The message from Hunger Striking prisoners across California this week is clear: Support from people on the outside is more important than ever.
August 1st: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST & SOLIDARITY WITH THE PRISON HUNGER STRIKERS
List of Actions for August 1: Day of Protest and Solidarity with the Prison Hunger Strikers
In support and respect for the courageous prisoners at Pelican Bay State Prison and other prisons all around California, whose July 2011 hunger strike challenged the inhumane conditions of the Security Housing Units [the SHU] and inspired the support of people far and wide—we now call on people of conscience everywhere across the U.S. and beyond, to join in an International Day of Protest and Solidarity with the Prison Hunger Strikers on Monday, August 1, 2011.
The Hunger Strikers achieved real success: the conditions of systematic abuse and torture in the SHU—and widespread thru the prison system—were dragged into the light of day. Their original five core demands have now been acknowledged—although not yet met—by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), which promised to consider them. On Monday, August 1 many diverse people and organizations will publicly speak out and act in support of these demands. Prisoners must gain the human rights and civil rights demanded by their very humanity—and by ours outside the prison walls too, wherever we may be. We insist there must be NO RETALIATION by the authorities against individual prisoners, groups of prisoners, prisoners’ family members or attorneys or other advocates, in the wake of the Hunger Strike. (And we will be paying attention.) Let us show on August 1 that the prisoners do not stand alone, through our demonstrations, rallies, religious services, fasts, call-the-governor-days, art and music, taking to the airwaves thru talk show and other call-ins, and many other public, visual, and creative expressions. Send word of your plans to prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity@gmail.com and follow news and information at prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity.wordpress.com
excerpt of letter from prisoner at CCI Tehachapi; July 21, 2011
They truly don't care and they are perfectly content in watching us pass rather than admit fault and make changes to a policy that is brutal and baseless. I can’t take my medication anymore because I have to take it with food… I asked for help and they just ignored me.
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January 03, 2011
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Reacting to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's failure to grant Kevin Cooper's clemency petition during his last day in office, Mr. Cooper's lawyers today expressed disappointment at the out-going governor's lack of action and his decision to forward Mr. Cooper's petition to incoming Governor Jerry Brown. But seeing partial vindication in this act, the team vowed to fight on. "Governor Schwarzenegger dodged this issue in the final hours of his governorship," said Norman Hile, lead attorney for Cooper. "We are disappointed, but there is still time to prevent the execution of an innocent man. Because the State of California is currently enjoined from executions using lethal injection, we will have an opportunity to take our case to incoming Governor Jerry Brown."