With
all the recent talk about jail solidarity and tactics I thought I'd throw out
an idea that I've been thinking about for a while now: TOTAL NON-COOPERATION in
jail. Hopefully we all hunger/thirst strike, ignore bail, refuse to use the wool
blankets & lanolin filled post-fingerprinting soap plus the various other
animal tested cosmetics - but what if we refused to cooperate on every level including
NOT GIVING OUR NAMES or identification once arrested? Although this may
result in a slightly longer jail visit or a trip to solitary, it also creates
more work for the police and strengthens our plan of resistance. In my opinion,
one of the most valuable benefits from participating in a minor offense such as
a CD is the knowledge gained regarding police manipulation, misconduct, and intimidation
as well as the experience of being able to resist their attempts to control us.
It is an essential lesson that can only make us stronger. So... I was wondering
if anyone here (already has) or would be interested in trying out this technique.
I've heard of it working for large groups of individuals, but even the smallest
affinity group could try it out. I also came across this info in the Food
not Bombs book by Butler and McHenry: "Whether or not you will actually
be arrested, willingness to suffer arrest can be very empowering. If you do get
arrested, noncooperation with the police is politically empowering and personally
satisfying. The most basic form of noncooperation with the police is refusal to
give your name or address. This makes the attempt to dominate you more difficult.
If you refuse to identify yourself, the police will often try to intimidate you
by holding you in solitary confinement, refusing you access to a lawyer, denying
you transportation to court, and engaging in similar threats and oppressive tactics.
Politely but firmly tell them you will not give your name; most of the time the
police will give up after one or two attempts to scare you. They will book you
as Jane or John Doe, and take your picture and possibly your fingerprints. Most
states limit the time they can hold you before bringing you before a bail hearing
or arraignment to 48 or 72 hours. Trust yourself, and remain committed to the
plan the group made before the arrest." If you try this tactic, please
let NC know how it worked and we will pass that information along to our readers! | 
