Update: Tabi has been released today Friday 13th!
Tabi Rounin, better known as 'Rebel_Jill' has been detained by police on minor charges in the run-up to the G8 in Japan, as the police attempt to investigate his international connections and disrupt his revolutionary activities. This is a known tactic of the Japanese political police, see here for a similar case (Comrade 'M') and also see this interview with Tabi.
On the morning of June 4th, 2008, comrade Tabi Rounin, a squatter liberation activist, was arrested on the charge of "Illegal Address Registration" (in other words, living somewhere he is not registered to live at). His house was searched and more than 14 items were taken including his computer, his phone, resume and flyers. Clearly searching someone's house simply because their address is still registered at their parents' house goes beyond simple police work.
This is pre-emptive repression with one eye towards the economic summit being held on June 14th and 15th. He is currently being held in Koriyama police station in Nara prefecture and in 5 days will be put in front of the judge. There are hundreds of people every year who have their IDs registered to their family's residence. To be arrested on 'Illegal Address Registration' is unheard of beyond political repression.
Tabi Rounin had stopped his activity within Osaka city, where the high class apartment buildings of the rich stretch on for miles, and had been active around the working class cities and suburbs around Osaka and Kawachi, connecting to squatters with no organized political presence or assistance, connecting to foreigners working for low wages in factories around his area. He is a working class revolutionary from the roots who fought an isolated battle. There are many anarchists overseas who have found sympathy with his selfless style of activity.
We fiercely protest this repression against the movement that we have helped build! Police, release Tabi Rounin immediately!
June 6th, Anarchist Black Cross Osaka
We are requesting contributions for Tabi Rounin's early parole.
Please send contributions to the address below.
We also would appreciate support packages.
Osaka city, Kita-ku Nakazakichou 3-3-1-401
Jiyuu Roudousha Rengou Kizuke
Anarchist Black Cross
Over 40 people have been arrested in pre-emptive sweeps of broad left and anarchist groups.
Kin from the Kamagasaki Patrol, who is constantly followed by police and usually has a helicopter following him at demonstrations, was arrested yesterday morning. They haven't even come up with a charge for him apparently. Falsifying the reasons may be difficult since there are no problems with his address registration or parole. Nevertheless he will be held for 23 days for sure.
The same day a union in Rakunan, Kyoto was raided, had their office searched and 2 of their members arrested (details below).
Not clear when this happened just yet but 4 members of the Chuukaku-ha Leninist organization were arrested in Tokyo, apparently members of the leadership.
On May 29th, there were 38 people arrested at Hosei University in Tokyo, at a political assembly against the G8 at the University. This hasn't made the activist newswires.
http://hosei29.blog.shinobi.jp/Date/20080531/ (for details)
Tabi is apparently doing well inside, and is full of spirit. Update: Tabi may be released this afternoon.
A bank account has been set up at the post office to support Tabi:
Yuubin Furikae Kouza 00200-5-38572 Meigi 5-16 Kitsuke Kokushoku Enkai
Monetary contributions could go there if it were even realistic to transfer money internationally. We've already gathered some money for his defense.
Following are details about the union activist arrests:
Protesting against Kyoto Police raid of union office
10th of June before 9 in the morning, 19 police men from Kyoto Prefecture Police Security 3rd department (so called public safety dep.) raided and searched the union office which is used by Rakunan Union, Rakunan Workers Network, Asia Joint Action (Asia Kyodokodo) , (and ) also an house of 'A' who is a member of Rakunan Union for the suspect of "fraud related incident" (with an arrest warrant), which is an apparent excuse to crush the movement against the summit.
Kyoto Police(Hori is the person in charge) claims that the union member A unlawfully received unemployment allowance in 2004, which is claimed to be found as a proof after the search of his house. (A denies this of course.) This is something which happened in 4 years ago and even if what they claim was true, it should had been dealt by Hello Work (something like JobCenter). Responding to our question, Hori said it was conducted originally by the 3rd Department. Answering to another question why they had to search the union office for an suspected incident of an individual, he gave no convincing reasons other than saying "It is Independent Workers Network (Jiritsu Rooren) which is used as a contact address for Asia Joint Action (Asia Kyodokodo).
Kyoto police did the search based on their made-up story, 'A' received the allowance to fund Asia Joint Action (Asia Kyodokoodo) to find out his relation to the group for the proof of their fake story.
They spend three hours searching and occupying the office for the proof, which of course can not be found. Instead, they brought back a list of members of Rakunan Union and a list of members payment of union fee. Are they going to claim that these are the proof of his "fraud"??