Cages, Courts, & Collectives: Eric King on Building Power

In this conversation, former political prisoner and anarchist Eric King shares the emotional depth of his journey—through solitary confinement, court battles, and spiritual struggle—to the slow and ongoing work of healing. From tattooing as therapy to fighting patriarchal power in prisons and families, Eric explores how trauma, solidarity, and resistance intersect. We discuss paralegal activism, building an abolitionist legal strategy, the challenges of unity across tactical lines, and the danger of romanticizing suffering.Whether it’s organizing with inside comrades, challenging the state through lawsuits, or building care-based relationships, this is a vital portrait of survival and struggle in the belly of the beast.--------------------------------------------------Support anarchist in DFW Texas - Fundrasier and updatesBread and Roses Law - breadandroseslaw.org/Eric King instagram.com/supportericking--------------------------------------------------Chapters 00:00 INTRO01:18 What was a young Eric like03:15 What is you healing journey been like? with a focus on your spiritual health both incarcerated and now on the outs?04:52 "I am hurting, some one is doing this to me and I don't deserve this... this is not a choice im making to suffer"06:52 "getting free had the same disappointment, expectation let down that going in did."07:28 Tattooing as apart of the healing journey08:56 Role of world building12:52 - What does family mean to you14:27 Machismo in family dynamics and fighting patriarchy in a family unit16:20 Being jaded by the world and time incarcerated19:21 What was the support from other incarcerated folks like during your sentence21:54 List of People to support22:48 What has been the importance of traveling around and engaging in critical dialogue26:43 The TEA pm press book management and Sean Swainn Using the courts for patriarchy and control37:68 - How are you seeing the carceral state expand under trump and people response to it41:00 How does organizing by and with incarcerated comrades effect this conversation 42:31 Tactics for change and the sacrifice of the incarcerated bodies with tactical rigidity43:53 How are we doing on a united front what are some steps you feel can be taken45:20 How do militants find unity in above and bellow tactics and even strategies49:14 Eric King's paralegal work at Bread & Roses 51:15 What other books, people, collectives should people be keeping an eye on?54:35 What power is there to build as anarchist in the legal arena?57:30 Fighting to decrease suffering of being incarcerated is not being soft on the state?59:03 Eric's Pathway to becoming a paralegal59:54 Organizing with lawyers01:02:53 Doing local court support and court watch01:03:43 Final thoughts--------------------------------------------------Mentioned Media:BOOKS 📚Rattling The Cages Oral Histories of North American Political Prisoners - https://bookshop.org/a/109212/9781849355216📚A Clean Hell by Eric King - https://bookshop.org/a/109212/9798887441597Support independent bookstores by purchasing with our affiliate link on through Bookshop.org.--------------------------------------------------Stay connected with The Dugout! Follow us for updates, exclusive content, and more:🔗 ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/dugoutpodcast/⁠🔗 ⁠Substack⁠: ⁠https://tdugout.substack.com/⁠ 🔗⁠YouTube⁠: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thedugoutpod⁠🔗 ⁠Patreon⁠: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheDugoutPod⁠🔗 ⁠Website⁠: ⁠https://bio.site/thedugoutpodcast⁠🔗 Watch Prince Shakur  on Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMMgrSHWLLU4U_FnJ1u10Ug