Anarchist Black Cross

The Anarchist Black Cross is an anarchist political Prison Abolition organization, first started in Russia as the Anarchist Red Cross, a support organization for political prisoners. During the Russian Civil War (1918-20), the group's name was changed, so as to avoid confusion with the Red Cross. The Black Cross declined in influence during the Great Depression; however, during the 1960s, it was reformed in Britain and, during the 1980s, expanded into North America. The group is notable for its efforts at providing prisoners with political literature.

Symbol

See also: anarchist symbolism

Quotes

• "We believe, as most Anarchists do, that prisons serve no useful function and should be abolished along with the State. We believe in the abolition of both the prison system and the society which creates it. We believe in direct resistance to achieve a stateless and classless society. We share a commitment to revolutionary Anarchism. We see a real need for Anarchists to be militantly organized."

• "When power is challenged, be it in South Africa, occupied Palestine, Chile, Ireland or Canada, it inevitably turns to violent repression and political imprisonment to maintain itself."