The aim is to show support for a group of friends that have been incarcerated for graffiti and to raise awareness to the injustice of imprisoning people who paint graffiti.
In a society where 'street/urban art' is exhibited on the walls of the Tate Modern, London and sold in auction houses around the world the messages are mixed.
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PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION, IT WILL HELP WITH THEIR APPEAL:
http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/graffiti-artists.html
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Injustice was handed down by Judge Christopher Hardy at Southwalk Crown Court, July 11th.
Those convicted for Conspiracy are:
1. Jack Binnie, 25, from Lewisham: 1 year suspended sentence.
2. Andrew Gillman, 25, from Battersea: 2 years custodial sentence.
3. Ziggy Grudzinskas, 25, from Blackheath: 18 months custodial sentence.
4. Alex McClelland, 24, from Dulwich: received a 9 month suspended sentence and 150 hours unpaid work order
5. Matthew Pease, 24, from Lewisham: 15 months custodial sentence.
6. Paul Andrew Stewart, 26, from Lewisham: 18 months custodial sentence.
7. Matthew Tanti, 23, from Streatham: received a 12 month suspended sentence and 200 hours unpaid work order
8. James Teasdale, 21, from Dulwich
9. Slav Zinoviev, 25, from Battersea: 18 months custodial sentence.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Write to their MP's and sign the petition above.
There is currently 3000+ people in the Support DPM group. If everyone chooses one MP to write to that will have a big impact. We will not be providing a template letter as this causes MPs to ignore the letters.
MP'S CONTACT DETAILS:
http://www.upmystreet.com/commons/email/l/603.html
Nick Raynsford, MP for Ziggy Grudzinskas
http://www.upmystreet.com/commons/email/l/105.html
Bridget Prentice, MP for Mathew Pease and Paul Stewart
http://www.upmystreet.com/commons/email/l/623.html
Martin Linton, MP for Slav Zinoviev and Andrew Gillman
WHAT TO SAY IN YOUR EMAIL:
Sorry that this is not easier, however the very fact that it is a bit of a chore is testament to the fact that you care, so please do not give up! For this same reason we have not provided an already formatted letter. However when writing to MPs you may wish to consider the following general points.
GENERAL POINTS TO MAKE:
-Graffiti is a non-violent crime and these men represent no threat to society.
-Graffiti is a mainstream art form and the messages given in our media and general culture are confusing, these young men sort fame in a way that Banksy is celebrated for, they were incarcerated!
-These young men have otherwise clean records.
-The judge accepted that none of the defendants are at any risk of re-offending.
-Of all of the controversial activities that young men engage in today in modern society, graffiti is at least constructive and creative.
-Point out that Graffiti is a wonderful thing and as a society we have to develop ways to bring it into the mainstream rather than ostracising it's perpetrators.
MOST IMPORTANTLY
-These young men have a lot to offer to society. This is not achieved by incarceration. A community order that enabled them to give back to society would have been far more appropriate.
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WRITE TO THE BOYS to keep up their spirits. Do write something, however short. Anything is better than nothing!
They are all currently in Wandsworth Prison. Before the Prison address on the envelop you have to put their name and prison number:
HMP Wandsworth
PO Box 757
Heathfield Road
London
SW18 3HS
Ziggy Grudzinskas, Prison Number XF9008
Mathew Pease, Prison Number XF9004
Paul Stewart, Prison Number XF9005
Slav Zinoviev, Prison Number XF9007
Andrew Gillman, Prison Number XF9006
Further details with regards to writing to the lads have been outlined below in the discussion group.
Any further info with regards to address change will be posted ASAP.
Any questions or suggestions about/for the campaign, contact the email below.
Anybody with contacts in the media and press please contact the email below.
Thanks all for the support.