Black August 2025
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Dear Friends & Comrades,

As this year’s Black August comes to a close, we sharpen our collective discipline and recommit to the fight for Black liberation, an end to imprisonment and imperialism, and the building of a world beyond cages.

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Born from the sacrifices of imprisoned Black and Brown freedom fighters like George Jackson ([link removed]) , Jonathan Jackson, and the San Quentin Six ([link removed]) , Black August teaches us that study and discipline are essential to liberation. George was adamant that rigorous political education—unwavering clarity about the systems and conditions we face and the alternative futures we must build—was as important as fasting or training. Together, these freedom fighters forged practices of collective study and solidarity, including truces across prison-manufactured racial lines and refusals to participate in guard-orchestrated fights.

Their clarity and unity remind us that abolition depends not only on resisting repression, but on building political trust and shared vision strong enough to withstand every form of oppressive and division.
This August brought sobering realities. The ongoing genocide in Gaza remains devastating, compounded by the US government’s role in fueling Israel’s violence and deepening repression at home. From the Supreme Court ruling that criminalizes homelessness, to record-breaking heat inside prisons, to the spread of “cop cities” across the country, we are witnessing new frontlines of punishment and control. And while politicians reshuffle the electoral stage, the prison industrial complex (PIC) advances under both parties.

Yet Black August constantly teaches us that repression breeds resistance. Times of crisis are also times of possibility. Throughout this month, our comrades inside and outside took up the call of Black August—to study, to resist, and to discipline ourselves for the struggles ahead. Here are two reflections we want to lift up as we move from this month into the next phase of our work.

Black August solidarity from behind the wall in Pennsylvania

One of the clearest lessons this year came from Stevie Wilson, an imprisoned organizer and columnist of The Abolitionist Newspaper who shared an update from inside:

“Two members of different street organizations asked me to support their idea. They proposed four agreements: resolve conflicts nonviolently; hold weekly study groups; exercise together daily; and build a kitty to materially support each other. Twenty people showed up and signed on. These young men are creating community behind the walls. They see Black August as a springboard for solidarity year-round.”
This is Black August in practice: imprisoned people building unity, discipline, and care, even under the harshest conditions. Stevie reminds us to “believe in the people”—to provide the space and tools, and to trust communities to build what they need.
Read Stevie's full statement here ([link removed])
Cross-Wall Retreat: Discipline Across Divides

In the spirit of Black August, CR also convened a closed Cross-Wall Strategy & Power Building Retreat earlier this month. Over 30 organizations from across the US came together to deepen political trust, align strategies, and prepare for the escalating repression we face in cross-wall organizing and prisoner solidarity efforts. We collaborated with 80 prisoners to shape the space with us: through feedback and direction on the program months before, to recording their perspectives that were played during workshops, and an “Inside Gallery” of written work and art.

Because this was an invite-only space, we can only share this right now:
* Why we gathered: to strengthen cross-wall solidarity as censorship, surveillance, and retaliation intensify.
* What we rooted in: the legacy of Black August rebellion, sacrifice, collective study, shared strategy, and revolutionary vision.
* What’s next: continuing to work with Cross-wall Retreat partners inside and outside to shape the convening’s lessons into shared work and commitments moving forward.

This retreat was not a pause from struggle—it was a sharpening of it.
Listen to the Cross-wall Retreat Prisoner Speak Out here ([link removed])
Reflection question for your practice carrying Black August forward: How do we build disciplined solidarity in our contexts today—like Stevie and his comrades are modeling inside?

Onward in struggle and care,
- Critical Resistance


** More Announcements
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Did you hear? Another California prison—CRC Norco—is closing! ([link removed])

Our statewide prison closure campaign with Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) is closing another prison! Thank you to everyone who has showed up at actions and engaged in ongoing advocacy over the years to make this victory happen. WHEN WE FIGHT, WE WIN! If you’re in California, stay tuned for ways to plug in and ensure this closure process does not cause further harm for our imprisoned comrades — prioritizing releases and not transfers.

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Support Mutual Aid for Prisoners: Support Kevin Cooper, a death row prisoner in California!

Kevin Cooper is one of our inside collaborators for the Cross-wall Retreat, who submitted written work, recordings, and the powerful artwork for our convening shirts and stickers.

He’s been moved to general population in a correctional medical facility in the Bay Area but has been denied the art supplies he gathered over decades on San Quentin’s death row. Donate to his fund today ([link removed]) to help him rebuild is art supplies, and support Kevin in other ways on his website here. ([link removed])
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Additional Resources: Tools to carry forward beyond Black August

Coming out of Black August, CR invites you to keep its lessons alive:
* "99 Books" — A 50‑Year Tribute to George Jackson: Curated by Freedom Archives, this powerful digital project centers the 99 books found in George Jackson’s prison cell after his assassination in 1971. It invites us to deepen our understanding of revolutionary discipline and political education through archival materials, reflections, and curriculum tools. Explore 99 Books here ([link removed]) .

* Check out Issue 43 of The Abolitionist ([link removed]) and all past issues on our website ([link removed])
* Political Education Tools: Deepen your study with CR’s resources on PIC abolition. ([link removed])

Critical Resistance is majority grassroots-funded. Donate today!
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Mural by Leslie “Dime” Lopez at 4400 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA, 2019.
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