General Defense Committee

At least three women have died within one week of each other at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Pittsfield, Michigan; Their deaths are a direct result of ongoing medical neglect and torture at WHV. 

The deaths of Khaira, Pamela, and Rebecca are a result of a disturbing, deep rooted pattern of neglect, abuse, and retaliation toward women who speak out against the inhumane treatment and conditions they face at “The Valley of Death”. These women pled for help, spoke out about the mold, the abuse, the rotten food, lack proper medical care, they were ignored and targeted and now they are dead at the hands of WHV prison staff, MDOC prisoncrats, and state officials all the way up to Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who are all aware of the severe problems at WHV and turn a blind eye.

The General Defense Committee stands in solidarity with the mourning families and loved ones of Khaira Howard, Pamela Blodgett, and Rebecca Fackler, as well as the women and people who still remain captive inside WHV. The situation at WHV is a microcosm OF EVERY ISSUE OF CAPITALISM AND EVERY BATTLE AGAINST CAPITALISM, shutting down WHV is an urgent task we need to fight for and we will fight to see the end of the amerikkkan carceral system.ABOLISH PRISONS, FREE KRYSTAL CLARK, FREE THEM ALL

Wednesday 5/13 7pm - Mutual Aid: Limits and Possibilities
Discussion of reading https://kites-journal.org/2020/12/22/malcolm-x-didnt-dish-out-free-bean-pies/ At the Lansing GDC office - 1607 E. Kalamazoo st.

Do you need to check your car to see what’s wrong with it?
Do you need to replace a broken light?
Do you need to check your oil and fluids?

All this and more is free this Saturday, with volunteer mechanics, because here we all have a reason to show solidarity and look out for one another.

Taking care of our cars helps prevent the police from pulling us over, and maybe keeps Immigration from calling us if we’re immigrants.
We look out for each other!

We’re also offering free clothing, diapers, and hygiene products, as well as food to eat right away.

And while you wait for your car, learn about your rights and what to do if you encounter ICE

The next edition of Lansing GDC Theory Night is This Wednesday - April 29 7pm - Organization Means Commitment
Reading and discussion of the Grace Lee Boggs booklet arguing the need for revolutionary cadre organization to overcome the limitations of movementism.
Reading in advance is suggested but not required.https://jailbreakoutofhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/organization-means-commitment-.pdf

Some videos to help study https://thinkinginmotion.substack.com/
Upcoming events: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CUJODjzdRSTD_byGjlzn9UUxvZr2fsnloRdm8iwuJrM/edit?usp=sharing

Lansing GDC is starting weekly theory/discussion events every Wednesday from 7-9pm at our office located at 1607 E. Kalamazoo St. Materials are linked below and in QR code.

April 15 7pm - Imperialist War with Iran
Two short films from Prolekult and discussion of the economic and political factors that led to the war, as well as an update on where things are at and what we can (and must) do.

April 22 7pm - Tyranny of Structurelessness 
Reading and discussion of the classic pamphlet from Jo Freeman advocating for the necessity of creating formal methods of decision making within political organizations to avoid informal hierarchies and unequal power dynamics. Reading in advance is suggested but not required.https://disruptnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/The-Tyranny-of-Structurelessness-Jo-Freeman.pdf

April 29 7pm - Organization Means Commitment 
Reading and discussion of the Grace Lee Boggs booklet arguing the need for revolutionary cadre organization to overcome the limitations of movementism. 
Reading in advance is suggested but not required.https://jailbreakoutofhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/organization-means-commitment-.pdf

Wednesday May 6 7pm - Imprisoned Comrade Letter Writing 
Short presentations on Prairieland 9 and the need to support our comrades in jail. Letter writing supplies provided. 
“Any movement that fails to support its political internees is a sham movement!” - Ojore Lutalo