked by guards in a FCI Florence broom closet in 2018 wouldn’t reach the BOP for another 45-60 days to address the management variable placed on him FROM THE ASSAULT HE WAS JUST ACQUITTED OF that’s upping his security from low/medium to max security prison
BOP confirmed Eric would be placed in segregation once reaching his designated prison due to COVID and his “security concerns”
BOP numerous times has transferred calls to the wrong department, such as medical or financial, or simply hang up on us when attempting to make inquiries on Eric’s behalf. Sometimes we’ve only been able to get past automated messages when other offices, prisons, or operators transfer us

All of this information proves that the BOP is not comfortable being confronted with orchestrating a situation that does nothing but put Eric in harm’s way, when there are plenty of options to designate Eric to another prison to finish his time, and Eric having no criminal history or disciplinary sanctions to ever justify sending him to a max security prison to begin with.

Congressman Joe Neguse and Congresswoman Cori Bush’s office have been thoroughly informed of Eric’s history and current danger to his life. Both offices have expressed interest in submitting inquiries to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) on Eric’s behalf!

Amnesty International has also contacted the BOP on Eric King’s behalf: “Transferring Eric King to a maximum-security facility across the country, far from his family and loved ones when he has such a short amount of time remaining on his sentence seems to be more retaliatory and punitive rather than necessary due to specific security concerns. Under Rule 59 of the UN Standard Minimum Rules on the Treatment of Prisoners, “Prisoners shall be allocated, to the extent possible, to prisons close to their homes or their places of social rehabilitation.” The BOP must revisit the issues within Eric King’s security profile which allow his eligibility to be at a maximum-security facility and the decision for him to be placed so far from where his family resides and where he intends to settle upon release.” Please SHARE the letter in it’s entirety here: https://supportericking.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Amnesty-International-USA-TG-re-transfer-of-Eric-King-inmate-number-27090-045-1.pdf

WE NEED PEOPLE TO CONTINUE EMAILING AND CALLING STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS EVERY WEEK.

Here’s an email template that can be added to to send to BOP, Senators, and Congresspeople, as well as the letter from Amnesty International on Eric’s behalf addressing BOP Director Michael Carvajal, and all the emails and phone numbers to call to demand Eric’s right to life. When contacting Congresspeople, they want to hear from constituents in their own districts, which is dictated by whatever your legal address is, to fill out Privacy Forms that address federal agencies (in this case the BOP/DOJ). Senator representatives aren’t based on districts, but whoever resides in their state. When calling BOP offices and prisons, try getting to an operator to avoid automated messages. DSCC has multiple options you may need to scan before reaching someone. You can tell the BOP that Congress and Amnesty International are also inquiring on Eric’s behalf.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

DSCC Office

Designation & Sentence Computation Center

U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Complex

346 Marine Forces Dr.

Grand Prairie, TX 75051

Email: GRA-DSC/[email protected]

Phone: 972-352-4400

Fax: 972-352-4395

Mid-Atlantic BOP Regional Office

302 Sentinel Dr.

Annapolis Junction, MD 20701

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 301-317-3100

Fax: 301-317-3119

BOP National Office

320 First Street, NW

Washington, DC 20534

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 202-307-3198

BOP Director Michael Carvajal

Director

Federal Bureau of Prisons

320 First St. NW

Washington, DC 20534

Email: [email protected]

USP Lee

Main public contact: [email protected]

Warden Breckon: [email protected]

Assistant Warden Streeval: [email protected]

Phone: 276-546-0150

Fax: 276-546-9115

Mailing address:

LEE COUNTY INDUSTRIAL PARK

HICKORY FLATS ROAD

PENNINGTON GAP, VA 24277

USP Atlanta (where Eric is currently being held pending transfer)

Main public contact: [email protected]

Phone: 404-635-5100

Fax: 404-331-2403

Mailing address:

601 MCDONOUGH BLVD SE

ATLANTA, GA 30315

BOP Mid-Atlantic Regional Director James Petrucci

[email protected]

Judiciary subcomittee that oversees the Bureau of Prisons and sentencing:

https://judiciary.house.gov/subcommittees/subcommittee/?SubcommitteeID=14927

Virginia Senators to Contact (USP Lee Jurisdiction)

Tim Kaine

Email: https://www.kaine.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion

Twitter: @TimKaine

231 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

PHONE: (202) 224-4024

Mark. R Warner

Email: https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactPage

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkRWarner

Twitter: @MarkWarner

IG: https://www.instagram.com/senatorwarner/

703 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Phone: 202-224-2023

VA Congress

Morgan Griffith

https://morgangriffith.house.gov/contact/contactform.htm

Twitter: @RepMGriffithAbingdon

Phone: (276) 525-1405

540-381-5671

(202) 225-3861

Missouri Senators (Eric’s original sentencing district)

Josh Hawley

https://www.hawley.senate.gov/contact-senator-hawley

Office: 202-224-6154

Twitter: @HawleyMO

Roy Blunt

https://www.blunt.senate.gov/contact/contact-roy

Phone: (202) 224-5721

Twitter: @RoyBlunt

Missouri Congress and Members of House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security; Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons

Cori Bush

Phone: (314) 955-9980

Phone: (202) 225-2406

Twitter: @coribush

Links to find your State’s Representatives:

House of Representatives: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

Congress/Senate: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

DRAFT MESSAGES / TEMPLATES

To whom it may concern,

I am writing about my friend who is a prisoner in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. His name is Eric King, inmate number 27090-045. He was recently found not guilty on all counts at a trial in the U.S. District of Colorado. Eric was moved from FCI Englewood and was transferred from a private facility, Grady County Jail in Oklahoma, to USP Atlanta to wait for final transfer. He has been told he is en route to USP Lee, a maximum security prison in Virginia.

I am writing because I believe Eric should not be sent to USP Lee, and would be in danger if he were sent there. He is scheduled to be released from prison in December 2023, and wants to avoid anything that would infringe on this release date.

There is an active threat against his life. A few years ago, before being sent to Colorado, Eric was held in the Segregation Unit at USP Lee for approximately two weeks. Before that, at USP Atlanta, a white supremacist gang member told him he would be killed at USP Lee if he was released into general population. This was documented at USP Lee. Eric was originally transferred to USP Lee under the US Marshalls after he was attacked by white supremacist gangs at USP McCreary.

It is imperative that Eric not be put in harm’s way. I am asking that you not send him into a situation that is so dangerous. The Bureau of Prisons knows this and there is established case law regarding the BOP sending someone into dangerous and life threatening scenarios. See Fitzharris v. Wolf, 702 F.2d 836, 839 (9th Cir. 1983); Gullatte v. Potts, 654 F.2d 1007, 1012-13 (5th Cir. 1981); Roba v. U.S., 604 F.2d 215, 218-19 (2d Cir. 1979).

Additionally, Eric is in this situation because of a bogus maximum management variable on his security profile. This has him erroneously being sent to a facility beyond his actual security level. He has no pending charges and no incident reports. He has no criminal history or disciplinary sanctions qualifying him for placement at a maximum security prison. He intends to be released to Colorado to live with his wife and his two children in just over a year. I ask that this management variable be removed so that he can be sent to a medium- or low-custody prison close to home and begin preparing for release.

I am afraid for my friend Eric’s life, and I am asking that you intervene with the Bureau of Prisons and ask them not to send Eric King into harm’s way by sending him to USP Lee.

Please help my friend.

Sincerely,

_____

Donate to Eric’s commissary and direct needs here

A MESSAGE FROM ERIC KING: https://ahuehuete.substack.com/p/amnesty?s=r

ERIC’S RECENT INTERVIEW WITH UNICORN RIOT: https://unicornriot.ninja/2022/eric-king-and-supporters-organize-call-in-campaign-over-transfer-to-usp-lee/

ERIC’S RECENT INTERVIEW WITH FINAL STRAW: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2022/04/03/eric-king-speaks-2-radical-ukrainian-voices/

August 12, 2016

Eric was picked up from Grady County Jail in Oklahoma at midnight last night and taken on a plane to the prison he was designated. We just received a phone call and he has been placed at FCI Englewood! Over the past two years pre-trial, all of the fights and horrible experiences, seeing the Rocky Mountains was a moment in which he knew he could finally breathe. Tonight he looked out his window and watched the sunset over those mountains just 30 minutes away from his partner and many friends. In all of this shittiness this is one thing that we can be thankful that for tonight. While there is a long road ahead, tonight we know that Eric can find some peace as he closes his eyes.

Send Eric some love!!

Eric King 27090045
FCI ENGLEWOOD
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
9595 WEST QUINCY AVENUE
LITTLETON, CO 80123

We will update all of the page info and re-activate his book list soon!

July 14, 2016July 14, 2016

“If Tamir was named Andy from the Hamptons” a poem by Eric King

Every breath is an air of defiance

sparks flying I breathe fire

What happened in the Lorraine

happened in Ferguson & Batton Rouge

Police keeping cities safe

passing out freedom bullets

Black bodies not regarded as anything

Poem by Eric King

It’s so much easier to think

when I focus on the point

my sidewalks are shifting

standing on shaky legs

Tomorrow I may awaken

to a ceiling never seen

Battling the state

Battling the PTSD

Much easier to stay awake

lines in the novels don’t read straight

Tired and alert, pick a team

It’s so much easier to dream

Knowing we will survive this thing

July 4, 2016July 4, 2016

7/4 update, poem and call for support

In the time since his sentencing, Eric has experienced an unexpected response from the prisoners back at CCA Leavenworth. Other prisoners heard about his outspoken attitude in court against the role Judge Fenner plays in the war against poor, black and brown folks. When it comes to survival based drug “crimes,” the rich and powerful draw the line between what they consider to be acceptable and unacceptable ways of supporting one’s family while the judges and courts act as enforcer. EK spoke directly against the harsh sentences for poor folks and contrasted them against the immunity that the police possess in regards to the violence they inflict on marginalized communities.

Be it a fist of solidarity, a vegan meal prepared for him, or a conversation about the function of prisons in class war, many have reached out to EK to say thank you. Folks were touched by him using his position of privilege to speak up against the war being waged against them. Sentencing is traditionally a time to beg for forgiveness and mercy from the omnipotent judge in hopes of garnering a lighter sentence. Most prisoners do not have the same privilege of speaking so freely in such a moment.

In what can only be seen as immature retaliation, Judge Fenner refused to put in a recommendation for EK’s placement within the federal prison system. Eric requested placement in FCI Florence (his desire to be sent there is due to the proximity to his partner). Judges don’t have to make a recommendation about placement and the BOP certainly doesn’t have to honor these, but prisoners can ask for a recommendation to be made in the hope that it will help them get placed closer to loved ones.

Now begins the “waiting game” for EK. From what we understand of what will likely happen to EK, he could be picked up without any word to his friends or family and taken to a federal sorting facility in Oklahoma at any time within the next 2 months. He will then likely stay in Oklahoma while the BOP prepares to transfer him to his designated facility. Prisoners typically stay at this transitional facility for 2-8 weeks before being transferred. Unless he is able to get information from the US Marshalls (which is unlikely, but has happened before), neither he nor his support crew will know where he will be transferred until it happens.

How you can support Eric in this transition

We ask that you keep your eyes open and be ready to send out a quick card or letter to EK as soon as he gets sent to Oklahoma. Because of his unknown length of time at this facility it is going to be important to blast out messages of strength and solidarity fast. You can even host a letter writing night and save all of the letters and shoot them out when you get word.

Also, please remember to donate to the fundraiser or share the fundraiser page! Eric has 8 years of time ahead of him and we want to ensure that he is able to maintain contact with the world and his loved ones through funds for his phone, stamps and envelopes. As a vegan in prison he will have a constant need for commissary as a way to supplement his diet. https://fundrazr.com/316cDf?ref=ab_a4jVK6

We even have some pretty sick t-shirts that are available through the fundraiser by making a donation of $20 or more! Make sure to hit us up with addresses and sizes.

Also if you are interested in becoming one of the folks that contributes to EK’s commissary directly every month get in touch with us at erickingsupportcrew(a)riseup.net

When Eric arrives at his facility books will be greatly appreciated! We have temporarily disabled his Amazon Wishlist until he is transferred because books sent to him during his transfer may be lost. But keep an eye out for the opportunity to send him some books as soon as he is placed.

Lastly a poem that Eric wrote for all of the folks that have held it down ans supported him over the last two years

Sitting on this dock, looking at a sea

that I can’t believe

I don’t know how to maneuver a ship

scared & lost as shit

Footsteps confuse me, a captain shouting commands

stuck in a place where I have to stay

thanking the universe for the hands that steady the waves

I don’t understand all of this, so many doing so much

ship steadies as the sails group

Stars free themselves from the shackles of clouds

a warm voice, a warm heart, tells me not to fear now

Waters going overboard, we’re not sinking anymore

This ship still holds me captive, but at least

I’m not sailing alone.

Links to some independent news articles about EK’s sentencing:

http://www.unicornriot.ninja/?p=7428

https://itsgoingdown.org/eric-king-sentenced-10-years/

June 11, 2016June 11, 2016

June 11th

June 11^th is almost here! Eric is honored to be on the list of supported prisoners for the International Day of Solidarity with Marius Mason and all Long-term Anarchist Prisoners. Find out more at http://june11.org/, including information about events that day. Don’t see one near you? Bring friends together on June 11^th and make one happen!

We will update you as soon as we learn of his sentencing date and will be helping bring people from around the region and country out to it to support him in court. In the meantime, Eric still needs your support and solidarity!

You can write to him at:

Eric King
#27090045
CCA Leavenworth
100 Highway Terrace
Leavenworth, KS 66048

Or even drop a line to Marius Mason

Marie (Marius) Mason #04672-061
FMC Carswell
P.O. Box 27137
Fort Worth, TX 76127
address outer envelope to Marie (Marius) Mason, inside to Marius

Love and solidarity,

EK Support Crew

March 30, 2016

“One of these days I’m gonna break these chains” a poem by Eric King

I wake up alone

in a box that ain’t my home

without the love I call my own

people who live in glass houses

I envy them all

people who live in cages

must throw stones

tear the skin sticking to my bones

got a spoon to dig down straight

only digging the plot to my own grave

if my body can’t , then my mind will escape

my enemy wears authority instead of a face

I wake up alone

but we cannot break

freedom is on the phone

she holds me in one piece

I wake up with a hole

that she fills complete

battered & bruised but on my feet

one day I’ll awake

within a home that’s all our own

we will bury the past

start our own damn show

I wake up with a heart that is filled with gold

love so powerful it could explode.

March 25, 2016

“Oh the life of a snitch” a poem by Eric King

Oh, the life of a snitch

you get caught with a ki

won’t even do 3

that’s one hell of a plea

you’re a snitch!

***

Number one on your conspiracy

but you’d rather be free

smooth rolling in P.C.

“he was gonna tell on me”

sure he was, you’re a snitch!

***

You sure like to talk and plan

then turn witness for the man

your life’s more important

trust the community understands

hypocrite anarcho-snitch!

***

Swear “fuck the cops till I die”

prison looks at you and smiles

whoops next day you’re a C.I.

where’d they hide the wire guy?

Slimy recording snitch!

***

Free a thousand bunnies or two

but finger the entire crew

raise your hand and swear to speak the truth

what’d they expect you to do

Greasy Eco-snitch!

March 19, 2016

Them bronze keys a poem by Eric King

Them bronze keys

o’ they rattle

am i free

or starting battle

Them slammed doors

how they wake

my battered spirit

they tried to break

Them bronze keys

open my food tray

guards watching hard

inspecting how much I ate

Them slammed doors

can hear from afar

do the doors know

how deeply they scar?

Them bronze keys

why do you exist

separation creates pain

and its balled up in my fist

March 8, 2016

Urgent support needed-Call into CCA Leavenworth UPDATED

Eric has been held in disciplinary segregation since February 24^th after being accused of throwing his shoes at a guard during a shakedown of the cells while the whole prison was on lockdown. At the subsequent disciplinary hearing, Eric was sentenced to 60 days in the hole (solitary confinement).

While in segregation, Eric is on commissary restriction, meaning that he cannot buy extra food from the commissary to supplement the meager vegan food tray. Trying to eat only the food they provide him is leaving him hungry all the time.

We gathered from Eric a full report of the food he is being provided and, running it through a nutritional analysis, found that it is totally inadequate. Eric is being fed approximately 940 calories per day, way under the recommended daily intake of 2,400-2,800 calories per day. Eric is literally starving.

We are asking all supporters to call the prison and demand that they find a way to provide Eric more food—either by giving him access to commissary or adapting their vegan food menu. If the following bureaucrats do not pick up, please leave them a message.

Please call:

The Warden’s office at 913-727-3246 ext. 101
Eric’s caseworker Mr. Spears at 913-727-3246 ext. 37

If that doesn’t work dial the mail number +1 913-727-3246 and press 0

Here is a sample script for your call:

“Hi, I’m calling about Eric King, number 27090045. He’s being held in disciplinary segregation right now and is on commissary restriction. Because the vegan tray that Eric gets is so inadequate, and since he can’t supplement it with commissary, Eric is starving.

We calculated that Eric is getting approximately 940 calories per day from the vegan tray. This is way under the recommended daily intake of 2,400-2,800 calories per day. Something must be done to get Eric access to more food right away. This can be done by giving him access to commissary or by immediately improving the vegan tray that you provide.

Eric is getting dizzy, having trouble concentrating and feeling hungry all the time. We need to address this situation immediately. Thank you.”

If leaving a message, feel free to leave a name and call back number, but you don’t have to.

Please pass this post far and wide. Eric is in the very beginning of his 60 day sentence in disciplinary segregation, so it’s important that we prevent the prison from starving him right away.

Thanks everyone!

-EK Support Crew

Update 3/9

CCA’s phone system has been disconnecting people, so you can dial the main number at 913-727-3246 and press 0 to ask for the Warden, Mr. Spears (Eric’s unit manager) or Chief Quinn. Eric’s inmate number is 27090045.

When folks have been able to talk to prison bureaucrats, they have mostly been saying that they can’t do anything about Eric’s situation until he files a grievance. He has filed grievances and has done so regularly ever since getting arrested because the conditions at CCA have continually been abysmal. Don’t let them distract you with their lies—demand that EK get an adequate vegan tray and access to commissary so he can purchase additional food items!

One bureaucrat claimed that it’s impossible to make the vegan tray equally nutritional as the standard tray because vegans do not eat meat. This is, of course, is a lie. While the standard trays are not adequately nutritious for anyone, CCA is required to provide vegans with a food tray that is equally nutritious as the standard tray. That’s not something they can opt out of just because they can’t imagine how vegans could possibly eat without eating meat. Per the federal standards that CCA is held to as a private, for profit, prison “Federal Performance Based Detention Standards” CCA is held to provide “nutritionally equivalent approved substitutes” and they are failing miserably. Make sure they know that they are in violation of these standards.

Help us call CCA on their bullshit and demand that EK get an adequate, vegan tray and access to commissary so he can purchase additional food items!

Update 3/10

Eric was called out of his cell to meet with a manager yesterday and they tried to “listen buddy” him into calling his comrades off. He was apologized to about issues in the past and attempts were made to make him feel like somehow these folks who are starving him are actually his friends. Somehow EK is expected to believe that no one seems to have the power to do something as simple as put more food on the vegan tray but that everyone cares about him and they would if they could. Even in the bureaucracy of a for-profit prison that is a stretch.

Folks are feeling the heat at CCA Leavenworth right now and if these BASIC needs are not met soon we are going to up the ante and start calling higher and higher up the chain. It is unacceptable that folks are made to starve for their cruelty – free diets. Because of the calls there are a lot of meetings happening at CCA Leavenworth today… let’s keep it up (A)

(a quick reminder to please avoid threats of death, injury and anything that could cause Eric to experience retaliation)

Update 3/11

Today marks another day with no answers and changes by CCA Leavenworth. The only message Eric received today was a moldy orange and missing peanut-butter from his tray. He held strong and finally hours later the food was replaced. Keep the calls coming! They can feel it! <3 (A)