Damn the Caesars / Punch Press stands as an ally and accomplice in express solidarity with BLACK LIVES MATTER. Our prayers and tears, and the intellectual orientation of our daily conversations, have been and will be devoted to the shattering cast of African Americans who suffer and have been lost to police violence, mass incarceration and white supremacist cultural, social and political practices in America. Our love goes out to Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, and the staggering number of other African Americans killed, injured and abused by racist institutional force in the US.

Ramsey Orta, the man who filmed the police murder of Eric Garner two years ago this month is preparing to serve four years in prison for possession. Since releasing the film two years ago he has been repeatedly harassed and tormented by police. Ramsey Orta, please accept our gratitude and know that our thoughts and hearts are with you.

The picket sign above, printed shortly after the Charleston massacre by a member of the Southern Maine Workers Center for the 2015 Portland, ME pride parade, has been sitting on the mantle of our inactive fireplace for over a year now. Our young daughter sees it everyday. We discuss it often. We discuss BLACK LIVES MATTER often. We will not turn away. We offer our love, solidarity and support. We are here, we love our African American brothers and sisters, and we pray, and will agitate as we can, for the state-sanctioned murder, incarceration and continued subjugation of black men and women in America to stop immediately. Teach us.