We do not know Mpe personally—at least not until this case brought us into relation with him. We are not part of the advocacy circles, not activists, nor are we the sort who habitually bustle behind the scenes of movement theater. Yet we stand unequivocally on his side. He is a young man from Bandung arrested during the May Day 2026 demonstration for taking part in acts of arson, swiftly charged with terrorism after Densus 88 uncovered his coordination with others via WhatsApp groups. The consequence? Far heavier sentences, of course. Was Mpe reckless? Undoubtedly—but that is beside the point.

At first, word circulated that he had already secured legal counsel from Bandung’s advocacy networks. Photographs of the arrest warrant spread, and comfortable assumptions followed. No one suspected any deeper rot. Only after three weeks did the truth surface: Mpe had received no independent defense whatsoever. The police merely offered lawyers of their own choosing. These “neutral” advocates, who supposedly safeguard the rights of the accused, in practice—as those familiar with the machinery of law well know—serve the investigators. The result? Prolonged interrogation without genuine protection—a classic disciplinary process in which the judicial and carceral system does not merely punish, but molds bodies and souls, transforming living subjects into controllable objects through systematic surveillance, isolation, and pressure. All of it seamlessly integrated into the functioning of society.
Continue reading May Day Bandung 2026: The Spectacle of Advocacy and Advocacy as Spectacle (Indonesia) →

COMMUNIQUÉ

In August and September 2025, following the killing of a motorcycle taxi (ojek) driver during protests against government corruption and police brutality in Jakarta, Indonesia erupted in a massive popular uprising that shook the regime of President Prabowo, a former military officer. In the aftermath of the unrest, the ruling elite blamed “anarchists” for the disorder and launched mass arrests of thousands of young people across major cities, accusing them of involvement in the protests.

Across the country, young people were abducted by the Densus 88 counterterrorism unit and tortured into giving false confessions. The regime targeted young people in the streets, motorcycle taxi drivers, IT workers, activists, punks, journalists, musicians, and many others, all accused of committing serious “crimes.”
Continue reading The Informal Solidarity Network for Political Prisoners of the “Anarchist” Cluster, are raising funds to cover legal expenses for prisoners. (Indonesia) →

Create a Freedom Tree with Marius

After 17 years, Marius Mason is finally free. Marius, an environmental and animal rights activist, anarchist, writer, artist and trans advocate, was serving the longest sentence to date for acts of environmental sabotage. He was released to a half way house on May 14th.

Solidarity does not end when our friends get out of prison. While we support them from the outside, they also build relationships of mutual support with others inside. Our movement prisoners act as a bridge between outside support and everyone inside, sharing words, ideas, material support, and solidarity. Alongside the joy of release is the pain of leaving friends behind. Continue reading Create a Freedom Tree with Marius (USA) →