Friends and comrades,
My name is Matt Duran and I will do everything I can to resist this Grand Jury. I’m releasing this as it’s come to my attention that the strategy my lawyer and I have been working under will more than likely not work; the prosecution wants to grant me immunity before I even have a chance to testify. I want to make it clear that I am in no way ever cooperating with the state now or ever. Anyone who knows me well enough to be a close friend knows that I will 
fight with my political allies and for them with every fiber of my being. If I ever did cooperate, it would bring an immeasurable amount of shame upon myself, my community, and my family as they have risked more in resistance than I have in my life so far.
This is not the first time that the State has attempted to kidnap me, extort money from me, and take me away from my family, loved ones, and comrades. The last time, the State even went so far as to create lies in order to put me away. Bearing this in mind as well as the institutional racism I face every day, I have long ago accepted that I am going to go to prison at some point in my lifetime. This compounded with the fact that I have such an amazing amount of support, to the degree that I don’t even know what to do with it, allows me to know that I am going to make it no matter what is thrown at me.
People should know that this is more than likely not the end of this, the State will continue this Grand Jury well after my comrades and I locked up. Whatever happens, I want you to know that you are not alone and are more than capable of handling whatever is thrown at you. They would not be doing this if we were not successful in any respect; if we kept to our ivory towers debating what is more revolutionary and not actively creating conflict, we would not be facing this repression. Do not stop the struggle, keep organizing and fighting or they will have won. When the Haymarket massacre took place all those years ago and the martyrs were hung for their desire for a better life, the State attempted to crush all radicals. Clearly, this did not work then and it won’t work now. If this was their desire, they have failed in every aspect of it as I have not seen anything other than flagrant disregard for them across the globe. Keep the struggle in your hearts and minds and do not bend to their will. They will never be able to destroy us no matter how hard they try.
In solidarity,
Matt Duran
Committee Against Political Repression 
❤
We support this brave man x
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
A powerful statement and a very courageous stand. Thank You! Peter
Wow! You are beautiful!!! It is absolutely necessary to push back against the State Organized Crime Syndicate!
Solidaridad, Matt!
I’m not aware that Matt (though there’s way too much of which I’m unaware) has been charged with participating in any street violence. Was he one of the panelists at Traditions on 9-7-12 in Olympia? Given his statement (ibid) it sounds like he’s sympathetic to those who did engage in Seattle’s May Day street violence, but I don’t know that’s a crime. So yes, he sounds courageous and when the State becomes oppressive (e.g. Using the Grand Jury system for a fishing expedition to frighten and disrupt political dissent) then non-cooperation *is* an effective tool. In fact, *MOST* of the time, the state need your ‘cooperation’ to oppress you–generally (sadly) they get it. I may post the audio of my administrative ‘booking’ in Thurston’s county jail containing some examples of non-cooperation. I get a lot of heat (from all quarters) as in investigator photojournalist for documenting images, sounds, speeches, presentations, statements, and video. But I challenge anyone to come up with the audio of their own booking! Matt’s refusal is unusual. Most folks are too frightened to refuse to cooperate to that extent. After all, jail/prison are intended as torture/terror devices implemented by the state…and their quite effective. Too often, people end up not only ‘cooperating’ but snitching on AND EVEN LYING about each other to escape the living death within those walls. The very idea of existence there is hateful. The judicial system is corrupt and used to persecute/retaliate. I support non-violent resistance (ideally legal resistance) to this corruption and those who pervert our country as Matt is resisting. He has the strength and spirit of the Willow.
Sorry for the typos…I need to develop the good habit of proof reading better before I click/post.
Preserve the nature; pickle a squirell…!! Thanx for your inspiering words…!
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Matt, I understand Leah (for the moment) wasn’t taken into custody. She’s been re-subpoenaed instead…a ‘softening up’ form of psychological intimidation. I heard you were taken into custody and transported to a Sea-Tac federal lockup. I’m sorry to hear it. I admire you for the courage of your convictions (no pun intended). I also believe those who engaged the street violence of Seattle May Day demonstrations are, at least in part, responsible for Matt’s imprisonment and should show some ‘solidarity’ by accepting accountability for their part. It kinda sucks to see someone like Matt going to jail for an indeterminate period of time so you who actually committed the crimes can remain free to walk the streets. YOU (the perpetrators and instigators) suck! You should at least commit your crimes in a manner that doesn’t expose your innocent ‘comrades’ to the torture the state reserves for all of us when they want something (“information”) badly enough. War criminal George Bush infamously stated the reason for water-boarding suspected terrorists, “We HAD to know what they were thinking!”
So if these very young (and apparently innocent of any crime themselves) people such as Leah and Matt were being water-boarded, would you still let them take all the punishment so you can walk around and shop at the mall or plan your next violent street demonstration? Do you eat your children? (Apparently!) Those senior manipulators using their age and positions of respect in the community who encourage our young to engage in street violence and assault should be rejected and denounced. Shame on it!
agree…
The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive. A Quotation by one of the founders of the Constitution Of the United States of America, and one of it’s Presidents Tomas Jefferson.
This is just what Matt is trying to do;but the government wants to silence him by inprisonment. This is a message to me, and should be to all thoses who want freedom. That the U.S. government does not acknowledge the constitution of the United States of America any more. We Need To Stand Together to fight the tyrants, dictators, oppressors,and the persecutors,and the bank’s. “Tomas Jefferson I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our Liberties than standing amies” So we need to get our country back under our control. The Citizens of the United States of America unite..
Send mail to Matt at:
Matthew Kyle Duran #42565-086
FDC SeaTac
P.O. Box 13900
Seattle, WA 98191
To donate money for Matt’s commissary and for visitors’ gas costs, or to arrange your visit to Matt, please email visitationformattduran@riseup.net
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You are not alone Matt.
Thank you for sharing.
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I know things ended really bad between us but you’re a good person and I hope you end up being ok even though it’s not likely
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