Hey all! Today is the halfway point of the imprisonment of the Merrimack 4 - Bridget, Calla, Paige and Sophie - for sabotaging the New Hampshire factory of the Israeli arms contractor, Elbit Systems. Threatened with a charge of 37 years in prison by the New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella for their efforts to sabotage arms productions for the Palestinian genocide by the Israeli weapons contractor Elbit, they were successful in defeating the state's terror prosecution and reducing their sentences to 60 days.
Here is the NH AG's account of alleged events on their direct action:
On November 20, 2023, just before 8:00 a.m., Ross, Shergalis, Belanger and Walsh travelled to Elbit Systems of America in Merrimack, New Hampshire with a group of individuals intent on causing damage to the property. At the time, Elbit Systems employees were already arriving for work, and were present inside the building. After arriving, Ross, Shergalis, and Walsh climbed a ladder to the roof of the Elbit America building where they vandalized the property by smashing a skylight, damaging the ventilation system with a hammer, damaging the roof membrane, graffitiing messages on the building, and dumping paint down the sign on the front of the building. Belanger remained on the ground level outside the front doors of the Elbit America building where she vandalized the property by throwing jars of paint at the windows and doors, smashing the windows, and smashing a glass door with a hammer. In total, the defendants caused approximately $95,645 in damage to Elbit Systems of America’s property. In addition to the property damage caused by the defendants, employees inside the building experienced extreme emotional distress (lol) at the actions of the defendants.
I’m sharing this call for solidarity now because while there has been an outpouring of initial support, it's common for momentum to potentially slow down now that it's one month in. The isolation and oppressive pressures of the fascist prison system can really start to wear on the morale of our politically imprisoned comrades, and this is when their spirits might need us most, especially as they will be kept imprisoned through the holidays and into the new year. Let’s keep the solidarity flowing, and continue to remind them they will not be forgotten!
For anyone interested in learning more about the direct actions done by Pal Action US and Calla's insights into the lawfare techniques used against her and the rest of the Merrimack 4, I highly recommend listening to the interview by the MAKC podcast with Calla shortly before her imprisonment.
Here is information on how you can send support from Calla’s Twitter:
🧵Merrimack 4 jail support information
On 14 November 2024, four Palestine actionists will begin their 60-day sentence in Valley Street Jail, Manchester, NH as punishment for dismantling the Elbit Systems facility in Merrimack, NH on 20 November 2023. Originally they were facing 5 felonies and 37 years in prison. While in jail, They would love to receive books, letters, poems, and updates on the movement and world events
Send us books and letters: For Books/Magazines – prison guidelines only allow shipping from Amazon and Barnes & Nobles
Bridget's Address: Bridget Shergalis #67968, 445 Willow St, Manchester, NH 03103.
Calla’s Address: Calla Walsh #67970, 445 Willow St, Manchester, NH 03103. Calla’s Book Wishlist: tinyurl.com/callabooklist
Paige’s Address: Paige Belanger #68132, 445 Willow St, Manchester, NH 03103. Paige’s Book Wishlist: tinyurl.com/paigebooklist
Sophie's Address: Sophie Ross #67969, 445 Willow St, Manchester NH 03103.
Follow mailing guidelines to make sure your letters are received: https://hcnh.org/Departments/Department-of-Corrections/Administration
Commissary – Add money at http://accesscorrections.com/ (NH -> Hillsborough County -> search inmate name or CCN)
Zine to print with jail support information: https://unityoffields.org/?p=1452
All letters are inspected before delivery; do not discuss any details of their case or anything you would not want to be read by a cop.
Support contact: [email protected]
IMPORTANT NOTE: All writing and books sent in will be screened by the prison censors - cops - that is. DO NOT send or write any material that may incriminate you. Please read through the NYC Anarchist Black Cross’ guide on sending letters to political prisoners for instructions and Dos & Don'ts.
If you do not feel comfortable sending in your written support, that's okay! Please help spread the message in whichever way you can and consider leaving a message on Bridget, Calla, Paige and Sophie’s socials. If you have any questions or would like to ask if there are other means of communication/support possible, reach out to the Palestine Action US coordinators through the [email protected] email address.
