Open Letter from Jan to the Antispe Congress in Hamburg (August 6, 2008)
I was asked to put a few words on paper for you all and that pleases me greatly, but I am not certain as to what I should write. When I am around a lot of people I usually listen and rarely chime in. But perhaps I should simply begin with myself: I am a political prisoner, 24/7, for 2 ½ months — just like the 9 others and many more. But that’s just momentary. Above all I am a political activist, brother, companero, friend, lover, comrade, son…
But I speak as a prisoner, and therefore I should certainly say something about prison. First of all the good part: it is only temporary and I have never before in my life experienced so much solidarity, support and tenderness which gives me strength and courage — I thank you for that! It cannot frighten me anymore and not bring me to deny who I am and what I believe or to not want to fight anymore. Above all: it is bearable.
Now the bad part: there is nothing good about prison. What is bad is certainly very individual, it is the separation. An already chaotic and precarious life turned on its head. The almost complete disenfranchisement.
But the painful separation also means wonderful memories and I want to end with that, the pleasant anticipation of holding my loved ones in my arms again and to laugh, celebrate and fight together with you!
Until all are free! – Jan
PS: The nicest solidarity actions I have heard about were the liberations of chickens in Australia and the minks in Germany….!
The delivery of the open letter took so long that the congress was over before the letter from Jan could be published. The blame lies with the prison bureaucracy. Because all letters which the prisoners from the various prisons send must first come to the prosecutors in Wiener Neustadt where they are all read before actually being sent, it takes ages until a letter actually reaches its destination.
15. August 2008