USA - Massive Hunger Strike in U.S. Prisons

–> From the Partisan No. 41 • July 19, 2013

On July 8, over 30,000 prisoners in California, as well as Oregon and Washington, started a hunger strike to protest the conditions of solitary confinement that many of them are subject to. This massive protest echoes the historical hunger strike that was observed two years ago at Pelican Bay State Prison. After nearly four weeks, the 2011 strike was suspended as a show of good faith after the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) committed to implement changes in the prison system. However, that commitment proved to be a smoke screen.

As reported by the “Montréal Contre Les Prisons” solidarity committee: “In isolation units, prisoners are held in their cells, alone, 22½-24 hours per day, they are served unsanitary and unwholesome food, punished collectively for the actions of individuals, and routinely—and without reason—denied access to programs and amenities which are considered standard in other prisons. Solitary confinement has been shown to have serious effects on one’s physical and psychological health after even a small period of time—there are hundreds of prisoners who have spent decades enduring such conditions.”

Among their demands—which are very modest—hunger strikers are calling for an end to the use of indefinite solitary confinement as well as the abolishment of CDCR’s notorious “debriefing policy” which compels them to inform on other prisoners as a condition of release from solitary. For many supporters, the conditions in California prisons are part of a larger pattern of violations of basic human rights, from the denial of medical and mental health care to the sterilization of at least 148 women, as the authorities recently confirmed.

On July 10, representatives from the hunger strikers at Pelican Bay issued this powerful and moving statement:

“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. We encourage everyone to take action to support the strike wherever they live. Sign the petition demanding California Governor stop the torture; plan rolling solidarity fasts if you are able; use every means to spread the word; and participate in non-violent direct action to put pressure on decision-makers. If it was not for your support, we would have died in 2011. Thank you everyone. We are confident we will prevail.”

Down with the prison system! Support the demands of the U.S. prisoners!

To find out more on the hunger strike:
http://prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity.wordpress.com
To get in touch with Montréal’s solidarity committee:
mailto:montrealcontreprisons@gmail.com

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