GLOBALIZING THE MOVEMENT

We are in a high-tech information era which requires a new high-tech approach to old problems. The old street corner soapboxes, although not completely without value, have largely been replaced by satellite broadcasts; by email and web pages. With changes in the way our world operates must come changes in the way we address old concerns.

You can best believe that the self-serving robber-barons on Wall Street and the imperialists in Washington will make the most of this era's technological advancements. They will find new ways to exploit the masses, exploit natural resources and dominate the world's people. Likewise, we must make the best use of these same scientific discoveries to stop them.

Change must also be made in not only what tools we use in our daily operations, but in how we operate as well. New means must be employed to bring together the many progressive, multitudinous groups, each with their own special interests into a mega-universal fraternity where each group works together for the common benefit of all and most importantly the cause; Abolishing the Death Penalty!

When prisoners on Texas Death Row (or any Death Row) send out an S.O.S., activists, organizers, etc from anti-death penalty groups, human rights groups, socialist groups, communist groups, grassroots organizations, religious bodies of various denominations and creeds – all manners of progressives forming this proposed international progressive union around the country, despite their various idiosyncrasies, should rush to their aid and support. The sovereignty of each participating entity needs not be sacrificed in order for such a union to occur as some might fear. However, our enemies are united and whatever our individual or group cause, we will not stand a snowball's chance in the Sahara if we confront a global enemy with segmented resistance.

Activists in this new global context cannot afford to be simply organized locally. They must establish a global collective in order that their efforts may be reinforced by their allies around the world. As it’s true with other progressive groups and organizations, so it is true with prison-based groups and confined activists. Localized voices are much louder and heard much more clearly when backed by a diverse, universal chorus of powerful groups raised in their support.

One of the reasons prisoners continue to be neglected and mistreated in Amerika's concentration camps is that we have no mass support base in which we can depend. Those who abuse prisoners can often do so with impunity, unafraid of consequences, except in the most sensational cases, prisoners are victimized without real remedy in the courts and without adequate assistance from local or national prison aid groups. But, if/when prisoners on death row(s) begin to make stands that are backed by the full strength and numerical might of the outside organizations, civic groups, anti-death penalty and human rights groups, progressive and political parties, student unions, international human rights coalitions, grassroots organizations, religious bodies, such a stand will be far more successful and our conditions greatly improved until the abolishment of the death penalty.

We cannot allow ourselves to entertain the foolish notion that we can be successful with separate strategic struggles apart from the vital parts of our collective. We can retain our autonomy. We can safeguard our sovereignty and we can continue to relentlessly pursue our individual group agendas while simultaneously forming larger coalitions.

Our efforts, both within and beyond prison walls must be made global or will fall short of their aims. Prisoners are the most oppresses segment of Amerikan society. We have no rights to privacy, no rights to peaceably assemble, no right to vote – and our human rights are thoroughly violated daily.

Any group which purports to be progressive and yet does not address the most pressing needs of the most oppressed people in Amerika, in fact in the world, is yet but deceiving themselves and their members. The real lovers of "FREEDOM" the true "FREEDOM FIGHTERS" are fighting for those in bondage.

It is time to build a new International Movement (thus the reason for DRIVE) which includes prison activism and prisoner activities.

COMPASSION, JUSTICE, ACTION & TRANSFORMATION,

GABRIEL GONZALEZ

DRIVE

D.R.I.V.E.

DEATH Row INNER-COMMUNALIST VANGUARD ENGAGEMENT