Prisoner Solidarity in Stride: annual 5 km run (or walk!)
Sept 19,25 Cldc.org / Anarchist Black Cross Federation via thefreeonline https://wp.me/pIJl9-Htx <telegram https://t.me/thefreeonline/4261 https://open.substack.com/pu
Running Down the Walls (RDTW) is an annual 5Km run/jog/walk in Nth America organized by the Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF). This powerful community-driven event promotes awareness about political prisoners and prisoners of war in the United States, and fundraises for their essential needs.
In 2025, RDTW is scheduled for September 21st. Confirmed participating cities include Eugene, Portland (OR), Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Miami.
RDTW is deeply rooted in solidarity: while community members take part outside, prisoners participate from within correctional facilities. Onlookers gather to cheer-on the self-described “non-competitive 5K run/jog/walk/roll.”
.. https://cldc.org/Activist Defense The CLDC represents activists that, in the course of fighting for a better world, are arrested and criminally charged. We believe their courage deserves the best possible defense that can incorporate the political, social, and philosophical motivations of these activists.
The first RDTW took place in 1999. Since then, it has blossomed into an established tradition occurring annually in multiple cities across the country. Funds raised through the event are directed to vital initiatives supporting incarcerated persons – primarily ABCF Warchest, a program founded in 1994 to aid political prisoners.
From September 21st will see the 26th annual Running Down the Walls events happening all over. So far, events have been confirmed in New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA, Eugene, OR, Chicago, IL, Bloomington, IL, Lowell, MA, Portland, OR, and Miami, FL. A Pushing Down the Walls event (burpee contest) will also be taking place on November 8th in Southern California.
Since 1999, prisoners and supporters throughout North America have participated in the annual event known as Running Down the Walls (RDTW) often running or walking simultaneously in many cities and prisons at once. Many places will be hosting the 26th annual RDTW on or around Sunday, September 21th, 2025 – stay tuned to our blog for more details from all of the locations participating this year!
This is a non-competitive 5K run/jog/walk/roll to raise awareness and funds for political prisoners. Over the years, we have raised thousands of dollars and lots of awareness around the struggle to free political prisoners.
List of Running Down the Walls 2025 events
Bloomington, Indiana
September 21st
Bryant Park Southside
1pm registration
Running Down the Walls is an annual event that happens in many cities across North America. It is an anti-competitive 5K (run, walk, roll, or just hang out) to raise money for political prisoners. In 2024, BABC had our second ever RDTW and it was a huge success! https://bloomingtonabc.noblogs.org/rdtw25/
Brooklyn, NY
WHAT: Running Down the Walls – 5k Run/Walk/Jog/Bike/Hang
WHEN: 2:00-7:00pm, Sunday, September 21st, 2025
WHERE: Prospect Park– Lincoln Road/East Lake Drive, east of the Terrace Bridge
COST: $20 registration, participants encouraged to get sponsors (includes vegan BBQ afterwards, with COVID precautions for serving!) Donate at paypal.me/nycabc or venmo.com/nycabc
https://nycabc.wordpress.com/2025/08/15/rdtw2025/
Chicago, Illinois
September 21 – Cook County Jail – Division 11
5PM: Rally, March and 5K Marathon 7PM: Bands and DJs (TBA)
Free / Fundraiser for the ABCF Warchest
Join us for a 5k Marathon Run and Generator Show in solidarity with Political Prisoners.
https://abcchicago.noblogs.org/running-down-the-walls-chicago-2025/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DNqtbCVx0KR/
Eugene, Oregon
September 21st
11am
Alton Baker Park
Running Down the Walls is a non-competitive run/walk/roll 5K event where people inside and outside of prisons run/walk/roll in solidarity with prisoners everywhere. It is both a fundraiser and a protest against mass incarceration. This event brings us closer together, strengthens our bond, and lets people behind bars know they are not forgotten.
Running is not required! You can also walk, bike, roll, cheer, or just hang out. Afterwards, stay for socializing with speakers, tabling, and light refreshments. There is a $10 suggested donation but please donate more if you can. You can bring cash the day-of or donate via Venmo: @NACEUGENE. Please put RDTW in the comment.
https://neighborhoodanarchists.org/event/running/
Los Angeles, California
September 21 @ 10 am
Echo Park Lake
Donate at https://fundrazr.com/ABCFRDTW2025
Lowell ABC
September 21, 11am
Boarding house park, 40 French street, Lowell, MA
There is also a venmo QR code for @LLABC and a cashapp QR code $LLABC for Running Down The Walls (RDTW) donations for those who not attending.
Portland, Oregon
Save the date, sign up, and come one, come all! (Cash also accepted day of!)
September 21, 2025
Meet under Tilikum Bridge East.
$30 BBQ $25 BBQ+5K
11am check-in
12pm race
1pm BBQ
https://fundrazr.com/d2Zdy6
South Florida ABC
Sunday, September 21st, 2025 from 3-5PM. To join please visit the link in our bio, sign up and donate to participate.
https://cryptpad.fr/form/#/2/form/view/5tO3knpSIM1KaDWO0PyJvo-OIPH6HxpPccO+zcYAgCM/
Since its establishment, the ABC Warchest has distributed over $200,000 directly to incarcerated individuals. The funds cover commissary expenses, medical costs, and other necessities unfulfilled by the American prison-industrial complex.
Cities frequently adapt their events to include public talks or community meals – or even fitness challenges, like Southern California’s Pushing Down the Walls! All proceeds are distributed in support of political prisoners through the Warchest and local allocations.
We encourage you to consider participating in your local run – you can find out more at the following links!
https://www.abcf.net/rdtw/
https://www.anarchistnews.org/index.php/content/running-down-walls-2025CLDC…ontinue reading on the original site.
At CLDC, we maintain ongoing relationships with our incarcerated clients, providing legal support while they navigate the prison system. We also encourage readers to remain informed about the critical support needs of CLDC clients Marius Mason and Malik Muhammad, whose cases remind us why consistent solidarity matters.
Source:Cldc.org / Anarchist Black Cross Federation
The Free 