Prisoner
Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition
Oakland—The CDCR declared the hunger strike of California
prisoners to be a “mass disturbance” and a violation of state law on
Thursday
as hundreds across the state plan a large mobilization at Corcoran
State Prison
on Saturday, site of the one the state’s Security Housing Units (SHU)
where
prisoners are currently on strike. Advocates have expressed concern
that the California
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) reaction to the
strike
will be to escalate the punishment and threats against the prisoners’
peaceful protest.
Prisoners and their supporters are
urging the CDCR and Governor Jerry Brown to enter into honest and
binding
negation of their demands.
Limited contact with hunger strikers has found them to be
in
high spirits and aware of the strikes scale and outside support.
Earlier this
week Pelican Bay strike spokes people stated:
We
are grateful for your support of our peaceful protest against the
state-sanctioned torture that happens not only here at Pelican Bay
but in prisons everywhere. We have taken up this hunger strike and
work
stoppage, which has included 30,000 prisoners in California so far, not
only to
improve our own conditions but also an act of solidarity with all
prisoners and
oppressed people around the world.
“The prisoners are fighting for a restoration of their
human
rights by demanding an end to prolonged isolation, an end to group
punishment,
and the draconian policies that land them in isolation with little hope
of
getting out—along with access to programs and adequate food. “ Says
Kamau
Walton of the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition. “These are
the most
basic demands and yet the CDCR continues to make threats. This is the
response
from a prison system that is on notice from the federal courts for an
unconstitutional
level of crowding and for inadequate medical care, a system that is now
being
investigated for sterilizing women prisoners against their will. Change is inevitable, the question is whether
the CDCR and governor are going to prolong needless suffering.”
CDCR has recognized 12,500 prisoners as hunger
strikers. While this number is lower
than those reported earlier in the week, many have noted more prisoners
are
taking action than in 2011, and are prepared to risk retribution for
maintaining their protest. “People
aren’t buying the vilification of the strikers,” says Dolores Canales,
of the
Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition, whose son is on strike in
the
Pelican Bay SHU. “These same prisoners have
also called for an end to hostilities among racial groups inside. They are also inspiring powerful activism
outside the prisons. The strikers recognize that their unity will lead
to
successfully challenging their conditions. This unity, too, is feared
by Gov.
Brown and the CDCR.”
The strike has received widespread international news
coverage, with both the LA Times and the San Francisco Chronicle
printing
editorials critical of the CDCR.
Assembly member Tom Ammiano, chair of the Assembly Public
Safety Committee, stated on Wednesday: “I join the protesters in urging
prison
officials to make more progress in establishing fair and humane
policies in the
prisons.” Governor Jerry Brown has
remained completely silent on the issue.
The Corcoran Rally
will begin at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.
Loved ones of prisoners, advocates, lawyers, and former
prisoners will
be available for interviews throughout the day.
For more information visit: www.prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity.wordpress.com
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