> Britains only anarchist prisoner!
>
> Hi ya comrades can you help support this action and distribute this
> information?
>
> Please keep in touch!
>
> November 15th 1999
>
> 2000 Days of Injustice
>
> Justice for Mark Barnsley
> Mark Barnsley is a working class man from Sheffield in the north of
> England. He is currently into the fifth year, of a twelve-year prison
> sentence, as the result of an attack on him by 15 drunken student. The
> during the assault five of the students were injured and so was Mark
> Barnsley, yet being working class meant that Mark was "criminalised
> already". He got time and the students got off without being charged.
> This clearly political conviction showed quite simply that the status of
> working class people in their own cities and the creation of "safe
> areas" in inner cities were middle class retards can have their
> university fun and games at working class peoples' expense.
>
> A twelve-year sentence was unbelievable. This is an appeal for support.
> Mark Barnsley is extremely class conscious and has been a long-time
> activist within class struggle anarchist politics most of his life.
> Mark Barnsley is now banged up and we need all the support we can get.
> This comically hasn't been much from those he believed he shared common
> ground with.
>
> Mark Barnsley is working class, Sheffield born and bred, and he is the
> father of three children. Solidarity, rather than being an empty cliché,
> has a part to play here. So please transfer thought into action and
> support Mark Barnsley
>
>
> Pomona Incident
>
> On the morning of the 8th of June 1994 Mark Barnsley. A 33-year-old
> writer could not have been happier. He had become the father of a third
> daughter only 6 weeks earlier, his career was going well, and he would
> shortly be going on holiday to the Lake District with his young family.
> After working for a few hours on books he had recently been commissioned
> to write, he invited a family friend, Jane Leathborough, to call in
> and see the baby. His partner, Samantha, had to go out for an hour or
> so, and before leaving suggested that, as it was a bright, sunny day,
> mark and Jane might take the baby, Daisy, for a walk and perhaps stop for
a
> drink. It seemed like a good idea, but little did Mark Barnsley know
> that within an hour is life would be changed forever, and that he was
about
> to be caught up in a nightmare that continues to this day.
>
> At round 3.30pm that day a number of police patrols were alerted to a
> disturbance at "The Pomona" public house in Sheffield. When they
> arrived at the scene they found that 5 university students had received
> serious injuries. The headlines of the local newspaper, 'The Star', the
> following day read : "Five stabbed for poking fun at girlfriend.
> Knifeman slashes students at pub"
>
> When Mark Barnsley was subsequently arrested for what had quickly become
> known as "The Pomona pub stabbings", and charged with 5
> counts of "wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, contrary
> to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act" there was total
> surprise from everyone who knew him. Friends, neighbours, and colleagues
> expressed complete disbelief.
>
> Mark Barnsley has absolutely no history of violent or aggressive
> behaviour, quite the opposite, he was described as a kind and caring man
> by all who knew him. Nor has he ever suffered from any form of mental
> illness, indeed in the words of a psychiatrist: "He seems to have always
> enjoyed a very stable, mature, responsible, and pleasant personality."
> Yet the Prosecution case was that he 'took on' a group of some 15 people
> who he had never seen before, deliberately inflicting knife wounds on
> five of them, because he took exception to an innocent remark , made in
> Barnsley's absence, by one of the group, (who was not injured at all),
> about the sunglasses being worn by Jane Leathborough.
>
> More than a year later, during which he was remanded in custody, and
> after a trial, which lasted nearly 3 weeks, Mark Barnsley, was acquitted
> of 3 of the 5 offences, with which he had been charged, but convicted on 2
> counts. He was also convicted of 3 lesser alternative offences,
> (Unlawful wounding), with which he was never charged.
>
> After waiting a further 51/2 months Mark Barnsley received sentences of
> 12 years concurrent on each of the section 18 convictions, and 5 years
> concurrent for each of the 3 lesser offences.
>
> The Pomona case has been characterised throughout by lies, perjury, the
> with-holding and "planting " of evidence, and a biased and highly
> inaccurate local press campaign. The FACTS are very different. Anyone
> who bothers to look further than the lurid and sensationalist headlines
> can surely reach no other conclusion that Mark Barnsley is the victim of
> a gross miscarriage of justice.
>
> On November 15th 1999 Mark Barnsley will, through no fault of his own,
> have existed in a nightmare world far worse than we can ever imagine FOR
> 2000 DAYS!
>
> For all our sympathy with Mark's struggle, the fact is that he is now no
> nearer achieving justice than at the start of his long ordeal, and his
> prison conditions are actually getting worse. We may support him in his
> fight for justice, but what are we going to do about it?
>
> There are now thousands of people, who know about Mark's situation, and
> on November 15th we'd like you all to do something, we are declaring a
> Day of Autonomous Action in support of Mark.
>
> You can write letters to newspapers, magazines, MP's, etc., or if abroad
> to protest British Embassies and Consulates. Phone, Fax or Email the
> CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) Tel. 0114 - 2912000/2811911 or CPS HQ in
> London: or The (Sheffield) Star Tel. 0114 2767676. Fax. 01142725978 &
> 0114 2757523. Hand out some leaflets on Marks case. Send Mark a
> message of solidarity: Mark Barnsley WA2897, HMP Full Sutton, York, YO41
> 1PS, England. All constructive autonomous actions and initiatives are
> welcomed and encouraged. Imagination and commitment are the only
> limits.
>
> There's a great deal that even the most isolated supporter can do, but
> please do something. Isn't 2000 days long enough for anyone to spend
> behind bars?
>
> If you need further suggestions or request leaflets or information on
> the campaign then please get in touch with us, and also let us know what
> you get up to. Together we can make a difference.
>
>
> Ideas for Action
>
> A central characteristic of all recent miscarriage of justice cases in
> this country is that the British State is only ever forced to
> take responsibility for them because of embarrassing publicity brought
> about through a high-profile campaign. No matter how
> good the legal argument of a particular case, without a high-profile
> support campaign victims of miscarriages of injustice stay
> locked away and forgotten.
>
>
> While many people sympathise with the plight of Mark Barnsley, sympathy
> alone is not enough, only concrete support and
> solidarity will make any difference in helping to overcome the judicial
> nightmare that he has fallen victim to.
>
> Support activities can take many forms, depending on a number of
> factors. For example if you are the member of an existing
> prisoner support organisation we hope we can count on the full weight
> of that organisation's active support, but even if you are
> an isolated individual living in a remote area you can still participate
> in the campaign to achieve justice for Mark.
>
> We encourage all constructive autonomous actions and initiatives which
> help to highlight Mark's case (loosely translated this
> means get stuck in - do your own thing - share your good ideas with us -
> imagination and effort is a powerful weapon!!!!)
> Oh yes - and THANK-YOU for whatever you are able to do.
>
> For those of you who have asked for ideas (I am SURE your have plenty of
> your own but
> here goes!) : -
>
> Leaflet Production and Distribution
> Produce a leaflet detailing Mark's case, or further copies of one of
> ours. Ask us for artwork if you like. Copy artwork onto
> discs for distribution. Offer the use of High-Tec, low Tec hardware etc.
> Distribute leaflets at demonstrations and political events
> where interest is most likely gigs, pubs, on the streets, or simply
> to your mates.
>
> Letters to the Press and Calls to Radio Phone-ins.
> Generally or in response to a topical issue such as lenient sentencing
> for violent students . Be imaginative to get Mark's case
> onto the agenda. Write to political magazines.
>
> Resolutions of support.
> Trade Unions, Student Unions, tenants' assoc., political group, or other
> organisation - raise Mark's case for discussion and
> propose that a formal resolution of support for him is passed.
> We can supply info packs and, if you require - possibly a speaker.
>
> Pickets and Demonstrations
> Well targeted pickets like the Sheffield C.P.S. Sept 9th Day of Action
> example can be effective with only a small number of
> people. We can supply suggestions for targets.
>
> Demonstrations and marches also form part of a good high-profile
> strategy and it's also worth
> linking up with other demos and marches to spread solidarity and the
> word about Mark's unjust imprisonment. Don't forget
> placards and banners. The campaign to free Mark also fully supports
> national demonstrations such as Hungry for Justice action
> in November 1997, the International Prisoners Solidarity Day August
> 10th. Each year and other demos. Of this type which are
> a good opportunity for us all to meet together.
>
> Messages of Support
> Send messages of support to Mark Barnsley, WA2897, HMP Full Sutton,
> York, YO41 1PS.
> Mark writes about 20 letters a week replying to supporters, so please
> try to include stamps!
>
> Participation in Regular Campaign Activities
> We are co-ordinating support action at least once a month including mass
> phone-ins, which usefully allow all of us to unite in
> protest however far flung , isolated or few in number we are. It is a
> way we can all come together using technology as a focus.
> Contact Press Officer Peter Brown if you are unsure of the next target.
>
> Public Meetings
> Organise a public meeting in your community or college etc. We may be
> able to supply a speaker.
> Please contact Peter Brown.
>
> Formation of Local Groups
> Where appropriate you can achieve even more by the formation of local
> semi-autonomous support
> groups. Let us know if you are happy to be contacted by other supporters
> in your area.
>
> Stunts
> Imagination and commitment are all we ask for!
>
> Production of Other Media
> If you have access to badge-making facilities why not make some badges -
> distribute them yourselves, or let us do it. All forms
> of media; T-shirts, posters, graffiti, films, music, etc. will help
> spread the word about Mark's wrongful imprisonment.
>
> Please remember to keep us informed of your support activities so we can
> gain maximum. Coverage and also raise Mark's spirits. Send copies of any
reports, > articles or other coverage to Mark.
>
> Can you imagine what it would be like to have all the rights you
> normally take for granted stripped away from you: to be viewed with
> absolute suspicion and contempt by people who control your every
> movement: to be told when, and what you can eat, what you can wear,
> where you can and cannot go: to be separated from your family and
> friends: to be addressed only by your surname, and to even be reduced to
> nothing more than a number: to have your every action and movement
> monitored and record, every phone conversation and letter censored: to
> be held captive against your wishes, and locked inside a bathroom-sized
> room for u to 24 hours a day? Can you imagine having to exist in such
> conditions for 2 hours? Even 2 days?
>
> Solidarity is Strength.
>
>
> CONTACT: CONTACT MARK DIRECTLY:
> JUSTICE FOR MARK BARNSLEY MARK BARNSLEY WA 2897
> (Ireland Support Group) HMP FULL SUTTON, YORK
> (P.O. Box 1290, Belfast,) YO4 11PS ENGLAND
> (BT12 7BW, North Ireland.)
>
> EMAIL THE CAMPAIGN: Barnsleycampaign@hotmail.com.