1/17/06 DJ QuestionMark of Free Radio Olympia interviews Jordan of Kansas Mutual Aid about anarchy in Lawrence, KS. Learn about the Kansas Mutual Aid collective and the projects anarchists in Lawrence are up to. Hear about community based direct action an
DJ Questionmark interviews Jordan of Kansas Mutual Aid
About Kansas Mutual Aid from http://alliedresistance.org/kma
Kansas Mutual Aid is a community based organization that works to initiate projects and campaigns that help to empower those within our community. We seek to create a dual power approach to organizing: our efforts both challenge current power dynamics as well as create alternative and all inclusive methods of social organization. Currently Kansas Mutual Aid maintains and implements several initiatives in the Lawrence, Kansas area.
Police Oversight Kansas Mutual Aid currently maintains a local hotline for the reporting of suspected misconduct, brutality, and unfair treatment at the hands of law enforcement. The hotline exists to serve several goals. All information collected will be used to help formulate reports on police misconduct in our community. Callers will be informed of rights when dealing with the police and processes for filing formal complaints. In the event that it is possible, we will also dispatch legal observers to the scene of an incident if it still occurring. The hotline can be reached at the Kansas Mutual Aid Phoneline: 785-331-6654
Support for families of inmates in Douglas County KMA will provide physical and emotional aid to those residing in Douglas County with family members or loved ones that are incarcerated. We can provide transportation to visits or to work or school, clothing, limited childcare, and other services. Please call our Phoneline at: 785-331-6654 to inquire of what we can offer and let us know what you are in need of.
Allied Resistance Allied Resistance is a network of prisoners and free world peoples working to build a movement for prison abolition and alternative methods of dealing with anti-social behavior in our communities. Kansas Mutual Aid works as an outside support group for the Network and helps prisoner organizers in their campaigns and initiatives. For more info, visit: www.alliedresistance.org
Inmate Family Transportation Services KMA understands the how hard it is for family members of those imprisoned to find affordable ways to visit their loved ones, especially if they are in another state or region. Once a month, KMA will help in the transportation of prisoners' loved ones from across the region to area prisons. KMA can also help find free or affordable housing for those visiting inmates from out of town. KMA owns and maintains a bus for this purpose. We offer low, affordable prices for transportation services. We are willing to work with inmates' loved ones. Free services may be available. Please call us or e-mail for rates and to find out when we will be scheduling our next visitation days. (785-331-6654 or kansasmutualaid@hotmail.com)
Neighborhood Organizing On November 5th, 23 residents of the Oread Neighborhood and surrounding areas in Lawrence, Kansas came together to discuss the formation of a new resident and tenant based neighborhood organization. The new organization seeks to empower residents to have direct control over the conditions in and around their neighborhood. This group will work to foster a new form of social organization by implementing community gardens, food co-ops, recycling programs, neighborhood potlucks and meals, free bike programs, and neighborhood clean up days. Another aspect of the group is to provide protection for residents from anti-social behavior without the need for police as well as offer mediation and healing for victims and perpetrators of anti-social behavior.
Community Education and Literature Distribution Kansas Mutual Aid helps publish dozens of titles of literature as well as distributing anti-capitalist and anti-authoritarian newspapers, magazines, and periodicals. KMA maintains a free literature project in downtown Lawrence implementing free literature boxes for this purpose.
Legal Fund and Legal Support Kansas Mutual Aid provides legal support for anarchists and political dissidents in the Midwest in the form of money for bail and legal fees. We also work to ensure legal representation for dissidents in the Lawrence area and provide legal observers during demonstrations and political actions. We are always in need of donations to help those that become victims of the police state. You can send any offers of donations or requests for funds to: kansasmutualaid@hotmail.com or: Kansas Mutual Aid PO Box 442438 Lawrence, KS 66044
KMA is also the legal collective of the Great Plains Anarchist Network. This network includes South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas. For more information on the Great Plains Anarchist Network visit: GreatPlainsAnarchist.Net