Reporters continue to be somewhat confused with /u/NicolasBroaddus’ choices for campaign rally locations, as they found themselves set up inside HMP Barlinnie, the largest prison in Scotland, in Glasgow. The promise of special guests, as well as the spectacle of the large stage set up within the prison, with hundreds of prisoners sitting politely to listen at tables, keeps their attention riveted. Not only press cameras are available, as Solidarity party members tape and live broadcast the event across the UK. Prison officers and staff seem on edge, having listened to the extensive negotiations with the warden for this event to be allowed. However, under the recent prison reform passed by the Solidarity party leader, they have no legal objection. The stage broadcast system has even been linked into the intercom, allowing those prisoners not allowed from their cells or in prison hospital to listen in. The prisoners seem extremely curious, as some familiar figures can be seen at the edge of the stage, as well as a fair bit of musical equipment on stage itself. After making sure all livestreaming is functioning, /u/NicolasBroaddus makes his way up the stage, wearing a casual short sleeve band shirt and jeans rather than the typical suit. Seeming at ease, in contrast to most here, he begins speaking.

“You all look surprised to see me here, what, did you think the bill Solidarity passed was empty words? I suppose I can’t blame you, prison reform is usually just that. Band-aids on a rotting wound that we pretend soothe our soul. But I tell you all, I believe the principle behind it, I believe there is absolutely no difference between me and you. I believe that your vote is and should be worth exactly as much as mine. So why shouldn’t I have a rally here then? Because make no mistake, I am not here for the guards or wardens. I am not here for one of the few institutions in the running with police for a more horrific history of cruelty. I do not speak merely of the horrific abuse carried out in decades past, forcing you to use buckets in your cells as toilets. I also speak of how these same prison officers have physically and sexually abused you all, and those of you in other prisons who may hear my words, for even longer.”
His words seem to shake and rivet the crowd of prisoners, though some seem uncomfortable with it.

“I do not claim innocence in perpetuating this system, I too fell victim to the siren call of prison reform as a solution. Confronting this was hard, and that is exactly why it is not done. But I have not returned to the UK to take on the easy fights. Just as big an enabler, however, and far more a profiteer off this, has been the press. The press, such a vital institution, but on crime and justice they have shown themselves to be an active detriment to any civil society. Stoking fears and anxieties, pushing worst case outcomes and driving the most economically disadvantaged in the UK out of ever having the possibility of a new life.”
He is ranting directly at press cameras now, voice full of righteous indignation.
“Tell me then, when was the last time any of you had a press conference here that wasn’t about some high drama prisoner? Maybe one of you wrote something about prison conditions? But tell me, why is it that these people’s struggles matter less to you? Because I do accuse you, I accuse us all, of indifference, of hypocrisy, and of rank cruelty!”

“This nation claims to hold to heart that beautiful dream of liberal democracy, of equality before the law. But what becomes of that equality after the law has been executed, a sentence passed down? We on the one hand declare there to be rights inalienable to any human, and on the other that the state may choose at any time to revoke those ‘rights’. More than that, some refuse to even see that this is a contradiction, declaring some nonsensical outdated philosophy of a social contract. There is no contract I know that comes into force for an individual without them signing and being aware of its consequences in full, and there is no way to opt out.”
“And beyond even that, the equality of the law is a farce! The vast majority of theft is wage theft, but tell me, do you have many restaurant owners or general managers here?”

That gets some laughs from the prisoners.

“That’s what I thought! And, if theft was what mattered, they would be in jail in appropriate proportions. But Britain didn’t create police and prisons to lock up the rich, they created those institutions to reinforce their power. They created them to lock up those, who in times of poverty and trouble, were forced to theft and worse, so they wouldn’t trouble those that paid their cheques. And it’s still no different today, this isn’t restorative, this isn’t rehabilitation, this isn’t rebuilding anything that’s been destroyed. We need to make a decision: what are our principles worth to us? If we believe that justice is not retribution but restoration, we need to free all prisoners who are not a threat to others, and help them build both a life back for themselves, and to make proper reparations for their misdeeds. Because whatever they were, they remain people, no greater or lesser than any of us, and any of us could be them. Not just if we did something wrong, I would put money there’s at least one innocent person in this prison. The Justice system is not a god, we cannot afford to give it the unquestioned reverence of one.”

“This is why Solidarity is the only party that will truly fight for the rights and lives of those incarcerated. Because we are going to go even further than liberal reformers would dare, we will abolish the majority of custodial sentences! If we believe what we say about redeeming the souls of all, we must give you the chance to build a new Britain, for yourselves and for all within it. What chances are you given here, forced into standstill, your future hopes severely dampened? Do not mistake this as saying you don’t deserve every little luxury that makes your life here easier, you do, but you deserve so much more. You deserve to be treated with the same respect and focus as any other people in the UK or beyond. And to prove I mean what I say, I have not only come here myself, I have pulled every string I could for you! I have brought two special guests!”
This seems to stir up a lot of excitement in the thoroughly captivated prisoners.

“I have with me a man I am proud to call my friend, US Senator Bernie Sanders! And after he’s had time to say his part, I’ve also invited Young Fathers to perform a set for you all here!”
This causes a wave of shock among the press and all others present, as a familiar suited old man, Solidarity pin on his breast, makes his way to the mic. A loud round of applause delays him beginning for almost a full minute. With his typical smile and wave he begins afterwards.
“My friends, we are in the midst of a defining and pivotal moment for both of our countries and our planet. And, with so many crises converging upon us simultaneously, it is easy for us to become overwhelmed or depressed — or to even throw up our hands in resignation. But my message to you today is that if there was ever a moment in the history of our country where despair was not an option, this is that time. If there was ever a moment where we had to effectively analyze the competing political and social forces which define this historical period, this is that time. If there was ever a moment when we needed to stand up and fight against the forces of oligarchy and authoritarianism, this is that time. And, if there was ever a moment when we needed a new vision to bring our people together in the fight for justice, decency and human dignity, this is that time.”
“As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘Call it democracy, or call it democratic socialism, but there must be a better distribution of wealth within this country for all of God’s children.’ To realize this vision, we must not view the world only as a population of disconnected individuals, we must also view ourselves as part of ‘an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny,’ as Dr. King put it. In other words, we are in this together. We must see ourselves as part of one nation, one community and one society — regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or country of origin.”
“What I believe is that all people deserve freedom – true freedom. Freedom is an often used word but it’s time we took a hard look at what that word actually means. I think this is a question the prisoners here will be more experienced with than the listeners outside. Ask yourself: what does it actually mean to be free? Are you truly free when you spend half of your limited income on housing, and are forced to borrow money from a payday lender at 200% interest rates? Are you truly free if you are 70 years old and forced to work because you lack a pension or enough money to retire? Are you truly free if you are a small business owner or family farmer who is driven out by the monopolistic practices of big business? Are you truly free if you are a veteran, who put your life on the line to defend this country, and now sleeps out on the streets? To me, the answer to those questions, in the wealthiest nations on Earth, is no, you are not free.”
“So maybe, with the help of my friend here, and his party, you all, not just the prisoners here at HMP Barlinnie, can start truly fighting for freedom. Enough is enough, I stand with Solidarity, and I call on everyone who is listening to do the same.”
The end of his speech gets another thunderous round of applause and cheers from the prisoners. After shaking Bernie’s hand and thanking him again, /u/NicolasBroaddus makes his way back to the mic.
“I’m glad you all liked what he had to say, but how about we get things bouncing now? I want to see you all get up and dance up here with me as I welcome Young Fathers to the stage. Let’s keep it just shy of moshing though, eh lads?”
With that, the Scottish hip-hop trio make their way on stage, setting up their microphones and equipment. They open with their new single Geronimo, but make their way through a series of old favorites and hits. The prisoners do indeed make their way up to the stage barrier to dance and listen, with /u/NicolasBroaddus joining them in dancing after his favorite song ‘The Queen Is Dead’ starts. The performance continues for an hour and a half before Young Fathers wraps up, thanks everyone for their time, and the livestream is drawn to a close. Everyone who is not prison staff seems to be in an extremely chipper and excited mood about the events.

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