HUNGER STRIKE DAY 17: CDCR Refuses to Negotiate, Strikers Issue New Statement
Oakland, July 23, 2013 — With the California prisoner hunger strike in its 3rd week, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and medical receiver officials agreed to meet with a mediation team working on behalf of the hunger strikers. While the mediators were hopeful that the CDCR would discuss negotiations around the strikers' demands, they were quickly disappointed and dismayed by the CDCR’s conduct.
“The CDCR refused to let family members of strikers who are part of our team join in the discussions, they refused to negotiate or even address the strikers’ five demands, and they failed in any way to appreciate the urgency of this situation,” said mediator Ron Ahnen. The mediation team’s meeting with the federal health receiver’s office overseeing the California prison system left some assurances that the strikers would receive due medical care and left open prospects for future communication and discussions.
“This is a matter of life and death for both the strikers and their families,” said mediator Barbara Becnel. “We object in the strongest possible terms to the complacency of the CDCR.” Mediators have urged CDCR Secretary Beard to meet with them as soon as possible. His office has yet to respond.
Meanwhile strikers being held in Administrative Segregation at Pelican Bay Prison are reported to be feeling strong and in high spirits. They issued a statement today, which reads:
Greetings of solidarity and respect to
all of our supporters, all people of conscience around the world, and
all similarly situated prisoners. You should know that once again our
peaceful protest is making history, bringing international attention to
our collective efforts to bring an end, once and for all, to the
inhumane conditions and torture of indefinite solitary confinement.
We are being tortured each day by state officials (Governor Brown, his appointee CDCR
Secretary Beard, and all his underlings). Increased retaliation has
been perpetuated upon defenseless and starving prisoners who only seek
what any human being strives for—humane treatment, dignity, equality,
and justice for our families, loved ones, and ourselves. These are the
fundamental rights of all people, including those incarcerated by the
state. We are doing all we can, together with our outside supporters,
to bring about a positive changes. Gov. Brown is not above the will of
the people of California, and if he refuses to recognize the legitimacy
of our human and civil rights struggle against the practices of this
prison system, then it is the responsibility of the federal government
and President Obama to use their powers to stop the harm being done to
thousands of prisoners being held in solitary confinement.
CDCR officials are attempting to undermine the voluntary actions of prisoners who truly want better treatment and living conditions by wrongfully accusing us of forcing tens-of-thousands of prisoners across California, along with our supporters in the free world, to participate in our protest. Prisoners across the state are participating because of the inhumane conditions they are being subjected to. As HUMAN BEINGS prisoners are collectively resisting such treatment, and they are doing so peacefully. The attempted repression of our protest has not broken our spirits. In fact it has only helped to strengthen each of us—individually and collectively. Despite CDCR’s retaliations and propaganda, we remain steadfast in our commitment. We will see our peaceful hunger strike through to victory, even if this requires us to endure the torture of force-feeding. We believe at this point in our struggle we are prepared to do what is necessary in order for Gov. Brown and the CDCR to realize how serious we are, and how far and long we are willing to go to have our reasonable demands implemented.
We are hopeful that all those brave men and women across the state who are participating in this strike—all who are able health-wise—will be encouraged to issue public statements of their own, via media outlets across the country, letting the world know why they have taken part in this historic, collective struggle.
In closing, we want to inform the world that this hunger strike is far from over. We are in it for the long haul. Thus, we strongly urge Gov. Brown to return from his “get-away” vacation overseas and deal urgently with this crisis before more prisoners suffer serious health damage or death. If any deaths do occur, the responsibility for them will fall squarely on Brown and the CDCR in their callousness and inaction.
We believe that we will prevail.
In Solidarity,
PBSP-SHU Short Corridor Representatives
- Todd Ashker, C-58191, PBSP-SHU, D4-121
- Arturo Castellanos, C-17275, PBSP-SHU, D1-121
- Sitawa Nantambu Jamaa (Dewberry), C-35671, PBSP-SHU,D1-117
- Antonio Guillen, P-81948, PBSP-SHU, D2-106
Phone: (916) 445-2841
(510) 289-0336
(510) 628-0202
Fax: (916) 558-3160
Suggested script: I’m calling in support of the prisoners on hunger strike. The governor has the power to stop the torture of solitary confinement. I urge the governor to compel the CDCR to enter into negotiations to end the strike. RIGHT NOW is their chance to enter into clear, honest negotiations with the strikers to end the torture.
2) Make sure you send this email to your friends, families, and networks. Ask them to stand in solidarity with us - sign the petition today and help us reach 30,000 calls
3) We encourage you to plan a gathering in your neighborhood to make calls and organize other solidarity actions. You can also come support actions this week
- Sunday, July 28 at 10am (Norwalk City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Blvd. Norwalk, CA 90650)
- Tuesday, July 30th at 10am (State Capitol, 1315 10th St Sacramento, CA 95814)
Thank you for your commitment. Ya Basta!
El 08 de julio 2013 presos en Pelican Bay y otras prisiones reanudaron su huelga de hambre y comenzaron paros. Se han comprometido a continuar la huelga hasta que el gobernador de California Jerry Brown y el Departamento de Correcciones de California toman medidas decisivas para satisfacer sus demandas.
Hoy es el día 17 de la huelga de hambre, y el CDCR sigue tomando represalias contra los presos que participaron en esta protesta pacífica mientras niegan a negociar. Es importante que sigamos para mostrar nuestro apoyo y mantener la presión sobre el gobernador Brown y el CDCR!
Tenemos más de 5,000 personas que han firmado la petición al gobernador Brown. Ahora necesitamos 30,000 llamadas para los 30,000 huelguistas!
¡únase con nosotrxs y usen su poder político!
1) Día 17: Llamen al gobernador jerry brown
teléfono: (916) 445-2841
(510) 289-0336
(510) 628-0202
FAX: (916) 558-3160
Guión Sugerido: Estoy llamando porque apoyo a los presos que participan en la huelga de hambre. El gobernador tiene todo el poder para eliminar la tortura de aislamiento en solitario. Yo insto al gobernador a que exija al CDCR entrar en negociaciones claras y honestas con los huelguistas para poner así fin a la huelga. AHORITA MISMO es su oportunidad de negociar y terminar con la tortura injustificada.
2) Asegúrese de enviar este correo electrónico a sus amigos, familias y redes. Pídales que ser solidarios con nosotros - firmar la petición hoy y ayúdenos a alcanzar 30,000 llamadas
3) Recomendamos que hagan llamadas y organizen eventos de concientización sobre condiciones inhumanas en las prisiones para despertar y unir la comunidad. También puedes venir a los acciones de apoyo esta semana.
- Domingo, 28 de julio a las 10am (Norwalk City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Blvd. Norwalk, CA 90650.)
- Martes, 30 de julio a las 10am (State Capitol, 1315 10th St Sacramento, CA 95814)
Gracias por tu compromiso. Ya Basta
In solidarity/En solidaridad,
Annie Banks
CURB Intern
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