Interview with the Deputy Chairman to the Maryland Branch of the New Afrikan Black Pa

[Moorbey]

Interview with the Deputy Chairman to the Maryland Branch of the New Afrikan Black Panther Party-Prison Chapter
by
Dee



Anthony (Mustafah), could you tell us about your crime and how long you have been incarcerated?

First off I prefer that people call me Mustafah. I have four counts of carjacking that were consolidated under a plea agreement and sentenced to thirty years. But this is a consecutive imprisonment that began about two decades ago that included other charges. There are many discrepancies

in my case that if addressed will result in my freedom but due to a few factors I'll remain silent on I have been unable to obtain any hearings through out the appeals process after being denied post - conduction relief up to the US Supreme Court by writ of Certiori.

I understand you participated in a hunger strike at J. C. I. , what accomplishments did you wish to achieve, and what was the outcome of the hunger strike?

Yes, I was one of the participants that felt it necessary to collectively act in order to stop the ongoing abuse and torture taking place at J.C.I through out 2006 inside of it's security housing unit - lock-up (B-Building). Our goals were to 1. Bring attention to the physical and
Anthony Mustafah Chisley
Date of Interview: March 1, 2007
psychological torture. 2. To have every officer involved brought to account through an investigation by an outside agency. 3. To cause the administration to take note that their intervention was necessary to prevent further abuses, violations and crimes being committed against the prisoners by their staff and 4. to start receiving the privileges we have a right to and to eliminate the health hazards associated with the conditions of confinement we were being forced to accepts and endure. Since the hunger strike that was supported with media exposure, outside phone calls and prisoner inquiries all of the officers, except maybe two or three over all three shifts, have been removed from A-Building and reassigned to other posts. The beatings in 3 point-restraints and shackles, the use of isolation for torture, the placement of prisoners on the special management meal (loaf) and prisoners being gang attacked by numerous guards after opening a prisoner's cell door has ceased. Different supervisors have been placed to oversee the unit now. These changes and some others are an improvement but there still exist problems that stem from a lack of staff accountability. So there's still work to be done and a ways to go. We understand, however, that this is a protracted struggle. I'm confident that the prisoners will see to it collectively to continue the path forward. I'm optimistic, I believe the future will be bright because we shall dare to make it so.

Please tell us your affiliation with the New Afrikan Black Panther Party.

I am a Black Panther, and the deputy Chairman/spokesperson to the Maryland branch of the NABPP.

How and why was the New Afrikan Black Panther Party formed and the goals and aspirations of the group?

We believe that the Black Panther Party (1966-1971) suffered an untimely demise before it could mobilize the weight of the proletariat (working class) people to advance the black liberation struggle to victory. There by, it left a legacy to be picked up and carried on from one generation
Anthony Mustafah Chisley
Date of Interview: March 1, 2007
to the next. No other party or organization has inspired and mobilized new Afrikan (black) people like the old BPP did. The party's demise was caused by internal weaknesses, egoism and factionalism, combined with an intense campaign of government infiltration, assassination and false imprisonment called Coontelpro in which more the 2000 party members were arrested and many were killed. The late Khalid Muhammad created the New Black Panther Party (NBPP) in 1990 as a split from the Nation of Islam (NOI) and we consider these to be our brothers and sisters, but we have fundamental ideological and political differences with the,. This is where we started from politically, since we have changed our name to the New Afrikan Black Panther Party-Prison Chapter (NABPP-PC) so that there won't be any confusion with the New Black Panther Party (NBPP) who are not recognised by the panthers of the old BPP. Deeper study and struggle showed us that there are serious flaws in the ideological and political line of the NBPP, and we moved on. We don't hold any animosity towards the comrades of this party, and we think the struggle itself will teach them that our national oppression as a new Afrikan (black) people is rooted in class oppression and the nature of our struggle for national liberation must be revolutionary class struggle. We believe in class struggle not racial separatism. Our motivation is love for our new Afrikan (black) people, not hatred of anyone, and we believe that all oppressed people must unite against our common oppressor, the imperialist-capitalist system. Though our party was founded in the prisons (in 2004), we do not confine our organising to them. We see the NABPP-PC as the embryo of a new vanguard party following in the footsteps of the original BPP. The party made errors, and we intend to learn from and not repeat them and these are different times which require fresh analysis and creativity. In many respects all of America is like a prison these days, at least for New Afrikan (black) and other oppressed people. According to US Justice Department statistics, "in 2003, 6.9 million people were on probation, in jail or prison, or on parole at the year end 2003" I want to clarify that when I refer to the old BPP existing from 1966-1971, I'm referring to it's revolutionary period. It limped alone until 1981, increasingly sinking into reformism and gangster-like rhetoric and activity before it's final demise. Nearly two and a half million people in this country are non imprisoned, Many times this number are on probation or parole, In Juvenile Correctional Facilities, on bail awaiting trial or disposition, or are under surveillance by the police or other government agencies. America is a fascist police state, and it has been so for a long time. For people of color and poor whites, "democracy" has always been a "mockery". We have always been "guilty" of belonging to the exploited class in a political-economic system based upon vile and ruthless exploitation and oppression.

How large is the New Afrikan Black Panther Party and who are the leaders?

The masses are the makers of history. Without the people we are nothing! We are guided by democratic centralism.

Is the New Afrikan Black Panther Party associated with the original Black Panthers? What is the difference if any between the two groups?

I believe I've already explained the differences between the old BPP, the NBPP, and the NABPP-PC. I will venture to say, that our party IS recognised by the panthers of the original BPP, and many do work with us in degrees. Our Association extends to other revolutionary freedom fighters of the old and new generations. We are affiliated with the Red Heart Warrior Society (RHWS), The Black Brigade (BB), The White Panthers Organisation (WPO) and many other groups of a multi-ethnic/national background.

How are members recruited to the group?

No one is at liberty to enrol into our party or to join at will. Everyone as a general rule are expected to first join an affiliate mass organisation like The Black Brigade where they can learn ideology and where we can watch their practise. All members and potential members are expected to memorise our party's rules of discipline, ten point program and platform, to uphold the democratic centralism, to join and help build the organisations the party supports. And to represent the party's mass line 24 hours a day in all that we say and do "conscious selection".

As deputy chairman of the prison chapter, are you active in prison reform?

To correct a perception that's wrong. I am the deputy chairman to the Maryland branch of the NABPP the prison chapter is the nucleus of our party. Yes I am very active in prison reform as it relates to working with other individuals and groups who are reformist, who attack a specific problem. Our objective is to unite the left, neutralise the right and win over the centre. Our party is not reformist but we see no conflict in consolidating our efforts with others to achieve our stated goal.

What prison issues need to be reformed?

We first must attack the constitutions 13th amendment. To have the clause that relegates to prisoners the status of slave amended. Other important issues and concerns are: Abolish the racist death penalty, life without parole, the sentence of life, three strike laws, indefinite sentences,
Anthony Mustafah Chisley
Date of Interview: March 1, 2007
sentencing juveniles to life in prison, policies in parole, universal suffrage to include prisoners, wimyns prisons strip search techniques, human rights protections and many more involving conditions of confinement, treatment being held in Shu's- Admin and disciplinary segregation extensively, etc.

One out of every 32 people in the USA are incarcerated, paroled or on probation. Prisons are overcrowded throughout the nation. What do you think accounts for this?
America is a nation at war. It is a war of the rich class (bourgeoisie) upon the poor. A war upon the poor of every nation, upon the workers and the peasants. The people who perform all useful labor. And upon those forced into unemployment. Prisons are "prisoner of war camps" and are also the "universities of the oppressed" the political-economic system is to account for so many of the oppressed being imprisoned and the fact that the "prison industrial complex" has become integral to the criminal IN- justice system. Prisons are used as tools and a weapon against the oppressed. It's part of the class struggle.

When you are released from prison, what are your plans and goal for the future?

My plan is to continue in the capacity of a panther. To be a true servant of the people, a socialist, an all the way revolutionary. The enemy has the capability of locking up millions of our people, but we have the capability of schooling them in the science of revolution- historical and dialectical materialism (HDM) and arming them with a revolutionary ideological and political line- Marxism- Leninism- Maoism- (MLM) applied to the concrete conditions of our time. Being thus armed and tempered in the trenches of struggle inside the iron houses of oppression, many thousands will - upon their release from prison - go forth into the oppressed communities from whence they originated and serve as a hard-core of all0the-way revolutionary organisers in transforming these communities into revolutionary base areas.

Is there a website, or other place people can read about The New Afrikan Black Panther Party?

Yes, we have a website (IWON: The Best Free Online Games, Casino & Sweeps. Win Money & Prizes!) and the address to our headquarters is: Rising Sun Press, PO Box 4362, Allentown PA 18105. Where people can write to obtain subscription memberships to our party's and affiliate newsletters at a rate of $15 and $30 to be sustained. We do provide membership to the indigent, and ask that people contribute to our work.

At this time, if there is anything you wish to add to this interview, please do so.

A panther is a panther 24/7 and we must conduct ourselves so as to be a credit to our parties and our class and strive to be the people's pride. Our actions should reflect the party's revolutionary line and program and
Anthony Mustafah Chisley
Date of Interview: March 1, 2007
inspire others to join our ranks. A panther must have largeness of mind and be open-minded. We should strive to be good at listening to others and learning from the masses. We should struggle against dogmatism and revisionism and practice the mass line of "from the masses to the masses". We should balance our pride in our parties with humility, practice criticism and self criticism and embrace "panther love". We should show love to our comrades and to the people. Above all we must put the interest of the revolution first. We are "servants of the people" and no job is beneath us or too menial. This is a protracted struggle and we will make mistakes, the important this is to recognise and make these most of them. Sometimes we will make repeated mistakes until we get it right, we should not let this discourage us. To fight and fail and regroup to fight again until victory is the way of it. Revolution is the main trend in the world. There will be ebbs and flows in the struggles, but we must preserver and have faith in ourselves and in the masses. "Settle your quarrels, come together, understand the reality of our situation, understand that fascism is already here, that people are dying who could be saved, that generations more will die or live poor butchered half lives if YOU fail to act. Do what must be done, discover your humanity and love in revolution. Pass on the torch, join us! Give up your life for the people." The future will be bright, because we shall dare to make it so! Seize the time! All power to the people, the women and the men! I extend my solidarity to all of the oppressed and the exploited internationally. Panther love is world changing love! We strive to reach our highest effect - Panther morality. Panther love!

Mr Anthony "Mustafah" Chisley
Deputy Chairman to the
Maryland Branch of The NABPP-PC
1 March 2007