Ep. 34: Obadyah Ben-Yisrayl, Anthony Parish, & Shaka A. Shakur: Building for the Prison Conference
This special episode features three comrades behind enemy lines as we build for the Indiana Prison Networking Conference.
With co-host Dani Abdullah on a well-deserved vacation, for this week’s episode of Naptown People’s Radio, Derek Ford facilitates a dialogue with three comrades behind enemy lines: Shaka A. Shakur, Obadyah Ben-Yisrayl, and Anthony Parish as we build for the Indiana Prison Networking Conference.
Naptown Updates:
Before hearing from these brothers, Derek provides a few updates on key stories covered in recent segments of the Naptown Breakdown. First, a recent independent report confirmed how much the U.S.’s war against Iran is costing our people. A recent report by the Congressional Budget Office stated between the February 28 start of the war and the 1st of August, the Pentagon spent approximately $38.1 billion, estimating it will cost at least $1 – $2 billion each month the U.S. prolongs the inevitable. Since June 2025, the U.S. military’s missile-defense interceptors have depleted by two-thirds and restocking them will likely take over five years. Meanwhile, for every day the U.S. continues the war, inflation increases. If your wage remains the same, that amounts to a pay decrease—and that is on top of the tax dollars the government is using to wage this illegal and unjust imperialist war that we adamantly oppose. Not only are the oppressed of the world holding the U.S. back, but in another positive development the Islamic Republic of Iran was recently elected to the General Committee of the International Atomic Energy Agency despite a concerted effort by the U.S. to block the election from even happening. The U.S. is increasingly isolated and the people of the world—and even their U.N. representatives—are increasingly supporting the oppressed.
Unfortunately, the opposite is happening here in Indianapolis. Between this and last week’s episode, City-County Councilor Leroy Robinson, a Democrat who chairs the Public “Safety” and Criminal “Justice” Committee, deployed Sheriffs to physically force the public from the public meeting. The hearing took place after the “Justice for Dalys Jett: No $400 Million for IMPD!” rally at 5 pm rally outside the City-County Building. One community member, Jamaal Shabazz was even issued a court summons for exercising his first amendment rights. Missing from the widespread coverage of the events that night are two things: 1) The real disruption and the only one we should focus on occurred when three IMPD officers killed Dalys Jett on July 22; and 2) Robinson’s actions only confirm that the cops exist to protect the ruling class and not the interests of the working and oppressed.
Dispatches from Behind the Wire:
Shaka A. Shakur provides a general update on behalf of the Shaka Shakur Freedom Campaign, New Afrikan Freedom Campaign, and the Indy Liberation Center on his case and recent activities. The various Campaigns have been making important advances in raising consciousness about Shaka and political prisoners and, more importantly, have put their politics into practice by being the first to assist and shine a spotlight on the neglected victims of the tornado and severe storm systems that hit Gary, Indiana, on August 11. As the state left people to fend for themselves, we had boots on the ground mobilizing the community, raising funds, and distributing dry ice and other materials. As we progress, Shaka notes, those in opposition increase their efforts to disrupt, distract, and destroy.
Second, we hear first-hand testimony from two brothers who are still behind enemy lines. First up is Obadyah Ben-Yisrayl, who was wrongfully convicted and unjustly imprisoned since 1991 and was forced to spend 20 years in solitary confinement. He testifies to the human’s ability to overcome his circumstances and, with the help of elders, to rely on the bonds that tie us together.
Third is Anthony Parish, who literally grew up in solitary confinement in Miami Correctional Facility. Arrested at the age of 17, Parish spent most of his 20s in a solitary cell in complete darkness and with live wires hanging from the broken lights. He was repeatedly shocked and injured as a result of the darkness and general condition of his cell. He was tortured the entire time until the ACLU filed a lawsuit on his behalf, bringing attention to the class.
Events:
Indiana Prison Networking Conference
The People’s Assembly: Justice for Dalys Jett!
Reading with Comrades: Socialist Reconstruction
September Queer Writers Workshop
Contribute to the Jett Family’s War Chest!
Show Notes:
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